Andreas Sanders daringly returned to Ashford City in order to escape from his engagement party that was to be held in Paris. He would never accept an arranged marriage that would clearly trap him further in his own family's game. Therefore, he realized that there was only one thing to do now. That is to secure a beneficial marriage. Love and fairy tales were unnecessary. The only thing Andreas needed was an intelligent woman who could engage in mentally stimulating debates with him. Luckily, Andreas found her in the form of his friend's secretary. She was tall and elegant, dressed in a tailored suit with long pants, supported by seven-centimeter-high heels, with wavy hair, red lipstick, and, of course, a sharp tongue. A truly perfect combination. The woman that Andreas desired. Vlora Anderson. * 2nd Book of seri 'The CEO'
"Marry me."
Two words, one sentence. Straight to the point, without beating around the bush. One thing Vlora Anderson, a smart woman who worked as executive secretary to the CEO of Greatech, appreciated was getting to the point without unnecessary complications.
She despised all things that were full of pretense. She preferred to get straight to the point without the fuss that could give anyone a headache. But this? "Marry me?" Oh, dear. Vlora could only freeze for a moment, staring at him. She wondered briefly if the man before her was sane.
But no, he was perfectly sane, and he could convince Vlora that he was sane enough to utter that sentence.
Blinking once, Vlora's forehead creased slightly as she looked into his shining eyes. The look there seemed to mix temptation and mischief at the same time.
"Forgive me," Vlora's voice trembled slightly. She even had to take a deep breath before she could continue. "What did you just say?"
"Oh, God."
The man's deep voice seemed choked. Combined with his eyes rolling briefly before closing dramatically.
"I've said it many times, Vlo. Just call me by my name. No need for 'sir'. Call me by my name."
Eyes opened. Gaze directed. A name spoken.
"Andreas."
Vlora tried to keep her composure. She nodded. "Yes, Mr. Andreas Sanders."
"Andreas. Just Andreas, Vlo," Andreas corrected for the umpteenth time. A passing thought crossed his mind and a crooked grin appeared. "Is it so hard to say my name?"
Vlora did not answer. Ignoring Andreas, she shut down her computer. In a relatively short time, she had packed her work bag and was getting ready to leave.
"Are you ready to go home?" Andreas asked.
Nonchalantly, Vlora replied, "It's almost two hours past my usual departure time, sir. Office hours ended a while ago."
"Oh dear," Andreas sighed in frustration. "Sir, sir, sir. Really. Why do you like to call me 'sir' so much? It's too formal for us, Vlo, and we don't have a formal relationship. You're not my subordinate and I'm not your boss. So why be so formal?"
What Andreas said was true. There was literally no formal relationship between them. They were neither boss nor subordinate. Unfortunately, in Vlora's eyes, they were not close enough to call each other by their first names.
Vlora's hand, reaching for her work bag, suddenly stopped. It seemed that Andreas' words had hit a nerve.
"Although, of course, it is a very charming idea to have a subordinate like you. So how about it? Would you really like to be my subordinate? I can offer you a 'subordinate' position that will please you."
The implied meaning in Andreas' words was all too real. Vlora pursed her lips tightly and tried to regain her composure.
"I hope you can keep your manners, Sir."
"Manners?" Andreas scoffed. "I was perfectly polite. Remember? I want you to marry me. Then I'll make you my subordinate. So, what part of that was rude?"
Vlora stared at Andreas without blinking. Her face hardened.
"I think you've tried hard enough to be polite to me," she said.
Andreas grinned. "Of course. At least I want us to get married first. You know, not many men are brave enough to propose marriage to a woman."
The thought of marriage immediately filled Andreas' mind. His imagination ran wild and he smiled as if he did not care about Vlora's annoyance.
"Marrying you would be a wonderful experience, especially if we had a child as beautiful as you. Oh, God. I'm getting more and more excited."
Vlora was surprised.
"What?" Andreas asked again. The mischievous grin on his handsome face widened as he continued his teasing. "Let's get married and see. Will our child be as beautiful as you or as handsome as me?"
Vlora raised her face, but unfortunately her gaze met Andreas' teasing expression. It was not just the crooked grin; it was the mischievous look and the seductive aura that felt incredibly thick.
"I'm sorry, Sir. I think this is a bit much," Vlora said. "So, I'll tell you once again. I hope you can watch your manners with me."
The teasing expression disappeared for a moment. Andreas was startled. His eyes widened and curses echoed in his head.
Damn it!
Vlora's attitude was really different this time. She looked tense and her face was flushed. It was clear to Andreas that he had completely exhausted Vlora's patience.
This time Vlora really grabbed her work bag. She stood up and spoke quietly, but with emphasis.
"I'm not the woman you think I am."
The sound of Vlora's footsteps echoed as she walked away. She really had left Andreas alone, who was now frustrated.
How could I say that? You see? Now she'll certainly keep her distance from me. Damn it!
Andreas decided to follow her. With long strides, the tall man had no trouble catching up to Vlora.
Perfect timing. Andreas managed to catch up with Vlora as she entered the elevator. He turned around and was surprised to see Andreas entering the elevator and immediately closing the door.
"I'm sorry," Andreas apologized without hesitation, in sync with the elevator's slow descent.
"M-Mr. Sanders."
If Vlora had to be honest, she would say that she was quite surprised by Andreas' apology. She had not expected him to apologize.
"I apologize."
Andreas continued. He approached Vlora with an intense look. His measured steps made Vlora unconsciously step back.
"I apologize for my inappropriate behavior. Please forgive me. But you need to know that ..." Andreas locked eyes with Vlora. "... I'm not joking about what I said. I'm absolutely serious, Vlo. I want us to get married."
Vlora could not back away any further. Behind her was a cold elevator wall. She had no choice but to raise her face and meet his gaze with caution.
"I ... I can't accept your offer."
Andreas grimaced. "What? My offer? Oh, Vlo. It's not an offer. It's a proposal."
"A proposal?"
*
Azera Cordelia Ross thought her life had reached its maximum limit of misfortune, but it turned out that fate still had surprises in store. Yesterday she was a poor college student running away from a drunken father, and now she was a future Luna locked in the golden room of the Alpha, Oscar Donovan. The prophecy had come true. The herd rejoiced. The ceremony and the feast were ready. Only Era was lost in a question. Am I a werewolf?
The clawless luna, that's what they called her. Vione Celestie Munest had reached a point where she no longer hoped for destiny. Living without a clear origin and claws was painful enough for her. She didn't want to add to her suffering by being humiliated by her Alpha, Usher Thorne. So when Usher decided to sever their bond, Vione's only words were. "I, Vione Celestie Munest, accept your rejection as luna and mate, Alpha Usher Thorne."
Get a job while running into an ex? Oh no! Vanny never expected this to happen in the script of her life. But for Vanny, exes were a species that should be extinct from human civilization. For Haris, on the other hand, it was a different story. For him, exes were a species that should be preserved, especially if it was the only ex he had. So, would Vanny be willing to give up the job to avoid her ex? Or would Haris manage to use the penalty clause in the employment contract? Money or love? Which would they choose?
Elzi Amelia Collins was indeed fortunate. She had a happy family, graduated from college, and immediately found a job, and was engaged to a handsome and wealthy man. Envious, right? However, hold on a moment. That was just the beginning. After that disastrous night, a series of calamities seemed to rain down on her alone, as if from the heavens. It all started with a high school reunion. In the early hours of the morning, Elzi woke up innocently next to a guy, both covered with just a single dimly lit blanket in one room. No forensic examination was needed to know what had happened to her while she was drunk that night! Hoping she would not get pregnant, Elzi found her world turning even more chaotic. On another night, her fiancé attempted to violate her. Luckily, she managed to escape. Ironically, she ended up being helped by the one who took her virginity! Her younger brother pronounced his judgment. The engagement was called off! And as if that was not enough, another disaster struck at her workplace. When a beautiful woman, resembling a model, assumed that Elzi was stealing her man. Now, Elzi found herself trapped between them all. Her high school friend, who kept offering his responsibility; her ex-fiancé, who was trying to apologize; her protective younger brother, and the woman who thought Elzi was stealing her future “prospective husband” (remember: future “prospective husband”).
Misfortune in both work and love seemed to be Vonda Raveena Scoot's constant companion. Just when work pressures had her on edge, she had to endure a broken heart as she witnessed her boyfriend, who also happened to be her subordinate, indulging in a romantic affair within the empty confines of their office space. These two factors were compelling reasons for Vonda to unleash all her emotions at her company's CEO's wedding party. She drowned her sorrows in glass after glass of alcohol until she was intoxicated and decided to call for a ride-hailing service. However, little did she know that her inebriated state would lead her to board the wrong car. “Uh... I'm a bit tipsy. But just because I'm tipsy, I feel like I'm riding in a red Lamborghini taxi.” Vonda laughed heartily. Eventually, she found herself pouring her heart out and ended up asking a crazy question. “Sir, you don't have to drive tonight, okay? How about just accompanying me instead? After all, I'm quite pretty, right?” In the days that followed, Vonda came close to considering checking herself into a Mental Health Institution.
Cast aside and humiliated, Elice McLean never imagined she would endure life. She was on the brink of giving up. Until that night led her to a crazy revelation. That she still held value. His name was Garrett Alexander Morales. A stranger who proved to Elice that in his eyes, she was still immensely precious. Through his gaze, through his way of speaking, and through his ... touch. * 1st book of seri 'The Billionaire'
Jennifer Bennett, the rightful heiress to the Bennett legacy, fought hard for her family's recognition, only to be eclipsed by an impostor. Faced with false accusations, bullying, and public humiliation, Jennifer eventually gave up trying to win their approval. Vowing to rise above the injustice, she became the bane of those who wronged her. The Bennett family's efforts to break her only fueled her success, leading her to heights her rivals could only dream of. Someone asked, "Do you feel let down by your parents?" With a calm smile, Jennifer said, "It doesn't matter. In the end, power prevails."
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"
It took only a second for a person's world to come crashing down. This was what happened in Hannah's case. For four years, she gave her husband her all, but one day, he said emotionlessly, "Let's get divorced." Hannah's heart broke into a million pieces as she signed the divorce papers, marking the end of her role as a devoted wife. Within Hannah, a strong woman awakened, vowing never to be beholden to any man again. Embracing her new life, she embarked on a journey to find herself and command her own destiny. By the time she returned, she had experienced so much growth and was now completely different from the docile wife everyone once knew. "Is this your latest trick to get my attention?" Hannah's ever-so-arrogant husband asked. Before she could retort, a handsome and domineering CEO pulled her into his embrace. He smiled down at her and said boldly to her ex, "Just a little heads-up, mister. This is my beloved wife. Keep off!"
She was a world-renowned divine doctor, the CEO of a publicly traded company, the most formidable female mercenary, and a top-tier tech genius. Marissa, a titan with a plethora of secret identities, had hidden her true stature to marry a seemingly impoverished young man. However, on the eve of their wedding, her fiance, who was actually the lost heir to a wealthy dynasty, called off the engagement and subjected her to degradation and mockery. Upon the revelation of her concealed identities, her ex-fiance was left stunned and desperately pleaded for her forgiveness. Standing protectively before Marissa, an incredibly influential and fearsome magnate declared, "This is my wife. Who would dare try to claim her?"
Married for four years, Emily remained childless. A hospital diagnosis plunged her life into hell. Unable to conceive? But her husband was rarely home during these four years, so how could she get pregnant? Emily and her billionaire husband were in a contractual marriage; she had hoped to win his love through effort. However, when her husband appeared with a pregnant woman, she despaired. After being kicked out, homeless Emily was taken in by a mysterious billionaire. Who was he? How did he know Emily? More importantly, Emily was pregnant.