Eva's determination to surpass the competition fueled her motivation as she returned to her company, ready to take on the challenge presented by Torres Group.Back at the helm, Eva wasted no time and dove into preparations for the upcoming bidding process. Her relentless focus and drive to succeed were palpable as she spearheaded the effort within her team.During the inaugural department meeting following her promotion to director, Eva boldly presented her proposal to pursue the smart city project. The room buzzed with excitement at the prospect of undertaking such a prestigious endeavor, each team member eager to contribute their expertise.However, amidst the fervor of anticipation, one individual's demeanor betrayed a sense of discouragement."Are you serious? Torres Group has already secured that crucial project. There's no way we can compete with them. You need to face reality and understand our limitations. Honestly, it's a foolish notion. Quit chasing after shortcuts and immed
Xian's expression soured, a hint of skepticism evident in his demeanor. "I've heard rumors that Eva's dating Jayson, the CEO of World Group. It wouldn't surprise me if that's how she managed to climb the ranks."Blake's gaze hardened, his jaw set in determination. "Regardless of her personal life, Eva's proven herself professionally," he countered. "She's already successfully spearheaded two projects. Currently, she's leading her team in crafting the bidding proposal for the smart city project."Xian and Charles exchanged glances, their eyes widening in astonishment."How did you come across this information?" Charles inquired with genuine curiosity. "You never seemed to take much notice of Eva when you were married."Blake was caught off guard by Charles's question, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. Despite the unexpectedness of the query, he chose to hold his tongue, opting for silence instead.Xian's eyebrows shot up in sudden realization. "Wait a minute! Aren't you the
Ever since Eva boldly declared her intention to vie with Torres Group for the coveted smart city project, she has been tirelessly at the helm, driving her team to labor meticulously and iterate through numerous iterations of the design plans. Eva's exceptional talent and dedication have managed to sway the opinions of everyone within the architectural design department, earning their admiration and trust—everyone, that is, except for Aliza, whose skepticism seems to linger despite Eva's remarkable efforts and achievements.Aliza's discontent with Eva's leadership led her to withhold cooperation.Each time a task landed on Aliza's plate, she voiced grievances about the workload, often attempting to delay assignments. Despite her efforts to evade responsibility, her colleagues couldn't ignore her slackening efforts. Yet, with the department facing staffing shortages, they reluctantly tolerated her behavior. Sensing the leniency, Aliza's work ethic dwindled further, descending into a c
Eva walked into the room, her eyes quickly scanning the crowd. The venue was abuzz with chatter as attendees mingled, but Eva's attention was drawn to the figure sitting alone in a corner. Blake, his presence commanding even in stillness, occupied the seat designated for the Torres Group.As she approached, Eva noted the tension etched across Blake's features. His usually composed demeanor was replaced by a grim expression, hinting at the weight of whatever burden he carried. Despite the lively ambiance of the room, an aura of unease seemed to envelop him.Eva's curiosity piqued. She wondered what could have cast such a shadow over Blake, a man known for his resilience and unwavering resolve.Nicholas David, the seasoned project manager, exuded an air of confidence as he settled in beside Mr. Torres."Mr. Torres, your presence at this press conference is greatly appreciated. Rest assured, we are committed professionals, dedicated to ensuring your confidence in us is well-placed. With
Eva stood amidst the flurry of camera flashes and microphones, her expression composed yet tinged with a hint of weariness. The weight of the reporters' question settled on her shoulders, mingling with the pride of her recent accomplishment.One of the reporter stood up amidst crowd, the room fell silent, all ears turned towards the poised figure of Eva Lowes. "Miss Lowes," the reporter began, her voice carrying a mix of admiration and curiosity, "you've not only led World Group to a resounding victory today but have also etched your name as the youngest and most successful female architect in the industry. With such accomplishments, do you find yourself feeling the weight of increased responsibility? Is stress something you contend with?""Stress is a natural part of any significant responsibility," she replied, her voice steady despite the chaos around her. "But I've always believed that with great power comes not just responsibility, but also opportunity. The opportunity to make a
Blake's attention snapped to attention at the mere mention of Eva's name. His heart quickened its pace, anticipation coursing through him, as his gaze landed on her figure. He found himself unable to tear his eyes away from her.In that fleeting moment, doubts flickered through his mind. Was this captivating woman truly Eva?By day, she exuded confidence and elegance, a poised businesswoman navigating the corporate world effortlessly. But by night, transformed into a vision of allure, adorned with brown curls cascading around her, and dressed in a striking red ensemble, she was simply breathtaking.Her eyes held a mesmerizing quality, capable of captivating him effortlessly.Charles adjusted his glasses with a sigh, his surprise evident. "I never imagined she'd be Eva."Glancing over at Blake, who stood there with his mouth agape, Charles couldn't resist teasing him."Blake, how does it feel now? Your ex-wife has not only found success but seems to have become quite charming. Even Xia
"Ugh, this is getting old," Eva muttered, her gaze flickering towards Xian. "Ready to ditch, Jenny?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of defiance. "We've said our piece, and clearly, it's not landing."Xian, misinterpreting Eva's frustration as fear, puffed out his chest, a smug smile spreading across his face. His arrogance only fueled Eva's resolve to leave a lasting impression, one that wouldn't involve wasting another minute on him.A harsh voice sliced through the air. "Scared, are we, Eva? Used to a lavish lifestyle thanks to Blake, now manipulate other men to get what you want. Shame on you!"Eva froze, the comment a sucker punch to the gut. It was a low blow, designed to trigger insecurity. But as the sting subsided, a steely resolve settled in her eyes.Eva, ever the pragmatist, knew arguing with Xian was akin to wrestling a pig - messy and ultimately pointless. But his latest barb landed differently. This wasn't just another insult; it was a trespass on a deeply perso
Eva's Audi struggled to keep pace with the lightning-fast Bugatti Veyron.Meanwhile, Blake silently trailed behind them in his black Ford, keeping a vigilant watch over Eva."Eva, it's not over! You can pull out. The bet doesn't matter. I'll handle Xian." But the only response was the continuous howl of the wind, a chilling reminder of the breakneck speed and the immense distance separating them.Eva could barely hear him. She was focused on racing and didn't even bat an eyelid at him.The growl of the engine resonated through Eva's core, a primal rhythm that quickened her heartbeat to a frantic drum solo. A surge of forgotten passion coursed through her veins, a heady mix of adrenaline and defiance. In that moment, the roar of the engine wasn't just noise; it was a symphony of forgotten dreams, a battle cry for a past she'd locked away. This wasn't just a race; it was a reawakening, a taste of a life she'd yearned for, a life where the thrill of the chase coursed through her very be
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