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Elena Carter has spent her life fighting to stay afloat. But when her late father's crushing debt threatens to ruin her completely, she faces an impossible choice accept help from the one man who could destroy her carefully built independence. Enter Damien Blackwood, a billionaire with a reputation as ruthless as it is dazzling. His solution? A marriage of convenience that will erase her debt and secure his business interests. Elena swears she'll never be just another possession in Damien's world, but resisting his charm proves more dangerous than she expected. Damien thought he could keep things strictly business, but the fierce, independent Elena stirs something he buried long ago. As their forced proximity ignites passion and unravels secrets, the walls he's built around his heart begin to crumble. But in the shadows, Veronica Steele Damien's scheming ex-fiancée has her own plans to ensure this union ends in disaster. When betrayal and deceit threaten to tear them apart, Damien and Elena must decide: can they trust each other enough to turn their fake marriage into something real?
The sound of rain against the glass windows of the auction house was oddly soothing, a rhythmic backdrop to the rising tension in the room. Elena Carter sat in the back row, her heart pounding in her chest as she scanned the crowd of polished men and women in designer suits. The air was thick with the scent of money, power, and desperation-an intoxicating combination she despised.
She adjusted the strap of her worn leather bag and looked down at her trembling hands. There was no point trying to calm herself; the letter crumpled in her lap was proof that her life had spiraled completely out of control.
$500,000. That was the amount her father owed. The debt collectors had been kind enough to provide the figure in bold red ink at the top of the page, as though she needed the emphasis.
"Elena," her friend Mia whispered, nudging her. "He's here."
Her head snapped up. Across the room, near the front, stood Damien Blackwood.
He looked exactly like he did in the newspapers-impeccably dressed in a charcoal-gray suit that probably cost more than her yearly rent, his dark hair perfectly styled, and his sharp, angular jaw clenched in concentration. He stood out not just because of his striking looks but because he exuded an aura of authority that made everyone else in the room seem smaller.
"Why is he here?" Elena whispered back, her voice barely audible.
Mia shrugged, her eyes wide. "Rumor is he's buying up distressed businesses. Maybe he's here for a bargain."
Elena's stomach twisted. Of course, he was. Men like Damien Blackwood didn't step into places like this unless there was something to gain.
The auctioneer cleared his throat, the microphone amplifying the sound. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome. Today's proceedings are unique, as we're not only auctioning off assets but opportunities. Let's begin with Lot 1."
Elena's throat tightened as the auction started. One by one, the remnants of her father's business empire were paraded in front of the room-equipment, contracts, even the building itself. Each item was stripped of its value, reduced to cold, hard numbers as the bidders competed.
But it wasn't until the final lot that the room truly came alive.
"And now, Lot 15," the auctioneer announced. "The remaining shares of Carter & Co., including exclusive intellectual property rights and assets. Starting bid, $200,000."
Elena froze. This was it. Everything her father had spent his life building, everything she'd tried to save-it was all on the line now.
"Two hundred thousand," someone called out.
"Two-fifty," another bidder countered.
The numbers climbed quickly, the voices blending into a blur of chaos.
"Five hundred," a deep, commanding voice cut through the noise.
Elena's head snapped toward the front of the room. Damien.
All eyes turned to him as he leaned back in his chair, completely unbothered by the attention.
"Five hundred thousand from Mr. Blackwood," the auctioneer said, his voice almost reverent. "Do I hear five-fifty?"
Silence.
Elena's nails dug into her palms. She should have felt relief that someone was willing to pay off the debt, but all she felt was dread. What did Damien Blackwood want with her father's failing business?
"Sold!" The auctioneer's gavel struck the podium.
Damien stood, buttoning his jacket with a slow, deliberate motion. His gaze swept the room before settling on her.
"Elena Carter," he said, his voice low but firm. "A word."
The room went silent.
Mia gripped Elena's arm. "You don't have to-"
"It's fine," Elena said, forcing herself to stand. Her legs felt like jelly, but she squared her shoulders and followed Damien out of the room.
He led her into an empty corridor, his movements smooth and confident. When they were alone, he turned to face her, his dark eyes scanning her face.
"You look just like him," he said finally.
"Like who?" she asked, her voice sharper than intended.
"Your father."
The words hit her like a slap. She clenched her fists. "If you're here to gloat-"
"I'm here to make you an offer."
Elena laughed bitterly. "An offer? You've already taken everything."
Damien didn't flinch. "Not everything. You're still here, and I need you."
She blinked, stunned into silence. "Excuse me?"
"I bought the company to settle your father's debt," he said. "But I need you to stay involved. You know the business better than anyone else, and frankly, I don't have the time to babysit it."
"Stay involved?" she echoed. "What does that even mean?"
"I want you to work for me," Damien said simply.
Elena crossed her arms. "And if I refuse?"
His jaw tightened. "You won't. Because if you do, I'll liquidate everything-including the parts of the business that employ the people your father cared about. Your refusal would leave them all jobless."
Her stomach churned. "That's blackmail."
"It's business," Damien corrected, his tone icy. "Think of it as a mutually beneficial arrangement."
She glared at him, anger and helplessness warring within her. "You really think I'd agree to this?"
"I think you care too much not to," he said, stepping closer. His voice softened, but his gaze remained intense. "You have one week to decide. After that, I move forward without you."
And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving Elena standing alone in the empty corridor, her world once again on the brink of collapse.
When Sophia Reyes' younger brother crosses the most dangerous mafia family in Naples, she has no choice but to face Enzo Carbone, the ruthless heir to the Carbone empire. In exchange for her brother's life, Sophia strikes a dangerous deal: she'll pose as Enzo's fiancée to help him protect his family's fragile grip on power. Enzo is used to getting what he wants through charm or force but Sophia is unlike anyone he's ever met. Her fiery defiance and unshakable determination threaten to unravel his carefully constructed world. She's a pawn in his game, but the more he draws her into his darkness, the harder it becomes to let her go. As their arrangement spirals into something deeper, an old enemy resurfaces. Marcella Vargas, the cunning leader of a rival cartel, will stop at nothing to see Enzo and his empire burn and she knows exactly how to use Sophia to bring him to his knees. Caught between loyalty and love, deception and truth, Enzo and Sophia must decide how far they're willing to go to protect the people they care about. But in a world ruled by violence and betrayal, can love truly survive or will their bargain cost them everything? Some deals are made in blood. Others are sealed with a kiss.
Sienna Blake has built her career on exposing corruption, but when her latest investigation uncovers dark secrets about Viktor Ivanov, the ruthless Russian mafia kingpin, her life is irrevocably changed. Kidnapped and held captive, she finds herself in the heart of a dangerous world where trust is a luxury and betrayal is a guarantee. Viktor Ivanov didn't rise to power by letting his guard down. Yet, the fiery journalist tests his resolve at every turn, challenging his control and stirring feelings he buried long ago. Torn between protecting his empire and the unexpected pull of Sienna's defiance, Viktor faces a choice: silence her forever or risk everything to keep her alive. But as old enemies resurface and devastating truths come to light, Sienna and Viktor are thrust into a deadly game of power, revenge, and desire. In a world where loyalty can kill and love is a dangerous gamble, can they survive long enough to rewrite their own story?
Caroline Forbes never imagined her life would lead her here sold by her own father to a man the kingdom whispers about in fear. Damon Morningstar, the ruthless and enigmatic werewolf king, has buried three wives already, each one dying under mysterious circumstances. Now, Caroline is forced to become his fourth bride, trapped in a castle where secrets linger in every shadow. Rumors say he's cursed; that any woman he claims as his queen is doomed. Caroline knows that escape is her only chance at survival, yet she can't deny the magnetic pull she feels whenever Damon is near. To her horror, she discovers the truth Damon is her fated mate, her one bond that could either destroy her or break the curse haunting him. But Damon is possessive, and he's willing to risk everything to keep her in his grasp. As desire and danger intertwine, Caroline must decide whether to flee for her life or surrender to the call of a man who might just be her undoing. Will she escape his dark hold, or will she become the queen who saves him and herself?
When Elena Cross is snatched from her life and forced into the dark world of the Blackstone Pack, she learns the ruthless truth about Alpha Kael Thorn a man as dangerous as he is powerful, and as captivating as he is cruel. Bound to him by a primal mate bond she never asked for, Elena finds herself trapped in a twisted battle of wills, where her humanity is both her shield and her curse. Kael despises everything about her. To him, she's a weakness, a threat to his pack, and a constant reminder of a past betrayal. Yet no matter how he tries to deny it, the bond keeps pulling him back to her, fueling an obsession he cannot escape. She's his mate, his property yet she defies him at every turn. In a world where freedom seems impossible, Elena is determined to resist him and break free. But as the tension between them blurs the line between hate and desire, she realizes that Kael's hold on her is far more dangerous than she ever imagined. Can Elena find the strength to escape, or will she be bound forever to a man who might be her worst nightmare... and her only salvation?
Isabella Cruz never asked for a fairy tale romance especially not with Rafael DeLuca, Manila's most ruthless CEO and heir to a powerful mafia empire. Thrown into an engagement she didn't choose, Bella tries to keep her heart safe from the cold, arrogant man who believes she's nothing but a gold-digger. But when she finds herself falling for him, her world shatters as Rafael's true intentions are revealed: he never wanted her, and he certainly never loved her. After signing their divorce papers with a broken heart and a secret child on the way Bella disappears from Rafael's life, determined to start anew. But when she reappears months later as the dazzling heiress of a wealthy business tycoon, Rafael's world is turned upside down. She's no longer the timid woman he underestimated she's now the queen of the city's elite, and everyone wants her. As Rafael grapples with the loss of the only woman who truly saw him, he realizes he might have thrown away the only love that ever mattered. But will he be able to win her back in a world that won't easily forgive his mistakes, or has Bella finally slipped beyond his reach?
"Ahh!" She was in a moaning mess. She did not want to feel anything for this man. She hated him. His hands began to move all over her body. She gasped when he pulled down the back chain of her dress. The chain stopped at her lower waist, so when he zipped it off, her upper back and waist were exposed. "D-Don't touch m-ummm!" His fingers rolled around her bare back, and she pressed her head against the pillow. His touches were giving her goosebumps all over her body. With a deep angry voice, he whispered in her ear, "I am going to make you forget his touches, kisses, and everything. Every time you touch another man, you will only think of me." - - - Ava Adler was a nerdy omega. People bullied her because they thought she was ugly and unattractive. But Ava secretly loved the bad boy, Ian Dawson. He was the future Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack. However, he doesn't give a damn about rules and laws, as he only likes to play around with girls. Ava was unaware of Ian's arrogance until her fate intertwined with his. He neglected her and hurt her deeply. What would happen when Ava turned out to be a beautiful girl who could win over any boy, and Ian looked back and regretted his decisions? What if she had a secret identity that she had yet to discover? What if the tables turned and Ian begged her not to leave him?
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!
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"
Liesl McGrath is an up-and-coming artist but for eight years she focuses on her husband as a devoted partner, adjusting her life and her career around him achieving his goal of becoming CEO by the age of thirty. Her life is perfect until her glass castle crashes down. Her husband admits to infidelity with none other than her own sister and there is a child coming. Liesl decides the best way to mend her shattered heart is by destroying the one thing he holds more important than anything else: his career. Isaias Machado is a billionaire first generation American he knows the value of hard work and doing what it takes to survive. His entire life has been geared to the moment he can take the McGrath company away from the corrupted men who once left his family homeless. When Liesl McGrath approaches the billionaire to bribe him with information set to ruin her ex-husband, Isaias Machado is chomping at the bit to take everything the McGrath’s prize including Liesl. A story of love, revenge and healing needs to start somewhere and Liesl’s pain is the catalyst to the wildest rollercoaster ride of her life. Let the bribery begin.
Due to the plight of her family, Phoebe had no choice but to embark on the path of selling herself. In an accident, she had a tangled night with Alexander. Everything began to derail, and even if she fled to the ends of the earth, she would still be found by him and entangled... *** Phoebe screamed in frustration, "What do you want from me?" What was this supposed to be? He raised an eyebrow wickedly. "What do I want? You'll find out soon enough." With that, he hoisted her up and carried her back into the office. The door slammed shut with a kick, and he cleared the desk with a sweep of his arm before laying her down on it, his body pinning hers in place, completely trapping her in his grasp. Every cell in his body was telling him he wanted her. He wanted to claim her again. This time, there would be no escape for her-he wouldn't let her slip away. Never again. If he had suffered for five years, then this woman wouldn't get off easily either!
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."