Eva stood, smoothing her dress with deliberate grace. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave. Feel free to send any legitimate offers my way—ones that aren’t tainted by ulterior motives.”As she turned to leave, Rick called after her, his voice laced with frustration. “This isn’t over, Eva. You’re making enemies you can’t afford to have.”Eva paused at the door, glancing over her shoulder with a calm, confident smile. “Director Rick, I’ve faced far worse than this. If you want to play games, just remember—I always play to win.”With that, she exited the office, leaving Rick stewing in his defeat. Eva knew the battle wasn’t over, but she was ready for whatever came next. After all, she wasn’t just surviving in this industry—she was thriving on her own terms.—---The next day, HB Industry and the event organizers issued statements, instructing the public on how to obtain tickets to see Eva at the upcoming event.As soon as the announcements went live, the backlash followed almost
Upon entering the house, Eva immediately noticed Damien already home. His tall, imposing figure was stretched out on the sofa, his right arm resting across his eyes to shield himself from the bright lights. Eva smiled softly, her presence unnoticed at first. She quietly approached him and sat beside him, gently running her fingers across the sharp angles of his face."Why aren’t you in bed?" she asked, her voice tender."The company you're endorsing tomorrow," Damien began, his tone serious, "Cross Enterprise’s legal team has already sent them a letter, suing for fraud. The news should be spreading tomorrow afternoon."Eva rested her head against his chest as she replied, "It’s fine. I'll only be appearing in the morning."Although she didn’t elaborate further, Damien seemed to sense what she was planning. He understood that her actions tomorrow would have consequences, and the client wouldn't let her off easily. Hence, Cross Enterprise, a company that rarely involved itself with such
------------------The venue for the event was modest, with the main hall accommodating roughly 200 seats. Despite its size, Eva knew that the real audience extended far beyond the people present. Countless eyes would be watching her through live streams, hoping to see her stumble while endorsing this low-tier brand. They were eager to find ammunition for gossip and ridicule. But Eva smirked inwardly—they were in for a rude awakening.After a spirited introduction from the host and a reassuring nod from Trix, Eva stepped onto the stage. The spotlight bathed her in a warm glow, and though it had been a while since she stood in such a position, her confidence remained unwavering. She paused for a moment, letting the silence settle as she adjusted to the glaring lights and curious gazes.The host, an energetic man eager to hype the event, grinned widely. "Ladies and gentlemen, our dazzling Eva is here! Doesn’t she have the most enchanting presence? Let’s give her a warm welcome!"He hand
But as Eva stepped off the stage, the storm brewing backstage awaited her. Director Rick and the client stormed toward her, their expressions thunderous."Eva!" the client barked, jabbing a finger in her direction. "What the hell were you thinking? A model like you, daring to cause a scene in front of so many people? Have you lost your mind?""You turned this event into your personal press conference!" Director Rick snapped, his voice low but venomous. "Do you realize what you’ve done?"Eva remained calm, her gaze steady as she met their furious stares. Her poise, far from pacifying them, only seemed to infuriate them more."Eva, I’m warning you," the company representative growled, his tone filled with arrogance. "If you still want a career in this industry, you’d better get out there and apologize. Otherwise, I’ll make you regret ever setting foot on this stage."Eva’s soft laughter filled the tense room. Her calm expression, betraying no hint of fear, seemed almost mocking. "The wo
What kind of nonsense agency is HB Industries to force Eva to attend such a disastrous event? The management must be completely incompetent!" "Seriously, if HB Industries can’t handle their artists, maybe they should let us do it. Even high schoolers could do a better job!" "Eva, Eva, what are you endorsing next? Let us know so we can support you!" "Eva, leave HB Industries—you deserve so much better." "Eva, we’re cheering for you after how you handled this so brilliantly!" As social media flooded with comments supporting Eva, Christine sat in her room, her nails digging into the fabric of the armrest. She hadn’t anticipated Eva flipping the script so decisively, shifting public opinion and exposing HB Industries’ ineptitude. Her irritation boiled over as she threw her tablet across the room, sending it crashing into a lamp. "How dare she?" Christine hissed, her voice venomous. "This wasn’t supposed to happen!" More than Eva’s announcement of a comeback, what enraged Chri
Kai chuckled dryly, a sound that carried no humor. “Explain? I’d think you’d be the one providing explanations, Mr. Carl. Your Director, Rick, has been making moves that directly impact my model and, by extension, my company. Care to tell me why?”Carl’s jaw tightened as he leaned back in his chair. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. If Rick has overstepped, I wasn’t informed. But let me be clear—HB Industry doesn’t tolerate unilateral decisions that jeopardize partnerships.”Kai’s tone hardened. “Then I suggest you rein him in before things escalate further. Eva is under my protection, and I won’t stand by while someone from your company attempts to undermine her.”Carl’s brow furrowed. “Protection? Are you implying Rick’s actions were deliberate?”“I’m not implying anything,” Kai replied coolly. “But Eva’s influence is growing, and there are those who see her as a threat. If HB Industry is looking to make an enemy out of Elite Entertainment, I can assure you it’s a battle yo
Eva walked into the sleek glass lobby of HB Industry, her heels clicking against the marble floor with quiet confidence. Heads turned as she passed, her commanding presence impossible to ignore. The receptionist looked up, wide-eyed, and quickly gestured her toward the executive elevator."Mr. Carl is expecting you," the receptionist stammered, her voice slightly shaky.Eva offered a polite nod and stepped into the elevator, her expression calm but her eyes sharp. Moments later, the elevator doors opened to the top floor, revealing the expansive office of Mr. Carl.“Miss Carter,” Mr. Carl greeted with a practiced smile, rising from behind his desk. His tone was warm, but there was a hint of tension in his eyes. “Thank you for coming on such short notice. Please, have a seat.”Eva walked in with her usual poise, taking the offered seat but not relaxing. “You wanted to see me, Mr. Carl. Let’s not waste time with pleasantries.”Carl chuckled lightly, though the sound was hollow. “Straigh
Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and strode out of the office, leaving Carl sitting in silence. The door clicked shut behind her, and he let out a frustrated breath, realizing he had severely underestimated her resolve—and the potential fallout of siding with Director Rick. As Eva entered the elevator, her phone buzzed in her bag. She smirked, already knowing who it was. “Time to get to work,” she murmured, the fire in her eyes blazing brighter than ever. Half an hour later, an authoritative media outlet dropped bombshell recordings. In these clips, HB Industries executive Director Rick, including Christine, could be heard discussing their plans to sabotage Eva’s career, force her into humiliating gigs, and tarnish her image. The recordings left no room for misinterpretation. The final nail in the coffin was Christine’s unmistakable voice giving explicit orders to blacklist Eva and ensure she took the fall for HB Industries’ failures. Social media erupted
“I... I’m starting to think Eva might be trying to sabotage me. You know, with the awards coming up, and her growing popularity... I just have this feeling she’s trying to push me out of the competition,” Christine said, her voice trembling slightly as if she was on the verge of breaking down. She knew Mark would respond to weakness, to vulnerability, just as he always had.Mark’s voice was low, filled with annoyance. “What do you mean, sabotage you? She’s already got the public on her side. What else does she want?”“I don’t know, Mark. But I can’t shake the feeling that she’s behind some of the things happening to me lately,” Christine continued, carefully planting the seed of doubt. “She’s been getting more endorsements, more media attention... She’s always one step ahead, and I feel like she’s using me to boost her own career. Maybe she’s trying to push me out of the spotlight, making sure I don’t have a chance to win.”Mark was silent for a moment, processing the information. Chr
Eva didn’t respond immediately. She could feel the seriousness in Everett’s words, and for a brief moment, the playful rivalry between them was pushed aside.Everett’s eyes softened slightly as she looked at Eva, a rare glimpse of concern flickering in her gaze. “What are you going to do about her? She’s the one who caused my accident but had that person lie he was a fan, right? Also with the recent things happening, I can tell she’s been pulling strings, trying to break you down.”Eva's expression hardened, her grip tightening on her wine glass. “I’m not sure yet. But Christine’s time is running out.” She gave a slight, bitter laugh. “I won’t let her destroy me.”Everett studied Eva for a moment, her face unreadable. “Be careful, Eva,” she said quietly, her tone more serious than Eva had ever heard. “Christine’s dangerous. And she’s got a way of making everyone believe her sweet little act.”Eva took a deep breath, looking away briefly as she processed Everett’s words. The concern wa
The day of the event arrived, and Christine was glowing with victory. Dressed in an elegant gown, she enjoyed the attention as she mingled with industry elites, knowing she was now the headlining speaker.With Eva out of the picture, this was her moment.Then the doors opened.Gasps rippled through the crowd as Eva walked in, effortlessly poised, wearing a breathtaking designer dress. The cameras instantly shifted toward her, flashing in rapid succession.Christine’s smile faltered. “What is she doing here?”Before she could react, the event host stepped onto the stage, microphone in hand.“Ladies and gentlemen, we have a special surprise. While there were some scheduling changes, we’re honored to have Eva here tonight.”Christine stiffened. “What? That’s impossible!”Eva merely smiled, making her way toward the front.Kai had pulled the right strings behind the scenes. Even if she wasn’t an official speaker anymore, she was still one of the biggest names in the room—and the audience
Christine was livid. Every attempt to ruin Eva had backfired, and now, the industry was beginning to suspect foul play.Her carefully crafted innocent image was slipping, and she refused to let that happen.Gripping her phone tightly, she dialed Tanya, her voice sharp the moment the call connected."Tanya, listen carefully. I don’t care what it takes—pull every string, bribe whoever you need to, but make sure Eva does not attend the upcoming fashion event. I want her out, completely.”Tanya hesitated. “Christine, are you sure about this? Maybe you should—”“Don’t question me!” Christine snapped, her frustration boiling over. “Do you think I have the luxury of waiting? Eva is already taking the spotlight. If this continues, I won’t even be considered for the Top Ten Models Award!”Tanya sighed. “Fine. I’ll see what I can do. But Christine, be careful. You’re playing a dangerous game. If this backfires, it could cost you everything.”Christine scoffed. “Please. Eva won’t be able to prov
Christine sat alone in the dimly lit hotel, her fingers lightly tapping against the side of her untouched wine glass. The usually confident and composed woman looked lost in thought, her expression unreadable as she stared at the city skyline beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows.Everything she had planned against Eva had backfired spectacularly. Instead of destroying Eva’s reputation, she had only fueled the public’s admiration for her. The industry was turning against Christine, and the narrative was slipping out of her control.A soft click of heels echoed through the room, breaking Christine from her thoughts.“Christine?”She turned her head slightly, finding Tanya standing near the entrance, a curious look on her face.Tanya was one of the few people Christine trusted—or rather, tolerated—because she was useful. Smart, cunning, and always willing to play dirty, Tanya had been by Christine’s side long enough to know exactly how far she was willing to go to get what she wanted.“Wh
A few days after Mark successfully cleared his name from the Harper Luxuries scandal, Christine sat alone in her dressing room, her perfectly manicured fingers tapping impatiently against the vanity table.She had tried everything—sabotage, whispers in the right ears, carefully placed rumors—yet Eva always came out unscathed. Every plan Christine devised had crumbled before her eyes, and it was beginning to drive her insane.If indirect tactics didn’t work, she had to change her approach. This time, she wouldn’t hide behind shadows. She wouldn’t need to.Instead, she would manipulate the situation so well that Eva would ruin herself.All she needed was the perfect stage.---An exclusive fashion gala was set to take place, attended by top designers, influencers, and media elites. Both Eva and Christine had been invited as brand ambassadors for their respective labels.Christine smirked to herself. This was it. The perfect opportunity.She had carefully arranged for the media’s attenti
The dim candlelight cast a golden glow over the elegantly set dining table. A soft melody played in the background, filling the room with warmth. Christine had spent hours preparing this—his favorite dishes, the finest wine. Tonight had to be perfect.She glanced at the clock anxiously. Mark would be home soon. And she had to fix this.The front door finally opened, and Mark stepped inside. His face was tired, his eyes dark with frustration. He didn’t even glance at the romantic dinner she had prepared. Instead, he sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair.“Christine, what is this?” His voice was cold.Christine swallowed and stepped toward him. “A dinner. For us.”Mark scoffed, shaking his head. “A dinner? Christine, do you have any idea what I’ve been dealing with? My father’s furious. Investors are backing out after the Harper Luxuries. I've lost of funds.” His voice grew sharper, filled with exhaustion. “And do you know what people are whispering? That my own fiancée might
The silence between them was thick with unspoken thoughts, but Damien wasn’t one to leave things unresolved. He turned slightly, his piercing gaze fixed on her.“Why didn’t you ask for my help?” His voice was calm but held an edge of something deeper—something close to frustration.Eva, who had been absentmindedly tracing the rim of her wine glass, glanced at him. A small smirk curled her lips, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.“Because it was something I could handle,” she said simply. “Like always.”Damien’s expression remained unreadable, but his fingers curled slightly against his knee. “And if you couldn’t?”Eva shrugged. “Then I would have asked. But it wasn’t time for that yet.”That answer didn’t satisfy him. He exhaled slowly, rubbing his temple. “Eva—”“I know what you’re going to say,” she interrupted, meeting his gaze head-on. “You think I should have let you take care of it. But Damien, I don’t always need you to fight my battles. Sometimes, I want to win them on my own
Eva sat on the couch, feeling bored. The scandal had caused too much noise, and going home—where the paparazzi were undoubtedly lurking—was out of the question.With a sigh, Eva reached for her phone and scrolled through her contacts. Her finger hovered over Damien for a moment before she pressed the call button.The phone rang twice before his deep, smooth voice came through. “Eva.”Just her name. Nothing more. But there was something in the way he said it—low, controlled, yet sharp with attention—that made her exhale slowly.“Hey,” she murmured, leaning against the plush headboard.Silence. Then, “What’s wrong?”She almost smiled. He always saw through her.“I can’t go home,” she admitted, rubbing her temple. “The reporters are camped outside. And after today’s interview… they’ll only get worse.”Damien didn’t answer immediately. She could hear the faint rustling of papers, the click of a pen, before he finally spoke. “Where are you?”“Penthouse suite at the Grand Royale,” she repli