Elena never imagined that her life would be sold for a debt her father owed. At an auction, she's handed over to the ruthless and enigmatic Mafia King, Derek. Bitter and defiant, Elena loathes the man who now holds the keys to her fate. Yet, Derek's dark world and icy demeanor hide something deeper-something she begins to unravel. As Elena's life becomes entwined with Derek's empire, she can't deny the dangerous attraction between them. But in a world where betrayal lurks around every corner, Elena must decide if love can blossom in the midst of darkness-or if it's just another form of imprisonment.
The dimly lit room smelled of expensive cigars, whiskey, and power. The air was thick with tension, the weight of my father's failure pressing heavily on my shoulders. I stood on the auction stage, my hands trembling as I hugged my arms around my body. The silk dress they had forced me into clung to my skin like a cage, its delicate fabric a cruel contrast to my reality.
A dozen men sat in the room, their dark eyes scrutinizing me like a piece of meat up for slaughter. Their whispers slithered through the air, assessing, calculating. I wanted to scream, to run, to disappear-but I was trapped. My father had gambled away everything, and in the end, the only thing he had left to offer was me.
"Twenty million," a voice called from the back.
My stomach twisted. The bidding had begun.
"Twenty-five," another man countered.
The numbers climbed, my heart pounding in my chest. My hands fisted at my sides as I fought to keep my face blank. Tears wouldn't help me now.
A man in the front row smirked, running his fingers along the rim of his whiskey glass before raising his paddle. "Thirty million."
A cold sweat broke out along my spine. Their voices rose and fell, the figures tossed around as if they weren't discussing a living, breathing person. I tried to focus on my breathing, but the walls felt like they were closing in on me.
And then, the room fell silent.
A slow, deliberate voice cut through the air like a blade slicing through flesh.
"Fifty million."
The room shifted. The tension thickened. The other men hesitated, exchanging wary glances. They knew better than to challenge him.
Derek Moretti.
I turned my head, my breath catching as I saw him for the first time.
He sat at the back, legs spread apart in a position of lazy dominance. A tall, broad-shouldered man with sharp, angular features and piercing, cold grey eyes. He exuded power-the kind that made grown men bow and enemies quiver. Dressed in a tailored black suit, he looked like the devil himself come to collect his due.
No one dared to bid against him.
The auctioneer, sensing the finality in Derek's tone, swallowed nervously before slamming the gavel down. "SOLD."
A hush settled over the room, the decision irrevocable.
And just like that, I belonged to the most dangerous man in the city.
Kim Ladoria was desperate and broke, when she was on the brink of wretched poverty, a mysterious system approached her with a proposal: marry the wealthy but terminally ill Jason Arnold and inherit his vast fortune. Jason Arnold was seriously ill. Just as he was about to die, he gained a system. The system told him: Kim Ladoria was young and beautiful. She was rich in vitality. If he married her, he could continue living. Kim Ladoria happily came to Jason Arnold's sickbed. And then, Jason Arnold woke up. *** Jason Arnold's friends were shocked to find that, after his recovery, the once woman-averse Jason had not only gotten married but also became extremely affectionate and possessive towards his wife. Young Jason, can you be a little less embarrassing and act your age? Will you die if you take one step away from your wife? Jason Arnold clutched his chest. His little heart had almost stopped beating because Kim Ladoria had left him for half an hour. He weakly waved his hand. He couldn't be separated from her, not for the rest of his life. She was his life.
A man like Travis Sinclair wants nothing more than a woman who matches his sexual prowess and is used to getting everything he wants. A cold-hearted billionaire ,he lives by one rule - no love, no commitment. Ayanna Davies isn't looking for a relationship. She's focused on her work and the financial security it brings. As a high end escort, her client is full of filthy rich men who are willing to pay handsomely for her services. But when Travis Sinclair becomes one of her clients, she begins twice about mixing work with pleasure. Not knowing that he is an old acquaintance whom she despises.
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?!
As far as everyone was concerned, William had married Renee under duress. Now that his one true love was back—and with child—they couldn’t wait for him to abandon Renee. Surprisingly, Renee was candid about the situation. "To be honest, I’m the one asking for a divorce every single day. I want it even more than any of you!" But they brushed off her remark as a paltry attempt to save face. Until William made a declaration himself. "Divorce is out of the question. Anyone who spreads false rumors shall face legal consequences!" Renee was at a loss. What was this crazy man up to now?
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.
In Lothlann Continent, talent in martial arts won cultivators respect. Darren Chu, a mediocre talent in martial arts, was deemed a loser by everyone. His status changed when a fireball fell from the sky and hit him on the head. He cheated death. Empowered with the ability to assimilate other creatures' talent, Darren sought to better himself and seek vengeance against those who had wronged his family, including his little sister. "You will kneel in front of me one day," swore the future lord of martial arts.
Rose looked at the reports in her hand and was in shock... The reports said that she was one month pregnant, however, how can she get pregnant when she didn't have any man in her life... "Was it because of that dream? Could I get pregnant because I have sex in my dream?" She thought... She didn't have any mental problems, however, except for this she can't able to think about anything... However, she still didn't get out of her surprise when she met the man in her dream... Kevin Davis looked at the reports in her hand and asked, "Is this child mine?" However, Rose didn't answer but asked... "Was that night not a dream?" Kevin was angry because it was his first time and she thinks it was a dream... Kevin forced her to marry him however, Rose didn't want it... She wanted to abort the child but he didn't let her... In the end... Rose agreed to marry him... She looked at Kevin's blue eyes and said, "I will marry you, however, I had two conditions..." "First, after marriage, you can't control my freedom, I still had the right to do whatever I want. Don't worry I won't harm the child." "Second, if I ever found out that you had cheated behind my back then I will leave with my child and you can't stop me..." Both of them got married... However, after she falls in love with him... She found there are hidden secrets in his past...