Everyone was shocked to the bones when the news of Rupert Benton's engagement broke out. It was surprising because the lucky girl was said to be a plain Jane, who grew up in the countryside and had nothing to her name. One evening, she showed up at a banquet, stunning everyone present. "Wow, she's so beautiful!" All the men drooled, and the women got so jealous. What they didn't know was that this so-called country girl was actually an heiress to a billion-dollar empire. It wasn't long before her secrets came to light one after the other. The elites couldn't stop talking about her. "Holy smokes! So, her father is the richest man in the world?" "She's also that excellent, but mysterious designer who many people adore! Who would have guessed?" Nonetheless, people thought that Rupert didn't love her. But they were in for another surprise. Rupert released a statement, silencing all the naysayers. "I'm very much in love with my beautiful fiancee. We will be getting married soon." Two questions were on everyone's minds: "Why did she hide her identity? And why was Rupert in love with her all of a sudden?"
"What did you say? I'm going to Douburgh and getting engaged to a strange man? No way!"
"Annabel, I'm not giving you the choice to refuse. This is settled. You know me. I can judge people accurately. Rupert Benton became the CEO of Benton Group when he was only twenty-one years old. He's a man of action and resourcefulness. Everyone in the business world respects him. He won't let you down."
Annabel Hewitt bit her lower lip reluctantly.
Her grandfather was the one who raised her. Naturally, she didn't want to disappoint him. But she didn't want to get married this way.
"Okay, Grandpa, I'll go to Douburgh. But I have a few requirements. I don't want the Benton family to know our family's condition. You said that Rupert is excellent, right? If I don't fall in love with him within three months, the engagement will be canceled, and you can't interfere with my marriage in the future."
Leonard Hewitt, Annabel's grandfather, thought for a while. Then he said, "It's a deal then."
Two days later, a tall and handsome man stood at the exit of the train station in Douburgh.
Obviously, he was waiting for someone.
He was so attractive that the passers-by couldn't help looking at him. If there were no bodyguards beside him, many people would have already come over and asked for his phone number.
"Rupert, it's so hot. Why did Grandpa ask you to pick up that bumpkin? What's his intention of doing this?" Cathy Benton, Rupert's cousin, complained. "Will Grandpa let her marry you?"
Rupert didn't say anything. But judging from his expression, he was obviously not happy.
At this moment, a woman in a white T-shirt and jeans walked out of the train station, dragging a suitcase.
She had a delicate face, and her slightly curly hair was casually scattered behind. She had a high nose and cherry lips. Her face was bear, but she looked very beautiful.
When Cathy looked at the woman's face, there was a hint of jealousy in her eyes. But when she saw that the woman's clothes were not from famous bands, she snorted disdainfully.
"I can't believe there are still people who wear such outdated clothes nowadays."
But Rupert just ignored Cathy. He looked at the woman's photo on his phone and approached her. "Annabel Hewitt?"
At the sight of the man, Annabel guessed he was Rupert Benton, the man she was going to get engaged to.
Cathy's eyes opened wide. She asked incredulously, "You are Annabel? Gosh! Grandpa has no taste at all. I can't believe he chose someone like you to marry my cousin. Why did you have to come here by train? You should have told us that you are too poor to afford a plane ticket, so we could have bought one for you. Or, isn't there an airport in the countryside?"
Annabel pouted. "There's no need. I don't like taking the plane."
Indeed, there was no airport where she came from. But Leonard booked the entire train to Douburgh just for her. These arrogant people had no idea how luxurious her trip going here was. The train was worth one hundred million dollars. It was way more expensive than luxury cars and private planes.
Annabel didn't want to waste time talking them, so she looked at Rupert and asked, "Shall we go to your house first?"
Rupert looked closely into her beautiful eyes and was stunned for a moment. Under her arched eyebrows were a pair of bright and pretty eyes that could impress people at first sight.
His eyes darkened, and he lowered his gaze.
"Annabel, it's our grandfathers who settled the deal, not me. I hope you understand that even if I take you to my home, it doesn't mean that I accept the arrangement."
Annabel was about to say something when Cathy suddenly laughed smugly. "That's right. So I advise you not to covet my cousin. You don't deserve to be his fiancee and marry into the Benton family. So you'd better give up now. Stop dreaming!"
"Cathy, that's enough." Rupert turned to Annabel with a frown. "Get in the car. Let's go home first."
Annabel nodded casually. Anyway, she didn't want to marry into the Benton family. She followed Rupert into the car.
The scenery outside the window was unfamiliar to Annabel. They drove for a while before they finally stopped in front of a luxurious villa. Annabel's calm expression remained unchanged all the way here.
This made Cathy very disappointed. She had been expecting that Annabel would make a fool of herself in public.
"You haven't seen such a huge villa, right? Well, cherish your time here. You won't have this kind of chance again..."
Before Cathy could finish her words, Annabel interrupted, "Where will I stay?"
Cathy was irritated by her calm attitude. "Annabel, what do you think this place is? This is not a hotel."
Rupert also felt strange, but he didn't say anything. He turned to Cathy and said, "Take her to the guest room first. I need to go back to the company to deal with something."
"But Rupert..." Cathy stomped her feet, but she could only watch his receding back.
Annabel pursed her lips. "Are you going to take me to my room? If not, I'll go find your cousin."
"You..." Cathy was unwilling, but she had no choice. She took Annabel upstairs and pointed at a room. "You can stay there. But remember that you will only stay here temporarily. After Rupert deals with this ridiculous engagement, you will be driven out..." Cathy was not able to finish her words because Annabel walked into the room without saying anything and closed the door.
A loud bang sounded, and the closed door almost broke Cathy's nose.
Cathy was so angry that she wanted to rush in and tear that bumpkin apart. But she had to control herself.
She looked at the door and smiled. A gleam flashed through her eye.
Actually, the room she showed Annabel was not a guest room but Rupert's bedroom. What Rupert hated the most was someone touching his things. Cathy thought he would definitely be furious when he came back and found Annabel in his room. Then he would drive Annabel away.
June Rivera was divorced by her husband after three years of marriage because he wanted to be with her sister who was pregnant for him. Kicked to the curb with a divorce and rejected by her parents,she struggles to make ends meet and get a job until she saves Luis Ambrose from an accident - the only child of Rafael Ambrose, a widowed man and the CEO of Ambrose Corporation. When little Luis asks to have her as a nanny, and Rafael's mother pressures him to get married, they draw a contract. To be Luis's nanny and his fake wife for one year in exchange for 50 million dollars!
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.
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?”
After three secretive years of marriage, Eliana never met her enigmatic husband until she was served with divorce papers and learned of his extravagant pursuit of another. She snapped back to reality and secured a divorce. Thereafter, Eliana unveiled her various personas: an esteemed doctor, legendary secret agent, master hacker, celebrated designer, adept race car driver, and distinguished scientist. As her diverse talents became known, her ex-husband was consumed by remorse. Desperately, he pleaded, "Eliana, give me another chance! All my properties, even my life, are yours."
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.
"You're a creepy bastard." His eyes smolder me and his answering grin is nothing short of beautiful. Deadly. "Yet you hunger for me. Tell me, this appetite of yours, does it always tend toward 'creepy bastards'?" **** Widower and ex-boss to the Mafia, Zefiro Della Rocca, has an unhealthy fixation on the woman nextdoor. It began as a coincidence, growing into mere curiosity, and soon, it was an itch he couldn't ignore, like a quick fix of crack for an addict. He didn't know her name, but he knew every inch of her skin, how it flushed when she climaxed, her favourite novel and that every night she contemplated suicide. He didn't want to care, despising his rapt fascination of the woman. She was in love with her abusive husband. She was married, bound by a contract to the Bratva's hitman. She was off-limits. But when Zefiro wanted something, it was with an intensity that bordered on madness. He obsessed, possessed, owned. There'd be bloodshed if he touched her, but the sight of blood always did fascinate him. * When Susanna flees from her husband, she stumbles right into the arms of her devilishly handsome neighbour with a brooding glare. He couldn't stand her, but she needed him, if she was ever going to escape her husband who now wanted her dead. Better the devil you know than the angel you don't. She should have recalled that before hopping into Zefiro's car and letting him whisk her away to Italy. Maybe then, she wouldn't have started an affair with him. He was the only man who touched her right, and the crazy man took no small pains in ensuring he would be the last.