Synopsis He was the most powerful man in the city, feared by everyone and known for his devilishly handsome face. Raymond Ray had everything anyone could desire-wealth, influence, and respect. Yet, he harbored no interest in women. It all began as a scheme to extort money from him. Ariana found herself trapped in a marriage she never wanted. It wasn't that she was opposed to marriage, but certainly not to the most dangerous man in the city. Her aunt lied to the world, claiming that Raymond had gotten Ariana pregnant and refused to take responsibility, all in a bid to swindle him. But the truth was far from that-Ariana wasn't pregnant, nor had she ever been close to Raymond. To everyone's shock, instead of denying the accusations, Raymond announced his intention to marry her. He knew it was all a lie, but he had a plan-a dangerous one. He would make Ariana pay for daring to play with fire. And whoever plays with fire always gets burned.
Chapter 1
Raymond's POV
They call me ruthless. Calculating. The devil in a custom suit.
It's all true. I've earned those titles and wear them like armor. Every deal, every victory, every enemy crushed beneath my polished shoes-each one has built this reputation. But as I sit at the head of the boardroom table, staring at the morning's entertainment on the projector screen-a recording of Ariana's aunt spinning her absurd story-I feel something unusual.
Amusement.
No one has ever dared something this desperate with me. Forcing a pregnancy scandal? Laughable. I have no interest in women-none. They're deceitful, dangerous, and endlessly calculating in their games of manipulation. I've spent my life ensuring I never fall into their traps. Or so I thought.
"She's bold," I mutter, leaning back in my chair as the video replays. Ariana's aunt, crocodile tears streaming, accuses me of ruining her precious niece's life. The headlines plastered beneath the footage scream: City's Most Feared Bachelor Caught in Scandalous Affair.
"Shall we address this in court, Mr. Ray?" Simon, my head of legal, asks, his tone careful, as though he's walking on glass. He adjusts his tie, avoiding my gaze. He knows better than to look me in the eye when I'm in this kind of mood.
"No." I steeple my fingers, my eyes fixed on the freeze-frame of the aunt's overly dramatic face. "We won't waste time with lawyers."
"Should I arrange for... a visit?" Simon ventures, his voice low and deliberate.
A faint smirk tugs at the corner of my lips. "Not yet."
The room falls into tense silence. No one dares to speak out of turn, knowing how thin the ice is under them. But my mind isn't on the aunt or her ridiculous lies-it's on the girl at the center of this mess. Ariana.
I don't recall ever meeting her, but the tabloids have plastered her face everywhere. Wide, frightened eyes. A quiet, undeniable beauty. She looks like someone who doesn't belong in my world, someone who couldn't survive even a day in it.
And yet, here she is.
"Sir?" Simon prods, clearly unnerved by my silence.
"She lied," I say softly, my tone sharp enough to cut glass. "But not convincingly enough to bother me." I pause, letting the tension hang in the air before adding, "That doesn't mean I'll let it slide."
Simon clears his throat, his brow furrowed. "What's the plan, then?"
I stand, straightening my cuffs with deliberate precision. "Marriage."
Simon chokes on his coffee. "Excuse me?"
"Marriage," I repeat, savoring the weight of the word. "Announce it publicly. Tell the media I've claimed responsibility and that the wedding is imminent."
"But... why?" Simon blurts, his professional mask slipping for the first time. "You don't even know this girl."
"Exactly," I say, my smirk widening. "I don't know her, but I will. And when I do, I'll make sure she regrets letting her aunt drag me into this charade."
Simon frowns, crossing his arms in a rare display of defiance. "And if she's just another pawn?"
"She's not just a pawn," I say, my tone hardening. "She's going to be useful.
Simon raises an eyebrow, waiting for me to elaborate.
"Do you think I don't hear the whispers in the boardroom?" I ask, my voice cold. "The questions about my personal life? They've been circling like vultures for months, pressuring me to settle down. Marrying this girl kills two birds with one stone."
Simon exhales sharply, realization dawning. "You're using her to shut them up."
"Precisely," I say, my smirk returning. "This scandal plays right into my hands. By marrying Ariana, I silence the board and take control of the narrative."
"And if she doesn't cooperate?"
"She will," I reply firmly. "She doesn't have a choice."
Simon still looks skeptical but nods. "Understood."
"I want the wedding tomorrow," I add, my tone leaving no room for debate.
Simon freezes mid-step, turning to look at me as though I've gone mad. "Tomorrow? That's..." He falters.
"I hate delays," I say, already heading for the door.
As I make my way to the parking lot, I can feel the whispers of my staff trailing behind me like shadows. Let them talk. Let them speculate. None of it matters.
I drive through the city, the familiar streets passing in a blur. My mind races with the details of what needs to happen next. By the time I arrive home, the plan is crystal clear.
Dinner is waiting when I step inside, but I barely taste it. The maids hover in the background, whispering amongst themselves. It's always the same: fear and curiosity. They've learned to keep their distance, but I can feel their eyes on me.
After dinner, I head to my room, loosening my tie as I go. Stripping down to my undershirt, I collapse onto the bed.
Tomorrow will be a long day.
Tomorrow, I get married.
I pick up my phone and send a text to the handful of people who need to be there. No big wedding. Keep it simple. Attendance mandatory.
The message is cold, clinical, and leaves no room for excuses.
As I set the phone down, my thoughts wander back to Ariana. Her image has been burned into my mind since the moment I saw it. Those wide eyes, that hint of fear-she's different. And I don't know why that bothers me.
But it doesn't matter.
This isn't about her. It's about me. My power. My reputation. She has to pay the price of making fake reports about me.
What did she think? Just ruined my reputation and walk away.
No! Things aren't done like that, especially in my world.
Tomorrow, I'll take what I want. And she'll have no choice but to fall in line.
Standing by the hallway, lost in thoughts as she admired the grand look of the mansion. She heard a cry from the hallway and then a little figure hugging her so tight! "Mommy, why did you leave me and Dad?!"
"Wa..wh-wha-what do you mean?". Lizzy stuttered as everything happening here sounded like joke m "I'm what...?" She yelled. "You're pregnant Lizzy". The doctor answered. Lizzy fell silent at this sudden need. Love is sacrificial! For love, there are things you have to risk at times.. be it... Personality, wealth, career, just name it! All Lizzy could remember was getting drunk, seeing her aggressive boyfriend about to abuse her and then a savior whom she felt safe in his arms. That was the only memory that played in her head .. the next thing was getting pregnant for her saviour whom she doesn't know from Adams. His name, identity, personality just made her curious and nervous! The only thing that occured to her was she had a one night stand with a stranger! What happens when she has to give up her career? Would that saviour save her from bringing up the child alone? Would that saviour just love and care for the child in her even if he doesn't consider her? Find out fams as your ride on in this intriguing life surrounding Lizzy! 😍
He's arrogant. Kim Tae Hyun, aged forty five. A fashion designer best known in Korea. He is known for his fame and riches. He order with just the snap of his fingers but it changed when he met Eun Ae, a crazy girl, a lowlife breed. Just their first encounter, the dogs could cry... In the verge for a job, she founds his secret. "You... You... are...a v-a-m-p-i-r-e" She said stammering spelling the word out.. HE'S A VAMPIRE.. HE SUCKS, KILLS AND DOES NOT GIVE A DAMN... Now that a human knows, what would become of her?? Will she go scot-free? Find out..
This book is about a couple, who never loved each other. They got married by contract and gave birth to a girl child by mistake and lust. This contract soon had to be terminated, but there is no way out... Bryan, the husband, never had time for his family, he was more concerned about his business. But you know what? He was a criminal with pretence in him. Why don't you read this book filled with contents like love, hypocrisy, crisis,criminal act,mystery and high school love. When Bryan faces a lot of challenges with his wife who cant cope with him anymore. She decides to move on. There is also another set of lovers in high school who starts their relationship with curses and fight. One has to revenge the mother's death and the other, find his real father. Love therefore penetrates into them but many obstacles comes their way.... Enjoy reading😀😀🤩
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
Betrayed by her mate and sister on the eve of her wedding, Makenna was handed to the ruthless Lycan Princes as a lover, her indifferent father ignoring her plight. Determined to escape and seek revenge, she captured the interest of the three Lycan princes, who desired her exclusively amid many admirers. This complicated her plans, trapping her and making her a rival to the future Lycan queen. Entwined in jealousy and vindictiveness, could Makenna achieve her vengeance in the intricate dance with the three princes?
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."
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."
"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."
"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.]