Elliana, the unfavored "ugly duckling" of her family, was humiliated by her stepsister, Paige, who everyone admired. Paige, engaged to the CEO Cole, was the perfect woman-until Cole married Elliana on the day of the wedding. Shocked, everyone wondered why he chose the "ugly" woman. As they waited for her to be cast aside, Elliana stunned everyone by revealing her true identity: a miracle healer, financial mogul, appraisal prodigy, and AI genius. When her mistreatment became known, Cole revealed Elliana's stunning, makeup-free photo, sending shockwaves through the media. "My wife doesn't need anyone's approval."
"Elliana, remember what I told you. Until you turn twenty, never show your beauty or your talents."
For fifteen years, Elliana Marsh lived by her mother's final words. She made herself look plain and acted like she knew nothing-just to blend into the background.
But today was her twentieth birthday. And she was ready to let go of the old Elliana and showcase her true self.
She filled the tub with warm water, added some bath salts, and set her makeup remover nearby. Just as she started undressing for a long, relaxing soak to wash off the ugly makeup, a loud knock ruined the peace.
Irritated, she threw on a robe and opened the door.
Melody Ahmed, the maid, stood there, nose in the air as usual. "Elliana, what are you sneaking around in here for? It's Miss Jones's wedding day. If you don't show up, people will start whispering and potentially tarnish the Jones family's image. Go to the front hall, now!"
Elliana smirked derisively. This maid had never been polite to her. Saying she sneaked around was hardly accurate. Truthfully, she had been pushed into that back room for fifteen years since her mother's death. After her mother's passing, her stepmother, Kiara Jones, and her father and Kiara's illegitimate daughter, Paige Jones, wasted no time joining the Jones family and took over everything.
The worst part? Not even Elliana's father, Darin Jones, treated her the way she deserved.
"I'll go change," Elliana said calmly.
Melody scoffed. "What's the point? With that ugly face of yours, no dress can save you. Move it! The Evans family's already here. The City Hall staff members are on-site to collect the materials to register the marriage between Mr. Evans and Miss Jones. Mrs. Jones wants everyone present for the big moment."
Elliana's lips curled into a cold smile.
The Evans family was the most powerful in Ublento. Cole Evans, their heir, was a business genius. Paige was the city's favorite socialite. Of course, their engagement was all over the news. People called them a perfect couple. A match made in heaven. Every compliment in the book was used to describe them. Social media was going wild. Everyone was waiting for their grand wedding.
Kiara made it sound proper and grand, but Elliana knew the truth-she was simply dragged out to watch Paige shine.
Elliana got changed and followed Melody to the front hall.
The Jones family's residence looked like a palace, dressed in over-the-top luxury to celebrate Paige's big day.
Everyone in the room wore elegant outfits, except Elliana. She stood out like a sore thumb in a cheap white T-shirt, ripped jeans, and hideous makeup. She didn't just clash with the scene-she crashed it.
Kiara was chatting with Cole's grandfather, Ruben Evans, when Elliana walked in. Kiara paused and then put on her usual fake smile. "Elliana, I got you a beautiful new dress. Why didn't you wear it?"
Elliana inwardly rolled her eyes. As if Kiara ever did. She used to fake being clueless and play along with Kiara's charade, but now she was done with these games. She didn't bother replying to Kiara. Instead, she turned to Ruben and gave a polite nod. "Hello, Mr. Evans."
Ruben chuckled. "Well, Elliana, you've certainly got your own style these days."
Elliana ran a hand through her messy wig. She hadn't expected him to be so tolerant. At least he wasn't calling her a disaster.
Her eyes naturally drifted to the man beside Ruben. She'd noticed him the moment she stepped in. From his posture and presence, she could tell-this had to be Cole, the mysterious heir rarely seen in public. Seeing him up close was something else. Tall, sharp, and ridiculously handsome. He looked like he'd stepped straight out of a romance novel. She couldn't help staring just a little too long.
"Look at Elliana," Melody sneered, voice loud on purpose. "Ugly as hell, yet she dares to drool over Paige's fiancé. What a joke. With that face, even looking at Mr. Evans is a crime."
Melody was clearly complying with Kiara's silent orders.
Paige leaned closer to Cole, clinging to his arm like she was claiming her prize. "It's fine. Cole's amazing. It's only natural that other women like him."
Paige didn't see Elliana as a threat at all. In fact, she wanted Elliana to chase after him. It made her feel even more superior-like she had already won.
Darin's face twisted in anger as he snarled at Elliana, "What a disgrace. Get out of here!"
Elliana dragged over a chair with one leg and dropped into it casually, right across from Cole.
Cole didn't flinch. His face stayed blank, cold as stone.
Ruben cleared his throat awkwardly and turned to the City Hall staff members. "Let's check if we missed any documents for the marriage registration."
"Of course." The City Hall members opened their laptops and checked if any crucial materials were missing. A moment later, one of them froze and gazed at Cole hesitantly. "Mr. Evans... The system says you're already married. Your wife is listed as Ms. Elliana Marsh..."
"Wait, what?" Gasps filled the room.
Elliana's eyes went wide. Shock hit her like a slap. She was married? And to Cole Evans, no less? But she had no idea how.
“You need a bride, I need a groom. Why don’t we get married?” Both abandoned at the altar, Elyse decided to tie the knot with the disabled stranger from the venue next door. Pitying his state, she vowed to spoil him once they were married. Little did she know that he was actually a powerful tycoon. Jayden thought Elyse only married him for his money, and planned to divorce her when she was no longer of use to him. But after becoming her husband, he was faced with a new dilemma. “She keeps asking for a divorce, but I don’t want that! What should I do?”
Chandler Su who had cheated by her boyfriend then got drunk at a bar. To take revenge, she grabbed a man randomly and took him to the room. After a crazy night, Chandler found the strange man was a super handsome guy the next morning. Shy and shocked Chandler run away after leaving 150 RMB and scorning the man of his poor bed skills. However, she never thought the story would become so dramatic as the next day, she found out that the new coming president of her company was exactly the man she slept the last night! Worse than that, this new boss seemed very narrow-minded as he asked Chandler to come to his office on the first day.
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."
"You're mine, little puppy," Kylan growled against my neck. A soft gasp escaped my lips as his lips brushed my skin. My mind screamed at me to push him away-the Lycan Prince who had humiliated me again and again, but my body betrayed me, leaning into him before I could stop myself. He pressed his lips against mine, and his kiss grew more aggressive, more possessive as I felt my legs weaken. What was I doing? In a split-second, I pulled away and slapped him hard across the face. Kylan's eyes darkened, but the smirk on his lips exposed his amusement. "You and I both know we can't fight this, Violet," he said, gripping my wrist. "You're my mate." "And yet you don't want me," I replied. "You told me you were ashamed of me, that l'd never be your queen, that you'd never love me. So please, accept my rejection and let me go." "Never," he whispered, his grip tightening as he pulled me closer. "Soon enough, you'll be begging for me. and when you do-I'll use you as I see fit and then I'll reject you."
In their three years of marriage, Chelsea had been a dutiful wife to Edmund. She used to think that her love and care would someday melt Edmund's cold heart, but she was wrong. Finally, she couldn't take the disappointment any longer and chose to end the marriage. Edmund had always thought that his wife was just boring and dull. So it was shocking when Chelsea suddenly threw divorce papers at his face in front of everyone at the Nelson Group's anniversary party. How humiliating! After that, everyone thought that the formerly-married couple would never see each other again, even Chelsea. Once again, she thought wrong. Sometime later, at an award ceremony, Chelsea went onstage to accept the award for best screenplay. Her ex-husband, Edmund, was the one presenting the award to her. As he handed her the trophy, he suddenly reached for her hand and pleaded humbly in front of the audience, "Chelsea, I'm sorry I didn't cherish you before. Could you please give me another chance?" Chelsea looked at him indifferently. "I'm sorry, Mr. Nelson. My only concern now is my business." Edmund's heart was shattered into a million pieces. "Chelsea, I really can't live without you." But his ex-wife just walked away. Wasn't it better for her to just concentrate on her career? Men would only distract her—especially her ex-husband.
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.