I'm Seraphina Langley, just looking to crash my ex's wedding party-not get caught up in another, more dangerous one. Lucian Devereaux, the cold and secretive CEO, suddenly offers me a contract marriage. I need revenge, he needs an inheritance. It should be simple, but the longer I'm by his side, the harder it is to tell the difference between a deal... and real feelings. This contract has an end. But what if my heart doesn't want to let go?
I wasn't invited here, and I don't care.
The room was filled with the sound of laughter and repetitive congratulations. Expensive gowns swished as guests moved, sipping champagne and basking in the luxury of a party that shouldn't have happened. I stood in the middle of the room, my heart pounding, my fingers clutching a cold glass of wine.
They hadn't noticed me-not yet.
My eyes were fixed on one figure. The groom.
Damien Vaughn.
Once, I thought that name would be a part of my life forever. Once, I believed he was my destiny. But now, he stood there, wearing a perfect black suit and a white tie, smiling at the woman who was now his wife. Celeste Moreau. A woman whose last name carried more weight in the business world than mine ever would.
I should have been the one standing beside him. I should have been the one wearing that wedding dress. But no-because to him, I wasn't good enough.
I lifted my glass of wine, took a small sip, and then without thinking, I tossed the entire contents in their direction.
The red liquid soaked Celeste's white dress, leaving a stain that couldn't be easily removed. The room, once filled with laughter, fell silent.
Celeste gasped, staring at the stain on her dress with horror. Damien stiffened, his eyes meeting mine in a shock that quickly turned into anger.
I smirked. "Oops."
Someone in the crowd gasped, whispers began to spread like wildfire. I could feel dozens of pairs of eyes watching me, waiting for what would happen next.
Damien stepped forward, his expression filled with rage. "Seraphina, what have you done?"
"I was just trying to offer my congratulations," I said casually, though my heart was pounding. "And I thought this wedding needed a little more color."
Celeste gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief. "You're insane!"
I chuckled. "Oh, you're just realizing that now?"
I didn't know what made me do it. Maybe it was the anger I'd been suppressing all this time, maybe it was the satisfaction of seeing Damien's face tighten. I wanted to see him crumble, just like he'd crumbled me.
Damien growled, then turned to one of the security guards in the corner of the room. "Get her out of here."
I felt the tension in the air before I even realized it. Several guards started moving towards me. Their steps were steady, clearly trying to prevent me from running.
Damn it.
I could have run. I could have tried to fight back. But I didn't stand a chance against them all. I lifted my chin, ready to face whatever was coming-
Then, suddenly, a hand grabbed my wrist and pulled me back swiftly.
I almost tripped over my own heels as I was dragged out of the ballroom at a speed that was difficult to keep up with. I turned, intending to protest, but the words were swallowed as I saw who had taken me away.
Lucian Devereaux.
My heart nearly stopped.
The CEO of Devereaux Corporation. The most powerful man in the room, perhaps even the city. Cold, untouchable, and known for never doing anything without a reason.
What was he doing?
I didn't have time to ask. He led me through the deserted hotel corridors, far from the prying eyes of the guests. My breath caught as he finally stopped in a more private room, releasing his grip, and then turning to face me.
I yanked my hand back, staring at him sharply. "What are you doing?"
Lucian stared at me impassively. "Saving you from your own idiocy."
I scoffed. "I don't need saving."
He raised an eyebrow, as if doubting my words. "Really? You want to be thrown in jail for disrupting a public event? Or worse, make an enemy out of Damien Vaughn?"
I clenched my fists. "He's been my enemy for a long time."
Lucian observed my face for a moment, his expression unreadable. "Then how about I give you a chance to get your revenge?"
I narrowed my eyes, suspicious. "What do you mean?"
He stepped closer, his voice lower and sharper. "Marry me."
I held my breath.
Lucian continued in his characteristically flat tone. "You want to make Damien regret it, and I need a wife."
I stared at him, trying to find a hidden intention behind his sharp grey eyes.
This was insane. More insane than anything I had done tonight.
But maybe... this was an opportunity I couldn't ignore.
I looked at Lucian skeptically, trying to understand the meaning behind his words. Marriage? With a man I didn't even know personally? This had to be some kind of joke.
"Are you kidding me?" I asked, trying to find any sign that he was just playing around.
His face remained impassive. "Do I look like someone who jokes?"
No. Not at all.
I took a step back, trying to calm myself down. This was too fast. Just a few minutes ago, I had thrown wine on Celeste's wedding dress, and now I was standing in front of the most powerful man in the room, who somehow was offering something more insane than my own actions.
I chuckled cynically, crossing my arms in front of my chest. "So, you want to marry me just to make Damien regret it? That's a pretty childish plan for someone like you, Mr. Devereaux."
Lucian sighed, seemingly unimpressed by my reaction. "You've got the wrong idea. I don't care about Damien or anyone else. I need a wife to fulfill the requirements in my family's will. And you need a more effective way to destroy the man who betrayed you. This is purely a business arrangement."
I was silent.
Lucian continued, his voice steady. "By marrying me, you'll have more power than you've ever had before. Damien will see you beside me, and he'll know he made the biggest mistake of his life."
Those words echoed in my mind. Imagining Damien's expression when he saw me as Lucian Aldrich's wife... there was something so satisfying about that thought.
But... marriage?
I shook my head, trying to think clearly. "Why me? You could choose another woman, someone who fits your image better."
Lucian gave a thin smile, but his eyes remained cold. "Because you won't fall in love with me."
I froze.
Lucian continued as if he'd just said something trivial. "I'm not interested in marriage that ends up in emotional drama. I need someone who understands boundaries. And you, Seraphina, are clearly still caught up in your hatred for another man. That makes you the perfect candidate."
I clenched my fists. "So, what do you think I am? A tool to help you fulfill your inheritance requirements?"
Lucian shrugged. "And I'm just a tool to help you get revenge. We both benefit."
I bit my lip, trying to calm my racing heartbeat. Everything was happening so fast, but the deepest part of me knew this was an opportunity I couldn't ignore. I wanted Damien to regret it. I wanted him to see me standing higher than he ever imagined.
Lucian seemed to be able to read my mind, because he took a step closer. The air between us felt heavy, as if he was giving me a choice I couldn't refuse.
"Take my offer, Seraphina. This is the only way to win."
I stared at him. His grey eyes showed no lies, only firmness. Cold. Dangerous. But also offering something I had never possessed before-power.
I took a deep breath. Everything that had happened today felt crazy, but wasn't my life already a mess? If I could destroy Damien and rebuild myself from these ruins, wasn't it worth a shot?
So, I lifted my chin and replied, "Alright. I accept."
Lucian gave a thin smile, as if he'd expected my answer.
"Good," he said. "Then we'll start now."
I frowned. "Now?"
He didn't answer. He simply reached for his phone, called someone, then spoke in a flat tone, "Get everything ready. I want this marriage to happen as soon as possible."
My heart lurched. I knew I had just made a huge decision. But I wasn't ready for what was going to happen next.
And as Lucian looked at me again with an unreadable expression, I realized one thing-I may have just sold my soul to the devil.
In the glittering world of New York's high-class business scene, a young, ambitious billionaire, Alexander "Alex" Grayson, is known as the man with the Midas touch: every project he touches turns to gold. However, behind this success, he hides a dark secret that could destroy everything. When Alex faces the threat of bankruptcy due to an internal conspiracy within his company, he meets Charlotte "Lottie" Bennett, a talented, headstrong young lawyer with a dark past she's trying to leave behind. Lottie is offered a deal she can't refuse: help clear Alex's name from the scandal that ensnares him, in exchange for a large sum of money that could change her life. But as they work together, they realize that this problem is bigger than just a business scandal. Behind the scenes, there are powerful forces at play, threatening both their lives. Their personal secrets begin to unravel, making their relationship even more complicated. Can Alex keep his fortune, or will he lose everything, including Lottie?
In a world shrouded in secrets, the fate of Zach Killian, an Alpha Werewolf, hangs in the balance due to an ancient curse that binds him. He cannot transform into a wolf, the symbol of his true strength, until he finds true love. When Lyorine Josephine, a witch with erased memories, enters his life, everything changes. Beneath their passionate and contentious relationship lies a dark prophecy. Zach and Lyorine are bound by destiny to stop the darkness threatening the supernatural world. But secrets from the past slowly come to light: Lyorine's ancestor is the root cause of Zach's curse. Now, they must choose between breaking the curse, which requires a great sacrifice, or allowing the supernatural world to fall into chaos. Amidst betrayal and complex love, will they find a way out, or become trapped by the moon that binds their fates?
One night. One mistake. One deal that changed everything. After heartbreak, Vyora spends a wild night with Leonard Morgan, her handsome and enigmatic boss. Now, to get revenge on her ex-boyfriend, Vyora must become Leo's pretend girlfriend. Amidst the revenge plot and unexpected intimacy, their relationship becomes increasingly complicated. Can Vyora separate revenge from the love that's starting to blossom between them?
Due to her genuine love, Nayla doesn't care how harsh Elvan is towards her. In fact, she continues to love him even when she finds out that Elvan prioritizes his female friend, Emma. However, when Emma suddenly confesses her feelings to Elvan, Nayla becomes anxious and restless. Should she end her feelings and cancel their engagement?
Feeling weary from life's trials, Agatha decided to go to a bar for the first time. Unfortunately, she was given free beer by a handsome bartender, which made her lose consciousness. Unbeknownst to Agatha, a CEO who had been observing her from a distance since the beginning ... secretly saved her. The next day, Agatha was surprised to wake up in a luxurious apartment. Agatha was confused. What happened last night? Who brought her to the apartment?
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!
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?
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."
What happens when a hook-up gets complicated by a baby? Can she hide the secret from him? Or will he show her how possessive he can be when he learns she's carrying his child? "Seven years ago, I had a one-night stand with my brother's best friend, who also happened to be my lifelong crush. The next day, he vanished leaving me pregnant. Now, I am a single mom raising our son in the same small town. Recently, he returned to attend my brother's wedding and the truth about our son was finally revealed. As he reclaims his place in our lives, the sparks between us reignite. However, danger from his past threatens to shatter our newfound connection. I am torn between my love for him and my fear of getting hurt again, especially now that I have two hearts to protect - our son's and my own."
During her three years of marriage with Brendan, Adeline had become as humble as dust itself. However, what she got in return wasn't love and affection, but endless indifference and disdain. Worse yet, when the woman in Brendan's heart suddenly showed up, he further distanced himself from her. Finally, Adeline couldn't stand it anymore and asked for a divorce. After all, why should she stay with such a cold, distant man? The next one would surely be better. Brendan watched as his ex-wife left with her luggage in tow. Suddenly, a thought occurred to him and he made a bet with his friends. "She'll definitely regret leaving and will come crawling back to me in no time." After hearing about this bet, Adeline sneered. "Dream on!" A few days later, Brendan ran into his ex-wife in a bar. It turned out she was celebrating her divorce. Not long after, he noticed that the damned woman seemed to have a new suitor. Brendan was starting to panic. The woman who had clung to him for three years suddenly didn't seem to give a damn about him. What was he going to do?
The dream of everyone with regards to marriage is to be able to find that special someone and settle down with them. Even arranged marriages grant you an opportunity to meet your partner briefly before the wedding. How will you feel about waking up in the morning with someone sleeping next to you who is not just anyone but your legally married partner yet with no memory of how that had happened in just a few hours of going out the previous day? This is the story of Jason Haward and Julia Harrison, two strangers trapped in a marriage they never planned. The quest to find out why led to the unfolding of a mystery which made them realize they are both living a lie. To find out more, read this amazing story of love, betrayal, revenge and murder.