On the way home, Marguerite Langley didn't say much. She looked straight ahead while occasionally enjoying the nighttime road. Sometimes they were still caught in a little traffic jam at some central point, but it didn't last long. For the rest, their trip back to the Langley residence went smoothly.“I hope this is the first and last visit to Evangeline's house, Mom.” Roderick Langley said while adjusting his seat. He had wanted to talk since earlier, but the interruption of the many messages that Isadora Kensington sent made him impatient to approach the woman immediately.“You forbid your mother from having a relationship with someone else?” Marguerite glanced at her son. There was resentment and anger that she could not express easily.“Mommy can have relationships with other people, as long as it's not Evangeline,” Roderick said in a final tone. ‘Instead of spending unnecessary time with her, why doesn't Mommy try to get close to my future wife?”Marguerite's stomach felt like it
Maximilian smiled broadly after once again checking the pages of the contract that had just been signed. His wish had come true. He could have predicted it, but getting the signature of approval from the person who would be willing to bring Lavender was really this much fun.The euphoria reminded him of what he had done to Ursula, Isadora, and Gustav. Just like when he got approval, a feeling of joy enveloped his heart. Everything that was in his mind and his brain's design materialized and ... Boom! Everything received a very warm welcome.His instincts as an artist rarely miss the mark. That's why as soon as Eva approved, he was sure that this year's show would belong to Trinity Fashion. It closed very well and Max also felt that the four pillars were already standing. Not standing completely, anyway, because he was just about to train the other one to stand up and challenge the world.“You look very happy, boss.” One of the finance division staff entered the room, bringing some fil
“Welcome to the party!” Giselle squealed with excitement as soon as she opened the door to her apartment. She first checked who the guest was who came this afternoon, just to make sure that the awaited figure was indeed Evangeline Rutherford.Eva just chuckled, accepting Giselle's outstretched hand, who looked so excited to pull her in. Since this apartment is located in a high-security neighborhood, Giselle seemed to deliberately open the door wide, as if to let it be known that something fun was going on inside.As Eva remembers, Giselle's living room usually has a large L-shaped sofa. On the wall is a large TV that she believes also functions as a mini home theater. The surrounding equipment is sophisticated and complete enough to relax, spending time watching the best movies released this year.But now?The room has been decorated in such a way. The sofa was moved, giving more space that should have been occupied by a glass table, now spac
Evangeline read the sheet that Brina shared, which listed the schedule and preparations for the upcoming show. Since this was the first time she had been exposed to the modeling world, her schedule was so busy and tight. Nevertheless, she couldn't complain. Everything that is beautiful at the end of the rainbow is certainly not easy to achieve.“I'm only being tolerant today, Eva.”Brina finally spoke to him after previously being preoccupied with three girls who were so noisy. They complained incessantly, from things that made sense to things that sounded like excuses. But Brina was not someone who was easily subdued. For her, enough time had been wasted having fun.Harvey already had a busy schedule for next week. Giselle was preparing for a grand event in the Western States. Meanwhile, Ursula had an agenda as an inspirer on one of the well-known fashion channels. Considering that the event would be broadcast live, Ursula's performance had to be pe
It seems that the words of the three girls who have recently entered Evangeline's life are true. Brina is a cruel stepmother. I don't know how many times Evangeline has fallen, walked against Brina's will, and little—goodness gracious—only a little bit has Evangeline lowered her hands, she was given a stern warning.The cane that Brina carried along with her during Evangeline's training sessions had hit her hands and feet countless times. No. Not to be hit as a form of warning, but the tip of the cane had a dye that immediately stuck to Evangeline's skin. Signaling so many mistakes she had made.“Once again, Eva.” Brina pointed to the end of the branching catwalk in front of her. The branches also formed other angles connected to each other. So once around practicing walking there, Evangeline stopped several times right at the intersection. Making some standard poses as Brina directed.Not only Brina was there. The style director was also
The heat that greeted him this afternoon did not dampen the intentions of the neat man wearing an expensive suit to get out of his car. He didn't need a headgear just to ward off the heat that could make his head dizzy. The problem that came to him was far more dizzying than simply avoiding the heat of the sun.His steps continued towards a tomb he had not visited recently. The familiarity that had developed over the past few years made him feel that occasionally coming to visit was not a problem in the midst of his busy work schedule.Once again he checked his luggage. “Hi, Uncle,” he said quietly as he placed the bouquet of flowers he had kept with him all the way here. “How are you?”Nothing said, only the breeze greeted him. Cool but a little chilling. Did the greeting get a response? I don't know. Gustav didn't want to find out.“Does Rick visit often?” He chuckled. ”I don't think so. He visits when he needs you. But you take it easy. Rick still can't accept your departure. He st
Isadora didn't want to just wipe away her smile. Her eyes had been satisfied with a bundle of books about wedding venues and all the arrangements. Roderick said that their wedding would not be delayed again.“This is all interesting,” said Isadora as she closed the book in her hand. ”I'm impressed with all the models you showed me. The explanation that you've been babbling about. And well ... some of the concepts you proposed piqued my interest.”Marguerite pulled the corners of her lips up. “We have experience handling the wedding events of many influential families in this country. You can check our profile yourself and coincidentally, we handled some of the parties that the Langley family organized.”Isadora crossed her legs and leaned comfortably. Her eyes stared at her interlocutor with a calm look, but one thing was certain in her mind; she didn't want to use Marguerite for her party.“You mean that everythi
Giselle invited Evangeline Rutherford to join the group.At first, Eva doubted whether she should accept Giselle's request to join the group chat room that might have been created a long time ago. Who was she that she was suddenly in their social circle? To be honest, Eva was happy to be well received by the three of them.After Max's return, she just wanted to rest because she knew she had a long day ahead of her. She couldn't even close her eyes, her thoughts were focused on Giselle's messages on her cell phone.(Giselle: Why haven't you answered for so long?)(Giselle: Are you asleep yet? Ah, I'm sure Brina's stepmother has tortured you to death. I am very sorry for your fate, Eva.)Eva couldn't help but laugh. Her hand involuntarily replied to Giselle's message.[Evangeline.R: You're right. Brina is a little cruel.]Giselle replied with lots of rolling eye emoticons.(Giselle: Hurry up and accept my request to join the grou
“You don't need to complain like that, Isa,” Samantha laughed in response to all the chatter from the woman she could rely on. She didn't expect Isa's move to be so smooth and flawless, and that it had been carefully considered. She placed the cup of tea she had made especially for the woman in front of her. ”Drink this so you can calm down.”“How can I calm down?” Isa sighed irritably. ‘I believed I could influence Ursula. But it turns out she's just like Giselle. I have to retaliate for what Ursula did to me yesterday.”Samantha laughed. ’Do you really want to be friends with them?”Isa sighed softly. “You know that if I'm in their group, I can have much more influence. What's the point of that if not to enjoy it together?”The woman who owned Sams Group laughed even harder. ”You really take advantage of everything within your grasp, don't you? You've really thought through what you want to do.”Isa grinned. She slowly sipped the tea made especially for her. “I should have done this
“Why do you look upset, Isa?“ Rick asked, glancing at the woman sitting next to him. Since the press conference, which he had also attended, his wife had only smiled slightly and said little.“I don't know,” Isa sighed deeply. “Maybe I'm tired because work at Sams is quite demanding.”Rick furrowed his brow, a bit surprised by Isa's words. “You've only been working for two days. And I think you've been out of the office since lunch today.”The woman chuckled. ”You're right. I intentionally took some time off to pick up Ursula because I felt she's been helping us a lot at Unique, right?”Rick nodded.“But if this latest choice is really the best, I think we should welcome Eva properly.”Rick chose not to speak. He focused on the road ahead, which was no longer as empty as usual. The crucial hour had trapped them in traffic, and they had to be patient to reach their destination: Dominique's residence.“Are you happy to meet Eva, dear?”The man glanced at her with a sneer. “What do you m
“Are they here yet?” asked Rick, checking the watch on his left wrist. It had been almost an hour since Max had confirmed their arrival time.“Just a moment, sir. Their car has entered the lobby and is being directed to the upper floor to avoid the reporters. They are all after a story about Miss Eva.”Rick quickened his pace toward the meeting room. At least he had to entertain the guests properly; he couldn't afford to tarnish his image further. And he couldn't afford to lose focus either.“Mrs. Isa is also on her way to the office, sir.”Rick's steps slowed. “For what?”“She wants to meet Unique's new icon. It seems like Mrs. Isa is giving her full attention to sales. I've seen her discussing things with Mr. Jacob a lot over the past few days. With Mrs. Samantha, of course.”Rick chose to keep that information to himself and wait for the right time to talk to his wife. Since the investor in Milan had caused problems, his concentration had been quite disturbed. He didn't have much t
Rick's anger was pent up, his hands clenched, and he had cursed countless times, but the result was still the same. It wasn't getting done quickly. Indeed, checking several parts took time. But still, as long as Unique was in his hands, and as long as he was under his father's supervision, there had never been a problem like this before.To make matters worse, there was the new project he had recently been assigned. He had already warned the staff involved to focus more, as the production target was far higher than the previous year. There was trust, but also hard work to prove they could deliver.“No word from Gustav yet?” Rick asked, sitting down roughly in his chair. It had been two days since the bad news reached him via email. He couldn't take it lightly at that time. He immediately took action, one of which was to ask Gustav to check it out directly.He didn't know what his trusted employee was doing in Jazeran, but what was clear was that the distance between Milan and Jazeran
“How's it going?” Samantha asked, a little excited. They were enjoying some time together during what was actually a pretty busy day. But for Samantha, being here with her favorite cup of coffee and some snacks to go with it was no problem. After all, Sams Group had started to take off since the woman in front of her got involved.That's also why Samantha wasn't going to let go of the woman who was now part of her family.“I've already tried to convince Rick,” Isa sighed softly. ‘But it seems like my persuasion isn't working yet. He just said he'd think about it.”“Did you give him the most convincing reason?’ Samantha asked with a soft laugh. ”Usually, when you give that reason, a man as stubborn as Rick can't resist it.”“I did.” Isa's shoulders slumped weakly. ‘But it's okay. I'll wait patiently for his decision. I'm sure he won't be able to refuse me easily.”Samantha nodded confidently. ’No problem. I would be helped if I had an assistant, but since this position is meant for you
“According to sources that Mommy can trust, there is indeed a bit of debate regarding the marketing that has been going on. Although some of Unique's top brass know who you are, Eva, because this is outside of Unique, you are considered someone who works where you can bring them certain benefits.”Rita's explanation to Eva and Max made sense.“But this is too much of a coincidence, isn't it?” Eva asked, sighing softly. ”Maybe if they were targeting Giselle or Harvey, I wouldn't be so suspicious.”Rita nodded, understanding the concerns of the woman in front of her. When the car carrying them stopped at one of the tall buildings in the center of Yazeran, the person Rita didn't want to see greeted them. With a mischievous grin and an overly casual demeanor.Despite knowing him for quite some time, the memory of their conversation that night—when they had accidentally met at Eva's house—still made Rita's heart race with irritation. And that irritation only grew as the man's childish beha
“Thank you for helping me,” said Rita with a slight smile. ”And your cookies are getting better and better.”Danisa pouted. “I went to all that trouble to go straight to the kitchen. Why does it still feel like something's missing?” But then she laughed. “I guess the kitchen just isn't my thing.”“You're right.” Rita laughed along with her friend. “Tell Eva I said hi. I wonder when we'll get to try her cooking.”Rita gently rubbed Danisa's shoulder. “You're not the only one who feels that way, Danisa. I feel the same.”“Especially you, Rita.” Danisa smiled faintly. “Are you really okay with what happened? You know, not talking to you has been torturous for me. That woman really went too far in how she treated her own mother-in-law.”“I never considered her part of the Dominique family.” Rita giggled. ‘Don't worry, I can still hold myself together. As long as my silence is seen as stupidity and helplessness in Isa's eyes, I don't mind. Just know that I consider you more than a friend.”
“Thank you for helping me,” said Rita with a slight smile. ”And your cookies are getting better and better.”Danisa pouted. “I went to all that trouble to go straight to the kitchen. Why does it still feel like something's missing?” But then she laughed. “I guess the kitchen just isn't my thing.”“You're right.” Rita laughed along with her friend. “Tell Eva I said hi. I wonder when we'll get to try her cooking.”Rita gently rubbed Danisa's shoulder. “You're not the only one who feels that way, Danisa. I feel the same.”“Especially you, Rita.” Danisa smiled faintly. “Are you really okay with what happened? You know, not talking to you has been torturous for me. That woman really went too far in how she treated her own mother-in-law.”“I never considered her part of the Dominique family.” Rita giggled. ‘Don't worry, I can still hold myself together. As long as my silence is seen as stupidity and helplessness in Isa's eyes, I don't mind. Just know that I consider you more than a friend.”
Eva sat comfortably on the long sofa right next to the large glass window. The view she could enjoy was of Yazeran at night. The first time she came to this partly sandy and quite hot place, Eva fell in love. She was captivated by the ethnic patterns on the clothing and the ornaments found on almost every public building there.And because of that, most of the souvenirs she brought back from Yazeran were woven fabrics with unique characteristics, serving as a sign that the fabric was a souvenir from that desert region. Under Giselle's creative hands, the fabric became a comfortable dress that made Eva feel close to Yazeran.That dress was also what she wore for dinner with Max this time. It wasn't unusual for Eva to hear compliments from the man. And his annoying behavior, almost to the point of being infuriating, but Eva couldn't just brush him off. There was always something he did to make Eva end up under his control again.Including now. Where Eva was staying in the famous Paradis