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