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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?
The heavy oak doors of Knight Enterprises' boardroom swung open with a low creak. Damon Knight, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, stepped inside, his polished shoes clicking against the marble floor. The room was already buzzing with tension, the kind that came from desperate negotiations and unspoken demands. His father, Gregory Knight, stood at the head of the table, his face a mask of authority and impatience. Opposite him sat Arturo Castellano, his thick fingers drumming rhythmically on the mahogany table.
Damon took his place beside his father, sparing a brief glance at the documents spread across the table. "Why the urgency?" His voice was calm but edged with steel.
Gregory adjusted his tie, a sure sign he was about to say something Damon wouldn't like. "Arturo and I have come to a solution to secure the merger. It's the only way to stabilize our position against Velcor Industries."
The name Velcor sent a flicker of irritation through Damon's mind. Their rival's aggressive strategies had pushed Knight Enterprises to the brink of vulnerability, a position he despised. He folded his arms, his sharp gaze moving from his father to Arturo. "And this solution involves me, I presume?"
Arturo leaned forward, his booming voice filling the room. "My daughter, Elena. She'll marry you. With our families united, the merger will be seamless. Velcor won't stand a chance."
The air seemed to still for a moment. Damon's jaw tightened, his calm exterior threatening to crack. He didn't need to ask if Elena had agreed; the answer was irrelevant to these men. Women in their world were often treated as chess pieces, moved for advantage.
"I'm not interested," Damon said, his voice flat.
Gregory's hand slammed against the table, drawing startled glances from the few executives still lingering in the room. "This is bigger than you, Damon. Do you think I built this empire for you to dismantle it with your arrogance? This isn't a request."
The words landed like a blow, but Damon held his ground. "What happens when your perfect plan fails? You think a marriage contract will stop Velcor from targeting us?"
Arturo's chuckle rumbled through the room. "You underestimate the power of loyalty, Damon. With our families combined, Velcor won't dare touch us. And Elena... she's not the kind of woman who will sit quietly in the corner. She has her own strengths."
"Strengths that don't interest me," Damon shot back.
"Enough!" Gregory's voice cut through the rising tension. "You'll meet her. That's all I ask. If you're still opposed after one meeting, we'll reconsider."
Damon didn't believe that for a second. Gregory Knight wasn't a man who reconsidered anything.
Elena Castellano stared at the invitation in her hand, the elegant script almost mocking in its perfection. A private dinner with the Knights, scheduled like a business meeting. She tossed the card onto her cluttered studio table, where it landed amidst paint-streaked brushes and half-finished canvases.
Her mother's voice echoed from the doorway. "You can't avoid this forever, Elena. Your father's worked hard to arrange this meeting."
Elena turned, her paint-smeared hands on her hips. "Worked hard? You mean he sold me off like a piece of property to save his business."
Maria Castellano stepped into the room, her carefully styled hair and pearls a sharp contrast to the chaos of Elena's studio. "You're exaggerating. This is a partnership, not a sacrifice. Damon Knight is a suitable match."
Elena laughed, the sound bitter. "A suitable match for whom? Certainly not for me. I don't care how much money or power he has. I don't want this."
"You'll change your mind once you meet him. He's handsome, successful-"
"And cold as ice," Elena interrupted. "I've read enough about him to know he's nothing more than a corporate shark."
Maria sighed, her polished composure slipping for a moment. "This isn't just about you, Elena. It's about our family. The gallery, the legacy your father has built... it's all at stake."
Elena turned back to her canvas, her brush moving in sharp, frustrated strokes. "Maybe it's time to let it go. Maybe it's time for all of us to stop pretending this world is worth sacrificing everything for."
Her mother didn't respond immediately. When she finally spoke, her voice was softer. "Just meet him. For me. For your father. That's all I ask."
Elena didn't look up, but her brush stilled. She knew her mother wouldn't leave until she agreed. "Fine. One meeting. But don't expect miracles."
The restaurant Gregory had chosen was one of the city's most exclusive, its private dining room filled with an understated opulence that screamed wealth without effort. Damon arrived early, his irritation barely concealed behind a mask of indifference. He hated these orchestrated encounters, the false smiles and underlying agendas.
The door opened, and he turned to see her. Elena Castellano.
She wasn't what he expected. Instead of the polished, demure woman he'd imagined, she was vibrant and unapologetic, her dark hair framing a face that held both beauty and defiance. Her dress was elegant but understated, a clear signal she wasn't here to impress anyone.
"Damon Knight, I presume," she said, her voice smooth but edged with sarcasm.
He stood, extending a hand. "And you must be Elena. Shall we?"
They took their seats, the tension between them palpable. Elena met his gaze without flinching, her eyes sharp and assessing.
"So," she began, leaning back in her chair, "you're the man I'm supposed to marry to save our families. How romantic."
Damon's lips twitched in what could have been a smile. "And you're the woman I'm supposed to marry to salvage my father's empire. Equally romantic."
For a moment, neither spoke, the weight of their shared predicament settling between them.
"I'm not sure what they told you," Elena said finally, "but I'm not interested in being anyone's trophy wife. I have my own life, my own goals."
Damon tilted his head slightly, intrigued despite himself. "And yet you're here."
"Because I was forced," she shot back.
"Join the club," Damon replied, his tone dry.
The waiter appeared, interrupting their verbal sparring to take their orders. When he left, Damon leaned forward, his expression serious. "Let's get one thing straight. I'm not here to play games. If we do this, it's a business arrangement. Nothing more."
Elena's jaw tightened, but she nodded. "Fine by me. But don't expect me to fall in line with your corporate world. I'm not changing who I am for anyone."
"Good," Damon said. "Then we have an understanding."
Their gazes locked, a silent challenge passing between them. Neither realized it, but the battle lines had already been drawn.
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?
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.
After being rejected by his mate years ago, Alpha Tristan is forced to face the truth: his heart still belongs to Selene. Now, a threat looms over their pack, and when Selene returns to help with the danger, the bond between them is undeniable once more. But can they overcome the scars of the past, or is their second chance doomed to repeat the same mistakes? As danger grows and secrets are revealed, Tristan and Selene must decide if their love is strong enough to heal old wounds and protect the future of their pack.
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
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?"
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.
On her wedding day, Khloe’s sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrik’s cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.
"Miss Brown, I am the butler here at your service," the butler replied. "My master wants to buy the baby in your belly." "What?!" Does that mean the abortion didn't take place? Did they kidnap her from the operating table just to buy the baby? But why her? "You..." Alice was about to ask a question, but the man in front of her calmly continued, as if he had expected her question, "You're pregnant with his child, and he needs a child. That's all I can tell you." Alice was forced to sign a surrogacy contract and eight months later gave birth to two healthy babies. Fortunately, the man was unaware of her daughter's existence. It wasn't until five years later that fate brought them together again...
22-year-old Evelyn Carter is attempting to start over in California while avoiding her past. She will be embarking on a new career path as a private school teacher. She is smart, attractive, and doesn't put up with nonsense. Who wouldn't notice her? However, what happens when she attracts the attention of someone unwilling to let her go? Who wants her and nothing else after falling in love at first sight? A 25-year-old billionaire CEO and single father, Lucian Carrington. He takes what he wants and he is also a very dangerous man. All it needed was one look at a stunning woman to realize she was HIS, even though he doesn't believe in relationships because they always end. Preview: Miss Carter, you will be mine. I say firmly. "Release my arm, Mr. Carrington, before I force you to." She says, seeming to smile at me. I give her a sly smile. Squeezing my wrist with her other hand, she twists it uncomfortably. I gave a painful hiss. "Don't underestimate me, Mr. Carrington." "This is the only time I will allow you to walk away from me, Miss Carter." She glared at me as she turned. "Mr. Carrington, I am no possession of yours." I was left standing there when she opened the classroom door and left.