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
It was a bright and sunny day. White fluffy clouds drifted across the clear, blue sky.The distinguished guests dressed in their fanciest attire gathered on the top floor of a five-star hotel. They were here to celebrate the wedding ceremony of Evangeline, the Oldest daughter of the Carter family. She was getting married to Mark Johnson, the man she had been dating and engaged to for the past four years.The floor was covered with white snow lilies and red roses with a long red carpet cutting through from the entrance of the hall down to the aisle. The fresh fragrance filled the air. The guests happily stood along the carpet, all smiles and sending their best wishes.Evangeline was in a grand room getting dressed by the two stylists and their assistant that was hired to help her with her makeup. She sat in front of the dressing table as one of the stylists was applying make-up on her face while the other one was styling her hair."Miss Evangeline, you look perfect in this dress. The d
Standing across the road, Eva glanced back at the hotel where the event was being held for a few seconds before turning her attention back to the road. She reached out her hand to stop a cab that was driving towards her way.After the taxi stopped in front of her, she got in and settled down in the back seat of the cab."Where to Miss?" The cab driver inquired."T-take me to Grand land hotel." Eva replied in a weak and calm tone. She would rather be in another place than to stay back at the wedding event and witness the happy smiles on both Mark and Christine's face while she gets mocked by everyone. Grand Land hotel is a well-known and popular hotel. She didn't know much about the hotel but she heard about it on television and saw it on online platforms. The hotel was not only popular because it was a very nice hotel, it was said that the hotel has a club where people went often to have fun and spend their money. The club even had a private separate club which was known as the VIP
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
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
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
“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
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
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
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
The crowd tensed, a collective gasp filling the room. Several guests tugged at the collars of their shirts as an oppressive atmosphere enveloped the space. The temperature seemed to drop sharply, but the weight of tension pressed down on everyone like a suffocating fog. It wasn’t just the sharp sound of the slap that had people frozen—it was the towering figure that intercepted it.Damien Cross stood unmoving, his tall and lean frame emanating a chilling authority. His usually charismatic presence now radiated something far more ominous. His face was unreadable, his lifeless eyes making it impossible to gauge his emotions. Anger was one thing; his eerie calm was far more unsettling. To look into his eyes was like staring into an abyss. The oppressive aura around him felt like the embodiment of death itself, sending shivers down spines. The people standing nearby couldn’t help but take a few steps backward as if they could see the invisible specters of death swirling in his shadow.
Eva chuckled softly, her laughter light but carrying an edge that sliced through the tension between them. To an outsider, the scene might have appeared like a friendly exchange, given her relaxed demeanor, but the undertones were far from cordial. “Oh, Mr. Johnson,” she began, her smile widening slightly, “let me clarify something for you. I don’t get desperate—especially not for things I’ve already lost interest in.”Her smile vanished in an instant, replaced by a cold, emotionless expression that sent a chill down his spine. The light in her eyes dimmed, leaving only an icy resolve. The shift was so sudden and sharp that it left Mark momentarily stunned, the weight of her words sinking into him like daggers.Seizing the opportunity to paint herself in a good light, Christine flashed a bright smile on her face as she looked at Eva. “Sister, don't be offended by Mark. You know how he is sometimes, he doesn't mean-" “Shut up, Christine." Eva coldly cut her off, not bothering to let C