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Elena Monroe has always believed that ambition trumps emotion. As a rising star in the world of financial journalism, she's built her career uncovering the secrets of the wealthy elite-without ever getting too close. But when she's assigned to investigate Nicholas Hastings, the enigmatic billionaire known for his ruthless business tactics, her carefully constructed world begins to crumble. Nick Hastings doesn't let anyone into his life, and for good reason. His empire was built on grit, sacrifice, and an unshakable focus on success. Love? That's a distraction he can't afford. But Elena's sharp wit and fierce determination chip away at the walls he's built, leaving him questioning everything he thought he knew about power and control. As Elena delves deeper into Nick's world, she uncovers a dangerous secret-one that could either save him or destroy everything he's worked for. Torn between her duty to expose the truth and her growing feelings for the man behind the mask, Elena faces an impossible choice. In a world where money always comes first, can love find a way to rewrite the rules? Or will ambition and betrayal tear them apart forever?
It was a crisp November morning, the kind that carried a bite in the air sharp enough to make even New Yorkers hustle a little faster. Elena Monroe adjusted the scarf around her neck as she pushed through the revolving doors of the Empire Financial Times building. The familiar scent of coffee, paper, and ambition hit her as she stepped into the bustling lobby, the click of her heels swallowed by the hum of phones and murmured conversations.
The elevator dinged, and Elena slid inside, catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror-lined walls. Hazel eyes framed by thick lashes stared back, her hair twisted into a neat bun that screamed "professional." But professionalism was just a veneer; underneath it was a woman hungry for more. Today wasn't about her usual assignments-profiles on hedge fund managers or exposés on shell companies. No, today she was walking into the lion's den.
Her editor, Jack Greer, had sent her a cryptic email at 6:00 a.m.
Subject: Hastings. You're up.
She knew what that meant. Nicholas Hastings. The golden boy of Wall Street turned kingmaker. A man whose name was synonymous with power, control, and scandal.
Elena stepped off the elevator and made her way to Jack's glass-walled office. He was leaning back in his chair, a cigar he wasn't allowed to smoke clamped between his teeth. When he saw her, he waved her in without preamble.
"Elena, sit."
She dropped into the chair across from him, folding her arms. "Hastings? Really? Isn't he untouchable?"
Jack grinned, the kind of grin that made her stomach sink. "Nobody's untouchable. Not even him. We've got a tip. Something big. And you're the best we've got."
Elena arched a brow. "Flattery, Jack? What's the catch?"
"No catch." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk. "We've been hearing whispers. Shady deals, hostile takeovers, maybe worse. I want you to get close. Find out what he's hiding."
"And how exactly am I supposed to get close to someone like Hastings? He doesn't do interviews."
"That's why I hired you, kid. You're resourceful. You'll find a way."
Elena opened her mouth to protest but stopped herself. This was what she wanted-a chance to prove she could handle the big leagues. But Hastings wasn't just big; he was a storm, and anyone who got too close usually got swept away.
"Fine," she said, standing. "I'll take it. But don't expect miracles."
Jack smirked. "I never do."
Two days later, Elena found herself standing in the lobby of Hastings International, clutching a notepad she didn't need and wearing a blazer that suddenly felt too tight. The building was a monolith of steel and glass, towering over the city like a fortress.
She had managed to secure a meeting with his PR team under the guise of writing a feature on corporate innovation. It was a flimsy excuse, but it was enough to get her foot in the door.
A sleek-haired assistant escorted her to a conference room, all marble and chrome. "Mr. Hastings will be with you shortly," the assistant said before disappearing.
Elena took a seat, her heart beating faster than she liked. She hated waiting-it gave her too much time to think.
The door opened, and she looked up, expecting to see another assistant or perhaps a member of his team. Instead, Nicholas Hastings himself walked in.
He was taller than she'd expected, with broad shoulders that filled out his tailored suit perfectly. His dark hair was swept back, and his piercing blue eyes locked onto hers with a confidence that was almost unnerving.
"Elena Monroe," he said, his voice smooth and commanding. "I'm told you're here to talk about innovation."
For a moment, she couldn't find her voice. He wasn't just attractive; he was magnetic, the kind of man who could make you forget your own name if you weren't careful.
"Yes," she said, recovering quickly. "Thank you for taking the time. I wasn't expecting to meet you personally."
He sat across from her, his movements deliberate. "I don't usually. But your name came across my desk, and I was curious. You've made a reputation for yourself, Ms. Monroe."
Her pulse quickened. Did he already suspect something? "I like to think my work speaks for itself."
He smiled faintly, but it didn't reach his eyes. "It does. Which is why I'll make this brief. I'm not interested in fluff pieces, and I don't have time for nonsense. If you want to discuss innovation, we'll do so on my terms. Otherwise, you can leave now."
Elena's instincts flared. This wasn't just a power play-it was a test. "I don't do fluff, Mr. Hastings. If I did, I wouldn't be sitting here."
For the first time, his expression softened, just a fraction. "Fair enough. Let's begin."
The next hour was a verbal chess match. Elena probed with carefully crafted questions, trying to peel back the layers of the man sitting across from her. But Nick deflected with the ease of someone who had spent years under scrutiny. He was charming but guarded, revealing just enough to keep her interested without giving anything away.
When the meeting ended, she felt both exhilarated and frustrated. As she gathered her things, Nick stood, watching her with an intensity that made her pause.
"Ms. Monroe," he said, his voice low. "I have a feeling we'll be seeing each other again."
She met his gaze, refusing to back down. "I wouldn't bet against it."
As she walked out of the building, her mind raced. Nicholas Hastings wasn't just a story-he was a mystery. And if there was one thing Elena couldn't resist, it was uncovering the truth.
Dominic Blackthorn, the ruthless Alpha King of the Shadowmoon Territory, has always ruled with an iron fist. Beneath his cold exterior, however, lies a loneliness he dares not acknowledge. When a prophecy reveals that an omega is destined to either strengthen or shatter his reign, Dominic is forced to claim Rowan Ashwood a fierce, independent omega who refuses to bow to any alpha, let alone the man responsible for her deepest fears. Rowan has spent her life hiding from the rigid roles of her kind, vowing never to submit to an alpha's will. But when fate forces her into an unbreakable bond with Dominic, she's torn between the fiery chemistry between them and the crushing weight of the power he commands. As sparks fly and passions ignite, Rowan must confront a painful truth: she is not just an omega she is the key to the destruction or salvation of an entire pack. As Malachi Darkfang, a treacherous beta with ambitions of his own, plots to overthrow Dominic, Rowan must find her place in a world where love is as dangerous as power itself. Will she embrace her fate, or will her defiance tear them both apart?
Ava Sinclair thought she had buried her past. Five years after a whirlwind romance with billionaire playboy Julian Drake ended in heartbreak, she's built a quiet life for herself and her son, Ethan. Her bakery, Sweet Reverie, is her sanctuary until Julian strolls back into her life, unknowingly upending everything she's fought to protect. Julian has spent years chasing success, but the thrill of power and wealth has begun to feel hollow. When he runs into Ava, the woman he never truly forgot, he's determined to win her back. But what he doesn't know is that he left more than just a broken heart behind he left a son. As Julian and Ava are drawn back together, old wounds resurface, and secrets threaten to unravel. Complicating matters is Harold Kent, Ava's scheming landlord, whose sinister agenda could destroy everything Ava holds dear. With love, betrayal, and redemption on the line, Julian must prove he's more than the reckless billionaire Ava once knew. But can Ava trust him with her heart and their son's future?
Camille Jones has spent her life as the lowest-ranking member of the Moonfall Pack, quietly enduring the scorn of those who consider her weak. But everything changes when she discovers her fated mate: Joffrey Smith, the ruthless Alpha. Her heart soars with the hope of escape, of finally being seen and loved. Instead, he rejects her in front of the entire pack, shattering her dreams and leaving her broken. Determined to move on, Camille fights to reclaim her life, but the mate bond lingers, haunting them both. Joffrey may have rejected her, but he can't deny the pull that ties them together. As Camille's hidden powers begin to surface, she realizes her destiny might be far greater than she imagined. And Joffrey? He'll do anything to keep her under his control, even as he's forced to confront the one thing he fears most: losing her. In a world where fate is a double-edged sword, Camille must find her own strength or risk being trapped forever by the Alpha who rejected her. Can she turn her rejection into her greatest weapon, or will her heart lead her back into the arms of the man who betrayed her?
Lila Monroe has spent her life playing the game of wealth and power, using her beauty and cunning to secure the lifestyle she deserves. As a gold digger, love has never been part of the plan. That is, until one reckless night with Adrian Blackwood, a ruthless billionaire with a heart colder than his steel empire, changes everything. When Lila discovers she's pregnant, she sees a golden opportunity but Adrian sees right through her. He's been burned by a gold digger before, and he won't be fooled again. What starts as a battle of wits and wills quickly turns into something far more dangerous, as their undeniable chemistry pulls them closer than either of them can resist. Caught between hate, betrayal, and a secret that could destroy them both, Lila and Adrian are forced to confront the truth about their pasts and what they truly want. But when trust is shattered and hearts are laid bare, will they find a way to forgive, or will they tear each other apart in a bid for control?
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.”
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
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!
When Zora was sick during the early days of her pregnancy, Ezrah was with his first love, Piper. When Zora got into an accident and called Ezrah, he said he was busy, when in actual fact, he was buying shoes for Piper. Zora lost her baby because of the accident, and throughout her stay at the hospital, Ezrah never showed up. She already knew that he didn't love her, but that was the last straw for the camel's back, and her fragile heart could not take it anymore. When Ezrah arrived home a few days after Zora was discharged from the hospital, he no longer met the woman who always greeted him with a smile and cared for him. Zora stood at the top of the stairs and yelled with a cold expression, "Good news, Ezrah! Our baby died in a car accident. There is nothing between us anymore, so let's get a divorce." The man who claimed not to have any feelings for Zora, being cold and distant towards her, and having asked her for a divorce twice, instantly panicked.
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?
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.