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Marco Ricci knew nothing except lies about his life. Marco, seventeen years old, finds a secret rifle and a mysterious notepad in his father's desk, therefore destroying his cozy suburban life overnight. His father has been arrested, not just absent. The family business is structured crime rather than insurance. And the Ricci family name isn't just a name-it's a dynasty he's now expected to protect. Forced to flee his home with the protection of his father's fearsome lieutenant, Marco's life takes a dramatic turn when he meets Ellie Lia at a gas station in the dead of night. Smart and beautiful, Ellie is not only his chemistry lab partner but also his secret crush. To his shock, she is revealed to be Elena Donato, the daughter of his family's most dangerous enemy. The look they share in that pivotal moment hints that Ellie may be just as trapped in this long-standing blood feud as he is. With both families on the verge of war and his father imprisoned, Marco is faced with an impossible decision: to accept the criminal legacy he has tried to escape or risk losing everyone he holds dear. Some family secrets are written in blood-and some ties can't be broken.
Marco Ricci tapped his pencil against his chemistry notebook, stealing another glance at Ellie Lia across the lab bench. She was focused on their titration experiment, her dark hair falling forward as she carefully measured drops of solution into the flask. The blue liquid swirled and Marco forced himself to look away before she caught him staring. Again.
"You're supposed to be recording the color changes," Ellie said without looking up, a hint of amusement in her voice.
"Right. Sorry." Marco quickly scribbled down the observations they needed for their lab report. Chemistry was usually his best subject, but lately, he found his attention wandering whenever they worked together.
Ellie had transferred to Westlake High just last semester, but she'd quickly risen to the top of their class. Marco had been paired with her for the spring semester project, something about acid-base equilibrium that would count for thirty percent of their final grade. He wasn't complaining.
"I think we're seeing the transition now," Ellie said, her voice dropping to an excited whisper. "Look."
Marco leaned in as the solution changed from blue to a pale violet. Their heads nearly touched over the beaker, and he caught the faint scent of her shampoo-something citrusy and clean.
"Perfect," he said, noting the exact number of drops. "We should get an A on this for sure."
Ellie smiled, a rare full smile that transformed her usually serious face. "You sound surprised."
"With us? Never." Marco grinned back. "Science dream team, remember?"
The bell rang, signaling the end of seventh period. Around them, their classmates hurriedly packed up their materials, eager to start their weekend. Mr. Brennan called out reminders about the lab report due Monday, his voice barely audible over the shuffle of backpacks and closing textbooks.
"You want to work on the analysis section this weekend?" Marco asked, trying to sound casual as he packed his notebook away. "I could come over to your place, or you could come to mine."
A shadow passed over Ellie's face. "I can't. Family stuff all weekend."
"Everything okay?" Marco asked.
"Just my dad. He's... strict about family obligations." She hesitated, then added, "Maybe we could video chat Sunday night? Around eight?"
"Sure, that works." Marco nodded, hiding his disappointment. In the six months they'd been lab partners, he'd never been to her house, and she'd always declined invitations to his. He'd begun to wonder if maybe she was embarrassed-not that she had any reason to be around him.
The Ricci house was impressive by anyone's standards-four bedrooms, pool in the backyard, and a view of the hills from the kitchen window. His father had worked hard to provide for them, often traveling for business with his insurance company. Marco never wanted for anything material, though sometimes he wished his dad was around more often.
As they cleaned up their lab station, Ellie asked, "Did you find your birth certificate? For the genealogy project in History?"
Marco groaned. "Not yet. My mom swears it's in my dad's office somewhere. I'm supposed to look tonight."
"Better you than me. My family history is... complicated." Something in her tone made Marco curious, but before he could ask, she continued, "Text me if you want to chat before Sunday."
She shouldered her backpack and was gone before Marco could respond, slipping through the crowd in the hallway with practiced ease.
Outside, Marco spotted his best friend Javier waiting by his locker.
"Dude, you're still doing that thing where you stare at Ellie Lia like she's a chemistry equation you can't solve," Javier said, punching him lightly on the arm.
"Shut up," Marco muttered, spinning his combination lock.
"Just ask her out already. Worst she can say is no."
Marco shook his head. "It's not that simple. We have to work together for the rest of the semester."
"Excuses, excuses." Javier leaned against the neighboring locker. "You coming to Tyler's party tonight? His parents are out of town."
"Can't. Dad's coming home from his business trip, and Mom's making his favorite dinner. Family thing."
Javier rolled his eyes. "Your loss. There'll be girls there who actually want to socialize."
Marco closed his locker. "I'll try to stop by later if I can."
"Sure you will." Javier didn't look convinced. "Later, Ricci."
Marco watched him disappear down the hallway, then headed for the student parking lot where his sixteenth birthday present-a sleek black Audi-waited. Another perk of being the son of a successful insurance executive. Most of his classmates either drove beaters or didn't have cars at all.
As he pulled out of the lot, Marco spotted Ellie waiting at the corner. She stood alone, arms crossed, scanning the street as if looking for someone. He briefly considered offering her a ride but remembered her reaction the last time he'd suggested it. Something about her father not wanting her to ride with people he hadn't met. Marco had found it strange-most parents at Westlake were pretty relaxed-but he respected her boundaries.
The drive home took less than fifteen minutes. Marco pulled into the circular driveway of the Ricci house, noting his mother's white Mercedes already parked in front. The landscapers had been by; the scent of freshly cut grass hung in the air.
"Mom?" he called, dropping his backpack in the marble-floored entryway. The house was quiet except for the distant hum of the pool filter.
"In the kitchen, honey!"
Marco found his mother arranging flowers in a crystal vase. Maria Ricci was still beautiful at forty-five, her dark hair showing only the faintest strands of silver at her temples. She wore slim-fitting jeans and a cashmere sweater that probably cost more than most people's monthly car payments.
"How was school?" she asked, kissing his cheek.
"Fine. Hey, I need to find my birth certificate for that history project. You said it was in Dad's office?"
"In the filing cabinet, I think. Or maybe the desk." She frowned slightly. "Actually, why don't you wait for your father to help you look? He's very particular about his office."
"Dad won't be home until dinner, and the project's due Monday." Marco grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl. "I'll be careful, I promise."
His mother hesitated, then nodded. "All right. But don't disturb anything. You know how he gets about his work things."
His mother hurried with what was she was doing.
Aria Rossi was moments away from marrying into one of New York's most powerful crime families when she fled, leaving behind a devastated groom and a deadly vendetta. Five years later, she's built a new life under an assumed identity in the sun-soaked streets of Miami, believing she's finally safe. As the owner of a thriving art gallery, Aria has buried her past beneath layers of carefully crafted lies and exquisite paintings. But when a mysterious new client walks into her gallery, Aria comes face-to-face with her past-and the man she left at the altar. Lorenzo Caruso, now the head of his family's criminal empire, has never forgotten the woman who broke his heart and tarnished his honor. As old feelings reignite, so does the danger that forced her to run. With enemies closing in from all sides and secrets threatening to unravel everything she's built, Aria must decide: Can she trust the man she once loved with her life, or will their second chance at romance be her ultimate downfall? Just as she makes her choice, a shocking revelation changes everything-and nothing is as it seems. An intricate web of betrayal, hidden identities, and long-buried secrets begins to surface, forcing Aria to question everything she thought she knew about her past, her present, and the man she's never stopped loving. In a world where loyalty is everything and trust can get you killed, will Aria and Lorenzo's rekindled passion be strong enough to overcome the lies that tear them apart, or will their love become another masterpiece in her gallery of deception?
After her late husband's debts leave her poverty-stricken, Sarah Jenkins finds herself with no choice but to agree to her in-laws arranging her marriage to billionaire developer Lachlan Reid. Thrust from her struggling existence into his world of opulence and luxury, Sarah is overwhelmed by the drastic change in her circumstances. As she navigates high society events and lavish vacations, she discovers a side of Lachlan hidden beneath his cold exterior. Against all odds, an unexpected affection blossoms between them. But can Sarah truly trust her growing feelings, or is she merely swept up in the allure of wealth and security? Just as she begins to embrace her new life, a shocking revelation threatens to unravel everything...
Title: THE PLAYBOY CHALLENGE Genre: romance Trope: billionaire, play boy. Blurb: Lenora's life was going downhill quickly. From being fired at her work to being about to be evicted from her apartment, she is exhausted with her life of utter misery. The icing on the cake is when a dangerous man sends his two goon sniffing after her and her sister. They can either find a way to get five thousand dollars in three days or become shark food. A miracle comes in the form of a billionaire's daughter with a bruised ego. The plan is simple, if Lenora can keep billionaire playboy Ian O'Malley's attention for sixty days followed by a humiliating, public break up, she gets enough money to turn her life around. It's supposed to be a simple plan, and she's never meant to start feeling things for the charming billionaire. She can't mix business with emotions, but she's never felt this way before. What happens when a money making scheme with a looming end date begins to feel too real?
“Drive this woman out!” "Throw this woman into the sea!” When he doesn’t know Debbie Nelson’s true identity, Carlos Hilton cold-shoulders her. “Mr. Hilton, she is your wife,” Carlos’ secretary reminded him. Hearing that, Carlos gives him a cold stare and complained, “why didn’t you tell me earlier?” From then on, Carlos spoils her rotten. Little did everyone expect that they would get a divorce.
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.
"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!
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.
Lucia Balstone thought she had chosen the right man to spend the rest of her life with, but he was the one who ended her life. Their ten-year marriage seemed like a joke when her husband stabbed her with a dagger. Fortunately, God is never blind to people's tears. Lucia got a second chance. She was reborn at the age of 22, before all the terrible things had happened. This time, she was determined to avenge herself and let those who hurt her pay! She made an elaborate list of her goals, and the first thing on her list was to marry her ex-husband's enemy, Alonso Callen!
Melanie married Ashton out of gratitude, but she quickly found herself entangled in a web of relentless challenges. Despite these struggles, she stayed true to her commitment to the marriage. In the hospital room, Ashton indifferently attempted to draw her blood, disregarding her discomfort. This callous act was a harsh revelation for Melanie, awakening her to the grim reality of their relationship. Resolved to prioritize her own welfare, she decided to sever ties. With newfound resolve, Melanie filed for divorce. In the process, she unveiled her concealed identities, leaving everyone in shock. Throughout these turbulent times, Melanie realized that Derek, Ashton’s uncle, had been discreetly protecting her all along.