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Deep within the majestic surroundings of the Grand Canyon, nestled amidst untamed beauty, resides a wealthy and reclusive billionaire. Jeffrey Benson, a man of unparalleled riches and power, finds solace in his luxurious retreat. With a multi-billion-dollar empire instantly at his command and mistresses whisked away at his beck and call, he commands an air of dominance and authority. No one crosses the formidable Jeffrey, as he has become disillusioned by the deceptive and perilous nature of women he's encountered in the past. Enter Bethany Sinclair, a young and innocent soul, reminiscent of a delicate English rose. Driven by the desperate need to save her fledgling business, she ventures into Jeffrey's grand lair, seeking his support. However, Bethany's fate hangs by a thread, with a mere ten minutes to convince the ruthless billionaire to extend his aid. Within these fleeting moments, Bethany must navigate a life-altering decision, one that could shape her destiny indelibly. She can choose to depart, succumbing to defeat and allowing her debts to consume her ambitions. Alternatively, she can embrace the audacious gamble, brave enough to step into Jeffrey's opulent world and settle her debts in the depths of his embrace. The stage is set for a captivating dance of power, desire, and unforeseen consequences. As Bethany and Jeffrey collide in a perilous game, the undeniable pull of their mutual attraction becomes irresistible. Yet, can they navigate the treacherous paths of their own pasts and find solace in each other's arms? Will their arrangement be a fleeting respite or ignite an unquenchable flame?
Bethany's stomach churned as the helicopter swooped low over the trees. Below her stretched vast acres of lush grand canyon, its thick green canopy forming a protective shield concealing the enigmatic wonders of the forest floor. Under normal circumstances, she would have been mesmerized by the untamed beauty of her surroundings, but her mind was consumed by thoughts of the impending meeting with the enigmatic man.
She couldn't fathom why she found herself dressed in this uncomfortably hot and scratchy suit, soaring above the Majestic Grand Canyon, willingly subjecting herself to a man who seemed oblivious to the concept of mercy - Jeffrey Benson.
Brilliant, dangerous, and damaged were just a few words that crossed her mind when she thought of him, none of which conveyed a sense of calm or comfort. Rumored to possess astounding wealth and wielding even more power than monarchs and presidents, he was reputedly a genius with numbers, earning comparisons to a walking computer by the financial press. Bethany couldn't help but feel pessimistic about this, given her aversion to technology, as she clung to her seat.
Below her, the trees separated to reveal a swollen river winding through a deep gorge, cascading over rocks in an explosion of frothy white. "With properties all over the world," she turned to the pilot, her mind bubbling with queries, "why has he chosen to make a home in such a remote location?"
"Because the man values his privacy, the world can't seem to leave him alone," responded the pilot, his eyes fixed on the treetops.
This explanation aligned with what Bethany had heard about him: ruthless, unemotional, and unsentimental - the list of uncomplimentary adjectives seemed endless. Despite his aversion to interviews, information about him was plentiful. "Is he a solitary individual?" she inquired.
The pilot, finger tapping at the controls, glanced in her direction before replying. "Well, I wouldn't exactly describe him as warm and fuzzy, if that's what you're asking. But women don't seem to mind. There's something about being bad and dangerous that attracts them. Not to mention the power. Women can sniff out power from a mile away. Power and money." His statement made Bethany ponder, momentarily questioning how anyone could mistake her for a billionaire's girlfriend. Suppressing the urge to laugh, she clarified, "I have a meeting with Mr. Jeffrey. His company initially invested in my business." The investment had indeed transformed her life. "He's what they call a business angel, though I'm sure you're aware of that since you work for him."
"Angel?" The pilot burst into laughter, causing the helicopter to swerve precariously close to the treetops. "Mr Jeffery Benson - an angel?"
"It's a figure of speech. It signifies that he invests in small businesses that pique his interest." And he had been interested in hers, until recently. The familiar sickness gripped her stomach, prompting Bethany to place her briefcase on her lap and softly stroke its surface, attempting to restore her shattered confidence.
The pilot couldn't stop laughing. "Angel. I don't know how he earns his money, but let me tell you one thing," he said as he focused on the horizon and adjusted the controls, "the man is far from being an angel." Determined not to be intimidated, Bethany straightened her posture in her seat. "I don't believe everything that's written in the papers," she asserted. "Obviously," the pilot glanced at her, and there was a faintly pitying smile on his craggy and weathered face, "otherwise, you wouldn't be here. I can tell you're a courageous girl with a strong mind, and that will serve you well in the jungle." Bethany downplayed attending the business meeting as an act of courage. "That depends on who you're dealing with," the pilot replied. As they flew through the mountains and the helicopter glided through a lush green valley, he continued, "and where. Not many people have the bravery to visit the wolf in his den." Despite her determination to remain open-minded, Bethany felt her mouth go dry. "You call him the wolf?" she asked. "Not me. That's the nickname everyone else has given him. I simply refer to him as the boss." The pilot adjusted the controls, causing the helicopter to descend. Feeling her stomach turn and her nerves spike, Bethany briefly closed her eyes and focused on not losing her lunch. Roller coasters were never her forte. "I'm sure Mr. Jeffrey is a reasonable man," she said, attempting to reassure herself. The pilot fixed his gaze on a spot far beneath them. "Are you?" he asked. "Then you clearly haven't met him yet. Brace yourself. We're going down."
"Descending?" Bethany's expression shifted from concern over sickness and the dangers posed by Jeffrey Benson to a more urgent worry at the pilot's ambiguous statement. "Does that mean we're landing or crashing?"
The pilot remained silent, his eyes squinting and his jaw tight as he manipulated the controls. They appeared to be heading straight for the trees, causing Bethany's anxiety to peak. Yet, at the very last moment, a small landing pad materialized, and he skillfully brought the aircraft down, landing it with a grace that seemed almost unnatural in the tight space between the trees.
"Definitely not crashing," Bethany quipped, her smile revealing the tension she had been holding in. "I had a mental picture of complete chaos."
The pilot responded, his voice laced with seriousness, "If you're meeting Jeffrey, be prepared for some chaos. I've seen even the toughest men reduced to tears in just a few minutes with him. My advice? Stand your ground. The boss despises weakness. Welcome to the Grand Canyon, Miss Sinclair, one of the world's most endangered ecosystems."
"Are you leaving me here, in the middle of nowhere?" Bethany's voice quivered with a mix of awe and disbelief as she caught sight of the lodge outside the window. It appeared to be constructed almost entirely of glass domes and weathered wood, blending seamlessly into the forest like a natural extension. "Oh," she breathed, her gaze rising to the suspended walkways high above the forest floor. "It's absolutely breathtaking. Incredible."
Quinlan, a restless and determined individual, finds himself at odds with his mother's constant lectures on being a role model. Faced with the impending arrival of his mom, he swiftly takes action, locking his bedroom door in an attempt to buy himself some time. As his mother's voice echoes outside, Quinlan contemplates the possibility of moving out and becoming roommates with his best friend, Teagan. Despite Teagan's persistent rejections, Quinlan remains confident in his ability to sway her. Just as he contemplates his next move, his mom's voice cuts through the barrier, mentioning a conversation about his younger brother, Jersey. Though Quinlan feels the weight of responsibility to set an example for his brother, frustration tinges his response, emphasizing his preoccupation with more immediate concerns such as homework.
In "Wynne's Wish," Wynne Sommers finds herself at a crossroads in life with no job, no money, and no place to live. Desperate for a solution, she comes across an advertisement for the Cinderella Ball, a chance for her to find a husband by the end of the month. Against her friend Laura's protests, Wynne decides to take a leap of faith and marry a complete stranger. With determination and a belief in the power of fairy tales, Wynne sets out on a journey to find her knight in shining armor. But will this unconventional approach lead her to true love or bring a whole new set of challenges into her life? Find out in this heartwarming and enchanting romantic tale.
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?"
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"
On her wedding day, Khloe’s sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrik’s cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.
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!"
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."
When Zora was sick during the early days of her pregnancy, Ezrah was with his first love, Piper. When Zora got into an accident and called Ezrah, he said he was busy, when in actual fact, he was buying shoes for Piper. Zora lost her baby because of the accident, and throughout her stay at the hospital, Ezrah never showed up. She already knew that he didn't love her, but that was the last straw for the camel's back, and her fragile heart could not take it anymore. When Ezrah arrived home a few days after Zora was discharged from the hospital, he no longer met the woman who always greeted him with a smile and cared for him. Zora stood at the top of the stairs and yelled with a cold expression, "Good news, Ezrah! Our baby died in a car accident. There is nothing between us anymore, so let's get a divorce." The man who claimed not to have any feelings for Zora, being cold and distant towards her, and having asked her for a divorce twice, instantly panicked.