I've built my career in digging out hidden secrets and exposing them as a journalist that I am. But the story in which I am going to embark might bring my doom. The main focus of my research is Ethan Blackwell, a billionaire businessman and the owner of Blackwell Enterprises. I have tried to-label him as a corrupt person, making his late father responsible for causing the plane crash that claimed the lives of my parents. Sackings and other dismissals started and seemed quite brutal. Still, Ethan comes back with defamation trial that puts all the work I have invested at risks of being destroyed. Desperate for a way out, I agree to an crazy deal: come to his house and pretend we are engaged for three months, and he will withdraw the lawsuit. Strategically, the decision made at the beginning aims at protecting my career but soon evolves into something beyond a strategic plan. The life I'm pulled into is as glamorous as it is ruthless. The media does not back down, Ethan's mother hates me, and ex-girlfriend is right behind to make sure I am done for, figuratively and literally. After getting to know Ethan better, I no longer dream of posing as a different person, but am practically living a different life. I perceive a man carrying the mantle of his father without him understanding what this means which is the past I've been researching all this time. I never thought, I would develop feelings for him. But now, caught between justice and desire, I have to decide: leave the man I have interest in or endanger myself and everything in my pursuit for the whole truth. Secrets brought us together. Will the truth tear us apart?
Madison POV
There was an unnatural silence that filled the whole newsroom, except for the occasional shuffle of papers and old computers making silent noises. My coworkers were trying not to look at me, but I couldn't help but feel their eyes slowly perching around me. Some were pitying me, others accusing. My phone couldn't stop vibrating on my desk, and I know what it was all about. I couldn't see the need to check it. The buzzing was annoying, and it matched the unease in my chest. I felt like everyone was watching me, and it was hard to sit still. The silence was uncomfortable, and I just wanted it to end.
The article had gone live barely an hour ago.
I took a deep look at the headline again, bold and accusatory across the screen:
"Ethan Blackwell: The Billionaire Behind the Curtain of Corruption."
I felt my chest tighten. I had double-checked every source, every quote, every lead. Months of work poured into exposing the truth. And yet, I couldn't help but have doubts, as sharp and cold, and the weight of what I had done began to sink in. Ethan Blackwell wasn't just a billionaire, he had all the security assets
And I'd just painted a target on my back.
My editor, Harold, had barely looked me in the eye when I pitched the story. He'd mumbled something about treading carefully, but his reluctance only fueled my determination. Blackwell's empire needed to be exposed for the rot that lay beneath its polished surface.
Now, the reality of my choice pressed down on me.
The double doors to the newsroom flew open with a bang, and a man stormed in, his towering frame exuding fury. Ethan Blackwell.
The room immediately turned dead silent as he walked in, his expensive suit that proved his influence despite the anger in his dark eyes. His presence was intimidating as it got everyone's attention drawn to him. Conversations died, fingers froze over keyboards, and every head turned toward the Ethan Blackwell.
I stood, willing my knees not to buckle. He was larger than life, even more intimidating in person than I remembered.
"Madison Russo," he said, his voice a low growl that carried across the room.
I squared my shoulders. "Mr. Blackwell."
He stalked toward me, each step measured and lethal. He stared right into my face as soon as he stopped in front of my desk.
"Do you have any idea what you've done?" he asked, in a calm tone, too calm. And it scared me but I couldn't back out now.
"I reported the truth," I replied, my voice steadier than I felt.
Ethan's laugh was sharp and devoid of humor. "The truth? You've published lies and rubbish. Baseless accusations with the intention to destroy my reputation." He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. "Do you have any idea what I can do to you for doing this to me?"
My heart hammered against my ribs, but I refused to flinch. "Every word in that article is backed by evidence."
"Evidence," he spat, straightening to his full height. "You wouldn't know evidence if it hit you in the face. This is reckless, amateur journalism at its finest."
The room watched in stunned silence as he made me feel low of myself, his words like knives. I felt the sting of humiliation, the heat rising to my cheeks, but I held my ground.
"You'll take down the article," Ethan continued, his tone sharp and final. "Or you'll regret why you chose to be a journalist in the first place."
I lifted my chin. "I won't take it down."
His jaw tightened, and for a moment, his composure slipped, revealing a sense of raw anger.
"You're making a mistake," he said, his voice like ice.
"Maybe," I said, swallowing hard. "But I stand by what I wrote."
Ethan's gaze lingered on me for a long moment, a silent war of wills. Then, without another word, he turned and walked out, the door slamming shut behind him.
Everyone in the newsroom started whispering, but I didn't let it bother me at the moment . My hands were shaking as soon as I sat down, but I refused to let anyone see it. I looked at the white screen of the word document waiting for my thoughts to be put into some kind of order.
---
A shadow loomed over my desk. It was Harold, my editor looking uncomfortable, his tie slightly loosed.
"Madison," he started with his deep voice.
I knew what was coming.
"I have just been speaking with the board," he went on to say. "They're not happy. I have been informed that Blackwell's team is consulting its lawyer and, as you can imagine, that we cannot afford to do that here".
I rose slowly; the noise of the chair against the tiled floor was loud. "So you're.. you're firing me?"
"It's not personal," Harold muttered, avoiding eye contact with me. "Madison, you're a good journalist, but this ... this is beyond us. We can't stand behind you on this one."
I immediately flared up with anger. "So you're giving up because the pressure is too much? Letting him have say in what we can and can't report?"
Harold sighed. "This is bigger than you, Madison. Bigger than me."
I grabbed my bag and turned toward the door, my pulse roaring in my ears. "You're making a mistake," I said, echoing Ethan's words.
Harold didn't respond.
I marched out of the newsroom and with that heated feeling of being wronged that almost felt liberating. They could fire me. Ethan Blackwell could intimidate me. But I wouldn't back down.
---
Outside, the city buzzed with life, and none of them knew what was happening in my world, in my storm. Finally, the responsibility of making the decision lay a burden on my shoulder but equally the responsibility of executing the decision made.
I stopped at a coffee shop, which I preferred over other places when I needed to clear my head. I got my order from the cashier and the bar lady gave me a sympathetic look and must have read the papers.
"Rough day?" she asked.
"You have no idea," I muttered, clutching the cup like a lifeline.
Standing by the corner table, I pulled my laptop and tried to read the notes one more time. If Blackwell wanted this the hard way, I would be there.
But reading through the documents, some doubt crept into my mind. Am I really doing the right thing?
---Suddenly the buzz of my phone broke my train of thought. It was Jessica, my best friend
"What were you thinking, Madison," she began without even bothering to ask my welfare.
"I was thinking about the truth," I said, my words shaky and very far from convincing.
"Blackwell isn't just any billionaire," she continued. "He's ruthless. If you think he'll let this go, you're fooling yourself."
"Good," I shot back. "Let him come. I have nothing to lose."
"That's where you're wrong," Jessica said, her tone softening. "You've worked too hard to throw it all away. Just... be careful, okay?"
I nodded, even though she couldn't see it. "I will."
---
Hours later, I found myself walking aimlessly through the city. The lights blurred as exhaustion set in, but my mind was too restless to stop.
When I finally returned to my tiny apartment, I collapsed onto the couch, staring at the ceiling. My phone buzzed again, a notification flashing across the screen:
"Ethan Blackwell announces impending legal action against a reckless journalist"
I closed my eyes, a mix of fear and resolve churning in my chest.
This was only the beginning.
Lyra, a hybrid of angel and werewolf is destined to bring danger or peace in the supernatural worlds. She is being raised in the werewolf pack that fears and distrusts her, with her powers suppressed by her stepfather, Michael. But kael her step-brother always supports her When she crosses paths with the Devil son, xaphan her worlds is never the same again. With their forbidden love that draws danger to each side. Xaphan obsession with Lyra deepens as he decides whether to betray his father or protect the woman he's drawn to. Lyra must embrace her hybrid nature to stand against those who want to control her. Dive into this paranormal romance to find out!!!
The day Raina gave birth should have been the happiest of her life. Instead, it became her worst nightmare. Moments after delivering their twins, Alexander shattered her heart-divorcing her and forcing her to sign away custody of their son, Liam. With nothing but betrayal and heartbreak to her name, Raina disappeared, raising their daughter, Ava, on her own.Years later, fate comes knocking when Liam falls gravely ill. Desperate to save his son, Alexander is forced to seek out the one person he once cast aside. Alexander finds himself face to face with the woman he underestimated, pleading for a second chance-not just for himself, but for their son. But Raina is no longer the same broken woman who once loved him.No longer the woman he left behind. She has carved out a new life-one built on strength, wealth, and a long-buried legacy she expected to uncover.Raina has spent years learning to live without him.The question is... Will she risk reopening old wounds to save the son she never got to love? or has Alexander lost her forever?
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
Kallie, a mute who had been ignored by her husband for five years since their wedding, also suffered the loss of her pregnancy due to her cruel mother-in-law. After the divorce, she learned that her ex-husband had quickly gotten engaged to the woman he truly loved. Holding her slightly rounded belly, she realized that he had never really cared for her. Determined, she left him behind, treating him as a stranger. Yet, after she left, he scoured the globe in search of her. When their paths crossed once more, Kallie had already found new happiness. For the first time, he pleaded humbly, "Please don't leave me..." But Kallie's response was firm and dismissive, cutting through any lingering ties. "Get lost!"
Elodie took a deep breath and knocked, the sound echoing in the quiet corridor. A moment of silence passed, broken only by the pounding of her heart. Finally, the door snicked open, revealing a surprised Dashiell. 'Can't you see the Do Not Disturb sign? We don't want-' His initial frown quickly morphed into confusion at the sight of his wife. 'What are you doing here?' he demanded. 'Your girlfriend invited me,' Elodie replied, her voice laced with icy calm. She tried to peer past him, but his broad frame blocked the view. A saccharine voice chimed in from within the room. 'Elodie? Oh dear, we didn't mean for you to find out this way. It's just that-' Elodie cut her short. 'Oh please, Selene. Spare me the fake apologies. You wouldn't have sent me all those texts if you didn't want me to know.' Dashiell shifted uncomfortably, his face a mask of annoyance. 'What texts?' Elodie stepped past him, taking in the luxurious suite with a sardonic smile. The king-sized bed, the scattered rose petals, the lingering scent of sex – it all painted a vivid picture of their betrayal. She looked up at Dashiell, her gaze unwavering. 'I want a divorce.' ****** Dashiell lived a life of luxury, surrounded by the best things money could buy. But when a car accident left him vulnerable, he met Elodie, a seemingly ordinary woman who nursed him back to health. Mistaking her for just another employee, Dashiell entered into a loveless marriage with her solely for convenience. However, fate had a different script in store. Elodie, the 'ordinary nurse,' held a secret more precious than any diamond: she was the sole heiress to Northstar, a vast and powerful enterprise. Unaware of her true identity, Dashiell cast her aside when his ex-girlfriend returned, leaving Elodie humiliated. But Elodie was not one to be easily broken. She shed the facade of the meek nurse, reclaiming her rightful inheritance and stepping into the role of Northstar's CEO. Now, the woman Dashiell discarded was the one holding the reins of power. As Elodie thrives in her new role, Dashiell is consumed by regret. He finally sees Elodie for the extraordinary woman she truly is, realising the depth of his mistake. But will his remorse be enough to win back the heart he so carelessly discarded?
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.
Mia's life is spiraling out of control. Abandoned by her mother, bullied mercilessly at school, and thrown into a household of four dangerously attractive stepbrothers, she's desperate to find her footing. "You look absolutely edible," Sean growled, his eyes devouring her. Mia felt a rush of heat between her thighs "Oh, you think so?" she purred, turning to face him. She reached out and traced her fingers along the ribbon that wrapped around his waist. "Well, I've been waiting for this all day. And I'm starving." Sean's smile grew into a predatory grin. "Then let us feast," he said, and in a flash, the ribbon fell away, exposing his rock-hard length. He stepped closer, and Mia felt the warmth of his breath on her face as he whispered, "You're going to take every inch of us tonight, aren't you?" With Rolex's teasing smirk and Sean's quiet, hot stares, Mia doesn't know where to turn-or who to trust. Every glance, every touch leaves her breathless, confused, and craving more than she should. Will Mia survive their games, or will she lose herself in a dangerous world of secrets, seduction, and forbidden desire? One house. Four brothers. Endless temptation.