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
Eva, on the other hand, had no choice but to become proficient in several languages. Having been secretly involved in assisting her father and Mark with their business ventures, she often found hherself traveling to meet international clients and secure deals. For For her, mastering foreign languages had been a necessity, not an option. Meanwhile, Christine dismissed it as irrelevant to her, believing she’d never need such skills.Now, Eva found herself in an awkward position. She couldn’t admit to Arabelle that she hadn’t actually listened to her speech. The truth was, she hadn’t understood a word of it—it was in Chinese, a language Christine had deemed unnecessary to learn. Admitting this would only make her look unprepared and unrefined, two things she couldn’t afford in this setting.Floundering for an answer, Christine searched her mind for something to say, but the silence stretched too long. Arabelle's excitement dimmed, her expression hardening.“You didn’t actually hear it, d
"Why do you like the speech?" Arabelle asked, her gaze steady as she tested Eva, searching for any signs of bluffing like Christine often attempted."Because it addresses a topic on everyone's mind but is rarely spoken about because not many people have the courage to speak against it. It's controversial in a society obsessed with creating perfect, high-achieving children for parents to parade around like trophies." Eva’s voice carried a note of conviction, her own experience with demanding parents lending weight to her words.She knew too well the consequences of overwhelming pressure on a child. While it might produce seemingly "exceptional" individuals, it could also wreak havoc on their mental health, potentially leading to conditions like depression. Instead of addressing the root causes, society often dismissed these issues as mere weaknesses.For Arabelle, a gifted child herself, to stand on stage and critique this system, it brought credibility and provoked deep reflection. It
Countless women wished to be the one to draw a smile from him, a rare expression meant solely for them. He was an untamed force, but the way he treated Eva—his unwavering attention and subtle tenderness—hinted at the kind of man he was. Rough and formidable, yes, but also capable of being an extraordinary lover.Arabelle grinned triumphantly. "You better keep that promise about tomorrow's cake!"Her parents never seemed to care about her enough to even order her favorite cake. She wondered if they even knew what her favorite food was…… Speaking of them, her mood shifted as her gaze returned to Eva. "What you told me back in the hos-" she cleared her throat. “In the room worked so well!" She carefully avoided mentioning her hospitalization in front of the watchful eyes of socialites, knowing how ruthless they could be."That’s good to hear," Eva replied, though her focus momentarily shifted to Dustin, who had been silently observing her. She was trying her hardest to not glare dagger
Damien’s sharp eyes caught a pair of hostile ones fixed on Eva. His expression darkened when he realized it was Christine. His gaze turned icy, delivering a silent warning that made her falter. Christine’s confidence wavered when Damien’s piercing eyes met hers. His aura was suffocating, his authority undeniable. With a single move, he could dismantle her fragile plans. She swallowed hard, regretting the brief moment she dared to linger. “G-good evening, Mr. Cross,” she stammered, attempting a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. She felt unsteady, as if the ground beneath her might crumble. Was he upset because she hadn’t acknowledged him earlier? Or because she had looked at Eva with disdain? Damien’s lip curled in disgust. “Did I give you permission to address me?” Christine froze, feeling the weight of his words crash over her. Her carefully built composure shattered. Without the protection of Mark, she stood alone, exposed to his scrutiny. Even if Mark was here, she knew there w
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
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
“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