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
Later that afternoon, Mark arrived at HB Industry for his scheduled meeting with Carl.“Mr. Johnson, it’s good to see you,” Carl greeted, shaking his hand.“Likewise,” Mark replied smoothly, taking a seat. “I understand you’ve had a challenging few days.”Carl sighed. “That’s an understatement. The scandal involving Christine and Rick has caused quite a stir. But I’ve taken steps to address it.”“I’m aware,” Mark said, his tone measured. “And I appreciate your swift action. However, Christine’s name is still being dragged through the mud because of Rick’s actions. I need your help to clear her reputation.”Carl frowned. “Mr. Johnson, I sympathize with Christine, but the situation is complicated. Eva Carter’s involvement has made things… delicate.”Mark’s jaw tightened at the mention of Eva. “I understand, but Christine had no part in Rick’s misconduct. If we can shift the narrative, perhaps by emphasizing Christine’s integrity and dedication to her work, it could help mitigate the dam
Eva’s smile grew colder, her gaze unwavering. “You see, my younger sister isn’t the sweet, innocent girl everyone thinks she is. In reality, she’s been playing the same game as I have, just with a little more subtlety. It would be quite the irony if she didn’t have her hands just as stained as mine, wouldn’t it? After all, we share the same father, and those blood ties aren’t just for show. Our methods may differ, but we both inherited his cunning and ambition. She’s just learned to hide it better.”Damien chuckled darkly. “You’re ruthless.”“Only when I need to be,” Eva replied. “Mark thinks he can protect Christine, but I’ll make sure he sees her true colors before this is over.”Damien’s gaze softened as he watched Eva work, her focus unwavering despite the tension in the air. He could see the weight of the battle ahead on her shoulders, the way her jaw tightened with determination, and how her brow furrowed in concentration. It was a side of Eva that few saw—the strategist, the on
The kiss was soft at first, a mere whisper of contact, but Eva felt her body respond instantly. Her breath hitched as his lips moved against hers with a hunger she hadn’t expected, a fierce but controlled desire that sent a shiver down her spine. His hand slid to the back of her neck, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss.Eva’s pulse raced, her hands reaching up to grip the front of his shirt, her fingers fisting the fabric as though afraid he would pull away. But he didn’t. He deepened the kiss, his lips moving with increasing urgency, as though he couldn’t get close enough. He was gentle, yet commanding, as if every moment of restraint he’d held onto for so long was unraveling in this single, electrifying kiss.The world around them seemed to fade. There was no boardroom, no corporate games, no family drama. There was only him, only her. The way his lips pressed against hers, the heat of his body against hers, the way his touch made her forget everything else. She felt his fingers
At HB Industry HeadquartersMeanwhile, Mark sat in Carl’s office once again, going over the PR strategy to clear Christine’s name. The CEO looked more stressed than ever, his shoulders tense as he addressed Mark.“We’re drafting a public statement,” Carl explained. “It’ll emphasize Christine’s commitment to the company and distance her from Rick’s actions. But there’s a complication.”Mark’s eyes narrowed. “What kind of complication?”Carl hesitated. “Elite Entertainment and Bling Corporation are keeping a close eye on how we handle this. Eva Carter has their full support, and she’s not backing down. If we push too hard to protect Christine, we could lose those partnerships.”Mark’s jaw clenched. “Are you saying you’re prioritizing Eva over Christine?”“I’m saying I have to prioritize HB Industry,” Carl replied firmly. “I can’t afford to lose our biggest partners. If Eva brings more evidence against Christine…” He trailed off, his meaning clear.Mark stood, his expression cold. “Leave
The atmosphere in the Cross Enterprise boardroom was oppressive, the air thick with tension. Executives sat around the long, polished mahogany table, their gazes fixed nervously on their documents or the sleek screen displaying the quarterly figures. No one dared to make a sound, and even the faintest shuffle of paper seemed deafening in the silence.They were waiting. Waiting for him.The door opened, and Damien Cross strode in, his presence commanding the room instantly. Dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit with a crisp white shirt and a dark tie, he radiated an aura of power and authority that made even the most seasoned executives feel small. His sharp jawline and piercing dark eyes, cold and calculating, scanned the room with a precision that seemed to strip away any pretense or façade.“Good morning, Mr. Cross,” The executive greeted him.Shane, who was standing at his side and handed him a leather-bound folder. Damien nodded curtly, his expression unreadable as he flipped
“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