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Captive of the Merciless Billionaire Without saying that my life was flowing like a long, quiet river, I had found a comfortable routine in my small Parisian apartment. But of course, everything changed the day I crossed paths with Lucian Crowford, a real estate tycoon as enigmatic as he is ruthless. A simple misunderstanding led me to sign a pact that I did not fully understand: to live under the same roof as this terrifying man and... his equally intimidating associates. But why me? Why would an ordinary woman like me, Elise Morgan, interest a billionaire with many faces? Under his air of benefactor, Lucian hides much darker secrets. The whispers of a cursed legacy, enemies ready to do anything for his downfall, and alliances impossible to break draw me into a spiral of mysteries and dangers.
Chapter 1
The city seemed different in recent weeks. The streets no longer had that same gentle and familiar excitement, as if a heavy cloud had fallen on everyone without warning. Jaxon's arrival had turned everything upside down. In the blink of an eye, this young billionaire from nowhere had risen to the top of the city, taking control of its businesses, its institutions, and even, it seemed, its residents. Those, like my family, who were not ready to bend to his will, were quickly pushed aside.
My once respected father was now a shadow in his own office. Jaxon, with his cold and relentless strategy, had pushed him out of influential circles, reducing him to a mere spectator. Seeing my father waste away because of this man revolted me, and as the days passed, my anger grew.
Jaxon. His name was on everyone's lips, but his face remained an enigma to most. I just knew that he was a formidable businessman, and that the rumors of his cruelty did not seem exaggerated. Employees who dared to oppose his methods ended up being fired or completely wiped out. A man like that deserved neither respect nor admiration. Yet a part of me wanted to understand how a human being could inspire so much fear.
Fate gave me no choice but to find out for myself. It was during a charity gala organized by a neighboring company, in a prestigious salon in the city center. I accompanied my parents, who perhaps naively hoped to regain part of their lost reputation. I knew Jaxon would be there. It was as if his presence hovered above us, eerie and invisible. Everyone was murmuring, looking towards the entrance, impatient and nervous.
Suddenly the crowd parted, and he appeared. Tall, slender, with an almost frightening confidence. His dark suit, tailored to perfection, contrasted with the cold glow of his eyes, which roamed the room as if taking possession of each person present. My heart began to beat faster without me understanding why. Jaxon was...fascinating, despite everything I knew about him.
He advanced slowly, greeting the guests with a polite but distant nod. When he looked at me, my whole body froze. His icy blue eyes seemed to read beyond my thoughts, and I found myself looking away, like a child caught at fault. However, I had come with a clear mission in mind: approach him, seduce him, and find a way to avenge my father and my family. But in front of him, this resolution seemed to waver. How could I be attracted to this man who had destroyed so many lives, including my father's?
I felt his heavy gaze return to me. Then, against all expectations, he headed in my direction. My parents, standing aside, glanced at me worriedly. They knew what I was about to do, even if they didn't approve of my plan.
"Good evening," he said in a deep, calm voice, his intense gaze fixed on mine.
I composed myself, trying to hide my confusion behind a confident smile. "Good evening, sir... Jaxon. »
He gave a slight smile, amused. "You know who I am, then. But for me, I have the pleasure of discovering a stranger in the middle of so many... familiar faces. »
His remark made me blush, but I forced myself to respond confidently. "Indeed, I know your name. Everyone is talking about it in town, it's hard to miss you. »
He let out a short, almost sarcastic laugh. "And yet, I remain a mystery to many. Maybe even for you. »
His gaze scanned every nuance of my expression, as if trying to guess what I was thinking. I felt vulnerable, exposed, and a part of me wondered if it was wise to play this game. Yet that's what I decided: to get closer to him, to get justice for my family. It was now or never.
"Maybe I know you more than you think," I replied, almost provocatively.
He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. " Oh yes ? In this case, enlighten me. What do you know about me, miss...? »
"Emma," I said, lifting my chin. "Emma Rosenthal. »
He froze for a second, and I guessed he probably heard the name in an unflattering context. The tension between us was palpable, but he remained impassive.
"Nice to meet you, Emma. So tell me...what do you know about me? »
I could have told him everything I heard: that he was ruthless, calculating, that he ruined lives without scruple. But strangely, these words did not pass my lips. Maybe because, deep down, I wanted him to see me differently from everyone he had ever manipulated.
"Well..." I took a breath. "You have a reputation as a leader, a determined man. But I wonder...is that all that defines you? »
His smile faded slightly, as if my question had destabilized him. Then he answered, after a slight pause. "Maybe that's not all. But few people care. What interests them is power, success. »
His words resonated with me unexpectedly. Behind this icy facade, was there a man different from what people said about him? I didn't want to let myself be moved, but his look, suddenly more vulnerable, shook my certainties.
"Maybe some people prefer to see beyond appearances," I muttered, almost to myself.
He looked at me for a long time, and for the first time, I thought I detected sincere emotion in his eyes. This moment could have lasted forever, if a voice had not broken the silence.
"Jaxon, we'll be waiting for you in the private room. »
He nodded at the assistant, then gave me one last look. "I hope we can continue this conversation one day, Emma. »
And without another word, he disappeared into the crowd, leaving me alone with my thoughts and my racing heart. What had just happened? Why had I felt such attraction, when every fiber of my being was screaming at me to be wary?
My parents quickly came to join me, worried. My father placed a hand on my shoulder, pulling me from my thoughts. "Emma, did you manage to talk to him? »
I nodded, still confused. " Yes. But he's... different from what I thought. »
My mother seemed reluctant. "Remember why we are here, Emma. This man ruined our family. »
I pull myself together. They were right. No matter what I had seen in his eyes, no matter what flaws I had perhaps guessed, Jaxon remained the man who had caused my father's undoing. What I had felt was only an illusion, a trap I should not fall into.
"Don't worry," I finally replied with a reassuring smile. "I know what I have to do. I'm going to get closer to him. I will make him fall in love with me, and I will make him pay for everything he has done. »
My father nodded, relieved. " GOOD. So take your time, but be careful. This man never let anyone escape him. »
I knew my parents were right. The road that opened before me would be strewn with pitfalls. But I no longer had a choice. My fate was tied to Jaxon's, for better and, quite possibly, for worse.
My Contract with the Alpha Eleanor "Ellie" Wainwright, a young woman from a cruel and manipulative family, is forced to marry a feared and lonely Alpha, Victor Hartfang. Born without a wolf, she is considered an anomaly in her pack, a dead weight for her family and an object of contempt for the other members. Victor, Alpha of the powerful pack of the Dark Shadows, agrees to this marriage for mysterious reasons. Aloof, icy and dominant, he treats her like an outsider. However, behind his impenetrable facade, he hides a dark secret: his past is marked by betrayals and heartbreaking choices, and his own wolf is chained by a strange evil. Plunged into a new pack where tensions and challenges multiply, Ellie must navigate a world of domination, jealousies and political intrigue. Why did Victor really agree to this union? What did he hope to get from her? And why does her wolf seem to react so violently to her presence, oscillating between rejection and an almost unbearable attraction? As their unlikely bond begins to strengthen, a greater threat emerges. A rival pack, ancient enemies, and a forgotten prophecy threaten to upset their fragile balance. Can Ellie, devoid of lupine powers, prove she is more than a weak human? Will Victor dare to reveal her secrets before they destroy them both? And most importantly, what will happen when Victor discovers that Ellie may not be as "human" as she thinks?
Married to the Alpha of the Mafia Sienna Moretti, an ordinary young woman from a former fallen family of werewolves, sees her life turned upside down when she is forced to sign a marriage contract with Dominic "Alpha" Valenti, an enigmatic billionaire, leader of a powerful pack... and ruthless head of an underground mafia network. Dominic is not a man to be refused. Known for his intimidating aura, his colossal fortune and his absolute control over his affairs (human and supernatural), he is as feared as he is admired. But behind his air of unwavering sovereign, Dominic is haunted by a curse that eats away at his wolf, making him uncontrollable and dangerous. Sienna, rejected by her own family for the absence of her wolf, is sold as a pawn in this arranged alliance between her clan and the Valenti pack. But why did Dominic choose her? Is it really for her rare blood, or is there a darker reason behind it? As she enters a world of luxury, danger, and secrets, Sienna discovers that this marriage is not only about power, but also a war of influence where mobsters, wolves, and billionaires clash. Dominic, despite his apparent control, hides a dark past and a growing obsession with Sienna that he seems unable to contain. When Dominic's enemies target Sienna, she must discover: who is the man behind the Alpha? And how far will she go to protect a man she doesn't know whether to hate or love?
In Love with a Billionaire Irina, 18, is a young prodigy from the BloodMoon Foundation, known for training the most influential leaders in the world. Determined, she devotes her life to her studies and her ambitions, relegating romantic relationships to the background. Finding love is not a priority for her, especially when she is ready to do anything to honor her family's legacy. But what happens when she discovers that she is contractually engaged to the most ruthless billionaire on the planet, a man from a faraway land whose reputation frightens even the most powerful? **Xander Draymore**. This name alone makes investors and tycoons around the world tremble. Dangerously seductive but of legendary cruelty, he built his empire on ruins and sacrifices. Convinced that fate is playing a trick on him, he refuses to accept this arranged marriage which he considers a punishment. But why, from the first glance he exchanges with Irina, does he suddenly feel that she is different from the others? Is she a threat to his power or a key to his own secret ambitions? "Aren't you happy?" Irina dared to ask, as he stared out the window of his penthouse at the illuminated city, his face lit by the neon lights that made him almost vulnerable, a stark contrast to his reputation as a business predator. "Happy?" he replied with a cold smile, a hint of irony in his voice. "It's a concept I've never understood... and never will." Those words broke something inside her. But why does Xander seem to refuse all emotion? What wounds does he hide behind this facade of icy perfection? Will Irina be able to pierce her armor before losing her own heart in this game of ambitions and betrayals? And most importantly, what secret about their common bond could turn everything upside down?
The Billionaire and the Scandalous Heiress Elisa, heiress to an empire built by her father, Alexander Dorne, a formidable tycoon with powerful and dangerous alliances, has grown up in a world governed by luxury, expectations and appearances. Her adopted brother, Nathan, once an adored model and now head of an influential agency, is her mentor, her refuge, and perhaps her only ally in a stifling life. But an unexpected tension arises between them. What was once a family bond turns into a forbidden, electric attraction that threatens to shatter the rigid codes of their family. Elisa finds herself trapped between the weight of duty, her unspoken desires, and Nathan's dark secrets, which he jealously keeps hidden. As scandalous rumors begin to circulate, enemies of the Dorne empire seek to exploit this fragility to destroy their dynasty. Why does Nathan avoid some of their powerful associates? What is he hiding in his mysterious movements? Should Elisa sacrifice her own happiness to protect the family legacy or defy her father, ready to do anything to bury the slightest scandal? The truth she will discover could well shake everything she thought she knew about her family... and about herself.
The Intrepid Luna and the Machiavellian Alpha Luna Moreau, a devoted secretary for six years, sees her world fall apart when her husband's new "personal assistant," the ruthless alpha Ethan Blackwood, shows up. Although he claims that this woman, Isabella, is only there to lighten his professional responsibilities and avoid a resounding scandal, Luna senses that something more sinister is brewing. Is Ethan really ready to sacrifice the loyalty of the one who has always been by his side to preserve his flamboyant image? But Luna is not the type to be crushed. As Isabella quickly asserts herself within the company, using charm and manipulation to destroy everything Luna has built with so much passion, the latter discovers a secret contract linking Ethan to shady business and dangerous alliances. What role does Isabella really play in this power game? Is she simply an assistant or a pawn in a larger plan? As Luna embarks on a daring investigation to unravel the threads of this machination, she realizes that Ethan is becoming more distant and enigmatic by the day. Why does he seem to be hiding unspeakable secrets? What does he really know about Isabella? And how far will he go to protect her interests? With tension rising and danger lurking, Luna will have to draw on her inner resources to counter Isabella's schemes. But with each revelation, one question remains: can she stand up to an alpha whose power could cost her everything she loves? Time is running out and every decision could have devastating consequences... What will she do if she discovers that the truth is even more disturbing than she imagines?
revenge of the billionaire's woman The He loved me for eight years, but in the end, he sent me personally. In pain, I saw him get closer to my sister and treat myself as a tool to heal his suffering. He even went so far as to ruin our common future! Hatred burns in me like a fire, and I am determined to take revenge. Two years later, I came back, transformed and stronger. I was no longer the woman he had left behind. The man who had treated me with indifference and cruelty was now as sweet as a lamb. He knelt before me, begging my forgiveness: "I'm sorry, I'm ready to atone for my mistakes for the rest of my days. »» While I was about to put my revenge plan in action, I slowly realized that he was totally ignored what had really happened in the past two years. Should my revenge plan continue?
Her fiance and her best friend worked together and set her up. She lost everything and died in the street. However, she was reborn. The moment she opened her eyes, her husband was trying to strangle her. Luckily, she survived that. She signed the divorce agreement without hesitation and was ready for her miserable life. To her surprise, her mother in this life left her a great deal of money. She turned the tables and avenged herself. Everything went well in her career and love when her ex-husband came to her.
Corinne devoted three years of her life to her boyfriend, only for it to all go to waste. He saw her as nothing more than a country bumpkin and left her at the altar to be with his true love. After getting jilted, Corinne reclaimed her identity as the granddaughter of the town’s richest man, inherited a billion-dollar fortune, and ultimately rose to the top. But her success attracted the envy of others, and people constantly tried to bring her down. As she dealt with these troublemakers one by one, Mr. Hopkins, notorious for his ruthlessness, stood by and cheered her on. “Way to go, honey!”
Stella Judd worked hard for her entire life, in return, she only got endless deception and oppression and died without dignity. However, she was reborn with time turning back. She vowed to never again let anyone who had bullied her get anything out of her. She got away from a very vicious family and got rich by her own hands. Nevertheless, she felt in love with a cripple. Although he was a cripple, Stella wanted to protect her husband and live in peace, but she didn't expect that her crippled husband suddenly turned into the distinguished Prime Minister! What's more, not only he was not lame anymore, but also he walked with her through life and death.
"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...
Melanie married Ashton out of gratitude, but she quickly found herself entangled in a web of relentless challenges. Despite these struggles, she stayed true to her commitment to the marriage. In the hospital room, Ashton indifferently attempted to draw her blood, disregarding her discomfort. This callous act was a harsh revelation for Melanie, awakening her to the grim reality of their relationship. Resolved to prioritize her own welfare, she decided to sever ties. With newfound resolve, Melanie filed for divorce. In the process, she unveiled her concealed identities, leaving everyone in shock. Throughout these turbulent times, Melanie realized that Derek, Ashton’s uncle, had been discreetly protecting her all along.
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?