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Grace Parker has dedicated her life to helping others, but when her nonprofit is on the verge of collapse, she's forced to strike a deal with the last man she ever wanted to rely on: Sebastian Cole. Cold, calculating, and devastatingly handsome, Sebastian offers to save her charity but only if she agrees to play the role of his fiancée in a high-stakes business negotiation. What starts as a business arrangement quickly spirals out of control when a single night of passion leaves Grace with a life altering secret. As their fake relationship begins to feel all too real, Grace and Sebastian are drawn together by more than just their shared goals. But standing in their way are Sebastian's manipulative ex, Natasha Blake, and his ruthless rival, Henry Adler, who will stop at nothing to destroy everything Grace and Sebastian have built. When lies, betrayal, and secrets threaten to tear them apart, Grace and Sebastian must confront their deepest fears and decide if the love they've found is worth fighting for.
The grand ballroom shimmered with opulence, its gilded chandeliers casting a golden glow over the sea of glittering gowns and tailored suits. Grace Parker stood on the edge of the room, her fingers clutching the stem of an untouched champagne flute. She felt out of place amidst the grandeur, her simple emerald dress, though elegant, a stark contrast to the ostentatious displays of wealth surrounding her. The whispers of designer names and stock market victories buzzed in the air like an exclusive language she didn't speak.
"This is ridiculous," she muttered under her breath. Her heels pinched her toes-a cruel reminder that tonight wasn't just about appearances. It was about survival.
Across the room, her gaze landed on the man she'd been dreading to approach. Sebastian Cole. He was standing near the bar, his posture effortlessly commanding as he exchanged a few words with an older gentleman who looked eager to please. Sebastian's charcoal suit fit his lean, powerful frame like it had been stitched onto him, the crisp white shirt underneath emphasizing the sharp angles of his jawline. He wasn't smiling-he rarely did-but his presence was magnetic. Even from a distance, Grace could feel the pull of him.
Her stomach tightened. It wasn't just nerves; it was resentment. Men like him-the ruthless, untouchable kind-never cared about people like her. But tonight, she didn't have the luxury of pride.
Taking a breath, she began weaving her way through the crowd, dodging clinking glasses and overly enthusiastic laughter. As she approached, the faintest flicker of his gaze shifted to her, sharp and assessing. For a moment, she froze under the intensity of his dark eyes, but she forced her feet to keep moving.
"Sebastian Cole?" Her voice was steady, even if her heart was anything but.
He turned fully to face her, his expression cool and impassive. Up close, he was even more intimidating-tall, broad-shouldered, and exuding a calm authority that didn't need to prove itself.
"You have me at a disadvantage," he said, his voice smooth and measured, like the roll of velvet.
"Grace Parker," she replied, straightening her shoulders. "Founder of Hope Haven."
Something flickered in his gaze-recognition, maybe curiosity-but it was gone as quickly as it came. "Ah, the charity worker. I've heard about you."
Grace bristled at the faint condescension in his tone but kept her composure. "I'll take that as a compliment."
He tilted his head slightly, studying her. "What brings you here tonight, Ms. Parker? This doesn't seem like your usual scene."
"It's not," she admitted, holding his gaze. "But I need your help."
A corner of his mouth quirked upward, though it wasn't a smile-it was something colder, more calculating. "And what kind of help could a charity worker possibly need from me?"
Her fingers tightened around the champagne flute she still hadn't taken a sip from. "Henry Adler has been sabotaging my organization. He's blacklisted us with investors, tanked our sponsorship deals, and spread false rumors about our financial stability. Hope Haven is on the brink of collapse."
Sebastian didn't react immediately, and Grace wondered if he even cared. His expression remained unreadable, though his gaze didn't waver from hers.
"And you think I can fix that?" he asked finally.
"I know you can," she said, her voice firm despite the growing lump in her throat. "You have connections, influence. One endorsement from you could bring back the investors we've lost-or at least keep Hope Haven afloat long enough to recover."
He leaned back slightly, his hand resting on the bar as he regarded her with a mixture of amusement and intrigue. "You make a compelling argument. But I don't make a habit of getting involved in other people's battles, Ms. Parker. Especially not without something in return."
Grace swallowed the sharp retort that rose to her lips. She'd expected this-Sebastian Cole wasn't known for his generosity. "Name your price," she said quietly, though her stomach twisted at the words.
For the first time, his expression softened into something almost resembling interest. He stepped closer, and the world around them seemed to fade, the din of the crowd a distant hum.
"You're bold," he said, his voice low. "I admire that. But my terms aren't monetary, Ms. Parker. If I'm going to help you, it's going to cost you more than a check."
Her pulse quickened. "What do you mean?"
He hesitated, as if weighing his words. Then, with the precision of a man used to winning, he said, "I need you to play a role for me. A fiancée. A convincing one."
The air seemed to leave the room. Grace stared at him, stunned. "A fiancée?"
Sebastian nodded, his gaze unwavering. "I'm in the middle of negotiating a deal with a particularly old-fashioned investor. He values family and stability. A single man in my position is a liability to him, but a man about to settle down? That's a different story."
Grace's mouth went dry. "You want me to pretend to be engaged to you in exchange for saving Hope Haven?"
He nodded again, his expression calm, as if he hadn't just dropped a bomb on her life. "Exactly. It's a simple arrangement. Temporary. Beneficial for both of us."
Her instinct was to refuse, to tell him exactly what she thought of his arrogance and audacity. But then she thought of the shelter, of the women and children who depended on it. She thought of Henry Adler and the smug satisfaction he'd have if she failed.
"How long would this... arrangement last?" she asked cautiously.
"Six months," he said without hesitation. "Long enough to finalize the deal and ensure the investor's confidence."
Grace hesitated, her mind racing. She'd come here to fight for her cause, not to sell her dignity to the highest bidder. But as much as she hated to admit it, Sebastian was her best-maybe her only-chance.
"Fine," she said finally, her voice quieter than she intended. "But I have conditions."
One of his eyebrows arched, and for the first time, a genuine smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Do you now?"
"Yes," she said, her resolve hardening. "This is a business deal, nothing more. No lies, no manipulation, and no..." She faltered, her cheeks flushing slightly. "No unnecessary intimacy."
His smile widened, and it was disarming in a way she hadn't expected. "Noted. But I have conditions too, Ms. Parker. Starting with the fact that, from this moment forward, you belong to my world. And I don't tolerate half-measures."
The finality in his voice sent a shiver down her spine. Grace didn't know whether she'd just made the best decision of her life-or the worst.
A cold-hearted billionaire. A headstrong florist drowning in debt. A contract that binds them in a marriage of convenience-with no room for love. Xavier Harrington is a man who controls everything-his business, his reputation, his emotions. When a billion-dollar deal requires him to appear as a devoted husband, he does what he does best: he makes an offer no one can refuse. Mia Brooks never imagined she'd sign a contract to be a billionaire's wife, but with her flower shop on the verge of collapse, she has no choice. The rules are simple-no feelings, no attachments, and absolutely no falling in love. But behind Xavier's icy demeanor lies a scarred past and a desire he can't control. And behind Mia's defiance is a heart that refuses to be tamed. As passion blurs the lines of their arrangement, secrets surface, enemies close in, and a betrayal from the past threatens to destroy everything. When the contract ends, will Xavier let Mia go... or will he risk everything to make her stay?
Sebastian Hale is a man who gets what he wants-until his father, Gregory Hale, threatens to destroy everything he's built unless he agrees to a marriage of convenience. Trapped in his father's ruthless game, Sebastian's only option is to marry Ivy Collins, a fiery journalist with secrets of her own. For Ivy, the marriage is a means to an end. Marrying Sebastian gives her access to the Hale family empire-and the chance to expose their darkest secrets. But what begins as a cold business arrangement soon ignites into a fiery passion neither of them can resist. As the lines between love and betrayal blur, Ivy discovers the truth about Sebastian's family, including a devastating secret that could destroy them both. With Gregory pulling the strings, Ivy and Sebastian must decide whether to fight for each other-or lose everything in the process.
Lucas Sterling has everything money, power, and a reputation as the city's most eligible bachelor. But behind the charm and billion-dollar smile lies a man scarred by betrayal and convinced love is nothing more than a liability. Emily Harper is his complete opposite a spirited schoolteacher with a passion for helping others and no patience for arrogant playboys like Lucas. When fate throws them together, sparks fly, and Lucas finds himself captivated by the one woman who refuses to fall for his charm. As Emily challenges Lucas to confront his demons, a shadow from his past resurfaces. Isabella Royce, his cunning ex-lover, is determined to reclaim him at any cost even if it means destroying everything Lucas holds dear. Can Emily's love tame the heart of a man who's built walls around it? Or will Isabella's schemes shatter their fragile bond before it has a chance to bloom?
Trapped in a marriage she never wanted, Lily Hart is thrust into the cold, calculating world of billionaire CEO Adrian Blackwood. He married her only to claim her father's company, and his resentment is as intense as his possessiveness. Behind his mask of power and wealth, Adrian harbors a dark affection for his mistress, Celeste. a beauty with a vengeful soul and her sights set firmly on destroying Lily. In Adrian's world, love is as elusive as freedom, and for Lily, it's nowhere to be found. She's nothing but a pawn, forced to endure his cruelty and trapped in a twisted game of control and desire. But as the walls close in and secrets unravel, Adrian's indifference begins to shift into something else, something possessive and obsessive that even he can't deny. Lily must find the strength to survive in a world built to shatter her and face the question: will she ever escape Adrian's ruthless grasp, or will she be forever bound to a man who will do anything to keep her?
Emilia Rosemont never expected her life to turn into a gilded cage. Forced into a marriage with billionaire CEO Alessandro DiLaurentis, she becomes a pawn in a twisted game of family legacy and cruel ambition. For Alex, the marriage is nothing more than an obligation one he despises and resents. His heart belongs to another, and he doesn't hide his disdain for the wife he was forced to marry. Trapped in his world of wealth and power, Emilia endures his coldness, his cruelty, and the haunting knowledge that her husband will never love her. But as Alex's possessiveness grows, so does his conflicted desire, leaving Emilia ensnared in a web of hate, obsession, and forbidden attraction. With his seductive mistress, Vanessa, pulling the strings from the shadows, Emilia realizes that escape might be impossible. In this dark billionaire romance of love and betrayal, Emilia must find the strength to survive a man who both despises and craves her, in a world where everyone has a price and love is the ultimate sacrifice. Will she ever be free, or is she destined to remain the Surrogate Wife forever?
Sophia Russo never imagined she'd be standing on the auction block, her future sold to the highest bidder to save her mother's life. But when desperation drove her to a world of danger and dark desires, she came face to face with Dante DeLuca Milan's ruthless Mafia King. Cold, possessive, and unstoppable, Dante didn't just buy her freedom; he claimed her soul. Trapped in his luxurious mansion, Sophia vows to escape and protect her heart from the man who controls her every move. Yet, with every heated glance and forbidden touch, she finds herself drawn deeper into his world of power and seduction. Two years later, just when she's ready to break free, Sophia becomes a pawn in a deadly mafia war. Dante will risk everything to save her, but as the past unravels, shocking secrets surface forcing Sophia to question whether she can ever truly escape him... or if she even wants to. In this high-stakes game of love and danger, is it better to run from the devil or fall for him completely?
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.
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!”
Traversing back to the ancient Prime Martial World from modern age, Austin finds himself in a younger body as he wakes up. Yet, the young man he possesses was a miserable dimwit, what a bummer! But it doesn’t matter as his mind is sound and clear. Possessing this younger and stronger body, he will fight his way to become the God of martial arts, and rule the whole Martial World!
Billionaire Bennett Graham urgently needed a wife to close a business deal but his fiancée wasn't ready to tie the knots yet. So his grandmother picked the most unassuming maid for him. Everything was supposed to go incredibly well, and all he had to do was wait until he divorced her a year later. But after seeing Maliyah's ocean eyes.it wasn't looking simple anymore. *** Before I could get her up, it was as if she felt the light and an uncomfortable sound came out of her mouth. "Uh-huh..." She raised her hand to cover her eyes. But I didn't have time to wait for her to wake up, so I told her to "Get Up." My voice seemed to scare her, and her light-fearing eyes suddenly widened and she kept moving to the corner. The only voice in the quiet art room was her fear-filled voice, "No...please...go away...don't come close to me." She was afraid of me? I hadn't even spoken to her before, what was she afraid of? This was definitely not going to work, I couldn't talk to her if she couldn't calm down. Then I moved closer to her, my hand on her trembling shoulder, and I whispered soothingly "Calm down.I'm not going to hurt you.I'm not going to hurt you."I assured and then she moved her hair away from her face as if to stare at me properly. Our eyes met.It was that moment. It felt as if I was enchanted for a moment. Those ocean eyes were the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen.
Sequel to chasing my estranged wife; I want you back. ******** " You promised me!'' I screamed. "You promised that you wouldn't hurt me, you made the vows that you would stand beside me, Ryan, and what did you do? You broke me into smithereens. I don't want anything to do with you anymore. When I said we were done. I meant it!" Falling in love with him had come in a whirlwind, she couldn't account for how exactly it had happened but what she knew was that she didn't want to let go once she was in. For Ryan, when he made a vow, he had meant it, but nothing had told him about marriage, that it wasn't just a bed of roses, but it had thorns in it as well. When secrets piled up between them and vows broken, they had no choice but to let go of each other, but years later, he wanted her back. Like the air he breathed, he chased after her, but she was gone. Left with the remnants of his actions, he is torn between getting her back and damning all consequences or letting go of her and his children, which would it be?
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. "It's time to reveal your true identity, darling."