Ethan Vale is the cold, calculating CEO who doesn't believe in love, only leverage. Aria Bennett is a struggling florist who spills coffee on his designer suit and ends up in his billion-dollar world. When her flower shop faces demolition, Ethan makes her a ruthless offer-design for his luxury hotel, or lose everything. But the deeper Aria is pulled into his icy world, the more she begins to thaw something buried beneath his perfect suits and brutal ambition. She's the warmth he never expected. He's the storm she never saw coming. This is not just a deal. It's the beginning of a love that could shatter them both-or finally set them free.
The rain hadn't let up all morning, soaking the streets of Brooklyn in a dull gray glaze that made everything feel heavier. Aria Bennett fumbled with her umbrella as she stepped out of the subway, nearly dropping the pastry bag tucked under her arm. It was 7:42 a.m., her socks were damp, and the coffee she'd waited fifteen minutes for was sloshing dangerously in her trembling hands. But none of that mattered.
Not really.
Today was delivery day-the start of a hectic weekend at the shop-and Mrs. Levine, their favorite regular, had requested a custom bouquet for her anniversary. Aria had worked late the night before, carefully choosing each stem. Peonies for compassion. White lilacs for youthful innocence. And bluebells, because Mrs. Levine's husband once said she reminded him of them-sweet, bright, impossible to ignore.
Aria smiled to herself as she stepped off the curb, heart already at the shop, already picturing her mother's soft voice when she called later to ask how the morning went.
And that's when it happened.
She didn't see the man until it was too late.
Her foot slipped off the slick pavement. She stumbled forward, her balance thrown off by her umbrella snapping backwards in the wind. And then-disaster.
The scalding heat of coffee spilled forward, the cup flying from her hands. Something crunched underfoot, and her heart sank as she realized what she'd done.
"Oh-oh my god! I'm so sorry!" Aria gasped, eyes wide as they met his.
The man she'd collided with was tall, sharply dressed in a navy overcoat now bearing a dark stain down the front. His jaw clenched, his face unreadable. And his eyes-icy, penetrating-narrowed as they flicked down to the mess between them.
Her hands trembled as she pulled tissues from her bag, dabbing at his coat helplessly. "I didn't see you-there was this gust of wind and-God, I'm really sorry."
He didn't flinch. Didn't move. Just stared.
"Do you always walk through life with your head in the clouds?" he asked, voice smooth but laced with quiet annoyance.
The sentence hit her harder than the impact had.
She blinked, stunned by the rudeness, then straightened. "Excuse me?"
He arched a brow. "If you're going to throw coffee at strangers, at least offer something more than a soggy napkin."
She drew back like he'd slapped her. Heat rushed to her cheeks-part embarrassment, part indignation.
"Do you always speak to strangers like they're beneath you?" she shot back.
A beat of silence passed between them, filled only by the patter of rain.
Something flickered in his eyes then-amusement, maybe. Or surprise. She couldn't tell. But before she could say more, he stepped back, brushing his coat once with the back of his hand.
"No," he said coolly. "Only when they act like it."
And then he turned, just like that, vanishing into the crowd of umbrellas and taxi horns.
Aria stood there, heart pounding, her ruined coffee still dripping onto the sidewalk. The man hadn't yelled. He hadn't insulted her outright. But somehow, he'd made her feel small. And worse-forgettable.
By the time she reached the flower shop, her smile was gone.
-
A week later
Aria's fingers curled tighter around the folder in her arms as she stepped into the glass-paneled lobby of Vale Enterprises. The air inside was sterile, scented with expensive cologne and ambition. Men in tailored suits passed briskly, talking into Bluetooth earpieces. A woman with bright red lipstick gave Aria a once-over before disappearing into an elevator.
She swallowed hard and approached the reception desk.
"I'm here to see Mr. Ethan Vale," she said.
The receptionist didn't look up. "Do you have an appointment?"
"No, but-"
"Mr. Vale doesn't take walk-ins."
Aria's throat tightened. "It's urgent. I'm here about a property he acquired on Atlantic Avenue-422B. It's a flower shop. My flower shop."
The woman finally looked up, her expression blank. "I'm sorry, Miss...?"
"Bennett. Aria Bennett."
"There's nothing I can do, Miss Bennett. He's in meetings all day."
"I'm not leaving," Aria said, more softly than she felt.
The receptionist blinked, startled by the quiet firmness. "Excuse me?"
"I'm not leaving until I talk to him."
She sat on the nearby leather bench, hands clenched in her lap, heart thundering against her ribs. Outside, the rain had started again.
Ten minutes passed.
Then twenty.
Then-heels clicked sharply against the floor, drawing closer. The doors behind the reception desk opened.
He walked out like he owned the world. Because, in many ways, he did.
Ethan Vale.
Aria's eyes widened as recognition hit her like a jolt. The man from the street. The coffee. The cold words.
Of course it was him.
He stopped when he saw her. His eyes scanned her face. No flicker of emotion.
"You again," he said, voice low. "Spill another drink?"
She stood, trying to calm her nerves. "I'm here because the flower shop I work at-the one at 422B-it was bought by your company. We just found out yesterday. No warning. No notice. And the landlord is gone."
"That building is scheduled for demolition next month," he said evenly. "It's been in the works for six."
"I'm not asking you to cancel it," Aria said quickly. "I just need time. Two months. That shop is everything to me. My mother's health-my education-it's all tied to it."
He watched her, unreadable.
"Business isn't built on sentiment, Miss Bennett."
She nodded slowly, biting the inside of her cheek. "I figured you'd say that."
And she turned, clutching her portfolio to her chest, heart sinking. She'd tried. That was all she could do.
But then-
"Wait," Ethan said.
She turned, confused.
He was staring at the edge of her tote bag, where a black binder peeked out.
"What's that?"
"My work," she said cautiously. "I do freelance floral installations. Weddings, galas..."
He stepped forward and pulled the folder out without asking.
Aria tensed.
He flipped through it. Silent.
Page after page-her designs, her arrangements, each carefully photographed under natural light. Petal structures that resembled cascading water. Suspended vines with hidden lights woven through the stems. It was art, not just floristry. And it had taken her three years to build.
"I'm opening a new hotel in SoHo," he said finally. "We need someone to design the botanical elements. Work for me, and I'll delay the demolition."
She blinked. "You're bribing me with my own livelihood?"
He tilted his head. "I'm offering you a business deal."
She stared at him. This man was insufferable. Arrogant. Cold. Impossible.
And yet-she needed this.
So she swallowed her pride.
And nodded. "Fine. I'll do it."
=================================
Ethan watched her walk out with the contract in hand, hair damp from the rain. She hadn't begged. She hadn't batted her lashes. She didn't even thank him.
And still-something about her lingered.
Her honesty. Her fire. The way she didn't shrink when he stared at her.
He hadn't expected to see her again after the street incident. He certainly hadn't expected to offer her a job. But now she was in his world-this sharp, fragile thing with dirt on her fingers and stubborn hope in her eyes.
And Ethan Vale-man of marble, steel, and silence-felt the faintest crack form in his chest.
A crack shaped like her.
She was taken as leverage. He never expected she'd become his weakness. When ballerina Sienna Rosetti is kidnapped by infamous Mafia boss Dante Moreau, she's thrust into a world of violence, secrets, and seductive danger. Held captive in his secluded Sicilian estate, Sienna fights to reclaim her freedom-but the more time she spends with her captor, the harder it is to ignore the heat between them. As hidden betrayals rise and Dante's empire teeters on the edge, they must decide: will love save them-or destroy them both?
Isla Hemsworth is a pure, innocent, kind, and a loving daughter to her mother. She spent almost half of her life taking care of her sickly mother. She was deeply heartbroken when her mother suddenly passed away, living her all alone. She had a surprise of her life when she learned that her mother left her an island as part of her inheritance. Getting tired of the hustle and bustle of the big city, she decided to sell everything, and she isolates herself to Risona Island. As years goes by, Isla is now accustomed to living alone in the island. Her peaceful and quiet world suddenly turned upside down when an unconscious and helpless man has been washed ashore towards Risona Island. The big question is, who is this handsome stranger and why are they destined to meet each other?
Clarisse Marshall is a pretty and simple convenience store employee. She works hard for the money, and she has a pure and gentle heart, and she is more than willing to help anyone, and Michele Montserrat is just one of them. She saved Michele Montserrat's life, and as a result, the man fell inlove with her, fast and hard. Michele is a sweet, warm, kind and a gentle man, however, there's only one problem. He is the future "Godfather" of an organized mafia group which is called the "La Famiglia" which deals with drugs and weapons. Would she be able to set herself free from Michele's romantic pursuit towards her?
Serena Montana is a career woman who's working as a signed writer for a big publishing company in Brisbane, Australia. She received a great news from her Boss that her manuscript was handpicked by a famous production company, and they will have a television adaptation of her novel. Since 50% of the scenes from the novel is back in Walnut Creek, a small countryside area where she grew up, she needs to go back their and relieve the past with her first love, Paolo. Can she successfully finish her work without leaving her heart in Walnut Creek?
Lara Smith is a 30-year-old woman who has been living a dull and lonely life. She doesn't have a family of her own, she doesn't have her own savings, and she is working hard like a dog, just to make ends meet. She wished to be like Amanda Montserrat, a beautiful, rich and a powerful woman who owns Etoile Cosmetics company. The world is her oyster, and she lives a perfect live. She's a trillionaire, she's a genius woman running a cosmetic empire on her own and she is engaged to be married to Emmett Albreicht, who is an extremely famous hotel magnate. While on a company field trip, Lara was involved in a tragic accident, and she was in a comatose state for a year. As she wakes up from her slumber, she realized in horror that she is she's been trapped into a different body! She is now living the life of Amanda Montserrat and she doesn't have any choice but to live a different life while thinking on how to get back to her original body!
Dana Montecarlo woke up from a 5-year coma due to a severe traffic accident. She woke up from her hospital bed, with her loving husband on her side, Garrett Montecarlo. Dana was happy and relieved to know that her husband survived the car crash, and he's alive and well. But there seems to be something different about her husband, especially with his kiss. It wasn't that passionate as it used to be. She's wondering why her husband can't look at her straight in the eye. He's acting aloof and distant towards her, as if they were total strangers. What could've happened to her husband after the car crash?
"I've warned you from the beginning. Don't marry him, but you won't listen." Darcy stood close to me and smiled with concern. "You're not a woman worthy of a man as handsome, rich, smart, and virile as Blaze." My whole body trembled at her words. "Have you no shame?" I asked. "Take a good look at yourself, Heather." She stared at me in the mirror. "You can't even glance at your ugly face. Do you think Blaze can endure a lifetime of gazing at that scar?" Heather Bailey got a surprise from her husband: a divorce agreement. After a year of marriage and facing ups and downs, she couldn't believe Blaze intended to divorce her. She was devastated when she saw him gazing lovingly at another woman. After signing the divorce papers, shockwaves caught her up. Her flower shop was burned to the ground. Her father's company collapsed, and her parents blamed her. She struggled to rebuild her life from the ground up and became more successful than ever. Having many customers from influential families, she started her revenge on Blaze. She won the very thing he wanted, but that was just the beginning.
In her previous life, Kimberly endured the betrayal of her husband, the cruel machinations of an evil woman, and the endless tyranny of her in-laws. It culminated in the bankruptcy of her family, and ultimately, her death. After being reborn, she resolved to seek retribution against those who had wronged her, and ensure her family's prosperity. To her shock, the most unattainable man from her past suddenly set his sights on her. "You may have overlooked me before, but I shall capture your heart this time around."
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."
Sawyer, the world's top arms dealer, stunned everyone by falling for Maren—the worthless girl no one respected. People scoffed. Why chase a useless pretty face? But when powerful elites began gathering around her, jaws dropped. "She's not even married to him yet—already cashing in on his power?" they assumed. Curious eyes dug into Maren's past... only to find she was a scientific genius, a world-renowned medical expert, and heiress to a mafia empire. Later, Sawyer posted online. "My wife treats me like the enemy. Any advice?"
"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?
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.