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Fate took a massive turn as Allen Carter aka Joanna found that she needs a lot of money to save her grandmother. As she sat desperate and clueless, a guy approaches her at the bar and he had an offer. She has to marry a billionaire CEO and be his wife for six months and she will be paid a handsome sum of money. However, he kept key information away from her – the CEO is none other than the cold and ruthless Raymond, and that she has the same facial features as his run away bride, and the contract is to replace her. The idea of quick and easy money and her hapless situation compels her to say yes to the offer. She thought it would be easy to get in and out of this six months contract, however she was clueless about the mess that this arrangement will lead to in her and her CEO husband's lives.
**Chapter One**
**A Favour**
Joanna had just finished filming her scenes for that day and was on her way home. Since she was the lead actress, she had come to the set whenever she wanted and had instantly demanded that her scenes be filmed so she could leave. The crew was upset, but there was nothing they could do. She was the diva, after all. If they upset her and she decided to leave the drama, they would all be in serious trouble.
"Miss Anderson, your uncle has requested that you come back to the family home immediately after filming," her assistant Lena said softly. She knew Joanna's temper well. Once Joanna lost it with her, it would mean the end of Lena's job. She needed to hold on to this job. Even though Joanna was horrible, at least the pay was good.
The smile that was on Joanna's face immediately froze. What could those people want from her now? They only bothered her when they wanted something. They were the most terrible people. Just because they spent a few thousand dollars to raise her, they felt they owned her, that they could control her life. Well, she was a grown woman now, and if they thought they could push her around like they did when she was young, they were wrong. She would show them!
Joanna looked at her assistant who was driving the car and said with a cold, detached voice, "Do I have to go there? What do those people want from me anyway?" Her uncle and cousin were literally the worst. They even contacted Lena, only because they wanted to use her. They only remembered she was a family member when they wanted something.
Lena gulped. She had expected Joanna to react this way. But she knew she had to convince her or she would be in serious trouble. She had to get Joanna to go to them. "Miss Anderson, you have to go! Your uncle said it was really important. It's about you getting married!" Lena said. She wasn't supposed to reveal this, but she hoped it would make Joanna go to them.
Joanna froze for a second. Her marriage? Her uncle had already said he would help her marry a rich man. It seemed like he was helping his niece, but no-he was doing it for himself. He had a daughter, but he wouldn't use her. His company was on the verge of bankruptcy, and the only way to save it was through a business marriage. Since he didn't want to use his daughter, Joanna was the next choice. He only wanted to use her as a bargaining tool.
However, Joanna had her own plan. Since they wanted to arrange a marriage, she would go along with it-but she wasn't going to help them! She would make sure they paid for what they had done to her! She would play along and get married, but they would definitely regret their decision. "Alright, let's go to the Anderson family house," Joanna told Lena.
Taking out her phone, Joanna typed in a name on her search engine. The name was Raymond Walker. Immediately, his picture came up. Joanna was satisfied. He was handsome, and he was the CEO of Helian Group-one of the top ten companies in the country. This was exactly the type of man she needed. She was going to make this man fall in love with her! Even though there were rumors that he was a cold-hearted jerk with no feelings, Joanna wasn't bothered. She was sure she could get him. She had her face after all, the face that had gotten her everything she had today.
Allen was standing outside the hospital room. She really wanted to go in to see her grandmother, but the doctors were inside treating her. They said she couldn't go in until they were done. Allen was shaking with fear. Her grandmother was the only family she had. If she died, she would be all alone in the world. Even if they didn't have anything, they were still together. She wanted it to remain that way.
Allen was lost in her thoughts when she felt someone grip her shoulders from behind. She turned sharply and saw her best friend Rita looking at her. She fell on Rita and started crying immediately. "Rita, what am I going to do? My grandmother, I don't know what is going to happen to her. They won't let me go inside to see her. I don't know what I'm going to do if my grandmother dies, Rita. I don't know."
Rita hugged her friend tightly. She really felt sorry for her. Why did her friend have to have such a hard life? Rita and her grandmother had struggled so much to get Allen through high school. Just as she was about to get into acting college, her grandmother fell ill for the first time. Allen used her tuition to get her grandmother through that stage of her sickness. After that, she had to give up her dream to become an actress and work as a waitress to make ends meet. Now her grandmother was ill again. It was pitiful.
"Don't worry, Allen. Everything is going to be okay. Your grandmother is going to be okay. She won't die. She still has to see you achieve your dreams and become an actress. She still has to see you live a happy life. So she is definitely not going to die. You just need to calm down. Let's wait for the doctor and see what they have to say. Don't worry too much, okay? I'm here for you," Rita said. Even though she was comforting Allen, Rita felt doubtful. She was already old, and now she was sick. Would she survive?
Allen looked at her friend. How she wished Rita's words were true. Would her grandmother see her achieve her dreams? She didn't know anymore. She had already given up the one opportunity she had, so she decided to just go along with the flow. But deep down, she still wanted to be an actress. Even if her grandmother lived, would she be able to do that?
"Rita, do you really think my grandmother will be okay? I don't want her to die. I won't be able to live on if something happens to her. So please tell me, Rita. She is not going to die, right? What you said, it's going to happen, right?" Allen asked. Even though she wanted to believe those words, she knew they might not come true. She just needed comfort and strength to hold on.
Rita was going to say something when the door opened and a doctor came out of Allen's grandmother's ward. The both of them ran to the doctor immediately. Allen was the first to speak. "Doctor, what is going to happen to my grandmother? Is she going to be okay?" Allen asked, unable to calm down. Her grandmother had raised her alone after all. Without a father and mother, she did her best to raise Allen. She couldn't die now.
The doctor's expression was serious, and Allen felt a wave of dread wash over her. "I'm sorry, but your grandmother's condition is quite serious," he said gently but firmly. "She has a tumor in her brain, and she needs surgery as soon as possible. Unfortunately, it's not going to be cheap. The cost will be around fifty thousand dollars."
Allen felt the ground slip out from under her. Fifty thousand dollars? How was she ever going to come up with that kind of money? She was already drowning in debt from her grandmother's previous treatments. This was impossible.
The doctor continued, his expression sympathetic. "I know this is a lot to take in, but it's the only way to save her. You'll need to raise the money as quickly as possible."
Allen could barely hear him over the rushing sound in her ears. Fifty thousand dollars. It might as well have been a million. There was no way she could come up with that kind of money in time. Her grandmother was going to die because she was too poor to save her.
Rita caught her as she swayed, her legs threatening to give out. "Allen, stay with me. We'll figure something out, okay? We'll find a way," Rita said, though her own voice wavered with uncertainty.
Allen couldn't stop the tears streaming down her face. What was she going to do? How was she supposed to save her grandmother when the world seemed so determined to take everything from her?
Back at the Anderson house, Joanna sat across from her uncle, Peter, and his son, Fred. The tension in the room was palpable, but Joanna's expression was one of calm indifference. She smiled, a sweet, false smile that didn't reach her eyes. They all knew the smile was fake-none of them had any love for each other.
"Joanna, I have some great news," Peter began, his tone overly enthusiastic. "Raymond Walker is back in the country. I'm meeting with his grandfather tomorrow to finalize the arrangements for your marriage. Once you're married, you'll be in a position to help us, just as we discussed."
Fred, who had been silent until now, chimed in, "Yes, Joanna, remember what we agreed. As soon as you're married, you'll help save JK Enterprises. It's your responsibility as part of this family."
Joanna barely held back a sneer. So, this was how they were going to play it. Pretending to care about her, pretending this was for her benefit when in reality, it was all about them and their precious company. They needed her now, so they were being nice, but she knew the truth. They were using her, just like they always had.
But she wasn't the same naive girl anymore. She had learned how to play their game, and this time, she was going to win.
"Help JK Enterprises?" Joanna echoed. "The last I heard, the company was on the verge of bankruptcy. And even if I do marry Raymond Walker, why would he help the family of a woman he's being forced to marry? This isn't a fairy tale, Uncle. Arranged marriages don't come with guaranteed happy endings.
How can she marry someone she barely knows?
Rewriting the stars What is love? For some people, it's a sweet feeling Something to be cherished. For some others..it's something that they have to avoid at all cost And yet for others...it's simply a tool to manipulate others. And still...some people..spend their entire lives waiting for it...even though they already know, how it's going to end. Joanna is a feisty 18-year-old girl who has to change schools in her last year of high school. At first, she is excited about attending a boarding school since it means that she can avoid the problems going on in her life but she is shocked when she finds out just how Kents' High works. It is a school fit for the 1% and soon Joanna finds out that the lives of wealthy kids are not as simple as she thought. What happens when she mingles with the students at Kents' High? How will this change impact Joanna's life? Will she be able to survive?
Billionaire contract marriage "I'll make her fall for me and then abándon her!" A daring bet--Who falls for who? Scarlett Kingston is an actress with a promising career. However, Scarlett doesn't believe in love. For her, it's a big waste of time ...until she meets the CEO of an entertainment company, Ryder Thompson. Ryder is a playboy who plays around with the feelings of women...He is enraged when he finds a woman who isn't affected by his charm...He sets out to win her heart but Scarlett proves more though than he imagines. He then gets into a bet with her, In six months, he'll make her fall for him. However, there is a condition. For that six months, they have to live as a married couple. But who falls for who?
"You church rat! you're a low life man and shouldn't be worthy to be called a husband to Joyce! Get a divorce!" Aunt Kisha spat out disgustingly. Married for 2 years and mistreated by his in-laws,that is the entire life of Xavier McKinney. He walks as a bartender and he loves and cherishes her so much and Joyce does the same too. what will happen when Xavier's father old butler found him and gave him a golden card containing $5 billionaire? He leaped to the top and promise doom to those who stepped on him before!
I always thought nobody could hate me more than my own mother – till I met my fated mate... Nobody rejects a fated mate. But mine did. He doesn't want a half breed for a mate. Half wolf, half warlock, I am a disgrace in his eyes. One he doesn't want to be linked to. His rejection crushes me. And is a death sentence. Maybe it's time to leave this town. But the more I try to stay away, the more entangled I get in this pack and with this alpha who despises my very existence. But there is something thrumming under the surface of this usually sleepy town, something dark and vicious. There are too many warlocks in town, another new pack, and I feel like I am being watched. The worst is yet to come, however. When one of the Alpha's mate candidates is found murdered, all eyes turn to me... But the killer left a message, one that only I could understand: "You're next."
"You're a creepy bastard." His eyes smolder me and his answering grin is nothing short of beautiful. Deadly. "Yet you hunger for me. Tell me, this appetite of yours, does it always tend toward 'creepy bastards'?" **** Widower and ex-boss to the Mafia, Zefiro Della Rocca, has an unhealthy fixation on the woman nextdoor. It began as a coincidence, growing into mere curiosity, and soon, it was an itch he couldn't ignore, like a quick fix of crack for an addict. He didn't know her name, but he knew every inch of her skin, how it flushed when she climaxed, her favourite novel and that every night she contemplated suicide. He didn't want to care, despising his rapt fascination of the woman. She was in love with her abusive husband. She was married, bound by a contract to the Bratva's hitman. She was off-limits. But when Zefiro wanted something, it was with an intensity that bordered on madness. He obsessed, possessed, owned. There'd be bloodshed if he touched her, but the sight of blood always did fascinate him. * When Susanna flees from her husband, she stumbles right into the arms of her devilishly handsome neighbour with a brooding glare. He couldn't stand her, but she needed him, if she was ever going to escape her husband who now wanted her dead. Better the devil you know than the angel you don't. She should have recalled that before hopping into Zefiro's car and letting him whisk her away to Italy. Maybe then, she wouldn't have started an affair with him. He was the only man who touched her right, and the crazy man took no small pains in ensuring he would be the last.
Eliza Greer was abandoned by her mother, raised in an orphanage, and sold to the Burns family at 19. Even though she marries Mason Burns, the other people in the Burns family look down on her for her poor identity and want to try every way to bully her. Unexpectedly, they all failed. Eliza's hidden identities are gradually revealed in one incident after another, which astonishes everyone.
Billionaire Bennett Graham urgently needed a wife to close a business deal but his fiancée wasn't ready to tie the knots yet. So his grandmother picked the most unassuming maid for him. Everything was supposed to go incredibly well, and all he had to do was wait until he divorced her a year later. But after seeing Maliyah's ocean eyes.it wasn't looking simple anymore. *** Before I could get her up, it was as if she felt the light and an uncomfortable sound came out of her mouth. "Uh-huh..." She raised her hand to cover her eyes. But I didn't have time to wait for her to wake up, so I told her to "Get Up." My voice seemed to scare her, and her light-fearing eyes suddenly widened and she kept moving to the corner. The only voice in the quiet art room was her fear-filled voice, "No...please...go away...don't come close to me." She was afraid of me? I hadn't even spoken to her before, what was she afraid of? This was definitely not going to work, I couldn't talk to her if she couldn't calm down. Then I moved closer to her, my hand on her trembling shoulder, and I whispered soothingly "Calm down.I'm not going to hurt you.I'm not going to hurt you."I assured and then she moved her hair away from her face as if to stare at me properly. Our eyes met.It was that moment. It felt as if I was enchanted for a moment. Those ocean eyes were the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen.
Looking at the divorce papers my lips curled up into a mocking smile. 'How big fool I am? How can I think that he will give a chance to this marriage? How can I forget that I was nothing more a tool in his eyes to vent his anger until his beloved Tara is back. Since, she was back, how can he let me stay there?' "After you will sign these papers, you will receive 100 million dollars as alimony." the lawyer added. Because of his words, I came back to my senses took the pen from him, and signed the name. I have also gotten exhausted from this marriage both physically and mentally. Even though I had wanted my child to be born into a complete family, I didn't want my child to have a stepmother and live miserably like me for the rest of his life. After taking the papers from my hand, the lawyer gave me the bank card, turned around, and was about to leave when he paused at the door. He then turned around and added, "Mr. Carter said that he hoped that you won't pester him, or you have to bear the consequences." The lawyer's words were like a knife stabbing in my heart, but I still nodded. Anyway, I also don't plan to have anything to do with him anymore. I just want to live a good life with my children. After the lawyer left, the ward fell into silence. I placed my hand on my belly and said to my children, "Baby, I am sorry, Mommy can't give you a complete family! But I promise you, I will do my best to give the love of both mother and father." 'As for giving one of my child, I will never do that. They are my babies and my alone. I and I will give birth to all of them and raise them no matter what.' Four Years Later... Anya came back to the country with her three kids, to inherit the company left by his grandfather...
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad. Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded. She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer. Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone. But then the ex-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."