Arianna's family was falling apart and facing a tragic demise; however, her heart sank when she clearly saw Travis Cooper's name on the acquisition papers. She had no choice but to negotiate with him. Arianna lowered her head and relaxed her shoulders to ease the tension. She should show him gratefulness to make him happier, she thought, but she just couldn't do it. "How would you be willing to leave my grandfather alone?" He casually poured her a cup of tea and placed it in front of her before replying, "I think the correct person to ask is the judge, no? The offenders are usually punished. This is a matter of justice, isn't it?" Arianna was beginning to grow tired of his mood swings. "He is old, and his body is failing him. He would not last long in prison." Arianna continued to try to sway him. "What can I do? I always admire devoted children." His voice carried some ridicule, "But I'm not a charity. I only do transactions with interests. What would you do in exchange for the freedom of your grandfather?" Travis intertwined the fingers of his one hand with the other and rested his hands on his stomach as he leaned back in his chair once more. His expression was a bit lazy, "Since you entered this door, I've been waiting for the drama of you selling your body and soul to me in order to save your family member." When Arianna didn't reply, Travis explicitly said, "Maybe I'm just bored. I'd like to try something fun." Arianna's stomach felt like it had flipped. She looked at the handsome face that was now showing evil.
Arianna frowned at herself in the mirror. She carefully removed her clip-on earrings and gently kneaded her earlobes afterward. She thought they'd done enough damage to her ears for the day.
This luxurious hall even had decorations in its bathroom. She glanced at the purple orchids by the sinks.
She began to fix her hair with some water and re-applied a layer of lipstick.
A shawl originally accompanied her white dress, however, she gave it to her colleague, Melissa, to cover a stain on her dress. Unfortunately, this left her thin shoulders and back exposed in her deep V-neck dress.
Arianna took out a small perfume bottle from her handbag and sprayed her hair, neck, and wrists. She took a deep breath, pushed the door open, and stepped out of the bathroom.
The main hall was illuminated with golden lights and was filled with beautiful dresses, melodic music, and noisy chatter. She scanned the crowd, hoping to find Melissa.
But, the committee affairs leader called her, "Arianna, we could use a little help, if you don't mind."
This was the annual banquet organized by Arianna's business association. As staff members of the investment department, she and Melissa were recruited to be the interpreters for the evening.
However, many foreign guests brought their own interpreters, leaving the two women with lots of free time.
Arianna saw the company president speaking to a European guest as she approached them. She joined the conversation, facilitating translation and ensuring everything was properly understood.
She bowed elegantly before stepping away when she felt that she was no longer needed. But before she could do so, the guest suddenly grinned and softly picked up her wrist and slid his hand underneath her fingers.
His rugged beard was rough on her skin as he placed a kiss on her hand.
Arianna blushed in embarrassment as she turned to leave.
She could only take a couple of steps before someone stepped out in front of her and said, "Dear Arian."
Her heartbeat ramped up for a moment. It had been many years since someone called her that. She lost contact with her old friends a long time ago.
Standing in front of her was a young, shining woman in a red dress. A heart-warming smile on her face, "Arianna, it really is you!"
"Hello, Janie." Arianna responded without the same excitement, "Long time no see."
"What are you doing here? I thought your entire family moved away!"
"Nope. I've been here all along." She responded flatly. Arianna was about to say goodbye, but Janie began to beckon to someone. Arianna placed her hands on her hips.
A man turned his head away from the group of people he was talking to and looked at Janie. He politely excused himself and strode over to the two women.
The man was in good shape and had a deep, booming voice. On his fourth finger was the same style of ring as Janie. He said, "Arianna, you haven't changed a bit!"
"Neither have you two. Congratulations on the wedding!" Arianna said with a fake smile and left.
****
During the first few hours of the banquet, Arianna had nothing to do. She sat at a table with Melissa and observed the people. But now, people were recognizing her and giving her things to do. Was it because her gown was more revealing now and drawing more attention to her?
When Arianna finally found Melissa, she was talking to an official. She stepped back and waited for them to finish their conversation.
However, the official caught Arianna's eye and called to her, "Aren't you Arianna Jenkins, the granddaughter of Franco Sanchez? How is he?"
"He is well, thank you." Arianna was a little coy. She knew who he was but did not remember that they had ever officially met.
This was not Arianna's scene. She didn't expect to encounter acquaintances one after another. After the man left, she let out a long sigh.
Melissa raised one eyebrow at Arianna and asked, "What's up with you? He seemed nice."
"He knows my grandpa."
"And that couple you were talking to over there?"
"We were classmates back when we were kids."
"Well, they're making negotiations with the city." She pulled Arianna's arm and continued, "Anyways, stop hiding yourself. You don't need me to tell you that any man here packs a fortune. We'd make a nice score if any of them fell for us."
Melissa winked at her, "Let's go. Don't look down, hold your chest up and smile."
Arianna was surprised by Melissa's behavior. But she did have a point. Melissa helped ensure that neither of them was having a wardrobe malfunction, but her eyes widened, and she said, "Nice!"
Following her eyes, Arianna only saw the side profile of a tall man. His head was slightly lowered to speak to a group of shorter men.
The man had a modest expression on his face, but he still appeared to be above the others out of their league.
He turned his head sideways towards the girls as he could feel them watching him. Both Melissa and Arianna looked away when they saw his head begin to move.
Melissa said under her breath, "This guy is gorgeous. He could be a Greek God if you ask me... I haven't seen a real man like that in a while."
The corner of Arianna's mouth twitched as she fought her smile in response to Melissa's words. She looked back at the man and could see that they were saying goodbye.
His eyes briefly met hers once more before she quickly lowered hers to the floor.
Melissa asked, "Do you know him? Arianna, Hello? Who is that guy?"
At that moment, the music dipped to a quieter rhythm, leaving Melissa's questions echoing through the room. Before she could answer, someone nearby stated, "That is Travis Cooper, the president of Transcendent Jewels."
Melissa's mouth dropped, "Transcendent Jewels? Wow. Word has it that he owns diamond mines in South Africa. I thought he would be super old!"
She continued to babble, "People say he's out of the state most of the time and rarely appears in public. He doesn't like to be interviewed or photographed."
"This guy is a legend." Melissa finished with a hair flip.
Marry a billionaire after a one-night stand: “We have agreed to leave each other to our own business. I hope you have a good reason for coming here.” “Yes, we agreed to that, but not to a sexless marriage. Sex is essential for a lasting marriage.” Selene chuckled. Clint also smiled, then sneered. “Do you like sex without love? Did you marry me because you enjoyed the sex that much?” Selene frowned, aware of the implications of his words. But she did not know why he said it. And the unopened file named “HER” appeared in her mind again. “I believe it’s important for a healthy relationship.” “Only the sex?” “I thought we agreed on it.” “Nonsense!” Clint exploded with anger. After thinking for a while, Selene replied, “Okay, sorry for disturbing you. I’m going to bed.” Before she went back to the bedroom and lay on the bed, Clint suddenly caught up with her and pushed her onto the bed. “What are you doing?!” Selene was frightened. Clint was violently tearing Selene’s home dress and groaned. “Fulfilling my obligation as a husband!”
To obey his grandfather’s order, the playboy tycoon Seth Cohen had to marry the socialite and sole heiress Evonne Largent. They tied the knot and lived together under a loveless matrimony. She was obliged to marry the hottest CEO, Seth Cohen, to save their fallen business empire after her father fell into compulsive gambling, driving them to the verge of bankruptcy. Seth had no plan of getting entangled with his stunning and sexy wife, but every time he glanced at her, his body throbs, and he was drawn away. Evonne will do everything to stay away from him and pretend she’s not affected by the oozing sex appeal of her hot billionaire husband; however, her heart beats faster every time he is around. **** She saw the muscles move in his jaw, and she knew he was pissed. “Care to explain? Make sure it’s believable.” Seth’s voice carried a hot temper. There was a picture of her dancing on the tabletop, and Toby beside her was shirtless while Sally poured beer bottoms up straight to their mouths. “What’s there to explain?” “You’re married now,” He growled at her, throwing sharp glances. “Miss me with that bullshit.” She stood up and barely contained her anger. “There is a certain public image that needs to be maintained. You need to understand that.” He muttered sternly. “Oh please, I’m not going to stand here drinking the dirty water you give me as you indulge yourself in the purest of wines.”
She ran away from her wedding, which ended in her own demise and became her forever nightmare. She eloped with another man over the one who loved her. She was cheated on by that person who lured her into leaving her husband and driving her to death. She came back to life and lay on their matrimonial bed. A firm but gentle hand closed around her wrist and guided her hand back to the front of his pants. She looked at her small, pale hand next to his large, tanned fingers and let him press her palm into him. It would be easy to let him take her, easy to submit to him. She wanted it. She wanted to feel his large hands on every inch of her body. “Wait,” she gasped. “We have to stop. This isn’t talking.” “It’s better than talking,” he said, pressing his lips to her neck. “No, we need to talk,” she said. "Get off me, let me put my clothes on." “You can’t make love with clothes on,” he said, biting her earlobe. “Listen to me,” she said. “I’m trying to be serious, okay? I know I shouldn’t have run away.” “What is this about?” he asked in a cold tone. “I just want to work things out," she sincerely looked into his eyes. Disgust flitted across his face, and his mouth curled down, "I see what’s happening. You think I’ll forget your betrayal if you let me fuck you."
A woman’s beauty is a man’s weakness. She was his great temptation, yet he hated her weak appearance. A dashing military general rushed in front of her, shaking her frail body when he ordered, “KILL HER!” Her frantic reaction is to trade her own body to survive. She must survive to return to her own world. But what she didn’t expect was the tough training to become the youngest space warrior. Her life journey began when she woke up on an unknown planet. Facing danger and trouble. She trades her body and freedom to survive. She felt abused. She learned to hate him. The unknown planet became her prison. Two desperate souls fighting to survive. One is fighting to feel loved. The other is fighting for freedom. Passion Anger Lust Danger Devotion For them, their love is worth suffering! Would she survive days and nights on the battlefield when her frail body dragged her gradually? What secret lies behind his dangerous appearance?
Cercei's eighteen years of existence were marred by excruciating pain and suffering solely because of her uncanny resemblance to Vienna, the Alpha's daughter. Cercei found it unbearably cruel that she possessed the same beauty as Vienna, which made Vienna feel insecure, leading her to subject Cercei to relentless torment. Despite the numerous hardships, Cercei received love and care from her parents, and she remained humble. Although their Alpha never respected them and treated them as mere servants, her family found happiness. However, everything changed dramatically on her eighteenth birthday when their Alpha ruthlessly killed her father without a valid reason and mercilessly crushed his heart underfoot after digging it out. Enraged and seeking revenge, Cercei felt powerless until she encountered the King Alpha of the North, whom she slept with. This chance encounter changed her life abruptly, cracking all the hidden secrets and lies her mother had carefully concealed for eighteen years. The revelation shattered Cercei's belief in her perfect family and parents, leaving her questioning everything she had ever known.
Estelle’s life was once a fairy tale, filled with love and promise. However, tragedy struck on the day of their wedding. Estelle’s father and Cristofer’s parents were involved in a car accident that took their lives instantly. The loss was devastating for Cristofer, causing him to sink into deep sorrow and anger towards Estelle. One tragedy comes after another, and she finds herself battling cancer, heartbreak, and deceit. In a world where all seems lost, Estelle must dig deep to find the strength to fight for what she loves most. **** Cristofer’s magnetic yet cold voice wrenched her mind back to reality, “Sign the divorce paper now!” Estelle laid down her legs, sat up, and asked, “Did you drink?” “It’s none of your business.” “Drinking is bad for your stomach.” “I need to drink so that I won’t feel disgusted when having sex with you.” “You couldn’t wait to divorce me?” Her voice sounded weak. She turned her back on him as the smoke nearly smothered her, and she started coughing again. “You know that, don’t you?” Cristofer deliberately breathed out a stream of smoke in her direction and felt inexplicably pleased to see her coughing and trembling.
After Ellie reclaimed her true identity, she found herself in an unexpected marriage with Mr. Thorpe, a man perceived as unpopular and crippled. Her scornful ex-boyfriend awaited her regret, while others looked on with ridicule. To Ellie, her acclaimed bar was just a side project. Her vast jewelry collection seemed trivial. Top designers were at her disposal. She owned luxury cars, expansive mansions, and even private islands. She had the power to win prestigious awards and exact revenge on her cheating ex and his spiteful mistress. Yet, to outsiders, her life seemed dull, overshadowed by her husband's disability. One day, Mr. Thorpe stood up from his wheelchair, unable to keep the facade any longer. "I can't pretend anymore. My wife is too extraordinary," he declared. Ellie, hands on her waist and teeth clenched, confronted him. "What about the divorce you promised?" Gently touching her slightly bulging stomach, Mr. Thorpe replied softly, "That's not happening!"
At the office, Samantha is mouthy AF and hellbent on testing my patience. So you can imagine my surprise when my new personal assistant walks into my club with a very specific fantasy. When the man Samantha's paired with doesn't stick to the rules, I step in to take his place. Wearing a mask protects my identity, and soon the little wildcat from the office is telling me all her darkest secrets and fantasies. During the day, she gives me hell, but at night, she becomes my wounded kitten. I know I'm playing a dangerous game. She doesn't know I'm one of the heads of the Cosa Nostra. She doesn't know her boss and her nightly visitor is the same person. With my enemy on the attack and her past coming to haunt her, our secrets come out in the most explosive way possible, threatening to rip Samantha away from me. But my wildcat has another thing coming if she thinks I'll ever let go.
The dream of everyone with regards to marriage is to be able to find that special someone and settle down with them. Even arranged marriages grant you an opportunity to meet your partner briefly before the wedding. How will you feel about waking up in the morning with someone sleeping next to you who is not just anyone but your legally married partner yet with no memory of how that had happened in just a few hours of going out the previous day? This is the story of Jason Haward and Julia Harrison, two strangers trapped in a marriage they never planned. The quest to find out why led to the unfolding of a mystery which made them realize they are both living a lie. To find out more, read this amazing story of love, betrayal, revenge and murder.
Life was a bed of roses for Debra, the daughter of Alpha. That was until she had a one-night stand with Caleb. She was sure he was her mate as determined by Moon Goddess. But this hateful man refused to accept her. Weeks passed before Debra discovered that she was pregnant. Her pregnancy brought shame to her and everyone she loved. Not only was she driven out, but her father was also hunted down by usurpers. Fortunately, she survived with the help of the mysterious Thorn Edge Pack. Five years passed and Debra didn't hear anything from Caleb. One day, their paths crossed again. They were both on the same mission—carrying out secret investigations in the dangerous Roz Town for the safety and posterity of their respective packs. Caleb was still cold toward her. But as time went on, he fell head over heels in love with her. He tried to make up for abandoning her, but Debra wasn't having any of it. She was hell-bent on hiding her daughter from him and also making a clean break. What did the future hold for the two as they journeyed in Roz Town? What kind of secrets would they find? Would Caleb win Debra's heart and get to know his lovely daughter? Find out!
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
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!"