Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter framed her, her fiancé ridiculed her, and her adoptive parents threw her out. They all wanted to see her fall. But Elena unveiled her true identity: the heiress of a massive fortune, famed hacker, top jewelry designer, secret author, and gifted doctor. Horrified by her glorious comeback, her adoptive parents demanded half her newfound wealth. Elena exposed their cruelty and refused. Her ex pleaded for a second chance, but she scoffed, "Do you think you deserve it?" Then a powerful magnate gently proposed, "Marry me?"
"Elena, our family has given you everything for the past twenty-three years, yet this is how you repay us? Such ingratitude! Gather your things and return to that rundown village to find your real parents!"
In front of Elena Reed stood a wealthy middle-aged woman draped in an exquisite gown, her wrists adorned with gold and diamond bangles. Her sharp gaze bore into Elena with evident contempt.
This middle-aged woman, Cecily Reed, was the one Elena had addressed as "mother" her entire life. Now, Cecily clutched another girl who bore an uncanny resemblance to her.
The girl, Sylvia Reed, looked up at Cecily, her tone tripped with mock consideration. "Mom, don't be mad. I'm sure Elena didn't mean any harm. She's just struggling to accept that your love and Dad's belong to me now. Please don't hold it against her..."
Cecily's expression softened as she looked down at Sylvia. Then, Cecily shot Elena a look with scorn. "She's the imposter-the one who stole the life meant for you. While you suffered all these years, she basked in wealth and privilege. It's only right that she faces the consequences!"
A fleeting glint of triumph flickered in Sylvia's eyes, quickly replaced by the perfect mask of innocence.
Earlier, Sylvia had shattered a glass downstairs, letting the shards cut her skin, and then framed Elena for it. Sylvia's parents immediately jumped to the assumption that Elena was to blame, dismissing any chance for Elena to defend herself.
Determined to banish Elena for good, Sylvia watched her with revulsion. Elena had stolen her rightful place for too long.
Elena's flawless features only fueled Sylvia's resentment.
Elena's-now Sylvia's-father, Benjamin Reed frowned at Elena, his face full of distaste. "To think you'd be capable of such cruelty-trying to scar Sylvia's face! With a heart as wicked as yours, you don't deserve to stay in Foiclens. I've already sent for your real parents. Get your belongings together and prepare to return to Cloudstream Village immediately."
For a time, Benjamin had considered keeping Elena. After all, they had invested years in raising her. Even if she wasn't suited to marry Darren Griffiths, the wealthy heir, she could have been useful in securing another alliance through marriage.
But Elena had supposedly hurt Sylvia and ruined every matchmaking attempt he arranged for her. Now that Elena was of no use, Benjamin saw no reason to keep her.
Elena lowered her gaze, a bitter smirk playing on her lips. The true colors of the Reed family had become painfully clear.
The Reeds had risen to prominence in Foiclens years ago.
Then, two months prior, Benjamin had fallen ill, requiring a blood transfusion. That was when they discovered Elena's blood type was Rh-negative-proof that she wasn't their daughter.
Immediately, the Reed family had pulled every string to locate their biological child: Sylvia.
It turned out during Cecily's labor, a fire had broken out in the hospital, causing chaos in the maternity ward. In the aftermath, newborns had been mistakenly swapped.
Cecily had unknowingly taken Elena home, while Sylvia ended up with a working-class couple.
Now that the Reed family had retrieved their real daughter Sylvia, they treated her like a treasure.
Cecily, in particular, was filled with guilt for Sylvia's years of hardship and held Elena responsible for it all. As for Elena, the girl they had raised? Now that she was of no benefit, she was cast aside without hesitation.
Their investigation revealed that Elena's actual parents were destitute farmers from a remote area of Cloudstream Village, struggling just to get by.
Sylvia's lips curled into a seemingly kind smile. "Elena, you don't want to return to that isolated village, do you? It's understandable. No one willingly trades comfort for hardship. You've enjoyed the luxury of being a Reed, while your real family has barely managed to earn a living. The contrast must be overwhelming."
But Elena felt no attachment to the Reed family. If not for her, their company wouldn't have thrived the way it had.
"Heh..." Without another word, Elena turned and walked upstairs, stuffing a few outfits and accessories into a bag.
By the time Elena descended the stairs, Sylvia's minor injury had already been neatly wrapped. Had she taken any longer, the wound might have healed completely.
Sylvia, feigning concern, tilted her head. "Oh, Elena, next month is Darren and I's engagement party. Even though you'll be back in that remote village, I hope you'll attend."
Darren had been Elena's childhood sweetheart, her once-promised fiancé. But ever since Sylvia's return, his attitude had shifted. He now doted on Sylvia while treating Elena with increasing coldness.
Seeing Darren for what he truly was, Elena had long since lost interest.
Yet, Sylvia continued in her syrupy tone, "You and Darren grew up together, but now he belongs to me. Elena, you're not upset, are you?"
Elena turned, barely concealing her disgust. "It's shocking that even garbage can have admirers. If you want him, he's yours. I don't make a habit of collecting trash-you're actually doing me a favor."
"You!" Sylvia's smile twitched, but she quickly composed herself. Turning toward Cecily, she pouted. "Mom, Elena must still have feelings for Darren. Otherwise, why would she say that?"
To the public, Arabella was Owen's trusty secretary who catered to all his needs and served as the primary blood donor of his beloved, who was in a coma. Behind closed doors, she was Owen's submissive wife. Arabella was quiet and obedient, and she endured every humiliation without a word of protest. Rumored to be a neat freak, Owen had tossed the last woman who had dared to kiss him into the river. Yet he pinned Arabella against the wall and demanded, "Give me a child, and I’ll let you go!" Arabella pushed him away and flashed him a cold smile. "You are not worthy!"
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.”
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.
“You need a bride, I need a groom. Why don’t we get married?” Both abandoned at the altar, Elyse decided to tie the knot with the disabled stranger from the venue next door. Pitying his state, she vowed to spoil him once they were married. Little did she know that he was actually a powerful tycoon. Jayden thought Elyse only married him for his money, and planned to divorce her when she was no longer of use to him. But after becoming her husband, he was faced with a new dilemma. “She keeps asking for a divorce, but I don’t want that! What should I do?”
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it all—from standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."
"Who is she?" I asked, feeling tears well up in my eyes. "He met her at the Alpha training camp," he said. "She is a perfect suitor for him. It snowed last night, indicating that his wolf is happy with his choice." My heart sank, and tears made their way down my cheeks. Alexander took my innocence last night, and now he is taking that thing in his office as his Luna. **** Emily never shifted on her 18th birthday and became the laughingstock of the pack. When her old crush, Alexander Black, returns from Alpha Training, she never expected him to be her mate. After a night of passionate love, Emily finds out that young Alpha Alexander has taken a chosen mate. Heartbroken and humiliated, Emily runs off and disappears from the pack. Now, five years later, Emily is a high-ranking warrior in King Alpha's army, specializing in sensitive matters. When her best friend invites her to a night of music and laughter, she never expects to run into her mate, Alexander. Will Alexander figure out it is Emily? Will he chase after her, and most of all, will Emily be able to keep her secrets safe?