A sudden thought flashed through Tally's mind, causing her anger to quickly recede into the background.Something felt off.It was unusual, almost unsettling, how the manager's demeanor shifted to an exaggerated politeness after confirming the reservation with Eva. This level of deference was typically reserved for those with wealth or significant influence. Eva had always blended into the crowd, but now, the attention she received hinted at something more. The staff’s subtle nods and quick, respectful gestures were not the norm, suggesting Eva was someone of importance, someone who commanded respect without even trying. The realization gnawed at the edges of Tally's mind, stirring a mix of curiosity and unease.In Tally's mind, Eva was a simple country woman. How could she possibly be connected to someone influential?As Tally pondered, a possibility suddenly struck her. She snapped her fingers in excitement.The person who booked the Firefly Box must be Eva's sugar daddy. She must h
At the Torres Group building, Blake sat in his office, studying the information that Mark had uncovered.Mark reported respectfully, "The investigation shows that Miss Hartwood has transferred money to her cousin, Diego Chen."Blake's grip tightened on the document.Anger surged through his veins.His suspicions were confirmed. Tally had indeed instigated Diego to make things difficult for Eva.Blake was furious to know she had deceived him again.He couldn't tolerate the repeated betrayal.If Tally weren't George's fiancée, he would have taught her a lesson.At that moment, he received a call from Tally. Blake frowned and hung up the phone immediately.Moments later, his phone rang again.Seeing he wasn't willing to answer, Tally sent him a message."Blake, Eva has deceived you. She secured the smart city project by seducing Owen Lowes, a senior government official."Blake's pupils shrank. He immediately felt Tally was trying to deceive him again.But the next second, Tally sent anot
"Don't listen to her. She is lying!" Javier and Diego firmly denied the accusation in unison, their voices overlapping in a chorus of defiance.Oliver, standing beside Eva, nodded in agreement and added, "You can go into the next room and see for yourself. These two prepared a lot of cash and arranged beautiful women as bribes." His voice carried a tone of certainty, as if he had seen the evidence with his own eyes.The journalist's eyes widened in shock upon hearing this. It was a bombshell revelation, destined to make headlines the next morning.Instantly, the frenzied reporters redirected their focus, rushing to the next room in a chaotic scramble.Javier and Diego were horrified. They tried to stop the reporters but were knocked to the floor by the frenzied mob eager to cover the story."Stop!" Javier shouted, desperation in his voice."You can't go in. Ah!" Diego cried out in pain as they were both trampled mercilessly, their cries drowned out by the chaos.As the calculating wom
Seeing Blake sit there and refuse to leave, Owen's anger boiled over. He decided it was time to teach Blake a lesson.With a clenched jaw, Owen stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Blake with a mix of fury and determination. He had tolerated enough disrespect.Owen's voice was low and intense, cutting through the tension in the room. "You've overstayed your welcome. If you're really sorry for what happened, Mr Torres, then show me you mean it." Owen looked Blake dead in the eye, eyebrows raised.He pointed at a bottle of whiskey on the table.Blake silently picked up the bottle, poured himself a full glass, and downed it in one go, the liquid burning his throat."Are you satisfied, Mr. Lowes?" Blake's voice was laced with bitterness. "Is that sincere enough for you?"Owen's expression remained stoic, unmoved by Blake's display. He crossed his arms, his gaze unwavering.Owen smiled coolly. "Nowhere near enough. If it's an apology you're attempting, then you're going to have to do better
Eva and the others left the private room, but that didn’t stop Blake from drinking.The hard liquor slid down his throat and into his stomach, causing a continuous burning sensation. He welcomed the burn, finding it preferable to the numbness threatening to take over.At one point, Blake couldn’t tell whether it was his stomach or his heart that was in pain. The lines blurred, and the ache in his chest seemed to meld with the fire in his belly, leaving him lost in a haze of physical and emotional turmoil.While Blake was busy spiraling deeper into his drunkenness, he failed to notice the figure standing furtively at the door.The figure stepped closer, revealing a sad, sickly face. It was Tally.She had been hiding outside, her presence masked by the shadows, silently observing Blake's descent.Tally knew that once news of today's events spread, her cousin and uncle would be in big trouble, and it was unlikely she would be able to distance herself from their fallout.If Blake abandone
The next day, Blake awoke from his hangover, his head pounding like a drum. Blinking against the harsh light streaming through the window, he struggled to piece together his surroundings.Through his daze, he felt a cool, damp cloth gently wiping his face. A familiar scent wafted through the air, a mix of lavender and something distinctly comforting.Was Eva taking care of him?No, it couldn't be. Eva's touch was always tender, her movements careful and soft. This touch, though gentle, was different—more practiced, deliberate. Blake’s heart raced as he tried to make sense of the situation, the fog in his mind slowly beginning to lift.Blake frowned and slowly opened his eyes, his vision gradually coming into focus. To his surprise, a maid was sitting on the edge of his bed."Mr. Torres, you're awake," she said cheerfully, her voice filled with relief. "I made you some soup. Please, have some."Setting the towel aside, the maid reached over to help him sit up, her movements careful and
Blake was working tirelessly for Eva, putting in countless hours and immense effort on her behalf. Yet, here she was, laughing heartily at the news, even though she was at the center of ridicule.Owen exclaimed angrily, "Quit laughing, Eva. This matter is serious. Aren't you mad about it?""Ha-ha... Uncle Owen... I can't help it. This news... It's just so hilarious. Ha-ha!" Eva responded between fits of laughter.As Eva read the headline, she laughed so hard that tears streamed down her face.The news claimed she was in an intimate relationship with a mysterious high-ranking official. The accompanying photo showed her leaning in close to a man whose face was blurred, as if she were whispering something into his ear. Their bodies were so close, it suggested an undeniable intimacy between them, fueling speculation and adding intrigue to the story. The image was suggestive enough to make it appear as though there was something going on between them, sparking a whirlwind of gossip and con
Blake was lost in thought after hanging up. Something about the whole situation didn't add up. He had a gut feeling that Xian hadn't acted alone, even though he refused to admit it. It didn't make sense that his friend, who merely disliked Eva, would go to such great lengths to assassinate her character with a fake photo.Someone else had to be behind this. But who exactly was it?Blake replayed the events of the previous night in his mind, scrutinizing every action of the people who had been present.A crowd of reporters came out of nowhere after he had arrived.It didn't seem like a mere coincidence. On the contrary, it looked like a set-up, as they had rushed to Eva's private dining room as if they had received a tip-off from someone. Their timing was too precise to be random, suggesting that someone had orchestrated the situation.As Blake connected the dots, his face darkened.He shouted towards the door, "Mark!"A second later, Mark rushed into the office and asked, "Mr. Torres
Xian was still in a daze when the phone rang, pulling him from his thoughts. He blinked a few times, trying to shake off the lingering haze of confusion. As he reached for the phone, he saw Tally's name on the screen, and a wave of curiosity and anticipation washed over him. What could she want at this hour? Xian hesitated to answer the call before finally holding it up to his ear."Xian, have you seen Blake lately?" Tally spoke in a soft voice.Xian felt goose bumps all over his body. "Tally, what do you need from him?""It's been a while since I last saw him. He never answers my calls or comes to visit anymore," Tally whimpered, her voice trembling with worry. "Xian, can you help me find him?"In the past, Xian might have helped Tally without a second thought, but after the harsh lesson Blake had just taught him, he knew better than to risk angering Blake again anytime soon.As Tally sobbed over the phone, Xian tried to calm her. "Please, stop crying," he said gently. "Blake is at
Xian's hand flew to his cheek, cradling the stinging welt where a moment ago, Blake's hand had landed. Disbelief clouded his eyes. "Blake...?" His voice barely a whisper. "Why?"Blake's jaw was clenched tight, his features contorted in a mixture of fury and something else – perhaps regret, perhaps a deeper anger he couldn't articulate. "Don't even ask," he growled, his voice strained.Xian flinched at the venom in Blake's tone. The playful banter and easy camaraderie they once shared seemed a distant memory. Fear prickled at his skin, but a flicker of defiance sparked in his eyes. He would get answers, even if it meant facing Blake's wrath.Xian trembled with fright and didn't dare argue with Blake.Owen stood aside and watched everything with disdain.If Blake hadn't attacked Xian's he would have punched Xian.Eva wasn't in the mood to worry about anything else. Her only concern was Owen's injury.In the heat of the battle, Owen had twisted his wound while attempting to attack Xian
Eva returned home with the gifts she bought after the auction.As if she was Santa Claus on Christmas, she distributed each of the items to her family. Uncle Axel wasn't home, so she had to send his item through international express.The Lowes family was overjoyed when they got the gifts from their girl."Ev, what would you like? Name anything, and I'll get it. you want that stars in the night sky? I'll pick them out of the air for you!" Owen soaked in his confidence, grinning.Eva quickly denied his offer, smilling. "Thank you, Uncle Owen. But it's just a fun little gift. There's no favor you need to return to me. Trust me, I'm saving you trouble."This wasn't fun at all. Gossip about Eva and Owen had stirred drama about them all across the city.If the media found out that owen was sending her a gift, no matter how big or small, their names were guaranteed to be the trending topic before long.She wasn't too worried about her own reputation, but Owen was a government official, and
Eva stiffened, her smile faltering for a fleeting moment. A flicker of suspicion sparked in her eyes as she leveled a cool stare at Brady. "Do you want to take back the painting?"The question hung heavy in the air, laced with unspoken accusation."Goodness, Miss Lowes, the thought never crossed my mind. This painting belongs to you now. It wouldn't be right for me to take it back. Actually, I was hoping we could become friends, if that wouldn't be presumptuous of me.""You want to be her friend?" Jenny piped up, looking at Brady cautiously."Absolutely! Your passion for art is truly refreshing." Brady leaned forward, a spark of genuine interest in his eyes. "You know, my family has a long history in the art industry. We've amassed quite a collection of antiques. If you're ever interested in seeing some unique pieces, I'd love to show you sometime."The intensity in Eva's gaze softened a fraction as she studied Brady's face. A flicker of something genuine – perhaps sincerity,
The situation had escalated beyond control and could no longer be swept under the carpet.The auctioneer looked at Eva apologetically.It would be rude to subject the painting to an authentication test after it had already been sold to Eva.However, failing to do so could damage the organization's reputation and potentially lead to a loss of trust and severed ties with their clients."Do you mind, Miss Lowes?" the auctioneer asked politely, his tone tinged with hesitation.Eva met his gaze and responded calmly, "No, I don't. Go ahead with it."Unfazed by the antagonism from most of the people in the hall, Eva folded her arms and stood confidently. Her poise was unwavering as whispers and skeptical glances filled the room. She knew the stakes were high, but she was prepared to face whatever scrutiny came her way. Her unwavering composure seemed to challenge her critics, daring them to doubt her judgment. The air was thick with tension, but Eva's steady demeanor began to shift the atmos
"Apologies, Mr. Torres. Don't worry, I'll handle the situation and make sure she quiets down immediately."Beads of sweat appeared on Curran's forehead as he pleaded with Blake, his voice shaky and desperate. Turning to Becky, he gave her a stern, warning look, masking the true emotions that churned within him. It was all just a show; deep down, he was elated that his goal had been achieved. The facade of fear and anxiety was a necessary act to maintain the charade, but inside, Curran felt a surge of triumph and satisfaction. His mind raced with the possibilities now open to him, and he relished the success that was finally within his grasp.Eva spent a fortune on what turned out to be a fake painting. Three million and five thousand dollars vanished in an instant! He believed she must have exhausted her entire net worth. The sheer enormity of the loss was staggering, and the thought of such a monumental mistake weighed heavily on him. He couldn't fathom how she had been deceived so e
The auction continued, and they placed a piece of classical oil painting for bidding.It was a portrait of a majestic general and his men fighting bravely with the enemy. The vivid image, strong color tone, and well-defined strokes offered a powerful visual effect.The auctioneer tapped the microphone and announced, "This oil painting, named Victory, is a skillfull work of art of the classical painter, Alexander Yebo, which depicts the victory return of General Theo Clark. Brady Lena has donated this piece of work."Eva fell in love with the painting the minute she saw it, and she soon joined the bidding."One million!""One million and one hundred thousand!" Curran immediately made a bid.He wasn't ready to compromise. The bidding was tense. He was determined to acquire the painting.The price of the oil painting gradually soared as the bidding proceeded. In the end, Eva and Curran were the only bidders left.The two immediately became the center of everyone's attention.Becky was si
"All heads turned toward the source of the voice.When the guests saw Blake seated beside Eva, shock rippled through the room."Oh my God! Is that Blake? Why is he sitting next to Eva instead of in a private room?""He claimed that all the items Eva donated tonight were his.""There's something suspicious here. When they were married, he rarely took Eva out, and she was hardly known by many. Yet now, after their divorce, they're always seen together. It doesn't add up."While a few of them were examining the relationship between those two, the wise ones realized something."The identity of the donor seemed inconsequential; what resonated was that Blake had personally funded the items. His deliberate mention of this detail appeared aimed at refuting the narrative Becky had been spreading, suggesting a motive to assert his influence or protect Eva's reputation amidst the speculation surrounding their relationship post-divorce.""The opportunity to catch the attention of the CEO of Torre
"Hey, cut it out!" he exclaimed, his tone sharp with suspicion. "Something tells me you're trying to stir up trouble here. How on earth can an emerald ring be worth just a dollar? Even a fake one would cost more than that!"Jenny sprang to her feet, her patience finally snapping as she turned sharply towards Becky.Becky sneered disdainfully, her expression dripping with contempt. She eyed Jenny from head to toe before shifting her gaze to Eva, her disdain evident in every glance."In my opinion, this emerald ring is worth no more than a dollar! You should be grateful I'm even bidding on it. The ring came from a country bumpkin who dropped out of middle school. Her possessions are worthless. It's utterly humiliating!"The other guests began to see sense in what Becky said. Those that wanted to bid for the ring gave up.No matter how exquisite the item was, they couldn't overlook the fact that its original owner was a countrywoman. The stigma associated with her background overshadowed