Eva recoiled at the mere mention of her ex-husband, a bitter taste coating her tongue. Today's events had painted Blake in starkest light, exposing his ruthless depths. How dare he twist their narrative, painting her the villain after their divorce?Shame flooded her, a searing reminder of her past blindness. "What was I thinking?" she whispered, the echo of the question stinging. How could she have fallen for someone who possessed such a hollow core, a man whose values were as warped as his morals?Taking a deep breath, she composed herself. "Uncle Owen," Eva said, her voice firm, "please believe me, this has nothing to do with lingering feelings. I simply don't want you embroiled in this mess. I can handle it myself. He wants to play dirty? Let him. I'll show him precisely what I'm capable of."As she hung up the phone, a new call came in. It was from Eva's other uncle, Axel Lowes, who resided abroad. Curiosity piqued, she answered, a glimmer of hope flickering in her eyes. Perhaps,
The scandal ignited like wildfire, consuming every social media platform. Blake, his face contorted in a mask of fury, lashed out at everything in his path, his frustration culminating in a heated exchange with his sister, Marian.Marian, stung by her brother's harsh words, sought solace in her confidante, Tally. Tears welled up in her eyes as she poured out her grievances. "All I wanted to do was protect us," she choked out, her voice trembling. "I just released a statement to distance ourselves from that... that woman's drama. And now, look at what's happened! The company's stock is plummeting, and Blake hates me!"Tally, ever the calming presence, gently placed a hand on Marian's shoulder. "It's easy to lose sight of things when emotions run high," she said softly. "But remember, you acted out of what you believed was best for the family. It wasn't malicious intent, Marian. And I'm sure Blake will realize that in time."Marian took a shaky breath, trying to find solace in Tally's w
"Tally's fingers drummed nervously on the table. Could Eva really have such a strong supporter?""Viva Entertainment, huh? Sounds like the bigwigs themselves pulled the strings on this one.""Tally recognized the name as a powerhouse in the entertainment industry, known for its successful production of movies and music.""Despite not coming from an affluent background, Eva had managed to secure a connection with a prestigious company, which intrigued Tally."Tally wondered if her family had offended Viva Entertainment before.Her mind, a tangled mess of unanswered questions, yearned for clarity. With trembling fingers, taking a deep breath, she dialed the familiar number. It rang once, twice, before a familiar voice answered, laced with concern. "Blake," she began, her voice tight, "have you seen the rumors online?""They're calling me a mistress," she whispered, the sting of the lies burning her throat. A wave of nausea washed over her, threatening to drown out the last embers of def
Eva's hands fluttered in a silent plea as her uncles' voices buzzed around her, a symphony of well-meaning chaos. "Please, not now," she signed desperately, the frustration evident in her furrowed brow. "Uncle Owen, Uncle Axel, I appreciate your concern, but setting me up on a blind date is the last thing I need right now. Dating is nowhere near the top of my priority list."A flicker of disappointment crossed their faces, quickly replaced by understanding. Uncle Owen, the elder of the two, squeezed her shoulder gently. "We understand, Eva," he signed back, his voice warm. "Your career is blossoming, and your focus should be there. We just wanted to see you happy, and sometimes, a little companionship can do wonders."Uncle Axel, ever the optimist, winked at her. "But we won't push it further," he signed, a mischievous glint in his eye. "However, if you ever change your mind, remember, your cool uncles have the inside scoop on the best bachelors in town!"A small smile tugged at Eva's
Eva's spine straightened, a stark contrast to the usual slump in her posture. The derisive term "country bumpkin" hung heavy in the air, and for the first time in years, Eva refused to let it roll off her back. Her voice, usually laced with a hesitant lilt, firmed with unexpected resolve."What's wrong with country bumpkins, Marian?" she challenged, her gaze unwavering. "They work hard, find joy in simple things, and value genuine connections."A flicker of surprise flitted across Marian's perfectly manicured face. Clearly, Eva's meek demeanor was a carefully constructed facade. The barb about being "no better" hit its mark, drawing a sharp breath from Marian."Don't you dare lecture me, Eva!" Marian sputtered, her voice losing its usual imperious tone. "You wouldn't know a thing about refinement if it bit you in the…"But Eva cut her off, a newfound fire sparking in her eyes. "Refinement isn't about where you come from, Marian. It's about who you are as a person." Her voice, though q
The world spun for Marian. A searing heat blossomed on her cheek, followed by a throbbing ache that defied logic. It took a moment for her stunned mind to register the source of the pain – a stinging imprint of five fingers on her pale skin. The sound of the slap echoed in the opulent room, a stark counterpoint to the stunned silence that followed. Marian blinked back tears of humiliation, her vision blurring at the edges. Her perfectly manicured hand flew to her cheek, the pristine red a stark contrast to the cool ivory of her expensive pearls. Time seemed to warp and distort; the air crackled with a tension thicker than the plush carpet beneath her feet. This wasn't a mere slap. It was a public declaration of war, a shattering of the facade of civility they'd maintained for so long. And in that stunned daze, Marian realized with a chilling certainty – the gloves were off.What happened? Did Eva slap her just now?The moment Marian came to her senses, she screamed ferociously and ch
They took only a few minutes to arrive at the shopping mall.Once Marian saw him, her face lit up. She rushed over to him.Marian's voice trembled as she spoke. "You're here. Thank God." Marian tilted her head slightly, offering a glimpse of the reddened cheek. " Eva, slapped me. It hurts much, look what she did." Her voice was barely a whisper, heavy with unshed tears."You have to help me get back at her," she pleaded, her voice stronger now, a hint of steel returning."Blake, usually patient, found himself growing increasingly irritated by his sister's cries."At this moment, Eva and Jayson walked out of the shopping mall together.Marian pointed at them and shouted, "Look! I wasn't lying. Those two are dating!"Blake turned in the direction that his sister pointed.He saw Eva. She was wearing a brand-new suit. It accentuated her curves and gave her an elegant but domineering aura. He clenched his jaw because they stood close. Jayson leaning in with a laugh that didn't quite reach
The mention of the term "sugar daddy" instantly veered Blake's attention away from the pressing matter at hand.With a sour expression etched on his face, he confrontationally questioned Jayson, "Why do you feel entitled to intervene in a matter that solely involves Eva and me? What connection do you have with her, and why do you believe you have the authority to defend her?"Jayson, maintaining a calm and composed demeanor, offered his explanation, his expression unwavering. "I possess the jurisdiction to act because Eva is an esteemed employee of World Group. As the CEO, it is incumbent upon me to safeguard the well-being of all those employed under our organization, regardless of the circumstances."Blake's voice dripped with skepticism as he mocked, "So, you're going to such lengths simply because she happens to be your employee? Do you think I'm foolish enough to buy into that feeble excuse?"Jayson remained unfazed by Blake's dismissive tone. With unwavering confidence, he state
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