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Valeria Monroe has spent her life chasing perfection- top grades, a flawless reputation, and a future meticulously planned by her parents. Nothing has ever distracted her from success. Until now. A chance discovery threatens to shatter the pristine world she's built and suddenly, the truth feels more dangerous than a lie.
Valeria Monroe's POV
The rhythmic tapping of my pen against the edge of my notebook filled the silent lecture hall. Professor Calloway's deep voice echoed through the vast space, his words flowing smoothly as he dissected the intricacies of political ethics. Normally, I'd be absorbed, scribbling notes furiously, but today, my mind was a tangled mess of unfinished thoughts and restless energy.
A sharp buzz vibrated against my thigh. My phone, hidden beneath the desk, lit up with a single message from my mother. Dinner at 7. Don't be late. The unspoken weight behind her words pressed down on me. Late meant irresponsible. Late meant ungrateful. Late meant another exhausting conversation about discipline, expectations, and how the Monroe name demanded excellence.
I clenched my jaw and refocused on the lecture.
Professor Calloway leaned against the podium, his presence commanding yet effortlessly charismatic. "The truth, no matter how inconvenient, always comes at a cost. Sometimes, the price is power. Other times, it's personal." He paused, scanning the room before continuing, "But there's always a cost."
His words sent an uncomfortable shiver through me. Maybe it was the way he said it. Or maybe it was the flicker of something unreadable in his eyes-a hint of a deeper meaning beneath the surface.
The minute hand on the clock hit the hour mark, signaling the end of class. Chairs scraped against the floor as students gathered their things. I tucked my notebook into my bag and was about to leave when Calloway called out, "Valeria, a moment?"
My stomach tightened. He never singled me out.
I turned back, masking my surprise. "Yes, Professor?"
Calloway offered a polished smile. "Walk with me."
We stepped into the hallway, his pace measured, his posture perfectly composed. "You've always been one of my most perceptive students," he said, his voice dipping just enough to make me uneasy. "Which is why I'd like to offer you a position as my research assistant next semester."
The breath I'd been holding released in a quiet rush. "That's... an incredible opportunity. I'd love to."
His smile widened. "Good. I'll have the official documents ready soon."
Something about the way he said it made the air feel heavier. Calloway was known for his integrity, yet an instinct deep in my gut whispered that there was more to this offer than he was letting on.
Jasper Kane's POV
Smoke curled lazily into the air, dissipating against the cold night sky. I flicked the cigarette between my fingers, barely paying attention to the people drifting in and out of the bar's back alley. The scent of cheap beer and bad decisions clung to the atmosphere.
Valeria Monroe wasn't the type to be caught dead in a place like this. Which made it all the more interesting that she was here.
She stood on the other side of the street, her phone clutched tightly in her hand, eyes locked on the glow of the coffee shop's window. A storm brewed in her expression, tension visible even from a distance.
I took another drag, debating whether or not to interfere.
Most people at East Ridge University either avoided me or feared me. Valeria? She didn't even acknowledge I existed. Perfect little overachiever, untouchable in her world of ambition and carefully curated success. But she wasn't acting so perfect right now.
Curiosity won.
I crossed the street, my footsteps silent against the pavement. She didn't notice me until I was close enough to see the flicker of alarm in her gaze.
"Lost, Monroe?"
Her back stiffened, defensive walls snapping into place. "No."
I smirked. "Then what are you doing standing outside a coffee shop like it holds the answers to life's mysteries?"
For a second, I thought she wouldn't answer. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, she said, "I need to know if I'm making a mistake."
That caught me off guard. Valeria Monroe didn't make mistakes.
I tossed my cigarette to the ground, crushing it under my boot. "And what mistake would that be?"
She hesitated, fingers tightening around her phone. "I think my professor is hiding something."
A slow, dangerous smile stretched across my lips. "Now that sounds interesting."
Valeria's POV
Jasper Kane had the kind of presence that demanded attention, even when he wasn't trying. Dark, unreadable eyes. A lazy confidence that made him seem untouchable. He was everything I was supposed to avoid.
And yet, in this moment, he felt like the only person I could tell.
"I overheard something," I admitted, shifting my weight from foot to foot. "Something I wasn't supposed to."
Jasper leaned against the streetlamp, watching me with an intensity that made it impossible to look away. "Care to elaborate?"
My instincts screamed to walk away. To pretend I hadn't said anything. But the weight of what I knew pressed against my ribs, suffocating.
"Professor Calloway was on a call," I finally said. "I didn't catch everything, but the parts I did hear..." My pulse quickened. "He mentioned covering something up. That someone was getting too close to the truth."
Jasper didn't react right away. He studied me, weighing my words, my fear. Then, with a casual shrug, he said, "And you think this is worth ruining your perfect little life over?"
A spark of irritation flared in my chest. "I don't know what I think yet."
"Then let me give you some advice." He pushed off the streetlamp, stepping closer until I could feel the warmth of his presence. "People like Calloway don't get caught unless they want to be. And if you go digging, you better be prepared to handle what you find."
The warning settled deep in my bones.
I swallowed hard. "And what if I can't just ignore it?"
Jasper's expression darkened, something unreadable flickering behind his gaze. "Then you'd better be ready for the consequences, Monroe. Because once you start down this road, there's no turning back."
Chloe Evans is a small-town girl with big dreams-dreams of launching her own fashion line and escaping the limitations of her humble beginnings. When she gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase her designs at an exclusive gala, Chloe is determined to make her mark. But there's one problem: the event is hosted by none other than the notorious billionaire entrepreneur, Dani Potter. Dani is a man who's built an empire from nothing, a ruthless businessman with no time for anything but his career. He's never been interested in love, preferring instead to remain emotionally detached from everyone around him. But when he meets Chloe, he's intrigued by her ambition and the spark in her eyes. For the first time in years, he finds himself wanting something more than just success. Chloe and Dani's worlds collide, and the attraction between them becomes undeniable. But the more Chloe gets to know the man behind the corporate titan, the more she realizes that Dani is hiding a painful past-one that could jeopardize everything they're building together. Chloe must decide if she can trust him with her heart, or if she's simply chasing a billionaire's dream that will only end in heartbreak.
Leila Stone's world shattered when she was rejected by her mate, **Alpha Carley Nightpaw**, the night their pack was attacked. Fleeing with a broken heart and a shattered soul, she vowed to never return to the pack that had once been her home-until a blood moon rises, and fate forces her back. Carley, now the Alpha of the Nightpaw pack, is burdened with guilt and regret. The night he rejected Leila, he was driven by fear and duty, unwilling to show weakness in front of his pack. But time has taught him the painful consequences of that decision. When a new threat emerges, one that endangers their entire world, Carley realizes that Leila is the only one capable of helping him defeat it. But winning her trust back may be his greatest challenge yet.
Three years ago, Tiana thought divorcing Sebastian Wolfe would free her from the pain of his lies and the shadows that haunted their marriage. But when tragedy strikes her family and she returns to her hometown, she's forced to confront the man who once shattered her heart-and who still lingers in her soul. Sebastian isn't the same cold, unreadable billionaire she left. He's darker, more haunted-and about to discover a secret that will change everything: the existence of their daughter.
Adele Williams has spent her life hiding among humans, unaware of the destiny woven into her blood. But when the ruthless and enigmatic Lycan King, Frank Robinson, discovers her existence, her carefully crafted life is torn apart. Frank, haunted by a prophecy that speaks of a mate who will either save or destroy him, is drawn to Adele with an irresistible force. Yet she wants nothing to do with the dominant and dangerous king who claims she belongs to him. Forced into his world, Adele must navigate the deadly politics of the Lycan court, where enemies lurk in the shadows and betrayal is a breath away.
Celeste Bennett has spent years in the shadow of New York's elite, working as a private chef for the city's wealthiest families. When she's hired for an exclusive event at the lavish estate of billionaire Jayden McGregor, she expects nothing more than a routine job. But from the moment their eyes meet, the cold, untouchable billionaire makes it clear-he wants her. Jayden is a man used to getting everything he desires. Powerful, enigmatic, and haunted by his past, he has sworn off love. But something about Celeste draws him in-a fire he can't resist, a temptation that threatens to unravel his carefully controlled world. She knows better than to fall for a man like him. He's out of her league, and their worlds are too different. But when fate keeps pulling them together, resisting becomes impossible. As secrets come to light and passion ignites, Celeste and Jayden must decide: will they risk everything for a love that was never meant to be?
In the kingdom of Eldoria, Lady Evelina is bound by duty to marry a prince she does not love, her heart already belonging to a forbidden figure - Sir Alden, a mysterious knight whose loyalty to the crown is unwavering. When a powerful curse threatens to destroy the kingdom, Evelina finds herself drawn into a perilous quest with Sir Alden, seeking the ancient relic that could save them all. As they journey through treacherous lands, their bond grows deeper, but so do the dangers that threaten to tear them apart. With the weight of the kingdom's fate on their shoulders, they must navigate the perils of both magic and their own hearts. Can a knight and a lady destined for separate paths find a way to unite - or will duty and destiny keep them apart forever?
To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed doors, she was the wife he never officially acknowledged. Jenessa was elated when she learned that she was pregnant. But that joy was replaced with dread as her husband, Ryan, showered his affections on his first love. With a heavy heart, she chose to set him free and leave. When they met again, Ryan's attention was caught by Jenessa's protruding belly. "Whose child are you carrying?!" he demanded. But she only scoffed. "It's none of your business, my dear ex-husband!"
Sawyer, the world's top arms dealer, stunned everyone by falling for Maren—the worthless girl no one respected. People scoffed. Why chase a useless pretty face? But when powerful elites began gathering around her, jaws dropped. "She's not even married to him yet—already cashing in on his power?" they assumed. Curious eyes dug into Maren's past... only to find she was a scientific genius, a world-renowned medical expert, and heiress to a mafia empire. Later, Sawyer posted online. "My wife treats me like the enemy. Any advice?"
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-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.
"I want a divorce!" Ryan demanded, despite the fact that he had cheated on her with his ex. ~ Serena is no longer the quiet, romantic lady Ryan Winters married and divorced five years ago. Now the CEO of Rocky's Designs, she is bright, unwavering, and unapologetic about her independence-a far cry from the woman Ryan remembers. When fate brings them back into one another's lives, Ryan is forced to confront the truth about their past, their newfound hot chemistry, and a surprising revelation; Serena has a daughter who may be his. But Ryan's girlfriend, Kate, isn't prepared to lose him again. She will do whatever it takes to keep Ryan in her grasp-even if it means destroying Serena's life and the corporate empire she has built. What happens when Serena's now peaceful life is being disrupted? Will Serena lose once again or will she seize this billionaire's heart?
In the previous life, Maggie Johnson was so cowardly, gullible and stupid that she was coaxed by her fiance and stepsister and then broke her legs and lost everything including her fortune, love and even life. However, she was so lucky that she was reborn in the year before everything happened. Since her life restarted, how could she repeat a previous tragedy? Therefore, in this life, she took the opportunity to improve herself and take revenge on the ones who had ever insulted her. Facing the people who had humiliated her previously, she became smart and experienced to break their frames and tricks that had caused her to hurt in the previous life. Finally, no one could stop her pace to amaze the world any more.
"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.