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Grace Parker has dedicated her life to helping others, but when her nonprofit is on the verge of collapse, she's forced to strike a deal with the last man she ever wanted to rely on: Sebastian Cole. Cold, calculating, and devastatingly handsome, Sebastian offers to save her charity but only if she agrees to play the role of his fiancée in a high-stakes business negotiation. What starts as a business arrangement quickly spirals out of control when a single night of passion leaves Grace with a life altering secret. As their fake relationship begins to feel all too real, Grace and Sebastian are drawn together by more than just their shared goals. But standing in their way are Sebastian's manipulative ex, Natasha Blake, and his ruthless rival, Henry Adler, who will stop at nothing to destroy everything Grace and Sebastian have built. When lies, betrayal, and secrets threaten to tear them apart, Grace and Sebastian must confront their deepest fears and decide if the love they've found is worth fighting for.
The grand ballroom shimmered with opulence, its gilded chandeliers casting a golden glow over the sea of glittering gowns and tailored suits. Grace Parker stood on the edge of the room, her fingers clutching the stem of an untouched champagne flute. She felt out of place amidst the grandeur, her simple emerald dress, though elegant, a stark contrast to the ostentatious displays of wealth surrounding her. The whispers of designer names and stock market victories buzzed in the air like an exclusive language she didn't speak.
"This is ridiculous," she muttered under her breath. Her heels pinched her toes-a cruel reminder that tonight wasn't just about appearances. It was about survival.
Across the room, her gaze landed on the man she'd been dreading to approach. Sebastian Cole. He was standing near the bar, his posture effortlessly commanding as he exchanged a few words with an older gentleman who looked eager to please. Sebastian's charcoal suit fit his lean, powerful frame like it had been stitched onto him, the crisp white shirt underneath emphasizing the sharp angles of his jawline. He wasn't smiling-he rarely did-but his presence was magnetic. Even from a distance, Grace could feel the pull of him.
Her stomach tightened. It wasn't just nerves; it was resentment. Men like him-the ruthless, untouchable kind-never cared about people like her. But tonight, she didn't have the luxury of pride.
Taking a breath, she began weaving her way through the crowd, dodging clinking glasses and overly enthusiastic laughter. As she approached, the faintest flicker of his gaze shifted to her, sharp and assessing. For a moment, she froze under the intensity of his dark eyes, but she forced her feet to keep moving.
"Sebastian Cole?" Her voice was steady, even if her heart was anything but.
He turned fully to face her, his expression cool and impassive. Up close, he was even more intimidating-tall, broad-shouldered, and exuding a calm authority that didn't need to prove itself.
"You have me at a disadvantage," he said, his voice smooth and measured, like the roll of velvet.
"Grace Parker," she replied, straightening her shoulders. "Founder of Hope Haven."
Something flickered in his gaze-recognition, maybe curiosity-but it was gone as quickly as it came. "Ah, the charity worker. I've heard about you."
Grace bristled at the faint condescension in his tone but kept her composure. "I'll take that as a compliment."
He tilted his head slightly, studying her. "What brings you here tonight, Ms. Parker? This doesn't seem like your usual scene."
"It's not," she admitted, holding his gaze. "But I need your help."
A corner of his mouth quirked upward, though it wasn't a smile-it was something colder, more calculating. "And what kind of help could a charity worker possibly need from me?"
Her fingers tightened around the champagne flute she still hadn't taken a sip from. "Henry Adler has been sabotaging my organization. He's blacklisted us with investors, tanked our sponsorship deals, and spread false rumors about our financial stability. Hope Haven is on the brink of collapse."
Sebastian didn't react immediately, and Grace wondered if he even cared. His expression remained unreadable, though his gaze didn't waver from hers.
"And you think I can fix that?" he asked finally.
"I know you can," she said, her voice firm despite the growing lump in her throat. "You have connections, influence. One endorsement from you could bring back the investors we've lost-or at least keep Hope Haven afloat long enough to recover."
He leaned back slightly, his hand resting on the bar as he regarded her with a mixture of amusement and intrigue. "You make a compelling argument. But I don't make a habit of getting involved in other people's battles, Ms. Parker. Especially not without something in return."
Grace swallowed the sharp retort that rose to her lips. She'd expected this-Sebastian Cole wasn't known for his generosity. "Name your price," she said quietly, though her stomach twisted at the words.
For the first time, his expression softened into something almost resembling interest. He stepped closer, and the world around them seemed to fade, the din of the crowd a distant hum.
"You're bold," he said, his voice low. "I admire that. But my terms aren't monetary, Ms. Parker. If I'm going to help you, it's going to cost you more than a check."
Her pulse quickened. "What do you mean?"
He hesitated, as if weighing his words. Then, with the precision of a man used to winning, he said, "I need you to play a role for me. A fiancée. A convincing one."
The air seemed to leave the room. Grace stared at him, stunned. "A fiancée?"
Sebastian nodded, his gaze unwavering. "I'm in the middle of negotiating a deal with a particularly old-fashioned investor. He values family and stability. A single man in my position is a liability to him, but a man about to settle down? That's a different story."
Grace's mouth went dry. "You want me to pretend to be engaged to you in exchange for saving Hope Haven?"
He nodded again, his expression calm, as if he hadn't just dropped a bomb on her life. "Exactly. It's a simple arrangement. Temporary. Beneficial for both of us."
Her instinct was to refuse, to tell him exactly what she thought of his arrogance and audacity. But then she thought of the shelter, of the women and children who depended on it. She thought of Henry Adler and the smug satisfaction he'd have if she failed.
"How long would this... arrangement last?" she asked cautiously.
"Six months," he said without hesitation. "Long enough to finalize the deal and ensure the investor's confidence."
Grace hesitated, her mind racing. She'd come here to fight for her cause, not to sell her dignity to the highest bidder. But as much as she hated to admit it, Sebastian was her best-maybe her only-chance.
"Fine," she said finally, her voice quieter than she intended. "But I have conditions."
One of his eyebrows arched, and for the first time, a genuine smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Do you now?"
"Yes," she said, her resolve hardening. "This is a business deal, nothing more. No lies, no manipulation, and no..." She faltered, her cheeks flushing slightly. "No unnecessary intimacy."
His smile widened, and it was disarming in a way she hadn't expected. "Noted. But I have conditions too, Ms. Parker. Starting with the fact that, from this moment forward, you belong to my world. And I don't tolerate half-measures."
The finality in his voice sent a shiver down her spine. Grace didn't know whether she'd just made the best decision of her life-or the worst.
A cold-hearted billionaire. A headstrong florist drowning in debt. A contract that binds them in a marriage of convenience-with no room for love. Xavier Harrington is a man who controls everything-his business, his reputation, his emotions. When a billion-dollar deal requires him to appear as a devoted husband, he does what he does best: he makes an offer no one can refuse. Mia Brooks never imagined she'd sign a contract to be a billionaire's wife, but with her flower shop on the verge of collapse, she has no choice. The rules are simple-no feelings, no attachments, and absolutely no falling in love. But behind Xavier's icy demeanor lies a scarred past and a desire he can't control. And behind Mia's defiance is a heart that refuses to be tamed. As passion blurs the lines of their arrangement, secrets surface, enemies close in, and a betrayal from the past threatens to destroy everything. When the contract ends, will Xavier let Mia go... or will he risk everything to make her stay?
Sebastian Hale is a man who gets what he wants-until his father, Gregory Hale, threatens to destroy everything he's built unless he agrees to a marriage of convenience. Trapped in his father's ruthless game, Sebastian's only option is to marry Ivy Collins, a fiery journalist with secrets of her own. For Ivy, the marriage is a means to an end. Marrying Sebastian gives her access to the Hale family empire-and the chance to expose their darkest secrets. But what begins as a cold business arrangement soon ignites into a fiery passion neither of them can resist. As the lines between love and betrayal blur, Ivy discovers the truth about Sebastian's family, including a devastating secret that could destroy them both. With Gregory pulling the strings, Ivy and Sebastian must decide whether to fight for each other-or lose everything in the process.
Lucas Sterling has everything money, power, and a reputation as the city's most eligible bachelor. But behind the charm and billion-dollar smile lies a man scarred by betrayal and convinced love is nothing more than a liability. Emily Harper is his complete opposite a spirited schoolteacher with a passion for helping others and no patience for arrogant playboys like Lucas. When fate throws them together, sparks fly, and Lucas finds himself captivated by the one woman who refuses to fall for his charm. As Emily challenges Lucas to confront his demons, a shadow from his past resurfaces. Isabella Royce, his cunning ex-lover, is determined to reclaim him at any cost even if it means destroying everything Lucas holds dear. Can Emily's love tame the heart of a man who's built walls around it? Or will Isabella's schemes shatter their fragile bond before it has a chance to bloom?
Trapped in a marriage she never wanted, Lily Hart is thrust into the cold, calculating world of billionaire CEO Adrian Blackwood. He married her only to claim her father's company, and his resentment is as intense as his possessiveness. Behind his mask of power and wealth, Adrian harbors a dark affection for his mistress, Celeste. a beauty with a vengeful soul and her sights set firmly on destroying Lily. In Adrian's world, love is as elusive as freedom, and for Lily, it's nowhere to be found. She's nothing but a pawn, forced to endure his cruelty and trapped in a twisted game of control and desire. But as the walls close in and secrets unravel, Adrian's indifference begins to shift into something else, something possessive and obsessive that even he can't deny. Lily must find the strength to survive in a world built to shatter her and face the question: will she ever escape Adrian's ruthless grasp, or will she be forever bound to a man who will do anything to keep her?
Emilia Rosemont never expected her life to turn into a gilded cage. Forced into a marriage with billionaire CEO Alessandro DiLaurentis, she becomes a pawn in a twisted game of family legacy and cruel ambition. For Alex, the marriage is nothing more than an obligation one he despises and resents. His heart belongs to another, and he doesn't hide his disdain for the wife he was forced to marry. Trapped in his world of wealth and power, Emilia endures his coldness, his cruelty, and the haunting knowledge that her husband will never love her. But as Alex's possessiveness grows, so does his conflicted desire, leaving Emilia ensnared in a web of hate, obsession, and forbidden attraction. With his seductive mistress, Vanessa, pulling the strings from the shadows, Emilia realizes that escape might be impossible. In this dark billionaire romance of love and betrayal, Emilia must find the strength to survive a man who both despises and craves her, in a world where everyone has a price and love is the ultimate sacrifice. Will she ever be free, or is she destined to remain the Surrogate Wife forever?
Sophia Russo never imagined she'd be standing on the auction block, her future sold to the highest bidder to save her mother's life. But when desperation drove her to a world of danger and dark desires, she came face to face with Dante DeLuca Milan's ruthless Mafia King. Cold, possessive, and unstoppable, Dante didn't just buy her freedom; he claimed her soul. Trapped in his luxurious mansion, Sophia vows to escape and protect her heart from the man who controls her every move. Yet, with every heated glance and forbidden touch, she finds herself drawn deeper into his world of power and seduction. Two years later, just when she's ready to break free, Sophia becomes a pawn in a deadly mafia war. Dante will risk everything to save her, but as the past unravels, shocking secrets surface forcing Sophia to question whether she can ever truly escape him... or if she even wants to. In this high-stakes game of love and danger, is it better to run from the devil or fall for him completely?
She was the notorious Alana Wilson, a shameful daughter of the Wilson family. Her reputation went downhill after she broke her engagement with her fiance, Albert Harris. They pointed finger at her, calling her a cheater. However, in truth, who was the cheater here? Alana would do anything she could to have her engagement with Albert broken, even if it meant sacrificing her own reputation. Ten years of abuse she endured in her last life was enough. She made sure that in this life, she would never marry that cheating bastard again. As her previous crush, as well as her brother's best friend, Lorenzo Miller is now back to the country, what would happen to her already messed up life? Especially when her ex-fiance also didn't want to leave her alone. Sequel is out now! Rebirth of the Billionaire's Vengeful Actress Wife
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."
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."
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.
Allison fell in love with Ethan Iversen, the soon-to-be Alpha of the Moonlight Crown pack. She always wanted him to notice her. Meanwhile, Ethan was an arrogant Alpha who thought a weak Omega could not be his companion. Ethan's cousin, Ryan Iversen, who came back from abroad and was the actual heir of the pack, never tried to get the position nor did he show any interest in it. He was a popular playboy Alpha but when he came back to the pack, one thing captured his eyes and that was Allison.
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.