"Is-Is that a ring I see? Stephen, are you...engaged to her?" I stuttered, my voice trembling. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. My mind was reeling, trying to process the reality of the situation. Alia's world is turned upside down when she discovers that her boyfriend of three years has been cheating on her. Filled with anger and hurt, she reluctantly attends a high society event, where she runs into Stephen again. They get into a bitter argument, and in a fit of pique, Alia claims that she has a new boyfriend - a man she doesn't even know. But this man, who turns out to be the dashing and enigmatic CEO of Xu Empires, Christopher Tao Xu, is more than happy to play along with Alia's charade. As Christopher and Alia continue their charade, they begin to develop real feelings for each other. But as they grow closer, Alia's ex-boyfriend, Stephen, becomes increasingly jealous and vengeful. He starts to plot against the blossoming relationship, putting Alia's safety in jeopardy. Will Alia and Christopher's love survive? Or will Stephen's scheming tear them apart?
TRIGGER WARNING! - The following chapter contains content that may be triggering for some readers, including subtle depictions of rape. If you find this content disturbing, please exercise caution.
ONE YEAR AGO
"Help! Please, help me!" I screamed, my voice echoing off the damp walls of the dark, musty room. I was bound to a chair in the center of the room, a single light bulb hanging from the ceiling above me. I had no idea who had taken me or why, but I knew I had to escape. My birthday was only a week away, and I refused to die before I'd had a chance to celebrate.
I struggled against the ropes that held me captive, but they were too tight to break free. I began to cry, despair creeping in as I realized I was trapped. As I stared into the gloom, I couldn't help but wonder where my boyfriend, Christopher, was. We'd been planning to celebrate my birthday together, but he was nowhere to be found.
Just then, he walked in. Christopher? No, it wasn't. It was the man who would ruin my life forever.
I braced myself, expecting the worst. The man who had walked in looked just like my boyfriend, but I knew it wasn't him. This man was taller, with a cruel smile on his face. I could tell that he was up to no good. He stood there, staring at me with an unreadable expression on his face. The tension in the room was palpable, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest.
The man took a step towards me, and I flinched. What was he going to do? I was terrified, but I knew I had to stay strong. The man continued to approach me, his steps slow and deliberate. I could hear his breath as he got closer, but I still couldn't see his face.
"Please help me!" I pleaded, my voice shaking. But he ignored my pleas, his eyes fixed on me.
I closed my eyes, not wanting to see what he would do next. But I could hear him getting closer, his footsteps louder and louder. I decided to open my eyes.
"It's July 19th," he said, his voice cold and emotionless.
The man got closer and closer, until he was right in front of me. He leaned in, and for the first time I could see his face clearly. And what I saw shocked me to my core. There was a scar running underneath his left eye, giving him a sinister look. But it wasn't just the scar that scared me - it was the way he was looking at me. His eyes were cold and calculating, and his smile was nothing short of psychotic. For a kidnapper, he sure was handsome.
The man was well-dressed, wearing a black suit that looked tailor-made. His cologne was expensive, and his demeanor screamed wealth and power.
"I will help you," the man said, his voice echoing through the room. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. Was he really going to help me? Or was he just playing with me?
I watched as he stepped back, and I could finally see him clearly. He carried himself with an air of confidence, and I couldn't shake the feeling that he wasn't to be trusted.
I was starting to panic, but I tried to keep my composure.
I looked around the room, trying to figure out where I was. It looked like an old warehouse, with cracked walls and dusty floors. I could see cobwebs hanging from the rafters, and the windows were covered with grime. It was an eerie, desolate place, and I felt a sense of dread settle over me. I was stuck here with this man, who was clearly dangerous. I needed to get out of here, but I had no idea how.
"Please," I begged, my voice shaking with fear. "I don't know anything about the business deal. I haven't done anything wrong. Please let me go, and I promise I won't tell anyone about this. Not even Christopher!"
The man laughed, a cold, harsh laugh that made my blood run cold. "You think I'm worried about what Christopher will do?" he asked, his eyes hard and cold. "I'm not scared of him. In fact, I have something he wants very badly. And I'm going to use it to my advantage."
My heart sank. I had no idea what he was talking about, but it couldn't be good. I felt sick to my stomach. I was trapped in this empty room, with no way out.
"But what if I could offer you something in return for your silence?" the man asked, his voice soft and persuasive.
I felt my resolve weakening. What could he possibly offer me? I had to be strong. I couldn't give in.
"I don't want anything from you," I said, my voice trembling. "I just want to go home. I just want to be free!"
"I'm afraid I can't do that," he said, his voice cold and emotionless. "You see, you have something that I want, and I'm not about to let you go until I get it."
"Please, just tell me what it is you want! I'll do anything!" I begged, my voice breaking. I was terrified of what he might do to me if I didn't give him what he wanted.
"You'll find out soon enough," he said, a sly smile playing across his lips.
"Please, let me go," I begged, my voice shaking with fear.
"Not yet," he said, a cruel smile playing across his lips. "The fun is just getting started. Christopher's looking for you, after all."
I felt a wave of panic wash over me.
"Please just let me go!" I screamed, my voice cracking with emotion as I sobbed.
"Not so fast," he said, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "You're not leaving here the same way you came. There's more to this than you know."
I was trembling with fear, my heart pounding in my chest. I had no idea what he had in store for me, but I knew it couldn't be good.
"What do you mean?" I asked, my voice trembling with fear.
"You'll find out soon enough," he said, his face betraying no emotion.
"Please, don't do this!" I pleaded, desperation creeping into my voice. "If you hurt me, Christopher will make you pay!"
The man merely smiled, a cold, empty smile, then he chuckled, a long, low laugh that sent shivers down my spine.
"I've heard that it's someone's birthday coming up soon," he said, a sly smile playing across his lips.
"Please, don't do this!" I begged, terror gripping my heart. "I don't want to die!"
The man regarded me with cold, calculating eyes. I could feel the blood drain from my face as I realized that I was at his mercy.
He began to laugh, his laughter turned into a sinister sing-song, his voice taunting me as he circled me like a shark.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you," he crooned, his eyes glittering with malice. "Happy birthday, happy death day...happy death day to you!"
I felt a chill run down my spine as I realized the full weight of my situation. I was trapped, and at the mercy of a man who seemed to take great pleasure in my fear. I sobbed, my body trembling as he continued his deadly serenade.
"I promise I'll do whatever you want," I pleaded, my voice shaking with desperation. "Just please, don't hurt me. If it's about the business deal, I can make sure you get what you want. I'll convince Christopher to step down. I swear!"
He regarded me with a look of amusement, as if I were a child begging for a toy. It was clear that he had no intention of bargaining with me.
"I don't need the business deal anymore," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "For all I care, Christopher can have it. I have something much more precious to him."
"I don't have the strength to fight you anymore," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "I give up."
Tears were streaming down my face, like waterfalls of grief. I felt like a dam had broken inside me, releasing all the sorrow and despair I'd been holding back.
He looked at me with a strange mixture of pity and satisfaction. "Give up?" he said coldly. "Why so easily?" he asked with interest on his face
"There's no point in pleading or arguing with you," I said, my voice firm and resolute. "You've clearly made up your mind, and I won't waste my breath trying to change it."
"I admire your honesty," he replied, his voice full of respect. "But it won't change my plans."
I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach. Whatever he had in store for me, it was clear that I wouldn't be able to stop him. I was utterly powerless.
"What are you going to do to me? Kill me?" I asked, my tears dried up. I had accepted my fate.
Christopher wasn't coming. I have to be brave.
"You know, death is not the worst fate that can befall you," he said, his voice dropping to a sinister whisper. "There are things far worse than death, and I'm going to show them to you."
My heart felt like it was going to burst out of my chest. I tried to imagine what he could possibly mean, but my mind refused to go down that dark path. I forced myself to stay strong, but I could feel my resolve starting to crumble.
"So, what are you going to do to me?" I asked, my voice shaking with anticipation.
"You're a curious one, aren't you?" he replied, his eyes glittering with amusement. "No wonder Christopher likes you so much."
My blood ran cold at the mention of his name. "Don't talk about him!" I snapped, my voice rising with anger.
"Whoa, whoa, calm down!" he said, a laugh in his voice. "I like a little feistiness. It adds to the fun!"
I glared at him, my eyes burning with hatred. "You're not going to kill me? Then what's your plan? It's hilarious how you're wasting your time to torture me when Christopher's going to show up any minute now."
"Who said I was going to torture you?" he asked, his voice cold and his brows arched up in curiousity.
"Then what!" I screamed at him, my voice slightly giving away the fact that I was scared.
He chuckled, his breath warm against my face. The scent of his cologne was intoxicating, and I felt myself being pulled closer to him.
"I am going to give you a scar that will last you a lifetime!" he said, his voice dripping with malice.
The smile that twisted his lips was unnerving, and I felt my heart begin to race. I couldn't tell if he was serious or not, but I knew I didn't want to find out.
"A scar like the one under my eye?" I asked, my voice trembling. He nodded, a cryptic smile playing on his lips.
"Even better! You won't be able to escape from this scar," he said, his eyes burning into mine. "No matter where you run, it will follow you. No matter how hard you try to forget it, it will be there, haunting you." I tried to maintain my composure, but his words were like a dagger to my heart. I felt the walls closing in on me.
"I can cover it up with make-up," I said, trying to sound confident.
He gave me a sly smile. "Who said it would be on your face?"
"Are you always this obtuse?" I asked, a hint of irritation in my voice. "It must be hard to communicate when you can't just say what you mean!"
"What could possibly be worse than death for a woman?" he taunted.
I couldn't resist the bait. "Oh, I can think of a few things," I said, matching his tone with a hint of sarcasm.
He let out a scoff, his face brimming with a hint of mystery, he proceeded to say "When her dignity gets taken away from her!"
I paused for a moment, considering his words. I was torn between my desire to understand what he meant and my fear of what he might say next. The silence stretched between us, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest.
Finally, I gathered the courage to speak. "What do you mean by 'her dignity'? What are you talking about?"
"When a woman's dignity is taken from her, it is a devastating loss," he said coldy. "She is stripped of her sense of self, her sense of worth, and her sense of purpose. It is a loss that can never be fully repaired, and the scars it leaves behind can last a lifetime."
The thought of what he might do next made my stomach churn. "No..." I said, my voice trembling. "There's no way he would..."
I trailed off, unable to finish the thought. I didn't want to believe what he was implying, but the fear was growing inside me.
"What?" I stammered, my mind racing to make sense of what he had just said, of what I had just heard.
"I love the way you think," he said, a smug grin on his face. "Always asking questions, always probing for answers. It's refreshing, to say the least."
"But... what do you mean by that?" I pressed, my voice shaking. "What are you implying?"
"What are you thinking?" he asked, a befitting smug grin on his face.
"Are you...going to...ra..pe me?" I shuddered to ask as a tear dropped down from my eyes.
"There's the smart girl I know!" he replied in a psychotic manner.
"Why?" I shuddered to ask, my heart racing and mind disorganized.
"You see Alia," he started off. "For a person like Christopher, hurting their loved ones is the best way to ruin them!" he answered with an air of certainty, feeling happy with himself.
I breathed in, it was more of a sharp breath "And you think he would just let you live?" I dared him.
"Death, I don't fear it, I await it. Christopher should...fear death." he replied to me confidently.
My thoughts turned to Christopher, my hope and my salvation. I prayed that he would find me, that he would rescue me from this nightmare. "Christopher will come," I whispered, more to myself than to him. "I know he will. He will find me and he will save me!"
"Don't you get it?! There is no saving you because he can never find you!" he said out loud.
"You bastard!" I screamed as he laughed and walked towards me, he leaned in close to my face and whispered into my ear.
"You would look gorgeous in a red dress." He said to me with a sinister and contented grin on his face.
He proceeded towards the exit with me screaming and crying at him.
"See you in seven days, Alia!" were his final words as he walked off.
I screamed and cried, forcefully tried to free myself and then cried again. I waited and waited with the hope in my heart that Christopher would come.
Christopher never came...And I wore the red dress.
"To Liam and Aurora... for your story will always live on in my heart." Aurora watched in horror as her father attacked her mother and charged at her to kill her. She never thought that her life would change on the night of the tragedy. She never imagined that one fateful night would change everything. When she begged Liam Anderson, a mysterious and powerful figure, to save her, she never imagined that he would offer her a marriage proposal in return. She was torn between her desperate need for safety and her reluctance to marry a man she hardly knew. Little did she know that accepting Liam's proposal would lead her into a world of romance, danger, and suspense, one where they would both have to fight for their life.
“It all began in Casablanca, do you still remember?” the voice said. Stripped of everything he has and betrayed by his wife and bestfriend, a young, wealthy businessman sets out on a path of vengeance to get back what he's lost. Along the way, he discovers that the betrayal may have been part of a larger conspiracy, and he must decide whether to continue down his dark path or try to rebuild his life….but vengeance is a must!
“Oh, here he comes! You know him, right? Christopher Tao Xu, CEO of Xu Empires, Heir to the Golden Estate! I don't date broke guys!” Alia said to spite Stephen with a satisfying grip on her lips. After watching her relationship of three years go done the drain because her boyfriend cheated on her, Alia Moon Crust, trying to get back at him get Christopher entangled in a lovers' feud. But what happens when entanglement turns into love? Will Alia give in to Christopher? What happens when he finds out that she is the woman he has been chasing for two years? What happens when Stephen decides to strike back.
“Get married to my son if you ever want your father to be released!” Mr. Carter uttered the very words that would end up turning my life around. I knew he wasn't joking. The look on his face was all the evidence I needed. I knew I had to do it because it was the only choice I have left, but... I'll not go down without a fight! "I, Althea Ruiz, swear on my life that I will never get married to Adam Wilson!" I said out loud, my voice echoing through the room. "We'll see about that!" Adam said through the phone. *With blood on the line and an arranged marriage as ransom, Althea has to make the most difficult choice of her life; abandon her boyfriend of six years and get married to a man that no one has seen for the last ten years. What could go wrong?
For two years, Ashton had poured his heart into his marriage, yet Emalee's heart remained cold. Despite his dedication, Emalee presented him with divorce papers. She bluntly stated she could not remain married to a man whose net worth was less than a million dollars. Ashton signed the papers, closing one chapter of his life and stepping into a new beginning. Then, Ashton revealed his secret identities: a music mogul, a medical expert, and a martial arts master—each persona impressive enough to stun the world. As Ashton’s true capabilities came to light, Emalee was overwhelmed with deep regret.
In their three years of marriage, Chelsea had been a dutiful wife to Edmund. She used to think that her love and care would someday melt Edmund's cold heart, but she was wrong. Finally, she couldn't take the disappointment any longer and chose to end the marriage. Edmund had always thought that his wife was just boring and dull. So it was shocking when Chelsea suddenly threw divorce papers at his face in front of everyone at the Nelson Group's anniversary party. How humiliating! After that, everyone thought that the formerly-married couple would never see each other again, even Chelsea. Once again, she thought wrong. Sometime later, at an award ceremony, Chelsea went onstage to accept the award for best screenplay. Her ex-husband, Edmund, was the one presenting the award to her. As he handed her the trophy, he suddenly reached for her hand and pleaded humbly in front of the audience, "Chelsea, I'm sorry I didn't cherish you before. Could you please give me another chance?" Chelsea looked at him indifferently. "I'm sorry, Mr. Nelson. My only concern now is my business." Edmund's heart was shattered into a million pieces. "Chelsea, I really can't live without you." But his ex-wife just walked away. Wasn't it better for her to just concentrate on her career? Men would only distract her—especially her ex-husband.
After a passionate night, Verena left some money and wanted to leave, but was held by her companion. "Isn't it your turn to make me happy?" Verena, always disguising herself as ugly, slept with her fiance's uncle, Darren, in order to escape her engagement with her unfaithful fiance. Darren had respect and admiration. Word of his romantic escapades circulated, some saying they saw him kissing a lady against a wall and others calling it gossip. Who could ever tame Darren's heart? Then, shockingly, Darren was caught bending down to help Verena with her shoes, all to score a kiss from her!
Eight years ago, she thought he was a Money Boy at the club, and accidentally had a one-night stand with him because she was framed by her stepsister. Is $100 enough to buy a Money Boy for one night? The next morning, she casually dropped $100 and ran away. Eight years later, she returned with her genius son. Little did she expect to be "deceived" into the Noblefull Group by her beloved son. Her immediate boss turned out to be Mr. $100 from eight years ago! ... "Bad girl, how dare you humiliate me eight years ago, this time you will pay the price!" "Bad girl, one billion dollars, I buy your whole life!" "I just want to be a secretary. You already have several lovers. You are not my type." "But, I only have feelings for you, only love you." However, their relationship was not smooth. Due to a property dispute, his brother deliberately caused a car accident in an attempt to kill her and their son. Due to past grievances of the previous generation, his father held deep hatred towards him and sent assassins to kill them. There were also plots and attempts on their lives orchestrated by his girlfriend. On top of that, they faced oppression from rival factions of the mafia... This is a romantic novel about a billionaire and his secretary, involving several generations of love, hatred, and complicated relationships, and also involving the mafia, revenge...
Life was perfect until she met her boyfriend's big brother. There was a forbidden law in the Night Shade Pack that if the head Alpha rejected his mate, he would be stripped of his position. Sophia's life would get connected with the law. She was an Omega who was dating the head Alpha's younger brother. Bryan Morrison, the head Alpha, was not only a cold-blooded man but also a charming business tycoon. His name was enough to cause other packs to tremble. He was known as a ruthless man. What if, by some twist of destiny, Sophia's path were to intertwine with his?
Kallie, a mute who had been ignored by her husband for five years since their wedding, also suffered the loss of her pregnancy due to her cruel mother-in-law. After the divorce, she learned that her ex-husband had quickly gotten engaged to the woman he truly loved. Holding her slightly rounded belly, she realized that he had never really cared for her. Determined, she left him behind, treating him as a stranger. Yet, after she left, he scoured the globe in search of her. When their paths crossed once more, Kallie had already found new happiness. For the first time, he pleaded humbly, "Please don't leave me..."Â But Kallie's response was firm and dismissive, cutting through any lingering ties. "Get lost!"