Leaning back in my chair, I smoked my morning cigar and watched Uncle Nelson open his mail. He had an old-fashioned way of doing this: holding the envelope in his left hand, clipping its right edge with his desk shears, and then removing the inclosure and carefully reading it before he returned it to its original envelope. Across one end he would make a memorandum of the contents, after which the letters were placed in a neat pile.
Through the whole of the night, chopping, shifting winds had been tearing through the streets of London, now from the north, now from the south, now from the east, now from the west, now from all points of the compass at once; which last caprice--taking place for at least the twentieth time in the course of the hour which the bells of Big Ben were striking--was enough in itself to make the policeman on the beat doubtful of his senses.
Rejected by her mate, who had been her long-time crush, Jasmine felt utterly humiliated. Seeking solace, she headed to a party to drown her sorrows. But things took a turn for the worse when her friends issued a cruel dare: kiss a stranger or beg her mate for forgiveness. With no other choice, Jasmine approached a stranger and kissed him, thinking that would be the end of it. However, the stranger unexpectedly wrapped his arms around her waist and whispered in her ear, "You're mine!" He growled, his words sending shivers down her spine. And then, he offered her a solution that would change everything...
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad.
Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded.
She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer.
Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone.
But then the ex-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon.
Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"
"I can't believe you're back after all these years, Aria. Still haven't learned your lesson?" Jessica sneered.
Aria met her sister's venomous stare without flinching.
"Oh, I learned. Never underestimate a woman protecting her rightful heirs."
Eight years ago, Aria's life crumbled the moment she caught her billionaire husband, Michael, tangled in the arms of her own sister. With nothing but a shattered heart and a few dollars to her name, she vanished from the world that betrayed her. Now she's back-with power, confidence... and twin sons no one knows about.
As secrets boil to the surface and old enemies circle like vultures, Michael begins to realize his biggest mistake wasn't the affair-it was losing the only woman who ever truly saw him.
Can Aria survive the cutthroat games of betrayal, lies, and elite legacy? Or will the powerful Walton family crush her before she can reclaim what's rightfully hers?
"After seven blind years with Joshua, Daniela caught him pampering his new flame just weeks before the vows. Disgust sharpened her resolve.
On their wedding morning she strode down the aisle, tore off her ring, and called it quits.
The arrogant Clark family rushed to sneer-until three formidable Stewart brothers stepped in.
The eldest's voice was ice. ""Your empire is about to implode.""
The second vowed ruin for anyone who dared bruise his sister.
The youngest flashed a sly grin. ""Watch and learn what true power looks like.""
The Clarks were left regretting their actions, while Daniela melted into her arch nemesis's arms. ""Take me home, hon."
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!"
She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile.
But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional.
Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."