At her own engagement party, she was betrayed by her best friend, making her a laughingstock in front of everyone. With no other choice, and being a person with pride, she couldn't just walk away humiliated. So, she impulsively grabbed someone to salvage the situation. Unexpectedly, the man she happened to pull was none other than the cold and fearsome CEO of RS, someone everyone dreads to cross paths with. But she wasn't the innocent, defenseless white lotus people saw on the surface. Just wait and see-who would prove to be stronger!
On the giant LED screen, a man and a woman were entwined in passionate intimacy, with not a thread of clothing between them.
Through the high-definition surround sound, ecstatic moans echoed as if they were reaching cloud nine.
In a standard woman-on-top position, the bare back of the woman showcased her flawless, soft, ivory skin.
The man's hand rested on the woman's soft chest, making her let out a sound. He then flipped her over, pinning her beneath him. Their faces appeared in full view in front of the crowd.
Lyra Thorne stood in shock, staring at the screen, feeling as though a sharp knife had pierced through her heart, leaving her numb with pain.
The naked couple on the screen was none other than her fiancé, Lucian, and her closest friend, Ivy Sutton.
Both were standing right beside her.
At this very moment, it was supposed to be Lyra and Lucian Donovan's engagement party.
Moments ago, the screen had been showing a slideshow of her and Lucian's childhood photos, narrated by the emcee's sentimental commentary. Only a dozen photos had played, starting from when Lyra was three and Lucian seven, and before it even reached her at ten, the slideshow abruptly turned into an explicit video.
"Aah!" A piercing scream sounded, and Ivy, who had been standing beside Lyra, threw herself into Lucian's arms a few steps away.
If anyone hadn't seen the video clearly before, it became evident now, as Lyra stood alone while Lucian held another woman close.
The guests erupted in whispers.
"What's going on? Isn't that woman Lyra's best friend?"
"Yes, has Miss Thorne been cheated on?"
"Oh, that woman's figure isn't bad at all! Quite impressive."
"What is the meaning of this?!" Nicolas Radcliffe roared in fury, rushing to stand in front of the large LED screen, but his height of barely over 1.7 meters was nothing against the colossal three-meter screen, rendering his attempt almost laughable.
Aaron Donovan's face had turned beet red, and he reacted faster than Nicolas, running to the broadcast room behind the screen to shut it down.
Ivy lowered her head, sobbing, and looked sorrowfully at Lyra, "Lyra, didn't you promise not to pursue this anymore? I promised you, after your engagement, I would leave Lucian and this city, so why? Why would you make this public? Do you really want to force me to my death?"
Lucian, who had been a bit bewildered by Ivy's sudden embrace, looked at her in shock after hearing these words, supporting her as he asked, "Ivy, what are you saying? Lyra forced you to leave? Forced you to die?"
Lyra's ears were ringing with a metallic hum, drowning out everything around her. She looked dazedly at Lucian. They had been promised to each other since before they were born; she had known all her life that Lucian was the man she was destined to marry.
How long had he and Ivy been together?
When had she ever agreed not to pursue Ivy?
What on earth was happening here? What were they saying?
"Lyra, how could you be so cruel as to trap even your fiancé and best friend!" Lucian's sister, Rose, shoved Lyra's shoulder.
Lyra staggered backward, unprepared, landing beside Nicolas.
Nicolas's face was livid. He raised his hand and slapped her, "You disgrace! Look at what you've done! You've humiliated both of our families!"
Lyra, still unsteady, fell to the ground from the force of the slap.
Lucian, alarmed, moved to help her, but Ivy clung tightly to his arm.
From her position on the ground, Lyra caught a glimpse of Ivy's triumphant expression.
"Oh, Mr. Radcliffe, how could you strike her like that? Lyra, get up." A pair of hands helped Lyra to her feet.
Aaron sighed, "Lyra, don't blame your father for being angry. What you did was truly out of line."
Mrs. Demi Donovan, meanwhile, pointed at Ivy, "Where did you come from, you hussy? Surely you seduced Lucian. Get out of my sight! I won't allow you into my family."
Ivy shrank behind Lucian in fear.
Lucian stood protectively in front of Ivy. "Mother, don't blame Ivy. Lyra, Ivy is your best friend; you can't force her to such desperate measures!"
Supported by Aaron, Lyra finally steadied herself, a single tear slipping down her cheek. She lifted her gaze to look at Lucian, the man she had loved since childhood, only to find him suddenly unfamiliar.
That's right! Ivy was her best friend. He knew Ivy was her best friend, yet they had both betrayed her and were now blaming her for it?
"Lyra, who knew you were such a double-dealer? Brother, how could you even consider marrying someone like her? Who knows if she wouldn't try to ruin you once married!" Rose sneered, glancing at Lyra as she spoke to Lucian.
Rose Donovan and Lyra had been classmates in high school. Rose had never liked Lyra and had always teamed up with Christina to bully her. The idea that Lyra might become her sister-in-law was something she deeply resented.
"Shut up!" Demi Donovan snapped at her daughter. "Lyra is a proper young lady from the Thorne family. Who does that hussy think she is? Does she have Lyra's pedigree? The Donovans will never accept a daughter-in-law with no status!"
Mrs. Demi Donovan may not have been fond of Lyra, but she valued her background and family wealth. Marrying Lyra would benefit her son's future immensely, and among all the elite families, none was a better match than Lyra. Additionally, despite Lyra's high status, she was gentle and easy to manipulate.
Thus, Mrs. Donovan immediately staked her claim. Lyra was not someone the Donovans could afford to lose as a daughter-in-law.
A moment ago, Lyra had been grateful that her future mother-in-law was standing up for her, only to realize she had ulterior motives.
"That's right! Sister, you're the eldest daughter of the Thorne family. Don't you care about the reputation of the Thornes, the Radcliffes, and the Donovans?" Christina feigned an expression of pain.
"Lyra, you have truly disappointed your father. You've hurt him terribly." Mrs. Isabelle Radcliffe's soft voice carried a tone of sorrow.
The mother and daughter's words made Nicolas and Aaron's expressions even darker. This daughter was utterly clueless! Family matters should never be aired publicly!
Lyra glanced around at those nearby. Her father, Nicolas, wore a look of fury.
Her stepmother, Isabelle Radcliffe, and her sister, Christina, seemed delighted at her misfortune.
Her future father-in-law, Aaron, was sighing in resignation.
Her future mother-in-law, Mrs. Demi Donovan, looked embarrassed. Her future sister-in-law, Rose, was glaring at her with resentment. And her fiancé, Lucian, was at a complete loss, holding that delicate, pitiful woman in his arms-her best friend, Ivy.
The people here were supposed to be her whole world.
Everyone says that CEO Anderson is a formidable figure in the Kingdom of Alssta, someone not to be trifled with. His name alone inspires fear, and those who see him instinctively bow and lower their heads. Some even claim that CEO Anderson's home is a den of dragons and tigers, filled with corpses and bones. Rumor has it that the young bride, who was married off in her sister's place, has already died... When they meet again, CEO Anderson flashes a menacing smile and takes out...
Otis and Mei had known each other since college but broke up before graduating. Both of them ran off to places thousands of miles apart, thinking they would never cross paths again. Yet, fate had other plans, and they ended up becoming roommates. The moment Otis pushed the door open and saw Mei sitting on the sofa, he froze. "You look like my ex-girlfriend." Mei immediately jumped up, stomping her foot in frustration. "I am your ex-girlfriend!!!"
1. Ophelia always believed she would be with Finnian. At the age of eight, they became step-siblings and faced the hardest times of their lives together. Finnian once promised, "Ophelia, wait for me to succeed, and I will marry you." But on her birthday, he publicly announced his relationship with the famous actress, Eamon. 2. The man she had waited for all these years found someone new, while her family's business teetered on the edge of bankruptcy. Ophelia stood amidst the storm-not only were there those waiting to see her fail, but others with malicious intentions biding their time to strike. But what everyone expected didn't happen. Instead of succumbing to despair, Ophelia stunned everyone by organizing a grand wedding that shook Selista. The Radcliffe family, the most prestigious family in Dolasiats, hosted an extravagant wedding in Selista for their beloved daughter-in-law and sole heir, Logan. In an instant, Selista became the gathering spot for more than half of Dolasiats' elites. No one could figure out which lady from Selista had such incredible fortune. When Ophelia appeared in a pristine, dazzling white wedding gown that captivated every gaze, the entire audience was stunned. Finnian, attending the wedding, dropped the wine glass he was holding. It shattered to pieces on the ground. 3. Ophelia knew full well that this marriage was not stable; it was merely a transaction of benefits and could end with each going their separate ways. But Logan had given her so much. After registering their marriage, she gradually made concessions, fulfilling his every demand. From moving in under the same roof, to sharing the same bedroom, and then... Each night, he was possessive, indulgent. She could no longer endure it. Her eyes turned red, and she trembled as she protested, "Can you restrain yourself a little?" The man leaned down, kissed her damp hair, and in a husky voice coaxed her gently at her ear, "Be good and call me husband*."
Once, there was a kind-hearted young girl who saved the life of a little beggar boy. Amid hunger, bitter cold, and the overwhelming sense of despair, the girl drove away a pack of stray dogs that threatened the boy and gave him a box of chocolates she loved dearly. This simple act planted a seed that would blossom sixteen years later. The boy, now grown, returned to find the girl who had once saved him, silently protecting her in the guise of a naive, seemingly useless husband.
Calista Whitaker and Dorian Blackwood were childhood sweethearts, engaged for a long time. But just when the crucial moment approached, an unexpected twist occurred- On the day of the engagement, Dorian's affair was unexpectedly exposed. While the marriage alliance between the two families hung in the balance, a weary yet striking man appeared, his gaze both proud and leisurely, skimming over their clasped hands. Alpha Zephyr introduced him flamboyantly as another son of his. Despite his youth, he had already taken control early on and now held the lifeblood of the Blue Moon pack in his hands. As Dorian scrambled for an opportunity to explain, news of the broken engagement spread across the city, yet no one knew that Eamon Blackwood had secretly arranged a meeting with Calista. The man casually tossed her a tempting proposition: "Miss Whitaker, would you mind if the groom were to change?" -Would you like to turn this half-baked victory into a guaranteed triumph and become my accomplice?
Michael William was praised by everyone as the most powerful Lycan King. However, with his extraordinary appearance and talents, he could not avoid the sympathy and suspicion from others. He was not only adept at ruling but also possessed a cold, ruthless, and cruel nature when necessary. Due to a misunderstanding, he once decided to kidnap Zoey Anderson, a weak and delicate maiden in the palace. Although she always tried to escape from his grasp and endured torture, her life became more tragic than ever under such a cruel ruler. But despite the suffering and abuse, there was something strange-why did her presence touch the heart of anyone, even just a little, causing them pain? While the falling petals had meaning, the compassionate heart of a powerful king was shattered by her. So, could his heart ever be mended after all of this?
On her wedding day, Khloe’s sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrik’s cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.
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?"
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."
June Rivera was divorced by her husband after three years of marriage because he wanted to be with her sister who was pregnant for him. Kicked to the curb with a divorce and rejected by her parents,she struggles to make ends meet and get a job until she saves Luis Ambrose from an accident - the only child of Rafael Ambrose, a widowed man and the CEO of Ambrose Corporation. When little Luis asks to have her as a nanny, and Rafael's mother pressures him to get married, they draw a contract. To be Luis's nanny and his fake wife for one year in exchange for 50 million dollars!
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."
Sandra Hill, the long-lost real heiress of the Hill family, was shunned by her own kin. Instead of embracing her, they bestowed their affection upon an impostor. They even arranged her to marry a vegetative man in place of her so-called “sister”. Sandra sneered, refusing to put up with this humiliation, cut off ties with the Hill family immediately and ran into the flash marriage with Wesley Cooper, her unconscious billionaire husband. With her incredible medical skills, she defied the odds and revived him. Little did she expect that her husband spoiled her with all his love... A medical genius, a computer prodigy, a national treasure in painting, and a racing legend... Her husband revealed her various identities, leaving the Hill family regretful. Her father came pleading, "It's Dad's fault. Please come back." Her mother wept, "Mom will protect you from now on. Please come back." Even her five brothers knelt before he, begging for forgiveness. Yet, Sandra's smile held a hint of mockery as she vowed, “Never!”