For Emma Montgomery, life as the pampered daughter of Manhattan's elite carried the weight of impossible expectations. Groomed from birth to lead her family's corporate dynasty, genuine love seemed an elusive dream amid the superficial trappings of wealth. That is, until a shocking proposal opened doors to an unexpected future. When her father arranges for Emma to enter a marriage contract with James Reynolds, the charismatic heir to a powerful political family, she sees it as an escape from her turbulent past. But neither Emma nor James could foresee the firestorm of passion and betrayal that would be sparked by their convenient union. As the one-year countdown on their sham marriage begins, Emma finds herself falling for James's unexpected depths and charm. But James has his own demons - bound by duty to fulfill his father's Machiavellian ambitions while his own heart belongs to another. As cordial pretenses melt into smoldering intimacy, their worlds collide in a maelstrom of corporate greed, political ambition, and star-crossed desire. In this sumptuous tale of love among New York's upper echelons, Emma and James become delicious pawns in a high-stakes game they never imagined playing. With every blistering secret revealed, every heart-wrenching choice posed, they must decide whether to surrender to the inescapable lure of power and privilege, or burn it all to the ground for a love too intoxicating to deny.
The fancy ballroom at the Metropolitan Hotel was super luxurious, with sparkly chandeliers and gold decorations everywhere. It was the place for rich, important people in New York City to see and be seen. Emma Montgomery walked in on her father's arm, smiling fakely even though she didn't want to be there.
Emma hated these stuck-up high society parties. She couldn't stand having small talk with snobby social climbers while also trying to get potential investors interested in her family's real estate company, Montgomery Corporation. At twenty-five years old, Emma's life path was already set - she was the heir who had to take over the multi-billion dollar business from her father one day, whether she liked it or not.
As always, the ballroom was jam-packed with people dressed up in fancy tuxedos. The air smelled strongly of expensive perfumes, cigar smoke, and desperation from people trying to climb the social ladder. Emma's father was immediately whisked away by a group of rich old men smoking cigars. Emma headed straight for the bar, in desperate need of a drink.
She was sipping her first glass of champagne when her eyes landed on a striking man across the room. Even from far away, his chiseled jawline was captivating, and surprisingly, he flashed her a warm, friendly smile. That couldn't be James Reynolds, could it? The rumors painted the notorious heir to the wealthy Reynolds real estate empire as an arrogant, brooding man. But his welcoming demeanor seemed to contradict those stories.
Intrigued, Emma found herself shamelessly checking him out, admiring the muscles in his chest and the confident power in his stride. She mentally scolded herself. Get a grip, Montgomery. Don't let yourself be charmed by a pretty face.
Emboldened by the man's surprisingly affable smile, she sidled up to order a cocktail. "Excuse me, I couldn't help but notice you from across the room," Emma said with a friendly smile of her own. "I'm Emma Montgomery."
The man's expression instantly morphed into an arrogant sneer, his earlier warmth vanishing in an instant. "Do I look like I care who you are?" he asked in a rude, dismissive tone that left Emma stunned.
So the rumors were true after all. His friendly overture had just been an act. "I...I was just trying to introduce myself," she stammered, thrown by his abrupt shift in demeanor.
"Well, don't bother. Your little Montgomery Corporation is barely a blip on my family's empire," James scoffed derisively. "Now run along back to your little party, little girl."
Emma's mouth dropped open in shock at his outright rudeness. How dare he speak to her that way, after luring her in with that warm smile! The pleasant, welcoming demeanor she'd detected moments ago had been an illusion, a mask he'd dropped to reveal his true arrogant, callous nature.
Before Emma could respond, a familiar voice called out from behind her. "Emma, my dear, there you are."
She turned to find her father, Robert Montgomery, his eyes alight with a mixture of pride and mischief. "I trust you've met James Reynolds?"
Emma nodded, her brow furrowed. "Unfortunately, yes. He's just as rude as the rumors suggest."
Robert let out a hearty chuckle. "Well, you two had best get acquainted. After all, you'll both be getting married very soon."
Emma nearly choked on her cocktail. "Married? To that arrogant jerk?" She whirled on James, eyes blazing. "Over my dead body!"
James looked equally appalled. "There's no way in hell I'd marry some spoiled, daddy's little princess like you," he spat out venomously.
"How dare you!" Emma shrieked, causing partygoers to turn at the commotion. She fought the urge to slap that smug look right off his face.
Her father frowned. "Now, now, children. No need for hostility. I've orchestrated this merger to join our companies. You'll be married!"
Anger bubbled within Emma. To be forced into this against her will was appalling.
Just as she opened her mouth to protest further, a familiar figure caught her eye - Mark, her ex-boyfriend who had cheated on her with her best friend Amanda.
A tidal wave of hurt and humiliation crashed over Emma as she watched them strolling hand-in-hand, acting every bit the happy couple without a care in the world. She had finally started to piece her life back together after their devastating betrayal, but the sight of them together so brazenly reopened those still-fresh wounds.
Hadn't she suffered enough at their hands? The lies, the months of being made a fool of right under her nose? Emma had loved Mark with every fiber of her being, and had pictured growing old together after marriage. Only to have her heart shattered into a million jagged pieces when she discovered his sordid affair with Amanda - her supposed best friend.
The anger, the pain, the gut-wrenching devastation she'd endured...Emma had never truly healthily dealt with those emotions before trying to move on. So to have Mark and Amanda's indiscretion shoved in her face so publicly at this high society event, a place where reputations and public perception meant everything, felt like the ultimate insult.
How dare they flaunt their happiness after destroying her so completely? I haven't done a damn thing to get back at the people who ruined me, and they dare to parade around their affair like this, humiliating me even further in front of everyone?
A white-hot rage unlike anything Emma had ever experienced blazed through her veins. Without a second thought, she whirled around and grabbed James Reynolds, the man she had just declared she'd rather die than marry. She crushed her lips against his in a heated, desperate kiss, pouring every ounce of her hurt, her anger, her overpowering need for vengeance into that scorching lip-lock.
It was a vicious punishment - both for Mark witnessing his ex-girlfriend desecrating her virtue with another man, and for James getting a taste of his own arrogant medicine after the dismissive way he'd treated her moments before.
At first, James went stiff with shock. But then his hands seized her waist, pulling Emma flush against his solid frame as he started devouring her mouth with bruising force. It was a filthy, punishing kiss, all teeth, and desperation, but the illicit thrill jolted through Emma like an electric shock.
When they finally broke apart, Emma turned to see Mark's face contorted with rage before he stormed off, Amanda hurrying behind. A vicious rush of satisfaction swelled in Emma at destroying his smug calm.
She turned her fiery gaze back to James, boldly meeting his smoldering whiskey eyes. "You're welcome," she breathed her voice a mixture of disdain and challenge, before striding away and leaving him stunned.
Ava Taylor was born into an extremely wealthy New York family, but endured a miserable childhood witnessing her parents' toxic, loveless marriage. Eventually going into business herself, she swore off romance after seeing how it destroyed her mother. Liam Parker had a vastly different upbringing, having to hustle on the streets of Brooklyn just to survive until a teacher helped him turn his life around and earn a scholarship to an elite university. When Ava and Liam first meet at a Manhattan bar, she's initially put off by his brash advances. But Liam's charisma and seeming depth intrigue Ava enough to let down her guard. However, unbeknownst to her, Liam is perpetrating an elaborate lie - he accepted a dare from friends to try making a wealthy woman like Ava fall for him, just to win a lavish vacation. Using coaching from a friend, Liam completely constructs a fake persona of a sophisticated, successful businessman to woo Ava with extravagant dates and an air of wealth. She becomes smitten, convincing herself to keep things casual to protect her heart. Just as guilt is threatening to make Liam confess, a bombshell emerges - Ava will only inherit her father's fortune if she marries before age 27 in six months. Desperate, she propositions Liam to enter a marriage of convenience, offering him $10 million from her inheritance. Despite knowing it's wrong, Liam's greed and faint hope of somehow earning Ava's love override his conscience. They hastily marry under false pretenses of his lies. But Ava's unhinged ex soon begins sabotaging their union, revealing Liam's deceptions as part of a larger, murderous scheme to inherit Ava's fortune himself. When the truth finally explodes, Ava is devastated by Liam's betrayal. However, Liam proves his feelings became real when he risks his life to protect Ava from her psychopathic ex's attack. In the traumatic aftermath, they're able to rebuild from honesty, cherishing the profound connection that improbably bloomed from deception.
"Ahh!" She was in a moaning mess. She did not want to feel anything for this man. She hated him. His hands began to move all over her body. She gasped when he pulled down the back chain of her dress. The chain stopped at her lower waist, so when he zipped it off, her upper back and waist were exposed. "D-Don't touch m-ummm!" His fingers rolled around her bare back, and she pressed her head against the pillow. His touches were giving her goosebumps all over her body. With a deep angry voice, he whispered in her ear, "I am going to make you forget his touches, kisses, and everything. Every time you touch another man, you will only think of me." - - - Ava Adler was a nerdy omega. People bullied her because they thought she was ugly and unattractive. But Ava secretly loved the bad boy, Ian Dawson. He was the future Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack. However, he doesn't give a damn about rules and laws, as he only likes to play around with girls. Ava was unaware of Ian's arrogance until her fate intertwined with his. He neglected her and hurt her deeply. What would happen when Ava turned out to be a beautiful girl who could win over any boy, and Ian looked back and regretted his decisions? What if she had a secret identity that she had yet to discover? What if the tables turned and Ian begged her not to leave him?
[Cute Baby + Secret Identity + Powerful hero and heroine!] Caroline loved Damian with all her heart for five whole years. She devoted herself to him and lived humbly for his sake. However, when the couple faced a crisis, she hoped that the news of her pregnancy would fix their marriage, but what she got in return was just a divorce agreement. And to make things worse, while she was about to give birth, she had fallen into someone's trap and her life was in danger. After managing to survive such a harrowing experience, she was determined to cut all ties with the man. Five years later, she re-emerged with her head held high, being the CEO of a famous company. Those who used to bully her now got a taste of their own medicine. And the truth about the past gradually surfaced... Dazzled by Caroline's newfound confidence, her ex-husband wanted to get back together with her, but she just turned a blind eye to his advances. Damian pleaded desperately, "Honey, our baby needs both his parents. Please remarry me!"
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.
"Who is she?" I asked, feeling tears well up in my eyes. "He met her at the Alpha training camp," he said. "She is a perfect suitor for him. It snowed last night, indicating that his wolf is happy with his choice." My heart sank, and tears made their way down my cheeks. Alexander took my innocence last night, and now he is taking that thing in his office as his Luna. **** Emily never shifted on her 18th birthday and became the laughingstock of the pack. When her old crush, Alexander Black, returns from Alpha Training, she never expected him to be her mate. After a night of passionate love, Emily finds out that young Alpha Alexander has taken a chosen mate. Heartbroken and humiliated, Emily runs off and disappears from the pack. Now, five years later, Emily is a high-ranking warrior in King Alpha's army, specializing in sensitive matters. When her best friend invites her to a night of music and laughter, she never expects to run into her mate, Alexander. Will Alexander figure out it is Emily? Will he chase after her, and most of all, will Emily be able to keep her secrets safe?
"I've warned you from the beginning. Don't marry him, but you won't listen." She stood close to me and smiled with concern. "You are not a woman worthy of a man as handsome, rich, smart, and virile as Blaze." My whole body trembled at her words. "Have you no shame?" I asked in a quivering voice. "Take a good look at yourself, Heather." She looked at me in the mirror. "You can't even look at your ugly face. Do you think Blaze can endure a lifetime of looking at that face?" Heather Bailey had a surprise from her husband that night: a divorce agreement. After a year of marriage and facing ups and downs, she couldn't believe Blaze intended to divorce her. But she was devastated when she saw him gazing lovingly at another woman because that person was closest to her. Shortly after she put her signature on their divorce papers, shock waves caught her up. Her flower shop was severely burnt, beyond repair. Her father's company collapsed, and her parents blamed her. She struggled to rebuild her life from the ground up and became more successful than ever. Having many customers who came from influential families, she started her action against Blaze. She won the very thing he wanted. But that was just the beginning.