When Tony Anderson returns to the estate he once called home, it's not to reclaim the billion-dollar family legacy- it's to destroy the man who stole everything from him: his own father. But with his inheritance comes more than cold marble halls and corporate dominance. It comes with Sandy Taylor- the woman he once loved, now engaged to his half-brother. As Tony uncovers the secrets buried deep in the Anderson dynasty, one truth becomes clear: he wasn't meant to be the heir... but he's the only one ruthless enough to carry the name.
"Return of the Exiled"
The heavy iron gates of the Anderson estate creaked open as the black Maserati eased its way down the long, gravel driveway. Tony Anderson stared ahead, his eyes cold and unreadable behind dark sunglasses, as the mansion slowly came into view-an architectural beast made of stone, steel, and old money.
Everything about this place reeked of privilege. Of power. Of betrayal.
He hadn't been here in ten years, not since his father- Harold Anderson, patriarch and business tycoon- exiled him from the family after a scandal Tony didn't commit. One whisper of embezzlement, one planted file, and Harold had turned his back on his own son without so much as a second glance.
But Tony had never forgotten. And he sure as hell hadn't forgiven.
He tightened his grip on the steering wheel as he pulled up in front of the mansion, stepping out with the poise of a man who didn't fear ghosts but hunted them. The past was no longer his cage- it was his weapon.
A butler stepped forward, clearly startled. "Mr. Anderson... we weren't expecting you."
Tony gave a half-smile. "No one ever expects a storm until it's already overhead."
Without waiting for permission, he walked past the man and into the house.
The scent hit him first-lavender, polished oak, and the subtle burn of expensive whiskey. The grand chandelier glimmered above him, casting fractured light across the marbled floor. Every inch of the place screamed of the success he had been denied.
Then came the voice that made his jaw clench.
"Well, well. Look who finally crawled out of whatever hole he disappeared into."
Tony turned slowly. His half-brother, Jason, stood at the base of the staircase in a tailored navy suit, arms crossed and smirk polished to perfection.
"Still playing Daddy's favorite, I see," Tony said coolly.
Jason descended the steps, unbothered. "Still bitter, Tony? I thought you were off trying to find yourself or something equally cliché."
Tony stepped closer, his voice lowering. "I didn't come back to reminisce. I came for answers."
Jason tilted his head. "Answers? About what?"
"You know damn well what," Tony hissed. "The file. The setup. Why I was thrown out like garbage while you took my place."
Jason didn't flinch. "Prove it, little brother. Otherwise, you're just the disgraced heir crashing a party he was never invited to."
Before Tony could respond, a familiar voice cut through the tension.
"Tony?"
He froze.
He'd recognize that voice in any storm, across any distance. It hit him like a bolt of lightning.
Sandy Taylor stood just inside the hallway, her lips slightly parted in surprise, her dark green eyes wide as they met his.
Time slowed.
She was still stunning-if not more than before. Her auburn hair cascaded down her shoulders in soft waves, her fitted cream dress clinging to her figure like it was made for her alone. But what struck Tony most wasn't her beauty. It was the gold engagement ring on her left hand.
Jason's fiancée.
His former love.
She stepped forward slowly, her voice barely a whisper. "You're back..."
Tony's heart twisted. "You're engaged to him?"
Sandy blinked, looking between the two men. "I... I didn't know you were coming back."
"That much is obvious," Tony said, bitterness sharpening his tone. "Guess I missed the save-the-date."
Jason chuckled from the side. "You left her, remember? Maybe she finally moved on."
Tony didn't take his eyes off Sandy. "I never left her. I was pushed out of her life."
The air crackled with unfinished words and unshed emotions. Sandy looked like she wanted to say something-anything-but instead, she turned and disappeared down the hallway.
Jason clapped Tony on the shoulder with mock sympathy. "Tough luck. But hey-if you're staying, you'll have a front-row seat to the wedding. That's something, right?"
Tony stepped back, brushing off the contact like it burned. "Don't get too comfortable, Jason. I'm not here to watch. I'm here to reclaim what's mine."
Jason's smile faded.
And Tony walked away.
Later that night
Tony stood in his old room, the one they hadn't bothered to change. Dust clung to the edges, but everything else remained untouched-his books, his desk, the photos that once meant something.
He opened the top drawer and found the old silver key taped beneath it. The key to his father's study.
He slipped it into his pocket.
This wasn't just about revenge anymore. It was about truth. He would uncover every rotten secret this family tried to bury-every lie, every betrayal.
And if it led him back to Sandy?
Well, that was a complication he'd deal with when the time came. But deep down, even he couldn't deny the truth: He hadn't just come back to destroy the empire. A part of him still wanted to belong to it- with her.
The mansion had grown quieter by the hour. After the initial shock of Tony's return, the estate settled into an uneasy calm- like a house that knew a storm had just crossed its threshold but hadn't figured out where the lightning would strike.
Tony stood alone on the balcony of his old room, staring out into the dark horizon. The garden below still bore the same layout he remembered- roses his mother once cared for blooming under the moonlight, untouched by time. But that was the problem with places like this: the world kept turning, people kept changing, but the past? It never truly died.
A soft knock broke his thoughts.
He turned. The door creaked open, revealing Sandy, standing hesitantly at the threshold.
"I wasn't sure if you'd want to see me," she said softly.
Tony leaned back against the railing. "I didn't think you'd want to come."
She stepped in, closing the door behind her. "You look... different."
"So do you." He glanced at her hand-the diamond still there, glinting under the chandelier's dim light. "Guess congratulations are in order."
She followed his gaze and sighed. "It's... complicated."
"That's funny," Tony said with a hollow laugh. "So was us. But we didn't get to call it 'complicated.' It was just over."
"I waited for you," Sandy said, voice trembling. "For a year. You disappeared. No calls. No letters. You left me in the middle of a war you never explained."
"I was forced out, Sandy," he said, pushing off the railing. "I was set up, and my father made it very clear I was no longer welcome. If I stayed, it would've destroyed me-and maybe you too."
"You should have told me."
"I wanted to protect you."
"And instead," she whispered, "you abandoned me."
Silence pressed between them. The years apart had sharpened the distance into something razor-thin and dangerous. So many things unsaid. So many nights lost.
Tony walked closer, lowering his voice. "Are you in love with him?"
She looked up at him, tears brimming but not falling. "I'm supposed to be."
His heart cracked at that. "But you're not."
"I don't know," she admitted, folding her arms tightly over her chest. "Jason was there when everything fell apart. He was... safe. Predictable. And I was broken."
"He doesn't love you, Sandy. Not the way I did. Not the way I still do."
Her breath caught, and for a moment, the years vanished. The fire between them flickered-dangerous, familiar, undeniable.
"I shouldn't be here," she whispered, backing toward the door.
Tony didn't stop her. He couldn't. If he reached for her now, it would be more than a reunion-it would be betrayal. Of his brother. Of everything she'd tried to rebuild.
But before she slipped out, she turned back, just once.
"I want to believe you, Tony. But if you really were set up... prove it. Before it's too late."
Midnight – Anderson Estate Study
The key still fit.
Tony stepped into Harold Anderson's study with quiet precision, closing the door behind him. The room smelled of cedar, scotch, and secrets. Books lined the walls, but Tony went straight to the antique desk.
He remembered the floorboard-the second one near the left bookshelf. He pried it up with a penknife, revealing a false compartment beneath.
Inside: a sealed folder marked Anderson Holdings: Internal Audit 2015.
The year everything fell apart.
He opened it, hands steady. There were receipts, emails, a list of offshore transfers-none under his name. All signed by Jason.
His jaw clenched.
So he'd been right. Jason had set him up. Taken his name, his position, and eventually-his girl.
Tony barely heard the footsteps outside the door before it opened.
Harold Anderson stood in the doorway, older now but still imposing.
"I wondered when you'd find that," he said calmly.
Tony stared him down. "You knew. You let him do it."
Harold walked in, closing the door. "I did what I had to. The board was circling like sharks. Jason was controllable. You weren't."
"I was your son."
"You were reckless," Harold replied. "And you loved Sandy more than the family business. That made you weak."
Tony's hand curled into a fist. "You exiled me to protect your control."
"I protected the empire. You think this is about you? This is about legacy. Power. Survival."
Tony stood, fire in his eyes. "No. This is about corruption. And I'm going to tear it down-starting with Jason."
Harold's expression darkened. "You expose this, you don't just ruin him. You ruin us all. Even her."
Tony's resolve wavered for a second.
Then hardened.
"Then let it all burn."
Sophia Morelli has lived a life of luxury, but it's a luxury tainted by the shadow of her family's mafia connections. Trapped in a gilded cage, she yearns for freedom from the violence and deceit that surround her. But when her father, the head of the Morelli crime family, arranges her engagement to a man she despises, her life takes a dark turn. Dante Rossi, the ruthless and calculating head of a rival mafia family, is a man who commands respect and fear. He's spent years building his empire and erasing any weakness, but everything changes when he's ordered to protect Sophia from the escalating threats to her life. What starts as a reluctant duty soon turns into a dangerous game of passion and power.
Born under the Blood Moon, Sarah Law has always felt the curse in her veins- a mark of ancient magic, feared by her pack and hunted by those who know the prophecy. When her pack betrays her on her eighteenth birthday, offering her as a sacrifice to the wild Lycans, Sarah expects death. What she finds instead is him. Damien Knights, the exiled Lycan King, scarred by war and bound by vengeance, saves her for reasons even he doesn't understand. She's the key to lifting the curse that plagues his people... but also the one who could destroy him. As enemies close in, secrets unravel, and the full extent of Sarah's power awakens, a bond forms between the cursed girl and the broken king- one forged by blood, fate, and a darkness neither of them can escape.
Lena Matthews never expected her life to turn upside down when her mother remarried, bringing along her new stepbrother, Jace Sullivan. Jace, with his smoldering good looks and rebellious attitude, is everything Lena never wanted in a step-sibling. The tension between them is palpable, but Lena keeps her distance, determined to ignore the undeniable chemistry that grows between them. However, when a shared family secret emerges, everything changes. Lena is thrust into a whirlwind of emotions, betrayal, and temptation as the truth unravels. Jace, who has always been the bad boy with a troubled past, becomes her unexpected protector. As they navigate their newfound connection, Lena must decide whether to risk it all for a forbidden love that threatens to tear their family apart or walk away before it's too late.
Violet Kensington is a woman on a mission. After years of working her way up in the corporate world, she's finally earned a coveted position at the prestigious Westbrook Industries-a company led by the enigmatic and infuriatingly handsome billionaire, Liam Westbrook. With his cold demeanor and reputation for ruthless decision-making, Liam is nothing like the man she expected to meet. But there's more to Liam than meets the eye, and Violet soon finds herself tangled in a forbidden affair that threatens to derail her career. Liam Westbrook, the elusive CEO of Westbrook Industries, has long since sworn off love. His life is built on control, and he's not about to let a fiery intern like Violet disrupt his carefully constructed world. But the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes for him to ignore the undeniable chemistry between them. As passion flares and boundaries blur, secrets from Liam's past begin to surface-secrets that could destroy everything, including the fragile relationship they've built.
For centuries, the Ashbane and Nightclaw packs have been locked in a brutal feud soaked in blood and vengeance. Elle Davenport, daughter of the Ashbane Beta, was raised to hate the Nightclaws-especially their ruthless Alpha, Brandon Osgood. So when she's taken hostage during a border ambush, she expects death... not the glowing mark of the mate bond binding her to her sworn enemy. Brandon doesn't want a mate-especially not her. But the bond is unbreakable, and something darker than war is stirring in the woods. Rogue packs are rising, alliances are shifting, and an ancient prophecy foretells a union that could either save or doom them all. Now, bound by fate and hunted by forces that want them dead, Elle and Brandon must choose: destroy each other... or fight side by side. Love was never part of the war. But the moon has other plans.
A desperate escape to her childhood home leads Isabella Bennett straight into the hands of Maximo Morelli, the cold and calculating mafia don. Unaware of his true identity, she spends one unforgettable night with him, only to wake up the next morning to find him gone, leaving behind only a cryptic warning note. Despite his attempts to push the night out of his mind, Maximo finds himself consumed by thoughts of Isabella. But when he discovers that her father betrayed the mafia, Maximo takes Isabella captive, vowing to make her life a nightmare. However, as he gets closer to her, he finds himself drawn to her in ways he can't ignore. What starts as hatred evolves into desire, and lust turns into an undeniable passion. Will they surrender to their explosive chemistry? Or will the shadows of the mafia pull them into an inescapable darkness?
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
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."
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?"
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. “It's time to reveal your true identity, darling.”
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.