/0/72038/coverbig.jpg?v=22532312abb581bb0af87ccc4a8b6038)
In the high-stakes world of billionaires and betrayal, "Tangled In Desire" tells the story of Zoey, a woman whose life of comfort shatters when her family's empire collapses. Desperate to salvage their legacy, she's thrust into an arranged marriage with Eric, a seductive yet enigmatic playboy. A chance encounter leads to a night of unbridled passion between them, their identities concealed. When fate forces them into a union, the revelation of their prior intimacy ignites a storm of resentment and desire. Publicly, they play the role of the perfect couple; privately, they're locked in a battle of wills. As Zoey uncovers Eric's lingering ties to a former lover, she embarks on a daring quest for revenge, setting off a chain of events that tests their resolve. But when an unforeseen accident threatens to tear them apart forever, both must confront the depth of their feelings. "Tangled In Desire " is a tale of passion and redemption, where two souls must navigate the treacherous waters of love and trust to find their true path.
Chapter 1: Shattered Dreams
The grand chandeliers glowed like cascading diamonds, illuminating the lavish ballroom of the Lancaster estate. Zoey Lancaster stood near the balcony, a crystal flute of champagne in hand, her world still intact-wealthy, privileged, and filled with laughter. The annual gala her father hosted was an extravagant affair, one she had attended every year since childhood.
Tonight, she wore an emerald silk gown, the fabric hugging her curves like a second skin, her auburn waves cascading over one shoulder. She greeted guests with a polite smile, basking in the admiration that came effortlessly. The Lancaster name carried weight, power, and influence, and as the only daughter, Zoey had always been treated like royalty.
She turned to her father, Richard Lancaster, a man of unshakable confidence. He stood with a glass of whiskey in one hand, his other resting protectively on her mother's waist. A perfect family, or so it seemed.
"Enjoy the night, sweetheart," he told her. "This is all for you one day."
She had always believed that.
But illusions had a cruel way of shattering.
The Fall
The news came like a dagger to the heart-swift, brutal, and impossible to ignore.
Just days after the gala, the Lancaster empire crumbled overnight. Investments failed, debts surfaced, and soon, the name that once commanded admiration now invited whispers of pity. Their home, their businesses, even their personal accounts-wiped away in a storm of legal battles and financial ruin.
Zoey stood in the middle of their empty living room, surrounded by boxes and fading memories. Their once-grand estate had been seized, the furniture sold, the walls now echoing with an eerie silence.
"How did this happen?" her voice cracked, her gaze locked on her father, who sat on the couch with his head in his hands.
He looked at her with hollow eyes. "I failed."
The weight of those words crushed her. Her father-her hero-defeated. Her mother, once the epitome of grace, sat beside him in silent devastation.
Zoey clenched her fists. This wasn't how her life was supposed to be.
Desperation
The once-vibrant Zoey found herself lost in the shadows of what used to be. Every attempt to salvage what remained was met with dead ends. Friends who once flocked to her side vanished. The Lancaster name was now synonymous with disgrace.
That night, suffocated by the reality of her family's downfall, she found herself in a high-end bar across town. The dim lighting and rhythmic pulse of music were a welcomed distraction.
She ordered whiskey-something strong, something numbing. The alcohol burned, but not as much as the ache in her chest.
And that was when she saw him.
A stranger at the bar, his presence magnetic, his gaze piercing even from across the room. He was dressed in a fitted black suit, his posture exuding confidence. Dark, tousled hair, sharp jawline, and eyes that held a dangerous glint.
He wasn't just any man. He was temptation wrapped in sin.
Zoey didn't want to think. She didn't want to feel.
That night, she didn't know his name.
And she didn't care.
Because in that fleeting moment, she sought escape.
And he was more than willing to give it to her.
Zoey's breath hitched as she clutched the bedsheet against her chest, her mind spinning with disbelief. The man from last night-the one whose touch had set her skin on fire-was standing right before her, but now, under the cold light of day, he wasn't just a stranger. He was him.
Eric Sinclair.
The name itself sent a sharp jolt through her. She knew of him-who didn't? He was the heir to the Sinclair empire, a man whose reputation for both ruthless business dealings and reckless affairs preceded him. And now, he was the man she had just spent the night with.
Eric's gaze darkened, his posture tense as he ran a hand through his tousled hair. He was just as shocked as she was. His lips parted slightly, but he said nothing, as if trying to make sense of the situation.
Zoey's fingers tightened around the sheet as she forced herself to sit up, her body still sensitive from their heated encounter. This can't be happening.
The sound of a phone vibrating broke the heavy silence. Eric blinked, then reached for his discarded suit jacket, pulling out his phone. Zoey barely had time to process what was happening before she caught the name flashing on his screen-
Sarah.
A bitter chill crawled up her spine.
Eric hesitated for a moment before silencing the call, his expression unreadable. But Zoey had seen enough. Her stomach twisted. Of course. The perfect man from last night, the one who had made her forget everything for a few stolen hours, belonged to someone else.
A wave of humiliation crashed over her.
"You should leave," she said coldly, gathering every ounce of dignity she had left.
Eric's brows knitted together at her sudden shift in demeanor. "Zoey-"
"Just go," she cut in, her voice sharper this time. "This was a mistake."
His jaw tightened, his hesitation obvious. But after a moment, he grabbed his shirt from the floor and slipped it back on. His usual composed arrogance was nowhere to be seen, replaced by something far more unsettling-uncertainty.
He didn't say another word. He didn't have to.
Zoey kept her expression blank as he finally turned and left, the sound of the hotel door clicking shut behind him echoing in the emptiness of the room.
The moment he was gone, Zoey let out a shaky breath. She should feel relieved. This night, whatever it was, didn't mean anything. It was just a reckless decision made in the midst of her shattered world.
But why did it feel like something had just changed forever?
Later That Night – Sinclair Family Mansion
The grand dining hall was silent except for the soft clinking of silverware. Zoey sat across from her father, her appetite nonexistent as she stared at the untouched meal before her.
Her father, Richard Monroe, finally cleared his throat. "Zoey, there's something we need to discuss."
She slowly lifted her gaze, already knowing she wouldn't like what was coming.
Richard exhaled heavily. "The Sinclairs have extended a proposal. They want you to marry Eric Sinclair."
Zoey's blood ran cold.
"What?" Her voice came out hoarse, barely above a whisper.
Her father nodded grimly. "It's the only way to secure our company's survival. The Sinclairs are willing to invest, but they want something in return-"
"Me," Zoey finished bitterly.
A sudden, sickening realization settled in her chest. She had given herself to Eric last night without knowing who he was. And now, fate was forcing them together in a way she could have never predicted.
Her hands curled into fists beneath the table.
Last night, she had thought she could leave him behind. But now, there was no escaping Eric Sinclair.
He was about to become her husband.
And this time, there was no way out.
Elias is lost-haunted by a past he can't escape and desperate for something real in a world that's forgotten him. One fateful night, a mysterious club and a pair of burning crimson eyes change everything. Lucien is ancient, dangerous, and devastatingly beautiful. A vampire bound by laws and shadows, he's sworn never to love again. But when Elias walks into his world, desire threatens to consume them both. Drawn into a dark romance of blood, obsession, and forbidden longing, Elias finds himself craving more than just Lucien's touch-he wants his soul. But in the vampire underworld, love comes at a deadly price.
Los Angeles is a city of shadows, and Adrian "The Reaper" Valenti has spent years hunting the man who destroyed his family. Cold, ruthless, and relentless, he has built his empire on blood and vengeance. But when his war leads him to **Valeria DeLuca-the daughter of his greatest enemy-his plans take an unexpected turn. Valeria has spent her life in a golden cage, raised to be a queen in her father's underworld. But when Adrian kidnaps her, she learns a truth more brutal than any captivity: her father planned to kill her all along. Betrayed and furious, she strikes a dangerous deal with the very man who swore to destroy her family. Together, they bring down the DeLuca empire. But when the dust settles and the bodies fall, Valeria realizes that vengeance has a price-and she refuses to let Adrian, or anyone else, control her fate. She walks away from the only man who ever truly understood her. But in the underworld, no one ever really escapes. And as whispers of a new power rising in the city spread, one thing becomes clear-Valeria DeLuca didn't leave the game. She just started playing by her own rules.
In the dazzling world of fame and fortune, power is everything-and love is just another game. Beatrice, Hollywood's reigning queen, has spent years crafting her perfect empire. Fierce, cunning, and irresistible, she plays by her own rules. But when she finds herself entangled in a secret relationship with the industry's most desired leading man, Lucas, her thirst for control takes a dangerous turn. Lucas is charming, successful, and emotionally torn. He loves Amy, the sweet and devoted woman who believes in his goodness. But his undeniable attraction to Beatrice pulls him into a web of deception, where passion and ambition collide. When Beatrice drops a bombshell-she's pregnant-Lucas is forced into a flash marriage to protect his career. But behind closed doors, it's a battle of dominance, love, and betrayal. Amy, heartbroken yet determined, won't go down without a fight. As she manipulates the media to expose the truth, Beatrice moves to secure her ultimate victory-complete control over Lucas. In this war of love and power, secrets will be exposed, revenge will be served, and no one will emerge unscathed. When love turns into obsession, who really wins? ✨ A dark and steamy fantasy romance filled with passion, power plays, and shocking betrayals.
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
Iris grew from an orphaned child to the adopted daughter of the Stewart family at age ten, finding warmth in her nominal uncle Vincent's kindness. Seven years later, she became his secret lover. When Vincent's engagement was announced, gossip spread about the notorious playboy CEO finally settling down. But only Iris knew the extent of his cold, two-faced nature. Iris fell for Vincent and, through tears, begged, "Marry me," only to be met with his frosty refusal. Defeated, she accepted a lawyer's proposal, sparking public excitement. Then, on her wedding day, Vincent pleaded desperately, "Don't marry him…"
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.
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."
On her wedding day, Khloe’s sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrik’s cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.
Once upon a time, there were two kingdoms once at peace. The kingdom of Salem and the kingdom of Mombana... Until the day, the king of Mombana passed away and a new monarch took over, Prince Cone. Prince Cone, has always been hungry for more power and more and more. After his coronation, he attacked Salem. The attack was so unexpected, Salem never prepared for it. They were caught off guard. The king and Queen was killed, the prince was taken into slavery. The people of Salem that survived the war was enslaved, their land taken from them. Their women were made sex slaves. They lost everything, including their land. Evil befall the land of Salem in form of Prince Cone, and the prince of Salem in his slavery was filled with so much rage. The prince of Salem, Prince Lucien swore revenge. 🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳 Ten years later, thirty-years old Lucien and his people raided a coup and escaped slavery. They went into hiding and recuperated. They trained day and night under the leadership of the fearless and cold Lucien who was driven with everything in him to get back their land, and take Mombana land too. It took them five years before they ambushed and attacked Mombana. They killed Prince Cone and reclaimed everything. As they screamed out their victory, Lucien's eyes found and pinned the proud princess of Mombana. Princess Danika. The daughter of Prince Cone. As Lucien stared at her with the coldest eyes anyone can ever possess, he felt victory for the first time. He walked to the princess with the slave collar he'd won for ten years rattling in his hand as he walked. He reached close to her and with a swift movement, he collared her neck. Then, he tilted her chin up, staring into the bluest eyes and the most beautiful face ever created, he gave her a cold smile. "You are my acquisition. My slave. My sex slave. My property. I will pay you in spades, everything you and your father ever did to me and my people." He stated curtly. Pure hatred, coldness and victory was the only emotion on his face. .