Seeking a fresh start, Avery Chen, the abandoned daughter of a well-known mafia lord, enrolls in a top university. Rather, she discovers she is in the middle of a dangerous network of academics and criminal activities. Avery draws the attention of campus golden boy Lucas Sterling as she is bullied for her family ties but she politely denies his interest. Expert assassin Avery pays for her schooling by means of high-stakes operations. Her world meets Lucas's when she finds out he is in charge of a competitor criminal group. As Lucas and his estranged brother Damien come to see Avery could be the key to bringing their disparate groups together, Avery must negotiate her feelings, her mission, and the dangerous underground of college organized crime. Avery battles to find the truth about her father's desertion and create her own path, therefore her particular abilities both help and hinder her. Will Avery be swallowed by the criminal underworld in a society where loyalties shift like sand?
Avery Chen's lone suitcase stood out sharply among the many bags as she walked onto Blackthorn University's ivy-covered campus in the fading summer sun. The air was filled with a mix of laughter, tears, and the rustling of maps as freshmen moved into their new home. Avery took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. This was it-a fresh start, a chance to become someone new, not just the forgotten daughter of a famous mafia boss. She was determined not to let whispers and sideways glances stop her from reaching her dreams. She had worked hard for this opportunity.
As she crossed the large quad, she began to hear murmurs. At first, they were faint, but soon they grew louder and seemed to follow her everywhere. "Isn't that the don's daughter?" someone asked. "I heard he left her all alone." "What is she doing here?" Avery tightened her jaw but kept her expression unchanged. She had spent years perfecting this indifferent mask. Let them talk. She came here to study and build a future far removed from her family's dark past.
In the distance, a large red brick building marked her new apartment for the year. Avery stopped at the door and watched families helping their kids move in. Suddenly, she felt a sharp pang of loneliness but pushed it aside. She wouldn't benefit from feeling sorry for herself. Inside, the hall was a maze of activity. Avery moved through the chaos, dodging packed boxes and teary parents. Her small, simple room was easy to find-no roommate, which she had hoped for. Fewer people in her personal space meant more privacy.
As she unpacked, she overheard a group of girls talking outside her door. They suddenly went quiet when they saw her. Avery caught snippets of their conversation: "That's her. Should we say something?" "Are you kidding? Her father probably has spies everywhere." Avery slammed a drawer shut, and the girls quickly left. She closed her eyes for a moment, leaning against the wall. If this kept up, the year would feel very long.
Her door was knocked on, and a tall, slim guy with curly hair grinned at her. "Hello, neighbor! I'm Alex. Just wanted to say hi and see if you needed help moving in." Avery looked him over, searching for any sign of judgment. When she found none, she relaxed a little. "Avery here. Thanks, but I'm almost done." Alex's smile stayed in place. "Great. Later, we're heading to the dining hall if you want to join us. It's the first night dinner." For a second, Avery was tempted. Saying yes would be an easy way to fit in. But breaking old habits was tough. She gave a quick smile to soften her refusal. "Maybe next time." "Don't worry! When you're ready, you're welcome to join us," Alex said, waving as he walked away.
Avery pulled out a faded picture and turned back to packing. It showed her as a child, smiling beside Marcus Chen, her father, whose face had been skillfully removed. She traced the edges of the photo with a mix of longing and anger. Why was she keeping this? She reached to throw it away but hesitated and then tucked it into a book. Some ties were harder to break than others.
The rest of the afternoon was filled with orientation activities. Avery watched her peers from a distance, keeping to herself. She observed cliques forming and tried to figure out potential friends and foes. As evening fell, she found herself drawn to the library. The large Gothic building stood out among the modern campus buildings. Inside, the smell of old books and polished wood was comforting. She ran her fingers along the leather-bound spines and stumbled into a quiet corner on forensic science and criminology. A sardonic smile crossed her face. She couldn't escape her past, even here.
Curious, she picked up a big book on organized crime. As she turned the pages, one name caught her eye-Chen. Her breath caught as she read about her father's rise to power and his later disappearance. "Interesting book choice," a voice said behind her. Avery almost dropped the book. A young man with green eyes and a confident look stood there.
He closed the book with a smooth lie. "I'm writing a paper."
"Really?" He raised his eyebrows as if he sensed she wasn't being completely honest. "I'm Lucas Sterling, political science major and unofficial welcome committee for lost freshmen." Avery knew his type: friendly and used to getting what he wanted. Dangerous in his own way.
"Well, Lucas Sterling, I'm glad you're here, but I'm not lost. Just exploring," Avery said, moving to put the book back on the shelf. Lucas reached out and took it from her hands. "Family Dynamics in China. Interesting material. You know, the Don's daughter is supposedly on campus this year."
Avery kept her face neutral, though her heart raced. "Is that true?"
"Mm-hmm." Lucas flipped the book over, showing a chapter on her father. "He disappeared, ruined his empire, and left his loved ones."
"I'm sure it's all very dramatic, but I have an early class tomorrow," Avery said coolly. "Excuse me." As she tried to leave, Lucas blocked her path. "You never told me your name."
Avery considered lying but felt Lucas was hard to fool. Finally, she said, "Avery."
"Avery Chen," Lucas said with a triumphant smile, confirming her fears. He had known who she was all along. "Well, Avery Chen," he said softly, with a hint of something she couldn't quite place. "Hey, Blackthorn. This place is going to get really interesting soon." He handed her the book and quickly walked away, leaving Avery alone among the dark shelves.
Looking at the book, she felt the weight of her father's legacy. So much for a fresh start. As she returned to her dorm, the campus seemed to grow darker, and every laugh and whisper felt aimed at her. Feeling watched, she quickened her pace and leaned against her door, safe in her room. Starting over would be tough, but she didn't expect her past to catch up so quickly. Her phone buzzed, showing an encrypted message that pulled her back to her old life. Avery read the message with trembling fingers. A new job, another goal. She closed her eyes and sighed. Opening them again, she replaced uncertainty with determination. She had sacrificed too much and worked too hard to let anything stop her. As she dressed in black for the evening, she vowed to excel at Blackthorn and in her other life. She would show Lucas Sterling and her family's ghosts just how dangerous the Don's heir could be. As the last light faded from the sky, Avery left her dorm and disappeared into the campus darkness. Blackthorn University slept behind her, unaware of the perilous journey that lay ahead for both student and assassin Avery Chen.
Young Omega Aria challenges herself to dream outside her expected position under the Moonstone Pack. On her eighteenth birthday, she risked her life for Zander, the strong Alpha of the pack. But his nasty rejection breaks more than just her heart. As Aria explores further into the jungle, twin Beta brothers Liam and Ethan observe her latent power. Although Aria is motivated to attempt something different by their interest, it also starts a rivalry that can split the group in half. Just as Aria is starting to get her footing, her father orders her to give up her recently acquired freedom. But is the pack under control by a shadowy, deeper entity, or is this arranged marriage truly his idea? Zander's abrupt change of heart over Aria fuels mistrust. As the pack learns of changes, is sincere regret or a means of control sought? As the next full moon approaches, conflict intensues. Aria has to decide that will impact not just her heart but also the pack's fundamental structure. But the pack has a secret threat that will strike when they are most weak. Allegiances will be tested, secrets will be exposed, and blood will be lost one fateful night. Aria will have to negotiate not only her suitors but also the very underpinnings of her world. Aria's choice will either cause the Moonstone Pack to descend into darkness or glimpse a fresh dawn. And what type of sacrifices are required to build a world whereby every wolf, regardless of hierarchy, may howl free?
He was her one indefensible sin - the extremely rich person who left her when she wanted him most. Be that as it may, shortly Michael Drake is back, and the admission hanging between them takes steps to break everything... Elizabeth Parker sacrificed all that to bring up the child Michael never knew existed all alone. In an effort to give her young son the life he deserves, she has fought for years to live. But Elizabeth's perfect life is about to fall apart as her art store opens in the Hamptons. Since Michael Drake isn't simply her child's mystery father - he's her new business, claimed by the realm that could represent the moment of truth her career. Destiny has tossed Elizabeth's past rashness back right in front of her. This time, Michael demands information that she is hesitant to provide. An unknown adversary approaches Elizabeth and her child as tensions between them rise, putting them in unimaginable danger. Michael's angry security is unexpected...but the sizzling energy that actually consumes hot after this time is as well. He'll successfully guard them, regardless of whether it suggests leaving his billion-dollar organization. Even if it means losing her life for the child they share, she will do anything to finally have the family she has always wanted. Be that as it may, could they at any point beat the lethal mix-ups of the past before it's past the point of no return? Reality could destroy them. It could be even more evil to keep their secrets hidden. This meeting is certain to be...explosive, that much is certain.
In the glitzy world of high-stakes politics, billionaire James Harding's Senate bid seems to be inexchangeable. But under the polished campaign, a network of secrets waits and might destroy everything. James's secret weapon is Alex, his charming, bright, totally committed son. So then is he? James is distant from the two-fold life his child leads as he rises in the polls offering to eradicate the drug epidemic afflicting the city. Now enter Sarah, Alex's girlfriend and the best drug expert in the city, hot on the route of a wily head honcho often known as "The Apparition." What she finds will completely change her world. As election day comes, the borders separating family from obligation from survival are erasing. An amazing attempt at murder... a pregnancy that might kill... An astounding double-crossing... As rival gangs approach and long-buried facts surface, the Hardings discover they are in a dangerous game in which none is who they seem. Will James's political ambitions be realised? Could Alex at any time transcend his past? And to protect the people Sarah loves, how far will she travel?
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.
Amelia's boyfriend and her half-blood sister were about to get married! So she went to the bar and got drunk. She vaguely remembered she had bumped into a handsome man... The next morning, she woke up and found herself have a one-night stand with a stranger. They parted away at the hotel without giving names. However, when she went to the company, she found her new boss was the man she slept with last night! She hid from his eyes on the meeting, and pretended she didn't know him. Yet when she went to a blind date her father arranged for her after work, the man was her new boss who she picked up at a bar and had a one-night stand with! "Woman, you're mine, in the past, for now, and in the future."
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"
For three years, Shane and Yvonne were wed, sharing heated nights, while his devotion clung to his ex. Yvonne strove to be a dutiful wife, yet their marriage felt hollow, built on desire rather than real warmth. All changed when she became pregnant, only for Shane to thrust her onto the operating table, warning, “Either you or the baby survives!” Broken by his cruelty, she vanished in grief and later returned, radiantly accomplished, leaving everyone awestruck. Haunted by remorse, Shane begged for another chance, but Yvonne only smiled and replied, “I’m sorry, men no longer interest me.”
Charlee was left at the altar and became a laughingstock. She tried to keep her head high, but ultimately lost it when she received a sex tape of her fiance and her half-sister. Devastated, she ended up spending a wild night with a hot stranger. It was supposed to be one-time thing, but he kept popping up, helping her with projects and revenge, all while flirting with her constantly. Charlee soon realized that it was nice having him around, until her ex suddenly appeared at her door, begging for another chance. Her tycoon lover asked, “Who will you choose? Think carefully before you answer.”
Sawyer, the world's top arms dealer, stunned everyone by falling for Maren—the worthless girl no one respected. People scoffed. Why chase a useless pretty face? But when powerful elites began gathering around her, jaws dropped. "She's not even married to him yet—already cashing in on his power?" they assumed. Curious eyes dug into Maren's past... only to find she was a scientific genius, a world-renowned medical expert, and heiress to a mafia empire. Later, Sawyer posted online. "My wife treats me like the enemy. Any advice?"