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Celeste Bennett has spent years in the shadow of New York's elite, working as a private chef for the city's wealthiest families. When she's hired for an exclusive event at the lavish estate of billionaire Jayden McGregor, she expects nothing more than a routine job. But from the moment their eyes meet, the cold, untouchable billionaire makes it clear-he wants her. Jayden is a man used to getting everything he desires. Powerful, enigmatic, and haunted by his past, he has sworn off love. But something about Celeste draws him in-a fire he can't resist, a temptation that threatens to unravel his carefully controlled world. She knows better than to fall for a man like him. He's out of her league, and their worlds are too different. But when fate keeps pulling them together, resisting becomes impossible. As secrets come to light and passion ignites, Celeste and Jayden must decide: will they risk everything for a love that was never meant to be?
The steady rhythm of the kitchen returned, but Celeste's pulse refused to settle. She had worked for the wealthy before- New York's elite thrived on extravagant dinner parties and gourmet meals. But Jayden McGregor was in a league of his own. She had expected the cold, scrutinizing gaze, the quiet authority that commanded a room. What she hadn't expected was his approval.
"Don't let it get to your head, Bennett," one of the sous-chefs murmured as he slid past her. "McGregor doesn't give compliments unless he means them."
Celeste shot him a look. "I don't need his approval to know I made the right choice."
And yet, despite her words, the way Jayden's eyes had lingered on her stayed with her long after he had left.
She forced herself to focus, plating the next dish with precision. The McGregor estate demanded perfection, and Celeste was determined to deliver.
By the time the final course was served, exhaustion had settled deep into her bones. The rest of the kitchen staff was wrapping up for the night when Chef Roux clapped his hands together.
"Good work, everyone. We're done here."
A collective sigh of relief rippled through the team, but before Celeste could step away from her station, one of the servers approached.
"Mr. McGregor has requested to see you," the young man said, looking slightly awed.
Celeste blinked. "What?"
The server nodded. "He's in the lounge."
A ripple of murmurs passed through the kitchen. Chef Roux raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
Celeste hesitated. Clients rarely asked to see the kitchen staff, and billionaires never did. She could refuse- she wasn't required to entertain anyone after service-but something in her gut told her that ignoring Jayden McGregor wasn't an option.
Squaring her shoulders, she wiped her hands on her apron and followed the server out of the kitchen.
The McGregor estate was nothing short of breathtaking. Every detail, from the sweeping marble floors to the gilded chandeliers, exuded wealth. But it was the quiet opulence-the understated confidence of old money-that truly set it apart.
The lounge was dimly lit, a stark contrast to the bright chaos of the kitchen. Celeste spotted Jayden immediately. He stood near the fireplace, a tumbler of amber liquid in his hand, exuding effortless power. For a moment, she considered turning back. Too late. His gaze lifted, locking onto hers.
"Miss Bennett," he said smoothly, his voice rich and steady. "Join me."
Celeste hesitated before stepping forward. "Is there a problem, Mr. McGregor?"
A flicker of amusement crossed his face. "Not at all." He gestured to the armchair opposite him. "Sit."
She remained standing. "With all due respect, sir, I'm just the chef. If you have feedback about the meal, I'd prefer to receive it through Chef Roux."
Jayden took a slow sip of his drink before setting the glass down. "And if I prefer to speak to you directly?"
Celeste swallowed. "Why?"
"Because I don't waste my time," he said simply. "And you intrigue me."
A sharp exhale left her lips. She had dealt with entitled men before, men who thought their wealth granted them access to anyone they desired. But Jayden's interest didn't feel purely superficial. It was something else. Something dangerous.
"Mr. McGregor-"
"Jayden," he corrected.
She stiffened. "Mr. McGregor, I appreciate the compliment, but I'm here to cook, not to entertain."
His lips twitched, as if she had amused him. "Understood."
She waited for him to dismiss her. Instead, he reached for his drink again. "How long have you been working for Roux?"
Celeste frowned. "A little over two years."
"And before that?"
She hesitated. "Different kitchens. Different cities."
His gaze sharpened. "Which cities?"
"Does it matter?"
Jayden leaned forward slightly, studying her. "You're not like the others."
A prickle of irritation flared in her chest. "If this is about my background, I-"
"It's about your talent," he interrupted. "You're not just another chef. You think differently. You take risks."
Celeste's breath caught.
She had spent years fighting for recognition in a male-dominated industry, pushing herself to the brink for a career that rarely rewarded her. And now, in the span of a single evening, Jayden McGregor had seen through all of it.
"I'm offering you a job," he said suddenly.
Celeste blinked. "What?"
"I need a personal chef," Jayden said. "Not just for events-full time."
Her stomach twisted. "I already have a job."
He smirked. "I'll double your salary."
Celeste stared at him. The offer was tempting-hell, it was more than tempting. Working for someone like Jayden McGregor could open doors she had never dreamed of.
But she had spent too long carving out her own path. And she wasn't about to become some billionaire's personal employee.
"No," she said firmly.
Jayden's expression didn't change. If anything, he looked amused.
"You're refusing before you've even heard the details?"
"Yes," she said. "Because I know what working for men like you entails. Long hours. No personal life. Constant expectations."
Jayden tilted his head. "And yet, you already live like that."
Celeste swallowed hard.
He wasn't wrong.
Still, she met his gaze head-on. "I'd rather do it on my own terms."
For the first time, something flickered in Jayden's expression-something unreadable.
After a moment, he exhaled. "Fair enough."
Celeste's shoulders relaxed slightly. She turned to leave, but his voice stopped her.
"Be careful, Miss Bennett."
She frowned, glancing over her shoulder. "Excuse me?"
Jayden leaned back in his chair, his gaze unreadable. "You might think you have control. But the world doesn't work that way."
Something in his tone sent a shiver down her spine. Without another word, she turned and walked out of the room.
But as she stepped back into the kitchen, she knew one thing for certain- She had just caught the attention of a man who never let go of what he wanted. And that terrified her more than anything else.
Chloe Evans is a small-town girl with big dreams-dreams of launching her own fashion line and escaping the limitations of her humble beginnings. When she gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase her designs at an exclusive gala, Chloe is determined to make her mark. But there's one problem: the event is hosted by none other than the notorious billionaire entrepreneur, Dani Potter. Dani is a man who's built an empire from nothing, a ruthless businessman with no time for anything but his career. He's never been interested in love, preferring instead to remain emotionally detached from everyone around him. But when he meets Chloe, he's intrigued by her ambition and the spark in her eyes. For the first time in years, he finds himself wanting something more than just success. Chloe and Dani's worlds collide, and the attraction between them becomes undeniable. But the more Chloe gets to know the man behind the corporate titan, the more she realizes that Dani is hiding a painful past-one that could jeopardize everything they're building together. Chloe must decide if she can trust him with her heart, or if she's simply chasing a billionaire's dream that will only end in heartbreak.
Leila Stone's world shattered when she was rejected by her mate, **Alpha Carley Nightpaw**, the night their pack was attacked. Fleeing with a broken heart and a shattered soul, she vowed to never return to the pack that had once been her home-until a blood moon rises, and fate forces her back. Carley, now the Alpha of the Nightpaw pack, is burdened with guilt and regret. The night he rejected Leila, he was driven by fear and duty, unwilling to show weakness in front of his pack. But time has taught him the painful consequences of that decision. When a new threat emerges, one that endangers their entire world, Carley realizes that Leila is the only one capable of helping him defeat it. But winning her trust back may be his greatest challenge yet.
Three years ago, Tiana thought divorcing Sebastian Wolfe would free her from the pain of his lies and the shadows that haunted their marriage. But when tragedy strikes her family and she returns to her hometown, she's forced to confront the man who once shattered her heart-and who still lingers in her soul. Sebastian isn't the same cold, unreadable billionaire she left. He's darker, more haunted-and about to discover a secret that will change everything: the existence of their daughter.
Adele Williams has spent her life hiding among humans, unaware of the destiny woven into her blood. But when the ruthless and enigmatic Lycan King, Frank Robinson, discovers her existence, her carefully crafted life is torn apart. Frank, haunted by a prophecy that speaks of a mate who will either save or destroy him, is drawn to Adele with an irresistible force. Yet she wants nothing to do with the dominant and dangerous king who claims she belongs to him. Forced into his world, Adele must navigate the deadly politics of the Lycan court, where enemies lurk in the shadows and betrayal is a breath away.
In the kingdom of Eldoria, Lady Evelina is bound by duty to marry a prince she does not love, her heart already belonging to a forbidden figure - Sir Alden, a mysterious knight whose loyalty to the crown is unwavering. When a powerful curse threatens to destroy the kingdom, Evelina finds herself drawn into a perilous quest with Sir Alden, seeking the ancient relic that could save them all. As they journey through treacherous lands, their bond grows deeper, but so do the dangers that threaten to tear them apart. With the weight of the kingdom's fate on their shoulders, they must navigate the perils of both magic and their own hearts. Can a knight and a lady destined for separate paths find a way to unite - or will duty and destiny keep them apart forever?
Emery James has spent years building her dream café in a quiet coastal town, far from the chaos of big-city life-and even further from the heartbreak she left behind. But when her landlord sells the building to none other than Desmond Proctor, her former best friend and the man who once broke her heart, her peaceful life is suddenly turned upside down. Desmond, now a successful real estate investor, never expected to return to his hometown-or to face the woman he's never truly forgotten. Tasked with redeveloping the property, he offers Emery a deal: work with him to save the café, and he'll reconsider the sale. Old wounds, unspoken feelings, and undeniable tension bubble to the surface as they're forced to spend time together. But as they rediscover the connection they once had, Emery has to decide-can she trust Desmond with her heart again, or is she setting herself up for another heartbreak?
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."
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 town’s 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. “Way to go, honey!”
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."
"Please trust me, I didn't do anything." "I don't believe you. I am rejecting you as my Queen and giving you the punishment of death." Alina was living outside her pack for five years. Her parents didn't try to contact her and always ignored her. Her best friend convinced her to go back to their pack and she agreed. But she had never imagined what was waiting there for her. She never thought she would meet her mate and had to face betrayal from everywhere. She had to pay for the crime which she never committed. Aaron Robertson is the king of Lycans. He is a very dominant and powerful King who not only rules Lycans but also rules other ranks of werewolves. Everyone is afraid of Lycans and he is the king of them. But who knew that he would get a mate who was just a simple Omega with no powers and strengths? He called her weak all the time but little did he know that his weak Omega would give him the biggest betrayal of his life for which he had to give her the sentence of death.
Blinded in a crash, Cary was rejected by every socialite—except Evelina, who married him without hesitation. Three years later, he regained his sight and ended their marriage. "We’ve already lost so many years. I won’t let her waste another one on me." Evelina signed the divorce papers without a word. Everyone mocked her fall—until they discovered that the miracle doctor, jewelry mogul, stock genius, top hacker, and the President's true daughter… were all her. When Cary came crawling back, a ruthless tycoon had him kicked out. "She's my wife now. Get lost."
Lucia Balstone thought she had chosen the right man to spend the rest of her life with, but he was the one who ended her life. Their ten-year marriage seemed like a joke when her husband stabbed her with a dagger. Fortunately, God is never blind to people's tears. Lucia got a second chance. She was reborn at the age of 22, before all the terrible things had happened. This time, she was determined to avenge herself and let those who hurt her pay! She made an elaborate list of her goals, and the first thing on her list was to marry her ex-husband's enemy, Alonso Callen!