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Singer Name: Demi Lovato

Without further ado here is another chapter of LOVE WILL CONQUER!

💜HAPPY READING💜
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Chapter No.16

Archer's POV:

Grandma is absolutely thrilled about me talking to Eve every day... One way or the other. Yes, I call her Eve. It's different and definitely suits her just like Rain her middle name. I would've been a fool for not apologizing... In return, I've earned a friend. I couldn't believe in all honesty that she bore no grudge against me...

Charlotte nowadays is over the moon whenever one of us mentions Eve. It almost seems that she likes Eve more than me. Who the heck am I kidding? I even like her which is totally different than how I usually am. It's not a good sign for me... But if this keeps up I may not be able to hold back the fact that I actually like her more than I should... This is a freaking mess!

Today Dad and I have to attend the event by Bernard Alonso. If I'm not wrong this is the event that is specifically held for Eve. Eve will be wearing a dress designed by Aunt Lillian. They've already met and to say she gushed at how adorable she is would be absolutely correct!

I am curious about her dress for tonight. After all, she is the guest of honor for this event, though many don't know about it.

"Yo, cuz!" Seb says coming my way.

I see Uncle Daniel making his way to Dad, I nod, "Looking forward to your girlfriend's attire for tonight?"

"Whose girlfriend?" Matt says coming towards us.

Matt aka Matthew King the eldest son of Brian and Lillian King, "Mattie bro! Good to see you! Finally, you're back from Italy." Seb says giving him a bro hug.

"Alright, now whose girlfriend are you talking about, Seb? As far as I know, Archer won't ever get back together with the bitch." He scoffs at the end.

"Not that slut! I am talking about the girl that both Aunt Amalie and Grandma Dawn are smitten over! You'll see in a little while." Seb answers.

"She isn't my girlfriend, you idiot! She's only a friend." I say.

"Yet... She isn't your girlfriend yet. No one can forecast the future." Seb shrugs casually.

Bernard Alonso takes the stage, "Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for attending the banquet. As you all know two years ago, Dream Palace was founded. It was believed to be another Alonso Ind. Project. But the truth couldn't be further from it. It was wholly and totally handled and owned by my niece. Of course, I don't have a niece but I consider her as the equivalent of my daughter. I proudly present the CEO of Dream Palace Evelyn Colton!"

I didn't notice how and when she was beside Bernard and smiling she steps forward, "Thank you, Uncle. But that is a bit of exaggeration. I have yet to make you really proud. Good evening, ladies and gents. And welcome to the formal gathering. My name is Evelyn Colton and indeed I am the CEO of Dream Palace. To many, it may seem impossible for a mere child to in charge of multi-international restaurants and cuisines. I hope you all like our cuisines. My passion for cooking combines with two very amazing friends we formed Dream Palace. Shortly, you will meet with them as well. Mr. Alonso was the one to recognize my talent when no one was even ready to look at me. I don't blame them. But Mr. Alonso saw something in me and provided me the platform and I raised the name with my own two hands and proud to present our restaurants now opening in LA. In collaboration with a project with James-Anderson Empire and Theodores Co. I hope you all look forward to it. Thank you."

I couldn't take my eyes off her. Aunt really knows what she's doing. If she wasn't beautiful already now she looked absolutely breath-taking. Only now I was frustrated because many men, be it old or young had their eyes on her.

"Hmm, so that's the girlfriend. I only feel pity for you, Archer. Good luck, man." Matt puts his hand on my shoulder and chuckling leaves to talk to the other men at the party.

Is it that obvious that I'm in a bad mood? I shake my head and try to relax but it's harder than it seems since, a business rival of us the Theodores, the Evans are talking to her as though, they're some sort of long lost friends. When the elder son moves closer than comfort is when I lose it, "Archer, I want you to meet Bernard Alonso." Dad says.

"Sorry, Dad. I'll be back in a sec." With that I excuse myself.

The whole reason for attending was so that we could talk about the meeting that was postponed by Alonso. But I can't bear the scene in front of me any longer. I reach Eve and put my hand on the small of her back. She stood tensed I could feel it but instantly relaxed into my touch. Was she feeling agitated as well but not expressing it?

"Eve, I thought you'd come to me I was searching for you," I say.

She looks into my eyes and her beautiful blue-ish green eyes sparkle with humor meaning she knows to play along, "Sorry Archer, I was just meeting the Evans. I was just about to excuse myself. Sorry, you had to wait for me."

The elder son looks taken aback, I know very well, he's one of the most renowned players in all of US. Since Eve is beautiful it's no surprise she would attract the attention, Michael Evans. But if he thinks he can put his dirty paws on her he has another thing coming, "No, sweetheart. But I was getting worried that you might be getting hit on by the business associates."

She barely refrains from giggling and it has me smiling inwardly, knowing the reason behind that smile is none other than me, we hear a cough in front of us and it makes my anger return knowing the mutt hasn't left, "Uh, I was going to ask Miss. Colton for a dance, may I?"

"Can't you see that Eve is with me? Find some other girl to bother. She isn't like the rest." I reply.

He looks absolutely furious, "Don't mess with me, Theodore... Remember we are no less than you. Don't act possessive over her. She'll turn out the same as your ex. Who was she again? Oh yeah, now I remember Xia. She even was happy I flirted with her unlike you who acted only possessive."

My hand-formed into a fist, he was definitely asking for it, "Archer, I wanted you to taste a desert... I'm not sure what's missing so your opinion means a lot to me."

Eve puts her head slightly on my chest to calm me and the moment her scent reaches me along with the fact she was leaning into me had me calming down instantly, "Yeah... Sure."

"Excuse us, Mr. Evans. Also, for future reference Mr. Evans. I'm not the sort of girl who'd fall to your feet with your pathetic flirting. I am a woman of pride and have a firm head on my shoulders, so I'd say Archer being possessive of his ex was the best but it's her loss, not his. I'd say any girl who manages to win his heart would be lucky." Eve says calmly but leaving a fuming Michael behind.

We walk out of the hall and take a little stroll and head towards the garden, "Thank you." I say.

She leaves my embrace, and faces me, "Nah, I was just returning the favor for coming when you did otherwise I might've pummeled him." She says smiling.

At that I can't hold it back and laugh like a full-on laugh, she really has this effect on me where I can resist, But when I look at her she looks as if she's seen a ghost, I turn to where she is looking and see a man in his late 40's but for some odd reason has a bit of relevance with Eve, especially the eyes, before I can ask he answers my unasked question, "Ah! If it isn't my dear niece, I was wondering where you disappeared after that night. Is your mother doing alright?" The malice and proudness in his voice were chilling.

I instantly was on full alert and stood beside her putting my arm around her, protectively, "Oh I see, you've managed to lore in another man... Just like your slut of a mother and aunt—"

"Don't you dare you filthy bastard take the names of my mom and aunt from your rotten mouth. And I absolutely have no relation to dirt like you." She says in a rage like no other.

He only cackles, "Oh really now? Then why carry the name, Colton?"

"Because that's my Dad's name! It has absolutely nothing to do with the filthy family! I can't believe my Dad was born to such a money-loving and shameless family! For the money, they'd do anything, even if it means murdering their own son in cold blood." Her tone changed to icily cold.

The smile is wiped off of the man's face, he tries to come forward, on instinct, I put her behind me, and she's shaking but appears to be strong... Just what has been through?

He stops, but looks coldly at her, "Mark my words, don't bite more than you chew, bitch. These so-called people you use as a shield, won't stand by you forever. They'll leave you as everyone else did. In the end, you'll be betrayed all over again by the people you trust. Then you'll meet the same fate as my good-for-nothing dead brother."