At her own engagement party, she was betrayed by her best friend, making her a laughingstock in front of everyone. With no other choice, and being a person with pride, she couldn't just walk away humiliated. So, she impulsively grabbed someone to salvage the situation. Unexpectedly, the man she happened to pull was none other than the cold and fearsome CEO of RS, someone everyone dreads to cross paths with. But she wasn't the innocent, defenseless white lotus people saw on the surface. Just wait and see-who would prove to be stronger!
On the giant LED screen, a man and a woman were entwined in passionate intimacy, with not a thread of clothing between them.
Through the high-definition surround sound, ecstatic moans echoed as if they were reaching cloud nine.
In a standard woman-on-top position, the bare back of the woman showcased her flawless, soft, ivory skin.
The man's hand rested on the woman's soft chest, making her let out a sound. He then flipped her over, pinning her beneath him. Their faces appeared in full view in front of the crowd.
Lyra Thorne stood in shock, staring at the screen, feeling as though a sharp knife had pierced through her heart, leaving her numb with pain.
The naked couple on the screen was none other than her fiancé, Lucian, and her closest friend, Ivy Sutton.
Both were standing right beside her.
At this very moment, it was supposed to be Lyra and Lucian Donovan's engagement party.
Moments ago, the screen had been showing a slideshow of her and Lucian's childhood photos, narrated by the emcee's sentimental commentary. Only a dozen photos had played, starting from when Lyra was three and Lucian seven, and before it even reached her at ten, the slideshow abruptly turned into an explicit video.
"Aah!" A piercing scream sounded, and Ivy, who had been standing beside Lyra, threw herself into Lucian's arms a few steps away.
If anyone hadn't seen the video clearly before, it became evident now, as Lyra stood alone while Lucian held another woman close.
The guests erupted in whispers.
"What's going on? Isn't that woman Lyra's best friend?"
"Yes, has Miss Thorne been cheated on?"
"Oh, that woman's figure isn't bad at all! Quite impressive."
"What is the meaning of this?!" Nicolas Radcliffe roared in fury, rushing to stand in front of the large LED screen, but his height of barely over 1.7 meters was nothing against the colossal three-meter screen, rendering his attempt almost laughable.
Aaron Donovan's face had turned beet red, and he reacted faster than Nicolas, running to the broadcast room behind the screen to shut it down.
Ivy lowered her head, sobbing, and looked sorrowfully at Lyra, "Lyra, didn't you promise not to pursue this anymore? I promised you, after your engagement, I would leave Lucian and this city, so why? Why would you make this public? Do you really want to force me to my death?"
Lucian, who had been a bit bewildered by Ivy's sudden embrace, looked at her in shock after hearing these words, supporting her as he asked, "Ivy, what are you saying? Lyra forced you to leave? Forced you to die?"
Lyra's ears were ringing with a metallic hum, drowning out everything around her. She looked dazedly at Lucian. They had been promised to each other since before they were born; she had known all her life that Lucian was the man she was destined to marry.
How long had he and Ivy been together?
When had she ever agreed not to pursue Ivy?
What on earth was happening here? What were they saying?
"Lyra, how could you be so cruel as to trap even your fiancé and best friend!" Lucian's sister, Rose, shoved Lyra's shoulder.
Lyra staggered backward, unprepared, landing beside Nicolas.
Nicolas's face was livid. He raised his hand and slapped her, "You disgrace! Look at what you've done! You've humiliated both of our families!"
Lyra, still unsteady, fell to the ground from the force of the slap.
Lucian, alarmed, moved to help her, but Ivy clung tightly to his arm.
From her position on the ground, Lyra caught a glimpse of Ivy's triumphant expression.
"Oh, Mr. Radcliffe, how could you strike her like that? Lyra, get up." A pair of hands helped Lyra to her feet.
Aaron sighed, "Lyra, don't blame your father for being angry. What you did was truly out of line."
Mrs. Demi Donovan, meanwhile, pointed at Ivy, "Where did you come from, you hussy? Surely you seduced Lucian. Get out of my sight! I won't allow you into my family."
Ivy shrank behind Lucian in fear.
Lucian stood protectively in front of Ivy. "Mother, don't blame Ivy. Lyra, Ivy is your best friend; you can't force her to such desperate measures!"
Supported by Aaron, Lyra finally steadied herself, a single tear slipping down her cheek. She lifted her gaze to look at Lucian, the man she had loved since childhood, only to find him suddenly unfamiliar.
That's right! Ivy was her best friend. He knew Ivy was her best friend, yet they had both betrayed her and were now blaming her for it?
"Lyra, who knew you were such a double-dealer? Brother, how could you even consider marrying someone like her? Who knows if she wouldn't try to ruin you once married!" Rose sneered, glancing at Lyra as she spoke to Lucian.
Rose Donovan and Lyra had been classmates in high school. Rose had never liked Lyra and had always teamed up with Christina to bully her. The idea that Lyra might become her sister-in-law was something she deeply resented.
"Shut up!" Demi Donovan snapped at her daughter. "Lyra is a proper young lady from the Thorne family. Who does that hussy think she is? Does she have Lyra's pedigree? The Donovans will never accept a daughter-in-law with no status!"
Mrs. Demi Donovan may not have been fond of Lyra, but she valued her background and family wealth. Marrying Lyra would benefit her son's future immensely, and among all the elite families, none was a better match than Lyra. Additionally, despite Lyra's high status, she was gentle and easy to manipulate.
Thus, Mrs. Donovan immediately staked her claim. Lyra was not someone the Donovans could afford to lose as a daughter-in-law.
A moment ago, Lyra had been grateful that her future mother-in-law was standing up for her, only to realize she had ulterior motives.
"That's right! Sister, you're the eldest daughter of the Thorne family. Don't you care about the reputation of the Thornes, the Radcliffes, and the Donovans?" Christina feigned an expression of pain.
"Lyra, you have truly disappointed your father. You've hurt him terribly." Mrs. Isabelle Radcliffe's soft voice carried a tone of sorrow.
The mother and daughter's words made Nicolas and Aaron's expressions even darker. This daughter was utterly clueless! Family matters should never be aired publicly!
Lyra glanced around at those nearby. Her father, Nicolas, wore a look of fury.
Her stepmother, Isabelle Radcliffe, and her sister, Christina, seemed delighted at her misfortune.
Her future father-in-law, Aaron, was sighing in resignation.
Her future mother-in-law, Mrs. Demi Donovan, looked embarrassed. Her future sister-in-law, Rose, was glaring at her with resentment. And her fiancé, Lucian, was at a complete loss, holding that delicate, pitiful woman in his arms-her best friend, Ivy.
The people here were supposed to be her whole world.
Otis and Mei had known each other since college but broke up before graduating. Both of them ran off to places thousands of miles apart, thinking they would never cross paths again. Yet, fate had other plans, and they ended up becoming roommates. The moment Otis pushed the door open and saw Mei sitting on the sofa, he froze. "You look like my ex-girlfriend." Mei immediately jumped up, stomping her foot in frustration. "I am your ex-girlfriend!!!"
1. Ophelia always believed she would be with Finnian. At the age of eight, they became step-siblings and faced the hardest times of their lives together. Finnian once promised, "Ophelia, wait for me to succeed, and I will marry you." But on her birthday, he publicly announced his relationship with the famous actress, Eamon. 2. The man she had waited for all these years found someone new, while her family's business teetered on the edge of bankruptcy. Ophelia stood amidst the storm-not only were there those waiting to see her fail, but others with malicious intentions biding their time to strike. But what everyone expected didn't happen. Instead of succumbing to despair, Ophelia stunned everyone by organizing a grand wedding that shook Selista. The Radcliffe family, the most prestigious family in Dolasiats, hosted an extravagant wedding in Selista for their beloved daughter-in-law and sole heir, Logan. In an instant, Selista became the gathering spot for more than half of Dolasiats' elites. No one could figure out which lady from Selista had such incredible fortune. When Ophelia appeared in a pristine, dazzling white wedding gown that captivated every gaze, the entire audience was stunned. Finnian, attending the wedding, dropped the wine glass he was holding. It shattered to pieces on the ground. 3. Ophelia knew full well that this marriage was not stable; it was merely a transaction of benefits and could end with each going their separate ways. But Logan had given her so much. After registering their marriage, she gradually made concessions, fulfilling his every demand. From moving in under the same roof, to sharing the same bedroom, and then... Each night, he was possessive, indulgent. She could no longer endure it. Her eyes turned red, and she trembled as she protested, "Can you restrain yourself a little?" The man leaned down, kissed her damp hair, and in a husky voice coaxed her gently at her ear, "Be good and call me husband*."
Once, there was a kind-hearted young girl who saved the life of a little beggar boy. Amid hunger, bitter cold, and the overwhelming sense of despair, the girl drove away a pack of stray dogs that threatened the boy and gave him a box of chocolates she loved dearly. This simple act planted a seed that would blossom sixteen years later. The boy, now grown, returned to find the girl who had once saved him, silently protecting her in the guise of a naive, seemingly useless husband.
Calista Whitaker and Dorian Blackwood were childhood sweethearts, engaged for a long time. But just when the crucial moment approached, an unexpected twist occurred- On the day of the engagement, Dorian's affair was unexpectedly exposed. While the marriage alliance between the two families hung in the balance, a weary yet striking man appeared, his gaze both proud and leisurely, skimming over their clasped hands. Alpha Zephyr introduced him flamboyantly as another son of his. Despite his youth, he had already taken control early on and now held the lifeblood of the Blue Moon pack in his hands. As Dorian scrambled for an opportunity to explain, news of the broken engagement spread across the city, yet no one knew that Eamon Blackwood had secretly arranged a meeting with Calista. The man casually tossed her a tempting proposition: "Miss Whitaker, would you mind if the groom were to change?" -Would you like to turn this half-baked victory into a guaranteed triumph and become my accomplice?
Michael William was praised by everyone as the most powerful Lycan King. However, with his extraordinary appearance and talents, he could not avoid the sympathy and suspicion from others. He was not only adept at ruling but also possessed a cold, ruthless, and cruel nature when necessary. Due to a misunderstanding, he once decided to kidnap Zoey Anderson, a weak and delicate maiden in the palace. Although she always tried to escape from his grasp and endured torture, her life became more tragic than ever under such a cruel ruler. But despite the suffering and abuse, there was something strange-why did her presence touch the heart of anyone, even just a little, causing them pain? While the falling petals had meaning, the compassionate heart of a powerful king was shattered by her. So, could his heart ever be mended after all of this?
After three years, Natalie and Nicolas divorced, and the entire Venom mocked her for being abandoned by her wealthy husband. Six years later, Natalie returned to her country with her twin children, transforming herself into an internationally renowned miracle doctor. Countless admirers pursued her, wanting to marry her. Admirer number one: "Miss Richart, do your little ones need a father? What do you think of me? If you agree, I will definitely treat them as my own." Admirer number two: "Dr. Richart, from the first moment I saw you, I was captivated by your beauty and talent. I vow to love you with all my heart for the rest of my life. CEO William didn't value you because he was blind, but I will never leave or abandon you!"
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"
Jennifer Bennett, the rightful heiress to the Bennett legacy, fought hard for her family's recognition, only to be eclipsed by an impostor. Faced with false accusations, bullying, and public humiliation, Jennifer eventually gave up trying to win their approval. Vowing to rise above the injustice, she became the bane of those who wronged her. The Bennett family's efforts to break her only fueled her success, leading her to heights her rivals could only dream of. Someone asked, "Do you feel let down by your parents?" With a calm smile, Jennifer said, "It doesn't matter. In the end, power prevails."
Everyone was shocked to the bones when the news of Rupert Benton's engagement broke out. It was surprising because the lucky girl was said to be a plain Jane, who grew up in the countryside and had nothing to her name. One evening, she showed up at a banquet, stunning everyone present. "Wow, she's so beautiful!" All the men drooled, and the women got so jealous. What they didn't know was that this so-called country girl was actually an heiress to a billion-dollar empire. It wasn't long before her secrets came to light one after the other. The elites couldn't stop talking about her. "Holy smokes! So, her father is the richest man in the world?" "She's also that excellent, but mysterious designer who many people adore! Who would have guessed?" Nonetheless, people thought that Rupert didn't love her. But they were in for another surprise. Rupert released a statement, silencing all the naysayers. "I'm very much in love with my beautiful fiancee. We will be getting married soon." Two questions were on everyone's minds: "Why did she hide her identity? And why was Rupert in love with her all of a sudden?"
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?"
After three years of loveless marriage, Kira was slapped with divorce papers. She has shown him her unrequited love throughout her entire marriage with him, but he decided to turn blind eyes all because of his lover. Distraught and heartbroken, Kira choose to sign the divorce papers with bitter heart. But then and there, she promised herself that when she's back, he will come crawling to her, but she will make him pay for hurting her. Join Kira as she transform to a wealthy heiress and soared as the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar empire, a remarkable healer and make her ex-husband pay!
For three years, Jessica endured a loveless marriage while her husband pretended to be impotent. His lies unraveled when a pregnant mistress surfaced. After six months of secretly collecting proof, Jessica threw him out and built her own billion-dollar empire. After the divorce, she transformed into an irresistible figure, attracting admirers. As she left her office one day, she met Kevan, her ex-husband's brother. He stepped in, confronting her. "Was I just a tool to you?" Jessica's lips curled into a calm smile. "How much compensation do you want?" Kevan's voice softened. "All I want is you."