"I politely declined the magazine shoot invitation from a top celebrity, and before I knew it, I was on the cover with a finance executive. The top celebrity angrily commented: 'Hmph, what a poor nobody! Rejecting my stunning looks and eagerly settling for this greasy middle-aged man right after his divorce.' My dad, who is truly suave but pretends to be greasy, said: 'I'm furious, blacklist them!'"
I politely declined the magazine shoot invitation from the top celebrity, and soon after, I graced the cover alongside a financial mogul.
The celebrity furiously commented, "Hah, just a nobody. She turned down a stunning man like me and couldn't wait to settle for this sleazy middle-aged man right after her divorce."
The middle-aged gentleman turned to be my father, declared, "This media need to be blacklisted right now!"
1
At the charity gala auction, the financial mogul, whom I had recently reconnected with, spent a fortune to win a diamond necklace for me.
Reporters quickly thrust microphones in my face, asking, "Are you currently single or married?"
"Single, " I replied, knowing this was the standard answer in the entertainment industry.
"Who is the man you most want to marry next?"
"Stan Cloud, "
I almost blurted out from habit.
My manager in the audience was frantically signaling to me.
It dawned on me that I had already signed my name on the divorce papers in the study.
For five years, I had a contract with Stan, which required me to boost his public exposure at every opportunity.
But now, I was free.
Hmm, whose name should I say? The entertainment industry was full of handsome men, yet I couldn't think of one.
My eyes slyly scanned the audience, and a poster of an elegant, proud man caught my eye.
His aura practically shouted, "Don't drag me into this, stay away."
Stan's biggest rival, the hottest bachelor in the entertainment world, was the perfect shield.
I smirked and said, "Actually, it's Xander Own."
2
The room erupted in astonishment.
The microphone was then passed to the financial mogul and Xander, who was standing in the corner.
"What's your answer towards this?"
My clenched hands began to sweat.
I felt socially annihilated; I had no idea Xander was here today!
This was bad, really bad. Everyone in the industry knew Xander was famous for his outspokenness.
Last time, a famous actress confessed her love for him during a live stream, and he immediately cut all ties with her, even vowing never to work with her again.
I glanced at him guiltily, bracing myself for the inevitable backlash.
"It was my honor, " he said, "I am flattered."
Our eyes met briefly, and instead of sparks flying, I felt a strange illusion that he was deeply infatuated with me.
Why was he treating me so differently?
Could he actually like me?
I shook my head. This was Xander.
How could I be so self-absorbed?
My father, hearing this, looked at him approvingly, "Not bad, he was qualified to join the family."
3
"Scandal. Ashley Wright caught between a triple award-winning actor and a financial mogul, rumored to be in a love triangle!"
The headline screamed, making it clear that
I, Ashley, a minor celebrity, had made it to the trending topics.
I excitedly clung to my manager and best friend Ivy Francis.
For five years, Stan didn't want me to be too public, and I dutifully played the role of his supportive wife.
During those years, Stan's career soared, while I remained out of the spotlight.
Ivy threw a pillow at me, and I quickly dodged.
"I gave you hints, why did you still say something stupid?"
I felt wronged but didn't dare to speak.
In that quiet moment, I began to wonder if mentioning Xander's name was really just a coincidence or if it was an answer buried deep within me all along.
Ivy glared at me, frustrated by my lack of awareness.
"The contract still had six months, why did you divorce?"
"Well, I'm pregnant, " I confessed, lowering my voice, "and the child isn't Stan's."
4
"Look at you, Ashley, you've just publicly cheated on Stan! Everyone knows he was on set for the past three months."
Ivy's shrill voice gave me a headache. "Whose is it?"
I shook my head.
"You don't know? I shouldn't have left you alone that night."
She was referring to the company's annual gala.
Stan, who was supposed to be on set, returned to the estate and was found in my master bedroom with his assistant, Tina Cloud.
After five years of a nominal marriage, I finally understood why.
I was too naive. How could someone truly in love not touch the person they care about, especially for five years?
I silently signed the divorce papers.
That night, I drank too much spiked wine
and woke up disheveled in a hotel bed.
I wanted to feebly protest, saying I hadn't technically cheated, but swallowed my words under Ivy's disapproving gaze.
Stan's PR team was efficient.
When I checked my phone again, the comments had shifted.
"He's panicking, he's panicking."
"Am I the only one who sees he's jealous?"
The marriage news didn't ruin him; instead, it built a devoted lover image.
As I scrolled down, amidst the sympathetic comments, a few had gone off-topic.
A user named "AshleyIsInMyHeart" commented, "Doesn't anyone think Ashley and Xander make a perfect match?"
"I second that!"
Ivy whispered, "Are you really planning to let go this time?"
4
"I can't stand her, Stan."
At Rose Manor, Building A, Unit 1803, our marital home, Stan's manager had summoned me to discuss follow-up matters.
When I entered, the manager was absent, and Stan was comforting Tina, holding her gently.
"It's all your fault, making things difficult for me now, " he said softly.
Standing right in front of her, Tina showed no embarrassment about badmouthing me behind my back.
"Tina acted impulsively, why did you have to make such a fuss?"
Stan, looking annoyed at me, shifted the blame for not being able to appease Tina onto me.
Whenever Tina and I argued, Stan always said similar things.
"She's young and doesn't understand, don't blame her."
"She's my only family, don't be unreasonable."
Stan, Tina, and I grew up together.
Stan told me Tina was his biological sister.
I had always loved this man.
When his manager put forward the idea that he should get married to uphold his image as a dedicated person during the downturn in his career, I married him without hesitation, becoming the invisible woman behind his perfect facade.
For five years, I endured Tina's provocations for the sake of family harmony.
At this moment, Ivy's question from earlier finally had an answer.
"Mr. Cloud, let me remind you, I've already signed the divorce papers."
"Just because of Tina's unintentional mistake?
You should know that half of why we live here is thanks to Tina."
"Thanks for what? " I chuckled sarcastically, "for climbing into your bed?"
I threw the DNA test results proving Tina and Stan weren't related in front of them.
I knew Stan was talking about that incident when someone got down on their knees in the rain, pleading for a role.
The event was real, but the protagonist was me.
"Are you so sure it was your non-blood-related sister who helped you?"
I emphasized "non-blood-related sister."
Ridiculous, I had never doubted Stan was lying to me.
Tina panicked as expected.
"This is the last time."
Before, explanations were futile; now, I realized there was no need for them.
I turned to leave, and Stan, in a fit of rage, shouted, "Think carefully, once you step out of this door, there's no turning back."
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.
June Rivera was divorced by her husband after three years of marriage because he wanted to be with her sister who was pregnant for him. Kicked to the curb with a divorce and rejected by her parents,she struggles to make ends meet and get a job until she saves Luis Ambrose from an accident - the only child of Rafael Ambrose, a widowed man and the CEO of Ambrose Corporation. When little Luis asks to have her as a nanny, and Rafael's mother pressures him to get married, they draw a contract. To be Luis's nanny and his fake wife for one year in exchange for 50 million dollars!
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
Elin spent twenty years deeply loving her husband, finally marrying him just as she'd always dreamed. But reality shattered her illusions—he wasn't the man she believed. Instead, he callously destroyed her family, crushing her heart beyond repair. At her lowest point, Ruben, equally betrayed that night, approached her steadily. "Marry me, Elin. I'll help you take revenge." Yet, after their wedding, she quickly discovered he was dangerously unpredictable. "I made a mistake. Let's divorce..." Ruben slid his arm possessively around her waist, whispering a chilling promise, "Only in death."
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!”