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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.
The low hum of conversations echoed through the polished glass walls of Hale Enterprises' boardroom, the atmosphere suffocatingly thick with tension. Ivy Collins sat stiffly in a leather chair at the far end of the long, gleaming table, her hands clenched around the strap of her bag. She hated the way this room reeked of power, money, and control-three things she detested most about the Hale family. But here she was, right in the belly of the beast.
Opposite her, Sebastian Hale leaned casually against the edge of the table, arms crossed over his broad chest. His charcoal-gray suit fit him like it was molded onto his body, exuding an air of effortless authority. His icy blue eyes, so sharp they could cut glass, remained trained on Ivy with a mixture of curiosity and disdain.
"You've been quiet for five minutes," Sebastian finally said, his deep, smooth voice breaking the silence. "That's a record for a journalist, isn't it?"
Ivy's spine straightened as his words sliced through her resolve. She wasn't about to let him intimidate her, not when she had come prepared for a battle. "I'm just wondering if you're actually going to say something of substance, or if I'm wasting my time listening to the most overrated man in San Francisco."
A muscle twitched in Sebastian's jaw, but he quickly masked it with a slow, deliberate smirk. "Overrated? That's bold coming from someone who works for a third-rate online gossip column."
Ivy leaned forward, her green eyes blazing with defiance. "It's not gossip if it's the truth, Mr. Hale. I deal in facts, and your family seems to have a lot of skeletons in their closet. Care to comment?"
Sebastian's smirk faded, replaced by a steely expression that could freeze over a heatwave. "You think you've cornered me, don't you? That you've stumbled on some grand scandal that will bring me down?" He straightened, towering over her as he walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline. "Let me save you the trouble-whatever you think you've found, it won't work."
Ivy stood, her movements deliberate and controlled, though her heart was pounding in her chest. She was here for a purpose, and she wasn't going to let him rattle her. "You're awfully confident for someone who's had three lawsuits filed against his company in the past year. Not to mention the whispers about your father's dealings."
Sebastian turned to face her, his expression now unreadable. "Let me guess. You think my father is the devil, and I'm his heir-apparent? That I'm complicit in every decision he's ever made?"
"You said it, not me," Ivy replied coolly, though her pulse quickened at the mention of Gregory Hale.
Sebastian's gaze darkened as he crossed the room in a few long strides, stopping just inches from her. He towered over her, his presence both infuriating and magnetic. "Let me make one thing clear," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "I'm not my father. And whatever agenda you think you have, you're playing a very dangerous game."
Ivy refused to back down, though her breath hitched at the intensity in his eyes. "And let me make one thing clear," she countered. "I don't scare easily. If there's something you or your father are hiding, I'll find it. That's a promise."
The air between them crackled with tension, their gazes locked in an unspoken challenge. For a moment, it felt as if the rest of the room had disappeared, leaving only the two of them in this battle of wills.
Before either could speak again, the door swung open, and Gregory Hale strode in, his presence as commanding as the man standing before her. His salt-and-pepper hair was perfectly styled, and his tailored suit screamed wealth and influence.
"Ah, Ivy Collins," Gregory said, his voice smooth and calculated as he approached. "The tenacious little journalist causing such a stir. Welcome."
Ivy turned to face him, masking the unease that prickled along her skin. "Mr. Hale. It's an honor to meet the man who built such an... interesting empire."
Gregory's smile didn't reach his eyes. "I've heard a lot about you. Smart, resourceful, a bit of a troublemaker." He glanced at Sebastian. "I see my son hasn't scared you off yet."
"Not for lack of trying," Ivy replied, folding her arms.
Gregory chuckled, but the sound was hollow. "Well, Ms. Collins, since you seem so interested in the Hale family, perhaps it's time we make you part of it."
Ivy blinked, her mind racing. "Excuse me?"
Sebastian stiffened, his jaw tightening as he turned to his father. "What the hell are you talking about?"
Gregory's gaze flicked between the two of them, a sinister gleam in his eyes. "It's quite simple. A marriage. You and Ivy. It solves a lot of problems-for all of us."
The room fell into stunned silence.
"Absolutely not," Sebastian said, his voice laced with fury.
"I'm not marrying anyone," Ivy snapped, her voice rising. "Especially not him."
Gregory's smile widened, his expression one of pure calculation. "Oh, but you will. Both of you. Unless, of course, you'd prefer the alternative."
Sebastian's eyes narrowed. "What alternative?"
Gregory stepped closer, his voice dropping to a chilling whisper. "I expose every secret you've worked so hard to bury, Sebastian. And as for you, Ms. Collins... I make sure your career is over before it even begins."
Ivy's stomach churned as she exchanged a look with Sebastian, who looked as furious as she felt.
"This is blackmail," Ivy said, her voice trembling with rage.
Gregory shrugged. "Call it what you like. But the two of you are more useful to me together than apart. So, what's it going to be?"
The silence that followed was deafening, the weight of Gregory's ultimatum pressing down on both of them.
Ivy's hands curled into fists as she glared at Sebastian. "You don't get to make this decision for me," she said, her voice shaking.
Sebastian met her gaze, his own filled with frustration and something else she couldn't quite place. "Believe me, I don't want this any more than you do."
But as Gregory's cold smile lingered in the background, they both knew they had no choice.
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?
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.
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?
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, âSheâs quite delicate and easily hurt. Cross her, and youâre crossing me.â 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
Rose looked at the reports in her hand and was in shock... The reports said that she was one month pregnant, however, how can she get pregnant when she didn't have any man in her life... "Was it because of that dream? Could I get pregnant because I have sex in my dream?" She thought... She didn't have any mental problems, however, except for this she can't able to think about anything... However, she still didn't get out of her surprise when she met the man in her dream... Kevin Davis looked at the reports in her hand and asked, "Is this child mine?" However, Rose didn't answer but asked... "Was that night not a dream?" Kevin was angry because it was his first time and she thinks it was a dream... Kevin forced her to marry him however, Rose didn't want it... She wanted to abort the child but he didn't let her... In the end... Rose agreed to marry him... She looked at Kevin's blue eyes and said, "I will marry you, however, I had two conditions..." "First, after marriage, you can't control my freedom, I still had the right to do whatever I want. Don't worry I won't harm the child." "Second, if I ever found out that you had cheated behind my back then I will leave with my child and you can't stop me..." Both of them got married... However, after she falls in love with him... She found there are hidden secrets in his past...
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad. Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded. She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer. Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone. But then the ex-husbandâs uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelynâs hand in marriage.
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 statureâthe 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!"
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. Whatâs worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldnât thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesnât seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that heâs different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?
Lindsey's fiancé was the devil's first son. Not only did he lie to her but he also slept with her stepmother, conspired to take away her family fortune, and then set her up to have sex with a total stranger. To get her lick back, Lindsey decided to find a man to disrupt her engagement party and humiliate the cheating bastard. Never did she imagine that she would bump into a strikingly handsome stranger who was all that she was currently looking for. At the engagement party, he boldly declared that she was his woman. Lindsey thought he was just a broke man who wanted to leech off her. But once they began their fake relationship, she realized that good luck kept coming her way. She thought they would part ways after the engagement party, but this man kept to her side. "We gotta stick together, Lindsey. Remember, I'm now your fiancé. " "Domenic, you're with me because of my money, aren't you?" Lindsey asked, narrowing her eyes at him. Domenic was taken aback by that accusation. How could he, the heir of the Walsh family and CEO of Vitality Group, be with her for money? He controlled more than half of the city's economy. Money wasn't a problem for him! The two got closer and closer. One day, Lindsey finally realized that Domenic was actually the stranger she had slept with months ago. Would this realization change things between them? For the better or worse?