Celestine Hazel's perfect life is shattered when she uncovers a hidden world of crime, betrayal, and dark family secrets. As her father's sinister connections to a criminal syndicate come to light, Celestine is thrust into a battle for her future and her family's legacy. With the help of Ronald, her boyfriend, and Caroline, her estranged aunt, Celestine must uncover the truth behind her mother's death and decide whether to protect her family's name or break free from the shadows that have held them captive for generations. Will she survive the truth, or will it destroy everything she's known?
Celestine Hazel had always found comfort in the predictability of her life. The warm, golden afternoons spent in the garden of their grand family estate, her father's reassuring presence at the dinner table, the way Ronald Brown's laugh made her feel like the world was perfectly aligned. Everything was right. Or at least, that's what she though
That night, though, something had felt off. She couldn't explain it. She was driving home from her routine dinner date with Ronald-he was always so attentive, so careful with her, like he knew how fragile the world she lived in could be. The sky had been a brilliant shade of indigo, the air still and cool, a perfect evening for a drive.
But as the headlights of her car sliced through the mist rising along the road that led to their neighborhood, Celestine noticed a black SUV trailing her too closely. It didn't feel like coincidence. She pressed the accelerator, her heart picking up its pace. The car behind her matched her speed exactly, its shadowy figure a constant presence in the rearview mirror.
Her breath quickened. Who would be following her at this hour? She gripped the wheel, trying to steady her nerves. She knew this road well. The towering trees on either side blurred as she pushed faster, but the SUV didn't waver. It stuck to her, closer now than ever
And then, the worst part: the eerie feeling that whoever was driving that car knew exactly who she was. She could feel it. Her hands tightened on the steering wheel as if willing the world to stop, to give her an answer, to make the night less menacing.
Before she had time to react, the SUV swerved and pulled alongside her, cutting her off. Celestine's breath caught in her throat as the window on the passenger side rolled down, revealing a man she recognized-John, the neighbor who always seemed a little too familiar with her family.
"Get in the car, Celestine," he said, his voice low, urgent.
Her pulse hammered in her chest. "What the hell are you doing? Leave me alone!"
But John didn't retreat. He leaned forward, eyes narrowing in a way that made her stomach twist with unease.
It happened too quickly. Another figure appeared from the shadows-Ronald. His hand was steady, holding a gun, its barrel gleaming in the dim light. Before Celestine could process what was happening, the loud crack of gunfire shattered the silence of the night. John staggered back, falling to the ground, clutching his side.
Get in the car, Celestine. We need to go." Ronald's voice was calm, but there was something about the way his eyes flickered-like he was as shaken as she was.
"Ronald!" Celestine gasped, unable to grasp what was happening. "What... what is this? What is going on?"
Ronald glanced at her, his face pale, strained. "I didn't want this, Celestine. I never wanted you to find out, but it's too late now. Too much has already happened." He motioned for her to get in, and despite every instinct screaming to run, she followed him.
The car sped off, the haunting image of John on the ground still burned into her mind.
On a rain-soaked night in Chicago, newlyweds Beatrice Cooper and Albert Sean are thrown into chaos when an unexpected car accident and a mysterious envelope force Beatrice to confront a dark legacy-the suspicious death of Sean's first wife, Vanessa. As Beatrice delves into a dangerous investigation with a grizzled private detective, every step unearths startling secrets about Sean's past and the corruption lurking beneath his polished world. In a race against time, love battles betrayal, and each revelation brings them closer to a deadly confrontation that will test the very core of their relationship.
"Mr. Evans, please maintain some dignity. Don't forget I'm your brother's wife!" Having caught her husband and best friend together in the bed, Elena wanted nothing more than to exact revenge on the people she once called family. She refused to be a pitiful divorcee and vowed to make everyone who had once looked down on her beg for forgiveness. And to start with her newfound freedom, Elena indulges in a one-night stand with a stranger. However, what was meant to be a fleeting escape turns into a nightmare when she learns that the stranger is none other than her husband's older brother! Would Elena be free from the shackles of her marriage? Or would the mysterious stranger make her life a living hell since he seemed to have a personal vendetta against his family? [The story is 18+ and involves mature content.]
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
Kallie, a mute who had been ignored by her husband for five years since their wedding, also suffered the loss of her pregnancy due to her cruel mother-in-law. After the divorce, she learned that her ex-husband had quickly gotten engaged to the woman he truly loved. Holding her slightly rounded belly, she realized that he had never really cared for her. Determined, she left him behind, treating him as a stranger. Yet, after she left, he scoured the globe in search of her. When their paths crossed once more, Kallie had already found new happiness. For the first time, he pleaded humbly, "Please don't leave me..." But Kallie's response was firm and dismissive, cutting through any lingering ties. "Get lost!"
Kara Martin was known as Miss Perfect. She was a beauty with good personality and successful career. Unfortunately, her life changed at one night. She was accused of adultery, losing her job, and abandoned by her fiance. The arrogant man who slept with her did not want to take responsibility. He even threatened to kill her if they met again. What's worse, Kara was pregnant with twins and she chose to give birth to them. Four and a half years later, Kara returned to work at a large company. As the secretary, she would frequently face their notorious CEO. Kara thought it wouldn't be a problem, but as it turned out ... the CEO was the father of the twins!
Elodie took a deep breath and knocked, the sound echoing in the quiet corridor. A moment of silence passed, broken only by the pounding of her heart. Finally, the door snicked open, revealing a surprised Dashiell. 'Can't you see the Do Not Disturb sign? We don't want-' His initial frown quickly morphed into confusion at the sight of his wife. 'What are you doing here?' he demanded. 'Your girlfriend invited me,' Elodie replied, her voice laced with icy calm. She tried to peer past him, but his broad frame blocked the view. A saccharine voice chimed in from within the room. 'Elodie? Oh dear, we didn't mean for you to find out this way. It's just that-' Elodie cut her short. 'Oh please, Selene. Spare me the fake apologies. You wouldn't have sent me all those texts if you didn't want me to know.' Dashiell shifted uncomfortably, his face a mask of annoyance. 'What texts?' Elodie stepped past him, taking in the luxurious suite with a sardonic smile. The king-sized bed, the scattered rose petals, the lingering scent of sex – it all painted a vivid picture of their betrayal. She looked up at Dashiell, her gaze unwavering. 'I want a divorce.' ****** Dashiell lived a life of luxury, surrounded by the best things money could buy. But when a car accident left him vulnerable, he met Elodie, a seemingly ordinary woman who nursed him back to health. Mistaking her for just another employee, Dashiell entered into a loveless marriage with her solely for convenience. However, fate had a different script in store. Elodie, the 'ordinary nurse,' held a secret more precious than any diamond: she was the sole heiress to Northstar, a vast and powerful enterprise. Unaware of her true identity, Dashiell cast her aside when his ex-girlfriend returned, leaving Elodie humiliated. But Elodie was not one to be easily broken. She shed the facade of the meek nurse, reclaiming her rightful inheritance and stepping into the role of Northstar's CEO. Now, the woman Dashiell discarded was the one holding the reins of power. As Elodie thrives in her new role, Dashiell is consumed by regret. He finally sees Elodie for the extraordinary woman she truly is, realising the depth of his mistake. But will his remorse be enough to win back the heart he so carelessly discarded?
"I've warned you from the beginning. Don't marry him, but you won't listen." Darcy stood close to me and smiled with concern. "You're 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. "Take a good look at yourself, Heather." She stared at me in the mirror. "You can't even glance at your ugly face. Do you think Blaze can endure a lifetime of gazing at that scar?" Heather Bailey got a surprise from her husband: a divorce agreement. After a year of marriage and facing ups and downs, she couldn't believe Blaze intended to divorce her. She was devastated when she saw him gazing lovingly at another woman. After signing the divorce papers, shockwaves caught her up. Her flower shop was burned to the ground. 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 from influential families, she started her revenge on Blaze. She won the very thing he wanted, but that was just the beginning.