Here is a two-passage snippet: In the rich town of Westbrook, Olivia Summers faces a stunning gathering with Ethan Blackwood, the tech head honcho who once broke her heart. Yet again a decade after the fact, Ethan's declaration of a billion-dollar humanitarian drive shakes Olivia's reality - and she's startlingly in charge. As they explore the tricky scene of their past, Olivia should face the mysteries Ethan's kept covered up the unsettled energy that actually stews between them. As Olivia becomes entangled in Ethan's high-stakes world, she's compelled to defy the shadows of her own past. With her affections for Ethan revived, she should pick either absolution and self-conservation. In any case, as reality with regards to Ethan's inspirations starts to disentangle, Olivia understands that the best test lies not in rejoining with her most memorable love, but rather in recovering herself. Will their love be rekindled, or will the secrets of their past forever sabotage their future?
Olivia Summers remained at the edge of the packed assembly hall, her emerald eyes examining the ocean of creator outfits and custom fitted suits. The yearly Westbrook Noble cause Occasion was going full bore, champagne woodwinds clunking and chuckling reverberating off the vaulted roofs. Yet, Olivia hadn't arrived for casual banter or champagne. She was hanging around for one explanation in particular: to defy the one who had broken her heart a decade prior.
The crowd fell into a hushed silence, as though summoned by her thoughts. Olivia's breath trapped in her throat as she saw him enter. Ethan Blackwood. Tycoon tech magnate, altruist, and the kid who had once guaranteed her the world.
He now appeared different. Gone was the thin youngster with chaotic hair and timid grins. In his place stood a man who talked about each step. His dull hair was impeccably styled, his jaw adequately sharp to trim glass. The custom tailored suit he wore most likely cost more than her whole closet.
Olivia's fingers fixed around her grasp as recollections overflowed back. Sneaked kisses behind the seats. Late-night concentrate on meetings that transformed into something else. The manner in which he'd taken a gander at her on prom night, similar to her, was his whole universe.
And afterward, the day everything came crashing down.
She constrained herself to turn away, just to get the attention of another recognizable face. Sophia Chen, her previous closest companion, was advancing towards Ethan. A similar Sophia who had been there to get the pieces when Ethan left. A similar Sophia who currently wore a precious stone ring that shone under the light fixtures - a wedding band from Ethan Blackwood himself.
Olivia felt a natural hurt in her chest. She shouldn't have come. What had she been thinking? That she could waltz maneuver into town following 10 years and request replies? that any change would occur?
"Liv? Is that you?"
The voice made her freeze. She turned slowly to face the source.
Jackson Hayes. Her secondary school sweetheart after Ethan. The protected decision. The person who had cherished her genuinely, in any event, when she couldn't completely adore him back.
She managed to force a smile, "Jack." It's been some time."
His blue eyes crinkled as he smiled, maneuvering her into a warm embrace. " Somewhere around nine years, eleven months, and fifteen days. In any case, who's counting?"
In spite of herself, Olivia giggled. The same Jack.
"What takes you back to Westbrook?" he asked, letting her out of the embrace yet keeping a hand on her arm. " Last I heard, you were vanquishing the design world in New York."
Before Olivia could reply, a disturbance close to the entry grabbed their eye. Now, Ethan Blackwood was tapping a microphone on stage.
"Lovely people," his voice blasted through the speakers, sending a compulsory shudder down Olivia's spine. " I appreciate everyone's presence tonight. As you most likely are aware, the Westbrook Establishment has forever been committed to rewarding this local area. Yet, this evening, I have a declaration that will take our main goal to a worldwide scale."
Olivia ended up drawing nearer to the stage, attracted by the attraction of Ethan's presence.
"We are sending off another drive," Ethan proceeded, his eyes clearing the group. " A program that will give state of the art innovation and training to oppressed networks all over the planet. Additionally, I am contributing one billion dollars from my personal wealth to the cause of launching this initiative."
Heaves and acclaim occupied the room. Olivia's psyche dashed. One billion bucks? What game was Ethan playing?
"Yet, that is not all," Ethan's voice slices through the commotion. " To guarantee the progress of this program, we want the best personalities in the business. Which is the reason I'm excited to declare our new Head of Worldwide Drives."
Olivia's chest tightened. She knew, with a sureness that unnerved her, what was coming straight away.
"If it's not too much trouble, go along with me in inviting back to Westbrook," Ethan's eyes locked onto hers, a test in their profundities, "Ms. Olivia Summers."
There were muddled murmurs and scattered applause as the room erupted. Her thoughts were racing as Olivia remained fixed to the spot. She hadn't gone after any job. She hadn't even addressed Ethan in 10 years. What in blazes was going on?
As though in a fantasy, she ended up moving towards the stage. Ethan stretched out a hand to help her up, his touch sending power through her veins.
"Welcome home, Liv," he murmured, for her ears as it were. " We have a great deal to examine."
Furthermore, very much like that, Olivia realized her painstakingly built life was going to collapse. Since notwithstanding everything, in spite of the aggravation and the long stretches of quietness, one investigate Ethan Blackwood's eyes told her that the fire between them had never really gone out.
The only thing it had been waiting for was the right time to explode.
Rejected by her mate, who had been her long-time crush, Jasmine felt utterly humiliated. Seeking solace, she headed to a party to drown her sorrows. But things took a turn for the worse when her friends issued a cruel dare: kiss a stranger or beg her mate for forgiveness. With no other choice, Jasmine approached a stranger and kissed him, thinking that would be the end of it. However, the stranger unexpectedly wrapped his arms around her waist and whispered in her ear, "You're mine!" He growled, his words sending shivers down her spine. And then, he offered her a solution that would change everything...
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?
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"
When they were kids, Derek saved Norah's life. Years later, after Derek ended up in a vegetative state from a car crash, Norah married him without a second thought and even used her medical knowledge to heal him. For two years, Norah was devoted, seeking his affection and looking to settle her life-saving debt. But when Derek's first love returned, Norah, faced with divorce, didn't hesitate to sign. Despite being labeled as forsaken, few knew of her true talents. She was a race car driver, a famed designer, a genius hacker, and a renowned doctor. Regretting his decision, Derek begged for her forgiveness. Just then, a charming CEO intervened, embracing Norah and declaring, "Back off! She's my wife!" Taken aback, Norah blurted out, "What did you say?"
It was a big day for Camilla. She looked forward to marrying her handsome groom. Unfortunately, he abandoned her at the altar. He never showed up throughout the wedding. She was made a laughingstock in front of all the guests. In a fit of rage, she went and slept with a strange man on her wedding night. It was supposed to be a one-night stand. To her dismay, the man refused to let her be. He pestered her like she had stolen his heart on that night. Camilla didn't know what to do. Should she give him a chance? Or just stay away from men?