Trapped in an empty office late at night, Ella is certain no one will come to her rescue until a mysterious stranger appears. That man is Jason Theal, a seductive billionaire with a dark past and dangerous secrets. Drawn into his world of wealth and shadows, Ella discovers a sinister underbelly of betrayal and power. But as she unravels Jason's deadly ties, she realizes her own life is at stake in a game where trust is a luxury and survival is everything.
The early sun shone through the gaps in the ancient wooden shutters, struggling to light up the dim attic space. Emma moaned and turned around, dragging the worn-out blanket over her head in a hopeless effort to shield herself from the persistent daylight. All she desired was a few extra minutes of sleep. However, it was not meant to happen.
Young lady! "Stop being a couch potato and get up, there are tasks waiting for you!" Downstairs came the loud and condescending voice of Mrs. Wilson.
Despite being a twenty three years old woman with a full time job at a news network, you might expect her to have the weekend off to relax, but that's not the case in the Wilson household. In the eyes of the rest of her family, she was simply a household helper responsible for maintaining the house in perfect condition.
Emily let out a sigh. Ella stated that she was facing another day of exhausting work ahead, without any breaks in sight.
Reluctantly, she threw the blanket aside and sat up, wincing from her bruised muscles protesting the movement. God, when will this horrifying experience come to an end?
With daylight slowly entering through dirty windows, Emily hastily washed and got dressed, preparing herself for whatever the new day may bring. Below, a tired young couple sat with worn-out expressions at the tiny kitchen table, hardly noticing her cordial hello. Eager to get away from the oppressive atmosphere of her new foster home, she grabbed some stale cereal for herself.
Her foster mother enjoyed finding reasons to punish her, whether they were actual or perceived offenses. A week ago, Ella accidentally burned the toast and as a result, her foster mother punished her by giving her lashes on her back, which were just starting to heal.
After putting on the same worn-out dress she wore yesterday, Emily headed downstairs.
Ella noted to herself that the aroma of sizzling bacon drifting from the kitchen caused her stomach to rumble with hunger.
However, she was aware that it was hopeless to expect anything more than a stale crust of bread for breakfast. Luxuries like those were not intended for unwanted children such as her.
In the kitchen, Mrs. Wilson was cooking eggs and toast as her children sat enjoying their breakfast. Ella's foster brother, John Wilson, glared at Ella as she came in, his cold eyes filled with malicious amusement.
"He sneered through a mouthful of food, acknowledging the person who had finally decided to show up,".
Mrs. Wilson turned towards Ella. "You've been lazy for too long, girl. It's time to get moving!" I need all the laundry in the backyard taken care of before sunset or there will be consequences. And don't try to be lazy, I will be monitoring your progress as well.
She nodded quietly and went to fetch the large wicker basket overflowing with soiled clothes. While carrying it outside, she listened to her foster brother sarcastically shout, "Make sure you don't overexert yourself, we wouldn't want you keeling over from the strain!"
"Where is that dumb girl?", a husky voice called from upstairs, causing fear to cross Ella's face. The only person who was aware was none other than Mr. Wilson, the Man of the house.
"Why hasn't my laundry been done yet? Tomorrow is Monday and, unlike you, we as men in society need to dress professionally."
"I apologize, I will ensure it is prepared by tomorrow," Ella stated, avoiding making eye contact with her foster father.
Ella spent hours scrubbing and beating clothes clean against the washboard in the hot summer sun. By noon, she was in immense pain in her back and her hands were sore and bleeding, yet she continued on.
Around noon, there was a short break when the neighbor's dog Carl came over, wagging his tail hopefully.
She stopped to rub the dog's ears, smiling sadly. Carl, you are my only friend. I desire to escape with you to the countryside and not turn back.
However, it did not happen. As the sun started to go down, Mrs. Wilson stepped outside to check on how well Ella was doing. It's about time you completed it, you lazy girl. Bring the basket in and start supper before relaxing your tired arms.
She pulled the heavy basket inside, feeling weighed down by despair in her heart. For how much longer could she continue to exist in this never-ending horror? While chopping vegetables for the stew, she noticed a glint outside the kitchen window.
Moving nearer, she gazed into the approaching darkness. She briefly believed she glimpsed a red blur among the dark corners of the garden. However, when she blinked and glanced once more, there was nothing present.
Could tiredness be making my brain deceive me? Was there something or someone lurking in the dark shadows observing me? She questioned herself. As the evening was getting more darker, Ella actually felt a shiver run down her back. Without her knowing, the small life she led was on the verge of transforming beyond her own wildest dreams...
Ella finished the laundry as night approached and then began preparing dinner in the kitchen. Mrs. Wilson and her children were in the next dining room, loudly evaluating all of Ella's actions.
Finish cooking the stew quickly.
"Quickly finish preparing that stew, young lady!" A man toils the entire day and expects his dinner to be served promptly. Mrs. Wilson expressed her annoyance abruptly.
I apologize, ma'am, it will only take a few more minutes. Emily responded in a hushed tone while she stirred the pot.
John sneered as he turned to his younger brother Mark in the dining room and bet him five bucks she would burn it again. I can smell something that seems to be on fire already!
She attempted to disregard the teasing and concentrate on her assignment. While getting vegetables from the pantry, she saw a mouse quickly run past her, making her gasp in shock.
This caused the Wilsons to burst into a fresh round of giggles."Unable to deal with a small mouse, so weak!" John mocked. It's not surprising that no one desired a girl who was so worthless.
Her fists tightened at her sides, but she stayed silent, aware that any response would only escalate the situation. She told herself that in just a couple more years, she would finally be able to escape from this place. If she could make it through that period of time.
At last, the stew was cooked. While Ella was scooping food into bowls, Mrs. Wilson came into the kitchen with a stern look in her eye. Show me your arms, young lady.
Her slender arms, sore and pink from the day's work, were stretched out. Mrs. Wilson firmly held one, her thumb pushing into a new blister, making Emily gasp from the pain.
Not firm enough yet. We need to focus on making you stronger. Mrs. Wilson spoke with cruelty before letting go of her arm. "Quickly eat your food before it cools down."
During the tense meal, she followed instructions and kept her head down while enduring the family's taunting. As the night covered the world around her, she imagined about the uncertainties of tomorrow and questioned if she had the strength to face whatever challenges may actually come her way.
Ella got a text from an unknown sender asking, "Do you want to be a billionaire?" Ella was confused and in doubt. She wondered if her brothers were playing a prank on her or if it was just a text mistake. Regardless, she was determined to uncover the truth, feeling a glimmer of hope in her otherwise bleak life.
Nora James was supposed to get married to her long-time fiancé Finn Clayton, but what happens when she gets involved in a one-night stand with a stranger and Finn happens to know about it? Will Finn forgive her, and will they end up married, or will Nora end up pregnant without anyone by her side?
"I've warned you from the beginning. Don't marry him, but you won't listen." Darcy stood close to me and smiled with concern. "You're not a woman worthy of a man as handsome, rich, smart, and virile as Blaze." My whole body trembled at her words. "Have you no shame?" I asked. "Take a good look at yourself, Heather." She stared at me in the mirror. "You can't even glance at your ugly face. Do you think Blaze can endure a lifetime of gazing at that scar?" Heather Bailey got a surprise from her husband: a divorce agreement. After a year of marriage and facing ups and downs, she couldn't believe Blaze intended to divorce her. She was devastated when she saw him gazing lovingly at another woman. After signing the divorce papers, shockwaves caught her up. Her flower shop was burned to the ground. Her father's company collapsed, and her parents blamed her. She struggled to rebuild her life from the ground up and became more successful than ever. Having many customers from influential families, she started her revenge on Blaze. She won the very thing he wanted, but that was just the beginning.
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?"
"Is it considered betrayal to develop feelings for your best friend's boyfriend? What about when fate intervenes, and he turns out to be your destined mate? You might think it's luck and thank the moon goddess for such a twist of fate. That's what I believed until the love of my life uttered those dreaded words: 'I want a divorce!' As I stared at the pregnancy test in my hands, I realized it was better to keep my secret to myself. My name is Violet, and this is my story."
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad. Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded. She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer. Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone. But then the ex-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.
"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...