Noreen Hunter is the CEO of Hunter Enterprises and has built her success on her independence and unwavering dedication to her company. However, when her board of directors presents her with an unexpected ultimatum, she finds herself at a crossroads. Their proposal forces her to confront a past she has tried to forget for a long time. Can she handle the complexities of the corporate world, or will her ambition ultimately lead to her downfall?
Noreen Hunter stood at her office window, observing the bustling streets of London below. The city's familiar hum vibrated through the glass, a soundtrack to countless sleepless nights spent building Hunter Enterprises from the ground up. Yet, tonight, the melody felt discordant.
Earlier that day, the board of directors had dropped a shocking proposal on her. She sensed it was non-negotiable and threatened to upend her life. She had heard about these situations, but normally from very traditional, rich families, which was not the case here.
As the sun set below the towering skyscrapers, she replayed the board meeting scene in her mind, the echo of their shocking proposal still ringing in her ears. Marriage. The word hung in the air, a foreign object in their professional lexicon. She, the self-made CEO who'd clawed her way to the top at 24, was expected to legitimize her position with a wedding ring? It was an insult, a throwback to a bygone era that had no place in the boardroom of a cutting-edge cybersecurity firm. Why was the board doubting her now?
Noreen came from humble beginnings. Scholarships and a relentless drive had been her only inheritance. The memory of her late-night part-time jobs and her parents scrimping to put her through university tightened her throat. Now, the board's ultimatum felt like a betrayal. All those years spent strategizing, negotiating, and building trust with her team - were reduced to a marital requirement.
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Without waiting for a response, James Maeers, a rival CEO, strode into her office with an air of arrogant confidence. His piercing gaze met hers, a knowing smirk playing at the corners of his lips.
"Well, well, well, Noreen Hunter," drawled James, his voice dripping with thinly veiled condescension, "I hear congratulations are in order. Marriage seems to be the topic everyone is discussing here."
Noreen's jaw clenched at his taunting tone, her blue eyes narrowing in steely resolve. She would not let James's smug demeanour rattle her, not when her entire career hung in the balance.
"James," she said, her voice cool, "to what do I owe this unexpected visit?"
James smirked, revelling in Noreen's discomfort. "I couldn't resist checking in on my dear competitor," he remarked, casually strolling further into her office. "The rumours of your impending nuptials have certainly piqued my interest. It must be quite a predicament for a fiercely independent woman like you. Tell me, Noreen, how does it feel to be cornered by a board that sees marriage as the only solution?"
Noreen fought back the urge to lash out. James thrived on emotional reactions. "Strategic decisions come in many forms, James," she replied, a subtle dig at his company's recent struggles. "Perhaps your board should consider some themselves." His smile faltered for a fleeting moment. He recovered quickly, leaning against her desk. "But I would dare say, uninspired, to say the least," her voice betraying a hint of bitterness. "One would expect more forward-thinking solutions."
She turned away, took a steady breath, and cursed her luck. James was in the building for a couple of strategic meetings; he must have overheard people talking in the corridors. Her company provided cybersecurity consultancy, and many companies requested their services. "How were your meetings?" Noreen attempted to change the topic, but James seemed to relish her discomfort.
With a sly grin, he casually replied, "Oh, my meetings went swimmingly. I'm sure you'll hear about them soon." His cryptic response left Noreen feeling even more unsettled. She knew James had a motive, adding to her pressure. Turning around, she went straight to the point. "What do you want, James?" Her tone was flat and cold, hinting she was in no mood for games.
As James leaned casually against the edge of her desk, a glint of something sinister flashed behind his grey eyes. "Oh, Noreen, you always cut straight to the chase, no fun..." he purred, his voice dripping with false sweetness. "I stuck around to offer you a deal, a proposal that might save you from the predicament you find yourself in." Noreen's stomach churned at the thought of striking any deal with James, but she couldn't afford to dismiss his words.
She sensed the marriage proposal was what he wanted. James was a beautiful but ruthless and cunning man, who would take any opportunity to gain more assets for himself and his company. "So let's hear it; it's getting late, and I would like to get this day over with." Noreen walked to her desk, sat down, and looked up to level with James' piercing gaze.
James leaned in closer, the scent of his perfume overpowering her senses, making her frown slightly. "Noreen, my proposal is simple," he said, his voice low and calculated. "Marry me. Together, we can set a stronger front that would benefit both our companies, strengthen our position in the market, and put an end to the board's demands." Noreen's heart raced as she weighed the potential benefits against the risks of aligning herself with such a cunning adversary. The room seemed to grow smaller as she contemplated James's offer.
The silence hung heavily between them, an unwelcome blanket smothering Noreen. Her pulse quickened; the proposition was unexpected and uninviting.
When they were kids, Derek saved Norah's life. Years later, after Derek ended up in a vegetative state from a car crash, Norah married him without a second thought and even used her medical knowledge to heal him. For two years, Norah was devoted, seeking his affection and looking to settle her life-saving debt. But when Derek's first love returned, Norah, faced with divorce, didn't hesitate to sign. Despite being labeled as forsaken, few knew of her true talents. She was a race car driver, a famed designer, a genius hacker, and a renowned doctor. Regretting his decision, Derek begged for her forgiveness. Just then, a charming CEO intervened, embracing Norah and declaring, "Back off! She's my wife!" Taken aback, Norah blurted out, "What did you say?"
Charlee was left at the altar and became a laughingstock. She tried to keep her head high, but ultimately lost it when she received a sex tape of her fiance and her half-sister. Devastated, she ended up spending a wild night with a hot stranger. It was supposed to be one-time thing, but he kept popping up, helping her with projects and revenge, all while flirting with her constantly. Charlee soon realized that it was nice having him around, until her ex suddenly appeared at her door, begging for another chance. Her tycoon lover asked, “Who will you choose? Think carefully before you answer.”
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!
Trigger warning!!! Intended for mature readers who enjoy morally complex, slow-burn, poseesive, forbidden, dark romance that pushes boundaries. ***EXCERPT*** Blood everywhere. Trembling hands. "No!" My eyes blurred. His lifeless eyes stared back at me, his blood pooling at my feet. The man I loved-dead. Killed by the one person I could never escape - my stepbrother. *** Kasmine's life was never hers to begin with. Kester, her stepbrother, controlled and monitored her every move. At first, it was all sweet and brotherly until it began to turn into an obsession. Kester was the Alpha, and his word was law. No close friends. No boyfriends. No freedom. The only consolation Kasmine had was her twenty-first birthday, which was supposed to change everything. She dreamt of finding her mate, escaping the sickening control of Kester, and finally claiming her own life. But fate had other plans for her. On the night of her birthday, not only was she disappointed that she wasn't mated to the love of her life, but she found out that her mate was none other than him - Her tormentor. Her stepbrother. She'd rather die than be mated to a man whom she had known as her big brother all her life. A man who would do just anything to make sure she was his. But when love turns to obsession, and obsession turns to blood, how far can one girl run before she realizes there is nowhere else to run to?
In Lothlann Continent, talent in martial arts won cultivators respect. Darren Chu, a mediocre talent in martial arts, was deemed a loser by everyone. His status changed when a fireball fell from the sky and hit him on the head. He cheated death. Empowered with the ability to assimilate other creatures' talent, Darren sought to better himself and seek vengeance against those who had wronged his family, including his little sister. "You will kneel in front of me one day," swore the future lord of martial arts.
"It's getting hot in here, don't you think?" I shudder as my clit becomes wet with his smooth voice. I melt away in his arms. He kisses me with a passion I've never felt before, and I moan into his mouth, lost in the moment until I sense him kicking open a door. I realize we're in a room. He continues the kiss as I wrap my leg around him, pulling him closer, his erection pressing into me. I feel my panties dripping wet from arousal. He releases me, resting his back on the headboard, and grabs my thigh, pulling me closer. His hand goes to my hair, releasing it to let my curls fall freely. He guides his fingers from my scalp to the ends of the curls, muttering in a husky voice, "Fucking beautiful. ****** Jasmine found herself trapped in a loveless marriage. Her world shattered when she uncovered her husband's betrayal on his birthday. Heartbroken and betrayed, she made the difficult decision to leave him and start anew in Illinois, with her friend Ava by her side. As Jasmine tried to go through her new life, a one-night stand left her pregnant, uncertain about the father's identity. But complications arose as Maxwell, Jasmine's ex-husband, refused to let go. Jasmine discovered shocking truths about Ava's betrayal. As secrets unraveled and loyalties were tested, Would she find the strength to overcome the obstacles in her way? Could she trust her heart, or would the shadows of the past forever haunt her?