Eve smiled and put one hand on Scarlett’s shoulder, “Well, it all depends on how much influence you can have on Francis, doesn’t it? He’s probably only going to listen to you. You’re the one with the most influence on him.” When she saw Scarlett didn’t answer her, she just brushed her hair and said, “Anyway, I don’t know anyone else who can do this for me, so I can only count on you.”


    “Won’t Damon be mad at me?” Scarlett nced at her.


    “No, he won’t! He’s not like that.” Eve promised her.


    But Scarlett was doubtful about the whole thing. Eve’s ns just seemed too fanciful to ever be a reality.


    If Eve’s wild stories were to be trusted in the first ce, Vivian’s French lover was also a powerful woman. He had once been in a rtionship with Eve’s mother, but their affair hade to a violent end. Then, as Eve grew into a teenager, he had taken an interest in Eve and groomed her as his mistress. He was, to say the least, aplicated man withplicated persuasions.


    “So, why is it important for me to know that she had a fucked up, pedophilic French lover again? Like, what are you expecting me to do with this information?” Scarlett wondered.


    Eve grabbed an orange and said, “I’ve heard that he loves collecting dirty pictures. Honestly, he just sounds like a dirty old man with a thing for pretty girls. I think Vivian was of the age of consent when he started seeing her, but it was definitely still gross.”


    She looked at Scarlett with a strange expression on her face.


    “Wait… what’s that look? Don’t tell me you had experiences with this weirdo, too? Oh, hold on, wait, I got it. Was it your mother?” Scarlett asked, a look of concerning over her face.


    Eve appeared unruffled and said, “Of course! But it was different with my mother. He was super obedient andpliant. He knew it would be a bad idea for him to try to mess with my mom.” Eve smiled with satisfaction, remembering her strong mother.


    “What’s the story?” Scarlett wondered.


    “Well, he had insisted on joining the army for whatever reason, so he ended up leaving my mother behind. She was heartbroken for a while, but then she found my father, they started dating, and eventually, they got married and gave birth to me. I mean, my mother didn’t have the greatest time with him, but she got over it and moved on. Sometimes, though, I can tell that he really damaged her faith in men. My father is super trustworthy, but sometimes she has a hard time being real with him.” Eve reflected, crossing her legs in front of her.


    “How well do you know him?” Scarlett asked.


    “I have met him a few times, but we’re not tight or anything. Acquaintances, you could say. I’m my mother’s daughter, though, so how can I be nice to him? As far as I’m concerned, he’s the scum of the earth for hurting my mother even the tiniest bit, even though it was so long ago now.” She looked up.


    Scarlett held Eve’s hand and said, “Dude, I think I finally understand your hare-brained n… You want to use the photos to ckmail Vivian. It’s crazy, Eve! It’s a n as crazy as you.”


    Eve raised one hand and stopped her, “It’s just a deal. Don’t think too much about it! It’s whatever, girl. I got you.”


    Scarlett held her hand back and said, “Why don’t you just ask him for help? Do you enjoy the feeling of Damon chasing you around the world? Is that what it is?”


    Eve threw herself back on the sofa and said, “He owes my mother, not me! I don’t want to ask him to do me any favors… that’s so embarrassing.”


    Scarlett looked at her suspiciously up and down and said, “Wow, I never expected such integrity from you!”


    “So, deal?” Eve said as she gave her a little wink.


    “Of course!” Scarlett smiled as she stretched out her hands.


    “Nice to work with you, Mrs. Sandler!”


    “Nice to work with you, Mrs. Kent! Oops, I’m sorry, he’s your ex-husband!” Obviously, it was a deliberate mistake– not an idental slip of the tongue.


    “What the fuck?” Eve cursed.


    While Scarlett and Eve were upied with their secret mission, Francis had hispany’s public rtions department held a press conference. It was focused on the new government project they had won the bid for– it was a massive undertaking, involving thousands of construction workers and possibly billions of dors in revenue if everything went well.


    “I’m a journalist from The New York Times, Mr. Clifton. There have been recent rumors about a hidden marriage between Mr. Sandler and a local university student? What’s your response?” A female journalist stood up and asked.


    On stage, Jimmy was dressed handsomely. He smiled and said, “I’m so honored to have you all here! And about the news regarding my boss’ marriage, Mr. Sandler has told me to answer any questions that anyone has. He and Miss Morris got married because they are in love. I’m d you asked this question because we are about to arrange for thepany’s legal staff to file awsuit against a series of false rumors on the Inte. Whoever it is that mongers those rumors can expect a cease and desist letter from us very soon.”


    “Does all of your staff know about his marriage?” The journalist continued, unimpressed by Jimmy’s solicitous answer.


    Jimmy smiled and joked, “Of course! We have already showered them with many nice gifts.”


    “So, they have held the wedding ceremony already, right? “The journalist continued.


    “Well, you misunderstand what I mean. We just congratted them and gave them our weddings. Whether or not they have a wedding, that’s entirely up to them.”


    “Next!”


    A male journalist stood up and said, “Do you mean that they are not about to have a wedding?”


    “It looks like everyone’s attention is focused on the issue of the wedding today. I don’t think you will cut me loose unless I make it clear.” Jimmy replied.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.