Synopsis: Isabella came back home from college to meet with bad news, her parents were dead. She wasn't even given time to grieve before another bombshell was dropped on her; her father's company was dying. It was a company her father spent most of his life on; she couldn't bear the thought of it dying, so as soon as her uncle proposed the thought of her living with someone who promised to help out. But she regretted her decision almost immediately. Antonio was everything the rumors made him out to be, ruthless, heartless, cold, but the worst incredibly handsome. Isabella could feel he wanted something more from her apart from whatever she was here for; which she also doesn't know, but what was it? What would she Isabella do when she finds out that Antonio was responsible for her parents death? Will she find a way to escape Antonio's clutches? Take her revenge or forgive after finding out the real truth? Find out this and more in the novel.
Isabella's POV
The grand foyer of the Ferraro mansion was overwhelming. As I stepped through the massive doors, I was struck by the sheer opulence surrounding gleaming marble floors, intricate chandeliers, and rich, dark wood paneling that seemed to whisper of wealth and power. The reality of my situation sank in with each step I took, and I tried to steady my trembling hands.
"You can't back down now, Isa; you're already here," I muttered to myself as I walked even more into the room, gulping down in sheer nervousness.
The evening party was already in full swing. Guests in designer gowns and sharp suits mingled with glasses of champagne, their laughter a stark contrast to the turmoil churning inside me. I moved through the crowd with a sense of disconnection, acutely aware of the whispers and curious glances.
They were all celebrating while I was here, wallowing in sorrows as I walked towards a corner of the room to avoid their gaze.
Everything happening right now just felt like a massive betrayal to me, but what could I do? Isabella could only do as she was told.
Just a few days ago, I came home all excited and happy but was met with dire news: my parents had been involved in a ghastly motor accident a few days before and died instantly.
It was then my entire world shattered into pieces. They were rock, they were my life. The only ones who truly cared for me.
I hadn't even finished mourning them when my uncle came in with another terrible news: They were losing the company.
My extended family pleaded with me to save it; at first, I didn't understand, but just a few hours ago, I did.
They were selling me off to a billionaire Mafia boss in exchange for more funds to keep the company going.
I wanted to disagree. I didn't want to do this, but I also couldn't sit back and watch my parent's blood and sweat die when I could have done something about it, so here I was... In the midst of some of the wealthiest folks in the entire country waiting for the said Billionaire.
"Please don't let him be here," I begged shutting my eyes as I took in deep breaths. I wasn't ready... No, not for anything that would happen next.
The worst part of this entire ordeal was that I didn't even know the face of my new ' owner ', only just his name... Antonio Ferraro. Despite the fact that his face remained unknown, before coming here I had heard several rumors about him, and that only made me much more scared.
"Ms Isabella Moreno?" A voice called from behind me.
My entire body froze, apart from my heart, which began to beat even faster than before.
Swallowing down the contents that had risen to my throat, I turned around to answer. "Y...Yes."
I was met with the solemn expression of a man dressed in a black suit and shades, with a white earpiece sticking out of his ear.
' Why is he wearing shades inside? In the evening? ' I would have thought, but I was too terrified to even think.
"Come with me." Those were the next words the serious-looking man said before he turned around and began leading me through a corner, away from the noisy party.
I followed quietly, trying my best to calm my frantically beating heart, but all the minutes I spent calming my heart disappeared, and my feet stopped when I spotted a man by the fountain. He stood apart from the other wealthy people in the room, class in an impeccably tailored suit and an aura of coldness around him.
The man with shades who came to call me walked up to him and bowed. "Boss"
That was him, Antonio Ferraro, the most powerful man in the country, or otherwise known as the Mafia boss.
The rumors I had heard about him... his cruelty, his power...had painted a picture of a man to be feared.
The expressionless man in shades motioned for me to move closer towards Antonio as he took a step back, probably to allow us speak in private.
My breathing hitched as I forced myself to move even closer to him, my lips trembling. Even without him looking at me, I could already feel the coldness emanating from his demeanor.
Then suddenly he turned around and our eyes met, a shiver immediately ran down my spine. There was a cold intensity in his gaze that made my heart race. He approached me with a measured stride, his movements deliberate and controlled.
All my instincts screamed for me to run, but I didn't. Not because I didn't want to, but because my feet were planted on the ground, and because of his strong gaze on me, they refused to budge.
"Isabella Moreno," he said, his voice low and clipped. "You've arrived."
If I wasn't so terrified right now, my eyes would be all round in appreciation of this man's beauty. It was literally undescribable, the only word that came to my head was... God.
' Say something Isa! ' I scolded myself internally, when one of his brow shot up.
"Y...yes, Mr. Ferraro," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. I struggled to maintain my composure, but the fear was palpable.
"Do you know why you're here?," he asked, turning without waiting for a response.
I followed him through the mansion, my footsteps echoing in the silence. The walls were lined with exquisite art and antiques, each piece a testament to Antonio's wealth and taste. I tried to keep my gaze forward, my mind racing with anxiety. What had I gotten myself into?
My head desperately searched for an answer to his question, as I followed him.
"I'm here in exchange for your help to my parents company." I replied after thinking for a while.
We reached a secluded terrace that overlooked the city. The view was breathtaking, but it did little to calm the storm within me. Antonio leaned against the railing, his posture relaxed but commanding, he had a smirk on his face and I instantly brought my head down when his eyes met mine.
"That's an explanation." He said, the smirk still dancing between his lips. Then he pointed at the door which was behind him. "You will stay here for the time being," he said, his tone devoid of warmth. "Do not cause any trouble."
I nodded, my throat dry. "Understood."
The silence between us was heavy. I could feel the weight of his presence, and the rumors I had heard seemed to come alive in the cold night air. The terror I felt was almost tangible, a constant reminder of the danger that lurked in the shadows of this luxurious prison.
As the night wore on, Antonio's demeanor remained as inscrutable as ever. He escorted me back to my quarters with a brief nod and a terse "Goodnight." The brief contact of his hand as he opened the door sent a jolt through me, and I quickly withdrew, my heart pounding.
His lips pulled up in a smirk that only made his godlike facial features more prominent before he turned around.
"Wait..." I called back before he left. "Can I change my mind?" I asked, my heart pounding.
The smirk on his face slowly came down until it was replaced by a frown and a cold glare.
"Never." He muttered coldly before sweeping his gaze one last time over me and then leaving to probably head back to the party.
My eyes watered and I truly realized my situation.
What have I done to myself?
... "Mr Reynolds, she gave birth to twins." The nurse said to the handsome man standing by the side of the ward where the sleeping Ella lay. His lips curved up in a smirk. "Give one of the babies to me and the other to her mother... Also, don't let the mother know she gave birth to twins." The nurse was confused with the orders but had no choice but to follow them. She bowed respectfully "Yes, Mr. Reynolds" ... Betrayed by her family, her boyfriend, and best friend, Ella makes a stupid decision. She flirted her way into the top bar in the country and drank until she was completely and utterly drunk. She seduces the top billionaire and young CEO Noah Reynolds who got captivated and intrigued with her at first sight and had a night stand with him. When she woke up the next morning, he was gone, and the only thing he left was a thousand-dollar bill next to her bed. A few months later, Ella found out she was pregnant and decided to keep the baby. Unknowing to her, Noah Reynolds had been watching her from afar and also knew she was pregnant with his children. 6 years later, Ella and her daughter had an argument and made Kaila, Ella's daughter, run out in the rain but then she was hit by a really expensive car, and just before she passed out, she saw someone in the back seat of the car, who looked exactly like her!
... " Graduate from high school with the best grades, no... Graduate as the valedictorian of whatever lowlife school you're going to right now, and secure a scholarship to the best college in the country. Then you can come back here and claim your place " ... All Sophy ever wanted was a family. One that would love her and care for her just as her friend's mum did for her childhood friend, but instead... She got the royal family. The queen rejected her at first sight, but then changed her mind and gave some conditions before the orphan could become part of the family. What would happen after Sophy fulfills all the conditions and claim her rightful place as the first princess of Country Z? How would she navigate her new life and college at the same time? She immediately got noticed by the two most handsome men in the entire college as soon as she got in, one of them being the prince of the neighboring country while the other a famous billionaire son, thereby attracting the jealously of her stepsister who was in love with prince. Sophy's previous calm and uninteresting life disappears as she faces problem after problem because of this. Would she be able to balance love, family rites and college life, or would everything just collapse on her and she would just give up and return back to her past life?
Read about the unfortunate life of Mia Andres, a young artist who only wanted to make a name for herself in the art world, but got sold by her own parents to pay up a debt. Her life takes a drastic turn in the mansion of Alexander Hamilton, the man who bought her. Mia plans her escape but after spending up to two months in his house she began to discover that she had feelings for this man also she feel in love with his bratty daughter who only wanted to be with her. Just when she thought Alex might possibly have feelings for her also and end her escaping plan, she overhead a conversation between Alex and his sister that completely shattered her. " Look here Ria... There's nothing going on between Mia and I, and there would never be". That was is, she thought. This wasn't a Cinderella story, the poor girl doesn't get with the prince at last. With the help of Amelia, Alex sister in law Mia leaves the house and the country. What happens when she comes back a year after looking even more ravishing and a successful artists, not only that she came along with, Alexander's half brother Gregory who wanted nothing than to destroy Alexander? Would she help him destroy the man she was still in love with just because she feels that he could never love her? Or would she finally realize that she had been wrong all along?!
After a devastating divorce with the man she had been married to for over three years, Rachel thought her life was over. Her family disowned her, they wanted nothing to do with her anymore and she couldn't blame them. She had just divorced David Hart, one of the top successful bachelors in the country and heir to the Hart industries. But they would never understand that she didn't divorce him, he divorced her after she caught him cheating on her with her god-damned best friend! Rachel was just about to end everything by jumping off a bridge when she was saved by the most unexpected person. The boy she once bullied severally in highschool because he always wore ugly glass and was from a poor background, how come that glass make him so hot now? Why was he helping her get revenge on ex-husband who is trying to make her life even more miserable? And most important how did he get so handsome? What exactly does he want from her? ... No, you must want something, anything. If you can really help me get revenge on David and Lana, I can't just let you do it for free". Ethan went quiet for a while. I held my breath waiting for what his request might be. If it was something money could buy, I'll try my best to get it for him even though I was somehow broke right now. "You're right I do want something". He said after thinking for few minutes "What?" I asked slowly. " Until you get your revenge on David, Lana and every other person you want, you will live here". Live here as in...? " Wha... What are you saying? ". I stammered hoping he wasn't saying what I thought he was saying. I tried to step back but I missed a step and almost fell on the bed but Ethan caught me holding me in his muscular arms. Ethan moved his face closer to mine be was so close, our nose almost touched. " I want you to be with me! ".
She came down to live with humans because she was bored, tried of doing the same thing over and over again, so she did something stupid. She went for the first job she saw, to be the CEO's pretend wife, and she got it. Is there anything she can't do? Her name, Estrella Powers, and you may ask who she is, well... She is the most powerful mage in Arandel a place far from earth. His grandparents wanted him to get married before they hand over the company to him. There was no way he could marry just anyone, so he did an interview and picked Estrella. She intrigued him at first sight and he wanted to know more about her. His name, Alexander Hamilton, one of the top under thrity Billionaire CEO in the world. Two children, Sky, and Skylar both came out of nowhere to disturb Estrella not so perfect life. How do they all fit in the puzzle? Will they manage to keep this mage and make her fall for their arrogant father? And who is their father? Would Estrella save her newly found family from her old one or would she be forced to succumb to their wishes just to keep everyone she loves safe? Find out in the story... The CEO's Mage
In the glitzy world of showbiz, Eliza's life was a whirlwind of performances and clandestine adventures. When she found herself locking lips with the groom at a gig, little did she know it would set off a chain of events that would redefine her destiny. Months later, consumed by thoughts of Eliza, Mason, the enigmatic groom, tracked her down. Their reunion crackled with tension, igniting a flame neither could deny. In a famous bar, amidst the cheers of her troupe, Eliza felt the weight of Mason's gaze, a magnetic pull that left her breathless. But fate had more in store. A spiked drink, an irresistible allure, and a night of passion that blurred the lines between desire and destiny. The morning after brought a harsh awakening, with Eliza recoiling from the consequences of their tryst, determined to maintain her independence. Yet, fate's hand was not easily evaded. A pregnancy test revealed a new twist in the tale, setting off a chain reaction of familial intervention and unwanted arrangements. Eliza's resolve to defy convention clashed with the looming shadow of a billionaire suitor, whose presence threatened to unravel her carefully crafted escape. In a world where love and ambition collide, Eliza must navigate treacherous waters to reclaim control of her destiny. Will she succumb to the pressures of society, or will she forge her own path, defying expectations at every turn? The stage is set for a drama unlike any other, where passion, power, and fate converge in a battle for the heart and soul of one woman determined to chart her own course.
The happiest day of any woman, is usually her wedding day, right? But it wasn't the case with Pamela Grayson. She sobbed before, during and after the wedding. It is difficult for her to comprehend why her parents would force her into a marriage with a man who is in coma, that doesn't have the slightest probability of ever coming out of it. But what can she do than to accept it? After all her sister had seduced her fiancé and was pregnant with his child. Her dowry was going to be used to sponsor an elaborate wedding for her sister and her supposed fiancé. But the most tragic part of Pamela's story was that the man she got married to was even more ruthless and cruel to her than her family when he came out of coma. He forced her to terminate their surrogate babies, he divorced her and severed every ties with her. But fate brought them to cross paths again. Now a princess, an heiress and the CEO of the largest cooperation in the continent: What does the future hold for the both of them and their quadruplets which Louis Hayden thought had been flushed away? A story of destined fate, Twist and mystery...
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
“You need a bride, I need a groom. Why don’t we get married?” Both abandoned at the altar, Elyse decided to tie the knot with the disabled stranger from the venue next door. Pitying his state, she vowed to spoil him once they were married. Little did she know that he was actually a powerful tycoon. Jayden thought Elyse only married him for his money, and planned to divorce her when she was no longer of use to him. But after becoming her husband, he was faced with a new dilemma. “She keeps asking for a divorce, but I don’t want that! What should I do?”
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.
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!"
She was a world-renowned divine doctor, the CEO of a publicly traded company, the most formidable female mercenary, and a top-tier tech genius. Marissa, a titan with a plethora of secret identities, had hidden her true stature to marry a seemingly impoverished young man. However, on the eve of their wedding, her fiance, who was actually the lost heir to a wealthy dynasty, called off the engagement and subjected her to degradation and mockery. Upon the revelation of her concealed identities, her ex-fiance was left stunned and desperately pleaded for her forgiveness. Standing protectively before Marissa, an incredibly influential and fearsome magnate declared, "This is my wife. Who would dare try to claim her?"