In his effortless pursuit of success, Mark finds himself in a web of humiliation and constant conflict when his role as a waiter at a prestigious hotel puts him face-to-face with his wife's powerful boss, Mr Alistair. During a high-stakes business meeting, Mark's dignity is ruthlessly attacked, leaving him torn between defending himself and protecting his wife's career. Their relationship is put at stake test as their confrontation creates a chain of events that threaten to shatter Mark's marriage.
Mark held the tray with the glass cup and wine tightly, releasing a deep breath, attempting to suppress his nervousness.
He joined the other staff, striding down to the meeting hall. He didn't feel good about it, but he was in charge of serving this section.
The hall's door swung open wide, and he led the staff in, carrying drinks and food.
"Welcome to Trump International Hotel. Here is the order you placed," Mark bowed his head, a clean handkerchief in hand, resting at the base of the wine bottle.
He tilted the wine slightly, pouring a few glasses for the young man.
It was a business meeting involving five businessmen and women. Among the women was his wife, Lacey
Bowing his head, he gently placed the wine bottle in an ice bowl. Mark felt eyes on him but decided to focus on his work, not wanting to cause trouble for his wife or be looked down upon by her boss and colleagues.
"Isn't he your husband? I almost couldn't recognize him for a while," Mr. Alistair asked Lacey.
She cleared her throat slightly, glancing at Mark, not wishing to be acknowledged as his wife at that moment.
"Sure." Her replies were quick yet faint; she knew lying wouldn't help because her boss knew him well.
Mark realized what was about to happen and wanted to walk out with the other staff.
"Mr. Jones, stay and have a drink with us," Mr. Alistair said before Mark could leave. Mark halted, swallowing hard.
"I really do not think that's necessary, sir," Elsa, Lacey's best friend, spoke up before things got even more awkward.
"What do you mean not necessary? I'm just trying to be nice to my business partner's husband, and I don't think that should be an issue," Mr. Alistair snorted.
"Sir, I think we should just let him be since he's still working and he's not needed here," Lacey quickly said, knowing her boss well.
He was far from being nice, especially with his choice of words.
"Come on, Lacey! You know how important this contract is, right? Let's not delay it and just let him have his seat already," Mr. Alistair said frankly, giving no room for another opinion.
Mark realized he had no choice but to sit with them, not wanting his wife to lose an important deal because of him.
Swallowing his dry throat, he took his seat beside his wife gently, staying quiet, fearing he might add to the tension. But eventually, he found he couldn't escape.
Lacey had always wanted to avoid this kind of situation, but it only got worse each time. The meeting was a high-stakes contract, and she couldn't afford to lose it.
Mr. Alistair was not an easy man to deal with, and she knew that well. Mark felt uncomfortable, even lifting a glass of water to his mouth.
"It's really unexpected to meet you here. I mean, you working as a waiter is unexpected and unbelievable too," Mr. Alistair laughed.
Mark looked down at his fingers, trying not to let his brows rise in discomfort. He already felt uneasy and too low sitting among them.
"Tell me, really. Why are you working as a waiter? I did hear that Lacey married a pauper, but I never expected someone who is not qualified for a decent job," Mr. Alistair said.
The other staff, except Elsa and Lacey, ended up laughing, while some chuckled and others appraised him in his simple clothes.
Mark remained quiet. He felt the man's intentions were to mock him, and he regretted not turning down the offer immediately and walking away before it got worse.
"We should talk about the business, sir," Elsa said, attempting to diffuse the awkward atmosphere.
"Business? That's unfair to Lacey's husband, the waiter. How is he supposed to understand? Is he even educated?" Mr. Alistair asked.
Most of the meeting attendees couldn't hold in their laughter anymore. "He does look too poor, I will say," Mr. Alistair's close associates said frankly.
"That's true," another lady agreed.
Mark held his hands tightly under the table, trying not to break down with their words. It was becoming too much for Lacey to bear.
If only the contract wasn't important. She tried not to show that he's her husband, yet this happened.
Mark kept staring at the glass of water before him while they laughed and joked at him.
"I feel like I made a mistake letting someone of a lower class sit with us. I shouldn't have allowed that, and now I'm afraid his cheap perfume will contaminate mine," Mr. Alistair said with scorn in his voice.
Mark was about to burst at that moment, wanting to stand up from the table. Elsa and Lacey couldn't say anything.
Stopping Mr. Alistair would only make things worse, and they were already as bad as they could get. Just until this meeting ended, and she could breathe.
Mark wondered why the man had to be like that. It wasn't as if he wanted to be in this situation either; it was just the circumstances of life that had brought him down.
Did he feel happy looking down on him this way, turning a man like him into a laughing stock? Mark wasn't really surprised by his words.
He felt that just because the man was rich and he was not, didn't mean he could demean him in such a way.
All this because his wife wanted a contract from him. His leg started shaking, and his head refused to leave the glass cup in front of him.
"I have finished the wine. Come, pour me more wine," Mr. Alistair said, and Mark was forced to raise his head this time.
"You shouldn't be looking at me that way, Mr. Jones. It's your work, and you could have been out there bowing your heads to people better than you are," Mr. Alistair said plainly.
Unbeknownst to Heaton , the man she met that fateful day would alter her life in the most dreadful manner. She was on the verge of being forcibly wed to a ruthless loan shark, courtesy of her conniving uncle's family. Just when she found a way to escape, everything crumbled as Noel , the dreaded kingpin of the underworld, ensnared her, robbing her of the one thing she cherished most—her freedom. Noel basked in the fear, respect, and reverence his name commanded in the city. But his reputation faced an unexpected trial when a familiar stranger brazenly pilfered from him right under his nose. A simmering anger fueled his relentless pursuit to hunt down the audacious pickpocket. Once he captured Heaton , Noel was determined to make her pay for dHeaton ng to cross him. Meanwhile, Heaton harbored an intense loathing for him and would stop at nothing to break free from the clutches of the menacing Mafia. Little did they know that amidst the chaos, an unexpected twist of fate might lead to a heart heist like no other. Read on to unravel the captivating tale.
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."
Life was a bed of roses for Debra, the daughter of Alpha. That was until she had a one-night stand with Caleb. She was sure he was her mate as determined by Moon Goddess. But this hateful man refused to accept her. Weeks passed before Debra discovered that she was pregnant. Her pregnancy brought shame to her and everyone she loved. Not only was she driven out, but her father was also hunted down by usurpers. Fortunately, she survived with the help of the mysterious Thorn Edge Pack. Five years passed and Debra didn't hear anything from Caleb. One day, their paths crossed again. They were both on the same mission—carrying out secret investigations in the dangerous Roz Town for the safety and posterity of their respective packs. Caleb was still cold toward her. But as time went on, he fell head over heels in love with her. He tried to make up for abandoning her, but Debra wasn't having any of it. She was hell-bent on hiding her daughter from him and also making a clean break. What did the future hold for the two as they journeyed in Roz Town? What kind of secrets would they find? Would Caleb win Debra's heart and get to know his lovely daughter? Find out!
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."
"Never let anyone treat you like shit!" I learned that the hard way. For three years, I lived with my in-laws. They didn't treat me as their son-in-law but as a slave. I put up with everything because of my wife, Yolanda Lambert. She was the light of my life. Unfortunately, my whole world came crashing down the day I caught my wife cheating on me. I have never been so heartbroken. To have my revenge, I revealed my true identity. I was none other than Liam Hoffman—the heir of a family with trillions of dollars in assets! The Lamberts were utterly shocked after the big reveal. They realized what fools they had been for treating me like trash. My wife even knelt down and begged for my forgiveness. What do you think I did? Did I take her back or made her suffer? Find out!
"Mr. Evans, please maintain some dignity. Don't forget I'm your brother's wife!" Having caught her husband and best friend together in the bed, Elena wanted nothing more than to exact revenge on the people she once called family. She refused to be a pitiful divorcee and vowed to make everyone who had once looked down on her beg for forgiveness. And to start with her newfound freedom, Elena indulges in a one-night stand with a stranger. However, what was meant to be a fleeting escape turns into a nightmare when she learns that the stranger is none other than her husband's older brother! Would Elena be free from the shackles of her marriage? Or would the mysterious stranger make her life a living hell since he seemed to have a personal vendetta against his family? [The story is 18+ and involves mature content.]