Stella Hayes gave her heart to the wrong man and paid the price. Betrayed, humiliated, and left to rebuild her life in silence, she vowed never to trust again.] Six years later, she returns as a force to be reckoned with-a woman on a mission, guarding a secret that could change everything. But crossing paths with Jack Ashford, the billionaire playboy who broke her, reignites a storm she thought she'd left behind. As old flames and hidden agendas collide, Stella finds herself caught in a dangerous game of power, revenge, and redemption. In a world where loyalty is a gamble and love is the ultimate risk, will she outplay the past-or will it destroy her once and for all?
The chandeliers illuminated the ballroom with a golden hue, their light twirling over the polished marble floors. I anxiously pulled at the edge of my silk lavender dress, sensing I was out of place in this luxury oceany closest friend Beatrice had urged me to attend the Ashford Grand Hotel gala. "It will be an unforgettable night," she promised. However, while I enjoyed my champagne and observed the Los Angeles elite mingling, I couldn't shake the feeling of not fitting in.
Beatrice, on the other hand, seemed to thrive in this environment. She looked stunning as always, her emerald-green dress perfectly matching her sharp eyes as she scanned the room with purpose.
"Relax, Stella," she said, her smile warm but with a flicker of impatience. "You look amazing. Trust me, no one can resist you tonight. Especially him."
"Him?" I echoed, frowning slightly.
Before she could answer, a deep, velvety voice interrupted. "Good evening, ladies."
I turned, and my breath caught in my throat. Standing before us was Jack Ashford. Yes, *that* Jack Ashford. The billionaire playboy whose name was synonymous with charm and scandal. He looked even more striking in person. His tailored navy suit fit him perfectly, his dark brown hair was effortlessly styled, and his piercing black eyes seemed to see right through me.
"Stella Hayes," he said, extending a hand. "I've been looking forward to meeting you."
My heart raced as I took his hand, his touch warm and confident. "You... know who I am?"
"Beatrice has told me all about you," he replied with a smile that was equal parts charming and disarming. "But I must say, her description didn't do you justice."
Beside me, Beatrice laughed, although her hold on the champagne glass was tense. "I mentioned she's special," she said, her tone playful.
I experienced a mix of flattery and discomfort beneath Jack's stare. His reputation was well known. This man gathered hearts as if they were trophies, yet he was wholly focused on me at this moment.
"Would you care for a dance?" Jack asked, offering his hand again.
I hesitated, glancing at Beatrice. She gave me an encouraging nod, so against my better judgment, I placed my hand in Jack's. He led me to the dance floor as if he'd done it a thousand times before.
The song was changed to a slow waltz, Jack held my waist and my cheeks turned red. He moved with ease, guiding me effortlessly.
"You're different," he said softly, his eyes locked onto mine.
" How do you mean?" I asked, my voice was shaking because I could not help but wonder why Jack was interested in me.
" You are not like others here," he replied. " You are real and I love that about you".
I wasn't sure if I should be happy about this or cautious. Was this one of his games of trying to get me? I wanted to believe him but the stories about him kept appearing in my mind.
The dance ended too quickly, and Jack leaned in closer and said calmly, "I'd like to see you again Stella. Just the two of us.
My heart raced, but I forced a fake smile. "I don't think I'm your type," I said quietly.
"That is exactly why I want to see you again. You are different" Jacked said. I could hear my heart jumping for joy, but I didn't show it.
The rest of the night passed in a blur, Jack sat by my side and his charm wrapped around me like a blanket, well that was how I felt. I wasn't bothered about what anyone would say.
Jack escorted me to my car after the party and I felt like not letting his hand go as he said good night. I drove home with excitement, was I falling for Jack?
Back in the ballroom, Beatrice sipped her drink, her emerald eyes narrowing as she watched me leave. She'd planned this evening to the smallest detail, ensuring I'd meet Jack. But how he looked at me-with something resembling genuine interest-wasn't part of her plan.
The following week, I couldn't get Jack out of my head. So, when he called and invited me to dinner, I hesitated but eventually said yes.
Jack was already seated waiting for me at a private table, his smile was as captivating as I could remember. I smiled back, scanning the restaurant he chose. It was nothing short of luxury, away from the regular haunts.
"Tell me about yourself Stella", Jacked asked.
" Well, I am just a simple girl from a simple home". " I don't know my mom and my dad died when I was little"
"Oh! I am sorry about that Stella", he said.
"Tell me everything Stella, I am so interested to know everything about you. I told you you were different".
My heart fluttered, his attention was intoxicating, and I couldn't help but feel drawn to him.
When we were done with dinner, Jack walked me to my car and surprised me by gently cupping my face and pressing a soft, lingering kiss to my lips.
My mind froze, and when we pulled apart, his dark eyes searched mine, as if waiting for permission to continue.
"I'll call you," he said, his voice low and smooth.
I didn't realize he was no longer kissing me because I closed my eyes and wanted more. When I opened my eyes, he smiled and said good night.
As I drove home, my fingers pressed to my lips, and I remembered the kiss. Was this real? Was Jack in love with me? I kept smiling till I got home.
But what I didn't know was that Jack returned to his penthouse that night to a gathering of his friends. Beatrice was among them, her expression unreadable as she sipped her wine.
"So, how's the bet going?" one of them asked, smirking.
Jack hesitated, his jaw tightening. "It's... complicated."
Beatrice raised an eyebrow. "Complicated? Don't tell me you're falling for her."
Jack didn't reply, his thoughts a tangled mess. He hadn't expected me to be so genuine, so captivating. But the weight of the bet hung over him, a cruel reminder of the game he'd willingly entered.
As the room buzzed with laughter and chatter, his phone buzzed with a message. It was from Beatrice: *Don't forget your end of the deal.*
Jack clenched his jaw, conflicted.
When Elena Gustaw, the strong-willed daughter of a mafia boss, is forced into an arranged marriage with the ruthless Luca Moretti to forge an alliance, she finds herself in a mix of secrets and danger. As they navigate their tumultuous relationship and uncover hidden threats, they must decide if they can trust each other enough to survive and possibly find love amid the chaos.
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!
A sudden twist of fate connected Helena to a prominent and influential person. To onlookers, she appeared as a naive bimbo. In truth, she was a top-tier specialist, shrouded in layers of hidden identities. Charlie declared, “She’s quite delicate and easily hurt. Cross her, and you’re crossing me.” The elite families, outwitted by Helena's prowess, kept these truths from him. Helena eventually broke free from Charlie, sending him on a frenzied worldwide hunt. To him, she was a bird with dazzling wings, and his goal was to help her reach new heights.Â
Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter framed her, her fiancé ridiculed her, and her adoptive parents threw her out. They all wanted to see her fall. But Elena unveiled her true identity: the heiress of a massive fortune, famed hacker, top jewelry designer, secret author, and gifted doctor. Horrified by her glorious comeback, her adoptive parents demanded half her newfound wealth. Elena exposed their cruelty and refused. Her ex pleaded for a second chance, but she scoffed, “Do you think you deserve it?” Then a powerful magnate gently proposed, “Marry me?”
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."
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!”
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it all—from standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."