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Knowing she had been deceived and nearly assaulted, Serena Blooms almost believed she would never be saved. In the midst of her desperation, a miracle came like a tsunami: Edgar Graham, the heartthrob famous across America for his success in running the brand The Lux, arrived and accidentally became her savior. Serena, struggling to recover from the shock of the incident, begged Edgar to lend her his embrace for a moment to calm herself. Even though it was just an embrace, Edgar remained indifferent. And what Serena never knew was that from that moment on, Edgar demanded more than just a thank-you.
Serena hated it. Every hungry gaze from men she didn't know and the way she swayed her hips to entice their desire, Serena absolutely loathed it. Stripping had started to feel empty lately, and she only continued to sway her hips for a hundred dollars, stacking those hundreds just to survive. She only needed to work one night a week, but the club kept calling her almost every day because the customers knew her as "The Queen."
Serena didn't understand why she was called that, but she suspected it started after she lounged casually on stage, helping her friend with a pole dance. In truth, Serena hated dancing-she wasn't skilled in the art.
"Yeah, I like that move..."
Again, the man moaned to himself in his chair as Serena descended from the stage and approached him.
"It's already ten o'clock, dude. The session's over."
The man glanced at his watch and realized. "Oh, right. Are you really just going to leave?"
Serena grabbed her coat, covering her exposed body that was barely concealed by strips of cloth. She had to stop working like this-she needed to find a new, more respectable place soon.
"Yeah, Patrick. See you around."
"Serena, you know? You could do better than this."
Serena gave him a faint smile before stepping outside, feeling empty inside.
Broadway was still busy and bustling. Everyone seemed to be living their lives without a care, while Serena could only bow her head, feeling her whole body ache for the sake of a hundred dollars.
Serena exhaled and looked up at a huge billboard showing a video of a handsome man with a stern face and lazy hazel eyes gazing into the camera. Serena's lips curled into a slight smile.
It was the wealthy Edgar Graham. Everyone in New York knew who he was. Like Gucci or Hermes, Graham was the man who built the major fashion brand called The Lux. That brand was where Serena's aspirations had first begun.
She had to learn modeling to land a good agency and work for Graham.
Her phone rang in her pocket. Serena quickly answered when she saw the name on the screen. Her smile broadened.
"Hello, sir! Do you have good news?"
"Oh, of course, my dear. You've been accepted for a one-week trial shoot here. Can you come tomorrow?"
Serena's eyes widened in awe at the news. She almost jumped in excitement.
"Re-really, sir? Oh, thank you! Of course I can come! Tomorrow morning?"
"Yes, glad to hear you're so eager."
"Thank you, sir. I'll be there tomorrow!"
After hanging up, Serena's chest swelled with happiness. She felt like the happiest person on Broadway.
*
"What? They still haven't sent the model?"
"Yes, sir... sorry, but we've contacted the agency, and there's no answer."
"Damn it." Edgar Graham grabbed his phone and coldly spoke to someone on the other end.
"Get the car ready and bring some people for Michael."
After the terse command, no one dared to raise their heads or argue. Edgar walked out of his office, followed by a line of assistants and workers who worshipped him like a king. He slipped his hand into his pocket and gazed at all the workers waiting.
"I'm sick of these incompetent agencies. Open up the registration for all candidates. I'll choose the model myself."
That statement shocked everyone.
"But sir, what about Samantha? Isn't she supposed to be the main model for this winter project?"
Edgar looked indifferent. "Samantha needs a break. She's been working for almost a year-"
"Who said that?" a voice interrupted, and everyone turned to the source. A tall, slim woman with long hair walked confidently toward them. Edgar turned away, trying to avoid the protesting gaze of Samantha.
As a senior model, Samantha worked outside agencies. She had become an independent model with several managers handling client requests. Samantha's name as a judge on modeling shows had also boosted her fame. For the company, Samantha was a major asset, helping to drive sales even higher.
"Edgar," Samantha called him by his first name, glaring at him. "We need to talk."
Samantha quickly dragged him into a nearby room and shut the door. Edgar stood with his back to the woman, indifferent.
"I don't have much time, Samantha-"
Samantha stood on her toes and pulled Edgar in for a kiss. Edgar clenched his eyes shut, pushing Samantha's shoulders, but she held on. She finally broke the kiss and looked at him in frustration.
"Why is it so hard for you to just love me, Edgar?"
Edgar sighed and stepped back, gazing at the slim, blonde-haired, green-eyed woman for a moment. "I'm polite to you because you're a senior model, Sam. I'll fire you if you try that again."
"Then don't stop me! I still want to work for you!" Sam shouted as Edgar turned in frustration.
This was all his mother's fault. That stupid arranged marriage brought up because of business. Everything had become so complicated, and Edgar hated being dragged into such pointless matters.
"I only care about The Lux, Sam. You know that. If you still want to work, then work. But I will still find a new model for the next project."
"This is so unfair, Edgar! You want to fire me because of our parents' arranged marriage, don't you?"
"Yes." Edgar replied quickly and coldly. Glancing out of the corner of his eye, the woman looked distressed and desperate. "I won't marry a model, Sam. I'm sorry."
With that, Edgar stepped out and waved toward his assistant in the corner. The assistant nodded and issued commands as coldly as Edgar strode out of the office.
"Get the car ready; the boss is leaving."
*
The modeling agency was quite large, having produced several famous models. Serena entered the building, feeling a little awkward when she noticed there was no receptionist at the lobby desk.
The door behind the desk opened, and a middle-aged man in formal attire smiled broadly.
"Oh, you must be Miss Bloom?"
Serena nodded. "That's right. And you are...?"
"Alex." He approached and shook Serena's hand with a firm grip. "Come on in."
The man guided Serena through a narrow hallway to a small meeting room. When she saw how shabby the room was, Serena hesitated.
"Um, sir, where are the other models?"
The door locked behind her. Serena froze when she turned around and saw the man's face had grown cold and serious. His eyes landed on Serena's chest, hunger filling his gaze. Instantly, her blood ran cold.
"They all left and called me a fraud. Damn sluts. Will you think the same?"
Serena's eyes widened as the man grabbed her shirt and tore it.
"What are you doing?!" Serena screamed. She was a sex worker, but never had she been treated like this. She struggled to break free, kicking whatever she could reach, but she was trapped in Alex's grip.
"Do you want me to force you? You'll be just like those runaway models, you whore."
Alex's lips closed in, and Serena screamed, kicking him hard in the groin. He groaned and collapsed to the floor.
Using what little strength she had left, Serena scrambled toward the door. Her legs felt like jelly, her breath labored, and her vision blurred with tears. How had she ended up in such a situation? Serena often satisfied clients, but she had never been threatened like this.
Dear God...
Her fingers trembled as she tried to unlock the door. Just as she was about to bolt out of the room, she landed in the arms of someone standing behind it.
"Oh my God!" exclaimed the man. Serena fell to the floor, and she saw Alex lunging at her from behind, knocking her to the ground. Serena screamed, grabbing Alex's face and holding him off with all her might-luckily, before Alex could force himself brutally onto her, the man who had collided with her at the door pulled Alex off and shoved him to the ground.
Another man grabbed Alex's collar and punched him hard. Blood splattered onto the floor, and Serena gasped. Tears welled up, and without realizing it, her whole body shook as she looked up.
Those hazel eyes pierced her with a mix of confusion and concern. Serena tried to get up, but the man grabbed her arm again.
"Let me go!" Serena cried, trying to pull herself free.
"Ben," said the man to the one still beating Alex senseless. Serena tugged on her arm, but the man locked her in place. Her energy was almost drained from fighting off that pervert.
In Ben's grasp, Alex was barely conscious. His eyes were closing, blood pouring from his eyes, nose, and the corner of his mouth. He looked half-dead, but the threat haunted Serena to the point where she broke into sobs.
"Sir?" Ben turned and looked at Alex for a moment before releasing him. Serena tried to break free, but the grip of the man called 'sir' didn't loosen.
"Take her," he said flatly. Serena's eyes widened as she stared at the green-eyed man.
"What are you going to do?! Let me go! Let me go!" Serena struggled as she was passed into Ben's much stronger hold. Her body was lifted onto his shoulder, and Serena shook even harder, hoping she could free herself. But no matter how hard she fought, it was useless-Ben, Edgar Graham's bodyguard, had her locked in his grasp.
*
Serena's breath hitched. She sat on a plush sofa, placed in a large office on the outskirts of the city. Her eyes were locked on the hazel-eyed man, who had already removed his jacket. He rolled up the sleeves of his black shirt and leaned against the door. The door was locked, and Serena knew that Ben was likely waiting outside.
"What do you want?" Serena asked, resigned, desperate, and exhausted. She didn't know why this well-dressed, beautiful-eyed man had shown up at Alex's place just as she was trying to escape. He could be one of Alex's friends... but if that were the case, why did Ben beat Alex up?
Serena's mind felt overwhelmed; she couldn't think straight after what had just happened.
"Are you the model Alex was supposed to send to me?" the man asked coldly.
"What?"
The man approached, grabbing Serena's chin and forcing her to look up. Serena retaliated, gripping his wrist.
"Let go-"
The man's fingers pressed into her cheekbones, making Serena wince.
"Answer me, or I won't let you speak."
"I don't know what you're talking about, you bastard!" Serena pushed the man's hand away with all her strength, succeeding.
The man's green eyes flashed slightly. "Why did you run away from Alex's place?"
Serena narrowed her eyes. "Why did I run away? That bastard almost raped me! You think... you think I wouldn't run if I met a man like that?"
"Alex said you worked at a club. You should be grateful he accepted you-"
"Screw that! Alex deceived me! That wasn't a modeling agency, it was a cage for his own pleasure! Why do you believe Alex, for crying out loud?" Serena's breath quickened. She didn't understand why this man was suddenly defending Alex, especially after having just beaten him up.
"Alex is the head director of that modeling agency. Even though it's small, I recruit many new models from there for my clothing line."
"Your clothing line?" Serena frowned, suddenly piecing things together. Her eyes scanned the photos and decor around the room. Everything had the logo 'The Lux' written in elegant typography.
Serena's eyes widened. "You... Edgar Graham?" Her voice trembled as she said it, but she forced herself to be brave.
Edgar stepped closer, his sharp gaze unwavering. "Because of you, my entire division has to redo the model selection process. Do you think I'll let you go just like that?"
Serena's throat tightened. She stared at Edgar, panic creeping over her face. "What are you going to do?"
"Alex kept me waiting too long; I have no mercy for him. But you..." Edgar's eyes trailed down Serena's neck and body. "You will work for me."
Amelia Miller, a simple woman who was supposed to marry Ethan Blackwell-the CEO of the renowned Blackwell fashion brand-was instead left at the altar with nothing but a letter of apology. Humiliated by the failed wedding, Amelia tried to call Ethan, but all access to him was cut off, and it was as if he had vanished in a single day. Their two-year relationship crumbled into a massive question mark. But what shocked her even more was when she found a picture of Ethan looking intimate with another woman.
Amara Reyes' trauma resurfaced when she met Sebastian Cole, a mafia who had saved her from an attack at Lady Lilie's art exhibition. During the attack, the exhibition lights went out, and someone pulled her from the darkness. Amara panicked, thinking she was being kidnapped again, but it turned out to be Cole who had saved her. Amara thanked him but left immediately because she felt uncomfortable being near Cole. However, when Cole held her back and asked, "Where have you been?" Amara ran away. She found Cole strange for suddenly asking such a question, unaware that Cole had finally found his wife who had been missing for almost three months since that fateful night.
Eveline Amber finds herself in dire straits after she accepts a fake marriage contract with Nolan Wellington. With just a bank check promised by her high school friend Nolan, Eve agrees, thinking that the money from this job will be enough to bail out her father who is in prison. Unfortunately, it's not as simple as that. Eve gets involved in a scandal with Danny-Nolan's philandering brother-and meets Lizette, who both want to seize the Wellington family's sacred will. As an aristocratic family of the '70s, the family's complicated conflicts leave Eve trapped in a choice that is not favorable at all. Especially when Nolan's father finds out that Eveline's mother is a former stripper with whom he had an affair. This problem is compounded by the fact that Nolan was tricked into paying off his father's debts through the will. Both Nolan and Eve's lives are in big trouble. Especially when Nolan starts to secretly fall in love with Eve.
"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?
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?"
June Rivera was divorced by her husband after three years of marriage because he wanted to be with her sister who was pregnant for him. Kicked to the curb with a divorce and rejected by her parents,she struggles to make ends meet and get a job until she saves Luis Ambrose from an accident - the only child of Rafael Ambrose, a widowed man and the CEO of Ambrose Corporation. When little Luis asks to have her as a nanny, and Rafael's mother pressures him to get married, they draw a contract. To be Luis's nanny and his fake wife for one year in exchange for 50 million dollars!
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
For three years, Shane and Yvonne were wed, sharing heated nights, while his devotion clung to his ex. Yvonne strove to be a dutiful wife, yet their marriage felt hollow, built on desire rather than real warmth. All changed when she became pregnant, only for Shane to thrust her onto the operating table, warning, “Either you or the baby survives!” Broken by his cruelty, she vanished in grief and later returned, radiantly accomplished, leaving everyone awestruck. Haunted by remorse, Shane begged for another chance, but Yvonne only smiled and replied, “I’m sorry, men no longer interest me.”
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."