When struggling college student Emma accepts a high-paying babysitting job, she never imagines stepping into the lavish but intimidating mansion of Leonardo "Leo" De Luca-the infamous and merciless mafia kingpin. Her charge? His 8-month-old son, Alessandro, a wide-eyed, chubby-cheeked baby whose giggles could melt even the coldest hearts. But Leo's world is far from safe. With enemies lurking in the shadows and his empire hanging by a thread, his life is a battlefield. At first, Emma's only concern is Alessandro's care-navigating sleepless nights, endless feedings, and the little boy's growing attachment to her. Yet, as she finds herself drawn to the vulnerable side of the ruthless mafia boss, she begins to see the man beneath the title. However, danger is never far away. As Emma becomes a beacon of light in Leo's dark world, threats close in on his family. Now, Emma must make a choice: walk away to protect herself or fight for the man and the child who've unexpectedly claimed her heart.
Emma adjusted her scarf against the biting winter wind, her cheeks stinging as she trudged through the snow-covered streets of the city. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, breaking her focus on the job boards she'd been scrolling through for hours.
"Emma," her best friend Kara's voice chirped, "I found something perfect for you!"
Emma rolled her eyes, stepping into a small café to escape the cold. "If it's another retail gig that barely pays, I'm not interested."
"Not retail. Babysitting. High-paying babysitting," Kara emphasized.
Emma snorted, blowing on her frozen fingers. "Let me guess. Someone's kid who's the devil reincarnated?"
"Actually, it's a baby. Eight months old. And the pay is...well, insane."
Emma's interest piqued despite herself. "Insane how?"
"Ten grand a month."
Emma nearly dropped her coffee. "What? Are you joking?"
"Nope. I found the ad on an exclusive job site. It's super secretive, though. They won't tell you who the employer is until you're selected."
Emma frowned. "That sounds sketchy."
"Look, you need the money, right? What's the worst that could happen?"
Emma hesitated. Her rent was overdue, her tuition was piling up, and her part-time café job wasn't cutting it. She sighed, giving in to her curiosity. "Fine. Send me the details."
---
The next day, Emma found herself in an upscale office building downtown. The waiting room smelled of leather and faint cologne, and the receptionist eyed her with a mix of amusement and disinterest.
"Miss Harper?" A deep voice interrupted her thoughts.
Emma turned to see a tall, broad-shouldered man in a sharp black suit. His dark eyes scanned her briefly, making her shift uncomfortably.
"Yes?"
"Come with me."
The man led her into a lavish office with floor-to-ceiling windows and minimalist décor. Behind a massive mahogany desk sat a man who could only be described as intimidatingly handsome. Sharp cheekbones, piercing eyes, and an air of authority made her pulse quicken.
"You must be Emma Harper," he said, his voice smooth but cold.
"And you are?" Emma asked, trying to mask her nerves.
"Leonardo De Luca." His gaze pinned her in place. "You'll be caring for my son, Alessandro."
Emma blinked, the name ringing a bell. It hit her like a freight train. Leonardo De Luca. The De Luca. Mafia kingpin, ruthless leader, and one of the most feared men in the country.
"I-I think there's been a mistake," she stammered, inching toward the door.
"There's no mistake," Leo said calmly. "You were recommended. I trust my sources."
Emma's stomach churned. "Mr. De Luca, I'm not sure I'm qualified for-"
"Your qualifications are not in question," he interrupted. "What matters is that you follow my rules and keep Alessandro safe. In return, you'll be compensated generously."
Before Emma could respond, a soft gurgle filled the room. She turned to see a nanny wheeling in a bassinet. Inside was the tiniest baby she'd ever seen, with bright hazel eyes and a mop of dark curls. The baby cooed and reached out a chubby hand.
"That's Alessandro," Leo said, his voice softening just slightly.
Emma's heart clenched. Against her better judgment, she reached out and let the baby grab her finger. Alessandro giggled, a sound so pure it made her forget, for just a moment, where she was.
"I'll do it," she blurted before she could stop herself.
Leo's lips curved into a small, satisfied smile. "Good. You start tomorrow."
Emma stood in front of the De Luca mansion the next morning, her breath fogging in the crisp winter air. The sprawling estate was intimidating-gated, surrounded by tall hedges, and guarded by men who didn't even try to hide their firearms. She clutched her bag tighter, wondering for the hundredth time if she'd made a terrible mistake.
The front door swung open before she could knock, and the same sharp-suited man from the day before gestured for her to enter.
"This way," he said curtly, leading her through a grand marble foyer that felt more like a museum than a home.
They stopped in a sunlit sitting room, where Leonardo De Luca waited, his presence as commanding as ever. He was dressed impeccably in a dark suit, leaning casually against the armrest of a sleek leather couch. In his arms, Alessandro babbled happily, oblivious to the tension radiating from the room.
Leo didn't waste time. "There are rules, Miss Harper. You will follow them without question."
Emma nodded, her throat dry.
He handed Alessandro to the nanny, who disappeared down a hallway. Then, fixing Emma with an unrelenting stare, he began.
"Rule one: Alessandro's safety is your top priority. You will never leave him unattended."
"Of course," Emma said quickly, her voice cracking.
"Rule two: You do not ask questions about my business or my associates." His tone darkened.
Emma swallowed hard. "Understood."
"Rule three: You stay out of rooms that are locked. Those are not your concern."
Her curiosity flared, but she nodded again.
"Rule four: If anything feels off-anything at all-you notify me or one of my men immediately. Is that clear?"
"Yes," she whispered.
"Good." His eyes softened just a fraction. "Alessandro means everything to me. If you do your job, you'll have no issues here. Betray my trust..." He let the unspoken threat hang in the air, chilling her to the bone.
Before Emma could respond, Alessandro's cries echoed down the hall. Leo's cold exterior cracked slightly as he straightened, his jaw tightening. He nodded to Emma. "Go to him. Sofia will show you the nursery."
---
Sofia, the older woman who had wheeled Alessandro in the day before, led Emma to a nursery that looked like it belonged in a luxury magazine. Pale blue walls, plush carpets, and shelves lined with designer baby toys.
"There you go, little one," Sofia cooed as she placed Alessandro in a high-tech bouncer. "Emma will take good care of you."
Emma crouched down to Alessandro's level, offering a hesitant smile. "Hi, buddy."
Alessandro studied her for a moment, then giggled, reaching for her hair. She laughed despite herself, letting him tug gently at a strand.
"He likes you," Sofia observed with a smile.
Emma glanced up at her. "Has he had many nannies?"
Sofia's expression darkened slightly. "A few. But none stayed long."
"Why not?"
Sofia hesitated. "The De Luca household isn't... easy. But Alessandro is a sweet boy. Focus on him, and you'll be fine."
Emma wasn't sure what to make of that, but she pushed the thought aside as Alessandro began to fuss. She picked him up, marveling at how small he felt in her arms. He settled against her chest, his tiny hand gripping her sweater.
For the first time in days, Emma felt a flicker of calm.
Later that evening, as Emma rocked Alessandro to sleep, she heard low voices outside the nursery. Curiosity got the better of her, and she quietly cracked the door open.
Leo stood in the hallway, speaking with one of his men.
"They've made their move," the man said. "We intercepted the shipment."
Leo's jaw tightened. "Double security. No one gets near this house without clearance."
"Yes, boss."
Emma shut the door, her heart racing. It was a stark reminder of the world she'd stepped into-a world where even an innocent baby wasn't safe.
She looked down at Alessandro, now peacefully asleep in her arms. "Don't worry, little one," she whispered. "I've got you."
But as the shadows lengthened outside the mansion, Emma couldn't shake the feeling that she'd made a promise she might not be able to keep.
Sienna, a young woman caught in a marriage of convenience, and Damien Blackwell, a powerful and ruthless CEO. Sienna's life takes an unexpected turn when she's thrust into the public eye as Damien's wife, a role that comes with its own set of challenges and scrutiny. Initially, she is nothing more than a pawn in Damien's strategic moves, but as their relationship deepens, she begins to question everything she thought she knew about him-and herself. Damien is driven by ambition and control, but beneath his cold exterior, he harbors a fierce protectiveness over Sienna, one that surprises even him. When the press targets her, calling her a "gold digger" and questioning her worth, Damien steps in, using his power to shield her-but not in the way anyone expects. A passionate kiss in front of the press and his enemies becomes a declaration: Sienna is his, and he's willing to fight anyone who dares to challenge that. As their relationship grows more complicated, Sienna struggles with her feelings for Damien. She is torn between anger at his controlling nature and the undeniable chemistry between them. Yet, with every challenge they face, they find themselves drawn deeper into a web of desire, secrets, and lies. In a world where appearances matter, their love becomes a battlefield-a test of trust, loyalty, and the price of power. Amid the media frenzy, internal power struggles, and the constant threat of enemies lurking in the shadows, Sienna and Damien must navigate their way through a world that sees them as nothing more than a business deal. But as they confront their own feelings and the reality of their marriage, they must decide if they can truly find happiness together-or if their love will become another casualty of their ambition.
On her wedding day, Khloe’s sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrik’s cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.
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!"
"I've warned you from the beginning. Don't marry him, but you won't listen." She stood close to me and smiled with concern. "You are 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 in a quivering voice. "Take a good look at yourself, Heather." She looked at me in the mirror. "You can't even look at your ugly face. Do you think Blaze can endure a lifetime of looking at that face?" Heather Bailey had a surprise from her husband that night: a divorce agreement. After a year of marriage and facing ups and downs, she couldn't believe Blaze intended to divorce her. But she was devastated when she saw him gazing lovingly at another woman because that person was closest to her. Shortly after she put her signature on their divorce papers, shock waves caught her up. Her flower shop was severely burnt, beyond repair. 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 who came from influential families, she started her action against Blaze. She won the very thing he wanted. But that was just the beginning.
Amy didn't expect that her husband whom she had loved and trusted earnestly for many years would be cheating on her by having sex with his secretary. When she confronted him, he and his secretary mocked and ridiculed her, they called her barren to her face, afterall, she had not conceived for the past three years that she had been married to her husband, Callan. Terribly Heartbroken, she filed for divorce and left to the club, she picked a random gigolo, had a hot one night stand with him, paid him and dissapeared to a small city. She came back to the country six years later with three identical cute boys and three identical cute girls of the same age. She settled and got a job but soon find out that her CEO was the gigolo she had sex with six years back at the club. Will she be able to hide her six little cuties from her CEO, who happens to be the most powerful man in NorthHill and beleived to be infertile? Can Amy and the most powerful man in NorthHill get along considering the social gap between them.
Katie was forced to marry Dillan, a notorious ruffian. Her younger sister mocked her, "You're just an adopted daughter. Count your blessings for marrying him!" The world anticipated Katie's tribulations, but her married life unfurled with unexpected serenity. She even snagged a lavish mansion in a raffle! Katie jumped into Dillan's arms, credited him as her lucky charm. "No, Katie, it's you who brings me all this luck," Dillan replied. Then, one fateful day, Dillan's childhood friend came to her. "You're not worthy of him. Take this 50 million and leave him!" Katie finally grasped Dillan's true stature—the wealthiest man on the planet. That night, trembling with trepidation, she broached the subject of divorce with Dillan. However, with a domineering embrace, he told her, "I'd give you everything I have. Divorce is off the table!"
After my family's sinister plots collapsed, they lashed out at me, taking their rage to a violent level. Cornered and desperate, I married Jaxton—the town's most sought-after bachelor—due to an unplanned pregnancy. Love had no part in this marriage; I assumed he married me purely out of responsibility, his heart belonging elsewhere. The moment I chose to let him go and turned to leave, he grabbed me and pinned me down hard. "Jaxton, you promised you'd never touch me!" I snapped, glaring fiercely. His eyes flashed arrogantly as he leaned closer. "You're the one who started this!"