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Cali falls in love with Niklaus Pierre, a wealthy billionaire who seeks revenge on his father. Cali made a vow to Niklaus's father years ago that she now greatly regrets, which would unavoidably put her on Niklaus's opposing side. And now, she must decide whether she is the solution to the broken relationship or collateral damage.
Cali couldn't see what was ahead of her. The heavy rain is obscuring her vision. She could see nothing but the dark and damp trees close and the curving road, which was becoming increasingly muddy and slippery. She should have verified the weather prediction before entering this valley. She should also have fully charged her phone.
Should have been. She is now chilly, soaked, and completely lost. The wooden signpost with the charming owl on top has vanished. During her random trek, she hasn't met a single soul. The day is becoming darker by the minute with the heavy rain and dark clouds.
She is afraid to return since she is unsure which path leads to the valley's entrance. She's taken so many diversions that she needs to track them.
She barely recalls that the last signpost suggests a log cabin for hikers along the road she is currently on. She needs to find it quickly. She is trembling as a result of the loss of temperature.
What a silly and reckless woman she is! She had gone to the valley on a whim. She only wanted to spend a few minutes exploring this strange land. Sophie would be distraught if she returned to the hotel and couldn't find her.
"Damn," she says as she pounds her feet. That was a terrible move. She loses her footing on the slick road and collapses on all fours. She tries to look at her hand because it hurts so much. Great, she sighs internally. Her right index finger has been slashed by a sharp stone, and she can see a trickle of blood seeping with the fainting light. The filth on her face no longer seems to bother her.
When she finally gets up and looks up, she notices an orange light in the distance! It must come from the log cabin, and it has to have people.
She gathers all her remaining energy and moves carefully but hopeful towards the light.
She could see the shape of a wooden cabin as she approached the light. She is overjoyed to see another human!
The cabin's door is open. Cali noticed a tall man with broad shoulders peering out the window, his hands in his pockets and his back to the door. Even though Cali couldn't see his face, the man appears to be in command of the universe simply by standing still.
Cali becomes acutely aware of the mud on her face and clothes. She is not a pleasant sight.
"Hello," Cali says anxiously as she stands at the door, nibbling her bottom lip.
The man turns his face devastatingly beautiful, a look that would make many ladies weak in the knees. Also, Cali. His dark hair is slicked back, still damp, with a few locks thrown across his brow, giving him a carefree and immensely attractive appearance. His blue eyes are so blue, such a deep blue, that you could get lost in them. His high-bridged nose, strong jawline, and delicate lips intrigue Cali.
"Are you alright?" The man's question jolts Cali out of her reverie.
"Uhhh, I'm alright," Cali stutters, embarrassed by her showy stare. He must receive a lot of it.
"There is a basin over there," the man points out to Cali. His lifeless, frigid blue eyes.
"Uhhh?" Cali takes a few seconds to understand what he's saying. Cali flushes and feels self-conscious about her unkempt appearance in front of this astonishingly attractive man. Messy is an understatement for how she now appears.
Cali enters the cabin and rushes to the basin. She rinses the mud from her face and palms, carefully cleans the cut, and is relieved to see that it has stopped bleeding, but she stares hopelessly at the muck on her hooded sweatshirt. She decides to let things go because there is no way to fix it.
After she finishes the cleaning, she takes a deep breath and turns to face the man. "I don't think I've introduced myself. I'm Cali. Are you also caught in the rain?"
"Obviously," the man responds in a grating tone, as though he dislikes talking and prefers to be alone. He doesn't even raise his head. He's now seated on the bench, both elbows resting on his lengthy legs. He's in a reflective mood. Cali noticed black clouds hovering over his face. Cali couldn't resist the impulse to remove the frown from his face, even if it made her feel more uneasy than before. She is perplexed as to what is happening to her. She never lost her cool in front of men. And she had never been so preoccupied with a man she met for the first time.
Cali walks to the window and glances outside, trying to get the thoughts from her head because clearly, this man doesn't want to talk to her. It is now entirely dark. The rain hasn't stopped and is picking more speed thanks to a storm. The rain is pelting the windowpane and making a lot of noise. Cali thinks, "That'll cover the awkward silence." When is she going to be able to leave? Sophia must be insane; she has most likely gone missing.
"You're bleeding," Cali exclaims in response to the man's abrupt remark.
"Oh, nothing but a small cut," Cali turns around, looks at her bleeding thumb, then looks at the man.
Their gazes lock. Cali senses lightning coursing through her body. Her entire body is tingling. She is lost in the man's beautiful blue eyes, now exhibiting concern and possibly surprise. But what surprised you? These feelings fade soon.
"You should take care of it. Do you have a Band-Aid?" The man asks.
"Oh, I forgot to bring an emergency kit. I just went for a random walk and ended up getting lost. Stupid me." Cali sighs.
The man takes a big stride and collects his rucksack, a professional hiker's rucksack, without saying anything. He pulls out a Band-Aid and hands it to Cali.
"Thanks," Cali says with a smile. Her stomach churns when she sees the man's expression on her.
His piercing gaze also causes her to stumble. She tries to stick the Band-Aid to the injury on her index finger, but it falls to the ground. She groans to her clumsiness.
"I think I'd better help you," the man says as he rises from the bench and moves to Cali.
"I know I can do it. I'm just not very good at using my left hand." Cali tries to justify her clumsiness.
"Only two bandages are left, and you just dropped one." Cali's face flushes.
He is now closing the space between them. They're so close that he towers over her, and she can hear his breath and feel his heat. Cali's heart begins to pound frantically.
"Conflicting Business, Lasting Love" explores the tangled lives of two heiresses on the verge of taking over their family enterprises in the frenetic world of high-stakes commerce and corporate intrigue. They discover a profound connection with each other despite the rivalry of their respective families. They must choose between following their hearts or keeping expectations established by their family as they negotiate their emotions. Will their love heal the rift between their families, or will it intensify the conflict even more?
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."
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
Betrayed by her mate and sister on the eve of her wedding, Makenna was handed to the ruthless Lycan Princes as a lover, her indifferent father ignoring her plight. Determined to escape and seek revenge, she captured the interest of the three Lycan princes, who desired her exclusively amid many admirers. This complicated her plans, trapping her and making her a rival to the future Lycan queen. Entwined in jealousy and vindictiveness, could Makenna achieve her vengeance in the intricate dance with the three princes?
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."
"Love is blind!" Lucinda abandoned her beautiful and comfortable life because of a man. She married him and slaved off for him for three long years. One day, the scales finally fell off her eyes. She realized that all her efforts were in vain. Her husband, Nathaniel still treated her like shit. All he cared about was his lover. "Enough is enough! I quit wasting my years with an ungrateful man!" Lucinda's heart was shattered into many pieces, but she summoned up the courage to ask for a divorce. The news caused a stir online! A filthy rich young woman recently got divorced? She was a good catch! Countless CEOs and handsome young men immediately swarmed to her like bees to honey! Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He held a press conference and begged with teary eyes, "I love you, Lucinda. I can't live without you. Please come back to me." Would Lucinda give him a second chance? Read to find out!
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"