There's only so much a person can endure before they snap. Forced into an arranged marriage amidst public humiliation and family cruelty, the deadly but mysterious tech Billionaire, Steel Hunt emerges with a vendetta against her husband's family. Beautiful but Naive Adelaide is caught in between the cross fire with secrets of her own. How long will Adelaide be able to resist the harm of Steel Hunt who sees her as a pawn for revenge? Adelaide must harness her inner strength to exact revenge and reclaim her life all before time runs out!
"The overall best graduating student of 2023 Harvard goes to.... Dallas Adelaide!"
Heart beating, I hurry across to the stage for the fifth time today to collect another yet hefty present. As I clambered up the stage to be handed another present to the deafening applause of the giant hall and flashing lights, I could catch the look of anger across my sister's Summer's face.
My parents clapped politely, but they were obviously disinterested and wanted to leave as quickly as possible.
I looked to my left, there was one person cheering louder than the others; my boyfriend. Ethan Steel. I blew him a kiss as I took my present to the 'oohs' and 'aahs' of the audience.
"Oh look at miss know-it-all, I guess those years of your boring self missing every cool event to read has paid off," she sneered, blowing a pink bubblegum in my direction.
I looked at Mom, but she was on her phone typing absentmindedly and Dad was getting up from his seat to take a call.
Of course, what was I expecting? That they would defend me?
Their precious daughter was always right.
Every second with them, I was reminded of my place in the family; an unwanted child. 22 years ago, I was picked up at a seedy orphanage home at the age of one, but this was a Dallas family secret.
Dad had been pressured to have a child to inherit the family business as a requirement in Grandfather's will, they were trying for a child and failing, so they faked a pregnancy and adopted me as their first daughter.
I was spoiled and treated like a princess then two years later, unexpectedly, mum got pregnant with Summer.
Life has been hell for me since then. I had to earn my place by being the best in everything.
The only person who never treated me badly was Ethan. My boyfriend.
"Hey baby!"
Speaking of the devil, hand in pocket, a lazy grin on his face and scooping me up amid the rowdy students in the hall, the graduation ceremony was already over.
"Ethan, where were you?" Pressing my face against him and smiling.
"Sorry, I got ambushed on the way."
6 '2, sculpted face and body, blond hair, military cut hair and deep blue eyes, Ethan was attractive, which meant he was constantly getting asked out by women here.
He knows almost everything about me.
Ethan Lain of the Lain Conglomerate worth billions, second child born into generational wealth of the family business of premium alcohol and wines.
Like him, not much attention was paid to him as his elder brother, Adrian Lain was already being groomed for CEO.
Ethan was always sensitive about that, so I don't bring up family business when we're together.
The Lain Conglomerate was a beneficial partner to our family's Dallas supply business, albeit not billionaires but millionaires in our own right.
"Babe, let's get out of here. We need to celebrate with you. Plus... I have a surprise for you."
Ethan hoisted me, spinning me around without minding people were looking at us.
"A surprise? Wait! Let me down!" Despite myself, I laugh.
"Hey Ethan! Don't you think you're doing too much? Don't strain yourself carrying that cow."
Heat seared through my chest.
It was Summer. My smile disappeared immediately.
I thought Alfred, our chauffeur, had already driven them all home. Why was she still here?
Tucking her strawberry-blonde hair being one ear, she leans down, smiling while ensuring her breasts are in Ethan's full view from the pink low - cut gown she wore.
A flash of anger surged through me.
My sister shamelessly trying to seduce my boyfriend was nothing new and Ethan had always laughed off my jealousy and anger as an overreaction. I didn't want Ethan in a bad mood now, not when we're going to celebrate together.
"Hey Summer, I see you're as bubbly as ever." my voice dripped with condescension.
Ethan laughed, a tad nervously, "come in, don't be mean to your sister."
"I don't blame you," she cut him off. " When you're ready for some real fun, you know where to find me."
She winked and sashays away to her group of loud, obnoxious friends.
What the hell was that? Since when did he talk to summer that way?
"Ethan?"
But his eyes were on summer.
"Ethan?"
"Let's go, she's just being silly," he said with an all too bright smile as he leaned down to kiss me again.
I look back at my retreating sister, then back at my boyfriend.
"Are you sure? What is going on?"
"Enough already!" He snapped, eyes flashing.
"What the.?"
"Baby, I'm sorry, I'm just preoccupied with something, let's stop talking about your sister, okay?" He leaned in to kiss me.
What the heck was going on? Ethan wasn't the type to lie on a spur.
***
"What did you just say?" I ask again, not believing the scene before me.
"Dallas Adelaide...will you do me the honor of marrying me?"
Ethan, on one knee, smiling as he held a diamond ring towards me.
This was happening too fast.
I can't believe this. Happiness overwhelmed me and tears streamed down my face but.
"Ethan, this is too sudden and I-"
"Please say yes, Adelaide. We were going to be married anyway for family business."
He smiled but there was something urgent about it. I knew that eventually, the Lains would ask for a hand in marriage from the Dallas' family for a continued partnership but...something felt off.
He never even discussed this with my family.
"Y-yes. I will marry you, Ethan."
He looked relieved.
Heart pounding, I stretched out a hand, he clasped my hand gently, like he was the most delicate thing in the world, slipping on the diamond ring.
"You have two weeks. Divorce Sean Blackwood," Hawke's usual cold demeanor replaced by an intensity she had never seen before. "You're carrying my baby, Nora or I swear to God I'll end your sham marriage myself." Nora Sterling's heart raced as fear gripped her. Terrified for her family's future and bound by the constraints of her marriage contract that seeks to take away everything her inheritance, she seeks solace in a reckless one-night stand with a strangerâonly to discover he's none other than Hawke, her husband's buisness rival. As forbidden desires ignite between them, Nora must navigate the treacherous waters of passion and deceit, risking everything for a chance at true love. But when she discovers she's pregnant from the one night stand, the stakes are higher than ever, and Nora realizes that her journey to freedom may come at a price she never dared to imagine.
Corinne devoted three years of her life to her boyfriend, only for it to all go to waste. He saw her as nothing more than a country bumpkin and left her at the altar to be with his true love. After getting jilted, Corinne reclaimed her identity as the granddaughter of the townâs richest man, inherited a billion-dollar fortune, and ultimately rose to the top. But her success attracted the envy of others, and people constantly tried to bring her down. As she dealt with these troublemakers one by one, Mr. Hopkins, notorious for his ruthlessness, stood by and cheered her on. âWay to go, honey!â
She thought she was the love of his life, and he became the love of her life that fateful day she had seen him at the pack's party. Selene Grace was only a replica of Alpha Leo's real mate, and when he spotted her, Leo immediately claimed her as his Luna in order to suppress the rumors of him being mateless. Being unable to conceive turns Selene's marriage into a nightmare, and as if that wasn't enough, Alpha Leo finally reunites with his long time lover and mate, rejecting a pregnant Selene as a result. 5 years later, Selene, a now successful doctor, receives an invitation to the moon shadow pack in order to rid the pack of a deadly disease which has struck it. Will Selene return back to the pack which had caused her so much pain, and what would she do when she realizes that she is mated to the Alpha who had betrayed her in the past?
On her wedding day, Khloeâs sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didnât 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 Henrikâs cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.
Natalie used to think she could melt Connorâs icy heart, but she was sorely mistaken. When at last she decided to leave, she discovered that she was pregnant. Even so, she chose to quietly leave his world, prompting Connor to mobilize all of his resources and expand his business to a global scaleâall in a bid to find her. But there was no trace of Natalie. Connor slowly spiraled into madness, turning the city upside down and leaving chaos in his wake. Natalie finally surfaced years later, with wealth and power of her own, only to find herself entangled with Connor once again.
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. Whatâs worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldnât thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesnât seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that heâs different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?