Luciana Fester is a brilliant, no-nonsense lawyer determined to uncover the truth behind her father's mysterious disappearance. A case that leads straight to the powerful Romano crime family. Alexander Romano, the enigmatic heir to that very family, runs the clean side of their empire but is no stranger to the shadows. When a violent attack forces Luciana into hiding, Alexander offers his protection under his roof, and under his watch. Thrust into this tense situation, their hatred is palpable, their chemistry undeniable. As Luciana digs deeper into the secrets surrounding her father, she realises that instead of being a threat Alexander may be the shield keeping her alive, but his family might be the reason she's in danger to begin with. In a world of betrayal, blood ties, and forbidden desire, Luciana must choose: her father or a future with the enemy.
There was a threatening calm in the courtroom, Luciana Fester adjusted her blazer as her gaze settled on that of her greatest rival.
Alexander Romano, he sat there in his dark suit with a smirk that was even darker and a confidence that dripped arrogance. Tailored navy suit, an open collar with just a glimpse of gold chain beneath, and the kind of aura only a man born into power could possess.
His dark hair was slicked back, his jaw dusted with just enough stubble to look deliberate, not lazy. He gaze and posture spoke volumes of how he would rather be elsewhere. He probably felt this was a massive waste of time
Luciana tightened her grip on the pen in her hand when he caught her staring and winked at her
"Your Honor," she said, standing, her voice sharp and unwavering, "this motion is a blatant delay tactic. Mr. Romano's legal team has already been granted two extensions-"
Alexander raised a hand and stood casually, not bothering to button his jacket. "With all due respect, Counselor Fester's eagerness to rush this case might have something to do with how flimsy her evidence is."
Lots of murmuring was hear through out the courtroom. Luciana shot a glare at him though she couldn't say she was surprised by his rudeness.
Judge Berryman raised an eyebrow, sighing. "Save the theatrics. This isn't a debate club."
Luciana's gaze flicked to Alexander's lead attorney, Miles Davenport, who sat beside him pretending to be interested in the floor tiles. She'd known Miles for years-slimy, spineless fellow. He could represent the devil himself for the right price. He was probably overjoyed beneath that clueless look he had. Alexander was handling everything himself and he still got paid.
As if he needed another reason to get under her skin.
"Motion denied," the judge said firmly. "We move to evidentiary review next week."
Luciana sat down, jaw tight, pulse hammering. Alexander glanced her way, catching her eye. His smile deepened. A flicker of something unreadable passed through his gaze. It took a lot of will power for Luciana not to curse him out straight.
**
"Counselor Fester" a voice called as she walked through the marble-floored courthouse lobby.
She turned sharply, ready to shut down whoever it was, but slowed when she saw it was Assistant DA Ijeoma Ben-her friend and occasional drinking buddy. Carla was wearing her usual sharp bob and bold lipstick, holding a coffee in one hand and a folder tucked under her arm.
"You looked like you wanted to throw something at Romano's head back there," Carla said, amused.
"I did." Luciana exhaled and accepted the extra coffee. "That man thinks he's untouchable. He's smug, manipulative, and probably guilty as hell."
"Probably?"
"I just need more proof. Everything so far is circumstantial, or just... vanishes before I get it. Someone's covering his tracks."
"Maybe because someone upstairs doesn't want you digging too deep?" Carla's tone was light, but Luciana heard the warning beneath it. It wouldn't be a surprise though she knew he's family had crazy connections all over.
"I don't care," Luciana muttered. "My father cared about justice that's the entire reasonhe went missing. I'm not stopping because the accused has a last name that makes people nervous."
Ijeoma nodded. " I mean if that's the reason he went missing wouldn't he want you to avoid Alexander at all cost... Just know if you ever need backup..."
"I know. Thanks."
They exchanged a look. Luciana didn't like dragging others into the mess she was determined to clean up. Especially not Ijeoma, who still believed in the system and had a life outside work unlike her.
**
Meanwhile, across the city, in the backroom of a luxurious downtown restaurant that doubled as a meeting hub for the Romano empire, Alexander sat at a long finely carved wooden table flanked by his closest confidants.
Marco Romano his older cousin and unofficial muscle poured a drink while asking about the court case. It was a huge worry among the family. Alexander was meant to have a good public image as a reputable buisness man if he was going to take over the buisness.
"You keep playing footsie with that lawyer and before you know it she's gonna bite your head off," Marco said, sliding Alexander a glass of wine.
Alexander grinned, swirling the glass. "She's more interesting than most people in that courtroom. At least she's not afraid of me."
"Not afraid doesn't mean not dangerous," said Sofia Moretti, the family's in-house accountant and Alexander's childhood friend.
She wore a pencil skirt with a glare, and had a deep suspicion of any woman near Alexander who wasn't her. "Women like her are sharp. You let them get too close, they'll cut you."
"I'm not letting her do anything. I just like watching her work."
Marco raised an eyebrow. "You're enjoying this." It came as a surprise to him that Alexander would in anyway be enjoying this court case that could cost him his future as the heir.
"Maybe."
The door opened and Riccardo Romano entered, the current head of the family. Silver hair, sharp suit and a gaze that would intimidate almost anyone. The room went quiet immediately.
"Is she a threat?" he asked Alexander directly not wasting time on small talk.
"She's a lawyer, not a gunman," Alexander replied.
Riccardo narrowed his gaze. "Some lawyers can do more damage than a bullet. Keep her occupied-but not too close. We don't need a repeat of the Fester's case. She is his daughter after all."
Alexander smile faded.
He knew the name. Everyone did. Luciana's father, Detective Alessandro Fester, had once investigated the Romano family. He disappeared ten years ago.
**
That night, Luciana sat in her messy apartment, flipping through her father's old notes. She shouldn't have them half of it was probably classified but after his disappearance, she'd pulled every string, every favor, every threat she could. And still, no answers.
One note stuck out though it was a name Riccardo Romano circled and dated three weeks before Alessandro had vanished.
This case was just the first step. She didn't just want a conviction, she wanted answers to the mystery of her Father's disapperance
She leaned back and stared at the ceiling. Her phone buzzed. Unknown number.
Be careful where you dig, counselor.
She stared at the message amused and disgusted.
Then, without hesitating, she scoffed as she typed a reply.
Tell Alexander Romano I don't get scared this easily.
Isabella had always done her best in life to avoid any relation with her mother and half sister Wendy. However financial troubles and a messy encounter one night with Damien Russell throws her on their radar once more. Just like that her once normal life is thrown into chaos. Isabella having lost everything because of Wendy comes back for revenge this time around using Damien as a weapon. If there was one thing Wendy hated it was losing to her younger half sister Isabella. However, would Isabella be able to resist the rough charms of Damien Russell and complete her revenge or would she fall and fail to avenge her grandparents? *** "What are you doing? This isn't a real marriage remember we said no touching." Even as Isabella said this she leaned in closer waiting to feel his lips on hers. "You and I know you want this as much as I do..." Damien stared into her eyes waiting for any more refusal but she said nothing.
Maya and Azrael's relationship was never meant to happen but fate decided to play an unusual game with their lives. When Maya turns up pregnant she travels to the vampire realm only to learn that the father of her unborn baby is a the ruler of the vampire realm she at first attempts to get rid of the baby but after going through numerous trials, betrayals and being kidnapped for the sake of her baby she realises she might not necessarily want to get rid of it anymore. Azrael never expected that the last hope for survival of the true bloodlines of his kind depended on a woman who was his and his demon's mate. He has to learn to cooperate with his demon that lives within him and protect both his unborn child and its mother but to do that he must learn to trust her even when things happening around her seem really suspicious. "Are you really worried about me Azrael do you think we could have been a thing if I wasn't pregnant with the last hope of succession for your bloodline" "How else do you want me to prove that you are my mate and I love you not just because you are carrying my child. I love you Maya" Azrael tried to pull her into a hug but Maya easily stepped aside. "Marry me"
"Who are you" Ariane managed to disentangle her self from the strange man's arms standing slightly behind the doctor. The doctor looked to Lucas trying not to give off his fearfulness "I'm sorry Mr. King she seems to have little memories of her past left..." An unrelenting, possessive billionaire with an alcohol problem gets married to his old lover against her wishes. She however is involved in a car accident that leaves her without any memory of her past. With her memories gone he takes it as a fresh start to try winning her heart but he might be up against a rival who was also ready to do whatever it takes to win her heart. He has no option but to reform his old ways and get her to fall in love with him again before she regains her memories and goes on with her initial plans to divorce him.
Madyelene Agnes Benson has always lived her life as that good girl next door till she meets Leo Tyler that typical bad boy that makes her want to be less of a good girl. Their time together is brought to an end once she finds out she was betrothed more or less sold to be his elder brother's wife. May finds herself involved in their clan politics as some enemies attempt to use her as a tool in separating the brothers. She tries to steer clear while staying alive. **** "... Aren't you going to say something. I have everything you said you wanted. I'm rich and influential not only that the icing on the cake is I'm the next clan leader. Isn't that what you said I had to have before I could have you. I'm way above Michael now" Leo went on and on holding onto May's hand. May looked up at Leo dreading to ask but she had to. "Leo do you by any chance have anything to do with your brothers death
"May I'm yet to introduce you both. This is my Eldest son Michael Tyler your Fiancé" Mrs. Tyler's introduced and May quickly expressed her surprise. "What??" She looked to her mother who was smiling and nodded in affirmation. 'How could she do this to me' May wondered "I see your mom didn't inform you" Mrs. Tyler said. "You were betrothed to Michael here when you were conceived." "Mom is this true. Is she telling the truth" May asked for confirmation and her mom nodded. At that moment May's heart was shattered. Her gaze almost immediately landed on Leo did he know she was betrothed to his elder brother when he planned on using her to win that stupid wager, her falling for him. Her naive heart still held feelings for him. May felt her heartbeat increasing pace unable to take in the fact that she was deceived by her mother all her life and was lured here to meet her supposed Fiancé without any prior knowledge. She rose from her seat and walked away "May where are you going to?" Her mom asked trying to call her back. "Stay the fuck away from me" May shouted not turning back. Her voice drew a few stares from the people sitted at other tables but she couldn't care less. **** May a sweet teenager has her first crush on the highschool badboy and gangleader Leo. It seems though that it is meant to be just that-a fleeting infatuation nothing more-May is enlightened that she was betrothed to Leo's elder brother before she was born..... Determined to make a name for her self in the movie industry May devotes her time into building up her career as an actress..... What would become of her arranged marriage and which brother she ends up with?
Work! This was one word. The word that Lola's life revolved around. when her mother gets sick and needs Surgery. Lola and her sister have to work harder than they do to pay her hospital bill with help and support from their friends. Well this was the plan till She fell in love with a certain Young master. The young master is smitten by his maid. What do they say about dating your boss?
"Lucien, let's get a divorce," I said in a peremptory tone that was long overdue, the most decisive farewell to this absurd marriage. We had been married for exactly three years-three years that, for me, were filled with nothing but endless loneliness and torment. For three years, the husband who should have stood by my side through every storm, Lucien Sullivan, had completely disappeared from my life as if he had never existed. He vanished without a trace, leaving me alone to endure this empty, desolate marriage. Today, I finally received his message: "I'm back. Come pick me up at the airport." When I read his words, my heart leapt with joy, and I raced to the airport, thinking that he finally understood my love and was coming back to me. But his cruelty was far worse than I could have ever imagined-he was accompanied by a pregnant woman, and that woman was Carla, my closest and most trusted friend. In that moment, all of my previous excitement, all my hope, and all of our shared laughter and tears turned into the sharpest of daggers, stabbing into my heart and leaving me gasping for air. Now, all I want is to escape from this place that has left me so broken-to lick my wounds in solitude. Even if these wounds will remain with me for the rest of my life, I refuse to have anything to do with him ever again. He should know that it was his own hand that trampled our love underfoot, that his coldness and betrayal created this irreparable situation. But when he heard those words, he desperately clung to this broken, crumbling marriage, unwilling to let it end-almost as though doing so could rewind time and return everything to how it used to be. "Aurora, come back. I regret everything!" Regret? Those simple words stirred no emotion in me-only endless sadness and fury. My heart let out a frantic, desperate scream: It's too late for any of this!
"There will be no falling in love, we will only act as a loving couple when we are in public, we will share a room to make it believable, but no intimacy, touching is off-limits. We'll only have sex once a month, and that's solely to produce an heir. You won't interfere in my business, and I won't interfere in yours. You will be my wife in every sense and you will not be involved with any other man," he said, arrogance seeping from every word. I watch his mouth move, I'm not ready to fall in love with any man, especially not one as arrogant and egoistic as him. I can handle acting as a loving couple, and as for intimacy once a month. I can agree to that just to satisfy my sexual cravings with no strings attached. "Where can I sign?" I asked since I had nothing to lose. *** Nadine's wedding dreams turned to nightmares when she caught her sister and fiancé cheating! With a secret recording, she's ready for revenge. But then mysterious billionaire Logan West offers a deal: A Contract Marriage to take down her ex's empire. But what Nadine doesn't know is her life is getting complicated as she takes her chance to get revenge or risks everything for a chance at love?"
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?"
"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.]
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."
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."