In modern-day Washington, billionaire CEO Duke Matthews faces the fight of his life. His late father's company is under attack from within-a greedy family member plotting to strip Duke and his brother of their inheritance. Unaware of the betrayal, Duke focuses on launching Duke Pharmaceuticals, leaving his original company vulnerable to sabotage. Desperate to secure his business, Duke turns to an unexpected solution: marriage. The woman he can't stop thinking about is Naidine Peterson, a hardworking woman struggling to support her family and care for her sick mother. After an awkward encounter with Duke, their paths keep crossing until he makes her an offer she can't refuse-marriage in exchange for stability for her family. As they navigate their unusual deal, sparks fly, and their walls begin to crumble. But their growing connection is threatened when Naidine's life is put at risk, and Duke uncovers shocking secrets: his trusted uncle is behind the sabotage, his parents' deaths, and his brother's disappearance. The Billionaire's Gamble is a fast-paced story of betrayal, love, and the pursuit of truth.
"We get a close-up review on Naidine's life and how she goes about working her three jobs in order to support her mom and siblings"
NAIDINE'S POV
16, 17, 18 ,19 and 20
And I am officially late again I thought to myself staring at the mouse eared clock on the three legged table wedged by two of my textbooks from college it's not very pretty I know but hey it gets the job done
I rush into the bathroom packing my hair into a very messy bun spinning around the tiny space looking for my pink flamingo toothbrush finding it I squeezed the little bit of toothpaste unto my brush shoving it in my mouth bad brushing furiously before spitting it out and rinsing my mouth thoroughly I run back into my room kneeling as I rapidly search for the white button down tee shirt I folded neatly last night after air drying it in my tiny cupboard ... apparently it has developed legs and walked away because I cannot find it
I take of my bunny print pj shorts and run into the bathroom again cleaning up and washing my face there would he no luxury of a shower for me today
I stare at the mouse eared clock one more time as I force myself into my black flare pants how can I add weight at a time like this I say as I huff out bits of my hair that framed my face as it falls out of quickly done ponytail earlier
I turn around finally able to fit into my pants as I start looking for my shoes this simply cannot just be happening
finally catching sight of my black worn out flats I shove my feet into them still looking for my white tee as I put on my watch and put my hair in a bun
it's not exactly professional but it's the best I can do with -10 minutes to get to work
I put on some lipgloss and spritz my self with a bottle of perfume I got on sale for 1.59 dollars
I cannot afford to irritate any customers with the Smell of my body I readjust my lens and see my white tee buried under the pile of clothes I just
pulled out of the cupboard
what the
I grab the shirt and run down the staircase as I try to button it correctly
then I bump into my sister mia who is carrying some apples
"ow" she grimaced as she grabs hold of her forehead
"Are you late again?" she says, looking at me from her hand on her forehead."
"sorry mi I have to go I love you bye " I say grabbing hold of one if the apples and taking a big bite
"and tell Ma I love her " I called out before opening the door grabbing my little bag and running out of the house
I start running as fast as my legs carry me to the coffee shop just few blocks away from where I live as I collide with several people on the street who cuss and swear at me
New York not the place to run late got it
"good day Mrs kateolen " I greet my neighbor by a few blocks and speed into the back door of my coffee shop
colliding with a thick chest almost immediately
"whoooaaaa slow down nay you're going to get a concussion"
I look up at Aiden my colleague at the coffee shop
he's a 6,1 slim built guy with dirty blonde short hair and the palest blue eyes I'd ever seen
"I'm sorry Aiden ,is madam S here "
"yes she Is, but sarah is filling in for you,
hurry the man at table 6 needs plain coffee just plain "
I nod as I grab the spare apron by the door handle and tie on my waist
"thanks Aiden" I hug him as I walk towards table 6 and serve him his coffee already on the counter
smiling at the elderly man as he nods a thank you and grips his coffee cup
I turn around and head towards the kitchen
"ohhh sarahhhh" I say in a sing song voice
"back here " I follow her voice to the part of the kitchen where the oven and freshly baked goods are she's stuffing a pink cupcake in her mouth
"Sarah you sweet toothed moron ,what if madam S walks in ?" I say as I take the remains of her cupcake and trash it in the waist bin "
"why are you late " she says with her mouth full
"bad night at the bar yesterday got home 5am girl " i say staring at the cupcake platter as remember my hasty breakfast apple this morning
"Rufus being a dick again?" she asks wiping her hands on her apron
"when is he not " I answer laughing at the round man that owns the bar always torturing me
When Emily Jackson accepts a lucrative deal from the enigmatic and often rude Javier Black, falling for him is the last thing she expects. But as they collaborate, their undeniable chemistry resurfaces, bringing with it a storm of buried secrets, vengeful exes, and messy pasts. Can they overcome their differences and let love take the reins?
IN NEED OF A SAVIOR: A Tale of Love, Betrayal, and Revenge In this story, Aaron Hades, a third-generation billionaire, is driven by his trauma and ambition as he navigates a dangerous world of family betrayal and love. Born into wealth, Aaron was forced into hiding with his mother, seeking freedom. But after her tragic death, he finds himself not only fighting for control of his family's empire but for revenge against those who wronged him. Scarred by his past, Aaron's cold and calculating exterior hides a man who's vowed to hurt those who hurt him, using his wealth and power to settle old scores. But there's one final hurdle-he must secure a marriage to inherit the company. If he fails, Sara, a ruthless rival, will take everything. Merida's life has been defined by abandonment and abuse. At ten, she was left by her mother and abandoned to live with her father, whose descent into gambling led to his early death. Burdened with his debts, Merida falls into a depression, her family fractured beyond repair. The strong-willed girl she once was is now a shadow, struggling to survive. Fate reunites Aaron and Merida, once best friends, now strangers torn apart by time and bitterness. A chance encounter at a bridge reignites old grudges. Aaron resents Merida's surrender to life's pain, while Merida blames Aaron for abandoning her. Their worlds collide in unexpected ways, leading Aaron to propose a fake engagement. He needs it to secure his grandfather's approval and claim control of the company. Merida agrees reluctantly, using the arrangement as a means to pay her father's debts and escape her mother. They agree to pretend to be a perfect couple in public, while remaining distant in private. The world buys their charade, and they go about their lives pretending to be in love. But the line between pretense and reality begins to blur. As they live together, they can't ignore the undeniable attraction and tension that builds between them. What starts as a business arrangement grows into a complicated mix of love and hate, passion and heartbreak. Their journey is marked by vulnerability, fear, and longing as they confront their pasts and test the strength of their bond. Just when they begin to lower their guards, a devastating secret emerges, tearing them apart. The truth shatters everything they believed about each other, forcing them back into their separate, guarded lives. As they try to navigate the fallout, they are confronted by Sara, Aaron's cousin, who will stop at nothing to take the family empire for herself. Sara, long resentful of her grandfather's patriarchal beliefs and Aaron's rise to power, plots to expose his secrets and eliminate him from the picture. IN NEED OF A SAVIOR is a gripping tale of love, revenge, and redemption. It explores the complexity of relationships, the weight of past trauma, and the price of power. As Aaron and Merida face their deepest fears, they are forced to confront the ghosts of their pasts and decide if their love can survive the betrayals and obstacles in their way. Will they be able to rise above their scars, or will their painful histories tear them apart? Their journey promises a powerful exploration of second chances, heartache, and the healing power of love, all set against a backdrop of suspense and intrigue.
When journalist Mia Jackson stumbles upon a labyrinth of lies and a sinister conspiracy, she becomes the prime target of the ruthless Shadow Agency. With her life on the line, she's forced to rely on three enigmatic men: James, a charming spy with a hidden agenda; Paul, a reclusive hacker with a knack for secrets; and Fredrick, a brooding ex-assassin haunted by his past. As danger closes in and the truth becomes more elusive, Mia must navigate not only the Agency's deadly pursuit but also the shadowy motives of her allies. Can she unmask the deception and bring down the Agency before time runs out-and before betrayal strikes from within?
At the West estate, a playful exchange leads to a deadly agreement. As the party winds down and darkness envelops the night, tragedy strikes: by dawn, the entire family lies brutally murdered-except for John West, the eldest son. Facing a future of poverty and despair, everything changes with a fateful encounter that unveils hidden secrets and exposes betrayal. Caught in a tangled web of deceit and unexpected romance, John transforms from victim to strategist as the truth comes to light. "Karma" is a gripping tale of mystery, sabotage, deception, and love.
Alessia Thompson is a brilliant and determined businesswoman whose world is turned upside down when she is forced into an arranged marriage with Ethan Blackwood, the son of the ruthless corporate mogul Reginald Blackwood. This union, orchestrated by their families, aims to merge their companies and secure a lucrative deal. The Thompsons have built their empire on hard work and integrity, but after Alessia's father unexpectedly passes away, their business becomes vulnerable to takeover. Seizing the moment, Reginald Blackwood offers a merger-but only if Alessia agrees to marry his son. Ethan, a charming and successful businessman, is trapped in this loveless arrangement. His heart belongs to Sophia, a woman from a lower social class, but his father's ambition forces him to abandon his true love. As Alessia and Ethan navigate the complexities of their arranged marriage, they must confront their personal demons and uncover the dark secrets entwined in their families' business dealings. Initially reluctant, they gradually develop feelings for one another. Yet, their burgeoning love faces threats from the very forces that brought them together.
Hazel has escaped the clutches of the Red Moon pack, reaching her breaking point after being rejected by her soulmate-the future Alpha and the son of her foster father. In her desperate flight, she goes rogue and finds herself at the doorstep of Alexander Garcia, the most powerful Alpha in the werewolf realm, who inexplicably feels a connection to her. Drake, a twenty-nine-year-old hybrid Alpha king, is notorious for his ruthless handling of enemies. With a shadowy past and many secrets, he's surprised by his attraction to Hazel, especially after losing his partner in a rogue attack that left him heartbroken and more hardened than ever. On Hazel's eighteenth birthday at Drake's pack, hidden truths come to light, and long-buried mysteries emerge. Can they navigate the challenges ahead and deepen their connection? Join them in this thrilling tale to find out.
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. "It's time to reveal your true identity, darling."
Endless caresses, endless kisses. Clinging to him as if her life depended on it, her body ached for more and she arched into the touch to receive more, more pleasure. "Oh darling, you taste so delicious, I can't get enough." He rubbed himself against her, telling her how much he wanted her, his deep, gruff voice resonating in her head. Her body also desired him. "Come for me, baby," He gave the order, and her body obeyed, following his command. "No!" she yelled, opening her eyes abruptly. Feeling confused and guilty, she gasped and sat up in bed. Scarlett's life takes an unexpected when she discovers that she is pregnant by a stranger with whom she had a one-night stand. She was humiliated and disowned by her parents. She ran away from the pack to start a new life. Will Scarlett find her way back to the father of her kids? What happens when he finds her and does everything possible to make her his? Will they scale through the challenges that life would throw at them? ***** Scarlett wakes up in bed with a stranger and doesn't even remember how she got there. She later discovers that the man she spent that night with was the Lycan King.
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!"
Ava Adler was a nerdy omega. People bullied her because they thought she was ugly and unattractive. But Ava secretly loved the bad boy, Ian Dawson. He was the future Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack. However, he never gave a damn about rules and laws, as he only liked to play around with girls. Ava was unaware of Ian's arrogance until her fate intertwined with his. He neglected her and hurt her deeply. What would happen when Ava turned out to be a beautiful girl who could win over any boy, and Ian looked back and regretted his decisions? What if she had a secret identity that she had yet to discover? What if the tables turned and Ian begged her not to leave him?
I received a pornographic video. "Do you like this?" The man speaking in the video is my husband, Mark, whom I haven't seen for several months. He is naked, his shirt and pants scattered on the ground, thrusting forcefully on a woman whose face I can't see, her plump and round breasts bouncing vigorously. I can clearly hear the slapping sounds in the video, mixed with lustful moans and grunts. "Yes, yes, fuck me hard, baby," the woman screams ecstatically in response. "You naughty girl!" Mark stands up and flips her over, slapping her buttocks as he speaks. "Stick your ass up!" The woman giggles, turns around, sways her buttocks, and kneels on the bed. I feel like someone has poured a bucket of ice water on my head. It's bad enough that my husband is having an affair, but what's worse is that the other woman is my own sister, Bella. ************************************************************************************************************************ “I want to get a divorce, Mark,” I repeated myself in case he didn't hear me the first time—even though I knew he'd heard me clearly. He stared at me with a frown before answering coldly, "It's not up to you! I'm very busy, don't waste my time with such boring topics, or try to attract my attention!" The last thing I was going to do was argue or bicker with him. "I will have the lawyer send you the divorce agreement," was all I said, as calmly as I could muster. He didn't even say another word after that and just went through the door he'd been standing in front of, slamming it harshly behind him. My eyes lingered on the knob of the door a bit absentmindedly before I pulled the wedding ring off my finger and placed it on the table. I grabbed my suitcase, which I'd already had my things packed in and headed out of the house.
Sophia Drake braced herself for the worst when she was forced to move across the country in the middle of her junior year. Desperate to escape her shattered home as soon as she turns eighteen, her plans are disrupted by the enigmatic and captivating Ashford twins. Sophia can't fathom the intense attraction she feels for the twins and tries to avoid them at every turn. As she's thrust into an unfamiliar world, her past demons resurface, making her question her true identity. Will Sophia flee from her past's secrets, or will she embrace her destiny and take control of her future?