“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
Two days after Christine’s meeting with Victoria, the pre-collaboration dinner finally arrived.Victoria moved through the room with an air of grace, greeting the models with warm professionalism. Even Christine received a polite smile, which only fueled her satisfaction—Victoria had clearly taken the bait.“It looks like she believed everything you told her,” Tanya murmured under her breath as she stood beside Christine, observing Victoria’s interactions.Christine smirked, keeping her expression composed. “Patience. She may have bitten, but we need to see how deep the hook is.” Her gaze swept the room, searching for Eva. She had expected her sister to make an entrance by now, yet there was no sign of her.“Where is Evangeline?” Christine’s voice carried a hint of irritation.“That evil woman is over there,” Tanya scoffed, tilting her head toward the center of the room.Christine followed her line of sight and found Eva effortlessly commanding attention. She was surrounded by a group
After the dinner, Eva sat in her dressing room, her expression calm but her mind sharp with suspicion. Gwen and Trix stood nearby, sensing the shift in her mood.“Something’s off,” Eva finally said, leaning back on the couch. “Victoria was completely different tonight. I’m sure Christine is behind this.”Trix frowned, scrolling through her tablet. “Wouldn’t be the first time. Christine’s tricks are anything but subtle.”“She must have fed Victoria something damaging,” Gwen added. “Victoria isn’t the type to act on baseless rumors unless she was nudged in the right direction.”Eva scoffed. “I expected Victoria to be more rational than to fall for empty gossip.”“Well, think about it,” Gwen countered, crossing her arms. “Victoria has never met you before. If she treated you that way tonight, then someone must’ve gotten to her first. And given the way you reacted, it only reinforced whatever she was told.”Eva arched a brow. “What? You wanted me to play nice and kiss up to her? If she wa
Eva sighed, but she maintained her composure. “That’s not true,” she said firmly. “I have nothing but respect for your designs and what you’ve achieved in this industry.”Victoria raised an eyebrow. “And you expect me to take your word over hers?”Eva met her gaze, unflinching. “Yes. But I also believe actions speak louder than words. Let me prove my sincerity by working with you on something that reflects your vision entirely.”Victoria’s expression softened slightly. “So you’re proposing a collaboration—on my terms?”Eva nodded. “I want to respect your artistry, not overshadow it. Whatever you need, I’m here to deliver.”Victoria hummed thoughtfully, tapping her fingers against the table.Eva arched her brow. “What? You think I’m lying?”“No, I can tell you’re being sincere.” Victoria leaned back, crossing her arms. “I was just wondering how you managed to be such a bitch last night, and now here you are, offering me a deal. It’s like you’re two completely different people. My frien
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
Eva sighed, but she maintained her composure. “That’s not true,” she said firmly. “I have nothing but respect for your designs and what you’ve achieved in this industry.”Victoria raised an eyebrow. “And you expect me to take your word over hers?”Eva met her gaze, unflinching. “Yes. But I also believe actions speak louder than words. Let me prove my sincerity by working with you on something that reflects your vision entirely.”Victoria’s expression softened slightly. “So you’re proposing a collaboration—on my terms?”Eva nodded. “I want to respect your artistry, not overshadow it. Whatever you need, I’m here to deliver.”Victoria hummed thoughtfully, tapping her fingers against the table.Eva arched her brow. “What? You think I’m lying?”“No, I can tell you’re being sincere.” Victoria leaned back, crossing her arms. “I was just wondering how you managed to be such a bitch last night, and now here you are, offering me a deal. It’s like you’re two completely different people. My frien
After the dinner, Eva sat in her dressing room, her expression calm but her mind sharp with suspicion. Gwen and Trix stood nearby, sensing the shift in her mood.“Something’s off,” Eva finally said, leaning back on the couch. “Victoria was completely different tonight. I’m sure Christine is behind this.”Trix frowned, scrolling through her tablet. “Wouldn’t be the first time. Christine’s tricks are anything but subtle.”“She must have fed Victoria something damaging,” Gwen added. “Victoria isn’t the type to act on baseless rumors unless she was nudged in the right direction.”Eva scoffed. “I expected Victoria to be more rational than to fall for empty gossip.”“Well, think about it,” Gwen countered, crossing her arms. “Victoria has never met you before. If she treated you that way tonight, then someone must’ve gotten to her first. And given the way you reacted, it only reinforced whatever she was told.”Eva arched a brow. “What? You wanted me to play nice and kiss up to her? If she wa
Two days after Christine’s meeting with Victoria, the pre-collaboration dinner finally arrived.Victoria moved through the room with an air of grace, greeting the models with warm professionalism. Even Christine received a polite smile, which only fueled her satisfaction—Victoria had clearly taken the bait.“It looks like she believed everything you told her,” Tanya murmured under her breath as she stood beside Christine, observing Victoria’s interactions.Christine smirked, keeping her expression composed. “Patience. She may have bitten, but we need to see how deep the hook is.” Her gaze swept the room, searching for Eva. She had expected her sister to make an entrance by now, yet there was no sign of her.“Where is Evangeline?” Christine’s voice carried a hint of irritation.“That evil woman is over there,” Tanya scoffed, tilting her head toward the center of the room.Christine followed her line of sight and found Eva effortlessly commanding attention. She was surrounded by a group
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
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
“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 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.
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
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.