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Olivia Steele has always been the perfect daughter, obeying her family's every demand. But when her father's company faces financial ruin, Olivia is forced into an arranged marriage with Damien Caldwell-a ruthless billionaire with a reputation as cold as his business dealings. To the world, he is a charismatic tycoon. To Olivia, he is a man with a heart of stone and a vendetta he refuses to explain. Damien isn't looking for love; he's looking for revenge. Years ago, Olivia's father betrayed his family, leaving them in ruin. Marrying Olivia is part of his calculated plan to bring the Steele family to their knees. But the more time he spends with Olivia, the harder it becomes to see her as the enemy. Her warmth and determination begin to crack the walls he's built around his heart. As secrets unravel, Olivia discovers the truth about Damien's motives, and their fragile bond is tested. Torn between love and loyalty, she must decide whether to fight for their marriage or walk away before Damien's thirst for revenge consumes them both. Will hatred destroy their chance at happiness, or can love redeem even the deepest wounds?
The scent of old mahogany and expensive cologne filled the air, a suffocating reminder of the world Olivia Steele had never wanted to be part of. She stood stiffly in her father's study, clutching the edges of her sweater as though it could shield her from the storm brewing in the room. Across from her, her father, Richard Steele, wore the expression she had come to dread: a mix of desperation and determination.
"Olivia, this is our only way out," he said, his voice trembling slightly.
Her eyes flicked to the man sitting in the leather chair opposite her father. Damien Caldwell. He was younger than she'd expected, perhaps in his early thirties. Sharp cheekbones, piercing blue eyes, and an aura of absolute control surrounded him like an invisible cloak. He didn't smile, didn't offer a single word of comfort. He simply watched her, like a predator waiting for its prey to falter.
"Marry him?" Olivia's voice cracked, disbelief coloring every syllable. "You can't be serious, Dad."
Richard's gaze dropped to his hands, which fidgeted with a pen.
"I've made mistakes, Olivia. Caldwell Industries is the only thing keeping us from bankruptcy. Damien has offered to settle our debts... if you agree to this marriage."
"And what does he get out of it?" she snapped, turning to face Damien directly. For the first time, she saw a flicker of something in his icy eyes-amusement, perhaps.
"What I want is none of your concern,"
Damien said smoothly. His voice was deep, authoritative, with an edge that sent a shiver down her spine.
"But rest assured, I always get what I'm owed."
The weight of his words hung heavy in the room. Olivia felt her chest tighten. How had it come to this? Just weeks ago, she had been living a simple life, working at the local art gallery and dreaming of a future far removed from her father's corporate world. Now, she was being thrust into a cold, calculated deal with a man who barely knew her name.
"I'm not a pawn in your business games," Olivia hissed, glaring at her father.
Richard's head shot up, his eyes glassy. "If there was another way, I'd take it! Do you think I'd sell my daughter's future if I wasn't desperate?"
The word sell struck Olivia like a physical blow. Her stomach churned. She looked back at Damien, who sat motionless, as though the heated argument unfolding before him were nothing more than a passing inconvenience.
"What do you say, Miss Steele?" Damien's voice cut through the tension.
"Do we have an agreement?"
Olivia's hands trembled. Her mind screamed at her to refuse, to walk out of the room and never look back. But then she thought of her mother, long gone, and her father, broken by years of failed ventures. Most of all, she thought of her little brother, Ethan, still in college and oblivious to the financial ruin threatening to tear their family apart.
Her throat tightened as she met Damien's gaze. There was no warmth there, only calculation. Yet she saw no alternative.
"Fine," she whispered. "I'll marry you."
For the first time, Damien's lips curved into a faint, chilling smile. "Excellent."
But as Olivia left the room, her mind buzzing with dread, she couldn't shake the feeling that she'd just made a deal with the devil himself.
As Olivia stepped out of the study, Damien's voice stopped her cold. "Oh, and Miss Steele?" he called out. She turned slowly, her heart pounding. His smile widened, sharp and predatory.
"Don't think for a second that this is just a marriage. You've signed up for much more than that."
When Corynn mustered up the courage to tell Elliot about her pregnancy, she unexpectedly found him gallantly helping another woman from his car. Her heart sank as three years of effort to secure his love crumbled before her eyes, compelling her to leave him behind. Three years later, life had taken Corynn down a new path with someone else, while Elliot was left grappling with regret. Seizing a moment of vulnerability, he pleaded, "Corynn, let's get married." Shaking her head with a faint smile, Corynn gently replied, "Sorry, I'm already engaged."
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. What’s worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldn’t thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesn’t seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that he’s different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?
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."
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!"
Darya spent three years loving Micah, worshipping the ground he walked on. Until his neglect and his family's abuse finally woke her up to the ugly truth-he doesn't love her. Never did, never will. To her, he is a hero, her knight in shining armour. To him, she is an opportunist, a gold digger who schemed her way into his life. Darya accepts the harsh reality, gathers the shattered pieces of her dignity, divorces him, takes back her real name, reclaims her title as the country's youngest billionaire heiress. Their paths cross again at a party. Micah watches his ex-wife sing like an angel, tear up the dance floor, then thwart a lecher with a roundhouse kick. He realises, belatedly, that she's exactly the kind of woman he'd want to marry, if only he had taken the trouble to get to know her. Micah acts promptly to win her back, but discovers she's now surrounded by eligible bachelors: high-powered CEO, genius biochemist, award-winning singer, reformed playboy. Worse, she makes it pretty clear that she's done with him. Micah gears up for an uphill battle. He must prove to her he's still worthy of her love before she falls for someone else. And time is running out.
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."