Chloe Rivers is a determined, no-nonsense businesswoman who has worked hard to establish herself in the corporate world. But when she meets Nicholas Hawke, the brooding heir to one of the world's largest empires, her well-ordered life is thrown into chaos. Nicholas is everything Chloe has been taught to avoid: powerful, unpredictable, and dangerously charismatic. When their families' companies merge, Chloe finds herself reluctantly drawn into a passionate affair with Nicholas, even though she knows it could cost her everything she's worked for. As the line between professional and personal blurs, Chloe must decide whether to protect her career or follow her heart. Will love destroy them both, or will their dangerous desires lead them to something deeper?
Chloe Rivers leaned back in her sleek, leather chair, her fingers lightly tapping the polished wood of the conference table. The room was filled with the low hum of whispered conversations and the clinking of coffee mugs, but her mind was elsewhere. She was acutely aware of the tension in the air-the kind that always accompanied the announcement of a merger, especially one of this magnitude. The boardroom was packed, the investors lined up, each of them waiting for the next step in a game that could shift the balance of power in the corporate world.
Rivers Enterprises had been at the forefront of technology for years, but a merger with Hawke Industries? That was something entirely different. Hawke Industries wasn't just any company. It was a juggernaut, a global powerhouse built on ruthless business tactics and an ironclad reputation for getting what it wanted. And leading that empire was Nicholas Hawke, the man whose name had been on everyone's lips for the last few weeks.
Chloe tried to ignore the flutter of nerves in her chest as the door to the boardroom opened. The moment they'd all been waiting for had arrived. Her gaze flicked toward the doorway, and there he was-Nicholas Hawke. He moved with the same effortless grace that he always seemed to exude. His dark suit, impeccable and tailored to perfection, made him look like he belonged in a different world entirely-one that she had worked so hard to get into but would never truly be a part of. His ice-blue eyes scanned the room before settling briefly on hers, and Chloe felt a sudden, unexpected jolt of something she didn't want to name.
"Mr. Hawke," her father, Samuel Rivers, greeted him, his voice cool but cordial. "Glad you could join us."
Nicholas gave a small, tight smile, his lips barely parting as he nodded in acknowledgment. "Thank you for having me, Mr. Rivers," he said smoothly, his voice deep and controlled. He was every inch the heir to Hawke Industries-powerful, charismatic, and unflinchingly confident.
The air seemed to thicken as he moved toward the head of the table, his presence taking up more space than his physical form ever could. Chloe watched, trying not to appear too obvious in her scrutiny. There was something about Nicholas-something magnetic-that made him impossible to ignore. The fact that she was now forced to work directly with him on the merger made her feel strangely unsettled. She had heard the rumors, the stories of how Nicholas didn't tolerate weakness, how he destroyed anyone who stood in his way. She had also heard about the women who seemed to fall at his feet, only to be discarded when he moved on to the next conquest.
A sharp knock on the door interrupted her thoughts, and she straightened, focusing on the matter at hand. The meeting was about to begin. Her father gave a slight nod, signaling that the formalities should begin.
"Let's get started," he said, his voice commanding. "We have a lot to discuss today."
Chloe shifted her attention back to Nicholas, who had already settled into his chair at the table. The others in the room were murmuring, the details of the merger still being laid out, but her mind wasn't on the charts or the financial projections. It was on the man across from her. Nicholas was everything her father had warned her about-calculating, ambitious, and willing to do whatever it took to come out on top. And now, he was here, in her world, threatening everything she had worked for.
The next hour passed in a blur of numbers and jargon, the specifics of the merger laid out in cold, clinical terms. Chloe tried to keep her mind on the business at hand, but her attention kept straying back to Nicholas. Every time their eyes met, she felt that strange, unnerving pull between them. She knew he was dangerous-she had been told that in no uncertain terms. But there was something in the way he looked at her, something in the way his mouth curled into a barely-there smile when she spoke, that made her feel... exposed.
By the time the meeting finally broke up, Chloe was exhausted. She stood up, gathering her papers as the other board members filed out of the room, exchanging pleasantries as they went. But her eyes never left Nicholas, who was still seated, his fingers drumming lightly on the edge of the table.
"Miss Rivers," his voice cut through the noise, smooth and deliberate.
She froze for a moment before turning to face him, her breath catching in her throat. "Mr. Hawke," she said, her voice steady, though she couldn't quite hide the unease simmering beneath the surface.
He stood slowly, his tall frame looming over her. There was no mistaking the way he looked at her-his gaze was intense, almost predatory, as if he could see straight through her.
"Can I have a word?" he asked, his tone just a shade too casual to be entirely innocent.
Chloe hesitated. "I'm not sure that's necessary, Mr. Hawke," she replied, trying to maintain her composure. "I have a lot of work to do."
He gave her a small, knowing smile. "I think you'll find it is," he said quietly.
Against her better judgment, she found herself nodding, following him toward the far side of the room where they could have some semblance of privacy. Once they were out of earshot, he turned to face her fully, his expression unreadable.
"I've been watching you, Chloe," Nicholas said, his voice low and almost velvety. "You're not like the others in this room. You actually understand what this merger means."
Chloe's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean by that?"
"Let's just say that I'm used to people who are more concerned with their next paycheck than with the bigger picture," he said, his eyes never leaving hers. "But you? You get it. You're sharp, you're focused... and you know how to make things happen."
His words made her uncomfortable, but she refused to show it. "I'm just here to do my job," she said coolly, crossing her arms over her chest.
His lips curled into a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I'm sure you are. But I can't help but wonder what it would be like if we worked together on this. Really worked together."
Chloe raised an eyebrow, the unease creeping back into her chest. "And what exactly do you mean by that?"
"I mean," he said, his voice dropping to a whisper, "that I think we could accomplish a lot more if we set aside our differences. Don't you agree?"
Her breath caught in her throat. For a moment, she couldn't quite place the edge in his tone. Was it just business? Or was there something more beneath the surface? Before she could answer, Nicholas straightened, his gaze softening just a touch.
"Think about it," he said, his smile almost kind-though Chloe didn't trust it for a second.
Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving her standing there, her thoughts spinning.
Jade's life is turned upside down when she's wrongfully convicted of drug trafficking. Upon her release, she discovers that her boyfriend, Luke, has been cheating on her and now has a child with her childhood best friend. Just as her world crumbles, fate steps in with an unexpected twist. Grayson Westbrook, a billionaire with a cold and distant demeanor, has sworn off marriage and children after a devastating event in his past. When his mother's pressure becomes unbearable, he proposes a deal to Jade: a marriage of convenience. But what starts as a business arrangement soon stirs deeper emotions. Grayson's words are dry, his affection seems absent, but there's something in his touch that stirs an undeniable passion in Jade. As they navigate their complex and troubled lives, secrets begin to unravel: Will Jade accept the proposal, despite the pain it brings? What truly led to Jade's wrongful conviction, and who betrayed her? What dark trauma haunts Grayson, making him swear off love and commitment?
Olivia Hayes, a renowned attorney, is drawn to the charismatic and enigmatic tech mogul, Luca Drake. His charm, humor, and innovative vision tick all the boxes for her, and their whirlwind romance sweeps her off her feet. Olivia is already deeply in love with Luca, but behind his thriving tech company lies a dark secret-he is the notorious drug lord of the city's underworld, a side of him he has carefully hidden. Olivia's world unravels when her latest high-profile case puts her directly in Luca's path, sparking suspicions and uncovering threads that lead to his shady dealings. As her feelings for Luca deepen and her case escalates, Olivia begins to uncover chilling clues that suggest Luca's involvement in the very crimes she's dedicated her life to fighting. Torn between her duty to uphold the law and her love for Luca, Olivia is forced to navigate the dangerous world of organized crime, deception, and betrayal.
Mira has always lived in the shadows of despair. With a life full of pain and little hope, she's learned to survive but never to dream. For Jaxon, the scars of his first love run deep. The hollow void left by that lost connection makes it impossible for him to commit, and he drifts from one fleeting relationship to the next. But everything changes when Mira enters his life. Their meeting is anything but fateful. Hatred fills the air as Jaxon rejects the bond that should unite them, forcing Mira to endure his indifference. Jaxon loves her even as he resists, while Mira bears the weight of his inner turmoil. Can they conquer the trials that threaten to tear them apart, or will the shattered pieces of their bond destroy them forever?
Born of a forbidden union, Ashen is haunted by the brutal murder of his mother. Seeking revenge, he infiltrates the powerful Obsidian Pack, determined to bring justice to those who shattered his world. Within the pack, he meets Penelope, the fierce and determined Alpha female destined to lead. Drawn to Ashen despite his outcast status, Penelope finds herself falling for the one man she's forbidden to love. Bound by unyielding tradition, her love for him threatens everything she's ever known. As Ashen's plan for vengeance unfolds, he must confront an impossible choice: sacrifice his growing love for Penelope or abandon his quest for justice. For Penelope, the stakes are just as high-will she risk breaking her pack's laws for a love that could destroy them all?
When billionaire heir Damon Knight is forced into an arranged marriage to secure a business merger, he expects a compliant, gold-digging bride. What he doesn't anticipate is his match, Elena Castellano-a fiercely independent artist who has no interest in his wealth or his world. Bound by duty but divided by pride, Damon and Elena embark on a marriage neither of them wants but can't escape. As their lives intertwine, passion ignites, revealing secrets that could shatter everything. In a world driven by power and betrayal, will their love grow strong enough to defy the odds, or will it crumble under the weight of their lies and pasts?
In the charming coastal town of Willow Haven, Grace Delaney is starting over. After a devastating breakup and the closure of her small bakery, she returns to her hometown to regroup and rediscover herself. Enter Lucas Hayes, a former big-city architect who has moved to Willow Haven to escape his own troubled past. When a community project brings Grace and Lucas together, their undeniable chemistry begins to spark. But Grace's guarded heart and Lucas's lingering guilt over a family tragedy threaten to tear them apart. As they navigate the challenges of trust, healing, and love, the autumn leaves falling around them remind them that letting go of the past may lead to a brighter future.
Eliza Greer was abandoned by her mother, raised in an orphanage, and sold to the Burns family at 19. Even though she marries Mason Burns, the other people in the Burns family look down on her for her poor identity and want to try every way to bully her. Unexpectedly, they all failed. Eliza's hidden identities are gradually revealed in one incident after another, which astonishes everyone.
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.
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”
6 years ago, Lydia suffered a brutal betrayal orchestrated by her own husband and step-sister, who drugged her and framed her. In a twist of fate, she ended up having a one-night stand with a stranger. Don't even remember what he looked like. Later, in the throes of death, she discovered the truth about her mother's death all those years ago. In the blink of an eye, she lost everything. 6 years later, Lydia returned with her genius son, vowing to exact revenge on all her enemies! Little did she know, she encountered an incredibly familiar man at the airport! *** The man was briskly pushing open the door to the restroom, heading to the urinal. Even with such a mundane action, he did it with unparalleled elegance and grace. Lydia, following him in a daze, saw his fierce lower body and suddenly snapped back to reality. She let out a high-pitched scream, instinctively covering her eyes with her hands, her cheeks flushed, and stood there stiffly, unsure of what to do. Lambert furrowed his brows slightly but remained calm as he continued to relieve himself. The sound of water hitting the urinal made Lydia's face even redder. She angrily shouted, "You pervert!" Little did Lydia know that Lambert, seeing her in this state, had a flicker of recognition in his eyes. Memories from many years ago flashed through his mind, and his heart couldn't help but stir. It was her!
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?"