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...
In a private club suite, there were about seven or eight men, each with one or two attractive women in revealing clothes clinging to them. The room was thick with the smell of cigars and cigarettes, and countless bottles were scattered across the tables, creating a scene of indulgent decadence.
At the center was Stellan, lounging back on the sofa. He pulled a woman in a short skirt onto his lap, unapologetically running his hands along her legs as she leaned closer to him.
"Stellan, shouldn't you be comforting that fiancée of yours right about now?" one of the men sneered.
The woman on Stellan lap pouted and tapped his chest, "Oh, so you've got a girlfriend and you're still here fooling around? You're so bad..."
Stellan looked utterly unbothered, even pleased. Grinning, he took hold of her chin. "We broke up," he said. The girl looked surprised, then giggled, pressing her lips against his in a kiss that quickly turned passionate. The others barely paid them any mind, long used to this kind of behavior from Stellan. They went back to their drinking and card games.
As Stellan and the girl were getting more intimate, there was a knock at the door. A waiter's voice came through: "Excuse me, Mr. Hawthorne. There's a young woman outside who says she's your fiancée and insists she has urgent business with you."
Stellan frowned, clearly annoyed at being interrupted. "Fiancée? I already told her it's over-can't she take a hint? Pathetic."
Outside the suite, Lena stood, fists clenched, trembling slightly. She pushed past the door and entered the suite, her presence casting a cold silence over the room. Everyone stopped what they were doing, looking at her with a mix of amusement and anticipation. The waiter hesitated, unsure if he should try to intervene.
Taking a deep breath, Lena walked straight up to Stellan.
The woman on his lap glanced at her, then casually slipped off his lap, adjusting her clothes and settling herself next to him. Stellan leaned back lazily, eyeing Lena with faint interest. She looked good, he thought-pretty face, nice body. What a waste...
Forcing down her discomfort, Lena lowered her voice. "Can we talk, Stellan?"
He raised an eyebrow, feigning indifference.
They'd met three years ago, introduced by their families. Though she wasn't interested in dating, her family had praised him, saying he was a great match, and Stellan had pursued her fervently. Eventually, she agreed to give it a try. But almost overnight, things between them turned cold, as if they'd become less than strangers.
Steeling herself, Lena tried again, adopting a softer tone. "Stellan, considering the time we were together..."
"We're long over, Lena. Get it straight." His voice was cold, cutting her off.
Lena twisted her fingers, struggling to keep her composure. "I'm not here to cling to you. I just hoped you might help me."
Stellan let out a mocking laugh. "Help you? Everyone knows your family's drowning in debt. Why should I help you? How would you pay me back?"
"Consider all the business my family brought to yours..."
"Don't make me laugh. Your father squeezed every last cent out of us on those construction deals. After all this time, I haven't gained a damn thing from being with you. Now, just because you're broke, I'm supposed to do you a favor? You're a joke."
Lena's face turned pale. She'd had no idea about any of this. Her family dealt in real estate, while Stellan's supplied construction materials, so she'd assumed he'd profited handsomely from their partnership.
Swallowing her pride, she reminded herself why she'd come. She could feel everyone's eyes on her, watching her humiliation with relish, as if her blood was turning cold.
Stellan looked at her with pure contempt. "If I'd known you were adopted, I wouldn't have wasted my time. You lied to me. And now your own family doesn't even want you."
That hit Lena hard. She remembered her parents telling her she was no different from their biological daughter, that she didn't need to explain her adoption to anyone. Then, suddenly, they and her brother had disappeared, leaving her to fend for herself as the family business crumbled. But she still believed they had their reasons, that if she could just hold out a little longer, they'd return for her. Her fists clenched tightly at her sides.
"Come on, Stellan," one of the men said with a sly grin. "She came all this way-why not give her a chance to show her gratitude?"
As if struck by inspiration, Stellan's gaze roamed over Lena, his tongue pressing against his cheek in thought.
His stare was so overt it felt like she was being stripped bare.
"If you entertain me, maybe I'll think about it," he said, sitting back with his legs apart, the invitation clear. He picked up a cigarette, waiting for her to make a move.
Lena bit her lip, then let go. Her long lashes trembled. She picked up the lighter on the table, kneeling on the couch beside him, where the other woman's warmth still lingered.
Someone behind them whistled, adding to the twisted mood. Stellan smirked, clearly enjoying himself. Relaxed, he waited as Lena lit his cigarette. He took a long drag, exhaling the smoke in her face. Look at her, he thought-the girl who once acted so high and mighty, now groveling at his feet...
Lena closed her eyes briefly, took a deep breath, and moved her slender hand toward his face, but then paused, lowering it again.
"What's wrong? Want help but don't want to lower yourself? Trying to play the chaste woman now?" he taunted, enjoying her struggle.
The internal conflict tore at her, with Stellan's disdainful stare fueling her frustration. She pulled her knee off the couch, standing straighter. "I'm done with this game."
"What's that? Not interested in the money?" he said, grabbing her wrist.
Lena yanked it free, red marks left on her skin. "Not anymore."
Stellan gave a careless shrug. "Fine, but don't come crawling back to me later."
Lena turned her face away, murmuring under her breath, "I should've just thrown those three years in the trash."
The others exchanged looks, disappointed that there wouldn't be a more entertaining show. Suddenly, the drinks and the girls by their sides seemed less exciting.
One of Stellan's lackeys leaned in, asking, "Want us to bring her back?"
Stellan sneered, waving him off. "Nah, I've got other plans." He tapped his lips, as if savoring a new, twisted idea.
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?」
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 her previous life, Kimberly endured the betrayal of her husband, the cruel machinations of an evil woman, and the endless tyranny of her in-laws. It culminated in the bankruptcy of her family, and ultimately, her death. After being reborn, she resolved to seek retribution against those who had wronged her, and ensure her family's prosperity. To her shock, the most unattainable man from her past suddenly set his sights on her. "You may have overlooked me before, but I shall capture your heart this time around."
Anabel found out she was pregnant and dialed her husband's number to share the good news to him. They have been married for two years without a child. Desmond's mother had been accusing her of being barren and unproductive. When the call was picked, she was flabbergasted and broken. She was hearing a loud moan of feminine voice. "Ohh! Yeah! Don't stop fucking me! Fuck me harder baby!" accompanied with sound of skins slapping against the other. She went home to confront her husband and end up receiving a divorce paper. Desmond divorced him for a lady his mother was rooting. Few months later when he found out that his ex-wife is a billionaire heiress and she is pregnant with twins, he went crazy!
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.
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
"Love is blind!" Lucinda abandoned her beautiful and comfortable life because of a man. She married him and slaved off for him for three long years. One day, the scales finally fell off her eyes. She realized that all her efforts were in vain. Her husband, Nathaniel still treated her like shit. All he cared about was his lover. "Enough is enough! I quit wasting my years with an ungrateful man!" Lucinda's heart was shattered into many pieces, but she summoned up the courage to ask for a divorce. The news caused a stir online! A filthy rich young woman recently got divorced? She was a good catch! Countless CEOs and handsome young men immediately swarmed to her like bees to honey! Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He held a press conference and begged with teary eyes, "I love you, Lucinda. I can't live without you. Please come back to me." Would Lucinda give him a second chance? Read to find out!
"I, Erika Blackwood, stand before you, Alexander Robertson, with a heavy heart. I hereby reject you as my mate. The bond we once shared has grown fragile, and my soul yearns for a different path. May you find solace in the love of another, and may we both find the happiness we seek." Alexander didn't say a word and looked at me. But he refused to accept. *********** Erika Blackwood is the next Alpha in line of the Ironclaw Pack. She hides her identity and gets mated to the Alpha of the Moonforest Pack, Alexander Robertson. Three years passed, but Alexander is still unwilling to let go of his childhood sweetheart. Erika is mistreated and eventually framed by the same childhood sweetheart. Now she leaves with that humiliation, and goes back to her pack, swearing vengeance on those who hurt her. They all waited for her to return and beg, but what happens when they realize that the famous Ironclaw Pack that was going to help in the rogue war, was ruled by a woman named, Erika Blackwood. Now her Ex mates want her back. Other Alphas want this woman.. But will she accept any of them? Or will she stay independent forever?...