Alicia Hayes is a talented interior designer juggling the pressure of raising her younger brother, Noah, while trying to rebuild her life after escaping a toxic relationship. She's sworn off controlling men-especially the rich and powerful. But when an unexpected job offer pulls her into the world of Alexander Blackwood, a cold and arrogant billionaire bound by an arranged engagement, her resolve is tested. Alicia's heart isn't the only thing at risk. An obsessed ex refuses to let go, a mysterious enemy hides in the shadows, and as chaos unfolds, the people closest to them are keeping secrets. Meanwhile, Noah faces his own challenges navigating young love and high school rivalries-unaware that his world is about to collide with Alicia's dangerous new reality. In a story of love, betrayal, and hidden motives, Alicia will have to decide whether to guard her heart-or risk everything for a man who might break it.
The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the small but cozy apartment, cutting through the cool morning air. Sunlight spilled through the kitchen window, casting a warm glow across the pale blue walls and the mess Alicia Hayes had yet to clean up. Empty cereal bowls cluttered the counter. Her half-drunk cup of coffee sat next to her laptop, the screen glowing with the never-ending list of bills she had to pay.
She rubbed her temples, trying to wash away the ache that had settled behind her eyes since last night. Another sleepless night. Another anxiety-filled morning.
"You're gonna be late, Noah!" Alicia called out, forcing some cheer into her voice. She didn't need her little brother worrying about her, not when his life was supposed to be simpler. Carefree.
"I'm not gonna be late," Noah shouted back, his voice muffled from behind his closed bedroom door. "Relax, Mom."
Alicia rolled her eyes, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Watch it, kid," she warned, but there was no real bite in her voice.
At seventeen, Noah had mastered the art of pushing her buttons. Some days, it drove her insane. On other days, like today, it was the only thing keeping her from drowning under the weight of responsibility.
She checked the time, 7:15 AM. If he didn't get moving, he'd miss the bus. Again.
Moments later, Noah strolled into the kitchen, wearing his usual confident smirk and a hoodie two sizes too big. His dark hair was a mess, sticking out in every direction, but somehow it still worked for him. He grabbed an apple from the bowl on the counter and tossed it in the air like he didn't have a care in the world.
"You know, one day that attitude is gonna get you in trouble," Alicia said, narrowing her eyes.
"And one day," he grinned, taking a bite out of the apple, "you're gonna stop worrying so much."
She sighed, leaning against the counter. "I have to worry, Noah. Someone has to make sure you don't burn the place down while I'm working."
"Wow. You wound me," he said, placing a dramatic hand over his chest.
Alicia shook her head, but the warmth in her chest grew. She didn't say it often enough, but Noah was the reason she kept pushing forward. After their parents died, it had been just the two of them. Every choice she made, every extra hour she worked was for him.
"You've got your homework, right?" she asked, lifting her coffee to her lips.
"Yes, Mother," he groaned.
"And you're not going to punch Chase Whitmore in the face today?"
His jaw tensed just enough for her to notice. "Depends. If he keeps running his mouth-"
"Noah," she warned. "I mean it. You're on thin ice with the school already. One more fight and-"
"And I'm suspended. I know, I know." He dropped onto one of the kitchen stools. "But you don't get it. Chase is a-"
"I don't care what he is," she interrupted. "I care about you not throwing away your future over some entitled jerk."
He exhaled, shoulders slumping. "Yeah. Okay."
Alicia softened. "I know it's hard," she said quietly, brushing a stray curl behind her ear. "But you're better than that. And besides, I can't handle another phone call from the principal while trying to keep us afloat."
His eyes met hers, the humour fading. "I'll behave. Promise."
"Good." She stepped over, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. "And hey, don't be too cool to check in with me later, alright?"
"Yeah, yeah." But there was a glimmer of affection in his voice as he slung his backpack over one shoulder.
She watched him head for the door, her heart swelling with a mix of pride and worry.
"You've got this," she called out as he opened the door.
He turned back, flashing her a grin. "Always."
The door clicked shut, and the silence settled in like an old, familiar ache.
---
Alicia let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. For a few minutes, she allowed herself to enjoy the quiet. No teasing little brother. No buzzing phone. Just her, the coffee, and the faint hope that today wouldn't completely fall apart.
Her laptop chimed, dragging her back to reality. She sank into the chair and scanned her emails. Nothing but overdue bills and rejection clients backing out, projects on hold. She was good at her job, great, even but talent didn't pay the rent.
Her finger hovered over the "Last Notice" email from her landlord. A knot twisted in her stomach. If she didn't land a big contract soon, they'd be out of options.
Her phone buzzed beside her, shattering the quiet. Unknown number.
She hesitated before answering. "Hello?"
"Alicia Hayes?" a smooth, female voice asked.
"Speaking."
"This is Evelyn Bennett, executive assistant to Mr. Alexander Blackwood."
Alicia blinked, coffee halfway to her lips. Blackwood Enterprises?
"We received your proposal for the corporate redesign project," Evelyn continued. "Mr. Blackwood is interested in a meeting. Are you available today at 3 PM?"
Alicia's breath caught. She'd sent that proposal weeks ago, more out of desperation than expectation. Blackwood Enterprises was a multi-billion-dollar empire with its fingers in everything from luxury hotels to cutting-edge technology. If she landed this contract, it could change everything.
"Today?" she repeated, heart thudding in her chest. "Uh, yes. I'll be there."
"Excellent. Check-in with me when you arrive."
The line went dead before Alicia could even thank her.
She set the phone down, her hands trembling slightly. This was it, her shot.
Her gaze flicked toward the door, where Noah had just left. Maybe just, things were finally turning around.
---
By 2:45 PM, Alicia stood in front of the sleek glass tower of Blackwood Enterprises, heart pounding against her ribs. Her navy blue blazer hugged her frame, heels clicking against the marble floor as she entered the lobby.
She could do this. She had to do this.
As she approached the reception desk, she plastered on a polite smile. "I'm here for a meeting with Mr. Blackwood. Alicia Hayes."
The receptionist barely looked up. "Take the private elevator to the thirty-seventh floor. Someone will meet you there."
Private elevator. Of course.
The ride-up was smooth, but her nerves spiked as the doors slid open. She stepped into a minimalist office space bathed in sunlight, and a tall, elegant woman with sharp cheekbones approached.
"You must be Ms. Hayes," she said, offering a brief smile. "I'm Evelyn Bennett. Follow me."
Alicia inhaled deeply, squaring her shoulders as she followed Evelyn through a set of double doors.
And that was when she saw him.
Alexander Blackwood.
He stood behind a massive mahogany desk, sleek and commanding in a tailored black suit. His presence filled the room with broad shoulders, chiselled jawline, and cold, piercing gray eyes that locked onto hers the second she entered.
Alicia's breath hitched.
Whatever she had expected, it wasn't this.
Adriano Varela has one mission to destroy the De Luca family for the ambush that killed his brother and shattered his empire. Cold-hearted and ruthless, he captures Serena De Luca, the beautiful but defiant daughter of his greatest enemy. To punish her father, Adriano makes her his possession, using her body as a tool for revenge and control. But Serena isn't an easy pawn. She fights him at every turn, hating him for his cruelty and the humiliation he forces on her. She's determined to escape and if given the chance, she'll kill him herself. Meanwhile, Camila Reyes, Adriano's fiercely loyal second in command and occasional lover. She has always believed she was the only woman he needed. For years, their relationship was built on passion and power, but when Serena arrives, everything changes. Adriano's obsession shifts and Camila is willing to do anything, even betray him to keep him by her side. As desire blurs into something darker and more dangerous, Adriano must choose: his need for vengeance, the woman who's always stood beside him, or the captive who's starting to break through his walls.
Ava Sinclair is a scholarship student at Westbridge Academy, a prestigious school where the children of the wealthy elite dominate the halls. Haunted by a devastating event from her past, Ava has spent the last three years staying out of the spotlight. All she wants is to graduate and leave the toxic social scene at Westbridge behind for good. Enter Caleb Hayes, the school's golden boy. As the son of a billionaire real estate mogul, Caleb seems to have it all-good looks, charm, and unimaginable wealth. But beneath his polished exterior lies a young man struggling to meet his family's high expectations. When Ava is assigned to tutor him to improve his grades, their lives intertwine in unexpected ways. As secrets are revealed and chemistry ignites between them, Ava and Caleb face a choice: is their love strong enough to defy the expectations of their world? And can Ava find the strength to move on from her troubled past?
Natalie used to think she could melt Connor’s icy heart, but she was sorely mistaken. When at last she decided to leave, she discovered that she was pregnant. Even so, she chose to quietly leave his world, prompting Connor to mobilize all of his resources and expand his business to a global scale—all in a bid to find her. But there was no trace of Natalie. Connor slowly spiraled into madness, turning the city upside down and leaving chaos in his wake. Natalie finally surfaced years later, with wealth and power of her own, only to find herself entangled with Connor once 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.
My marriage to Mathias was supposed to make me the happiest woman in the world. Although I knew he didn't love me, I thought he would fall for me once I showered him with all the love I had to give. Five years passed and Mathias still didn't give a damn about me. Instead, he met his true love and cut all ties with me because of her. He showed her off; something he never did for me. His abandonment pushed me into depression. I was broken in every sense of the word. Even on my deathbed, my so-called husband didn't come to say goodbye to me. When I opened my eyes again, I found myself reborn. I was still Mathias's wife and it was two months before he met his true love. In this life, I refused to be hurt by him again. After talking some sense into my head, I asked him for a divorce in other to escape being heartbroken like I was previously. Mathias tore up the divorce papers time and time again while also shutting me down. "Rylie, stop all this nonsense! Playing hard to get doesn't work anymore!" To show him that I was dead serious, I went ahead to file for divorce. Only then did he panic. He abandoned the "woman of his dreams" and came to my side. "Please give me a second chance, Rylie. I promise to do right by you. You'll be the only woman in my heart from now on. Don't leave me, okay?" A war broke out in my mind after this apology. On one hand, I didn't want to be hurt again. And on the other, I didn't want to let go of the man I loved so dearly. What should I do?!
Brenna lived with her adoptive parents for twenty years, enduring their exploitation. When their real daughter appeared, they sent Brenna back to her true parents, thinking they were broke. In reality, her birth parents belonged to a top circle that her adoptive family could never reach. Hoping Brenna would fail, they gasped at her status: a global finance expert, a gifted engineer, the fastest racer... Was there any end to the identities she kept hidden? After her fiancé ended their engagement, Brenna met his twin brother. Unexpectedly, her ex-fiancé showed up, confessing his love...
In the previous life, Maggie Johnson was so cowardly, gullible and stupid that she was coaxed by her fiance and stepsister and then broke her legs and lost everything including her fortune, love and even life. However, she was so lucky that she was reborn in the year before everything happened. Since her life restarted, how could she repeat a previous tragedy? Therefore, in this life, she took the opportunity to improve herself and take revenge on the ones who had ever insulted her. Facing the people who had humiliated her previously, she became smart and experienced to break their frames and tricks that had caused her to hurt in the previous life. Finally, no one could stop her pace to amaze the world any more.
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."