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Natalie accepts to play the role of billionaire Mateo Logan for a price, falling in love while wondering how he is connected to her brother's bogus conviction. Natalie Linden's brother is imprisoned for a crime he did not commit, and she would do any job to help him get out. Soon, she's agreed to pretend to date wealthy Mateo Logan for $10,000 to relieve his mother's pressure on him to find a marriage. But once Natalie is immersed in Mateo's world, he falls for her, and she begins to feel the same way. Natalie learns that the Logans are somehow implicated in her brother's conviction despite her infatuation with Mateo as she draws closer to them. As she delves further into a world of luxury and intrigues, Natalie is forced to depend on Mateo, even if it may cost her everything
I looked up from where I was reclining on my VIG Chesterfield couch in the middle of a shift. I'd taught myself to do this, to avoid indenting the material. My mother stood at the foot of it. She gave me such a deep disapproving look that I almost made an effort to sit up properly. Her look was the epitome of dissatisfaction. Her slim nose cocked, devilish red lips twitching. With a sigh, I let my face fall against the soft leather, knowing where this talk was going.
"This again?" I inquired.
"You're nearly thirty, Mateo," she murmured, putting her arms over her chest. Her numerous diamond-studded bangles jingled as she moved.
I cocked my brows at her. "I'm twenty-five years old. That's not even close to thirty."
"It's past time for you to quit causing controversies and making our family look bad."
"I don't ruin our family's reputation-"
"-And it's time for you to have your own family so we can give the next generation of our company a head start," she said.
Finally, I forced myself into a sitting posture. I made sure to smooth out my waistcoat; so she wouldn't have anything more to complain about. "So you're expecting me to meet someone today, fall in love with them, marry, and have children? That is not how it works. Maybe it does today, with all the dating apps available, but I'm not like that."
"There are several young ladies who are interested in you. Since you were five years old, Cecil's daughter requested your hand in marriage. She's also rather lovely."
I cocked my brow at her. "Legal arranged marriages are no longer practiced in the United States. The year is 2015, not 1765. I don't want to marry someone for only business.
"You want a marriage built on love?" she questioned, her voice hardening. "To retain their fortune, wealthy families marry into other wealthy families. It's what our forefathers did before us and what we shall do in the future. That is how we keep our company going."
It was pointless to argue with her. "I'm just not interested in marriage right now."
She approached the little gap between us, hanging intimidatingly over me. "I've granted you twenty-five years of liberty. I've provided you with everything you've ever desired. All I want is that you compensate me by promising to keep our company running."
The company was not going anywhere for a long time. We were like the new Hiltons. What was it that was bothering her? Why was she now attempting to impose this on me?
"You no longer have an option in this situation. If you don't calm down, I'll take your vehicle and home."
"This home and this automobile are mines. You can't intimidate me in that way."
My mother's wicked grin sent shivers down my spine. "Do you think I won't figure anything out?"
I knew she wasn't kidding, as much as I hoped she was. I sprang from the couch, my hand over my pocket, where the keys were. "Wait a minute."
"What are you waiting for?" she asked.
"Isn't this a bit sudden? I will need time to think. You can't simply go in and expect me to agree to this."
"It shouldn't surprise you, Mateo. That is something you can thank your brother for."
My body was flooded with heat. I clenched my fists so tightly that my fingernails dug into the flesh of my palm. I cautioned myself not to fall for it. She only desired that I back down.
And she was aware of where it stung the most.
"Your brother wouldn't bother me like this."
"How are you going to use Lee against me?" I said firmly.
"It's all up to you, Mateo."
"I'll... I'll find someone...." I didn't have much choice.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Good." She nodded with some satisfaction.
"However, I'd want you to give me a year."
Her pupils constricted. "One year? For what purpose?"
"I'd prefer to meet someone on my own. After a year, I'll bring her to you and speak about marriage. You can't expect me to meet someone and marry her on the spur of the moment, can you? Allow me to meet with a couple of the other prospects first."
As my mother considered my suggestion, the room became quiet. If she'd only agreed to my plan, I'd have had more time to figure out what to do about the request she'd issued. What could I argue against her if she said no when using Lee as leverage?
"Six months," she answered eventually. "Not another day extra. When the time is over, you must bring the girl of your choice before me, and I will determine whether or not she may marry into our family. If she fails, you'll marry anybody I choose."
Of course, there would be requirements. Conditions were always present. "Fine," I said, knowing she'd get her way.
She smiled as the lines on her brow softened. "Good. You are free to keep your automobile. Make certain that you arrive at work today. There is someone you must fire."
"I understand," I said as I saw her turn on her heel and click away from me.
I sank back onto the couch as soon as she departed, feeling a headache building. Why was she so set on marriage? I was delighted with how I was spending my life-satisfactory and alone. I had no desire for a relationship. Even if I had those requirements, I could find a willing companion at the neighborhood pub.
For the time being, I needed to find someone who could fool my mother into believing she was my girlfriend. It wouldn't be too difficult. I didn't lack the physical attractiveness to persuade someone to do it. I knew I was an excellent catch because of my conditioned, friendly, and pleasant nature. If that weren't enough, I'd show them my bank account.
Then it struck me.
The strategy was straightforward. Find a lady, pay her to date me for six months, stage a break-up just before introducing her to my mother, and then pretend I was too distraught to go on. That way, I wouldn't be compelled to marry a stranger and could remain single until I found the one I was destined to be with. My mother would pity her son, who was experiencing his first heartache. It would be simple.
I smiled.
Let the games begin.
"Get moving, or I'll throw soap in your eyes." As Jordan continued to obstruct my stride, I issued a warning. "You're the one getting in my way... YOU get up." With a chuckle in his voice, he instructed. "I'll nipple cripple you if you don't move..." I threatened to make him raise his arms to conceal his chest. "Why would you want to violate mine when I always look after you?" I put my palm over his face before he could say anything. ——A pack enclosed by high walls. Nobody could get in, and no one could get out. An Alpha who is well-known for utilizing weapons instead of claws. Why? Nobody knows. Allison had suspected Jordan of keeping something from her when they first met. What? She couldn't wait to find out. She was, after all, an Alpha. It was unusual for two Alphas to imprint on one another. But there was nothing typical about Jordan and Allison. They were remarkable people with incredible secrets and responsibilities. But they need to find out what they're doing soon before time runs out. Before someone much more powerful catches up with them. Someone who has lived for centuries.
The stories will blow your mind, your imagination will be put to the test, and you will be thrilled to read these Romantic tales
Corinne devoted three years of her life to her boyfriend, only for it to all go to waste. He saw her as nothing more than a country bumpkin and left her at the altar to be with his true love. After getting jilted, Corinne reclaimed her identity as the granddaughter of the town’s richest man, inherited a billion-dollar fortune, and ultimately rose to the top. But her success attracted the envy of others, and people constantly tried to bring her down. As she dealt with these troublemakers one by one, Mr. Hopkins, notorious for his ruthlessness, stood by and cheered her on. “Way to go, honey!”
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."
Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter framed her, her fiancé ridiculed her, and her adoptive parents threw her out. They all wanted to see her fall. But Elena unveiled her true identity: the heiress of a massive fortune, famed hacker, top jewelry designer, secret author, and gifted doctor. Horrified by her glorious comeback, her adoptive parents demanded half her newfound wealth. Elena exposed their cruelty and refused. Her ex pleaded for a second chance, but she scoffed, “Do you think you deserve it?” Then a powerful magnate gently proposed, “Marry me?”
Maria took her sister’s place and was engaged to Anthony, a disabled man who had lost his status as the family heir. At first, they were just a nominal couple. However, things changed when things about Maria were gradually exposed. It turned out she was a professional hacker, a mysterious composer, and the sole successor to an international jade sculpting master… The more that was revealed about her, the less Anthony could rest easy. A famous singer, an award-winning actor, an heir of a rich family—so many excellent men were chasing after his fiancee, Maria. What should Anthony do?
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.