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
……….Mark Johnson’s day had started like any other, filled with back-to-back meetings and plans to handle and solve some of the issues his business empire was having. But it all came crashing down when his secretary hesitantly entered his office, carrying a thick report and a tablet in her hand.“Sir,” she said nervously, placing the document on his desk and tablet in front of him. “You’ll want to read this immediately. And this is already trending everywhere.Mark glanced up from his laptop, frowning at her unusual tone. He reached for the folder, flipping it open to reveal a report filled with scandalous headlines. His eyes narrowed as he read the damning words staring back at him: "HB Industry Scandal: Director Rick and Christine Carter Accused of Corruption."The further he read, the more his anger boiled. His fiancée, Christine, implicated in a public scandal? Her name linked with Director Rick’s unethical dealings? How could this have happened under his noseMark tossed the repo
Christine sniffled, her voice barely above a whisper. “When Eva left the industry about a few weeks ago for the photoshoot, Director Rick assigned me some of the contracts she was supposed to accept. I didn’t ask for them, Mark. I was just trying to do my job. But when Eva came back, she saw me as a threat. She thinks I took what belonged to her, and now she’s trying to sabotage me. I don’t know how she did it, but she must have dug up something on Director Rick and twisted it to make me look bad. I swear, Mark, I’ve done nothing wrong!”Mark’s jaw clenched as he processed her words. “You’re saying Eva is behind this scandal? That she exposed Rick just to get back at you? Are you absolutely sure this is Eva’s doing?”Christine nodded, tears streaming down her face. “Who else would do something like this? She's the only one who has something to gain from ruining me. I’ve done nothing wrong, Mark. I swear. I’ve tried so hard to avoid conflict with her, but she won’t leave me alone.”Mar
The next morning, Mark wasted no time. He summoned his legal team and private investigators to his office, determined to uncover every move Eva had made since her return to the industry. His fury simmered beneath the surface, but his actions were calculated. Eva was no ordinary opponent, and if she truly had a hand in this scandal, he needed undeniable proof before making his next move.Meanwhile, Christine played her role to perfection. As the scandal gained traction in the media, she deliberately stayed out of the spotlight, ensuring her public image as a sweet, innocent fiancée remained untarnished.By mid-morning, Christine sat in her private sitting room, carefully crafting a message to Eva. Her words were carefully chosen, painting herself as a victim while subtly challenging Eva’s involvement in the scandal.Christine: Big sister, I don’t know why you’re doing this to me. Whatever you think I’ve done, I promise it wasn’t intentional. I never wanted to take anything from you, bu
Eva stepped out of Kai’s office and made her way to Gwen’s. The polished corridors of Elite Entertainment seemed quieter than usual, but Eva’s mind was far from the ambiance around her. When she entered Gwen’s office, she found both Gwen and Trix waiting for her. The moment Gwen spotted her, she stood with her arms crossed, her expression simmering with frustration.“This is outrageous,” Gwen started without preamble. “Trix just told me everything. What does Mr. Carl think he’s doing? Pairing you with Christine? Is he out of his mind?”Eva closed the door behind her and approached the seating area, her calm demeanor in stark contrast to Gwen’s fiery tone. Trix sat on the couch, her face a mix of concern and uncertainty.“It’s not ideal,” Trix admitted, “but Mr. Carl is thinking from a business perspective. He believes Eva’s influence can salvage Christine’s reputation. That’s the only reason he’s doing this.”Gwen let out a sharp laugh, incredulous. “And we’re supposed to let Eva clea
Meanwhile Eva was busy panicking in her room. Every dress in her closet was stunning, crafted from the finest materials, yet none of them fit her properly! She hadn't gotten any sensible dress for the banquet when she went to the mall. There wasn’t enough time to reach out to a designer for a custom dress that fit her current size. She called the best tailors she knew, but all of them were fully booked. It wasn’t hard to figure out why—the socialites attending the banquet had monopolized their schedules.Eva considered skipping the event altogether but quickly dismissed the thought. Her grandpa Smith would never allow it. Letting out a frustrated groan, she collapsed onto her bed, staring at the ceiling in defeat.Suddenly her phone vibrated against the table, breaking the silence. She glanced at the screen. Trix.She picked up, her voice composed despite the knot forming in her stomach. “Trix. What’s the news?”Trix hesitated briefly before speaking, her voice laced with concern. “E
Kai leaned back in his sleek office chair, sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Elite Entertainment’s Miami headquarters. His phone buzzed, and the name “Mr. Carl” flashed across the screen. Sighing, he answered the call, already bracing himself for what was to come.“Kai speaking,” he said curtly.“Good afternoon, Mr. Breaker,” Came Mr. Carl’s smooth and measured voice. “I appreciate you taking my call. I wanted to discuss a matter concerning Evangeline.”Kai’s posture straightened slightly, his instincts immediately alert. “What about her?”“Well,” Mr. Carl began, his tone calculated, “as you’re aware, Christine Carter has been facing some challenges following her recent scandal. While BTG industry has done its best to contain the fallout, her reputation has not fully recovered. This has raised concerns for us at HB Industry, given her collaboration contract with us.”Kai’s eyes narrowed. He said nothing, letting Mr. Carl dig his own grave.“To address this,” M
---The next morning, the media was ablaze with photos of their romantic outing. Paparazzi had captured them at the amusement park, painting them as the ultimate power couple. In every image, Damien’s protective nature was evident—his arm firmly around Eva, his gaze never straying far from her.The headlines praised their chemistry, their undeniable connection. While most media outlets dared not mention Eva’s past, a few foolishly brought up her previous engagement to Mark and unearthed unflattering photos from years ago.Damien was swift in his retaliation. The companies responsible were swiftly dismantled, their employees blacklisted, and the malicious articles erased from existence. His actions sent a clear message: any attack on Eva would be met with swift and merciless consequences.Unaware of the media frenzy, Eva woke up to a flood of messages. Most were from her estranged family, whose sudden interest in her life only deepened her disdain.[Mistress]: Ungrateful child! Why did
Her words seemed to shatter the last of his control. Damien’s movements became more deliberate, his hands exploring her body with a confidence that left her breathless. She felt the heat of his touch through the thin fabric of her dress, and when his lips found the sensitive spot at the base of her throat, a soft moan escaped her.The tension between them built with every touch, every kiss, until it was almost unbearable. Damien’s hands found the straps of her dress, and he slid them down her shoulders, his lips following the path they left behind. She felt vulnerable yet safe under his gaze, the intensity in his eyes making her feel like the most precious thing in the world.Just as they reached the point of no return, the shrill sound of Damien’s phone shattered the moment. He froze, his forehead resting against hers as he let out a frustrated groan. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” he muttered, his voice filled with irritation.Eva couldn’t help but laugh softly, her cheeks flushed a
She trembled at his words, their certainty sending a ripple through her. He spoke with such confidence, so assured that she would stay by his side for the rest of their lives, and to her surprise, she found comfort in it. There was something deeply reassuring about his unwavering resolve, about knowing he was the kind of man who would cross oceans and move mountains to keep her close—even if it meant chasing her to the ends of the earth just to bring her back."I never intended to run," she whispered, her voice soft but resolute. Her words made his heart race. He tightened his arms around her, unwilling to let go.Eva remained nestled against Damien’s chest, her breath steadying as his strong arms cocooned her in warmth. For a moment, the world around them seemed to disappear, leaving only the two of them in the magical ambiance he had created. The distant hum of the city and the lingering scent of roses faded into the background, replaced by the quiet, steady rhythm of his heartbeat
Okay, now remove your hands."Eva hesitated for a moment before doing as Damien instructed. When she opened her eyes, confusion flickered across her face. Darkness engulfed her entirely, so thick she could barely make out his silhouette ahead of her."What's going on—"Her words faltered as Damien pressed a button. In an instant, the oppressive darkness was replaced with a breathtaking display of shimmering lights.The scenery before her was magical, like something out of a dream. Majestic archways adorned with twinkling lights stretched as far as her eyes could see. Each arch was intricately designed with delicate white metalwork, interwoven with clusters of vibrant flowers. Fairy lights danced across the vivid blooms, their colors blending into a mesmerizing spectrum. String lights cascaded above them, adding to the enchantment.Her gaze drifted downward, and her breath caught. The ground was a carpet of roses—red, white, and pink—arranged in a heart-shaped pattern so intricate it s
Suspicious, Eva pulled out her phone and opened the camera. Her eyes widened in horror when she saw the glaring red marks on her neck—two perfectly visible hickeys."You!" she gasped, smacking Damien’s arm as he burst into laughter."You… you…!" she stammered, completely flustered. Her thoughts raced in a whirlwind of panic. ‘Oh my goodness! Has it been there this whole time? Is that why people kept staring at me?!’"It’s not funny!" she scolded, now using her purse to hit him, much to the amusement of his bodyguards."If it makes you feel better, you can leave some on me too," Damien teased, winking playfully. She retaliated by swatting at him repeatedly, but he was far too amused by her adorable expression to take her seriously. The mere thought of her leaving a mark on him filled him with excitement, his eyes glinting with anticipation and unspoken hopes."You wish!" she snapped, instantly crushing his hopes, though his smirk only deepened."Careful what you wish for," he murmured,
After the haunted house, Eva eagerly dragged Damien from one ride to another—towering roller coasters, spinning swings, and even a few kiddie rides. For her sake, Damien endured the sweltering heat and the endless lines. He’d thought a regular FastPass was fine, but Eva insisted they live like “normal” people for the day.He glanced at her flushed cheeks and noticed her eyes drooping slightly from the heat. With a sharp flick of his wrist, his bodyguards stepped forward. One handed him a hat while the other awaited further instructions."Get iced drinks," Damien ordered, placing the hat gently on Eva’s head.Her curious eyes peeked up at him, and she began to speak, but he cut her off with a sigh. "You're overexerting yourself, silly." Pulling out a pristine handkerchief, he wiped the beads of sweat forming on her forehead with surprising tenderness."But it’s so much fun…" Eva mumbled, reaching for his arm. To her dismay, he dodged her touch at first, only to surprise her by intertwi