In a world of crime, not everything is as it seems. And sometimes... the softest soul carries the deadliest truth
In a world of crime, not everything is as it seems. And sometimes... the softest soul carries the deadliest truth
Rain trickled down the stained glass windows of the Rossi estate, dripping like tears onto the marble floor. The mansion, known for its elegance and cold reputation, held a secret tonight-one that would shatter the illusion of order in the criminal underworld.
Aria Bennett stood beneath the towering double doors of the grand ballroom, her long black coat soaked and clinging to her soft curves. Her heart thudded against her chest, not from fear-but from the fire of answers she'd sought for the last eight years. She wasn't supposed to be here. Not at this party. Not in this world.
But fate had a cruel sense of humor.
Inside, laughter roared. Champagne glasses clinked. Mafia dons mingled in tailored tuxedos, their wives in shimmering gowns. Everything about the night reeked of power, danger, and secrets.
Aria stepped forward, her stiletto heels echoing against the polished floor.
"Name?" the guard at the door asked, adjusting the earpiece in his ear.
She pulled down her hood, revealing deep auburn hair and eyes like shattered glass. "Aria. Aria DeLuca."
There was a pause. The guard blinked, typing into the tablet.
"DeLuca?" He frowned. "As in-"
"Yes," she cut in calmly. "Luciano DeLuca was my father."
Silence. The kind that draws blood.
The man didn't speak again. He only stepped aside and opened the doors.
The room was golden. Dripping in luxury. But as Aria walked inside, heads turned. Conversations halted. Whispers followed her like shadows.
"Is that...?"
"She's supposed to be dead."
"No. She vanished after her father's murder."
"Murder? I thought it was suicide."
She ignored them. All of them. Her eyes scanned for one person.
Dante Rossi.
The king of the Rossi Mafia. The man who, according to every lead she had followed, ordered the hit on her father eight years ago.
And there he was-standing like a god among men. Jet black hair, sharp jawline, and eyes that could slit throats with a glance. He held a glass of wine, surrounded by his lieutenants.
When he saw her, his glass froze mid-air. Their eyes locked.
She smiled softly.
"Miss DeLuca," his voice carried across the room. "I was under the impression that you were... buried."
A few nervous chuckles followed, but no one laughed freely. This wasn't a game. This was war.
Aria stepped forward, never breaking eye contact. "Is that what you wanted, Mr. Rossi?"
He studied her. "What brings you here tonight?"
She walked until she stood directly in front of him. "Justice."
A murmur spread. The temperature of the room dropped.
Before he could speak, someone burst through the doors.
"Boss!" a young man in a suit gasped, clutching a phone. "It's-It's about the shipment. We've been-compromised."
Dante's brows furrowed. "What do you mean compromised?"
"They leaked it. The location. The product. Everything. The Feds intercepted the cargo at the dock."
Panic.
Dante snatched the phone, his voice sharp and cold. "Who leaked it?"
The man swallowed hard. "It came from inside. One of us... tipped them off."
The room erupted. Accusations flew. Loyalty was questioned. Aria stood still, watching it all unfold.
Then came the moment that would burn into the memory of everyone present.
From behind the crowd, an elderly man limped forward. Vincento Rossi-Dante's uncle, and consigliere of the family.
He threw a file on the table. "This... was mailed to me this morning. Anonymous."
Dante opened it-and froze.
Inside were photographs. Emails. Documents. All pointing to the same man.
Rico Moretti-Dante's most trusted right-hand man. The man who had helped him rise to power. His childhood friend.
"You bastard!" Dante roared, slamming Rico against the wall.
Blood. Screams. Guns raised.
"Don't shoot!" Rico shouted. "You don't understand-I did it for you! The Feds were going to expose the secret! I had to sacrifice something else to bury the truth!"
Dante's hand trembled. "What truth?"
Rico's eyes flicked to Aria.
She tilted her head. "Go ahead, Rico. Tell them. Tell him the secret you've all tried so hard to bury."
"Shut up!" he hissed. "You don't know what you're talking about-"
"She's right," came a broken voice from the back.
All heads turned. It was Camilla Rossi-Dante's mother.
Dante looked at her in shock. "Mama?"
Her hands shook as she clutched a rosary. "Luciano DeLuca... was not your enemy, Dante. He was your father's blood brother. He protected this family more than you ever knew."
"What are you saying?" Dante whispered.
"She's saying your father's killer wasn't a rival gang," Aria said softly. "It was your own people. And I'm here to make sure they pay."
The room exploded.
And as the chaos unfolded-guns drawn, truths spilled, and alliances crumbled-Aria turned and walked away, her eyes glinting with satisfaction.
The scandal had been set.
And the war was just beginning.
THE SILVERTHORN PACK Never look a wolf in the eye. Never fall for the cursed. Eden Vale did both. When Eden crashes her car on a deserted mountain road, she wakes in Silverthorn-a town hidden from the maps and soaked in secrets. The people stare too long. The forest moves when there's no wind. And something is watching her from the trees with glowing eyes and a hunger she doesn't understand. Then she meets Kade Thorne. Scarred. Silent. Savage. He saved her once. He swears he won't do it again. But fate-and something darker-has already bound them. As Eden digs into her aunt's disappearance, she uncovers a town ruled by ancient laws, hunted by bloodlines, and stalked by creatures that wear human skin by day-and howl beneath the moon. There's a truth buried beneath Silverthorn's soil. And it's clawing its way to the surface. Welcome to Silverthorn. Don't run. They chase harder.
She only wanted to save her brother's life. He needed a wife to avoid a scandal. A signed contract, a quiet ceremony, and they became strangers living under the same roof. But what happens when the cold CEO starts falling for his fake wife-the one woman who's forbidden herself from ever trusting love again?
She spent ten years chasing after the right brother, only to fall for the wrong one in one weekend. ~~~ Sloane Mercer has been hopelessly in love with her best friend, Finn Hartley, since college. For ten long years, she's stood by him, stitching him back together every time Delilah Crestfield-his toxic on-and-off girlfriend-shattered his heart. But when Delilah gets engaged to another man, Sloane thinks this might finally be her chance to have Finn for herself. She couldn't be more wrong. Heartbroken and desperate, Finn decides to crash Delilah's wedding and fight for her one last time. And he wants Sloane by his side. Reluctantly, Sloane follows him to Asheville, hoping that being close to Finn will somehow make him see her the way she's always seen him. Everything changes when she meets Knox Hartley, Finn's older brother-a man who couldn't be more different from Finn. He's dangerously magnetic. Knox sees right through Sloane and makes it his mission to pull her into his world. What starts as a game-a twisted bet between them-soon turns into something deeper. Sloane is trapped between two brothers: one who's always broken her heart and another who seems hell-bent on claiming it... no matter the cost. CONTENT WARNING: This story is strongly 18+. It delves into dark romance themes such as obsession and lust with morally complex characters. While this is a love story, reader discretion is advised.
My family was on the poverty line and had no way to support me in college. I had to work part-time every day just to make ends meet and afford to get into the university. That was when I met her—the pretty girl in my class that every boy dreamt of asking out. I was well aware she was out of my league. Nevertheless, I mustered all my courage and bravely told her that I had fallen for her. To my surprise, she agreed to be my girlfriend. With the sweetest smile I had ever seen, she told me that she wanted my first gift for her to be the latest and top-of-the-line iPhone. I worked like a dog and even did my classmates’ laundry to save up. My hard work eventually paid off after a month. I finally got to buy what she wanted. But as I was wrapping my gift, I saw her in the dressing room, making out with the captain of the basketball team. She then heartlessly made fun of my inadequacy and made a fool out of me. To make things worse, the guy whom she cheated on me with even punched me in the face. Desperation washed over me, but there was nothing I could do but lie on the floor as they trampled on my feelings. But then, my father called me out of the blue, and my life turned upside down. It turned out that I was a billionaire's son.
"Love is blind!" Lucinda abandoned her beautiful and comfortable life because of a man. She married him and slaved off for him for three long years. One day, the scales finally fell off her eyes. She realized that all her efforts were in vain. Her husband, Nathaniel still treated her like shit. All he cared about was his lover. "Enough is enough! I quit wasting my years with an ungrateful man!" Lucinda's heart was shattered into many pieces, but she summoned up the courage to ask for a divorce. The news caused a stir online! A filthy rich young woman recently got divorced? She was a good catch! Countless CEOs and handsome young men immediately swarmed to her like bees to honey! Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He held a press conference and begged with teary eyes, "I love you, Lucinda. I can't live without you. Please come back to me." Would Lucinda give him a second chance? Read to find out!
"I, Riccardo Saviano, future Alpha of the Grey Shadow Moon Pack, reject you, Artemisia Guerrieri, Daughter of Alpha Franco of the Blood Moon Pack, as my mate and future Luna." One single sentence. One stupid single sentence was all it took to disintegrate my life. And the day of my birthday, on which this sentence was audaciously uttered to me, I lost the love of my life, my future mate, and my wolf, all at once. As I'm still assembling the pieces of my shattered heart years later, there they come. Like lightning out of a crystal blue sky. My Mates. But wait... If I am mated to triplets, how come I'm about to be mated to 5 gorgeous men? *** TW: explicit and foul language; spicy content; explicit sex scenes ***
After three secretive years of marriage, Eliana never met her enigmatic husband until she was served with divorce papers and learned of his extravagant pursuit of another. She snapped back to reality and secured a divorce. Thereafter, Eliana unveiled her various personas: an esteemed doctor, legendary secret agent, master hacker, celebrated designer, adept race car driver, and distinguished scientist. As her diverse talents became known, her ex-husband was consumed by remorse. Desperately, he pleaded, "Eliana, give me another chance! All my properties, even my life, are yours."
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"
© 2018-now CHANGDU (HK) TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
6/F MANULIFE PLACE 348 KWUN TONG ROAD KL
TOP