/0/33064/coverbig.jpg?v=f64030d947de1fa798bf156c495775db)
Everybody hated this CEO named Howard Fontabella for lacking empathy towards his employees. He was given a sanction for his behavior as he was destined to become a humanitarian volunteer for 90 days together with a sassy woman named Zannie Justiniano who was secretly having a wrath against him because of their parent's rivalry.
"If you're not a perfect employee, you don't have the right to complain. And one more thing, if you have a problem with your employer, don't post it on your social media! Can your followers and friends do anything to make your job easier? Do you think that they can search for a new job for you? Come on Ms. Ara, grow up!"
Ara bowed because her strict boss Howard is currently roasting her. It was about her posting a long rant post related to her work when she was assigned to render an overtime for the whole week. She just made a mistake because she forgot that she's friends with her boss on that social media. Her post was visible to his account since it was a company rule that every employee under the company should add their big bosses on social media.
"I'm sorry Sir Howard, I deleted that post as well," Ara apologized.
Even though she hasn't been Howard's secretary for a long time, she will definitely be replaced soon. The HR Manager even said that Howard had eight more secretaries before she got hired even though the year has not ended. Howard was too picky about his future secretary and he doesn't like lousy and slow learners. Well, Ara isn't like that but he also doesn't like employees who love to complain about their work. If they can't follow his standards, they are free to leave and close the door and just let someone who's qualified to open it again.
"Can you delete your account as well? And from now on, go home and just browse on social media. Maybe soon, you could find a new job opening posts," Howard sarcastically uttered.
Ara wasn't surprised anymore. Howard is really like that when it comes to making decisions and many employees are already sick of his behavior.
Tears welled up in her eyes but she knew Howard had no empathy. His heart is even harder than a typical stone. He's very inconsiderate and very stressful to handle. Well, she guessed that her work dismissal was still in her favor.
She nodded and spontaneously walked out of Howard's office. She even met his cousin Jared who was about to go inside but she never greeted him.
"What happened to Ms. Ara?" Jared asked as his gaze followed Howard's tearful secretary.
"I fired her. As simple as that," Howard replied and focused on his own desktop. Firing employees was a normal thing for him to do.
"Why? Ara is kind and hardworking, she doesn't have a family yet so she's focused on work. It will be difficult for the HR manager to find a replacement for her," Jared said regretfully.
"Howard, when are you going to stop giving pain to the employees around you? I knew you were strict but I feel like it's too much. You're crossing the line with your inconsiderate actions." Jared shook his head several times.
Howard seemed to be frustrated with the slapped truth on his cousin but he doesn't buy that. He automatically turned to him with a threatening look.
"And who are you to say that? I'm the CEO of SLI so I just have to make sure the workflow here is perfect. I don't want to disappoint my dad."
Jared remained silent and suddenly snorted so he just made his cousin more annoyed at him.
"Anyway, that's your mindset because you didn't work hard to get your title today. You just inherited your position and the company as well. Howard, can you put your feet in someone else's shoes? Have some empathy for the people around you, don't abuse your power as CEO."
Now he seems to be beaten with the words left by Jared. But he will not admit it because he already imprinted in his brain that a CEO will never commit such mistakes in imposing decisions.
"I'm not a power tripper. I just don't like people who have weak brains. What do you need?" he asked to change the subject.
"There's a dinner meeting at the Fontabella residence, they said you should go home early," Jared advised.
"And what was that meeting for?"
"I do not know. By the way, Howard, do you know Mang Elmer? The driver who drove you when you went to the province of Natividad?"
He frowned at Jared's question. "Of course. The driver who caused me to get lost and almost didn't arrive on time at the meeting venue? How can I forget that old man?"
Jared sighed and wondered if he would continue what he wanted to say.
"You fired him as a driver but in fact, it's uncle who hired him and not you. And the wife of that poor man died because you fired him."
"What do I care if his wife dies? It's his personal life."
"You deprived the man of his livelihood. I hope you can change somehow."
He couldn't understand what Jared had said. He just let him leave the office and at that point, he looked back at the mistakes he had made.
***
"I thought we were having a dinner meeting, but there was no dinner and it's amazing that we're the only ones here at this table. Dad, are you going to tell me something?"
Mr. Simeon Fontabella stared meaningfully at his son Howard because of the question he asked.
"You have no clue?" His dad, Simeon, laughed.
"That's why I'm asking, dad."
He sighed deeply and handed the white folder to Howie. "What is this?"
"Why don't you open it? You're big enough for spoon feeding."
Howard shook his head as he opened the folder. He frowned at what he saw.
"A Leave form and resignation letter, effective immediately? What nonsense is this, dad? You know that I don't want to give up my career."
Anytime, he wants to tear those papers into pieces. And what did his father think of doing that? He knew that he's doing fine. Because of him, the company is booming and slowly gaining more investors.
"But you need to end your career. No buts, just follow me. Jared already told what happened to Mang Elmer, didn't he? So I'm going to give you a lesson. Go to the province of Trias for vacation and reflect on your past actions."
His eyes widened even more in shock.
"Me? Will you send me to a place where there is a war? No dad! This is so insane!" he protested.
"No 'buts' and 'No'," Simeon insisted.
"Your performance as a CEO doesn't matter if you still don't change, Howard."
Luke suffers from an anxiety illness and finds it difficult to interact with others. His adoptive mother was comatose at the time. He was compelled to take the CEO role in his mother's firm due to her situation, and he reasoned that it would be better for his training to overcome the trauma he was experiencing while he was waiting for the recovery of her mother. Yumi, on the other contrary, is an undercover bureau officer who acts as an aspiring writer to gain access to Luke's company. She was also Luke's ex-girlfriend, holding a grudge for Luke's family's oppression before they split up. She was tasked with investigating the anomalies in Luke's company as well as the death of his foster father, Dante Laurel. There is strong evidence, according to the group she belongs to, that Luke was the only man with a motive to kill Dante. Despite the fact that they had been lovers before they split up and she would also get her revenge, she is willing to reappear in front of the young man. Yumi tried to deny her feelings and strongly believed herself that she only gets back to do her job, but Luke discovers that he is also still in love with her. And they had no idea that some of the most important secrets were about to be divulged after they reconciled with each other. Yumi's past is something she's trying to hide from her ex-boyfriend, and it's not just her real profession and Dante's death.
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."
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?”
Sawyer, the world's top arms dealer, stunned everyone by falling for Maren—the worthless girl no one respected. People scoffed. Why chase a useless pretty face? But when powerful elites began gathering around her, jaws dropped. "She's not even married to him yet—already cashing in on his power?" they assumed. Curious eyes dug into Maren's past... only to find she was a scientific genius, a world-renowned medical expert, and heiress to a mafia empire. Later, Sawyer posted online. "My wife treats me like the enemy. Any advice?"
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
Bailey seems to be never destined to fit in, a little geeky, but under it all, a hidden beauty that so many seem to miss, but still not what her pack Alpha is looking for in a fated mate... so he is determined to reject her and make her life hell. Bailey, knowing her life will likely never be the same focuses on what she can control, her future, and heads off to study; becoming a teacher. Asher is the Beta of Autumn Valley Pack, a neighbouring pack. A broken man having suffered the loss of his mate after a rogue attack, Asher is slowly crumbling. Falling to pieces. A shadow of his former self, and not a man that anyone wants to be around anymore... Until, Autumn Valley Pack require a new teacher, and Bailey finds herself there and pushed together with the Beta. Is there a connection building or is that in their imaginations? And what will happen when Bailey's mate comes back to claim what is his?
Mia's life is spiraling out of control. Abandoned by her mother, bullied mercilessly at school, and thrown into a household of four dangerously attractive stepbrothers, she's desperate to find her footing. "You look absolutely edible," Sean growled, his eyes devouring her. Mia felt a rush of heat between her thighs "Oh, you think so?" she purred, turning to face him. She reached out and traced her fingers along the ribbon that wrapped around his waist. "Well, I've been waiting for this all day. And I'm starving." Sean's smile grew into a predatory grin. "Then let us feast," he said, and in a flash, the ribbon fell away, exposing his rock-hard length. He stepped closer, and Mia felt the warmth of his breath on her face as he whispered, "You're going to take every inch of us tonight, aren't you?" With Rolex's teasing smirk and Sean's quiet, hot stares, Mia doesn't know where to turn-or who to trust. Every glance, every touch leaves her breathless, confused, and craving more than she should. Will Mia survive their games, or will she lose herself in a dangerous world of secrets, seduction, and forbidden desire? One house. Four brothers. Endless temptation.