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
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
Eva had just finished reviewing some documents that Gwen sent, when her phone buzzed beside her. She picked it up absentmindedly, expecting it to be a work message, but her brows lifted in surprise when she saw Lucien’s name flashing across the screen. Lucien? Calling her? That was rare. Though they kept in touch through messages, Eva knew that Lucien wasn’t someone who liked making calls, especially not at this hour. Curious, she answered. "Lucien? Is everything okay?" On the other end of the line, Lucien’s voice was calm but carried an unusual seriousness. "Hey, Big sis. Yeah, everything’s fine. Just wanted to check in on you." Eva leaned back in her chair, amused. "Check in on me?" she repeated with a teasing lilt. "That’s new. Should I be flattered?" Lucien huffed. "Tch. Don’t make this weird." Eva laughed. "Alright, alright. So what’s up?" There was a slight pause before Lucien spoke again. "I heard you signed a contract with Christine." Eva’s amusement faded slightly.
The sun filtered through the tall windows of the lavish studio, casting a golden glow on the marble floors. Eva adjusted the strap of her gown, her every movement embodying grace and confidence. Today was the first photoshoot for the collaboration project. However, it wasn’t the prestige of the project or the significance of the moment that lingered in Eva’s mind; it was the presence of Christine.Christine stood nearby, her face a mask of saccharine sweetness as she chatted with the director. Her voice, dripping with feigned enthusiasm, carried across the room. To everyone else, she appeared friendly and cooperative, the perfect team player. Eva knew better. Behind Christine's polished smile was a mind working overtime, strategizing ways to undermine her.“Eva, you’re up,” the photographer called, breaking through her thoughts.Eva turned, her poise unwavering, and stepped forward. She exuded a quiet confidence, her years of experience as a model shining through with each graceful s
The next morning, Eva’s phone buzzed incessantly, pulling her from her thoughts as she reviewed her schedule for the week. She glanced at the screen, her brow furrowing at the dozens of notifications from her social media accounts. Messages poured in—some supportive, others scathing.Confused, she clicked on one of the links shared by Trix. It opened to a viral video, its caption glaring in bold letters: “Evangeline Carter Exposed: The Real Diva of the Industry is back!”Her breath caught as she watched the video. It depicted her at yesterday’s photoshoot, supposedly berating a makeup artist. In the clip, Eva’s voice was sharp, her tone laced with irritation as she gestured toward the stylist’s equipment. The video cut abruptly, leaving viewers to draw their own damning conclusions.Eva’s fingers tightened around her phone. She didn’t recall any such incident—because it hadn’t happened. Someone had manipulated the footage.“Christine,” she muttered, her voice low with restrained fury.
“But…” Eva trailed off, the warmth in her expression vanishing in an instant. She took a deliberate step forward, closing the distance between them. Christine instinctively stiffened, unable to move as Eva reached out. With slow, calculated ease, Eva tucked a stray strand of Christine’s hair behind her ear, her fingers brushing against her cheek lightly.“If someone is truly pulling the strings behind this little stunt,” Eva murmured, her voice low enough for only Christine to hear, “I would expect them to put in more effort. It would be such a shame if this was all they could muster—it’s almost disappointing.”Christine swallowed hard, her hands curling into fists at her sides, but she couldn’t bring herself to move.“Christine,” Eva’s voice took on a commanding edge, soft yet firm. “Look at me.”Christine’s head lifted instantly, her gaze locking onto Eva’s before she could even think to resist. A slow, knowing smile spread across Eva’s lips.“Don’t you agree with me?” she asked lig
The studio was buzzing with energy two days later. The collaboration project had reached its most critical stage—a high-profile photoshoot for a luxury fashion campaign. Every detail, from the lighting to the wardrobe, had been meticulously planned to create a series of iconic images.Eva arrived early, as always, her posture radiating quiet confidence. She greeted the team warmly, moving through the studio with a calm authority that put everyone at ease. Her reputation for professionalism preceded her, and she intended to keep it that way.“Miss Evangeline, your wardrobe is ready in Dressing Room A,” the stylist called out.Eva nodded and headed toward the room. She felt a flicker of apprehension as she passed Christine, who was chatting animatedly with the photographer. Christine’s laughter was just a little too loud, her smile a little too sharp. Eva knew the woman well enough by now to sense when she was plotting something.As Eva entered the dressing room, her suspicions were con
The buzz of an elite designer collaboration filled the industry. Working with the renowned designer Victoria Byrd wasn’t just a career milestone; it was a privilege. Known for her impeccable artistry and influence, Victoria's approval could make or break a model's reputation.For Eva, the collaboration was an exciting opportunity, not that she needed it for any particular reason. She just wanted to get her hands on the opportunity so that Christine doesn't. Moreso, Victoria admired professionalism and authenticity, two traits Eva embodied. However, Christine saw it as yet another chance to undermine Eva.“Tanya, get me an appointment with Victoria Byrd,” Christine ordered as she set her phone down with a decisive click.Tanya blinked in surprise before furrowing her brows. “Victoria Byrd? Why do you suddenly want to meet with her?”Christine let out a scoff, her lips curling into a knowing smirk. “What do you think? To put my plan into motion, of course. I’m not about to let this gol
“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