On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."
In the dimly lit, opulent private cinema, the most exclusive jewelry auction was being broadcast live.
The rich cadence of the auctioneer's voice echoed through the room. "One million, going once, going twice-"
Alicia Bennett barely registered the words, her thoughts entirely consumed by the man under her.
His intensity overwhelmed her, driving her to sink her teeth into his shoulder in a desperate attempt to brace herself against the onslaught.
The man merely grunted in response, neither stopping nor slowing down.
"Loosen up, will you?" he rasped, voice thick with strain as he tightened his grip around her waist, commanding her body to bend to his will.
Alicia, still biting the man's shoulder, paused.
Slowly, she eased her jaw, her teeth releasing their hold.
Just as the apology began to form on her lips, he let out a low, almost teasing laugh. "That's not the part I asked you to loosen."
Alicia froze, heat rushing to her cheeks.
The apology withering in her throat, replaced by a searing embarrassment that turned her skin crimson.
But the intensity between them only grew fiercer as time passed, their bodies entangled in a battle of passion and control.
The auctioneer's gavel fell. "Sold for ten million! Let's give a round of applause to Mr. Joshua Yates!"
The name struck Alicia like a lightning bolt.
Her body instantly went rigid, something that the man couldn't help but notice. His movements paused as his eyes, half-lidded with satisfaction, flicked lazily toward the screen.
The camera zoomed in on Joshua Yates's face, every detail of his familiar features displayed in perfect clarity.
"Joshua Yates, the second son of the Yates family... an acquaintance perhaps?" he drawled, the corners of his mouth tugging into a sly smile as he playfully nibbled Alicia's earlobe.
Alicia's frown deepened. The last thing she wanted was to discuss it.
"Is gossip part of your services too?" she snapped, her voice cold, laced with irritation.
He chuckled softly at her retort, the sound reverberating in the space between them.
Services?
He didn't bother denying it. Instead, his grip on her waist tightened further, his movements growing more relentless, his rhythm chaotic and untamed, as if challenging her.
The room seemed to pulse with their passionate desires, the air thick with lust, their ragged breaths merging into one. Together, they reached a breathless crescendo.
When it was over, Alicia took advantage of the man's time in the shower and quietly made her escape.
She fished out a stack of banknotes from her purse and left them on the chair. Then she inched her way towards the door, quiet as a mouse, wincing at the soreness in her nether regions.
When Caden Ward finally emerged from the bathroom, his gaze instantly fell on the neat stack of dollar bills waiting for him on the chair. Amusement flickered in his eyes, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
Casually, he reached for a cigarette, lighting it leisurely before sinking into the chair, his fingers toying with the crisp notes.
Moments later, his assistant, Hank Ford, burst into the room, clearly on edge.
The faint, unmistakable scent of sex still hung heavy in the air, making Hank's scalp prickle with discomfort. "Er, apologies, Mr. Ward. I let my guard down. Give me a moment, and I'll have her brought back immediately."
They had just returned to the country, taking every precaution. And yet, a woman had managed to slip through the cracks of their security.
Caden exhaled a lazy stream of smoke, his features calm, almost indifferent.
"No need. I was... a willing participant."
Hank's eyes widened in shock.
Only then did he notice the faint red marks decorating Caden's chest.
Hank's vision started to spin. In all the time he'd known Caden, the man had never slept with a woman, not even for a casual one night stand.
There were even rumors that Caden might suffer from some secret ailment, which was why he had never been with a woman.
Yet now, those whispers seemed to evaporate in the face of this unexpected turn of events.
Before Hank could make sense of it, Caden's deep voice pulled him back to reality. "I want you to look into Joshua's personal life. Have the report on my desk in half an hour."
Tonight, Alicia had stumbled into his room, feverish and desperate.
It was obvious she'd been drugged.
And just like that, all his years of restraint and abstinence fell apart the moment he took her into his arms.
And then came the revelation- Alicia was still a virgin.
Two years of marriage to Joshua...
Yet she was still untouched?
The memory of last night's passion stirred something in him, and his lips curled into a satisfied smile.
The unexpected always had a way of intriguing him.
But as he reflected, one thing became abundantly clear-Alicia had no idea who she'd been with due to the drug's effects.
...
By the time Alicia returned home, the first light of dawn filtered through the windows.
Only then did she realize how long she had been out. She paused at the door, gnashing her teeth angrily.
Even after she had pushed herself to the brink of collapse, he refused to let her go, as though his stamina was never-ending.
Who was supposed to be the client here?
But before she could dwell any further, her phone rang. It was her bestie, Monica Flynn, calling.
"Alicia!" Monica practically screeched from the other end of the line, her voice high-pitched with worry. "How are you now?"
Alicia exhaled deeply, kicking off her shoes carelessly. "I've been better," she murmured.
Monica's anger bubbled over, her words sharp and unrelenting. "Joshua's such a piece of shit! He's beyond disgusting! If he doesn't want to stay married, he should just grow a spine and divorce you already! What kind of sick man would scheme against his own wife?"
The sharp pain of betrayal shot through Alicia's chest.
Yesterday was their second anniversary. Joshua had texted her, suggesting they celebrate. Daring to hope he had changed, she had dressed up to the nine's, only to be met with disappointment and a drug-laced drink that sent her spiraling into a night of confusion and chaos.
Was Joshua really the mastermind behind this?
Swallowing the bitterness that tried clawing its way to the surface, Alicia forced herself to climb the stairs, her movements slow and weary. "It's fine, Monica. I'll handle it."
Monica, ever protective, wasn't convinced. "'Handle it'? What do you mean you'll handle it? Just say the word, and I'll be over in a heartbeat. I'll even put on my sharpest heels, ready to kick him in the nuts!"
Alicia couldn't help the small, tired smile that tugged at her lips, though her heart still felt heavy.
Monica's tone suddenly shifted, curiosity sparking in her voice. "But, seriously, who was that guy you were with last night?"
Alicia froze mid-step, a bad feeling creeping up her spine. "Didn't you hire that male escort for me?" she asked uneasily.
"I did call one," Monica said, her voice suddenly serious. "But you never showed up. He texted me this morning, saying he waited all night and didn't see you. So... who were you with?"
Alicia's breath hitched as the realization slammed into her.
Before she could respond, the door to her bedroom creaked open.
She lifted her gaze, and almost instantly, her stomach dropped. There, fresh from a shower, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist, stood Joshua. His damp hair clung to his forehead as he stared down at her, his voice low, menacing.
"What male escort?"
Lucien Gray, the young and powerful head of an international consortium, has always had everything within his reach-wealth, influence, and any woman he desires. But when the unassuming Nina Morrison crosses his path, something unexpected happens. She doesn't fall at his feet, nor does she seem impressed by his status. Her indifference sparks an irresistible challenge in Lucien-a desire to conquer her at all costs. Determined to make Nina his, Lucien's pursuit becomes relentless. But Nina's fiery spirit and refusal to be controlled push Lucien to his limits. With every struggle and defiance, the tension between them grows, threatening to shatter the boundaries Lucien has always maintained. Now Lucien vows to claim her as his own. Will Lucien's obsession break Nina's spirit, or will she force him to confront his deepest vulnerabilities? In a game of power and desire, who will win-and at what cost?
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!"
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."
"Miss Brown, I am the butler here at your service," the butler replied. "My master wants to buy the baby in your belly." "What?!" Does that mean the abortion didn't take place? Did they kidnap her from the operating table just to buy the baby? But why her? "You..." Alice was about to ask a question, but the man in front of her calmly continued, as if he had expected her question, "You're pregnant with his child, and he needs a child. That's all I can tell you." Alice was forced to sign a surrogacy contract and eight months later gave birth to two healthy babies. Fortunately, the man was unaware of her daughter's existence. It wasn't until five years later that fate brought them together again...
When Zora was sick during the early days of her pregnancy, Ezrah was with his first love, Piper. When Zora got into an accident and called Ezrah, he said he was busy, when in actual fact, he was buying shoes for Piper. Zora lost her baby because of the accident, and throughout her stay at the hospital, Ezrah never showed up. She already knew that he didn't love her, but that was the last straw for the camel's back, and her fragile heart could not take it anymore. When Ezrah arrived home a few days after Zora was discharged from the hospital, he no longer met the woman who always greeted him with a smile and cared for him. Zora stood at the top of the stairs and yelled with a cold expression, "Good news, Ezrah! Our baby died in a car accident. There is nothing between us anymore, so let's get a divorce." The man who claimed not to have any feelings for Zora, being cold and distant towards her, and having asked her for a divorce twice, instantly panicked.
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."