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Serena has to accept her greedy father and evil stepmother's arrangement to marry a dying man, Matthew Harrington, in order to save her seriously ill grandmother. Everyone laughed at Serena, ridiculing her for becoming a widow at such a young age. But it didn't occur to those foolish people that after the marriage Serena was completely free and began a plan for revenge without a care in the world! What's even more unexpected is that her husband is the mysterious boss she's always admired! *** Matthew Harrington, rumored to be dead, is actually the heir to the richest family, the mysterious genius entrepreneur. Matthew was hoping to settle this ridiculous marriage with a two-year contract, but then he realized that Serena did seem to be different from other women... But just as he's delivering with all his heart, the woman actually disappears! *** (Sample) "Boss, when it comes to matters of men and women, we should be equal. Besides, even if you like me, it's unrequited love. I've declined your advances from the beginning. You had no right to inform Grandpa." Matthew responded with a mocking smile. "I like YOU?" In response to Matthew's mocking words, Serena clenched her teeth, took a deep breath, and was about to respond when the hospital door swung open, and the doctor entered the room. "Sir, please sign this document. If you're not comfortable, a family member can sign on your behalf," the doctor explained, holding out the paper. Given his weakened condition, Matthew had no desire to get out of bed. He glanced at Serena and indicated that she should sign. Serena, looking perplexed, turned her head to the doctor. "Why are you looking at me? The doctor said a FAMILY MEMBER should sign it, and I'm not your family." Matthew's lips curved into a thin, mocking smile, and a flicker of frustration passed through his eyes. "If you're not my family, then am I married to a ghost?" WHAT?!
In the hospital corridor, the atmosphere was like ice.
Serena felt her chest tighten and wondered how this sudden news would change her life.
"Are you deaf? I'm telling you again! THE WEDDING is in the THREE DAYS later!"
The women yelling angrily was Michelle, Serena's stepmother.
She stood there with distant and disgusted expression even on her exquisitely made-up face, her voice full of ruthlessness and mockery, looking very impatiently at the quiet and silent young woman in front of her.
Serena froze in place with her head down, the news like a pot of cold water suddenly poured over her head, catching her off guard.
She slowly looked up at the hideous woman in front of her and snapped softly,
"Me?"
Faced with Serena's insensitivity, Michelle couldn't hide her displeasure.
She scowled as if Serena was a lowly, insignificant person, her words filled with coldness and sarcasm,
"Don't you dare put on a pity face! Thank your good father for that! Otherwise you wouldn't have been able to marry Matthew Harrington, bitch!"
Harrington?
Serena knew that the Harrington family were the richest family in all of Hustleburg, if not the country, synonymous with wealth and power.
It sounded like the perfect marriage.
But it was Matthew.
Word on the street was that he suffered from a severe health condition and was on the brink of death.
It had been a long time since he'd been seen in public, and the rumors seemed to hold a grain of truth...
And the so-called 'good father' Michelle was talking about had no qualms about using her like a cheap commodity for a good cause.
Serena chuckled softly at the realization.
She had once believed that her father was deceived by her stepmother, and that he had distanced himself from her out of necessity.
But now, it was clear she had been overly naive.
Michelle noticed the change in her expression as she raised her hand to remove her sunglasses and looked at Serena with disdain,
"What, happy now? All right, it's as good as it gets for someone like you, a bitch."
Serena looked up with a mocking expression and retorted, "It's about time you fought for something good for your own daughter, isn't it?"
It was the first time Serena tried to fight back, she felt the fire burning inside her, but in the very next second...
SLAP--
A resounding slap struck Serena's face, causing her head to snap to the side and her cheek to burn for a brief moment.
Michelle didn't hesitate to raise her voice to threaten her, "Who the HELL do you think you are? The way you're talking to me RIGHT NOW, you should have been DEAD long ago!"
"I'm warning you. We've already promised them. When the time comes, even if we have to tie you up, we'll do that!"
Serena lowered her gaze, her hand gently caressing her numbing cheek, her courage and anger seemingly shattered by the blow.
Michelle, perhaps thinking that verbal threats were not enough, raised her chin slightly and swept her eyes in the direction of the hospital room,
"Bitch, I strongly advise you to be on time, and If you attempt to escape, I will have the dialysis tubes removed right now and then I will have Alex FUCK you!"
Alex, Michelle's son, had long lusted Serena's beauty.
If Michelle hadn't wanted her husband to get suspicious, she would have let Alex rape her!
Serena's fists clenched, a mix of anger and despair surging through her like a tidal wave, but with an underlying sense of powerlessness.
Michelle had a firm grip on Serena's vulnerability, and she couldn't fight back.
She needed their support to cover her grandmother's medical bills, which was the root cause of her inability to escape this hell.
Just yesterday, Serena had turned down the opportunity to pursue her J.D. to work and earn money more quickly.
But evidently, her grandmother couldn't wait any longer.
Serena gazed down at her shoes, took a deep breath, and finally gritted her teeth, accepting her fate. "I'll be there."
"Wouldn't it have been easier if you had been this reasonable from the start? That old woman in there might have suffered a little less, and it would have been easier for you," Michelle sneered, as if expecting Serena's capitulation, and she donned her sunglasses once more.
"After you get married, your punk husband will be responsible for the remaining medical bills."
With that, she turned and sauntered away, leaving behind an air of arrogance.
Only when Michelle's figure had completely vanished at the end of the corridor did Serena turn around.
Suddenly, her legs felt weak, and she bent over, leaning against the doorframe.
Through the window, she saw her grandmother on dialysis, barely clinging to life.
"Granny, I'm sorry."
She hadn't kept her promise, and yet she had given in...
***
Three days later, the wedding day finally arrived.
However, there was no wedding.
The Harrington family simply sent a chauffeur to pick up Serena.
There was no ceremony, no beautiful cake, no exquisite wedding dress, no well-wishing guests, and even the groom didn't show up.
But Serena didn't mind.
This marriage wasn't worth celebrating, and the fewer people who knew, the better.
It would make the impending divorce easier to handle.
The driver expertly stepped out of the car and took Serena's luggage from her hand.
He glanced behind Serena and asked, "Madam, is there any other..."
"No more luggage, that's all," Serena interrupted him matter-of-factly.
A hint of surprise flashed in the driver's eyes.
Even if Serena's family wasn't considered wealthy, they were still a business family.
How could she have only one suitcase?
Many girls would have 3-4 suitcases filled with luxury clothes for a trip, not to mention a situation like this...
Serena found it ironic to see the shock in the driver's eyes, as no one would believe the life she had endured all these years.
The driver sees Serena's indifferent expression and realizes that he's offended the new owner a bit, he quickly puts away his shocked expression and raises his hand,
"Madam, please"
Serena nodded gently and walked down the steps to get in, but that's when Michelle called Serena to a halt.
"Serena!" her tone was full of warning and threat, though she did her best to hide it.
She forced out a fake smile that looked like the driver's and said quietly,
"There's something I want to talk to her about."
The driver responded quickly, "Of course," picked up Serena's suitcase, approached the car, and promptly took his place in the driver's seat to avoid hearing any further exchange between them.
Michelle wiped away her false smile and spoke vindictively to Serena, "Do as you're told, or I can't guarantee your grandma's well-being!"
Serena stared coldly at the loathsome woman in front of her, her thoughts drifting to her cold and heartless father.
She knew exactly what they expected from her, but Serena had made up her mind.
She was leaving this place, and someone would take care of her grandmother's medical bills.
There was no reason to comply with their demands.
Thinking of her granny, Serena recalled something crucial.
With a spring in her step, she inquired, "Where's my mother's bracelet?"
Her granny had mentioned that her mother always wore a bracelet, a significant and cherished possession for Serena.
The bracelet held substantial value, but her mother had sold it to support her father Stephen when he was starting his business.
When her father's business had prospered, he had repurchased the bracelet.
It wasn't just a piece of jewelry.
It symbolized a significant part of Stephen's business belonging to Serena's mother, and one day she intended to reclaim it.
Serena had asked her father for it countless times, and he had promised to give it to her on her wedding day.
Now the day had come.
Michelle regarded Serena with disdain and callously replied, "The bracelet is missing.!"
"Missing?" Serena narrowed her eyes inquisitively.
Michelle remained unfazed by Serena's probing and continued to issue orders, "That's irrelevant. You..."
Recognizing Michelle's obstinate attitude, Serena realized that trying to obtain the bracelet today would be futile, and she didn't want to engage in a fruitless argument.
Without waiting for Michelle to finish her sentence, Serena rolled her eyes and briskly entered the black Spyker, commanding, "Just go."
The car quickly started, pulling away, and Serena observed Michelle's frozen expression in the rearview mirror, a small smirk playing at the corner of her mouth.
She is not going to be manipulated again, NEVER!
Chloe Miler, a naïve young woman, waits shyly to spend Valentine's Day with her boyfriend, but is betrayed on that day when she witnesses him entangled in bed with her own sister. Chloe's heart is broken when her heartfelt love for him is trampled on in an instant. *** Lionel Williams, the mysterious billionaire, the top of the pyramid, is handsome as hell. His eyes are set high, but he is drugged, has a one-night stand with a strange woman, and is humiliated by that unknowing woman with her money! His instincts tell him it's not that simple, and he's going to find her out!
6 years ago, Lydia suffered a brutal betrayal orchestrated by her own husband and step-sister, who drugged her and framed her. In a twist of fate, she ended up having a one-night stand with a stranger. Don't even remember what he looked like. Later, in the throes of death, she discovered the truth about her mother's death all those years ago. In the blink of an eye, she lost everything. 6 years later, Lydia returned with her genius son, vowing to exact revenge on all her enemies! Little did she know, she encountered an incredibly familiar man at the airport! *** The man was briskly pushing open the door to the restroom, heading to the urinal. Even with such a mundane action, he did it with unparalleled elegance and grace. Lydia, following him in a daze, saw his fierce lower body and suddenly snapped back to reality. She let out a high-pitched scream, instinctively covering her eyes with her hands, her cheeks flushed, and stood there stiffly, unsure of what to do. Lambert furrowed his brows slightly but remained calm as he continued to relieve himself. The sound of water hitting the urinal made Lydia's face even redder. She angrily shouted, "You pervert!" Little did Lydia know that Lambert, seeing her in this state, had a flicker of recognition in his eyes. Memories from many years ago flashed through his mind, and his heart couldn't help but stir. It was her!
Three years ago, Cecilia was left battered and alone by the man she loved most, Alston, yet she bravely completed the wedding ceremony while pregnant. Three years later, although they were married, they grew apart over time. Cecilia focused on her career, no longer foolishly believing in love. But her transformation instantly threw Alston into a panic... And what is the secret from 11 years ago that Cecilia has always been reluctant to reveal? *** "She went to a law firm, met with a lawyer..." A lawyer? Is Cecilia suing someone? Who? Is there any recent litigation against the company? Alston suddenly chuckled coldly, "Who could she sue? I'm the CEO of this company. How come such a matter doesn't come to me first?" The assistant swallowed nervously, speaking softly, "Sir, there's no litigation against the company. She met with... a divorce lawyer."
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it all—from standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.
June Rivera was divorced by her husband after three years of marriage because he wanted to be with her sister who was pregnant for him. Kicked to the curb with a divorce and rejected by her parents,she struggles to make ends meet and get a job until she saves Luis Ambrose from an accident - the only child of Rafael Ambrose, a widowed man and the CEO of Ambrose Corporation. When little Luis asks to have her as a nanny, and Rafael's mother pressures him to get married, they draw a contract. To be Luis's nanny and his fake wife for one year in exchange for 50 million dollars!
The day Lilah found out that she was pregnant, she caught her fiancé cheating on her. Her remorseless fiancé and his mistress almost killed her. Lilah fled for her dear life. When she returned to her hometown five years later, she happened to save a little boy's life. The boy's father turned out to be the world's richest man. Everything changed for Lilah from that moment. The man didn't let her experience any inconvenience. When her ex-fiancé bullied her, he crushed the scumbag's family and also rented out an entire island just to give Lilah a break from all the drama. He also taught Lilah's hateful father a lesson. He crushed all her enemies before she even asked. When Lilah's vile sister threw herself at him, he showed her a marriage certificate and said, "I'm happily married and my wife is much more beautiful than you are!" Lilah was shocked. "When did we ever get married? Last I checked, I was still single." With a wicked smile, he said, "Honey, we've been married for five years. Isn't it about time we had another child together?" Lilah's jaw dropped to the floor. What the hell was he talking about?
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"