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
********The morning sun streamed through the tall windows of the Carter mansion, but Laura's mood was anything but sunny. She had spent the night tossing and turning, her mind plagued by the headlines and the scandal involving HB Industries. Though her husband had reassured her that it wasn’t their concern, Laura couldn’t resist reaching out to Christine, her beloved daughter, to check on her.Picking up her phone, Laura dialed Christine’s number. It didn’t take long for the call to connect."Christine, darling," Laura said, her voice dripping with concern. "How are you holding up after all this chaos? I saw the news about HB Industries. It’s a complete disaster!"On the other end of the line, Christine’s voice cracked as she replied, "Mom… it’s awful. I don’t know what to do."Laura’s brows furrowed as she heard the faint sniffles through the phone. "What happened? Tell me everything, sweetheart.""It’s Eva!" Christine exclaimed, her voice trembling as tears began to spill. "This is
At Mark’s OfficeMark’s thoughts were consumed by the scandal involving Christine and Director Rick. Clearing Christine’s name was his priority—not just for her reputation but also to secure his family’s standing. He couldn’t allow this scandal to tarnish their engagement or his business alliances.His secretary knocked and entered, handing him a folder. “Sir, I’ve gathered some information about HB Industry. It seems Director Rick has been a recurring source of trouble. There are whispers of financial irregularities and coercion, but nothing concrete.”Mark frowned as he flipped through the file. “So Director Rick isn’t just Christine’s problem—he’s a liability to HB Industry itself.”The secretary nodded. “Yes, sir. If this scandal isn’t resolved, it could damage HB Industry’s partnerships, including with Elite Entertainment and Bling Corporation.”Mark’s mind raced. “Reach out to HB Industry’s CEO, Mr. Carl. I want to schedule a meeting with him. Let’s see if we can leverage this s
As Damien led her to the couch, Eva suddenly halted, making him turn with a questioning brow.“You know,” she mused, tilting her head with mock seriousness, “before you interrupted me, I was actually offering a very expensive consultation service.”Damien crossed his arms, amusement twinkling in his dark eyes. “Oh?”Eva nodded, tapping her chin as if in deep thought. “Yes, I used to charge companies millions for my insights. So technically… you owe me.”Damien let out a low chuckle, stepping closer. “Let me get this straight,” he said, his voice rich with teasing authority. “You walked into my office, sat in my chair, went through my documents without permission—and now you’re asking me to pay you?”Eva grinned. “That’s business, Mr. Cross. Nothing is free.”Damien smirked. “And what if I refuse to pay?”Eva pretended to think, then shrugged. “Then I guess I’ll take my brilliant mind elsewhere.”Damien’s eyes darkened slightly, but he played along. “That would be a shame. Tell me, Mrs
Minutes passed, and Eva quickly grew bored.She had been in Damien’s office many times, but she still found herself looking around. It was immaculate and organized, but it lacked anything personal. Nothing in this room screamed Damien—except for the towering stacks of documents and reports on his desk.Her eyes narrowed as she walked over, running her fingers lightly over the ridiculous amount of paperwork.“No wonder he barely has time to eat.” She muttered, shaking her head.The sight of his overwhelming workload triggered a familiar ache in her chest. She remembered her past—being buried in work, managing her father’s company alongside Mark. She had spent countless nights drowning in documents, starving herself to meet deadlines, and yet… no one had cared. Neither her father nor Mark had ever asked if she had eaten.Her fingers clenched slightly against the papers.She had left that life behind, yet here Damien was, doing the same thing to himself.Determined to help him, Eva sat i
The sleek black car pulled up in front of Cross Enterprise, and Eva didn’t waste a second stepping out. Instead of the casual home-cooked meal she initially planned, she had opted for something more refined—a gourmet lunch from one of the most renowned restaurants in the city.“Wait here,” Eva told Gwen as she adjusted her coat.Gwen smirked knowingly. “Of course, take your time, lover girl.”Eva rolled her eyes but didn’t argue. She knew exactly what she was doing. There was no need to hide anymore—not after the scandal had already made headlines, exposing her connection to Damien. So, she walked into the building with confidence, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor of the grand lobby.The moment she stepped inside, all eyes were on her.Employees, visitors, and executives alike paused in their conversations, their gazes snapping toward the stunning supermodel who had just entered the headquarters of one of the most powerful companies in the world.It wasn’t just her
--- After the Fitting As Eva stepped off the platform, Gwen handed her a bottle of water. “You handled that beautifully.” Eva took a sip and smirked. “Christine’s getting predictable.” Trix rolled her eyes. “What’s next? Tripping you on the runway?” Eva chuckled. “If she does, I’ll be ready for that too.” Christine might have thought she could sabotage Eva with clumsy tricks, but Eva wasn’t easily shaken. When they got to her room, Eva sighed in relief as she kicked off her heels, rolling her ankles to ease the tension. “What’s my schedule looking like today, Trix?” she asked, rubbing her temples. Trix scrolled through her tablet, barely glancing up. “You have a photoshoot with Victoria this afternoon after you wrap up here.” Eva groaned, sinking into the plush chair. “Can’t we reschedule? At this point, I can’t tell if she’s just dedicated to her work or if she’s obsessed with overworking me to death.” Gwen chuckled, settling onto the couch beside her. “She’s taken a real l
The fashion house hosting the campaign had scheduled a fitting session for all the models. The room buzzed with activity as assistants, designers, and stylists adjusted gowns and accessories. Eva arrived, poised and confident, dressed in a sleek black dress. Gwen and Trix trailed behind her, chatting about the campaign’s recent success. Christine was already there, surrounded by a few stylists, her laughter deliberately exaggerated as she chatted with a designer. Eva ignored her and focused on her fitting. A stylist handed her an elegant white gown, its fabric shimmering under the lights. It was one of the most anticipated pieces of the campaign, and Eva knew this photoshoot would be critical. As she stepped onto the fitting platform, Christine made her move. A designer approached Eva with a clipboard, giving her details about the shoot. Christine, pretending to walk past, "accidentally" tilted a cup of coffee in Eva’s direction. Time seemed to slow. The dark liquid splashed on
Christine arrived at the elegant restaurant exactly on time, her usual sweet smile in place. Despite her outward composure, she couldn’t deny the slight unease settling in her stomach. Victoria had announced Eva as her chosen model two days ago, yet here she was, inviting Christine for lunch. It didn’t make sense. Christine had had done everything in her power to sway Victoria against Eva, planting doubts, twisting the truth, and playing the concerned friend. But it had failed. Eva hadstill won. So why am was. she here? Pushing aside her skepticism, Christine decided to play along. If Victoria wanted to meet, she would act as if nothing was wrong. “Victoria,” she greeted warmly as she reached the table. “It’s so good to see you. I was surprised by your invitation.” Victoria, sitting across from her, barely reacted. Her expression was unreadable, her fingers lightly tapping against her wine glass. Christine took a seat gracefully, keeping her smile in place. “I have to say, you
-- As soon as the meeting ended, Christine marched straight toward Eva, her heels clicking against the marble floor. “Sister,” she greeted with a bright, almost saccharine smile. “What you did back there was so impressive.” Eva remained expressionless, her arms crossed as she stared Christine down. Christine’s smile didn’t falter. “I didn’t realize you had such a creative spark. Tell me, when exactly did you see my idea and decide to… improve upon it? Did you happen to glance at it while I was working?” Her voice was sweet, but the accusation was unmistakable. Before Eva could respond, Trix stepped forward, her sharp gaze locked on Christine. “What exactly are you trying to imply, Christine?” Trix asked coldly. Christine feigned innocence, tilting her head. “Oh, nothing serious. I was just wondering how my idea—one I spent so much time refining—was suddenly overlooked in favor of something… so similar.” She cast Eva a knowing smirk. Eva arched an unimpressed eyebrow. “You mea
The collaborative campaign was one of the biggest projects of the season, featuring elite models, renowned designers, and a top creative team. Eva had spent days preparing for the brainstorming session, refining unique ideas that would make the campaign stand out. However, Christine had no intention of letting Eva shine. This time, she planned to steal the spotlight—by stealing Eva’s ideas. It's been a week after Victoria's incident and just like Tanya had advised her, Christine had piped down. However, it seems her patience is finally going to pay off now that she has seen an opportunity to use. --- The atmosphere in the conference room buzzed with anticipation. Top executives, marketing directors, and creative leads gathered, ready to hear proposals for the campaign’s direction. Eva had spent the past week crafting a concept that was both elegant and modern, something that would redefine high-fashion advertising. She sat at the table, confident but cautious. Christine was
Eva sighed, but she maintained her composure. “That’s not true,” she said firmly. “I have nothing but respect for your designs and what you’ve achieved in this industry.”Victoria raised an eyebrow. “And you expect me to take your word over hers?”Eva met her gaze, unflinching. “Yes. But I also believe actions speak louder than words. Let me prove my sincerity by working with you on something that reflects your vision entirely.”Victoria’s expression softened slightly. “So you’re proposing a collaboration—on my terms?”Eva nodded. “I want to respect your artistry, not overshadow it. Whatever you need, I’m here to deliver.”Victoria hummed thoughtfully, tapping her fingers against the table.Eva arched her brow. “What? You think I’m lying?”“No, I can tell you’re being sincere.” Victoria leaned back, crossing her arms. “I was just wondering how you managed to be such a bitch last night, and now here you are, offering me a deal. It’s like you’re two completely different people. My frien