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Sophie Clarke spent years sharpening the cutting edge of her revenge. The corrupt billionaire who destroyed her father, Ethan Hayes, is a man above the law-but below hers. Through deception and determination, she infiltrates his life, presenting herself as an artist seeking a sponsor. But the closer she gets, the greater the uncertainty. Ethan is not the cruel monster she had imagined. His niceness, his vulnerability, and what he keeps secret threaten to ruin everything she believes. But someone else is pulling the strings in the shadows. As Sophie learns the true mastermind behind her father's downfall, she realizes she might not be the only player of a deadly game. With betrayal on every hand, she has to decide-will she destroy Ethan, or will she save him? And if she makes the wrong choice, will it be her own destruction that she brings about instead? A breathless tale of revenge, betrayal, and forbidden passion, Time of the Avenger will keep you panting until the last page.
A thousand conversations hummed beneath the vaulted ceilings of the Grand Hall in Château Lumière, while crystal chandeliers cast a golden glow across a sea of designer gowns and tailored tuxedos. Sophie Clarke paused at the entrance. The click of her borrowed heels was lost in the hum of the soirée. For a moment, she almost turned back, her confidence swallowed up by the sheer opulence of the gathering.
She clutched the silver clutch that she had 'borrowed' from Clara, her best friend and the mastermind behind her plan to infiltrate the event. Sophie wasn't supposed to be here; the embossed invitation in her hand had someone else's name on it. But desperation made people do daring things, and tonight, Sophie was willing to risk it all.
She smoothed the low neckline of the secondhand black gown that hugged her curves in all the right ways. "Confidence," she whispered. "You belong here."
Sophie's eyes scanned the room, zeroing in on the man who'd brought her to this moment in time: Ethan Hayes, billionaire, philanthropist, and - according to her late father's journals - the man whose company had orchestrated her family's downfall.
Ethan Hayes stood near the far end of the room, a glass of champagne in hand, his posture relaxed yet commanding. At thirty-five, he wore an aura of easy command. His crisp black tuxedo was perfectly tailored, and his sharp jawline clean-shaven. Piercing blue eyes scanned the crowd with practiced detachment, his head nodding from time to time as one well-wisher or another approached.
"I see you're playing the part of the brooding billionaire tonight," a voice drawled beside him. Ethan glanced to his right, where Alex, his brother, smirked while swirling his own glass of champagne.
"Not brooding. Just observing," Ethan replied, his tone clipped.
Alex chuckled. "Looking at what? The line of sycophants or the art they are pretending to view?" He nodded toward the far wall where a Monet was hanging with soft light upon it.
Ethan ignored him and turned his eyes away. It was then he saw her.
Sophie's breath caught as her eyes landed on him. Ethan Hayes. Compelling, even from across the room, he was tall, composed, with an aura of quiet power that seemed to fit the billionaire she had read about. For a moment, her resolve faltered. Was this really the man responsible for her father's ruin? Could someone so poised, so self-assured, be capable of such coldness?
She reminded herself why she was here. Ethan Hayes might seem charming, but she couldn't afford to forget the pain his family's company had caused. Tonight, she would confront him-not directly, not yet-but she would get close enough to learn the truth.
Sophie moved toward the Monet, using the painting as an excuse to inch closer to Ethan.
Ethan couldn't pull his eyes away from her. The woman in front of the Monet was different from anyone else in that room. Her black gown was simple, almost basic, and her dark hair was looped into a loose chignon. Still, it was her expression that threw him off balance. She saw the painting without the practiced disinterest of the elite, her face filled with honest-to-goodness admiration.
Ethan crossed the room without thinking, leaving Alex mid-sentence.
It wasn't until she heard the deep timbre of his voice that Sophie sensed someone approach but didn't turn.
"Monet has a way of drawing you in, doesn't he?" Ethan said, his voice conversational and confident.
Sophie turned to him, her heart racing, as she met his gaze; up close, his presence was overwhelming. "It's like he's caught a moment of serenity," she said, trying to sound steady, "a world unknown to chaos."
Ethan's eyebrow shot up; he sounded interested. "A poetic explanation. Most usually comment on colors or the technique used.
Sophie gave a wry smile, playing the role. "I suppose I see things differently."
"And how do you see me?" Ethan's lips quirked into a subtle smile as his blue eyes studied her intently.
The sound of his voice made her heart skip a beat. She hadn't expected him to be so direct. "I see a man who doesn't belong here," she said, surprising herself.
Ethan chuckled softly, a rich sound that ran down her spine like a shiver. "You're not wrong. And what about you? Do you belong here?"
Sophie hesitated, taken aback by his perceptiveness. "I suppose that depends on your definition of belonging," she said cautiously.
"Interesting answer," Ethan said, his eyes never leaving hers. "I'm Ethan Hayes."
She extended her hand, willing her body to behave itself. "Sophie Clarke."
Ethan took her hand, holding it firmly with gentle pressure. "A pleasure, Sophie; what brings you to the gala tonight?"
She hesitated for a moment-a moment that saw her in her bathroom in front of the mirror a hundred times over, perfecting this reaction. "I'm an artist," she lied. "Came to look at the collection-and maybe make some nice patron connections."
He repeated, interested, "Artist-what genre?
"Oil on canvas," Sophie said, grateful her real job matched her cover. "Though I dabble in other forms."
Ethan nodded, looking impressed. "I'd love to see your work sometime."
Before Sophie could respond, Alex appeared at Ethan's elbow, his face a mix of amusement and suspicion.
"Ethan, aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?" Alex asked, his eyes darting to Sophie.
Ethan's jaw tightened ever so slightly. "Sophie Clarke, this is my brother, Alex."
"A pleasure," Alex said smoothly, taking Sophie's hand and brushing it lightly with his lips.
Sophie forced a polite smile, instantly disliking him. There was something in Alex's eyes that felt calculating and predatory.
"Don't let my brother monopolize your time," Alex added with a wink. "I'm sure there are plenty of people here dying to meet you."
Sophie laughed softly, deflecting his charm. "I'm sure you're right. But I think I'll stay here a little longer."
Ethan shot Alex a look that sent him retreating, his smirk never fading.
"Apologies for my brother," Ethan said, turning back to Sophie. "He has a habit of inserting himself where he's not wanted."
"No need to apologize," Sophie said lightly. "He's harmless, I'm sure.
"Harmless isn't the word I'd use," Ethan muttered under his breath.
As the evening progressed, Ethan stayed by Sophie's side, introducing her to a few influential guests and listening intently as she spoke about her passion for art. Despite her initial reservations, Sophie found herself drawn to him in a way she hadn't anticipated. He was charming, yes, but also attentive, thoughtful-a far cry from the ruthless tycoon she'd imagined.
Yet beneath the surface, Sophie was still wary. She couldn't forget her father's despair-the business ruined, his health failing until it finally took him from her. Maybe Ethan seemed kind, but she could not blind herself to his charisma.
As the evening gala drew to a close, Ethan offered to walk Sophie out. They went outside onto the château's great terrace, the cool night air a welcome reprieve from the warmth of the crowded hall.
"You're not like the others," Ethan said abruptly, cutting into the silence.
Surprised, Sophie turned to him. "What makes you say that?"
"You don't pretend," Ethan said. "You're honest. It's rare in my world.
Sophie turned away, her chest tightening with guilt. If only he knew.
"Thank you for tonight," she said instead. "It's been enlightening."
"The pleasure was mine," Ethan said, softer now. "I meant what I said earlier. I'd like to see your work."
Sophie hesitated, then nodded. "Maybe someday."
Ethan smiled, his eyes lingering on her as she turned to leave. "Goodnight, Sophie."
"Goodnight, Ethan," she breathed back, very softly.
Sophie walked away, her decision solidifying within her. She just couldn't allow herself to get taken by his charm. She had something at stake-a mission that did not allow the space to accommodate failure.
Elena Romano has spent years trapped in a loveless, arranged marriage to Luca DeLuca, the ruthless heir of the DeLuca crime family. Her life is one of duty, deception, and silent suffering-until she finds herself drawn to the one man she can never have: Dante Moretti, Luca's best friend and right-hand man. Dante has always loved Elena from the shadows, but his loyalty to Luca has kept him from ever acting on his feelings. However, as Luca's paranoia spirals out of control, he assigns Dante as Elena's personal protector, forcing them into dangerously close quarters. With every stolen glance and whispered confession, their forbidden love becomes harder to deny. But Luca isn't blind. When an assassination attempt against him fails, he sets a deadly trap, suspecting not only a traitor in his ranks but an affair between his wife and his best friend. Just as Elena and Dante plan to escape, Luca unveils his final betrayal-he knew all along, and he forces Elena to choose: kill Dante, or watch him suffer. In a shocking climax, Elena turns the gun on Luca instead, ending his reign of terror. But instead of running, she makes a fateful decision-she will take Luca's throne and become the new queen of the DeLuca empire. As Dante watches the woman he loves embrace the power she once feared, he realizes their battle is far from over. With passion, betrayal, and a ruthless rise to power, this book sets the stage for an explosive sequel where love and loyalty will be tested beyond their limits.
Shadows of the Night She was never meant to be his wife. Now, she's the only thing standing between him and destruction. On the night of her arranged wedding, Seraphina Moretti vanishes, leaving behind a blood-soaked dress and a shattered empire. But escape is an illusion in the underworld-especially when the man hunting her is Enzo DeLuca, the ruthless mafia heir she was promised to. Forced back into a world she swore to leave behind, Seraphina learns that her disappearance ignited a war, her family is in ruins, and her father's enemies are closing in. To protect what's left, she must do the unthinkable-marry the man she betrayed. But nothing in the mafia is ever what it seems. Enemies lurk within, secrets unravel with every whispered vow, and love is the most dangerous game of all. In a world where loyalty is a weapon and betrayal is inevitable, Seraphina must decide: surrender to a man who could destroy her... or fight for a throne that was never meant to be hers. One choice will seal her fate. One lie could burn them all. And in the end, only one of them can rule.
The Price of Innocence Damian Cole has everything-wealth, power, and success-but in the ruthless city of deception, he's lost something far more valuable: trust. Betrayed time and again by the women in his life, he abandons the hollow glitz of the metropolis in search of something real, something untainted. His journey leads him back to his childhood village, where he meets Elsie, a woman untouched by the greed and ambition of the city-or so he believes. What begins as a love story quickly spirals into a treacherous game of manipulation, greed, and betrayal. As Elsie is drawn into the seductive world of wealth and power, her innocence becomes a dangerous illusion. Under the influence of her mother and a charming stranger, she learns that beauty is a weapon, and love is merely a means to an end. But every game has its price, and in the end, someone must pay. In this gripping tale of ambition and deception, The Price of Innocence explores the thin line between love and greed, trust and betrayal-and the devastating cost of getting everything you ever wished for.
Blurb: The Billionaire Husband No Woman Wanted Power. Control. Wealth. Elliot Sloane has spent his life mastering all three-ruthlessly expanding his empire, crushing competitors, and keeping his heart locked away. Love is a liability, and marriage? A cage he swore he'd never step into. But when his late grandfather's will delivers an impossible ultimatum-marry within six months or lose everything-Elliot finds himself playing a game he never wanted to join. No woman wants to marry the cold, calculating billionaire who sees love as nothing more than a business deal. The tabloids call him "The Husband No Woman Wanted," a man too rich, too ruthless, and too untouchable to be loved. His enemies laugh, his family waits for his downfall, and the clock is ticking. But Elliot doesn't lose. His plan is simple: find a wife, secure the inheritance, and walk away unscathed. No emotions. No complications. Just another transaction. Then he meets her. She's not looking for love. She has secrets. A past. A reason to say yes. The perfect deal-until desire ignites, past wounds reopen, and enemies move in the shadows. Elliot is about to learn that some contracts don't come with escape clauses. And the woman he never wanted? She might be the one thing he can't afford to lose. A high-stakes billionaire romance filled with power plays, deception, and undeniable passion. Perfect for fans of intense chemistry, ruthless billionaires, and thrilling twists.
The Wife Nobody Wanted A Psychological Thriller of Betrayal, Survival, and Revenge Olivia Sinclair has been many things-a wife, a widow, a fugitive. But one thing she has never been is wanted. Framed for a murder she didn't commit, hunted by a ruthless crime syndicate, and betrayed by the only man she ever trusted, Olivia is running out of time and allies. When a cryptic message leads her back to a past she buried, Olivia must unravel a deadly conspiracy before it consumes her. Secrets long thought forgotten are surfacing, and the truth is more dangerous than she ever imagined. Because in this game, survival isn't about who you trust-it's about who you outlast. As enemies multiply and shadows close in, Olivia is forced to ask herself the one question she has spent her life avoiding: If no one wants you alive, how far will you go to stay that way? Indefinite Sequel Expansions: Each installment in The Wife Nobody Wanted series will push Olivia deeper into a world of lies, deception, and danger. Whether she is hunted by the past, drawn into new betrayals, or forced to face the ghosts she thought she had escaped, one thing is certain-Olivia's fight is never truly over. Future Expansions Could Include: The Wife Nobody Could Find – Olivia disappears, but when a shocking crime bears her signature, the world asks: is she dead, or has she become something far worse? The Wife Nobody Could Forgive – A survivor of Olivia's past seeks vengeance, forcing her to face the sins she thought were buried forever. The Wife Nobody Saved – As Olivia's enemies close in, an impossible choice awaits: escape once and for all, or save someone she once swore to abandon. The Wife Nobody Could Kill – A final showdown against the crime syndicate that has haunted her-where every ally is a potential traitor, and every betrayal could be her last. In a world where trust is a weakness and survival is a gamble, Olivia Sinclair is the woman nobody wanted-until the moment they needed her dead.
Fools Rest in Pieces – A Tale of Murder, Betrayal, and Dark Transformation When dismembered body parts start appearing across Brooklyn in garbage bags, Detective Kenneth Wilson is thrust into a chilling investigation that leads him deep into the shadows of deception and brutality. The victim, Mary Jordan-a respected real estate broker-had unknowingly entangled herself in the deadly web of Vitro Matic, a manipulative cab driver with a sinister past. Vitro, a man with multiple wives and mistresses, had mastered the art of deception, but his twisted love triangle turned deadly when Aleksa, his jealous first wife, set a plan into motion. With Nadja, his second wife, caught between loyalty and terror, the night Mary vanished and the afternoon she was murdered and dismembered, became a day of unspeakable horror. But what Vitro and Aleksa never expected was that Nadja would escape-and that she would return as someone far more dangerous. Now living under a new identity, Sarah emerges from the ashes of her past, hardened by trauma and consumed by an insatiable hunger for vengeance. As the police close in on the truth, Vitro and Aleksa vanish into the night-but they are not the only ones lurking in the darkness. In a world where love turns to obsession and trust shatters into bloodshed, one question remains: Who is truly the hunter, and who will be the next to rest in pieces? A gripping psychological thriller where every choice comes with a price, and every secret is paid for in blood.
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”
22-year-old Evelyn Carter is attempting to start over in California while avoiding her past. She will be embarking on a new career path as a private school teacher. She is smart, attractive, and doesn't put up with nonsense. Who wouldn't notice her? However, what happens when she attracts the attention of someone unwilling to let her go? Who wants her and nothing else after falling in love at first sight? A 25-year-old billionaire CEO and single father, Lucian Carrington. He takes what he wants and he is also a very dangerous man. All it needed was one look at a stunning woman to realize she was HIS, even though he doesn't believe in relationships because they always end. Preview: Miss Carter, you will be mine. I say firmly. "Release my arm, Mr. Carrington, before I force you to." She says, seeming to smile at me. I give her a sly smile. Squeezing my wrist with her other hand, she twists it uncomfortably. I gave a painful hiss. "Don't underestimate me, Mr. Carrington." "This is the only time I will allow you to walk away from me, Miss Carter." She glared at me as she turned. "Mr. Carrington, I am no possession of yours." I was left standing there when she opened the classroom door and left.
6 years ago, Lydia suffered a brutal betrayal orchestrated by her own husband and step-sister, who drugged her and framed her. In a twist of fate, she ended up having a one-night stand with a stranger. Don't even remember what he looked like. Later, in the throes of death, she discovered the truth about her mother's death all those years ago. In the blink of an eye, she lost everything. 6 years later, Lydia returned with her genius son, vowing to exact revenge on all her enemies! Little did she know, she encountered an incredibly familiar man at the airport! *** The man was briskly pushing open the door to the restroom, heading to the urinal. Even with such a mundane action, he did it with unparalleled elegance and grace. Lydia, following him in a daze, saw his fierce lower body and suddenly snapped back to reality. She let out a high-pitched scream, instinctively covering her eyes with her hands, her cheeks flushed, and stood there stiffly, unsure of what to do. Lambert furrowed his brows slightly but remained calm as he continued to relieve himself. The sound of water hitting the urinal made Lydia's face even redder. She angrily shouted, "You pervert!" Little did Lydia know that Lambert, seeing her in this state, had a flicker of recognition in his eyes. Memories from many years ago flashed through his mind, and his heart couldn't help but stir. It was her!
Three years ago, Cecilia was left battered and alone by the man she loved most, Alston, yet she bravely completed the wedding ceremony while pregnant. Three years later, although they were married, they grew apart over time. Cecilia focused on her career, no longer foolishly believing in love. But her transformation instantly threw Alston into a panic... And what is the secret from 11 years ago that Cecilia has always been reluctant to reveal? *** "She went to a law firm, met with a lawyer..." A lawyer? Is Cecilia suing someone? Who? Is there any recent litigation against the company? Alston suddenly chuckled coldly, "Who could she sue? I'm the CEO of this company. How come such a matter doesn't come to me first?" The assistant swallowed nervously, speaking softly, "Sir, there's no litigation against the company. She met with... a divorce lawyer."
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?
Amy didn't expect that her husband whom she had loved and trusted earnestly for many years would be cheating on her by having sex with his secretary. When she confronted him, he and his secretary mocked and ridiculed her, they called her barren to her face, afterall, she had not conceived for the past three years that she had been married to her husband, Callan. Terribly Heartbroken, she filed for divorce and left to the club, she picked a random gigolo, had a hot one night stand with him, paid him and dissapeared to a small city. She came back to the country six years later with three identical cute boys and three identical cute girls of the same age. She settled and got a job but soon find out that her CEO was the gigolo she had sex with six years back at the club. Will she be able to hide her six little cuties from her CEO, who happens to be the most powerful man in NorthHill and beleived to be infertile? Can Amy and the most powerful man in NorthHill get along considering the social gap between them.