Mark's hands clenched into fists, his body trembling with barely contained fury. His vision blurred with red as a fiery rage consumed him, the mockery and humiliation clawing at his pride.Sensing his volcanic anger, Christine stepped in quickly, placing a delicate hand on his chest to stop him from lunging forward. Her voice was soft, almost pleading, as she whispered, “Sweetheart, don’t do it.” She stroked his chest in what she hoped was a soothing gesture. “It’s not worth it,” she murmured, her tone saccharine, attempting to pacify the seething man.Mark exhaled sharply, his grip tightening around Christine’s waist. The action grounded him, reminding him why he was here in the first place. He hadn’t come to this event to pick a fight or fuel a scandal—he had come to rebuild connections and salvage his crumbling reputation.Taking a slow, deliberate step back, he forced himself to swallow his anger. But the shame of backing down in front of Damien, Eva, and the entire room burned de
Christine noticed the defeat in Mark’s eyes and frowned deeply. He resembled a fallen commander on a desolate battlefield, his armor shattered, his sword broken, and his dignity reduced to a tattered white flag fluttering in surrender.She refused to let him crumble like this. He was a Johnson, for heaven’s sake! How could he let a single insult from Damien Cross completely destroy his pride? Many others had faced Damien’s wrath and emerged unscathed, so why couldn’t he?A storm of emotions flickered in her gaze as determination hardened her delicate features. This was not the end of the Johnson legacy. A king might fall, but he could rise again.Clenching her fists, she grabbed Mark’s hand and led him away from the crowd of mocking onlookers. She blocked out their jeers and whispers, letting their insults fuel her resolve. She was done playing the damsel in distress. It was time to use her status and connections to rebuild what had been lost.“Haha, look at them slinking away with th
With how securely he was holding her, he made sure there was no escape. He reveled in her softness, the warmth of her body against his own. Hugging her felt like holding the world’s most comfortable pillow, and her delicate, heavenly scent only heightened the sense of paradise she brought him.“I’m always normal,” Eva argued, her tone defensive yet laced with playful defiance.“Of course you are,” Damien replied, nodding with exaggerated sincerity, his voice low and teasing.He was doing everything in his power to soothe her mood, the metaphorical wagging of his tail almost visible. His face nuzzled into her neck, his soft hair brushing against her skin and drawing out a tiny, melodic giggle from her lips.“That tickles,” she laughed, the sound light and pure, making his heart race.Her laughter was intoxicating, and Damien couldn’t help but tighten his hold slightly, his lips brushing softly against the sensitive skin of her neck as he murmured, “Then maybe I should stop… or maybe no
“Are you sure? It’s solid and really hard—”“Please stop talking,” Damien replied, his voice raspy and filled with heavy desire for her.When Eva’s wide, naively clear eyes looked up at him with a curious expression, he inwardly cursed all the foul words known to mankind. She was completely oblivious to the effect she had on men, and that aggravated him even more.“Why?” she asked innocently, tilting her head, her silky hair cascading down her back with the small action. Her loose waves looked perfect for someone to run their fingers through, evoking a possessiveness within Damien. He reached out roughly to grab the back of her neck, but his hand softened when it touched her delicate skin.He bent down, tugging her closer until his lips hovered over her ear. “Because I might do something we’ll both regret.”“Like?” Eva placed a hand on his chest, her slender fingers tracing small circles. A low grunt escaped Damien as he seized her hand, nearing the edge of his control.“Like taking y
Acting on pure impulse, he lifted her into his arms without breaking their heated kiss. Her legs instinctively wrapped around his waist, granting him the leverage to hold her closer. She poured herself into the kiss, uncertainty and self-doubt flickering in her mind, but when his deep, pleasured groan rumbled through her, she pressed on, emboldened by his reaction.Their lips collided in a fervent rhythm, her tongue teasing and tasting as she nipped at him. He matched her passion with his own, his control slipping with every passing second. When her back met the soft surface of the mattress, she realized where this was heading. He loomed over her, his hand dangerously low on her thigh, his fingers brushing against sensitive skin as he stood between her legs.His touch grew bolder, sliding beneath the sheer material of her gown, his rough fingertips grazing her smooth flesh. The sensation sent a jolt through her, and she froze. Her heart pounded wildly, her throat suddenly parched as t
When the crowd finally dispersed and everyone finished greeting them, Eva finally took a breather. Her eyes wandered around the banquet, seeking Nathalia, who had been absent from her line of sight the entire evening.Eva’s brows furrowed when she spotted Nathalia standing in a secluded corner of the banquet, sipping wine next to a statue. She appeared to be alone, but upon closer inspection, Eva noticed a man nearby, leaning casually against the marble.It was none other than Liam Carter, the rising actor who had recently garnered attention after winning an award for his leading role in what Nathalia had proclaimed her "current favorite movie." Eva squinted to get a better look and noticed their lips moving. Were they having a conversation?"What are you looking at?" Damien’s voice interrupted her thoughts as he tried to follow her gaze, but Eva quickly averted her eyes, turning toward him."Nothing in particular," she said nonchalantly, her face as blank as a clean slate.But inward
The hum of the crowd hushed as someone emerged at the top of the grand staircase. A tall, striking man descended with the confidence of a king. His laidback smile masked the guarded expression in his eyes. Symmetrical features, high cheekbones, and an aristocratic nose gave him a commanding presence.Eva’s jaw tightened as disdain swirled in her chest upon laying eyes on the man.Dustin Banks. The start of tonight's show. The reason why she was forced to be here at this damned party, one way or the other.The new CEO of Dust Flex Conglomerate and the sworn enemy of her second best friend, Kaiser.He looked so carefree, completely oblivious to all the lives he had disrupted in his adolescent years when tormenting others was merely a game—a game where he calculated how quickly his chess pieces would break.She could still vividly recall the pain-stricken face of Kai when he barely managed to escape a brutal beating instigated by Dustin’s underlings. Though Dustin wasn’t there to witness
After his speech, Dustin mingled effortlessly with the crowd, his demeanor warm yet subtly calculating. His relaxed smile and approachable air made him an instant favorite among the attendees. He carried himself with a calm charm that made people feel at ease, though there was a sharp intelligence in his eyes that hinted at his true nature. It was hard to believe this was the same hotheaded man Eva remembered from years ago.Eva observed him from a distance, her thoughts clouded with intrigue. Dustin's transformation was nothing short of remarkable. He had once been easily provoked and impulsive, a man ruled by his emotions. Now, he was calm and composed, exuding an aura of quiet confidence. She couldn’t help but wonder what had prompted such a dramatic change. Personal growth? A harsh lesson from life? Whatever it was, it had left a lasting mark.Her gaze shifted to Damien, standing a few feet away. He was engaged in a deep conversation with another man, his hand still lightly restin
Lucien entered the living room with his usual quiet air, his school bag slung over one shoulder. His dark eyes, cold and unreadable, briefly scanned the room before landing on his mother, Laura, seated gracefully on the couch with a teacup in hand. Her posture was as poised as ever, but Lucien’s sharp gaze detected the faint smugness that usually lingered after one of her scheming conversations with Christine.He said nothing, brushing past her with the silent intent of heading upstairs. His long strides were interrupted when Laura called out, her tone laced with a false warmth."Lucien," she said, setting her teacup down. "Come here for a moment."Lucien stopped mid-step, his back stiffening. He slowly turned around, his expression blank but his sharp gaze silently questioning her interruption.Laura’s smile wavered under his cold stare, but she maintained her composure. "Christine just got back a while ago. Why don’t you go upstairs and greet her?"Lucien raised an eyebrow, crossing
Christine stormed into the Carter mansion, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor, her jaw clenched tightly in frustration. She tossed her designer bag onto the couch, her lips pressed into a thin line as she paced back and forth. The events of the day replayed in her mind like a relentless reel—Eva’s smirk, her cutting words, the way she had effortlessly dismissed Christine in front of everyone. It was a humiliation Christine couldn’t stomach."That woman," she hissed under her breath. "She always finds a way to one-up me. How does she always come out on top?"Laura, who had been sitting in the adjacent room sipping tea, looked up as her daughter’s angry footsteps echoed. She set her cup down gracefully and stood, smoothing her dress as she approached Christine."Christine," Laura said in a calm, measured tone, "what’s the matter now?"Christine stopped pacing and turned to her mother, her eyes blazing with frustration. "It’s Eva! She humiliated me again today, in front
Once the deal was official, she turned to leave the meeting room with Gwen and Trix at her side. They made their way down the sleek hallway of HB Industry, their footsteps echoing on the polished floors. Just as they neared the exit, they came across Christine and her entourage, who had just arrived.Christine’s eyes widened when she saw Eva. Her usual fake smile quickly appeared, though there was a slight tension in her features. Eva wasn’t sure whether to laugh or feel disgusted as Christine approached her.“Sister!” Christine said, her voice sweet and syrupy as she stepped forward. “I am so sorry for being late. I didn’t mean to hold up the meeting like this. I just got caught up in some last-minute details.”Eva’s expression remained neutral, but she couldn’t help the slight roll of her eyes at Christine’s words. She had no intention of entertaining Christine’s faux apology, but Christine wasn’t finished yet.“Oh, and about last night,” Christine said in a tone that was just loud
In the sleek, minimalist meeting room at HB Industry, Eva sat at the center, sitting by her sides were none other than Gwen and Trix, with her official company lawyer at her side. They were all dressed sharply, the atmosphere tense as they awaited the start of the meeting. On the other side of the polished conference table, Mr. Carl and his HB Industry team sat with the Whyte Corps representatives, their suits impeccably pressed and faces expressionless.It was a rare sight to see Eva waiting this long, especially for a meeting she had no patience for. She had already signed the contract in her mind, but the delays were irking her. The anticipation of what was supposed to be a routine procedure seemed to drag on indefinitely. The room had grown uncomfortably still as they all waited for the meeting to start. Eva’s fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of her chair, a subtle gesture that spoke volumes about her impatience .With a soft sigh, Eva glanced at Gwen and Trix, silently expre
She stood at the doorway, adjusting the strap of her handbag as she prepared to leave for HB Industry. Damien followed her to the entrance, his hands casually tucked into his pockets, though his piercing gaze gave away his reluctance to let her go.“Don’t forget to call me if anything comes up,” he said, his deep voice steady yet tinged with a protective edge.“I won’t,” Eva replied with a small smile. She turned to open the door when his voice stopped her.“Wait.”She turned back, one brow raised in question.“You’re leaving without giving me a proper goodbye?” Damien asked, a teasing smirk tugging at his lips.Eva blinked, caught off guard by his request. “A proper goodbye? You’re serious?”He stepped closer, the warmth of his presence wrapping around her like a cocoon. “I don’t joke about such things. A goodbye kiss is mandatory.”Her cheeks flushed slightly, though she masked it with a playful roll of her eyes. “Fine,” she relented, taking a step toward him. “But I’ll only give yo
After a pause, George returned to the phone. “Damon Cross,” he said, purposely mispronouncing the name to irritate him.Damien felt his nose twitch at the deliberate and grating mispronunciation of his name, but he maintained a polite tone, reminding himself he was speaking to an elder. “Yes, Grandfather?” He replied smoothly, emphasizing the title in retaliation. Two could easily play the game of pettiness.George resisted the urge to march over to the banquet and knock some sense into the boy for daring to use that title. Grandfather? He scoffed internally. ‘If you want to call me that, first show me a ring on her finger—and then give me some great-grandkids before you even think about it! I wonder what that useless grandfather of his taught him.’“Now listen clearly to me. If she stays at your house, it’s for tonight only. And if I find out you’ve done anything improper, I’ll personally see to it that you’re castrated. Do you understand?”Julian, overhearing the threat, nearly cho
---As the banquet neared its end, Damien escorted Eva to his car. He fully intended to take her home—to their home—hoping to spend the night by her side. But his plans were thwarted by an all-too-familiar figure: her meddling grandfather.The moment Eva settled into the car, her phone rang. Damien, still holding the door open for her, frowned at the sound. When he saw the caller ID, his expression darkened further. Of course, it was him.While Eva answered the call, Damien’s sharp eyes scanned the area. Hidden in the shadows near the back entrance, a figure lurked—one of George’s men, undoubtedly there to keep tabs on her. His presence only worsened Damien’s mood.“Yes, Grandfather, I’m leaving the banquet now,” Eva said into the phone, her tone polite but weary. “Yes, I’ve made a few connections… I’m heading home? No, not to Damien’s. I know, I know, there will be more rumors if—”Before she could finish, Damien snatched the phone from her hand.“She’ll be perfectly safe with me,”
Eva turned to him, her voice barely above a whisper. "Did you do this?" She lifted her gaze to meet his, realizing he had been watching her the entire time, his piercing eyes fixed solely on her. She had heard whispers, unconfirmed reports that Lydia was behind the replica of the blue dress that was sent to her. But to see her now, reduced to this state, it seemed the consequences of her actions were almost... excessive. "Yes," Damien replied without hesitation, his tone calm but firm. He tried to guide her out of the banquet, his hand lightly pressing against her back, but Eva stood her ground, refusing to move. "Why?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. Damien’s sharp eyes narrowed at her question, his jaw tightening. What did she mean, why? That woman had orchestrated her public disgrace, and now Eva was hesitating, questioning the justice served? Did she not understand that showing mercy to enemies was akin to betraying herself? "She was responsible for your humiliati
Christine’s nails dug into her palm, her anger simmering beneath a mask of civility. She longed to lash out, but Damien’s presence reminded her of her place. Any wrong move could lead to her downfall.“It’s unbecoming to insult others so publicly…” Christine’s voice was a deliberate attempt at calm, but it lacked conviction.“The truth often stings, get over it.” Eva replied coldly, her unapologetic tone reinforcing her dominance. The crowd e were not even surprised by her response because they were used to this behavior of hers, but they were taken back by Christine's sudden desire to argue with Eva.Wasn't Wasn’t Christine supposed to be the passive type, the one who ended arguments rather than starting or joining them? The sudden shift in her behavior was beginning to alter everyone’s perception of her, casting doubt on the image she had so carefully cultivated.Dusti standing nearby with a glass of wine, observed the scene with quiet amusement. Eva’s sharp wit was refreshing, a st