Due to her father's untimely death, Elara Harrington, 24, was named CEO of Harrington Industries. She had no idea that the business was experiencing financial problems, which led to Ashford Industries, her rival, acquiring Harrington Industries. Sebastian Ashford, the CEO of Ashford Industries a 26-year-old playboy billionaire, is a self-centered, wicked person who believes that everything revolves around him. He is left to clean up Harrington Industries' mess and baggage after his company acquired the corporation. Elara used to be the CEO of her own company, but now she is a secretary to the most selfish and egotistical billionaire. Elara eventually starts to see the true him as they become closer and barriers fall away. Will she be able to get past the billionaire's secret once his dark secret is revealed, or will the damage be too great to undo? *18+ *Includes mature content, slightly graphic scenes, and cursing*
With a sad expression on his face, my accountant told me, "I'm afraid that's the only solution."
He gave me the most shocking news of my life when we were seated in my office.
"Not at all. I yelled back, "I don't think that's the only option.
I was experiencing my worst nightmare. It seems that my father, the CEO of Harrington Industries, had been struggling financially for some time because of his gambling addiction. Although I've always known he gambles, I had no idea it was so severe that it would require the buyout of our entire business.
It would be an understatement to say that I'm embarrassed and furious. Naturally, even in his grave, my now-deceased father had to leave me to clean up his mess.
"I apologize, but this is the only approach," my accountant said, interrupting my flow of thought.
I squeezed the bridge of my nose and closed my eyes. "Who's the buyer?"
"Ashford Industries."
My eyes snapped open at once. "Over my dead fucking body."
My dad had worked so hard to build this company, and there was no way in heaven or earth that I would let our competitor buy it out.
If I let this agreement go through, all the evenings I spent at home by myself when I was younger, all the school functions dad skipped because of this blasted firm, and missing my high school and college graduations would have all been for fucking nothing.
My father and I have always been in the picture; my mother passed away after I was born.
He was not around when I spent my whole life growing this business. Even though I detest him for not being the parent I always needed and wanted, I had to make sure that I carried on my father's legacy-albeit one that was better-because I owed it to my younger self.
I'm afraid Miss Harrington, you're stuck with no other option. You will become Ashford Industries' new secretary after they buy you out. That's the best I could have done, I apologize. He said, "Your father dug a bottomless hole that even I can't get you out of," as he started arranging papers in front of me.
I slammed my fists on the desk and spat, "I would rather work at McFuckingDonalds before I work for that narcissistic bastard."
My accountant recoiled and straightened his round glasses. "The documents I placed in front of you state that you agree to Ashford Industries buying you out, and if you work with them for two years as their secretary, they will issue a loan for you to be able to build Harrington Industries back up again."
That drew my interest. "So if I work for him for two years, I'm one hundred percent guaranteed that loan?" I inquired slowly.
He gave a nod. "That's correct."
I've always struggled to swallow my pride because I'm such a self-assured and strong-willed person. However, I can tell when I've been beaten-like in this instance, for instance-when it happens.
My father's job can be completed and my company can be bought back if I work for Crap Industries for the next two years. I'm ready to endure it for the sake of my sanity, even though getting relegated to a secretary will probably be worse than breaking up. Should I turn this opportunity down and allow Harrington Industries to be acquired indefinitely, I would never be able to live with myself.
"Where do I sign?" With a defeated tone, I inquired.
With a smile, my accountant gestured to multiple lines on the paperwork that were in front of me.
"Ashford Industries expects you to report to work tomorrow at precisely 6 AM; an employee will be available to provide you with additional information. "Remain optimistic about this company; you will overcome this obstacle," he remarked softly while gathering the signed paperwork and packing it in his briefcase.
I escorted him out of my office with a tiny grin on my face and thanked him for his good remarks. I groaned and leaned my head against the door, wondering what in the world had just transpired. It still amazes me that I essentially gave up my life for the next two years.
My new world will start tomorrow, and I wouldn't be telling the truth if I didn't feel nervous. This will be the biggest adjustment of my life, and I've always dreaded change. Nevertheless, I'm going to keep my half of the bargain and do whatever it takes to get my company back, even if it means giving the devil my life.
--
The night before her engagement, Valerie was tricked by her boyfriend and stepsister into spending the night with a stranger. After the night together, the man vanished. Later, her boyfriend accused her of cheating, revealing his affair with her stepsister. Pressured by her father, Valerie married an unconscious man in place of her stepsister. Valerie exposed the scheme, sabotaged her father’s ambitions, and transformed herself. When her husband woke and chased her to the airport, she calmly refused him, saying, "It's over between us." He held her firmly. "You married me, so you must commit."
The dream of everyone with regards to marriage is to be able to find that special someone and settle down with them. Even arranged marriages grant you an opportunity to meet your partner briefly before the wedding. How will you feel about waking up in the morning with someone sleeping next to you who is not just anyone but your legally married partner yet with no memory of how that had happened in just a few hours of going out the previous day? This is the story of Jason Haward and Julia Harrison, two strangers trapped in a marriage they never planned. The quest to find out why led to the unfolding of a mystery which made them realize they are both living a lie. To find out more, read this amazing story of love, betrayal, revenge and murder.
Her fiance and her best friend worked together and set her up. She lost everything and died in the street. However, she was reborn. The moment she opened her eyes, her husband was trying to strangle her. Luckily, she survived that. She signed the divorce agreement without hesitation and was ready for her miserable life. To her surprise, her mother in this life left her a great deal of money. She turned the tables and avenged herself. Everything went well in her career and love when her ex-husband came to her.
"You're mine, little puppy," Kylan growled against my neck. A soft gasp escaped my lips as his lips brushed my skin. My mind screamed at me to push him away-the Lycan Prince who had humiliated me again and again, but my body betrayed me, leaning into him before I could stop myself. He pressed his lips against mine, and his kiss grew more aggressive, more possessive as I felt my legs weaken. What was I doing? In a split-second, I pulled away and slapped him hard across the face. Kylan's eyes darkened, but the smirk on his lips exposed his amusement. "You and I both know we can't fight this, Violet," he said, gripping my wrist. "You're my mate." "And yet you don't want me," I replied. "You told me you were ashamed of me, that l'd never be your queen, that you'd never love me. So please, accept my rejection and let me go." "Never," he whispered, his grip tightening as he pulled me closer. "Soon enough, you'll be begging for me. and when you do-I'll use you as I see fit and then I'll reject you."
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."
She escorted her husband to be crowned as the Emperor, but the day he took power became the day all her family members were slain brutally. She was reborn five years ago when her parents were healthy and alive, and she was unmarried. Above all, nothing started yet. Ye Muxi swore to take her revenge to eliminate all the regrets she committed in her previous life. Carrying the memories she collected for these five years, a weak Miss, who always got bullied, had transformed attractively. She protected her younger brother and stamped on the scum cheater. She took every step seriously and always took action first.  However, how did she accidentally enthrall this scheming and handsome Royal Master? She killed people, and he set the fire. She poisoned someone, and he killed others.  If she was willing to love only one person in the world, then he would spoil her all her life and stay with her forever. … … A couple, both invincible, held hands together. He would be loyal to her until he died.Â