Élodie, a fragile young woman, carries the weight of a painful past after losing her mother in mysterious circumstances at the age of thirteen. She grows up under the tutelage of her stepfather, Victor Lemaire, an alpha with irresistible charisma and an enigmatic aura. In the sumptuous corridors of their Gothic mansion, Élodie discovers a world where luxury rubs shoulders with well-buried secrets and palpable tensions. As she prepares to celebrate her eighteenth birthday, her life changes when she surprises Victor in a torrid scene with a mysterious maid, who seems to know things that no one else knows. Élodie is both troubled and fascinated by this man who seems to wear a mask of illusion. Why does this alpha, both distant and magnetic, hide so many mysteries? Determined to catch his eye, Élodie engages in a perilous game of seduction, teetering between desire and danger. But Victor is hiding more than just secret affairs: dark truths that could destroy not only his fortune and reputation, but their entire lives. Who is Victor Lemaire, really? Why does he lock himself in his office during the darkest hours, as if he were running away from something? What troubling connections do the manor's employees have to tragic events from the past? And most importantly, how far will Élodie go to get what she so desperately wants... even if it means sacrificing everything she has?
In the opulent silence of the manor, a ray of light filtered through the heavy velvet curtains. The room, vast and imposing, seemed frozen in time, each heavily carved piece of furniture bearing the scars of a bygone era. A slight shiver ran through Élodie as she opened her eyes. The day was shaping up to be like any other, and yet she couldn't ignore the tension in the air, a dull sense of foreboding that tightened her chest.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, her bare feet brushing the thick carpet, she let her gaze drift to the antique mirror in front of her. Her reflection disturbed her. At eighteen, she still didn't recognize herself in this image of herself. A young woman with a piercing gaze, but still imprisoned by a past she struggled to understand. The voice of Anna, her governess, broke the silence.
"You are expected in the living room, Miss. Your father insists that you join him immediately."
The tone, though respectful, carried that hint of authority that Anna always used when it came to Victor Lemaire. Élodie nodded, without a word. Victor wasn't really her father, but he was all she had. Since her mother's sudden disappearance, he had taken control of her life, imposing his massive presence in every detail of her existence. She put on a light dress, hesitated for a moment in front of the dressing table, then gave up on the idea of doing her hair. Victor hated being late.
Descending the wide stairs, Élodie felt the weight of the portraits hanging along the walls. Each face seemed to scrutinize her, laden with secrets she had not yet discovered. Her mother, so beautiful and enigmatic, was among them. The painting was hung a little higher than the others, as if to emphasize its importance. Élodie looked away. Each time she met this painted gaze, a dull pain took hold of her.
In the living room, Victor was waiting for her, impeccably dressed as usual. He was holding a glass of cognac, although it was still too early in the morning for such indulgence. Next to him, a man Elodie didn't recognize was standing, slightly set back, his hands crossed in front of him. The man seemed to be measuring Victor, studying his every move with an almost disturbing attention.
"Finally, here you are," Victor said, not looking away from the fireplace. "Today is an important day. I want you to be ready."
She frowned. Victor loved dramatic statements, but he had a knack for always shrouding them in frustrating mystery. "Ready for what?"
He spun around, his dark, penetrating gaze meeting hers. "Tonight, we celebrate your birthday. Your coming of age deserves a celebration worthy of what you represent."
The choice of words made her flinch. What did she represent? Not who she was, but rather a sort of symbol that only he seemed to perceive. She didn't have time to answer. The man at her side stepped forward slightly, and Victor, as if suddenly remembering his presence, pointed at the stranger with a broad gesture.
"This is Gabriel de la Croix. He will assist me in organizing tonight's reception."
Gabriel tilted his head slightly, but Elodie sensed a wry glint in his smile. He seemed as comfortable in the role as a fox in a barnyard. She forced herself to smile back, but her instincts told her to be wary of him.
"A reception? For whom?" she asked, hoping to get more information.
Victor set his glass down on the mantelpiece, a calculated gesture, and stepped toward her. "For you, of course. The local notables, a few important allies. This will be an opportunity to present yourself in the best possible light."
She hated the way he spoke, as if she were an object to be displayed. "What if I don't want to?"
Her tone betrayed a rebellion she had not yet fully assumed. Victor's eyes narrowed slightly, but he did not lose his calm. "It's not a question of wanting. It's a question of having to. Tonight, everything will change for you, Élodie. It's time you understood your role."
Her role. That abstract notion he brought up again without ever explaining. She opened her mouth to reply, but he raised a hand to cut her off. "Anna will help you prepare. Rise to the occasion."
And with that, he turned on his heel, followed by Gabriel. Élodie stood there frozen, anger and frustration mingling inside her. Every conversation with Victor left her with more questions than answers. But it wasn't just his words that troubled her. It was what he didn't say, those silences heavy with secrets.
In her room, Anna was already busy taking sumptuous dresses out of the wardrobe. Élodie sat on the bed, watching the governess without really seeing her. Memories of her mother resurfaced, blurry images, tinged with a sadness she had never really overcome. She saw herself again, barely thirteen years old, standing in front of her mother's lifeless body. No one had ever explained what had happened. An accidental fall, they had said. But Élodie had never believed it.
"You look preoccupied, Miss," Anna remarked as she adjusted a dress on a mannequin.
Elodie hesitated, but the question burning on her lips finally escaped. "Anna, you were there that day, weren't you? When my mother died."
The governess froze, her gaze fixed on the cloth in her hands. "Yes," she finally answered, her voice barely audible.
"Then why did you never tell me the truth?"
Anna gently put the dress down and turned to her. "Because some truths are too heavy to bear, Elodie. And some wounds never heal."
The answer, although sincere, only served to fuel Elodie's anger. She stood up abruptly. "Everyone lies to me in this house. Victor, you... Even my mother had her secrets."
Anna looked down, unable to meet his gaze. "Maybe tonight you'll find some answers."
Elodie left the room without another word. If answers were to come, she would seek them out herself. The rest of the day passed in a blur, with preparations for the reception keeping the entire manor staff busy. But despite the agitation, Elodie could not escape the feeling of being trapped in an invisible web, woven long before she was born.
As night fell and the guests began to arrive, she descended the steps, wearing a silver dress that accentuated the paleness of her skin and the depth of her eyes. All eyes turned to her, but she did not notice them. Her thoughts were elsewhere, lost in the mystery of this house and this man who pretended to protect her while controlling her.
Victor, impeccable in his role as host, greeted her with a cold smile. He guided her through the crowd, introducing her to men and women whose names immediately escaped her. But something about the atmosphere of the mansion seemed different tonight, as if the walls themselves were holding their breath.
Amidst the laughter and hushed conversations, Elodie caught sight of Gabriel, alone in a corner, watching the scene with an intensity that made her feel uncomfortable. He saw her, and for the first time, his smile became sincere. But before she could join him, Victor grabbed her by the arm.
"Don't let yourself be distracted. There are things you're not ready to understand yet."
She pulled away, her gaze defiant. "And when will I be?"
He didn't answer, but his silence spoke volumes. Élodie understood then that, whatever happened that evening, she would never be the same again.
For three years, Althea lived in the shadow of an arranged marriage with Damian Crowe, a billionaire as ruthless as they are insistent, known for his dark things and his absolute control over the elite. This marriage, designed by their families to unite two dynasties by the decline, quickly turned into a nightmare. Ignored by Damian, and closely monitored by his allies, Althea has discovered a world of unavowable secrets and questionable transactions. One night, she comes across compromising information that could ruin Damian and her whole family. Realizing that she is only a pawn in their game, she disappears without warning, leaving behind an empire in danger and a man plagued by her own demons. When Althea resurfaces three years later, she was unrecognizable: independent, formidable and armed with a infallible strategy to undermine the power of Damian. In parallel, it becomes the target of the rivals of the latter, who see in it the key to destroy the reign of the Crowe. But Damian did not say his last word. Torn between his desire to reconquer and the fear of the truths that Althea could reveal, he embarks on a battle where love and destruction are intertwined. Does Althea play a vengeance game, or is it about to overthrow a world that she has sworn to never suffer?
Lea, an orphan since she was thirteen, was raised by her charismatic guardian, Gabriel, a man of dazzling success and a reputation as an alpha in the business world. As her eighteenth birthday approaches, Lea surprises a disturbing scene: Gabriel embraces a mysterious-looking assistant in the private office where she has always believed that trust reigned. This unexpected moment awakens in her a storm of feelings: admiration, anger, and a burning fascination for this man who has always been her protector. Determined to turn the situation around, Lea concocts a daring plan to seduce Gabriel. But as she approaches him with newfound confidence, the guardian struggles between his responsibilities and a desire he thought repressed. What is Gabriel really hiding behind his self-confident appearance? Can he resist the growing attraction to this young woman who is no longer the child he raised? Events take a dramatic turn when Lea discovers a shocking secret about Gabriel's past-a secret that could destroy everything between them. Will she be able to handle the consequences of what she's discovered? Is their relationship doomed to be a dangerous game, or could it turn into something even deeper? As tensions rise and passions flare, Lea must face heartbreaking choices: sacrifice her heart to protect the one she loves, or dive headfirst into this forbidden romance, no matter the risk?
Natalie Carter is the daughter of Charles Carter, a powerful real estate tycoon known for his colossal financial empire. She left her family home to live among ordinary people after a humiliating rejection from her fiancé, an influential man she thought was her soul mate. Her escape caused a scandal, bringing shame on her family. Three years later, Natalie leads a discreet life in Manhattan. She lives in a modest apartment in a picturesque neighborhood and works as an executive assistant in a small advertising agency. She is in a relationship with a simple and unremarkable man. All seems peaceful until her neighbor mysteriously disappears. This disappearance is followed by a series of disturbing events, including murders linked to influential figures in high society. Her mother, Elizabeth Carter, contacts her to alert her of an imminent danger linked to their past. Driven by circumstances, Natalie crosses paths with her former fiancé, Alexander Drake, an enigmatic and ruthless billionaire. Faced with plots, betrayals, and shocking revelations, Natalie finds herself forced to return to the world she fled, ending her simple and anonymous life. But can she navigate this whirlwind of lies and power without losing who she has become? And is Alexander an ally or a threat?
In the dark forests of the Dark Moons pack, Elia Ross, a young healer, seeks to heal the wounds of her past. Sent as a protector to the fragile and gentle Liora, she discovers the disturbing secrets of the lupine hierarchy. At the top of this society reigns Kael Drax, the dominant Alpha, as fascinating as he is ruthless. Ten years earlier, Kael was involved in the tragedy that destroyed Elia's family, but he seems not to remember her. When an arranged marriage between Kael and Liora is announced to unite two powerful packs, Elia sees an unexpected opportunity: to protect Liora, but also to confront the Alpha with his sins. However, troubling questions haunt her mind: why does Kael seem strangely attracted to her? What is he hiding behind his brutal decisions? And, most importantly, is she willing to betray her own principles to uncover the truth and break the chains of her past? As tensions rise and pack rivalries intensify, Elia will have to choose between justice, vengeance, and a forbidden desire.
Alessia Ford, an ambitious young woman disillusioned by her family's betrayals, leaves everything to rebuild her life far from her past. She lands a job in the financial empire of Nathan Drake, a billionaire with an icy charm and a fearsome reputation. Alessia, with her sharp mind and natural audacity, intrigues Nathan from their first meeting. But why does this man, used to dominating the business world, seem troubled by a simple employee? While he proposes an arranged marriage for mysterious reasons, Alessia accepts, driven by the need to protect herself from her own family demons. However, as soon as she settles into the luxurious Drake villa, she realizes that Nathan hides much more than a simple financial interest behind this contract. What is he trying to escape or protect? Why do menacing glances fall on her at every gala? Between corporate secrets, all-consuming jealousies and a budding love, Alessia will have to discover the truth before the stakes of this contract become completely beyond her control.
Eloise "Ellie" Carter, a young woman from a tyrannical elite family, is forced to marry a man she despises: a ruthless billionaire Alpha, Adrian Wolfe. Heir to an ancient line of werewolves, Ellie is the shame of her family because her wolf has never shown up. Adrian, leader of the Silversand pack and CEO of a colossal financial empire, agrees to this arranged marriage to solidify a deal vital to his pack. Arrogant, domineering, and elusive, Adrian hides a deep wound: a dark past marked by loss, betrayal, and a curse that eats away at his wolf, threatening his control. In a world where business mixes with pack hierarchy, Ellie is propelled into a world of luxury, power, and rivalry. But she soon discovers that Adrian is not just a domineering Alpha and a business tycoon: he is also a man haunted by a secret that could destroy everything. Why did Adrian really agree to this marriage? What is this strange bond that seems to be forming between them, teetering between hatred and uncontrollable desire? As Ellie tries to prove her worth in a world that sees her as weak, she uncovers conspiracies within Adrian's pack, shady financial alliances, and a threat that could destroy their world. What if her wolf is not lost but simply asleep? What will happen when Ellie discovers she is linked to an ancient prophecy that could either save Adrian or destroy him?
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"
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!"
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."
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!
Due to the plight of her family, Phoebe had no choice but to embark on the path of selling herself. In an accident, she had a tangled night with Alexander. Everything began to derail, and even if she fled to the ends of the earth, she would still be found by him and entangled... *** Phoebe screamed in frustration, "What do you want from me?" What was this supposed to be? He raised an eyebrow wickedly. "What do I want? You'll find out soon enough." With that, he hoisted her up and carried her back into the office. The door slammed shut with a kick, and he cleared the desk with a sweep of his arm before laying her down on it, his body pinning hers in place, completely trapping her in his grasp. Every cell in his body was telling him he wanted her. He wanted to claim her again. This time, there would be no escape for her-he wouldn't let her slip away. Never again. If he had suffered for five years, then this woman wouldn't get off easily either!