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
“Add something to your tasks,” Damien said, his voice lower but no less commanding. “Keep a close eye on Mark Johnson. I want a full report on his activities—where he goes, who he meets, everything. If he so much as sneezes in Eva’s direction, I want to know.”Shane hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding. “Understood, sir.”“Make sure it’s discreet,” Damien added, his voice softening slightly as he stared out the window. “Eva doesn’t want me to interfere, but Mark is reckless. He won’t hesitate to retaliate if he sees an opening.”Shane furrowed his brow. “Do you want us to intervene if he makes a move against Ms. Evangeline?”Damien’s gaze shifted back to Shane, his eyes cold once again. “No. Not unless I say so. For now, I want surveillance. Keep him contained. I’ll handle the rest.”Shane nodded, understanding the weight behind those words. “Of course, Mr. Cross.”As Shane exited the office, Damien leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. He rubbed his temples b
Christine lounged on her couch, her manicured fingers scrolling absentmindedly through social media, her eyes darting between glowing praise and thinly veiled criticisms in the comments. The scandal with Director Rick was still stirring up whispers, and while Mark was working to control the narrative, it was impossible to ignore the cracks forming in her carefully curated image.Her phone buzzed, breaking her thoughts. It was Tanya, her manager. With a sigh, she answered.“What is it, Tanya?” Christine asked, her tone clipped.“Christine, I just got a call from President Adolf’s office,” Tanya said hurriedly, her voice carrying a hint of panic. “He wants to meet with you today. He didn’t specify the reason, but I can guess it’s about the... scandal.”Christine’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Fine. Schedule it. I’ll go.”“It’s already set. He’s expecting you at BTG Industries in an hour.”Without another word, Christine hung up, her mind racing. If Adolf wanted to speak with her pers
Christine’s smile faltered briefly, but she quickly regained her poise. “Mark is already handling it. He’s making sure the story dies down, and I’ve taken every step to ensure there’s no more fuel for the fire.”Adolf’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Mark may be powerful, but even he can’t shield you from everything. If this doesn’t blow over soon, the board will demand action. And if that happens…” He hesitated, his tone sharpening. “I’ll have no choice but to consider terminating your contract.”Christine stiffened, her eyes narrowing. “Terminate my contract? President Adolf, I’ve been one of your most successful models for years. I’ve brought prestige and revenue to BTG Industries. Are you seriously suggesting that one scandal could outweigh everything I’ve done for this company?”Adolf exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I don’t want it to come to that, Christine, but you must understand the position we’re in. The media isn’t just speculating about you—they’re speculating
Later that day, the news broke: HB Industry had officially announced Director Rick’s dismissal and issued a public apology for his misconduct. The statement also promised to review its leadership and implement stricter policies to prevent similar issues in the future.Eva watched the news with a satisfied smile. “One down, two to go,” she murmured.Damien, who was sitting beside her, raised an eyebrow. “Mark and Christine?”Eva nodded. “They think they can manipulate the situation to their advantage. But I’m always two steps ahead.”Damien smirked. “Remind me never to get on your bad side.”Eva chuckled. “You’re already on my good side, Mr. Cross. But keep that in mind.”As the statement from HB Industry continued to play on the screen, Eva knew this was just the beginning. Christine and Mark were next, and she wouldn’t stop until they paid for their deceit.---The fallout from HB Industry’s statement sent ripples through the industry. While Director Rick’s dismissal and the apology
"Ms. Lily, what seems to be the matter here?" the head of the security team, Mr. Billy asked, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd of dazzling socialites and the two strikingly beautiful women standing by the cashier.One exuded an angelic innocence, her golden glowing halo hovering above her head, while the other had a magnetic charm and a commanding aura that was impossible to ignore. Though dressed in casual, understated clothing, it was clear from her demeanor that she came from a background of privilege and influence."Thank goodness you're here, Mr. Billy!" Lily exclaimed dramatically, her tone laced with frustration. "This young lady here is causing an absolute scene! She’s insulting and disturbing one of our valued customers. Her behavior is disgraceful!" She put on a distressed expression, though her eyes still held their usual arrogance.Mr. Billy frowned, sensing there was more to the story. Still, before he could interject, Lily continued her tirade. "Can you believe the aud
Christine didn’t spare Eva another glance as she made her way to the checkout counter, but Eva decided to linger just a bit longer, intrigued by the brewing drama. If her memory served her right, Christine had always been meticulous when it came to spending, often opting for practicality masked as elegance.The sales associate broke the silence. “Ma’am, your total is fifty million dollars. Will that be debit or credit?”Christine froze, her carefully crafted poise faltering for the briefest of moments. A flicker of unease passed through her eyes as she stared at the bill in her hand. The credit card tucked away in her wallet wouldn’t even cover a fraction of the total.If only she had known this little excursion would cost so much, she would have brought her other credit card. But Tanya’s stern advice echoed in her mind: minimize spending and public outings until the scandal blows over. If anyone caught wind of her shopping extravagantly in the midst of her controversy, it could spark
……..The days passed peacefully, with little to disrupt Eva’s recovery. Soon enough, she found herself healed enough to venture beyond the confines of Damien's mansion. Thanks to Damien, she has been focused on causing chaos but he had been the ones to take extra care of her injury and body. Her wounds had started to fade, and the scar-reducing ointment he had given her worked wonders. Now, she was as elegant as ever, with no visible marks left behind.The upcoming banquet was less than a week away, and Eva decided it was time to shop for the perfect dress. Her grandfather had specifically requested that she shop at Stardom Mall, not only to show respect to the Banks family, who managed it, but also to honor the family’s deep ties to the mall. Everyone there knew better than to disrespect Lawrence Smith’s favored granddaughter—a figure of power who held significant shares in the mall.Eva opted for a casual outfit of black leggings and a simple hoodie. She believed comfort was key for
Eva leaned her elbow against the window, a sly smile forming on her lips. “Let’s just say certain people needed a reminder of where they stand.”“I knew it!” Nathalia burst into laughter, the carefree sound lifting Eva’s mood further. “I was telling one of the stylists yesterday, ‘Eva doesn’t let people get away with things. If she’s back, she’s back with a bang!’ And look at you, proving me right.”“I didn’t do anything without reason,” Eva replied, her voice calm but firm. “Christine and Mark needed to be handled. And Director Rick? Well, he made his bed.”“Oh, believe me, I’m not judging,” Nathalia said, her tone growing slightly wicked. “You know I love seeing Christine squirm. She’s got that fake, angelic act down, but I’ve always known she’s rotten to the core.”Eva smirked. “You’re not wrong. She’s good at pretending, though.”“Too bad for her that she’s not as good as you,” Nathalia teased, a playful lilt in her voice. “By the way, did you see the video of Mr. Carl’s press con
Mr. Carl hesitated, clearly weighing his next words. “Given your... influence and recent actions, I wanted to request that you refrain from taking further steps that might escalate this situation. We’re still cleaning up the mess left by Director Rick, and another scandal would be... disastrous.”Eva crossed her arms, regarding him with a cold, calculating gaze. “Mr. Carl, I don’t cause chaos for the sake of it. Every move I make is deliberate and justified. If you’re asking me to sit quietly and tolerate disrespect, I’m afraid you’ve come to the wrong person.”“I’m not suggesting that,” Mr. Carl said quickly. “I’m only asking for your understanding. The company can’t afford another scandal right now.”Eva tilted her head slightly, her smile fading. “The person you should be worried about is Christine, not me. Both she and Mark have already shown that they won’t back down quietly. If I were you, I’d focus on keeping them in check.”Gwen cleared her throat, stepping in to soften the te
The next morning, Eva stepped out of the sleek black car with Gwen by her side. Both women radiated confidence—Eva in her tailored black suit and Gwen in a navy blue dress that reflected her sharp managerial style. HB Industry’s towering headquarters loomed before them, gleaming in the sunlight as if trying to hide the chaos within its walls.“Ready?” Gwen asked, glancing at Eva as they walked toward the building’s entrance.Eva smirked, her heels clicking confidently against the marble floor as they entered the reception area. “I’ve been ready since the moment I stepped back into this industry.”It wasn’t long before they were escorted to Mr. Carl’s office. The CEO of HB Industry rose from his chair as they entered, forcing a professional smile as he extended his hand.“Miss Carter, Miss Langley,” he greeted them, his tone polite but guarded. “Please, have a seat.”Eva and Gwen took their seats, and Mr. Carl sat down, adjusting his tie nervously.“To what do I owe this visit?” Mr. Ca
She paused at the door, her hand resting on the sleek silver handle. Instead of leaving, she turned back toward Kai with a mischievous glint in her eyes.“You know,” she began, folding her arms and leaning casually against the doorframe, “we’ve been talking about me and my plans all morning, but there’s something far more interesting we haven’t discussed.”Kai raised an eyebrow, already sensing trouble. “Oh? And what’s that?”“Your love life,” Eva replied with a grin, emphasizing the words like they were the juiciest gossip she’d ever uncovered.Kai groaned, leaning back in his chair. “Not this again, Eva. I don’t have time for love. Running a company is already a full-time job.”“Oh, please.” Eva waved a dismissive hand as she strolled back toward his desk. “That’s the oldest excuse in the book. You’re not fooling me.”Kai sighed, rubbing his temples. “And what, exactly, am I supposedly hiding from you this time?”Eva leaned on his desk, her smile growing sly. “Let’s just say I have
……..Eva stepped into the sleek, modern office of Elite Entertainment, her heels clicking against the polished floor. The massive windows behind Kai’s desk offered a stunning view of the city, but Eva’s attention was fixed on the man seated before her. Kai, the CEO of Elite Entertainment and her closest friend, leaned back in his chair, watching her with a mixture of curiosity and concern.“Eva,” Kai greeted with a warm smile as he gestured for her to sit. “To what do I owe the pleasure? Usually, I have to chase you down to talk.”Eva smirked, taking a seat across from him. “You’re exaggerating, Kai. I’m not that hard to find.”Kai raised an eyebrow. “Considering the chaos you’ve been stirring up lately, I’d say you’ve been keeping yourself quite busy.”Eva’s smile widened, but there was a glint of mischief in her eyes. “I suppose you could say that.”Kai leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “So, tell me—what’s the plan now? You’ve exposed Christine and Director Rick, shake
There was a long silence on the line. When Matthew finally spoke, his tone was icy. “You’re making a mistake, Eva. This vendetta of yours will come back to bite you. Mark my words.”Eva’s voice was steady, but her words were sharp as a blade. “The only mistake I made was ever thinking you cared about me. Don’t call me again unless it’s to apologize—and we both know that won’t happen.”“You're a mistake in my life, Evangeline Carter!" Matthew snapped angrily which almost made Eva laugh out loud.“That’s your loss, you should have gotten rid of me when you had the chance, Father , I'm prepared to drag all you down if it means I have to shred a part of me again. No matter how much power you oisseeWithout waiting for a response, she ended the call and tossed her phone onto her desk.Eva set the phone down, her jaw tightening slightly as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. The faint hum of the hairdryer and the quiet murmurs of her styling team filled the room, but her thoughts we