Sofia Levine married a man she had known for less than 24 hours. The marriage was the result of an agreement between their grandfathers. At first, her half-sister even tried to take her place in the marriage, after all, Rome Beckett was the sole heir of a wealthy family. With his good looks, he was the object of many women's affections in the city. Rumor had it that Rome Beckett was cold and aloof, and many were waiting to see Sofia become the laughingstock of the high society as a discarded wife. After the wedding, they treated each other with respect, and Sofia believed that, in time, there might be a little love between them. That is, until one day, she overheard him casually talking to a friend, saying, "It's nothing more than fulfilling the familys' wishes." It was a business marriage from the start, and she had developed feelings she shouldn't have. She quickly moved out of that home. In the pouring rain, the once-proud man, humbled by love, held her hand with trembling fingers. "Let's go home, please?" The male lead, from indifference to deep devotion.
In the Levine Mansion
Around noon, the bright sunlight poured in through the windows, casting a warm glow on a young girl sitting at her desk, deep in concentration.
Sofia was in her room, immersed in reading reference books on archaeological artifacts. Just as she was getting lost in her studies, she heard the faint sound of servants walking back and forth outside the door.
She put down her book, curiosity piqued, and cracked the door open to peek outside.
Downstairs in the living room, her father, Mr Robert Levine, stood impeccably dressed in formal attire, as if preparing to welcome an important guest. Turning his head to the left, he spoke in a voice that was both authoritative and slightly impatient, "Hurry up, the old man from the Beckett family will be here soon."
The sound of approaching high heels grew louder. "On such an important day, of course I had to make sure Ruby looks beautiful. Just look at her." The voice, unmistakably, belonged to Sofia's stepmother, Anna. Standing beside her was a young girl, slightly younger than Sofia-her half-sister, Ruby.
Mr Levine glanced at his daughter's outfit, approving of her appropriate appearance.
Today, Ruby was wearing a cream-colored satin mid-length dress, paired with a black tweed jacket lined with gold threads. Her shoulder-length wavy hair added to the mature look, though she complained, "Mom, this dress isn't my style at all. It's so old-fashioned."
Anna patted her shoulder gently, soothing her with a soft voice, "Just bear with it. We're meeting elders today. Trust me, dressing conservatively is the right choice."
Ruby pouted but had no choice but to comply.
A handsome, striking face flashed through her mind. It had been six months since she last saw him. How was he doing now? Her earlier displeasure quickly disappeared at the thought.
Mr Levine nervously inspected the house, making sure everything was in order. He caught sight of Sofia looking around and cleared his throat. "Sofia, remember what I told you-don't come out of your room today."
Sofia nodded silently and withdrew her head back into the room. Before she could close the door, she heard Ruby let out a mocking snicker.
Her father had reminded her multiple times not to leave her room today, no matter what she heard. Lunch would be brought to her by the servants.
Sofia sat quietly in her room, gazing out the window. This house had ceased to be her home ever since she was five.
That year, her mother had fallen gravely ill and passed away. In the midst of her grief, her once-responsible father brought Anna into the house, along with a two-year-old child.
In other words, even before her mother passed away, her father already had another family. While her mother lay on her deathbed, her father embraced another woman.
Because of this, Sofia had never believed in love or marriage. She intended to devote the rest of her life to artifact restoration.
Through her window, she saw a Rolls-Royce and a business car drive into the courtyard. After a quick glance, she returned to her reading.
Mr Levine and his family grew restless as soon as they saw the cars enter through the gate. They hurriedly went to the front door to greet their guest.
An elderly man with white hair stepped out of the car. His posture was straight, his weathered face showing signs of age, but his eyes gleamed with a sharp light, and his presence radiated authority.
Mr Levine strode forward with a flattering smile, extending his hand toward the old man. "Mr Beckett, welcome to our humble home. We should have been the ones to visit you, after all."
Mr Beckett extended his hand as well, but after a brief handshake, he quickly let go. "No need. I wanted to see where my future granddaughter-in-law has been living."
His gaze swept to the side, and Mr Levine quickly spoke up, taking the lead in introducing them. "This is my wife and daughter."
Anna gently pushed Ruby forward, and she gave Mr Beckett a polite bow.
Mr Beckett glanced at them briefly, his emotions unreadable-neither approving nor disapproving.
Sensing a subtle tension, Mr Levine forced a smile and quickly invited him into the living room. "Please, come this way."
They entered the mansion in a line, followed by Mr Beckett's bodyguards and assistants.
Only then did Ruby raise her head, her brow furrowed as she looked toward the parked cars, muttering to herself, "Rome didn't come?" Her tone was filled with disappointment.
Leaning over, Anna whispered a reminder to her daughter, "Watch what you say. Mr Beckett is still the head of their family. As long as he agrees, no one will oppose him. Do you understand?"
Since receiving the news a week ago that Mr Beckett would be visiting, Anna had repeatedly reminded her daughter hundreds of times how to behave gracefully, ensuring that she would appear as a worthy daughter-in-law.
Though the two families had a marriage agreement, how they presented themselves in public was of utmost importance.
It was also Anna's first time being so close to Mr Beckett. His sharp, eagle-like eyes sent chills down her spine.
One of the reasons Mr. Daniel Beckett commanded such respect was his rise from humble beginnings. He started a small import-export company with just a thousand dollars, and it had since grown into a vast business empire spanning oil, electricity, finance, and international trade. Even the relatively influential Levine family couldn't compete with his achievements.
They Keep It Cool in Public, But in Private... Chloe always knew how to keep things professional. In public, she and her boss, Fred, maintained a safe distance-no flirting, no kissing, no asking personal questions. Just a purely physical arrangement behind closed doors. But then, an intern showed up at the company, and suddenly, things started to feel... off.
Just two weeks after their wedding, Raphael left for the other side of the world on business. Two years later, when he returned, Grace barely recognized her own husband.      Everyone knew their marriage was nothing more than a business deal between two powerful families. To Grace, it was simply the last hurdle on her way to freedom. She barely knew her husband. All she really knew was that he was rigid, dull, and emotionally detached-like a financial machine. She figured he must find her just as insufferable-dramatic, and high-maintenance. When Grace placed the divorce papers in front of Raphael, stating that she wanted to end this loveless marriage, he merely looked at her, his gaze warm yet unreadable. He gently took her hand and murmured in a husky voice, half-smiling, 「Hmm? Did I not please you enough last night?」
Lena Carrington and Alaric Winfield have been rivals since childhood, always competing with each other-from school to adulthood. When Lena's family faces a financial crisis and her fiancé of three years heartlessly dumps her, all her old friends turn a blind eye, leaving her to fend for herself. One day, she runs into her ex-boyfriend, who's with his new girlfriend, eager to watch her hit rock bottom. Frustrated and unwilling to give in, she then bumps into Alaric, her lifelong adversary. "Beg me, and maybe I'll help you," he says, arms crossed, watching her with amusement. "I'd rather die than beg you. Keep dreaming." But later, she turns back. "Fine, help me! Name your terms." He gives a slight smile, "Deal." One night, she accidentally kisses him, and soon, she starts to notice that something about Alaric is changing...
My name is Katia, and I am just trying to survive until my fated mate arrives. Which may be easier said than done. Rejectection is the last straw. Whispering my acceptance of his rejection. I run through the pack house, out across the manicured lawn into the forest. "I'm sorry, my sweet girl," I say to my wolf. I'm sorry you have been stuck with me and have had to suffer everything I have. She whispers," it's not your fault, Katia. We came to a cliff with a waterfall. The hurt keeps pounding at me. I need it to stop. My sweet girl, and I just want peace, I keep running and leap off the cliff. Spreading my arms wide, with tears streaming down my face, I fall, not making a sound, waiting for sweet oblivion where we feel nothing ever again. "I love you, my sweet girl! Until we meet again, "My wolf replied just before we hit the water, "I love you too, Katia. I have never regretted a moment with you." The Snow Moon pack is having their last barbecue of the summer next to the waterfall on their land. The adults are laughing and joking while watching the pups play. The alpha, beta, and gamma are swimming with some of the older children and playing a game of Marco Polo. Someone yells, "Oh my goddess, someone just jumped over the waterfall!" Everyone is frozen as they watch what looks to be a child falling arms spread wide, no one makes a sound. The small body hits the water like a plane crashing into the side of a mountain. The alpha, beta, and gamma, spring into action, swimming towards the area the person went under. The alpha is screaming his wolf is going crazy repeating, "Find her. Find her...find her!" They dive and the beta surfaces with a small person in his arms. Alpha takes the girl from his beta, laying her on the ground. The men are shocked by what they see. She is covered in scars and injuries. Her body is twisted and broken. The Beta asks, "Who could have done this to someone so defenseless?" Alpha drops to his knees, repeating, "MATE...MATE...MATE!"
Natalie used to think she could melt Connor’s icy heart, but she was sorely mistaken. When at last she decided to leave, she discovered that she was pregnant. Even so, she chose to quietly leave his world, prompting Connor to mobilize all of his resources and expand his business to a global scale—all in a bid to find her. But there was no trace of Natalie. Connor slowly spiraled into madness, turning the city upside down and leaving chaos in his wake. Natalie finally surfaced years later, with wealth and power of her own, only to find herself entangled with Connor once again.
"You're my wife in name only, on paper only. My heart and love will never be yours." Edward made it clear to Daisy that she was nothing to him. They were both victims of family greed -- the marriage was arranged for them. Six years passed. She remained quiet, gaining a reputation in the army as a tough-as-nails colonel. When she walked into his life again, Edward fell in love with this woman, unlike any he had known. She surprised and delighted him. But will Daisy take him back? Can their son keep them together? Can the rift between them be healed? Pick this one up and find out!
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
Elin spent twenty years deeply loving her husband, finally marrying him just as she'd always dreamed. But reality shattered her illusions—he wasn't the man she believed. Instead, he callously destroyed her family, crushing her heart beyond repair. At her lowest point, Ruben, equally betrayed that night, approached her steadily. "Marry me, Elin. I'll help you take revenge." Yet, after their wedding, she quickly discovered he was dangerously unpredictable. "I made a mistake. Let's divorce..." Ruben slid his arm possessively around her waist, whispering a chilling promise, "Only in death."
Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter framed her, her fiancé ridiculed her, and her adoptive parents threw her out. They all wanted to see her fall. But Elena unveiled her true identity: the heiress of a massive fortune, famed hacker, top jewelry designer, secret author, and gifted doctor. Horrified by her glorious comeback, her adoptive parents demanded half her newfound wealth. Elena exposed their cruelty and refused. Her ex pleaded for a second chance, but she scoffed, “Do you think you deserve it?” Then a powerful magnate gently proposed, “Marry me?”