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Shirley had been Lucas' girlfriend since their university days-obedient, well-behaved, sweet, and innocent, always clinging to him like a delicate bird in love. However, no one believed that Shirley and Lucas would have a future together. Lucas came from a prestigious family, born into wealth and privilege. The moment he graduated, he swiftly eliminated his rivals and became the president of The William Family, standing at the pinnacle with a bright future ahead. Meanwhile, Shirley came from a modest background, unfamiliar with the ways of high society. Perhaps the luckiest thing that had ever happened to her in this lifetime was meeting Lucas, who was on an exchange program at their university. Lucas himself never thought they would last forever. But since their relationship had been pleasant over the years, he had no complaints. Just as he signed the check, preparing to break up with her, he unexpectedly stumbled upon an online diary Shirley had been keeping: Day 1 of waiting for Lucas' breakup fee: Hehe, officially his girlfriend now! So happy! ... Day 1674 of waiting for Lucas' breakup fee: Almost five years now. F***, Lucas, you monster, I will kill you. Lucas' face turned dark. Shirley had a strong feeling that Lucas was going to break up with her tonight. She suppressed her excitement, carefully did her makeup, curled her hair, put on her best dress, and wore her usual gentle and understanding smile, waiting to receive her well-earned eight-figure breakup fee. The candlelight from their dinner flickered on Lucas' face. Lucas put down his phone, suppressing his anger. Staring at the gentle, lovely smile in front of him, he suddenly said, "Shirley," "Let's get married."
A rain had just passed, bringing the temperature down to a pleasant coolness. That night, at the Bulgari Hotel.
On the 13th floor, the banquet hall was filled with elegantly dressed guests, the air rich with an intoxicatingly sweet fragrance. Pink and white flowers, along with balloons, decorated the entire space in the dreamlike vision of a young girl's fantasy. In the corner, a violinist played gracefully, while waiters in tailcoats pushed a swan-shaped cake slowly into the room.
Every detail of the evening showcased the grandeur of a birthday celebration belonging to none other than the cherished daughter of The Green family-someone born with a diamond spoon in her mouth, whose greatest challenge in life seemed to be figuring out how to enjoy it to the fullest.
Guests, led by attentive servers, took turns approaching the star of the evening to offer their well wishes.
Surrounded by a group of young socialites, Miss Green, the birthday girl, maintained her graceful demeanor, accepting each guest's greetings with a polite smile. Until, in the midst of all the greetings and well-mannered exchanges, she caught sight of a figure approaching her from the distance-
The sweet smile on Miss Green's face faltered slightly.
The same momentary pause in expression was mirrored by the girls standing beside her.
Together, they regarded the approaching figure, a subtle crease forming between some brows. Their gazes unconsciously traveled from the ground up, carrying the kind of innate arrogance that came with their status, scrutinizing the woman walking toward them-
A knee-length pink dress in a ladylike style, a white shell clutch in hand, a pearl necklace of a design beloved by older generations, long hair half-pinned back with a delicate clip, and white chunky-heeled Mary Jane shoes that prioritized comfort over elegance.
Each piece on its own was undeniably expensive. Yet, when worn together, in a place like this-Miss Green's high-society birthday gala-there was only one phrase that came to mind, a phrase often seen online, slightly cruel in its description: "Exquisitely Tacky."
It was a look that had clearly been carefully put together, with every detail painstakingly considered. And yet, despite all that effort, she still stuck out like a sore thumb. No matter how polished, she simply did not belong.
-
Shirley held her shell clutch as she walked up to Eva.
She pretended not to notice the ambiguous glances thrown her way, accepted a glass of white champagne from a waiter, and, as one of the invited guests of the evening, smiled sweetly and sincerely as she offered her birthday wishes.
Eva only snapped out of her daze when one of her friends nudged her lightly.
Quickly regaining her composure, she reached for Shirley's hand with an affectionate warmth, as if the two of them were the closest of friends. They exchanged pleasantries, promising to meet for shopping soon. Only after Shirley's figure disappeared into the crowd did Eva's fixed smile finally fade.
Her friends, who had remained quiet up until now, took sips from their glasses and finally voiced the question they had been holding in:
"Eva, why did you even invite her?"
Eva withdrew her gaze and let out a small sigh. "Daddy and Mommy made me do it."
"They said that, regardless of everything, she's been Lucas' official girlfriend for years now. Just in case she does somehow become Mrs. William one day, it's better to start building connections early."
"...Oh, come on."
"Are your parents serious?"
"Shirley getting with Lucas was already the luckiest thing to ever happen to her. Does she actually think she has a chance of becoming Mrs. William? I haven't worn a dress that tacky since elementary school."
"That necklace? Even my mom would call it outdated. Does she think dressing like a socialite means she is one? There's no way she's ending up as Mrs. William."
"Yeah, being his public girlfriend doesn't mean a thing. Word is, Lucas has never even introduced her to his family. Obviously, he has no intention of taking her seriously, and The William family would never accept her as a daughter-in-law."
"She just got lucky meeting Lucas as an exchange student. What else does she have?"
The moment the words "Mrs. William" were uttered, the girls immediately began chattering away. The elegant notes of the violin in the background provided the perfect contrast to their whispers, as every pair of eyes once again landed on the only "exquisitely tacky" figure in the room-the one in the pink, ladylike dress that no actual lady of high society would ever wear.
Their minds drifted back to five years ago, when B City's elite social circles were shaken by the news: The heir of The William family, during his time as an exchange student, had actually been "snatched up" by some unknown classmate.
The girls, usually composed and poised, struggled to maintain their expressions at the memory. They could only console themselves with the thought-
A woman from a small, insignificant background will never truly belong. She'll be cast aside eventually.
-
The birthday banquet lasted until nearly nine in the evening.
Eva's close friends left to continue the celebrations at an exclusive after-party, while most other guests began making their polite exits.
The back seat of the Rolls-Royce was spacious.
Shirley, of course, wasn't among the crowd heading off for an all-night party. Finally free from the event, she collapsed into the car's back seat and tossed her clutch aside.
The driver glanced back from the front. "Shall I take you back to First-Class Residence?"
"Mm," Shirley hummed. She pulled out her phone, intending to scroll through social media for a bit of mindless relaxation. But the moment she opened Facebook, she saw a post from Eva, uploaded just ten minutes ago-a nine-grid collage from tonight's luxurious celebration, captioned:
"I don't need a lot of money. I just want a lot of love."
"..."
The slight upward curve of Shirley's lips froze in place.
Her fleeting good mood vanished.
The car drove smoothly along the quiet city roads. Streetlights passed by in even intervals, the full moon hanging high above-a news broadcast had even announced that tonight marked the largest full moon in half a year.
But Shirley didn't look out at the moon.
She hated these socialite gatherings, hated playing along with shallow small talk. The whole evening, she had worn the role of "Lucas' obedient girlfriend," and the effort had drained her. Just as she had hoped to rest, Eva's ridiculous post lingered in her mind like a curse.
"Girls like that just need a couple of acres of farmland to plow."
Her irritation surged. She rolled her eyes so hard she practically sprained something. If she could, she'd grab Eva by her perfectly styled hair and tell her-"If you don't need money, then hand it over. I don't need love, I just need a lot of money."
But instead of causing a scene, she simply scrolled to her Days Matter app, where only one countdown existed:
"Days waiting for Lucas' breakup payout: 1712."
-
Then came the message from Lucas' assistant, Liam.
Lucas' business trip had ended early. His flight would land at 1 a.m. tonight. He was coming home.
The elevator doors opened.
But Shirley didn't step out.
Her fingers tightened around her phone, reading the message again. And again. Until the reality sank in-
Lightning cracked through her brain.
She braced herself against the wall, lifting her head to face the vast, empty silence.
Not only was she still unable to clock out of this job,
She might have to work overtime.
In San Francisco, everyone knew that the always cold and aloof daughter of The Green family had married a crippled man from a wealthy family. Three years into the marriage, she remained childless, and outsiders mocked her, saying she was still a virgin. But no one knew- For three years, she had been unable to sleep every single night. Due to a car accident, a top billionaire became disabled, and his lover left for abroad. Cathy had no choice but to marry Lucas, being his wife at night and his caretaker during the day. Until one day, there was hope for his legs to recover, and his first love returned. Cathy overheard him saying that he would definitely divorce her. Cathy fulfilled her duty and took good care of him. Since he wanted a divorce, she turned and left without hesitation. Three years of marriage? She considered them a moment of misplaced responsibility-just a good deed to make up for the past.
For the three years he was my live-in husband, there was no physical contact between us. He was like my most loyal butler, servant, and caretaker. But when he became my financial backer, we were intimate all the time, indulging in passion every night. "I've been thinking about you for a long time..." In the darkness of the night, the man kissed me recklessly. He was my live-in husband. Thus, as the precious daughter of a wealthy family, I had no choice but to let this destitute man marry into my family and become my husband. Out of resentment, I humiliated him repeatedly, mistreated him, and even resorted to physical abuse. Yet, he never got angry, always maintaining the appearance of an obedient and gentle man. But just as I was slowly falling for him, he suddenly asked me for a divorce. The once gentle and submissive man turned into a cunning and terrifying figure overnight. In an instant, my family fell into ruin, while he rose to power. The man I once trampled underfoot had transformed into my financial backer.
The Tragic Fate of Alex, the Rise of Diana The head of the top US consortium, Alex, met an untimely demise, and all his assets were transferred to Diana. The real heiress of The White Family was found after eighteen years. Yet, everyone mocked her, calling her uncultured, useless, and nothing more than a pretty vase. However, at the wedding of the century, when the wife of the young head of The Smith Family was revealed to be none other than the "vase" Diana, the socialites of New York City were left pounding their chests in disbelief-How could she deserve this?! After Alex's death, Diana not only had to face the covetous gazes of The Smith Family but also play the role of a leader among various powerful organizations. Alex's subordinates assured her, "We will handle everything; you just need to sit on the throne." But later... When Diana was in danger, she wielded a gun, stepping on her enemy with a dazzling smile, "Be good, and I'll give you a quick death." When her loved ones fell ill, the legendary medical master personally visited and admitted-she was Diana's senior disciple! The renowned racing legend willingly became Diana's personal driver, calling her "Boss" at every turn. Alex's subordinates were in utter disbelief, "Wasn't she supposed to be a weak little white flower, a soft and obedient golden canary?!" But Alex wasn't entirely dead. When his consciousness awakened, he found himself soul-bound to a plush doll-one that Diana had designed in his likeness. Now, he not only had to endure being dressed and undressed by Diana but also be at her mercy, bathed and squeezed in her hands... Watching her reveal one hidden identity after another, Alex was utterly dumbfounded. Even the woman he admired and respected the most-was her?! [Mini Theater 1] Alex, now in plush doll form, was held against Diana's soft, snowy chest as she stood before a mirror. Staring at his own ridiculously extravagant appearance, his expression cracked- "Is this really how she sees me in her heart?!" Diana's fingers teasingly unfastened his tiny clothes, one button at a time. Alex shut his eyes, his mind filled with only one thought- "I want to die." [Mini Theater 2] Diana stared at the dust-covered plush doll, frowning, "My doll is precious-I have to wash it myself." Alex's inner monologue, "Stay away from me!" After an intense round of scrubbing and kneading, his soul burned with shame, his spirit flushed red, on the verge of tears. Diana, completely satisfied, gave him a kiss-he turned even redder... They said Alex had a cleanliness obsession, high standards, and was impossible to please. But now? He felt that... maybe staying dirty wasn't so bad after all. [Mini Theater 3] Once back in his real body, Alex trapped Diana against the wall, his gaze burning as he questioned, "You took so much advantage of me, destroyed my innocence-how are you going to repay me?" Diana's eyes gleamed mischievously. "That bad, huh? How about you cry for me first?" Alex, "..."
He is aloof and abstinent; she is wild and unrestrained. For revenge, she meticulously approaches him, shamelessly flirts with him, and cunningly schemes against him. She disrupts his engagement party, drives away his first love, and repeatedly steps on his bottom line. One late night, he corners her against the wall. "Rose, what other tricks do you have that I don't know about?" And just like that, she barges into his world, does whatever she pleases, and drags him down from his pedestal step by step until she completely devours him... Upon returning home, Rose discovers that the wealthy man who just gave her a sky-high breakup fee is actually her half-sister's fiancé... He broke up with her because he got engaged to her half-sister. To make matters worse, Rose's biological mother had also met her tragic fate because of her half-sister's mother. Now, the grudge is set in stone...
At first sight, in order to create a bond with Angela, Frances risked his life and deliberately staged a car accident. Angela was the adopted daughter of the Moore family. On the night she was kicked out of the house, her fiancé was already on the entertainment headlines, holding her sister in his arms. Later, Angela was caught up in endless scandals because she had gotten involved with the most powerful man. Everyone mocked her, saying she was nothing more than Mr. William's fleeting amusement. Little did they know that from the moment Frances first laid eyes on her, he had only one thought-to steal her away! To take her from the hands of her fiancé. Everyone was waiting to see Angela make a fool of herself, deliberately asking about her relationship with Frances. He merely smiled and said, "Perhaps I haven't tried hard enough. After being married for so long, Mrs. Williams still refuses to acknowledge me publicly and give me a proper title." That night, the air was damp. Angela was breathless as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply. His breath was scorching. "Mrs. Williams, have I tried hard enough?" Angela gritted her teeth. He was trying... far too hard!
Andy, staring at the man in front of her, felt her mind go blank, oddly thirsty. Her body instinctively leaned into his, subconsciously craving more, yet with an undercurrent of nervousness and unease. "Andy, are you going to pay for me?" Andy wrapped her arms tighter around his neck, the pressure increasing, suppressing the sounds rising from her throat. "I'll give you a discount." Charlie's body was solid, like a silent presence enveloping her, mixed with a familiar and intoxicating scent. "Charlie, you didn't turn off the light..." Now tinted with desire, his features remained striking, yet their invasiveness seemed to intensify. "Turn off the light?" His voice was deep, tinged with a trace of amusement. "Then how would you still see me?" The story begins with Andy, curious to finally see the legendary, breathtakingly beautiful star of the club. To her surprise, the irresistibly charming "star" turns out to be the owner of the club. Yet, she bluntly states her intention to pay for his company. Charlie, "This is a club, not a brothel." Later, by a twist of fate, Andy ends up sharing an apartment with Charlie, a high school classmate she once rejected. Their peaceful routine comes to an end one night when Andy learns from Charlie that she has been sleepwalking recently. Feeling a little embarrassed and unsure how to react, Andy asks, "Last night was the first time you saw me sleepwalking, right?" Charlie replies lazily, "There was another time." Andy falls silent for two seconds before hesitantly asking, "Did I... do anything?" "You suddenly ran out and hugged me." "?" Charlie raises an eyebrow and casually adds, "And you kissed me, touching me over."
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.
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"
"Ahh!" She was in a moaning mess. She did not want to feel anything for this man. She hated him. His hands began to move all over her body. She gasped when he pulled down the back chain of her dress. The chain stopped at her lower waist, so when he zipped it off, her upper back and waist were exposed. "D-Don't touch m-ummm!" His fingers rolled around her bare back, and she pressed her head against the pillow. His touches were giving her goosebumps all over her body. With a deep angry voice, he whispered in her ear, "I am going to make you forget his touches, kisses, and everything. Every time you touch another man, you will only think of me." - - - Ava Adler was a nerdy omega. People bullied her because they thought she was ugly and unattractive. But Ava secretly loved the bad boy, Ian Dawson. He was the future Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack. However, he doesn't give a damn about rules and laws, as he only likes to play around with girls. Ava was unaware of Ian's arrogance until her fate intertwined with his. He neglected her and hurt her deeply. What would happen when Ava turned out to be a beautiful girl who could win over any boy, and Ian looked back and regretted his decisions? What if she had a secret identity that she had yet to discover? What if the tables turned and Ian begged her not to leave him?
For three years, Shane and Yvonne were wed, sharing heated nights, while his devotion clung to his ex. Yvonne strove to be a dutiful wife, yet their marriage felt hollow, built on desire rather than real warmth. All changed when she became pregnant, only for Shane to thrust her onto the operating table, warning, “Either you or the baby survives!” Broken by his cruelty, she vanished in grief and later returned, radiantly accomplished, leaving everyone awestruck. Haunted by remorse, Shane begged for another chance, but Yvonne only smiled and replied, “I’m sorry, men no longer interest me.”
"I heard you're going to marry Marcelo. Is this perhaps your revenge against me? It's very laughable, Renee. That man can barely function." Her foster family, her cheating ex, everyone thought Renee was going to live in pure hell after getting married to a disabled and cruel man. She didn't know if anything good would ever come out of it after all, she had always thought it would be hard for anyone to love her but this cruel man with dark secrets is never going to grant her a divorce because she makes him forget how to breathe.
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.