/0/44302/coverbig.jpg?v=52d2911e4c4935bc2dea242b6226f707)
Ansel Balder has it all. Good looks, wealth, and position. People considered him a helpful and kind man, not knowing the scandals he kept from the world. Ansel Balder loves his own employee's wife. When Matthew Tjia offers Daphne Tjia, his daughter, in exchange for paying off his debt, Ansel Balder agrees. Not to make her his wife but to make Daphne Tjia bait for fishing, Rachel Colleen, the dark lover, is jealous and willing to accept his proposal. Then, will Ansel Balder be caught in a trap he made himself?
"DAPHNE TJIA, are you ready?"
Matthew Tjia buttoned his shirt sleeve. His slightly bald head looked up, his somewhat slanted eyes focused directly on his youngest daughter lying face down on the bed. Earphones plugged the ears of the girl about to enter high school. Her feet swayed to the rhythm of her iPhone, playing songs by her favorite musicians. Sometimes, he hums softly.
But did you know that I loved you?
Or were you not aware?
You're the smile on my face.
And I'm not goin' nowhere.
I'm here to make you happy.
I'm here to see you smile.
I've been wanting to tell you this for a long while
With his arms crossed with an angry expression, Matthew shook his head repeatedly. Since the beginning of the year, Matthew has diligently reminded him about the plan to commemorate the 15th anniversary of his citrus plantation. He bought new agricultural equipment to replace manual machines requiring human labor. Now everything is automated with computers. It can't be helped; other citrus plantations are slowly adapting, so Matthew must do it if he doesn't want to be left behind. Matthew is enthusiastic about this birthday, as are his two sons, Demeter and Denis. As for Daphne Tjia, she seems indifferent.
Matthew is still staring at Daphne with his mouth closed, hoping that his daughter will turn around and feel guilty that it's 7 am, still rumpled, in pajamas, and lounging around. What was Matthew's fault that his daughter didn't listen to his orders last night to set the alarm? The event will start at 10.
The watch on Matthew's wrist kept ticking, signaling the passage of time. His patience ran out. Matthew pulled the earphone cord until it was released from Daphne's ear. Now, her daughter gasped, turning her head in anger at being disturbed.
"Dad, what's wrong?" Daphne grumbled.
"Hurry up and put on that dress." Matthew pointed to a white, below-the-knee l, the long-sleeved dress he had deliberately chosen because it was the most polite. After all, Matthew was once young. He knew the contents of a man's brain when faced with the smooth skin of a woman, especially one with an innocent face.
"But that dress makes me look like a spinster," protested Daphne. "I'm a virgin, but not old."
"As long as you stay at my house, then you must follow my rules, Young Lady," replied Matthew. Daphne rolled her eyes.
"You conservative," whispered Daphne irritably.
"I don't want you to get pregnant before you finish your studies. I also don't want you to marry a man who can't work to support you." Matthew didn't mean to offend anyone, but he did refer to their neighbor's daughter, who was forced to marry an unemployed young man after becoming pregnant at 14. For God's sake, what did their parents do?
Daphne sat hugging a pillow. "But that dress will drive men away from me. Dad, I'm not Queen Victoria's lady-in-waiting. That dress is exactly what they wear."
"Why do you have to think about boys? You're only 15; it's not time to talk about boys."
"But, Dad..." However, Matthew did not accept any objections. He removed the blanket around Daphne's neck and then forced the girl to get up. "Hurry up and shower. Don't disappoint the most important person at our event."
"Who is it?"
Yes, how important was the person Matthew meant that he had to rush to welcome him? "You'll find out. Get ready quickly!"
***
The Royal Florida Orange Farm. The workers deliberately cut the tree neatly to make it beautiful to look at. Coinciding with the fruiting season, guests will be tempted by the abundance of citrus fruits that hang and are so easy to reach. According to Matthew's wish, the grass that covers the ground where the trees grow has also been trimmed short, so guests will be comfortable walking around the garden later.
Demeter and Denis fanned their chests. Matthew forced them to wear suits, shirts, and bow ties like Hollywood celebrities at the Oscars. Of course, they were hot in the hot Florida weather. They immediately giggled when Daphne appeared in a ridiculous dress.
"You look lovely, Sister," Demeter giggled.
"That's right, your beauty radiates like Beyonce combined with Shakira," Denis sneered.
"You know what, Raphael is coming," Demeter teased.
"Raph... Watson?" asked Daphne. As his two brothers nodded, her heart started to beat strangely. Daphne had a crush on Raph since the summer of two years ago. It's a shame the feelings are not reciprocated. Raph reportedly does not like women of Asian blood. Daphne Tjia is sad about it, but her love doesn't die.
"Raphale's father, Mr Arthur Watson, Daddy invited," added Denis.
"I'm sure Raph will fall in love with our little sister's incredible appearance," Demeter chuckled.
Daphne pursed her lips in disgust. As the only woman in the house after her mother died, she had to accept this treatment. Men are sometimes heartless when they joke. The dress is so annoying. Bake it in the oven like cookie dough. The ingredients are also itchy. Indeed, her father was always number one when torturing children.
"I'm going to report to child protection services. My father committed premeditated murder on his children, making me my first love."
Of course, her two brothers laughed louder. Their laughter dissipated as Matthew walked over, signaling them to come in, for the program was about to begin. Without wasting time, Demeter and Denis got up from their seats on the garden fence while Daphne fled into the middle of the orange trees. Her father calls, but Daphne hides instead.
Matthew's voice was getting softer. Daphne went further and further into the part of the garden, which consisted of young trees. Until she felt a creature crawl over his head. Daphne reached for the top of her head and screamed when she saw the orange caterpillar wriggling. Daphne threw the poor little creature in any direction while jumping up and down excitedly.
"Hey, calm down." A calming voice suddenly appeared from behind the orange tree. His voice was warm, reminiscent of a delicious sip of coffee in the morning.
"Please get rid of that disgusting creature!" Daphne screamed in panic.
"Are you angry with this noble creature?" asked the man.
Daphne looked up to find a dimpled smile that looked amused. His irises are brown. He is tall and very handsome. Too bad his brain is a little out of his mind.
"How can you call a disgusting creature a noble one?" asked Daphne irritably.
"They will grow up to be beautiful creatures that help these oranges pollinate. Without them, we can't enjoy oranges."
"Hey, stop teaching, wannabe Biology Teacher." Daphne hasn't had time to meet the man who saved her from itching from a caterpillar attack, but Daphne doesn't want to see her anymore.
Daphne looked down, observing the toe of this man's shoe. He didn't look like a teacher in Tom Ford shoes and a Dolce & Gabbana suit. On the other hand, Daphne will believe it if she admits that she replaced David Gandy on the catwalk, showing off the latest designs of famous designers.
"If you're afraid of caterpillars, why are you here instead of inside?" asked the man.
"Yeah, I..." Daphne is looking for the right words to express her father's cruelty and encourage her to do ridiculous actions. How could Daphne face Raph in such an outdated outfit? Maybe the boy will consider her an incarnation of her grandmother.
"You don't like adult shows," the man guessed before Daphne could open her mouth.
"Uh, uhm..." Daphne Tjia nodded. It's better to admit this so it doesn't appear weird.
"Don't worry. I wouldn't say I like it either. Adults are full of fakes. I prefer children. If you don't mind, you can visit my private island. I have an orphanage and a school."
"Ewww.... I don't like children either." Daphne shuddered.
The man smiled amusedly. "Why?" "They're troublesome and..."
"Daphne!" called Matthew from a distance. Daphne widened her eyes. "That's my dad. Please tell me you didn't see me." Then she ran again.
Matthew arrived breathlessly, standing right in front of the caterpillar man. "Mr. Balder?"
"Nice to meet you, Mr Tjia," said Ansel.
"What are you doing here?"
"Just having a look. Your garden is nice and well-maintained. I would love it if we could work together. I think a fertilizer produced by Shining Urea would suit your citrus trees."
"Yes, yes, of course. I am thrilled," said Matthew, forgetting his daughter momentarily. "I am also honored that you have come to fulfill our invitation as a guest of honor. I hope we can work together."
Choosing to be happily single seems to be a disgrace for Wendy Aurelia's family. At the age of 31, Wendy was forced to marry to silence her extended family's scorn and comply with her mother's request. So she invited Bimo Hartawan, who had just left his fiancé. Through a secret agreement, Wendy and Bimo finally got married. But will their lives run as smoothly as Wendy planned?
Life changes like a wheel that spins endlessly, like Elizabeth Khan's journey after meeting rich businessman Alexandre Jhonson—unfortunately, someone from Elizabeth's past returns to stalk her and ask for what she once gave. Will Alexandre be able to protect Elizabeth? Will Elizabeth be able to find her happiness? Can the two of them be united in love?
The rise of Stella Rogers as the last clan of mixed-blood red foxes makes vampires vying for the blood of the Half Blood. Despite changing her name, changing the color of her irises, and even smelling like a human, Stella Rogers, who is now Federica Dawson, must face various obstacles to protect herself from those who try to resurrect a half-blood vampire named Grim Ripper.
Starting from a small incident that happened to Barbara, Anna Asmita was invited to dinner by Jake Batara Luciano. Unfortunately, when Anna came home, she was followed by Milo Durran - her ex-boyfriend - who accused her of having a rich boyfriend. Anna agrees to let Milo go. But Milo forced Anna to give him a wad of money. Rejecting firmly, Anna was beaten and almost fucked. Trying to escape, Anna caught Jake's figure standing before the pub. Urged by the situation, Anna approached Jake and kissed him. So, will the kiss be a passionate love story or a disaster?
Fascinated with Louisa Bahr since becoming the main character in the film 'From the End', Dean Cross offers a relationship without status to help Louisa take revenge for the betrayal of her ex-lover, Troy Austin. A romantic relationship shrouded in passion turns out to ignite love in Louisa's heart. Will those feelings be reciprocated, or will it create a deeper wound?
"Is it considered betrayal to develop feelings for your best friend's boyfriend? What about when fate intervenes, and he turns out to be your destined mate? You might think it's luck and thank the moon goddess for such a twist of fate. That's what I believed until the love of my life uttered those dreaded words: 'I want a divorce!' As I stared at the pregnancy test in my hands, I realized it was better to keep my secret to myself. My name is Violet, and this is my story."
Once upon a time, there were two kingdoms once at peace. The kingdom of Salem and the kingdom of Mombana... Until the day, the king of Mombana passed away and a new monarch took over, Prince Cone. Prince Cone, has always been hungry for more power and more and more. After his coronation, he attacked Salem. The attack was so unexpected, Salem never prepared for it. They were caught off guard. The king and Queen was killed, the prince was taken into slavery. The people of Salem that survived the war was enslaved, their land taken from them. Their women were made sex slaves. They lost everything, including their land. Evil befall the land of Salem in form of Prince Cone, and the prince of Salem in his slavery was filled with so much rage. The prince of Salem, Prince Lucien swore revenge. 🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳 Ten years later, thirty-years old Lucien and his people raided a coup and escaped slavery. They went into hiding and recuperated. They trained day and night under the leadership of the fearless and cold Lucien who was driven with everything in him to get back their land, and take Mombana land too. It took them five years before they ambushed and attacked Mombana. They killed Prince Cone and reclaimed everything. As they screamed out their victory, Lucien's eyes found and pinned the proud princess of Mombana. Princess Danika. The daughter of Prince Cone. As Lucien stared at her with the coldest eyes anyone can ever possess, he felt victory for the first time. He walked to the princess with the slave collar he'd won for ten years rattling in his hand as he walked. He reached close to her and with a swift movement, he collared her neck. Then, he tilted her chin up, staring into the bluest eyes and the most beautiful face ever created, he gave her a cold smile. "You are my acquisition. My slave. My sex slave. My property. I will pay you in spades, everything you and your father ever did to me and my people." He stated curtly. Pure hatred, coldness and victory was the only emotion on his face. .
Desperate to handle her grandmother's towering medical bills, Gianna agreed to a contract marriage with Tristan, the enigmatic man she'd once shared a one-night stand with. She assumed they'd fulfill each other's needs and dissolve the arrangement once the terms expired. Unbeknownst to Gianna, this marriage was a dream Tristan had clung to for ten relentless years. Certain she was just filling someone else's role, Gianna prepared to leave when that other woman returned. But Tristan, his eyes burning with unspoken emotion, seized her trembling hand and declared, "You’re mine. Now and always."
To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed doors, she was the wife he never officially acknowledged. Jenessa was elated when she learned that she was pregnant. But that joy was replaced with dread as her husband, Ryan, showered his affections on his first love. With a heavy heart, she chose to set him free and leave. When they met again, Ryan's attention was caught by Jenessa's protruding belly. "Whose child are you carrying?!" he demanded. But she only scoffed. "It's none of your business, my dear ex-husband!"
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?
Elin spent twenty years deeply loving her husband, finally marrying him just as she'd always dreamed. But reality shattered her illusions—he wasn't the man she believed. Instead, he callously destroyed her family, crushing her heart beyond repair. At her lowest point, Ruben, equally betrayed that night, approached her steadily. "Marry me, Elin. I'll help you take revenge." Yet, after their wedding, she quickly discovered he was dangerously unpredictable. "I made a mistake. Let's divorce..." Ruben slid his arm possessively around her waist, whispering a chilling promise, "Only in death."