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 stranger—only 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.
It's true what they say about marriage: one partner's always happier than the other. ~~~ Julie's world is shattered when her husband, Ryan, reveals that he wants an open marriage. His reason: he needs a child as they've been unable to have one. Julie reluctantly agrees to save her marriage. The next day, Ryan returns home with his secretary, confirming Julie's long-held suspicion that their affair was taking place behind her back. Julie, heartbroken and enraged, seeks solace in a bar, where she meets a fascinating stranger named Luke, who changes the game. Julie confides in Luke over drinks, and he proposes a risky plan: he will act as her "boyfriend" to turn the tables on Ryan. Julie agrees, setting off a chain of events that will challenge everything she thought she knew about love, loyalty, and herself.
"I stood at the edge of my heart and watched him choose her. In the end, I was not the one he needed. I was simply the one he settled for." - Noelle ~~~~~~~ I thought I was the one he loved. But a few days before our wedding, I saw him in a way I never had before. His eyes softened as he spoke to her. His first love, and the very woman who had left him in pieces. Heartbreak was something I knew too well. And as I watched the love he still held for her in his eyes, I realized what I had to do. I couldn't marry a man who wasn't truly mine. With no means to cancel the wedding and lacking the courage to confront him, I made a desperate choice to leave. I painfully gave his first love my treasured engagement ring thinking it was for the best and the only way to free myself. But when he saw that ring on her finger, the fragile world I had tried to escape began to shatter. His obsession to find me and bring me back ignited a dangerous game of cat and mouse.
Melanie married Ashton out of gratitude, but she quickly found herself entangled in a web of relentless challenges. Despite these struggles, she stayed true to her commitment to the marriage. In the hospital room, Ashton indifferently attempted to draw her blood, disregarding her discomfort. This callous act was a harsh revelation for Melanie, awakening her to the grim reality of their relationship. Resolved to prioritize her own welfare, she decided to sever ties. With newfound resolve, Melanie filed for divorce. In the process, she unveiled her concealed identities, leaving everyone in shock. Throughout these turbulent times, Melanie realized that Derek, Ashton’s uncle, had been discreetly protecting her all along.
“Drive this woman out!” "Throw this woman into the sea!” When he doesn’t know Debbie Nelson’s true identity, Carlos Hilton cold-shoulders her. “Mr. Hilton, she is your wife,” Carlos’ secretary reminded him. Hearing that, Carlos gives him a cold stare and complained, “why didn’t you tell me earlier?” From then on, Carlos spoils her rotten. Little did everyone expect that they would get a divorce.
Five years ago, Alessia La Rosa's life took a drastic turn when, suffering from memory loss, she wed to Dominic Carter under her grandfather's mysterious arrangement. But their marriage was a facade, bringing her only humiliation and heartache as Dominic showed no love, and she couldn't conceive. Upon discovering Dominic's infidelity, Alessia sought liberation through divorce. Yet, fate had more in store for her. Five years later, spurred by an anonymous email hinting at her lost child's whereabouts, she returns to the city with her twin babies in tow, determined to uncover the truth. As she navigates the tangled web of her past, a surprising twist awaits. Dominic, upon meeting her again, finds himself drawn to the woman she has become, unaware of her true identity as his former wife. Little does he know, the woman he's falling for is not only his ex-wife but also a powerful Doctor and Master Hacker.
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!