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2,745,883	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2745880}'	Yes	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758	Apply now to claim		LEARN_MORE	https://publicdebtrelief.com/blog/us-loan/f/debt37	Information Worth Sharing	https://www.facebook.com/100067527021508/	6,893	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	publicdebtrelief.com	DCO	{{product.description}}	https://publicdebtrelief.com/blog/us-loan/f/debt37206/index.php?ad_id={{ad.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&campaign_name={{campaign.name}}&source={{site_source_name}}&placement={{placement}}&cpid=8f46694f-fcd2-4f99-8bdd-ad94d6c76faa&lpid=4aede943-625f-4545-94c3-c12d2396ba66	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481175679_1211762743853919_8958753994131493849_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=G0nYySSRmfYQ7kNvgFPcAjB&_nc_oc=Adiep-EM-wllx6nK3_IEXFj9liroAkIOHTF0pWVqmYw-K41YtwUEQoi0tmiFiQyBUX5iOu-9Vu_B-uhYsFXR7I-C&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Aimbv-WstZHhybjX28S3CHR&oh=00_AYAjWFbxRb-N7LHiCmfiG7_YYYgqXPyois5amp48qZzGYQ&oe=67CBA9E8	PERSON_PROFILE	Information Worth Sharing	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,746,333	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2746313}'	Yes	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758	Download now for free reading 👉	Chapter 1: An Ugly Duckling Everyone says that the heir of the Fowler family is ruthless, with a mind as deep as an abyss, and a powerful figure in LA that one must never provoke. Yet Riley deliberately set out to seduce him. She was born with an alluring charm, but harbored a vengeful beast within her heart. He'd curse her as being unseemly, yet he'd turn LA upside down for her, sending her enemies straight to hell. When she tried to make a clean break and run, he pulled her right back, his voice hoarse with barely — concealed anger. "You think you can flirt and then bolt? Riley, where do you get the nerve?" Everyone in the city's narrow circle of the rich knew that Riley Aldrin was a big simp of Jake Perry. Even after countless humiliations at Jake's hands, one call from him, and Riley would come crawling back and wag her tail like a dog. People said it was really pathetic for her to chase after a guy who clearly didn't want her. Jake's friend joked,"Jake, Riley's head over heels for you. When are you gonna marry her?" Jake casually replied,"Marry that ugly duckling? She doesn't deserve it." Riley was standing at the VIP room door, her hand poised to push it open. Hearing this, she lowered her gaze. "An ugly duckling?" she thought."But Jake, you don't deserve me either." The moment Riley entered, the boisterous room fell silent. Everyone watched her with a mixture of amusement and disdain. Half an hour earlier, Jake called Riley, even though they'd been in a cold war. Everyone had bet she wouldn't show. After all, they had a fight yesterday because Jake had made her deliver condoms to a hotel. But she still came. She was indeed a big simp. Ignoring the sneering stares, Riley walked straight towards Jake, her expression impassive. He sat on the plush sofa, flanked by two women dressed to the nines. Riley's anger dissipated as she looked at him, her gaze softening. She addressed the woman on his right,"Could you move, please?" The woman looked up, sneering."Who the hell are you?" Riley remained silent. The woman leaned closer to Jake, her arm around his. Her voice was sweet."Jake, is she the simp you were talking about? She's mean." Jake glanced at Riley, said nothing. He pulled the woman closer and asked,"What's wrong, baby? Are you upset?" The woman nodded, pouting. Jake cooed,"How about I make her apologize to you?" Her eyes lit up."Yes, please!" Jake finally turned to Riley."Apologize, now." Riley remained motionless. Jake's brow furrowed in annoyance."Riley, are you deaf? Apologize!" Riley's face paled slightly."Don't...don't be mad." Jake smirked, his arrogance evident."Then apologize to her." Riley's voice, cool and detached, cut through the air."I'm sorry." Jake ignored her, turning back to the woman."Satisfied?" The woman, sensing Jake's lack of regard for Riley, emboldened herself. She shook her head."That's not sincere enough." Jake smiled."Then what do you want?" The woman's eyes darted around, landing on a bottle of champagne. She pointed at it."A real apology isn't just lip service. Drink all the champagnes on the table." Silence fell over the room. Those champagnes were spirits; one was enough to floor a man, let alone a woman. Riley didn't speak, but looked at Jake. Jake, his arm around a woman, had a knowing smirk. He met her gaze. Riley spoke first,"Are you sure you want this?" Jake knew Riley had a weak stomach, a lingering effect from years of taking shots for him. Since a recent incident where she'd ended up in the hospital with alcohol poisoning, he'd stopped her from drinking. Being challenged, anger flared in Jake. He scoffed,"You upset my girl, you asked for it." Riley stared into his restless face, her eyes filled with undisguised devotion. Then, a tear glistened in her eye. He didn't look like him anymore. A moment later, she smiled faintly."Pure alcohol is boring. Let's add some spice." She grabbed some spicy pepper from a nearby snack box, and started a self—punishing ritual. She downed pepper and champagne in quick succession. Jake's face darkened like a storm cloud. He watched Riley, and when she reached for the fourth bottle, he cursed. "Damn it, Riley, enough!" Riley stopped, her throat burning, her stomach on fire, but she held on. Her gaze was fixed on Jake."Is this sincere enough?" "Get out!" he roared. Riley stood motionless. Frustrated, Jake hurled his champagne glass at her. She didn't dodge. The glass shattered against her forehead, warm blood trickling down. Jake's eyes were dark and unreadable, yet he remained silent, his gaze fixed on Riley. Everyone stared at the blood flowing down Riley's face. Someone felt sorry for her. "Riley, Jake's drunk. Don't—" Jake cut them off sharply."Shut up." He looked at Riley, sneering."Riley, I'm tired of this." Riley wiped the blood from her forehead. Her voice was hoarse."So, you're breaking up with me?" Jake's lips curled into a sneer."Break up? Do you think you're my girlfriend?" His expression was almost vicious. Riley stared at him, unable to decipher his true feelings, perhaps due to the alcohol. Had they really come to this? She nodded faintly."Okay. I understand." Jake's face darkened further at her docile demeanor."Then get out!" Without a word, Riley stumbled out. "Hey, Jake, Riley's hurt. Shouldn't you at least check on her? Or she might really leave you for good." someone said. "No," Jake said. He poured himself another drink and downed it. Another guy chimed in,"So what? We all know about Riley. She's like a stubborn leech. I bet she'll come back to Jake in two days." "Yeah, last night Jake had her deliver those condoms to the hotel, and the only thing she cared about was his health!" "Jake, good for you. Did you drug her?" "Dude, you're awesome. You're my role model now." "..." Suddenly, Mark Taylor, who had been silent in the corner, spoke up."Jake, now that you're done with Riley, can I have a go? I think she's pretty interesting." Jake looked up sharply at Mark. Mark's expression flickered, realizing he'd put his foot in his mouth. Before he could apologize, Jake sneered. Chapter 2 I'm Tired of This Jake said,"You're interested in an ugly duckling?" "Hey, I think she's pretty." Mark replied. Jake shrugged,"Suit yourself." Riley stood at the doorway, listening to their repulsive conversation. Her chest felt constricted, a dull ache spreading through her. She pressed a hand to her chest, then stumbled towards a trash can. She clutched the can, vomiting violently. She was drenched in sweat and her hair was plastered to her face, looking pathetic. "Are you alright?" A gentle male voice came from behind her. Riley turned, trying to see who it was. The overhead lights were too bright, blurring her vision, yet the voice felt familiar. She opened her mouth, mumbled something, and lost consciousness. Riley woke up in a hospital room in the dead of night. She was bewildered. A nurse came in to change her dressing."You're finally awake," she said with a smile. Riley nodded, her voice hoarse."Who brought me here?" "Your boyfriend, I think. He's quite handsome." The nurse answered, changing her dressing. Riley froze. Her boyfriend? Jake? But she quickly dismissed the idea. His friends were right; she was just Jake's admirer. Riley met Jake three years ago. She was standing on the Harbor View Bridge, trying to kill herself. Jake appeared and saved her. Later, she learned he was two years her senior, a campus celebrity. From then on, Riley started appearing frequently around Jake, but all she did was look at him. Even he said nothing to her, she was content. But he found it repulsive, yelling at her, "Riley, stop harassing me!" Her response was staring at his handsome face. "You're sick," he'd said, walking away. Their relationship took a turn when Jake was shoved to the ground during a basketball game. Riley rushed onto the court, cradling his face, checking for injuries. Seeing a scratch on his cheek, she felt a crushing blow, as if something inside her had collapsed. She sobbed uncontrollably. That day, Jake watched her cry over a minor injury and laughed, arrogant and unrestrained. "You really like me, huh?" Riley didn't answer directly, but gently touched his scratched cheek, her voice trembling."Does it hurt?" Jake brushed her hand away, his eyes full of arrogance."What? It's just a scratch." "Will it scar?" Jake frowned."I'm a man, what do I care about scars?" Riley didn't respond; she ran to get him medicine - scar cream, antiseptic, everything. Under her careful care, his face healed without a trace. Seeing how much she cared about him, Jake smirked."Do you want me to ask you out?" Riley looked at him directly. The man she remembered didn't have such an unrestrained smile, yet their eyes were strikingly similar. She couldn't say no to him. She softly murmured,"Mm-hmm." Two days later, Riley heard from Jake again. After leaving the hospital, she was checking bus routes on her phone when she saw a message in the group chat. Jake: Guys, come and meet my new girlfriend. He attached a photo. The group went silent. Jake tagged everyone, including Riley. Jake: How does my new girlfriend look? Give me some feedback. Messages started pouring in. Riley saw 99+ notifications. She clicked on the one tagging her. She knew this girl. It was Ava Moore, a freshman dance major, who'd become an internet sensation for a dance video. It seemed that she was dating Jake. The messages continued, Riley wanted to ignore it, but she saw her name. "I wonder what Riley will do. She's in the group, isn't she? Will she go there, too?" Some bet she'd show up, since she and Jake had been in a cold war for two days. Others bet she wouldn't - even for her, being the other woman was too much. Seeing the word "the other woman," Riley laughed. She typed: Don't worry, I'm not going to get in the middle of anything. The group fell silent. After a while, Jake responded, tagging Riley. Jake: Riley, since you're here, let me make this clear. This girl is different, I really like her, and I don't want her to be mad at me because of you. You've been pestering me for years, and honestly, I'm tired of it. Riley looked at the message. Tired? She was tired of it too, but she couldn't help it. The thought of spending her life alone was unbearable. Three years, and she still hadn't moved on. It was pointless. She replied: I'm sorry. I won't do it again. And congratulations. Riley sent it and left the group. That night, at a club, Jake sat alone, staring at Riley's messages. What did she mean by "congratulations"? He felt a surge of irritation and threw his phone on the table. Mark walked in, seeing the scene. "Jake, what's wrong?" He hadn't checked the group chat. Jake cursed, leaning back. Mark looked around, not seeing Ava."Where's your girlfriend? You said you'd bring her to meet us." "She's still practicing. I'll pick her up later." Jake's tone was unpleasant. Mark paused."You're not mad because your girlfriend is late, are you?" "No." "Then what is it?" Jake scoffed."Didn't you see the messages?" Mark hadn't. He pulled out his phone and checked the group chat, especially Riley's messages. He paused. "Jake, what does Riley mean?" Chapter 3: Suicide Jake snapped."Who knows? Maybe she's insane." Mark looked at him intently."Riley's letting you go." Jake scoffed."You believe that? She's playing hard to get. You know, for three years, I couldn't get rid of her." Mark said,"But she left the group chat." Jake paused, grabbing his phone to check. Riley had indeed left. So, she meant it. She was finally done with him. He leaned back on the sofa, but strangely, he didn't feel relieved. Others arrived, talking about Ava's absence and Riley's messages. "Hey, Riley left the group. Is she really giving up on Jake?" "Maybe. Jake having a new girlfriend probably hurt her." "But it's happened before. She would be upset and come back to Jake after a few days." "Let's make a bet. How long can she hold out this time?" Someone guessed one day, someone two, another a week. Jake, engrossed in his phone, suddenly looked up and smirked."I throw her a bone, and she'll be wagging her tail in under ten minutes." Everyone praised his dog-training skills. Mark scoffed, lighting a cigarette."Dude, just let it go. Ava is a million times better than Riley." The door burst open."Crap!" Everyone looked up. It was Jake's cousin, Ethan Perry. Jake was annoyed."What happened?" "It's Riley. She..." Ethan stammered, panicked. Jake impatiently interrupted."What did she do?" Ethan shoved his phone at Jake."I saw this on TikTok." Jake took the phone and saw a local video. It showed Riley sitting on the Harbor View Bridge, a popular spot. She was staring blankly ahead. The setting sun cast a golden halo around her, making her look like a fragile porcelain doll, abandoned and vulnerable. Her eyes were empty, devoid of hope and life. The wind ruffled her hair, but couldn't take away the sadness and despair on her face. She sat silently, like a beautiful yet tragic picture, evoking pity. Jake's brow furrowed. He cursed under his breath. Damn it. He knew this crazy woman wouldn't give up. Now she was using suicide to get his attention. Someone said,"Is she trying to kill herself because Jake dumped her?" "Damn, she's terrifying." "She's like a ghost you can't get rid of." Jake angrily threw the phone back to Ethan, running a hand through his hair. He couldn't shake the memory of his first encounter with Riley, which was also on the Harbor View Bridge. She'd been sitting just like this. Unease gnawed at him. He stood abruptly, kicking the coffee table, and strode towards the door. Mark watched Jake leave, then glared at Ethan."You idiot, why'd you show him that?" Ethan looked confused."Shouldn't I?" Mark ignored him and followed Jake. When Jake arrived, Riley was already off the railing. She was leaning against it and gazing into the distance. Jake's face hardened as he strode towards her. Then, he grabbed her arm and dragged her away. In a small grove, Riley broke free."What are you doing?" Jake was furious."Riley, are you crazy?" Riley frowned."You're the crazy one! Your whole family is crazy!" Jake stared at her in disbelief. He couldn't believe the usually gentle girl would talk back like that. Then it hit him, a cynical smirk spreading across his face. "Riley, this is just another manipulative tactic, right? You pretended to committed suicide to get my attention." Riley looked at him, puzzled."Are you out of your mind?" Jake laughed, his eyes filled with disdain."Even if you died in front of me, I wouldn't love you. Stop using suicide to threaten me." Riley understood. What an arrogant man... She didn't bother explaining, turning to leave. Jake reacted instantly, grabbing her hand."What the hell do you want? If you do this again, I..." Riley cut him off."I'm letting you go and I mean it. I wish you happy with Ava." Jake's face was as cold as an iceberg."Dare you say that again." Riley sighed, looking at his face. It was the same as the one she remembered. She thought she was strong enough to look him in the face and say something terrible, but she was wrong. "You know what? I'm leaving this city at the end of the year. I wish you and Ava..." All he heard was that she was leaving. No, it was impossible. Jake didn't believe it. She loved him so much, and she was only saying that because she was jealous of Ava. She was trying to make him dump Ava. Jake gnashed his teeth and glared at the girl in front of him."Fine. Why don't you get the fuck out of here now? You think I care about your ass? You're just as cheap as a dog." Riley didn't look sad or unhappy. She'd already grown immune to these words. Jake was right, and sometimes she would feel guilty. "Whatever." She turned to leave. The next second, Jake pulled her back against a ginkgo tree and leaned in to kiss her. Before his lips touched hers, she pushed him away, slapping him hard across the face. Jake was stunned, his hand on his cheek. He was staring at her in disbelief. He gritted his teeth, his eyes blazing."Riley, you're asking for it." Riley looked at the red mark on his cheek, her heart aching."I'm sorry. Does it hurt?" She reached out to touch his face, but he slapped her hand away. "Riley, don't regret this. I'm done with you." He turned and left. Riley went back to her dorm. Her roommates were out. Riley sat at her desk, opening a drawer. At the bottom, she found a picture. It was a candid shot of a man in a white T-shirt and black pants, leaning against a ginkgo tree. He had caught her taking the photo and was looking up at the camera. As Riley stared at the photo, tears streamed down her face. She gently touched the picture."Liam, he doesn't resemble you at all." She knew she'd never see Liam again. He died five years ago. Chapter 4: Walk to Her Over the next few days, Jake's pursuit of the new campus sweetheart spread like wildfire. Everyone knew the dance girl was seeing the Perry heir. Jake was showering her with designer bags, money, gifts and lavish dinners - he did everything he could. Everyone was envious of Ava and at the same time, subtly teasing Riley. Riley ignored them, carrying on as usual. But the news eventually reached her mother. Riley was on a street when her mother called. "Hello, Mom..." Before she could finish, a torrent of accusations erupted. "What's going on with you and Jake? Let me tell you, if our partnership with the Perrys falls apart, I'll make you pay." Riley took a deep breath."Mom, Jake's dating someone else. We broke up." "Haven't you said that before? Go and patch things up with him." Riley's grip on the phone tightened, a bitter lump forming in her throat. She sighed, whispering,"Mom, it's different this time. We're really over." "Loser, you can't even hold onto one man. I don't care what you do, get him back..." Riley's heart ached. She interrupted,"Mom, I'm planning to go to Washington..." Before she finished, her mother shouted sharply."To get rid of us? Stop dreaming! You can't go anywhere. You'll never escape this family. You owe..." Riley hung up. She knew what her mother would say. Since what she did had left her father a vegetable, she owed the family a lifetime of servitude. "Riley, what's going on with you and Jake? He and Ava have been showing off their love all over campus," her roommate and friend, Chloe Parker, asked while applying eyeliner. Riley put away her phone."We broke up." Chloe scoffed."So, when will you come back to him?" Riley was taken aback. Chloe knew everything about her tumultuous relationship with Jake. At first, Chloe had tried to convince her to leave him, but eventually she gave up. "It's serious. I really don't want to be with him anymore." Chloe shrugged, grabbing her bag and shoes."Okay, I have several interviews today. I'm out of here." On Saturday, Riley's mother called again, ordering her to attend a party held by the Perrys that afternoon. Riley knew it was her mother's last attempt to get her to reconcile with Jake. Riley arrived at the Perry mansion and saw Ava there. This was serious - Ava was meeting his family. Riley planned to greet Jake's parents and leave, but Jake, with Ava on his arm, blocked her path. "Didn't you say you were leaving New York? What are you doing here?" He looked at her with disgust. Before Riley could speak, Ava warmly grabbed her hand."Riley, you don't mind me dating Jake, do you?" Ignoring Ava's saccharine tone, Riley looked at Jake. She smiled."Congratulations." Jake's face darkened. Why wasn't this going as planned? Why wasn't Riley showing any distress? Shouldn't she be begging him to dump Ava? Why was she so calm? He grew agitated."She has no right to mind anything. She's not even my ex. Just seeing her makes me sick." He tried to pull Ava away. Ava said sweetly,"Honey, can you give me a minute with her?" Jake impatiently left. The moment he was gone, Ava's smile vanished."See? Jake sent this to me." Riley's eyes fell on the sparkling diamond necklace on Ava's wrist. After a moment, she smiled."It's beautiful." "Yeah, I love it. It's custom-made. I hear you were with him for years, and he never bought you anything. Is that so?" Riley remained silent. Ava was right. For the past three years, Jake had never spent a dime on her. She was glad that she didn't owe him anything. Ava, thinking Riley was upset, smirked."As you can see, Jake loves me. Stay away from him." Riley looked at her and nodded gently. Ava leaned closer."I'm kind of insecure, could you do me a favor?" Riley watched the girl calmly."What?" Ava gestured towards the pool behind Riley."What if Jake saw you push me in? He knows I can't swim..." Before Ava finished, Riley kicked her into the pool, making a splash. Ava screamed like crazy. "Help! I... I can't swim!" Riley stood calmly by the pool, looking down at the struggling girl."Better this way than be framed. You're welcome." Someone had once told her not to allow herself to suffer injustice. People rushed over. Riley saw Jake dive into the pool. He pulled Ava out, draped his jacket over her, and glared at Riley. His face was dark. "Riley, why are you so vicious? Ava can't swim!" Riley looked at him impassively."She asked me to push her so we could break up completely. I was just helping her." Jake was stunned. Ava, in his arms, started sobbing."No, I didn't!" Jake glared at Riley."Apologize, to my girlfriend." The atmosphere was tense. Ava, looking pitiful, whispered,"Jake, it's okay. She didn't mean to hurt me." Jake scoffed."Ava, you're too kind." He looked back at Riley."Apologize now. Or don't blame me for what happens next." His gaze was glacial. Riley met his gaze unflinchingly."I said she asked me to push her. Why should I apologize?" He roared,"I said apologize! Are you deaf?!" A man's amused voice cut through the crowd. "Whoa, what's the occasion? Why is everybody here?" Riley gasped, her pupils dilating. That voice... She turned mechanically and saw a man walking toward her against the light. The light was too strong, obscuring his features. She heard people whispering. "Isn't he the ninth son of Mr.Fowler? He's back?" "Probably to take over his father's company." "Yeah. I heard Mr. Fowler wanted his youngest son to carry on the family business." As the murmurs grew louder, the man walked steadily towards Riley...	INSTALL_MOBILE_APP	http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.h	Yoyonovel	https://www.facebook.com/61569922239283/	5	1969-12-31 18:00	Install now	play.google.com	IMAGE		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hkyoyo.novel	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/482221528_1628377154469554_6712562032616391684_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wYSpuoYH6lIQ7kNvgFXKNhA&_nc_oc=AdhxWRhZnsNwG-7aAbCAaovT1nRj77AX_Jx9V_CypYnHaArfHEyQDcHFN6reVvcb4tEQRtL8mbpV0yyphYD9XYK4&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A0cpmoSZwIHDUVXxhwHi-7d&oh=00_AYDaLxFdI8vvSjd07-VhxyY-4V3O-8NUvvEN46eIA3qB2A&oe=67CB90B1	PERSON_PROFILE	Yoyonovel	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,746,374	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2746313}'	No	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758	Download now for free reading 👉	Chapter 1 Guy-Bestie? Ex-Boyfriend? "Honey, Xavier Moore's my guy-bestie, he's sick, and I gotta go take care of him! I might not be back tonight, don't wait up!" The stark glow of fluorescent lights filled the hospital room as Darren Shaw reread the text from his wife, Ava Nancy. It had arrived five hours ago, but the bitterness in his mouth felt as fresh as ever. Tonight was their fifth wedding anniversary. Darren had planned everything—a reservation at an upscale restaurant, a private table with a stunning view, and a surprise party with their closest friends. Two hours they waited. Two excruciating hours of awkward laughter, forced smiles, and Darren's increasingly desperate calls to Ava, none of which she answered. When it became unbearable, he dismissed the guests, apologizing profusely for a situation he couldn't explain. Only after everyone had left did her message finally appear. It wasn't just frustration Darren felt—it was devastation. This wasn't the first time Ava had canceled plans because of Xavier Moore. No, it was the fourth time this month. The excuses were always colorful. The first time, Xavier had a business crisis, and Ava rushed to help him. The second, Xavier got into a bar fight after a breakup, and she bailed him out of jail. The third? Xavier lost a truth-or-dare game and needed her to save him from some juvenile prank. Each incident felt more absurd than the last, but tonight's excuse—Xavier being "sick"—was the final blow. For years, Darren had dismissed these intrusions. He trusted Ava. But tonight, her best friend, Chloe, had let something slip, a truth that cut deeper than any lie. Xavier wasn't just Ava's "bestie." He was her college boyfriend—the man she'd spent four years loving before their relationship ended when he left for grad school overseas. Darren had been the rebound, the one who picked up her broken pieces, the man who fell in love with her laughter and fire. He thought he had been enough. What Ava didn't know was that Darren wasn't just some average Joe. His mother was a financial powerhouse who had arranged a marriage for him years ago. But to be with Ava, Darren had severed ties with his family, losing their financial support. He hadn't regretted it—not for a single moment. For five years, he had been happy. Even when Ava's impulsiveness had cost him his job, forcing him to become her chauffeur and stay-at-home husband. Even when her father, a proud and wealthy man, treated him like dirt, belittling and undermining him at every turn. Darren endured it all with quiet determination, as long as Ava was happy. Their relationship had been steady, even harmonious—until a month ago, when Xavier returned. Ava had personally picked him up from the airport. That night, she came home drunk, crying in her room for hours while Darren waited helplessly outside. That was the first and only time Darren had ever met Xavier, a man with the looks of a movie star—Ava had always said he was the heartthrob back on campus, but Darren had brushed it off, thinking it irrelevant. But it wasn't irrelevant. It never had been. After the disastrous anniversary dinner, Darren got Xavier's number from a mutual acquaintance. He had tried calling Ava first, but her phone was off. When he finally reached Xavier, the man casually informed him that Ava was showering and would be spending the night."Don't worry," Xavier added. Darren exploded. He screamed at Xavier, calling him a homewrecker. Xavier's response was cold and cutting:"The one who isn't loved is the homewrecker!" Then he hung up. Darren felt like his world unraveling. Frantic, he tried to find Ava but ended up in a minor car accident. He was taken to the hospital with a twisted ankle and some scrapes—minor injuries, but the emotional toll was devastating. Just as the doctor discharged him, his phone buzzed. A friend request from Xavier. Then three photos followed. The first was Ava, blurry-eyed and heartbreakingly vulnerable. The second showed her in a hotel robe, raising a glass in a toast. The third… Ava asleep in bed, her bare shoulder exposed beneath the covers. Darren's heart shattered. A wave of nausea hit him, nearly doubling him over. He tried to reply, but Xavier deleted the photos, and Darren's message was returned with undelivered marks. He stumbled out of the hospital into a sudden downpour. He didn't hail a cab. He walked, drenched, all the way back to their apartment—the home they had built together. Standing on the balcony, rain dripping from his hair, he smoked cigarette after cigarette. Memories surged through him—beautiful moments, tender moments, childish fights, and the overwhelming ache of love and betrayal. "Why am I so pathetic? So weak?" he whispered to the rain."I wasn't always like this…When did I lose myself? When did I become so afraid of losing her?" A spark of resolve flickered in his dark eyes. He stubbed out his cigarette, went inside, and grabbed a change of clothes. Ten minutes lat	INSTALL_MOBILE_APP	http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.h	Yoyonovel	https://www.facebook.com/61569922239283/	5	1969-12-31 18:00	Install now	play.google.com	IMAGE		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hkyoyo.novel	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481781459_3519071848396661_3809851188423777776_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9TGf0qmkeG4Q7kNvgG4OtRx&_nc_oc=AdiNwmOTL_h23s4wR7zsqkGutBQ65sJdsmPrvQGMvpy7WHRv3kPBRP8cq5YCpQD8bdd6A-Ebaw7cv8_V82n4weNI&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AOfhBYa2UZW9aB7fFjsSq6a&oh=00_AYCPfP2hH4lm_W2MgCApZh0FhFzH0oTPcJedfxfWTjqx6A&oe=67CB852A	PERSON_PROFILE	Yoyonovel	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,747,035	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758		Winner the Academy Award for International Feature and a nominee for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s expansive, engrossing DRIVE MY CAR is now streaming in Germany, Latin America and India. Refer friends and get 30 days free. More at the link in our bio.	SUBSCRIBE	https://mubi.com/en/gb/collections/oscars	MUBI	https://www.facebook.com/mubi/	692,754	1969-12-31 18:00	Subscribe	mubi.com	VIDEO		https://mubi.com/en/gb/collections/oscars	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481468543_1062917545853084_8713377859660806563_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eGS85msOmecQ7kNvgHiv-Xn&_nc_oc=AdhBR0A4IxDelCsgcxWJKq_UDwTSqF1nmPhOe8Q7yRibu6MWqCIRRipY88tLN_jk-MmlW4cBfN-40IJI0mHVOt1j&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AzV0pmIW0Xaky2JLZdYiB3B&oh=00_AYBa7a0F_nNOguJhGIWmrePxbF6FSENTudsHmjJEhcAwaA&oe=67CBADF4	PERSON_PROFILE	MUBI	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
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2,746,325	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2746322}'	No	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758	Sixty Sixty: Free Vision Care	BIG NEWS! 👓 Get a FREE eye exam at Sixty Sixty! • No insurance? No worries, it's 100% free with no hidden fees. Ready to see the world in HD? Book your appointment now and take the first step towards clearer vision!	BOOK_TRAVEL	https://calendly.com/sixtysixty/book-your-free-eye	Sixty Sixty	https://www.facebook.com/6060glasses/	1,736	1969-12-31 18:00	Book now	calendly.com	IMAGE	Free eye exams, no strings attached. Sixty Sixty makes vision care simple and accessible for everyone. Book your appointment today!	https://calendly.com/sixtysixty/book-your-free-eye-exam-sixty-sixty-near-willowbrook	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481771068_2119687308532521_7201315178657203568_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=S_K0oemrAhQQ7kNvgHWZ_XW&_nc_oc=AdjpPAkgxqgm2As0TKx8SSbQEwZ-AdKMa0D1nD_Dte2jg_63StPUScObTRoex6KdsaWaSQimDqgVoUUF-q3SIuqH&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A0cpmoSZwIHDUVXxhwHi-7d&oh=00_AYBrY9NSJdea1tm_Cd1jrpCgp6rzCXM-hMeZGNJpdd5pHg&oe=67CB91AF	PERSON_PROFILE	Sixty Sixty	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
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2,745,644	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758	Read next chapter	Born into a society where girls were undervalued and often oppressed, her parents hid the fact that she was a girl to protect her from harm. However, after her parents died, she was adopted by a king and sold as a sx slave to the ruthless Beast King. ===== UREKAI: In the days of old, the Urekai stood out as the strongest and most powerful beings in the world. The ancient tongue called them 'fearsome beasts' for: Like werewolves, they could transform into beasts. Like vampires, they consumed bld. And walked among humans with no one the wiser. The ageless, peaceful, selfless beings preferred to keep to themselves. Despite being feared and distrusted, they never responded with aggression. They granted passage to any species wishing to enter their lands beyond the great mountain and welcomed everyone. But five centuries ago, an unexpected species attacked the Urekais during their one night of weakness. The humans. While protecting his people, Grand King Daemonikai lost control of his mind, going feral. Becoming a danger to the same people whom he had given everything to protect. Although it seemed impossible, the Urekais managed to capture their king's beast form, imprisoning him in a secure cage, ensuring he could never escape. But, consumed by hatred for humans, the Urekai plunged themselves into darkness. Becoming the fearsome beasts others had always feared them to be. Wearing their monstrosity with pride. HUMANS: After invading the Urekais, a mysterious virus outbreak struck. No one knew where it came from, but many speculated their attack on the Urekais brought it on. While most males eventually recovered after a long struggle, the virus proved fatal for the majority of females. Survivors rarely gave birth to female children. Those left or born became scarce and sought-after commodities. In many kingdoms, greedy fathers sold their daughters to breeding houses. Some were forced into pleasure houses, existing solely for men's enjoyment. Some faced terrible abuse in exchange for protection. Even the wealthy and the privileged could not guarantee the safety of the females in their lives, as the mere sight of a female--be it an infant, a young girl, or an elderly woman--drew unwanted attention. Female children faced constant danger. They are not safe in the society. PROLOGUE HUMAN LAND: THE KINGDOM OF NAVIA. "It's a g-girl, your highness," Prince Garret froze. As he turned, looking at the palace healer, his hands resting on his exhausted wife's body, shook uncontrollably. He had secretly arranged the delivery months ago, and now they were hidden in one of the underground rooms in the palace, where his beloved wife, Pandora, was giving birth. "What did you just say to me?" Prince Garret hoped he heard wrong. Perhaps it had been a mistake. Please, gods, let it be a mistake! But the pity in the older man's face couldn't be disguised. The palace healer turned the little bundle. "The baby is a girl." Terror crossed Pandora's face as she adjusted herself to get a closer look at her baby. "No. Oh, the gods, please no..." She shook her head vigorously fresh tears gathering in her eyes. Tears welled in the healer's eyes. "I'm so sorry, your highness." "No!!!" Pandora cried out burying her face into her husband's waiting arms, sobs after sobs ripping from her throat. Garret felt numb as he held his wife. His first daughter, Aekeira, wasn't even four yet, and the king was already negotiating with the kingdom of Cavar to sell her to the highest bidder. Because, apparently, Navia 'could use more funds.' King Orestus might be Garret's brother, but he was a tyrant, and his word was law. Now, another girl child? Two daughters? Tears filled Garrett's eyes as he looked upon the crying bundle wiggling around in healer's arms. The world was not safe for either of his daughters. "I'll raise her like a boy," Pandora declared suddenly. The healer's eyes widened. "Are you suggesting we keep her identity a secret?" "Yes," Pandora affirmed, her resolve strengthening. "This child will never be seen as a girl. No one will ever find out!" "B-but, it's impossible to hide something like this, your majesty." The healer panicked. "The king will order our execution!" "Then, we take the secret to our grave." Pandora's voice was fierce. "I was unable to protect my first daughter, but by the Light-gods, I will protect my second." Too dangerous, but Garret was all for it too. This was their best chance to keep their daughter safe, and they would take it. "As far as we are concerned, the child I bore today was a male." Pandora looked at the baby. "His name is Emeriel. Emeriel Galilea Evenstone." Emeriel. It's a neutral name, and also means 'Sky's Protection' in the old tongue. Garret liked it. Fitting too, for their daughter would need all the luck and protection in the world. "I agree," Garret spoke aloud. With the plan fully in his mind, Garret swore the two other men in the room to secrecy. ******* That night, Garrett and his wife, stood by the baby's small cradle, watching their newborn sleep. Across the room, their three-year-old daughter, Aekeira, lay curled under a blanket, her tiny chest rising and falling in peaceful rhythm. "In all my years on this earth, I've never seen anyone bear two female children, Garrett," Pandora whispered, voice cracking. She glanced up at him, eyes glistening with tears. "I don't know what this means for us... or for them." Garrett placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Maybe it means they have a great destiny to fulfill." "Or a great sorrow in their future," Pandora's eyes drifted to their eldest, worriedly. "I'm so scared for them. How could something like this happen?" Perhaps you've been touched by the gods, my darling," Garrett said in comfort. "I really doubt that. Why me? Why us?" He had no answer to that. "If that's true," Pandora sniffled, brushing her fingers over the baby's soft cheek, "may that god always protect my babies. We won't always be here to do that." Garrett pulled his wife into his arms, holding her close, fighting to hide his own worry. Because, she was right. What were the odds of a couple in these times bearing not just one, but two daughters? None. Absolutely none. As he gazed at their sleeping children, prayer rose in his heart. Whatever god you are, please... protect our angels. Chapter 2 THE PRINCESS IN A 'PRINCE' DISGUISE Twenty-one Years Later PRINCE EMERIEL. "He's so pretty," a voice murmured. "It's the feminine prince," another one said. The third man had lst in his eyes. "No man should have hair that gorgeous." Prince Emeriel ignored them all as he moved from the palace grounds into the building, head held high. Just because he was used to the unwanted attention, didn't mean it didn't make his skin crawl. He might have lived as a boy all his life, but it didn't exactly keep him all that safe. Men of Navia would stick their phllus in anything with a hle, especially if it looked remotely feminine. But Emeriel's senses were always on high alert. Which is why he was probably the only twenty-one-year-old vi*in in Navia. That, and his sister, Princess Aekeira, always did everything in her power to protect him. To make sure his secrets remained tightly hidden. A carriage accident had taken their parents fifteen years ago, and King Orestus had adopted them. That tyrant made life a living hell for them. Emeriel entered the hallway to Aekeira's chambers when he heard it. Whimpers. Soft, pain-filled whimpers. That sound was coming from… Rage surged through Emeriel. Not this again! Determined, he stormed down the hall, and shoved the door open, unsheathing his sord. "Get away from my sister right this instant, Lord Murphy, or I swear to the sky I will cut you down where you stand!" Emeriel snarled. The minister of human affairs's face twisted with irritation, and he stopped thrusting. "Go away, little prince. You're ruining the fun." Emeriel hated the jab 'little prince,' but surely not as much as he hated being called a 'slight prince.' Over the years, Navians had given him a lot of names thanks to his small and feminine look. "Get away from her right now!" Emeriel strode purposefully toward the bd, seizing hold of Lord Murphy and pushing him away from Aekeira. With a satisfying thud, the old oaf tumbled to the floor. Aekeira rose from the bd, clutching her vulnerable body, her face red from crying, eyes tired and swollen. Emeriel pulled his sister into his arms, hugging her tightly. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Keira." "It was not your fault." "Why the hell would you do that!?" Lord Murphy rose angrily. "I won Princess Aekeira fair and square in the card game at the gathering last night. The king wagered with her and lost to me! I was supposed to have her for two hours at least!" Emeriel's eyes blazed as he whirled around, facing him. "If you put your hands on her again, I swear to the sky I will cut off your mle oran, Lord Murphy." "You will not dare!" "I'll gladly take whatever punishment the king gives," he stated with conviction, "but you will be without your manhood. Choose wisely." Lord Murphy's eyes widened, his hands flying protectively over his cr*ch, face reddening in anger. "The king will hear of this!" The minister snarled. Taking his clothes, he marched out of the room. "Oh, Em, why did you do that?" Aekeira's eyes filled with worry. "The king might punish you with the hot whip again." "I do not care. Let us go to my room." Putting his sord away, Emeriel could not even look his sister in the eyes, dangerously close to tears himself. Helping Aekeira into her clothes, he led her out, and down the hallway. That age-old guilt crept down Emeriel's spine. Aekeira always protected Emeriel, even when it made her the sole target. His sister never hated him, but Emeriel hated himself for it. Aekeira was always bubbly and always happy. But in times like this, when her body was viated, she mostly looked tired then. Weary of the world. Worried about the next aristocrat the king would hand her over to. Much later, freshened up, Aekeira laid on the bed, closing her eyes. "Em? My worst nightmare when I was younger was thinking I would be sold to an aristocrat in Cavar, but now, I almost wish that heartless king went ahead with it, instead of changing his mind," Aekeira whispered. "Please, don't say that." Emeriel held her hand. "That kingdom is a horror play. Anywhere is better than Cavar, sister. Well, except beyond the great mountain, of course." Just the thought made Emeriel shiver. The Urekai dwelled beyond those mountains. "Sometimes I wish I could leave this godforsaken kingdom." A single tear slipped from Aekeira's eyes. Me too, Keira. Me too. ** That night, after bathing, Emeriel stood before the mirror, staring at his reflection. His long, silken black hair fell over his shoulders, cascading like a waterfall. With his hair down like this, he looked like what he truly was. A girl. What would it feel like to live freely, like the person the mirror reflected? To not live in fear of the next man who might seek to take advantage of him, like they do his sister? Emeriel fantasized about marrying the man of his dreams. A protector. Someone powerful enough to keep him safe, shield him from predators, and sweep him off his feet with immense strength and love. All delusion. But a sweet one, nonetheless. Reality was far too ugly. Shaking it off, he crawled into bed and closed his eyes, letting sleep take him. . . The dream began as it always did. The man filled the doorway, hidden in the shadows. He was big, larger and more masculine than any man Emeriel had ever seen. Tall like a giant, he made Emeriel feel small, like a cornered prey. "Who are you?" Emeriel's drowsy voice came out shaky, filled with fear. "What do you want from me?" "You are mine," he said, voice deep as rolling thunder. "Meant to be on your knees for me. On your back. To be fked you so hard your legs quake. You were meant to beg for me all the time. Only mine." Emeriel's face burned with shock. So scandalized, he scrambled upright. "Y-you shouldn't say such improper things to me! It's wrong!" But the mysterious man stepped into Emeriel's bedroom, emerging from the shadows. As he did, his body shifted into a...beast. The most terrifying Emeriel had ever seen. A Urekai. "Oh gods, oh gods," Emeriel's breath hitched in terror, panic setting in. Of all the shapeshifters in the world, why a UREKAI!? He advanced with purpose. Its glowing yellow eyes bore into Emeriel, filled with hunger. Shaking his head fiercely, Emeriel scrambled backward. "No, no, no! Leave me alone!" he shouted, "Guards! Someone, help!" But no one came. The beast leapt onto the bed, got on top of Emeriel, trapping him under. Claws tore through his clothing, Emeriel's vulnerable female body was exposed to its yellow eyes. His powerful thighs forced Emeriel's apart...! Emeriel jolted awake with a scream. Body shaking and drenched in sweat, he glanced around the dark, empty room. "It was just a dream," he whispered, trembling. "Thank the gods. Just a dream." The same dream again. He'd had this dream for months now. He swallowed hard, running a shaky hand through his hair. "Why do I keep having such a scary nightmare?" It terrified Emeriel a lot. A Urekai? No one in this world prayed to meet a Urekai in their lifetime. Certainly not Emeriel. Yet, even with all the terror inside, the hotness of the dream lingered in his body. His feminine core felt different. Wt. What does this mean? Chapter 3 UREKAI Stepping outside the next morning, two warriors stopped before Emeriel. "The king summons you, my prince," One of them said. "Your presence is needed in the courtroom." Sht. That foolish minister wasted no time ratting on him. Emeriel let the way to court. It's just whipping, he will be fine. But, as he walked down the hall towards the door, it was eerily quiet. Something was wrong. The court was always noisy from the outside. Mutterings, murmurs, arguments were always expected. His worry deepened when the door opened, and all eyes didn't turn to gaze at him condescendingly. Instead, everyone's eyes were fixed at the center of the king's court. Emeriel's eyes followed theirs. Two men dressed in all-white apparel robes, with long, straight, waist-length black hair stood, appearing harmless. But a longer glance had Emeriel noticing muscles barely concealed under their robes, their slightly tipped ears, and their incredibly unnaturally handsome faces that were completely unreadable. He froze. Urekai. These ones looked expensive and aristocratic. Emeriel's throat went dry. No one prays to meet a Urekai face-to-face. "What do you say, King Orestus?" the Urekai with the long scar running from his cheek spoke. He looked the most intimidating. "No, this cannot happen," King Orestus protested, looking terrified, and doing a poor job of hiding it. The frown on Scarred Urekai's face deepened. Clearly, this was a being that did not take no for an answer. "You are mistaken if you think we are giving you a choice, human king," he said, taking a threatening step forward. The ministers of the court gasped, shrinking back into their seats. "Easy, Lord Vladya," the other Urekai spoke, his voice gentler. Imploring rather than commanding. The scarred Urekai, Lord Vladya, gave the king a hard look that would make any man tremble. "It is the least you can do, human king. Give us the princess, and we will leave quietly." "We are ready to pay for her," the other Urekai added, reaching into his robe and withdrawing a large bag of coins. Fear receded. The king's ears perked up with interest. "Money?" "Not just money, there are gold coins too," The non-scarred Urekai said. Everyone gasped, including Emeriel. Gold coins were rare and highly valuable. The Urekai continued, "All you have to do is hand the princess over, and this bag is yours." Wait… Princess? They couldn't possibly mean... The grand entrance opened again as two guards led Aekeira into the court. No, no, no, not my sister. Emeriel moved forward, but the guards who had escorted him stopped his movement. He bit his lip hard, trying not to draw attention to himself, but it was incredibly difficult. Surely, this couldn't be what he thought it was. It had to be a dream. There was no way the Urekai were here to buy his sister as a slave...! The two guards leading Aekeira to the center of the court, stopped a few feet from the Urekais. The terror on Aekeira's face mirrored Emeriel's feelings. "So, let me get this straight," King Orestus began, "All I need to do is sell her to you, and all this money is mine? There are no other conditions? Nothing else?" "Yes," the non-scarred Urekai responded. Lord Vladya moved forward, closing the distance between him and Aekeira, who was visibly shaking now. Cupping Aekeira's cheek tilting her head to the side to get a better look. He appeared utterly disgusted. "She'll do." King Orestus picked up his gavel and struck it hard on his desk. "Sold! From this moment on, Princess Aekeira belongs to the Urekais." "WHAT!?" The shout escaped Emeriel's lips before he could stop it. He ran toward the center of the courtroom and fell to his knees. "Please don't sell my sister to them. Not to the Urekais! Please, Your Majesty." The king gave him a bored look. "It's out of my hands now, Emeriel." It's out of his… Emeriel couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You can't let this happen. She's your niece too! How could you do this!?" He wasn't proud his voice turned the high-pitch of a girl's, as he practically screamed. But he didn't care. "You know a fate worse than death awaits her beyond the great mountain! How could you agree to sell her to them?" "As if he has a choice," Lord Vladya scoffed, his deep baritone filled with cynicism. Emeriel whirled around to face them, anger blanketing his features. But as he stared into those intimidating gray eyes, he couldn't bring himself to give in to his rage. He had read in one of the books that an Urekai had the power to take a life without physical contact. It might just be a rumor, but with his sister's life on the line, he had no intention of testing that theory. "I will go too. Where Aekeira goes, I go," Emeriel said, lifting his chin defiantly. Aekeira snapped her head toward Emeriel, her eyes widened in terror. "No! What are you doing, Em?" "I'm going with you," Emeriel stated firmly. Lord Vladya arched a perfectly shaped brow. "No. We have no need for you; we only need your sister." Emeriel stood. "I don't care. Take me too. If you leave me here, I will always try to come to her. I will cross the great mountains if I have to!" Lord Vladya laughed. There was no humor in the cold sound. "Without the rite of passage, the great mountain will swallow you whole. You'll never make it to the other side." "I'll take my chances," Emeriel vowed. "No! My brother is not coming," Aekeira interjected, before turning pleading eyes to Emeriel. "Don't do this, Em. I'm already doomed. I don't want you to face the same fate!" "If you come with us, you will be taken as our slave." Lord Vladya stated, pinning Emeriel with a stare. "Urekai do not care if you're male or female; you will serve in any way your master wants you. Whether it's in the mines or the cellar, on your back, bent over, or on your knees. If you agree to be our slave too, your freewill ends today." A shiver ran through Emeriel's spine. "Do you know what it means to be an Urekai's slave, little human? You're a pretty boy; you will not lack masters to service." Fear seeped through his core. If everything he had heard growing up and read in books were true, being an Urekai's slave was worse than being a human's slave. And my dreams... I should be running in a different direction...! But he steeled his spine. "Where my sister goes, I go." "We did not agree to get two slaves," the second Urekai said. "That is settled then," Lord Vladya continued as if he never spoke. Reaching into his robe, the scarred Urekai pulled out another bag of coins, throwing both on the floor towards the king. "We will take both." "Sold!" King Orestus banged his gavel again. Chapter 4 SOLD TO THE UREKAI Aekeira cried for over an hour after they left the courtroom. At first, she had been angry, shouting at Emeriel about his foolish decision. And then, she broke down, crying as if her heart had been shattered. Now, they were left alone in a tiny room on the boat. Emeriel remained quiet throughout his sister's breakdown, the weight of his decision finally sinking in. By the Light-gods, he was now a slave. Lower than a loborn. Lower than a carpet servant. And not just any slave, but a Urekai slave. Or many Urekai, Emeriel had no idea yet. He would serve those heartless, ruthless beings who despised humans. "You're a pretty boy; you will not lack masters to service." A shiver coursed down Emeriel's spine. They were going to vilate his body. What he had always dreamed of would finally coming true. Only now, it wouldn't be just one beast, it would be many. As many as his master wanted. Emeriel swallowed the bile rising in his throat. His breath seized as panic set in. "Breathe, Em. Come on," Aekeira appeared by his side, rubbing his back. "In... and out... come on, Em." Aekeira's voice was gentle, soothing, giving Emeriel no choice but to follow its sound. Aekeira continued rubbing his back. "Good girl. That's my girl." Two Urekai came in and forced them to take an unknown pill. Surely they hadn't paid all that money just to kll them before they even became slaves, right? Emeriel thought as she swallowed it. Minutes later, they both dropped unconscious on the floor. • Much later, Emeriel woke to the bumping ride of the carriage. His head woozy, his senses disoriented as he blinked several times to adjust his vision. They had been forced to take a pill. Rising, he walked to the carriage's wooden window and pushed it open. A gasp left him. They are in Urekai land. Emeriel could see dozens of them. But what had his jaw on the floor was the humans. There were plenty in sight. Many females nearly matching the number of males. Everyone knew the Urekais had acquired and held numerous humans captive after the war, but the sheer number he could see surpassed his expectations. And they were all slaves. Some were working in the fields, their weary bodies bent under the weight of their labor. Some were hauling heavy loads, their muscles straining with each step, under the watchful eyes of Urekai's. Some Urekais held whips, while some held sords. The sight turned Emeriel's stomach, making him sick. Is this to be our life now? Aekeira's grn of wakefulness echoed behind him and Emeriel quickly turned to his sister, concern etched on his face. "Are you alright, Kiera?" he asked, his voice hushed. Aekeira nodded, rubbing her eyes. "Where are we?" she asked, eyes scanning their surroundings. Their kingdom, Urai," Emeriel whispered, keeping his voice down so the carriage master would not overhear. Together, they took in the huge fortress in front of them. The carriage was headed straight for it. "This place looks highly luxurious," Aekeira said. Emeriel nodded. As royalty, they were well-acquainted with luxury, but this was on an entirely different scale. Which begged the question... Who exactly were the males who had purchased them? And if they weren't his and his sister's masters, then who was...? ****** They were brought into an empty room after passing numerous chambers and passages. "This shall be your quarters for now," a soldier announced. The room was surprisingly spacious and tastefully decorated. Not long after the soldiers left, the sound of approaching footsteps reached their ears, growing closer with each passing moment. The door swung open, and an older human woman marched in. Accompanied by a younger human woman and three Urekai males. The older woman's gaze landed on Emeriel, and she did a double take. "You are one remarkably handsome male. I have seen a lot of pretty males in my time, but even I can hardly think of one who is half as pretty as you." Feeling uneasy, Emeriel took a step back, finding solace behind Aekeira, who spread her arms protectively to shield him from prying eyes. "Well, it's a shame you're not the one we came for," the woman said dismissively, turning away. "Prepare her, boys. Amie, get the bath ready." The three males closed in on Aekeira, beginning to undress her. Their hands removed her clothes, while another tended to her hair, undoing the knots. "What are you doing?" Emeriel asked, concerned. "Getting her ready for what is to come." The older woman didn't bother to look at him. "You can either stay or leave. I care not. But if you disturb me, I will have you reported to the soldiers and thrown into the dungeon." Numerous questions swirled in Emeriel's mind, but a shake of Aekeira's head silenced him. He watched helplessly as they undressed her, with the younger girl, Amie, preparing a large tub filled with water. Eventually, Emeriel decided to step out and explore, wandering the halls aimlessly. He followed one to a secluded passage that appeared hidden from casual glances. Voices echoed in the distance, so he moved closer towards them. "What shall we do with the boy? He was not part of the plan," one voice said. "I do not care, Lord Ottai. Perhaps we will think of something later." Lord Vladya's voice came. "For now, let us focus on the girl. The bad weather delayed our journey, I had expected us to return yesterday." His voice, chilling and authoritative, Lord Vladya added. "Time is running short; she must be in the forbidden chambers tonight." Forbidden chambers? Emeriel didn't like the sound of that at all. "Calm yourself, Vladya. That young girl cannot handle the beast," Lord Ottai added. "I do not care. They have made their bds, and they shall lie in them," Vladya said defiantly. A heavy sigh followed. "It would be heartless to send that girl in to service the beast without any inkling of what to expect. I know you have no love for humans, and frankly, neither do I, but we can surely do better than that," Lord Ottai reasoned. "Do as you wish, Ottai. Tell them everything or tell them nothing. I care not," Vladya stated. "Whether she lives or dies, I care not either. I shall throw in the pretty little prince next, and if he perishes too, I shall be on the next carriage to the next human kingdom to select another princess for him. That is the only aspect of this that concerns me." A silence fell after their exchange, leaving Emeriel's mind racing with fear and disbelief. Service the beast? Die? Chapter 5 YOUR PURPOSE HERE Emeriel was horrified. I must rescue Aekeira! We need to escape! "I know you are there, pretty prince. I can smell you," Lord Vladya's voice rang out. Emeriel gasped, frozen in place as Lord Vladya's imposing figure emerged from the door. Instinctively, Emeriel took a step back. Then another. Lord Vladya smirked. "I would advise against whatever thoughts are brewing in that little head of yours. You have no inkling of where you are, do you?" Emeriel could only discern they were in the tallest, most fortified fortress he had ever seen. He shook his head, his fear palpable. "You are in Ravenshadow," Lord Ottai said, coming up behind the scarred Lord. Ravenshadow? The Ravenshadow!? No, by the Light, this cannot be happening. "R-Ravenshadow Citadel? The home of the f-four grand rulers of the Urekais. The Whispering Abyss of great power?" Emeriel blurted out, unable to contain his terror any longer. Lord Ottai snorted. "That is what humans call it. We do not. But yes, you are correct. You are in the Ravenshadow Citadel, Prince Emeriel." "You do not need me to inform you that this is the most secure place in Urai, with vast lands in which you could get lost in if you attempt to escape." Lord Vladya smirked. "A vortex that would swallow you, never to be seen again. There is no escape from Ravenshadow." Emeriel heard their words, but his mind was consumed by a far greater fear. "The four grand rulers of the Urekais reside here?" Emeriel mused, dreadfully. "They do." Lord Ottai sounded mildly amused, drawing Emeriel's attention. Emeriel had no idea he'd said that out loud. Inching closer to Lord Ottai-He seemed the less intimidating and a preferable choice in that moment-Emeriel threw weary glances at the scarred lord. "I have heard rumors about Urekai." "What exactly did you hear?" Lord Ottai asked. "They are said to be deadly, unpredictable and almost feral in their actions." " Emeriel listed off on his fingers as he rambled. "Their mating habits are said to be as brutal as their killings, and while they have bldhosts, they prefer to drain humans' bld. And, after their king ran wild, they-" "Terrific. Just what I needed to hear," Lord Vladya added in a dry tone. Lord Ottai, still somewhat amused, spoke up, "I will leave the briefing to Lord Vladya. I need to attend to the council." What!? Please do not leave me with him! Emeriel almost shouted. But he bit his lips hard, restraining himself. Lord Vladya, however, did not hold back. "Think again, Lord Ottai. There is no way I will-" "Would you prefer Lord Zaiper handle the briefing then?" Lord Ottai asked quietly. A muscle twitched on Lord Vladya's jaw and he gave Emeriel a hard look, as if actually considering the option. Lord Ottai must have picked up on that, quickly adding, "You know you don't want that to happen. Besides, let us not forget the favor you owe me. Remember that?" Lord Vladya glared at him, and Lord Ottai offered a wolfish smile. "I believe it's time to collect. You do the briefing. Off I go." With that, Lord Ottai strode away, exuding an air of sophistication with every step. Finally, Emeriel and Lord Vladya stood facing each other. "Come." Lord Vladya began walking, and Emeriel fell into step behind him. "Forget whatever rumors may have spread in the human realm. Some may hold a grain of truth, but most are truly bizarre." Lord Vladya looked mildly annoyed. "However, I will not delve into the vast knowledge of our kind, for it is too extensive to cover. Instead, I will share the parts that pertain to your sister's presence here." Emeriel braced himself. "Five hundred years ago, and even before that, my people and humans coexisted peacefully. Grand King Daemonikai made sure of that." Grand King Daemonikai. The mere mention of the name had goosebumps spreading on Emeriel's skin, knees quaking in barely-concealed fear. One of the oldest Urekai to have ever existed, his reputation was known throughout the world, even to a child born in present times. He wasn't just one of the four rulers, he was the very first. The ultimate ruler. His power and strength were legendary. Some even suggested he couldn't be klled. That name, Daemonikai, was one that struck terror into the hearts of every species existing in this world. "His son, Alvin, made friends with a human prince." Lord Vladya continued. "During a conversation over a glass of champagne, Alvin, in a drunken state, told the prince the secrets of our people. The Eclipse Moon night." "A night when the Urekai were naturally stripped of their power and strength by the moon, right?" Emeriel asked, wondering if the rumors were true. "It comes every five hundred years, rendering you lots incredibly weak. Weaker than a newborn baby. Vulnerable to attack." The scarred Urekai stopped and eyed Emeriel, nodding before walking again. "What Alvin didn't know was the prince's father used his son to gather information about us. King Memphis had his eyes set on our land. To make a long story short, the humans breached our defenses and attacked us on the Eclipse Moon night, inflicting significant damage upon our kingdom." A shadow crossed Lord Vladya's eyes. "Many of our people were killed. The survival of the Urekai was largely due to the efforts of the four rulers, particularly Daemonikai." He looked distant, as if he could see that night playing out before him. "Daemonikai exerted every ounce of his strength to save his people. Sacrificed everything he had...knowing the consequences it would bring." Consequences? Emeriel suddenly felt bad. The humans regarded that night as a victory. Talked about it as a great achievement. But hearing it now, it was nothing short of barbaric. "After that night, everything changed," Lord Vlayda said. "Many Urekai lost their bondmates and children. Those who remained were hardened by the loss. Even our revenge did nothing to ease the pain in our hearts." "Your kind almost decimated the human population, forcing many into hiding." Emeriel couldn't keep the bitterness off his tone. "The Urekai took numerous slaves and nearly depleted the human lands of their females. And it did nothing?" As those chilling eyes once again stared at him. Emeriel snapped his mouth shut. "Then, Grand King Daemonikai gave in to his beast and went mad. His mind was completely lost, has remained so for the past five hundred years. The very people he sacrificed everything to protect are now in danger from him." Lord Vladya turned a corner. "The beast breaks free periodically, going on ruthless, brutal killing sprees. To prevent further loss, the beast is confined here in Ravenshadow." Okay... that sounded like a good idea. What was the problem? "But, confinement alone is not enough. Our inner beasts require two basic substance to survive: bl*d and sx," Lord Vladya surveyed Emeriel with a piercing gaze. "And that is where your sister comes in." Emeriel grew unease. He did not like where this was going. "Princess Aekeira will fulfill the beast's sxual needs. That is why she was acquired. As for you, since I have no use for you, both of you belong to the beast," Lord Vladya asserted firmly. "What?" The disbelieving whisper tore from Emeriel. "Surely, y-you can't mean that." "Tell Princess Aekeira to present to the beast. If she presents well, who knows? She might survive another day. I care little for the outcome." Emeriel collapsed to his knees, tears blurring his vision. "Please, Lord Vladya, don't subject her to this. To be a sxual slave? To a beast...the king's beast? My sister will die!!" He screamed, his words tainted with anger. Lord Vladya did not bat an eyelash. "Good luck trying to run away from Ravenshadow. For every attempt, you will be met with fifty lashes of the whip." With that, he turned on his heel, stridingpassed terror, and Emeriel surged after him, but the Urekai soldiers blocked his path. "Who do you think you are!?" Emeriel screamed. "Do you consider yourself so all-powerful that you can dictate the fate of living beings!? You are nothing more than beasts! You're a monster, Lord Vladya!" Lord Vladya halted at the doorway, casting a glance over his shoulder. "That is a compliment, human prince. And to you, it is Grand Lord Vladya." Emeriel froze. Grand Lord? As in, one of the four rulers of the Urekai, that GRAND LORD!? Holy light-gods, we're doomed. Chapter 6 SERVING THE BEAST The night had descended upon them. Aekeira's face turned pale upon hearing everything from Emeriel. She had not uttered a single word in hours. Instead, tears streamed down her eyes. Emeriel could hardly recognize Aekeira after the "treatment" Livia had given her. Aekeira was incredibly beautiful, well-groomed, and all dressed up in that scanty piece of nothing. He despised the purpose behind her transformation and dreaded the impending arrival of the Urekai guards, who would soon take her away. "Let us escape," Emeriel suggested urgently. "This place is vast, and-" Aekeira shook her head. "I cannot risk your life, Em. Grand Lord Vladya warned you about the severe consequences of attempting to escape. Moreover, if we're caught, they will undoubtedly discover your secret when they strip you down to whip you. It is simply not an option." Emeriel approached his sister and shook her firmly. "Pull yourself together, Aekeira! You will be forced to serve a UREKAI in its BEAST FORM! One that has lost its sanity and has remained feral for over five hundred years! You cannot subject yourself to such a fate! You will die if you do this!" he screamed. "We have no other choice!" Aekeira screamed right back, "I will not put you in danger, Emeriel. Can't you understand? You are my younger sister. Our parents risked everything to protect you, and I will do everything in my power to do the same. Not because you are a burden, but because I am your elder sister, and I love you dearly!" Emeriel bit his lip, struggling to hold back tears. "And who will protect you, Aekeira? Who will ensure your safety?" Aekeira's desperate arms grasped Emeriel, as she gazed into his eyes. "They must never discover you are a girl, Emeriel. Never! Neither the humans nor the Urekais must find out." The door swung open, announcing Livia's return, accompanied by the young girl, Amie, and another group of Urekai soldiers. "It is time. Let us proceed," Livia declared as her eyes widened. "It is inadvisable for you to touch her now. You do not want to leave your scent on her. Release her immediately." "What do you mean? What will happen if I touch my sister?" Emeriel asked, quickly pulling away. "The beast must not detect any other scent on her. If it smells a scent it hates, it may become even more brutal–might even tear her apart. That is why you must not touch her, Emeriel." Livia nodded for the men to escort Aekeira out of the room, and Emeriel followed. The journey was long and silent, involving a lot of twists and turns. They passed by human slaves and Urekai maids within the vast fortress, but as they approached their destination, the faces grew scarce, and the surroundings became eerily quiet. Fear and goosebumps crept over Emeriel as they entered a haunting corridor. A strange sensation fell over Emeriel, and the silence became almost deafening. It felt as though they were walking through a graveyard. "This is as far as we go," Livia whispered at the entrance of the hallway. You can proceed from here, Aekeira." Emeriel ignored the head maid's words about not touching his sister and gripped Aekeira's arm tightly. "Don't do it," he pleaded, shaking his head vehemently. Aekeira did not turn to look at him, as she gently pulled her hand away and continued forward. ** Back at their chambers, Emeriel began to pace. He scratched his arm, feeling restless and irritable. All he wanted was for his sister to remain alive until the next day. Whether she was wounded or in pain, it didn't matter, as long as she was alive. It might have been selfish of him, but he couldn't bring himself to care. But as he paced, Emeriel felt really, really strange. Hot. So hot. As if he was burning from the inside... ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &3&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.moboreader.net/65644322-fb_contact-e	Fun Novels	https://www.facebook.com/61563251196448/	2,735	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	fbweb.moboreader.net	IMAGE		https://fbweb.moboreader.net/65644322-fb_contact-eny21191_2-250222-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=157725&accid=7929461117168105&exdata=C9E089FC7B0CF556432611AD098D146110182D8D6E8CB07C	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481096293_2166824693732138_2361429238055901701_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cZJXgPZenKcQ7kNvgEjCy87&_nc_oc=AdhVVFL8FX--k0jlYe7yJc8Zpbp7Mld7rcu3uR5VMehX7jVfZ3pknlum6X0E4hGx0TY&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AaIW6zLYyPQrwgGgCywSTkD&oh=00_AYDOzKwjIaHgwRvmQvzX14_W_qWWR0pdUg8Lg6qf7aHtmQ&oe=67CBA8E9	PERSON_PROFILE	Fun Novels	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,745,652	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758		Emerging from the confines of marriage, she blossomed from a mundane housewife to a renowned painter with a legion of admirers. When her ex-husband sought reconciliation at her doorstep, he witnessed her in the arms of a prominent man. "Meet your new sister-in-law!" ===== In the dimly lit, opulent private cinema, the most exclusive jewelry auction was being broadcast live. "One million, going once, going twice--" The rich cadence of the auctioneer's voice echoed through the room, the man tightened his grip around Alicia Bennett's waist... With the intensity between them only grew fiercer as time passed... The auctioneer's gavel fell. "Sold for ten million! Let's give a round of applause to Mr. Joshua Yates!" The name struck Alicia like a lightning bolt. Her body instantly went rigid, something that the man couldn't help but notice, flicked lazily toward the screen. The camera zoomed in on Joshua Yates's face, every detail of his familiar features displayed in perfect clarity. "Joshua Yates, the second son of the Yates family... an acquaintance perhaps?" he drawled, the corners of his mouth tugging into a sly smile. Alicia's frown deepened. The last thing she wanted was to discuss it, she didn't respond. The man, upon seeing the situation, chuckled lightly before his movements grew even more relentless... ...... When it was over, Alicia took advantage of the man's time in the shower and quietly made her escape. When Caden Ward finally emerged from the bathroom, not catching sight of the woman's figure, he curled his lips slightly. Moments later, his assistant, Hank Ford, burst into the room, clearly on edge, "Er, apologies, Mr. Ward. I let my guard down. Give me a moment, and I'll have her brought back immediately." They had just returned to the country, taking every precaution. And yet, a woman had managed to slip through the cracks of their security. Caden's features calm, almost indifferent. "No need. I was... a willing participant." Hank's eyes widened in shock. In all the time he'd known Caden, the man had never slept with a woman,even physical contact. There were even rumors that Caden might suffer from some secret ailment. Yet now, those whispers seemed to evaporate in the face of this unexpected turn of events. Before Hank could make sense of it, Caden's deep voice pulled him back to reality. "I want you to look into Joshua's personal life. Have the report on my desk in half an hour." Tonight, Alicia had stumbled into his room, feverish and desperate. It was obvious she'd been framed. And then came the revelation--Alicia was still a pureness. Two years of marriage to Joshua... Yet she was still untouched? Caden's lips curled into a satisfied smile. But as he reflected, one thing became abundantly clear--Alicia had no idea who she'd been with due to the dug's effects. ... By the time Alicia returned home, the first light of dawn filtered through the windows. Only then did she realize how long she had been out. But before she could dwell any further, her phone rang. It was her bestie, Monica Flynn, calling. "Alicia!" Monica practically screeched from the other end of the line, her voice high-pitched with worry. "How are you now?" Alicia exhaled deeply, kicking off her shoes carelessly. "I've been better," she murmured. Monica's anger bubbled over, her words sharp and unrelenting. "Joshua's beyond disgusting! If he doesn't want to stay married, he should just grow a spine and divorce you already! What kind of sick man would scheme against his own wife?" The sharp pain of betrayal shot through Alicia's chest. Yesterday was their second anniversary. Joshua had texted her, suggesting they celebrate. Daring to hope he had changed, she had dressed up to the nine's, only to be met with disappointment and a dug-laced drink that sent her spiraling into a night of confusion and chaos. Was Joshua really the mastermind behind this? Swallowing the bitterness that tried clawing its way to the surface, Alicia forced herself to climb the stairs, her movements slow and weary. "It's fine, Monica. I'll handle it." Monica, ever protective, wasn't convinced. "'Handle it'? What do you mean you'll handle it? Just say the word, and I'll be over in a heartbeat." Alicia couldn't help the small, tired smile that tugged at her lips, hanging up the phone. But her heart still felt heavy, just as she lost focus, the door to her bedroom creaked open. She lifted her gaze, and almost instantly, her stomach dropped. There, fresh from a shower, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist, stood Joshua. He stared down at her. Chapter 2 Divorce Alicia snapped out of her daze as soon as she met the icy gaze of Joshua, her so-called husband. His expression remained unchanged, cold and indifferent as ever, as though he was looking at a stranger. The only thing out of place was the scars on his lips. A wave of disgust washed over her, she pushed him away and was about to enter. Joshua frowned, his hand shooting out to grab her wrist. "Alicia, what's with the attitude?" He seemed quite unhappy with her this time, which was a rare thing, considering how little he bothered to come home. Normally, Alicia would have welcomed him back with open arms, a flicker of joy lighting up her tired features, but today she looked drained, almost hollow. She didn't resist his grip, meeting his gaze with a calmness that unnerved him. "Haven't I always been like this? Obedient, sensible, making sure the house is in order, ensuring you're comfortable, ready to give your best at work." A small, bitter smile tugged at her lips. "Isn't that what you like most about me? It makes things easier for you, doesn't it? Frees up time for your other... 'special someone'." Joshua's eyes darkened at the veiled accusation. Denial hovered on his lips, but he didn't bother. Why should he? He dropped her hand and said gruffly, "Actually, that's why I'm here. We need to talk." Alicia vigorously rubbed her wrist, as though she was trying to erase his touch. "So, are you planning to finally go public with her?" Joshua's expression twisted instantly, his calm facade cracking. "What do you know? Did you have me stalked by a private investigator or something?" Alicia let out a soft, humorless laugh. "Is that necessary? Last night, you spared no expense to make her happy. Even a blind person could tell you're mad about her." He stared at her, unsettled by her icy tone. It was still her voice, still Alicia, but there was something different about her... For some reason, he felt inexplicably hurt, like a thorn pricking his heart. Perhaps it was the way she looked at him now--her eyes, once warm and filled with love for him, were now completely empty. There was no anger, no pain, just... nothing. It was a stark contrast to the woman who used to look at him as if he were her entire world. For reasons he couldn't explain, the sight of her like this stirred something in him, an unfamiliar dissatisfaction. Annoyed by his own reaction, Joshua decided to hit back, his voice harder now. "She's pregnant. It's a delicate pregnancy, so I bought her a little something to lift her spirits." Alicia's fists clenched before she could stop them. Pgnant? So, the nights she had stayed up waiting for him to come home, he'd been with another woman, working diligently to start a new family? Seeing Alicia wince a little, Joshua felt a flicker of satisfaction. "It's not that I don't want to touch you," he said, voice dripping with condescension. "You're just about as thrilling as watching paint dry. No man would want that." His cruel words pierced through Alicia, yet she managed to remain composed on the surface. It wasn't that she avoided intimacy; she just wasn't the one to initiate it. Did that make her so undesirable? Was it a sin? Taking a slow, steady breath, Alicia willed herself to stay calm. "Fine," she replied quietly. "Let's get a divorce then. You can give her the title she wants." The word "divorce" made Joshua's eyelid twitch involuntarily. He scoffed, eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Is this another one of your games?" Convinced he was right, his voice grew colder, more biting. "Alicia, for two years, you've pulled every childish stunt, begging for my attention. Aren't you tired yet? Because I sure as hell am." He paused, letting his disdain sink in. "You claim to love me so much. Could you really walk away from me?" Alicia couldn't help the bitter laugh that escaped her. Love him? Did he even understand what that meant? When Joshua's business had crumbled, leaving him with nothing but debt and shattered dreams, it had been Alicia who emptied her savings to pull him from the wreckage. Out of gratitude--or maybe obligation--he had married her. For two long years, she had been the dutiful wife, supporting him as he clawed his way to success. And what had Alicia gotten in return? She had been cast aside like a useless relic, while another woman carried his child. Her love, her loyalty, had been ground into the dirt beneath his feet. To care for this man any longer would be masochism. Her voice steady, Alicia said, "Draft the divorce agreement. I'll agree to whatever terms you want." And with that, she turned and disappeared through the door, leaving Joshua standing alone in the hallway. For a moment, he stared after her angrily, but then a cold, mocking smile tugged at his lips. Fine, she can play the martyr. He doubted she could keep it up for long. Storming out of the house, Joshua headed straight to the apartment where his lover, Lilliana Green, awaited him. "Well, that was fast," she teased upon hearing Joshua was getting a divorce, raising a brow. "Seems she wasn't as tough to deal with as you claimed." "She's cunning," Joshua muttered, the edge of suspicion creeping into his voice. "I don't know if she's actually agreeing to the divorce or just playing me." Lilliana's arms draping lazily around his neck, "Relax, Joshua, even if she changes her mind, it's too late." Joshua's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?" Chapter 3 Letting Go Lilliana's eyes flickered with shadowy intent. She wasn't foolish enough to show her cards now, so she waved it off with an effortless excuse. "During your two-year marriage, she has lived quietly in the shadows as a mere housewife, disconnected from your world. When you're assertive, would she dare to say a word?" Joshua pursed his lips into a hard line. During the past two years, Alicia had indeed done everything for him--given him support and solace. She had loved him fiercely, but at the end of it all, what value did love truly hold? Against all odds, he had clawed his way to the top, and he'd finally grasped the power he craved. That success, however, hadn't come easy, and it wasn't love that secured his position--it was alliances with the powerful. The prestige of the Green family daughter, that title alone, was worth far more than Alicia's devoted love. As these thoughts plagued his mind, Lilliana said happily, "Joshua, congratulations on escaping the grind. Shall we celebrate?" For a moment, Joshua's gaze flickered down to her, but Alicia's indifferent face suddenly flashed before his eyes. Since leaving the house earlier, Alicia hadn't once called him to ask for his whereabouts. Before, if he had been upset with her, she would've called him in a panic. A sharp, inexplicable irritation surged within him. Without thinking, he pushed Lilliana back, "You're only a few weeks' pregnant. Be careful." Lilliana, sharp as ever, sensed he was distracted. "Joshua, what's wrong?" she asked gently. "Don't you want to get divorced?" Joshua's response was instant. "Of course I want to divorce her." Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. "Then why don't you seem very happy?" Joshua offered a quick excuse, his voice steady but distant. "My father's condition has worsened. He doesn't have much time left, and Caden returned last night. He's likely here to claim his inheritance. I need to figure out how to handle him." Lilliana blinked, momentarily thrown. "Caden? Your brother from your father's first marriage? He doesn't even carry the Yates name anymore. What right does he have to fight you for the inheritance?" Joshua's expression darkened. It was true--but at the end of the day, he was still the son of a home-wrecker. All these years of relentless effort had not only been to carve out a name for himself in the Yates family, but to push Caden into the shadows where he belonged. One way or another, Joshua was hell-bent on winning. Meanwhile, Alicia stirred from her sleep. Darkness had already fallen, yet she felt even more drained than before. It was because her dreams revolved around that stranger. when her phone buzzed with a call from Monica did she snap out of her daze. "Alicia, I got your bld test results. I passed them to a friend of mine with some serious connections. He's digging around to see who bought the stuff." Alicia sat up a little straighter, her mind sharpening. "Thanks, Monica. Appreciate it." "If you really want to thank me, do me a favor: stop obsessing over that j*k. And after the divorce, focus on your career. You owe me that much." Alicia's chest warmed, her head lowering in quiet gratitude. "I know, I know." Now that she thought about it, she had come to the realization that her feelings for Joshua had never been pure love--they were born out of a debt, a sense of obligation. Her family's expectations had always weighed heavily on her, and in that lonely, stifled childhood, it was Joshua who had been there. His companionship had nurtured a vague affection she'd confused for love. "Lucky for me, love's never been something I've held onto tightly," Alicia murmured. "These last two years... I'll just see it as repaying his kindness." Monica paused, her usual boldness tempered with thoughtfulness. She knew better than anyone how, once upon a time, Joshua had indeed loved Alicia. But, it turned out love could be a fleeting thing. "Alicia, I really hope you've let go for good," Monica said with a convicted sigh. A sharp pang hit Alicia's chest, her eyes stinging as she fought back the urge to cry. Quickly, she pressed her hand to her eyelids, refusing to let the tears fall. It was only then she noticed something startling. Stunned, she stared at her hand. The wedding ring--something she had once held onto so tightly--was gone. Gone for a whole day and night, and she hadn't even noticed. Suddenly, her heart felt lighter, the weight of everything she'd been carrying beginning to lift. She whispered, more to herself than anyone, "Yes, I've truly let go." ... It didn't take long for Joshua to notice. He had returned to grab something quickly when his eyes fell on her hand. His brow furrowed as he asked, without thinking, "Where's your wedding ring?" Chapter 4 Her Nemesis Alicia's only concern now was leaving Joshua, so she ignored his question and asked flatly, "Are the divorce papers ready yet?" That word again--"divorce". Irritation flickered across Joshua's eyes. "What's the rush?" he snapped, his voice cold and sharp. "My father's finalizing his will, and if word gets out about my divorce, it'll ruin my standing. Now, pack your things--we're having dinner at the Yates Mansion this afternoon." With Caden's return, the family was throwing a welcome-home dinner for him. They also hoped that by doing so, it'd lift the spirits of Jerald Yates, Joshua's father. However, maintaining the charade of a happy marriage was the last thing on Alicia's mind. "I'm not going," she announced curtly. "Just get the divorce finalized and stop wasting my time." Joshua laughed, a sound that held no warmth. "Oh, come on, Alicia. Stop pretending. You hid the ring because you don't actually want to leave me, right? You can't stand the thought of being without me." He leaned in, smirking, and added, "You've worked hard these past two years. Even if we divorce, I'll still take care of you--as long as you keep me happy." Alicia's eyes widened, disbelief turning into anger. Hid the ring? Couldn't bear to be without him? His arrogant words sounded like nails on a chalkboard to Alicia's ears. With a sharp sneer, she shot back, "Oh, Mr. Yates, how could I possibly make you happy? Don't worry, I'll return the ring--wouldn't want this plain Jane to irk you, right? Once you have it, we're finalizing the divorce immediately." But Joshua wasn't fazed by her venom. He thought he knew her too well, convinced this was just another ploy to get his attention. Without thinking too much, he tossed a bag at her. "We've got guests today. Dress appropriately, and don't make me look bad." Alicia looked down at the bag, her mind flashing back to the countless times she had visited the mansion dressed in modest, unassuming clothes-- doing everything to blend in, to please him and his family. But now, with their divorce looming on the horizon, Alicia no longer cared to play the part of a dutiful wife. After slipping into the outfit, she carefully applied a touch of makeup, just enough to bring out the vibrance in her already flawless complexion. The subtle enhancements accentuated her smooth skin and delicate features, lending her a certain glow. When Joshua saw her descending the staircase, he froze for a brief moment, eyes lingering. Perhaps it was the way the dress hugged Alicia's graceful curves, making her seem more alluring than usual. At the entrance of the Yates Mansion, they both slipped into their familiar roles, masking the tension between them with practiced ease. Alicia casually looped her arm through Joshua's, their movements synchronized as they walked into the courtyard. Though Jerald was too ill to receive anyone, the grand hall bustled with life, relatives filling the space with chatter. The noise hummed around her, but for some reason, as soon as Alicia crossed the threshold, a sharp chill pricked at her skin. She instinctively looked up, her gaze immediately drawn to the figure lounging casually at the far end of the room. Legs crossed, dark shirt unbuttoned just enough to reveal a sliver of his collarbone, the man oozed arrogance, his presence commanding. When Alicia's eyes finally met his-- a familiar, authoritative stare that pinned her in place-- her mind raced as emotions began to surge uncontrollably. Joshua noticed the shift in her demeanor, his brows furrowing as he asked, "What's going on with you?" Alicia's breath caught in her throat. One word escaped her lips, barely audible. "Caden?" Just the mention of his name sent a chill down her spine. To her, Caden was the embodiment of her nightmares. Due to their families' friendship, their paths first crossed at the tender age of ten. Caden, having taken a year off, transferred to her school, and from that moment, Alicia's perfect world began to unravel. She could no longer claim the top spot. No matter how relentless her efforts, no matter how late she stayed up studying, Caden was always a step ahead. He would outscore her by the smallest of margins--a point, maybe two--leaving her perpetually stranded in second place. Anyone else might have accepted defeat, settled into the role of runner-up. But not Alicia. Born into the once prestigious Bennett family, she was raised under the suffocating weight of living up to her family name. Excellence wasn't just a goal--it was the currency by which she could earn her parents' affection. Failure was not an option, yet Caden had the audacity to snatch away everything she'd worked for with what seemed like effortless ease. It was as if he'd set his sights on her from the very beginning, and Alicia, stubborn to a fault, refused to back down. Their rivalry spanned over a decade, a relentless battle fought both openly and in the shadows, and their final showdown took place in college, just before their graduation, at the national competition. Alicia poured her heart and soul into that moment, her focus razor-sharp as she aimed for nothing less than perfection. And she achieved it, having garnered a perfect score. But Caden, ever the serpent, had bribed the judges, twisting the results in his favor. Alicia was forced, once again, into second place. The sting of injustice was deep, but the harshest blow came from her father, Phil Bennett. Over the phone, his voice dripped with disappointment in her ranking. Alicia, having grown accustomed to his tirades, said nothing. She waited for his anger to ebb, then asked quietly, "I'm graduating soon. Will you come back?" Her mother, Donna, had always been her softer solace. She comforted Alicia that day, promising they'd be there for her graduation. But life had other plans. Phil and Donna, rushing back from Itrubisite to attend the graduation, perished in a tragic plane crash. Overnight, Alicia's world crumbled, left an orphan in this cruel world. Since that day, she had never challenged Caden again. Afterward, Caden left Warrington to build his career overseas. ... "He's back for the inheritance," Joshua muttered, his voice barely audible. Alicia cast him a sidelong glance as he continued, "With a family empire as big as ours, an eldest son like him wouldn't give up so easily." Her brow furrowed slightly. It was true--the Yates empire was massive, a legacy most would kill for. But Caden had accumulated his own fortune, surpassing even the family's vast wealth. Did he really care about the inheritance? Then again, this was Caden. Competing was in his blood. Even if he didn't care about the fortune itself, he'd fight tooth and nail just to win, to toy with everyone else. The man had a knack for stirring chaos purely for his own amusement. Alicia had been his rival for as long as she could remember, and even now, the thought of giving him so much as a glance felt like a waste of energy. She turned to walk away. But Joshua caught her wrist, his grip firm yet tense. "I know you two don't get along," he said. "But he's still my elder brother. We need to maintain appearances." Her body stiffened at the touch, and she immediately tried to pull her hand free. Joshua's frown deepened. "Alicia, behave," he hissed. Irritation flared in her chest. "I'm not refusing to go in. Just let go of me first. I don't want your filthy hands touching me." A flicker of something dark passed over Joshua's face, and instead of releasing her, he intertwined their fingers, squeezing them tight. Alicia bit her tongue, silently fuming. As they neared, Caden's gaze slowly lifted, his eyes narrowing in a lazy, almost bored assessment of them. "Caden," Joshua greeted, his tone strained, meeting his brother's gaze with forced cordiality. Caden's eyes flicked to their entwined hands, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Your girlfriend?" he asked indifferently, as though he didn't recognize Alicia. Chapter 5 We Meet Again So Soon Alicia's nerves coiled tight like a spring. That voice... Her messy thoughts blurred into chaos, but one thing broke through the haze--Joshua's calm declaration. "Alicia and I have been married for two years now. She cares about me, so we kept it low-key. Just went straight for the registration; no ceremony. You were busy abroad at the time, so we didn't bother you." Caden arched a brow, his voice laced with venomous mockery. "Oh, so she's my sister-in-law." The way he spat the words "sister-in-law" felt more like a sap than a title, leaving no doubt about his contempt for her. Alicia could feel the man's sneer underneath every syllable. And all this was thanks to her so-called husband, Joshua. Her hand trembled as she snatched a tissue, vigorously wiping her hand. "Looks like Alicia's a bit of a germophobe," Caden observed, his tone a casual jab at her disgust. Joshua's expression darkened, the tension between them thickening. He hadn't expected her to humiliate him like this. "It seems I've spoiled her too much," he muttered, his voice low and tight with irritation. Caden's eyes gleamed with a dangerous glint. "If it's a serious condition, she should get treated. It could impact her role as a mother. You know how badly our father has wanted a grandchild." At this, something flickered across Joshua's eyes. Even though Alicia, his wife, was right beside him, he went ahead and lied through his teeth. "Thanks for the concern, Caden, but I already have good news for Dad. I just haven't gotten around to telling him yet." Caden's smirk deepened, his gaze flicking toward Alicia, who was about done with the bullshit of a charade. She quietly excused herself and strode off. "How far along is she?" he asked meaningfully. "Doesn't seem like she's pregnant." Joshua didn't miss a beat. "Just a month." The answer was as much a threat as it was an announcement. Now, the inheritance stakes had just been raised, and Jerald, ever focused on continuing the family line, would certainly take his unborn grandchild into consideration. Caden's smile hardened, and Joshua delivered the final blow with a smug undertone. "You'd better catch up, Caden. I can't always be one step ahead." Caden, unfazed, waved his hand lazily. "No rush." ... Alicia stepped onto the terrace, the cool night breeze washing over her skin. She drank in the fresh air hungrily to steady her nerves. Pulling out her phone, she quickly dialed the manager of the private cinema again. "Have you found the ring?" she asked anxiously. The manager hesitated, sounding troubled. "Ms. Bennett, we've searched thoroughly and questioned all the staff, but... we really couldn't find any ring." "Then..." Alicia clenched her fist, her mind racing. "Do you have the contact details of the guest who booked the room that day?" "I'm sorry, but due to our privacy policy, we can't disclose any information on our clients." Her heart sank. "I see," she sighed with resignation. "Please tell me immediately if anything turns up, okay?" In a perfect world, she could've just bought an identical ring and pass it off for the original. Unfortunately, Joshua had that ring custom-made, and it wasn't easy to replicate. After dinner, it started to rain. The relatives began to trickle out one by one. Joshua stood by her side as they made their way to the car, his eyes trailing down to her bare wrist. "If you liked that bracelet at the auction, then I can buy you something like it," he said coolly. Alicia had to resist the urge to roll her eyes sardonically. She didn't believe for a second that Joshua had a change of heart towards her. "Trying to buy my silence, huh?" Her words were sharp, slicing right through Joshua's tender facade. "No need. I have no desire to be tangled up in your affairs." Joshua hadn't intended to sound like that, but her mocking tone struck a nerve. His jaw clenched, and a bitter smile crossed his lips. "Fine. Don't take it. The money I spend on you is a waste anyway." Alicia bit the inside of her cheek before adding firmly, "Joshua, I already told you. I'm willing to leave this marriage empty-handed. Let's sign the divorce papers tomorrow morning and end this once and for all." His smile twisted into something dark, something dangerous. "What about the ring?" "I lost it." Joshua's eyes narrowed, his tone unrelenting. "I don't care about anything else. I want the ring." She could barely contain her frustration, her breath hitching as he delivered his final blow. "If you can't find it," he said coldly, "I'll assume you're holding onto it because you still care about me." Just then, Joshua's phone rang; it was Lilliana calling. "Joshua." She mewled his name pitifully. "The thunder is so loud. I'm scared to sleep alone... Can you come over?" The car wasn't heading anywhere near Lilliana's and Joshua was furious with Alicia, so without a second thought, he kicked her out into the rain and sped off. He didn't even leave her an umbrella. Alicia stood frozen by the roadside, the downpour quickly soaking through her clothes. The cold rain seeped into her bones, chilling her to the core. Gritting her chattering teeth, she swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth and began trudging along the drenched pavement. Behind her, the soft hum of an engine crept closer. A sleek, low-profile Maybach rolled up beside her, its headlights cutting through the rain. "Mr. Ward," the driver said, glancing back, "I believe that's Ms. Bennett." The car slowed to a stop. Caden glanced out the window, his sharp eyes narrowing on Alicia's lonesome figure. She had just paused, her fingers gathering the fabric of her soaked dress, tying it up to ease her stride. Caden's lips curled into a faint. "Invite her inside," he drawled. The car came to a halt next to Alicia. The driver stepped out, holding a large umbrella over her head, his voice polite. "Ms. Bennett, it's hard to find a cab at this hour. May I offer you a ride home?" Alicia's eyes flicked up, recognizing the man as the Yates family's driver. She hesitated for a moment before nodding, her voice soft but steady. "Thank you. Sorry for the inconvenience." However, as soon as she slipped into the backseat of the car, she locked eyes with its other passenger--Caden. "We meet again so soon, sister-in-law?" His voice, smooth as velvet, carried a hint of mischief. ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &9&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.moboreader.net/63310322-fb_contact-e	Graceful Gales	https://www.facebook.com/61566363901062/	136	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	fbweb.moboreader.net	VIDEO		https://fbweb.moboreader.net/63310322-fb_contact-ena265_2-1228-core2.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=060236&accid=461757146675392&exdata=862D17A8066703E13C0E834547E4A77C47FC4B79F413625B	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481250279_1170934458094883_7144918993303921017_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=a4mQdA5m1uIQ7kNvgH5pkzg&_nc_oc=AdhjWZxdqvdXm-zGZ72SJ47VN_rSm0c2nx6v5687CpyvQ57oOsF871f90BW23Q-udfQ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AKQjnAQ78lUNH3ePlsqv-LB&oh=00_AYDj1EiciYbex7NbVOvQCtsIULkeb6g7SIixrlc5Lf-9tQ&oe=67CB8C62	PERSON_PROFILE	Graceful Gales	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
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2,745,654	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758		Emerging from the confines of marriage, she blossomed from a mundane housewife to a renowned painter with a legion of admirers. When her ex-husband sought reconciliation at her doorstep, he witnessed her in the arms of a prominent man. "Meet your new sister-in-law!" ===== In the dimly lit, opulent private cinema, the most exclusive jewelry auction was being broadcast live. "One million, going once, going twice--" The rich cadence of the auctioneer's voice echoed through the room, the man tightened his grip around Alicia Bennett's waist... With the intensity between them only grew fiercer as time passed... The auctioneer's gavel fell. "Sold for ten million! Let's give a round of applause to Mr. Joshua Yates!" The name struck Alicia like a lightning bolt. Her body instantly went rigid, something that the man couldn't help but notice, flicked lazily toward the screen. The camera zoomed in on Joshua Yates's face, every detail of his familiar features displayed in perfect clarity. "Joshua Yates, the second son of the Yates family... an acquaintance perhaps?" he drawled, the corners of his mouth tugging into a sly smile. Alicia's frown deepened. The last thing she wanted was to discuss it, she didn't respond. The man, upon seeing the situation, chuckled lightly before his movements grew even more relentless... ...... When it was over, Alicia took advantage of the man's time in the shower and quietly made her escape. When Caden Ward finally emerged from the bathroom, not catching sight of the woman's figure, he curled his lips slightly. Moments later, his assistant, Hank Ford, burst into the room, clearly on edge, "Er, apologies, Mr. Ward. I let my guard down. Give me a moment, and I'll have her brought back immediately." They had just returned to the country, taking every precaution. And yet, a woman had managed to slip through the cracks of their security. Caden's features calm, almost indifferent. "No need. I was... a willing participant." Hank's eyes widened in shock. In all the time he'd known Caden, the man had never slept with a woman,even physical contact. There were even rumors that Caden might suffer from some secret ailment. Yet now, those whispers seemed to evaporate in the face of this unexpected turn of events. Before Hank could make sense of it, Caden's deep voice pulled him back to reality. "I want you to look into Joshua's personal life. Have the report on my desk in half an hour." Tonight, Alicia had stumbled into his room, feverish and desperate. It was obvious she'd been framed. And then came the revelation--Alicia was still a pureness. Two years of marriage to Joshua... Yet she was still untouched? Caden's lips curled into a satisfied smile. But as he reflected, one thing became abundantly clear--Alicia had no idea who she'd been with due to the dug's effects. ... By the time Alicia returned home, the first light of dawn filtered through the windows. Only then did she realize how long she had been out. But before she could dwell any further, her phone rang. It was her bestie, Monica Flynn, calling. "Alicia!" Monica practically screeched from the other end of the line, her voice high-pitched with worry. "How are you now?" Alicia exhaled deeply, kicking off her shoes carelessly. "I've been better," she murmured. Monica's anger bubbled over, her words sharp and unrelenting. "Joshua's beyond disgusting! If he doesn't want to stay married, he should just grow a spine and divorce you already! What kind of sick man would scheme against his own wife?" The sharp pain of betrayal shot through Alicia's chest. Yesterday was their second anniversary. Joshua had texted her, suggesting they celebrate. Daring to hope he had changed, she had dressed up to the nine's, only to be met with disappointment and a dug-laced drink that sent her spiraling into a night of confusion and chaos. Was Joshua really the mastermind behind this? Swallowing the bitterness that tried clawing its way to the surface, Alicia forced herself to climb the stairs, her movements slow and weary. "It's fine, Monica. I'll handle it." Monica, ever protective, wasn't convinced. "'Handle it'? What do you mean you'll handle it? Just say the word, and I'll be over in a heartbeat." Alicia couldn't help the small, tired smile that tugged at her lips, hanging up the phone. But her heart still felt heavy, just as she lost focus, the door to her bedroom creaked open. She lifted her gaze, and almost instantly, her stomach dropped. There, fresh from a shower, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist, stood Joshua. He stared down at her. Chapter 2 Divorce Alicia snapped out of her daze as soon as she met the icy gaze of Joshua, her so-called husband. His expression remained unchanged, cold and indifferent as ever, as though he was looking at a stranger. The only thing out of place was the scars on his lips. A wave of disgust washed over her, she pushed him away and was about to enter. Joshua frowned, his hand shooting out to grab her wrist. "Alicia, what's with the attitude?" He seemed quite unhappy with her this time, which was a rare thing, considering how little he bothered to come home. Normally, Alicia would have welcomed him back with open arms, a flicker of joy lighting up her tired features, but today she looked drained, almost hollow. She didn't resist his grip, meeting his gaze with a calmness that unnerved him. "Haven't I always been like this? Obedient, sensible, making sure the house is in order, ensuring you're comfortable, ready to give your best at work." A small, bitter smile tugged at her lips. "Isn't that what you like most about me? It makes things easier for you, doesn't it? Frees up time for your other... 'special someone'." Joshua's eyes darkened at the veiled accusation. Denial hovered on his lips, but he didn't bother. Why should he? He dropped her hand and said gruffly, "Actually, that's why I'm here. We need to talk." Alicia vigorously rubbed her wrist, as though she was trying to erase his touch. "So, are you planning to finally go public with her?" Joshua's expression twisted instantly, his calm facade cracking. "What do you know? Did you have me stalked by a private investigator or something?" Alicia let out a soft, humorless laugh. "Is that necessary? Last night, you spared no expense to make her happy. Even a blind person could tell you're mad about her." He stared at her, unsettled by her icy tone. It was still her voice, still Alicia, but there was something different about her... For some reason, he felt inexplicably hurt, like a thorn pricking his heart. Perhaps it was the way she looked at him now--her eyes, once warm and filled with love for him, were now completely empty. There was no anger, no pain, just... nothing. It was a stark contrast to the woman who used to look at him as if he were her entire world. For reasons he couldn't explain, the sight of her like this stirred something in him, an unfamiliar dissatisfaction. Annoyed by his own reaction, Joshua decided to hit back, his voice harder now. "She's pregnant. It's a delicate pregnancy, so I bought her a little something to lift her spirits." Alicia's fists clenched before she could stop them. Pgnant? So, the nights she had stayed up waiting for him to come home, he'd been with another woman, working diligently to start a new family? Seeing Alicia wince a little, Joshua felt a flicker of satisfaction. "It's not that I don't want to touch you," he said, voice dripping with condescension. "You're just about as thrilling as watching paint dry. No man would want that." His cruel words pierced through Alicia, yet she managed to remain composed on the surface. It wasn't that she avoided intimacy; she just wasn't the one to initiate it. Did that make her so undesirable? Was it a sin? Taking a slow, steady breath, Alicia willed herself to stay calm. "Fine," she replied quietly. "Let's get a divorce then. You can give her the title she wants." The word "divorce" made Joshua's eyelid twitch involuntarily. He scoffed, eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Is this another one of your games?" Convinced he was right, his voice grew colder, more biting. "Alicia, for two years, you've pulled every childish stunt, begging for my attention. Aren't you tired yet? Because I sure as hell am." He paused, letting his disdain sink in. "You claim to love me so much. Could you really walk away from me?" Alicia couldn't help the bitter laugh that escaped her. Love him? Did he even understand what that meant? When Joshua's business had crumbled, leaving him with nothing but debt and shattered dreams, it had been Alicia who emptied her savings to pull him from the wreckage. Out of gratitude--or maybe obligation--he had married her. For two long years, she had been the dutiful wife, supporting him as he clawed his way to success. And what had Alicia gotten in return? She had been cast aside like a useless relic, while another woman carried his child. Her love, her loyalty, had been ground into the dirt beneath his feet. To care for this man any longer would be masochism. Her voice steady, Alicia said, "Draft the divorce agreement. I'll agree to whatever terms you want." And with that, she turned and disappeared through the door, leaving Joshua standing alone in the hallway. For a moment, he stared after her angrily, but then a cold, mocking smile tugged at his lips. Fine, she can play the martyr. He doubted she could keep it up for long. Storming out of the house, Joshua headed straight to the apartment where his lover, Lilliana Green, awaited him. "Well, that was fast," she teased upon hearing Joshua was getting a divorce, raising a brow. "Seems she wasn't as tough to deal with as you claimed." "She's cunning," Joshua muttered, the edge of suspicion creeping into his voice. "I don't know if she's actually agreeing to the divorce or just playing me." Lilliana's arms draping lazily around his neck, "Relax, Joshua, even if she changes her mind, it's too late." Joshua's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?" Chapter 3 Letting Go Lilliana's eyes flickered with shadowy intent. She wasn't foolish enough to show her cards now, so she waved it off with an effortless excuse. "During your two-year marriage, she has lived quietly in the shadows as a mere housewife, disconnected from your world. When you're assertive, would she dare to say a word?" Joshua pursed his lips into a hard line. During the past two years, Alicia had indeed done everything for him--given him support and solace. She had loved him fiercely, but at the end of it all, what value did love truly hold? Against all odds, he had clawed his way to the top, and he'd finally grasped the power he craved. That success, however, hadn't come easy, and it wasn't love that secured his position--it was alliances with the powerful. The prestige of the Green family daughter, that title alone, was worth far more than Alicia's devoted love. As these thoughts plagued his mind, Lilliana said happily, "Joshua, congratulations on escaping the grind. Shall we celebrate?" For a moment, Joshua's gaze flickered down to her, but Alicia's indifferent face suddenly flashed before his eyes. Since leaving the house earlier, Alicia hadn't once called him to ask for his whereabouts. Before, if he had been upset with her, she would've called him in a panic. A sharp, inexplicable irritation surged within him. Without thinking, he pushed Lilliana back, "You're only a few weeks' pregnant. Be careful." Lilliana, sharp as ever, sensed he was distracted. "Joshua, what's wrong?" she asked gently. "Don't you want to get divorced?" Joshua's response was instant. "Of course I want to divorce her." Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. "Then why don't you seem very happy?" Joshua offered a quick excuse, his voice steady but distant. "My father's condition has worsened. He doesn't have much time left, and Caden returned last night. He's likely here to claim his inheritance. I need to figure out how to handle him." Lilliana blinked, momentarily thrown. "Caden? Your brother from your father's first marriage? He doesn't even carry the Yates name anymore. What right does he have to fight you for the inheritance?" Joshua's expression darkened. It was true--but at the end of the day, he was still the son of a home-wrecker. All these years of relentless effort had not only been to carve out a name for himself in the Yates family, but to push Caden into the shadows where he belonged. One way or another, Joshua was hell-bent on winning. Meanwhile, Alicia stirred from her sleep. Darkness had already fallen, yet she felt even more drained than before. It was because her dreams revolved around that stranger. when her phone buzzed with a call from Monica did she snap out of her daze. "Alicia, I got your bld test results. I passed them to a friend of mine with some serious connections. He's digging around to see who bought the stuff." Alicia sat up a little straighter, her mind sharpening. "Thanks, Monica. Appreciate it." "If you really want to thank me, do me a favor: stop obsessing over that j*k. And after the divorce, focus on your career. You owe me that much." Alicia's chest warmed, her head lowering in quiet gratitude. "I know, I know." Now that she thought about it, she had come to the realization that her feelings for Joshua had never been pure love--they were born out of a debt, a sense of obligation. Her family's expectations had always weighed heavily on her, and in that lonely, stifled childhood, it was Joshua who had been there. His companionship had nurtured a vague affection she'd confused for love. "Lucky for me, love's never been something I've held onto tightly," Alicia murmured. "These last two years... I'll just see it as repaying his kindness." Monica paused, her usual boldness tempered with thoughtfulness. She knew better than anyone how, once upon a time, Joshua had indeed loved Alicia. But, it turned out love could be a fleeting thing. "Alicia, I really hope you've let go for good," Monica said with a convicted sigh. A sharp pang hit Alicia's chest, her eyes stinging as she fought back the urge to cry. Quickly, she pressed her hand to her eyelids, refusing to let the tears fall. It was only then she noticed something startling. Stunned, she stared at her hand. The wedding ring--something she had once held onto so tightly--was gone. Gone for a whole day and night, and she hadn't even noticed. Suddenly, her heart felt lighter, the weight of everything she'd been carrying beginning to lift. She whispered, more to herself than anyone, "Yes, I've truly let go." ... It didn't take long for Joshua to notice. He had returned to grab something quickly when his eyes fell on her hand. His brow furrowed as he asked, without thinking, "Where's your wedding ring?" Chapter 4 Her Nemesis Alicia's only concern now was leaving Joshua, so she ignored his question and asked flatly, "Are the divorce papers ready yet?" That word again--"divorce". Irritation flickered across Joshua's eyes. "What's the rush?" he snapped, his voice cold and sharp. "My father's finalizing his will, and if word gets out about my divorce, it'll ruin my standing. Now, pack your things--we're having dinner at the Yates Mansion this afternoon." With Caden's return, the family was throwing a welcome-home dinner for him. They also hoped that by doing so, it'd lift the spirits of Jerald Yates, Joshua's father. However, maintaining the charade of a happy marriage was the last thing on Alicia's mind. "I'm not going," she announced curtly. "Just get the divorce finalized and stop wasting my time." Joshua laughed, a sound that held no warmth. "Oh, come on, Alicia. Stop pretending. You hid the ring because you don't actually want to leave me, right? You can't stand the thought of being without me." He leaned in, smirking, and added, "You've worked hard these past two years. Even if we divorce, I'll still take care of you--as long as you keep me happy." Alicia's eyes widened, disbelief turning into anger. Hid the ring? Couldn't bear to be without him? His arrogant words sounded like nails on a chalkboard to Alicia's ears. With a sharp sneer, she shot back, "Oh, Mr. Yates, how could I possibly make you happy? Don't worry, I'll return the ring--wouldn't want this plain Jane to irk you, right? Once you have it, we're finalizing the divorce immediately." But Joshua wasn't fazed by her venom. He thought he knew her too well, convinced this was just another ploy to get his attention. Without thinking too much, he tossed a bag at her. "We've got guests today. Dress appropriately, and don't make me look bad." Alicia looked down at the bag, her mind flashing back to the countless times she had visited the mansion dressed in modest, unassuming clothes-- doing everything to blend in, to please him and his family. But now, with their divorce looming on the horizon, Alicia no longer cared to play the part of a dutiful wife. After slipping into the outfit, she carefully applied a touch of makeup, just enough to bring out the vibrance in her already flawless complexion. The subtle enhancements accentuated her smooth skin and delicate features, lending her a certain glow. When Joshua saw her descending the staircase, he froze for a brief moment, eyes lingering. Perhaps it was the way the dress hugged Alicia's graceful curves, making her seem more alluring than usual. At the entrance of the Yates Mansion, they both slipped into their familiar roles, masking the tension between them with practiced ease. Alicia casually looped her arm through Joshua's, their movements synchronized as they walked into the courtyard. Though Jerald was too ill to receive anyone, the grand hall bustled with life, relatives filling the space with chatter. The noise hummed around her, but for some reason, as soon as Alicia crossed the threshold, a sharp chill pricked at her skin. She instinctively looked up, her gaze immediately drawn to the figure lounging casually at the far end of the room. Legs crossed, dark shirt unbuttoned just enough to reveal a sliver of his collarbone, the man oozed arrogance, his presence commanding. When Alicia's eyes finally met his-- a familiar, authoritative stare that pinned her in place-- her mind raced as emotions began to surge uncontrollably. Joshua noticed the shift in her demeanor, his brows furrowing as he asked, "What's going on with you?" Alicia's breath caught in her throat. One word escaped her lips, barely audible. "Caden?" Just the mention of his name sent a chill down her spine. To her, Caden was the embodiment of her nightmares. Due to their families' friendship, their paths first crossed at the tender age of ten. Caden, having taken a year off, transferred to her school, and from that moment, Alicia's perfect world began to unravel. She could no longer claim the top spot. No matter how relentless her efforts, no matter how late she stayed up studying, Caden was always a step ahead. He would outscore her by the smallest of margins--a point, maybe two--leaving her perpetually stranded in second place. Anyone else might have accepted defeat, settled into the role of runner-up. But not Alicia. Born into the once prestigious Bennett family, she was raised under the suffocating weight of living up to her family name. Excellence wasn't just a goal--it was the currency by which she could earn her parents' affection. Failure was not an option, yet Caden had the audacity to snatch away everything she'd worked for with what seemed like effortless ease. It was as if he'd set his sights on her from the very beginning, and Alicia, stubborn to a fault, refused to back down. Their rivalry spanned over a decade, a relentless battle fought both openly and in the shadows, and their final showdown took place in college, just before their graduation, at the national competition. Alicia poured her heart and soul into that moment, her focus razor-sharp as she aimed for nothing less than perfection. And she achieved it, having garnered a perfect score. But Caden, ever the serpent, had bribed the judges, twisting the results in his favor. Alicia was forced, once again, into second place. The sting of injustice was deep, but the harshest blow came from her father, Phil Bennett. Over the phone, his voice dripped with disappointment in her ranking. Alicia, having grown accustomed to his tirades, said nothing. She waited for his anger to ebb, then asked quietly, "I'm graduating soon. Will you come back?" Her mother, Donna, had always been her softer solace. She comforted Alicia that day, promising they'd be there for her graduation. But life had other plans. Phil and Donna, rushing back from Itrubisite to attend the graduation, perished in a tragic plane crash. Overnight, Alicia's world crumbled, left an orphan in this cruel world. Since that day, she had never challenged Caden again. Afterward, Caden left Warrington to build his career overseas. ... "He's back for the inheritance," Joshua muttered, his voice barely audible. Alicia cast him a sidelong glance as he continued, "With a family empire as big as ours, an eldest son like him wouldn't give up so easily." Her brow furrowed slightly. It was true--the Yates empire was massive, a legacy most would kill for. But Caden had accumulated his own fortune, surpassing even the family's vast wealth. Did he really care about the inheritance? Then again, this was Caden. Competing was in his blood. Even if he didn't care about the fortune itself, he'd fight tooth and nail just to win, to toy with everyone else. The man had a knack for stirring chaos purely for his own amusement. Alicia had been his rival for as long as she could remember, and even now, the thought of giving him so much as a glance felt like a waste of energy. She turned to walk away. But Joshua caught her wrist, his grip firm yet tense. "I know you two don't get along," he said. "But he's still my elder brother. We need to maintain appearances." Her body stiffened at the touch, and she immediately tried to pull her hand free. Joshua's frown deepened. "Alicia, behave," he hissed. Irritation flared in her chest. "I'm not refusing to go in. Just let go of me first. I don't want your filthy hands touching me." A flicker of something dark passed over Joshua's face, and instead of releasing her, he intertwined their fingers, squeezing them tight. Alicia bit her tongue, silently fuming. As they neared, Caden's gaze slowly lifted, his eyes narrowing in a lazy, almost bored assessment of them. "Caden," Joshua greeted, his tone strained, meeting his brother's gaze with forced cordiality. Caden's eyes flicked to their entwined hands, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Your girlfriend?" he asked indifferently, as though he didn't recognize Alicia. Chapter 5 We Meet Again So Soon Alicia's nerves coiled tight like a spring. That voice... Her messy thoughts blurred into chaos, but one thing broke through the haze--Joshua's calm declaration. "Alicia and I have been married for two years now. She cares about me, so we kept it low-key. Just went straight for the registration; no ceremony. You were busy abroad at the time, so we didn't bother you." Caden arched a brow, his voice laced with venomous mockery. "Oh, so she's my sister-in-law." The way he spat the words "sister-in-law" felt more like a sap than a title, leaving no doubt about his contempt for her. Alicia could feel the man's sneer underneath every syllable. And all this was thanks to her so-called husband, Joshua. Her hand trembled as she snatched a tissue, vigorously wiping her hand. "Looks like Alicia's a bit of a germophobe," Caden observed, his tone a casual jab at her disgust. Joshua's expression darkened, the tension between them thickening. He hadn't expected her to humiliate him like this. "It seems I've spoiled her too much," he muttered, his voice low and tight with irritation. Caden's eyes gleamed with a dangerous glint. "If it's a serious condition, she should get treated. It could impact her role as a mother. You know how badly our father has wanted a grandchild." At this, something flickered across Joshua's eyes. Even though Alicia, his wife, was right beside him, he went ahead and lied through his teeth. "Thanks for the concern, Caden, but I already have good news for Dad. I just haven't gotten around to telling him yet." Caden's smirk deepened, his gaze flicking toward Alicia, who was about done with the bullshit of a charade. She quietly excused herself and strode off. "How far along is she?" he asked meaningfully. "Doesn't seem like she's pregnant." Joshua didn't miss a beat. "Just a month." The answer was as much a threat as it was an announcement. Now, the inheritance stakes had just been raised, and Jerald, ever focused on continuing the family line, would certainly take his unborn grandchild into consideration. Caden's smile hardened, and Joshua delivered the final blow with a smug undertone. "You'd better catch up, Caden. I can't always be one step ahead." Caden, unfazed, waved his hand lazily. "No rush." ... Alicia stepped onto the terrace, the cool night breeze washing over her skin. She drank in the fresh air hungrily to steady her nerves. Pulling out her phone, she quickly dialed the manager of the private cinema again. "Have you found the ring?" she asked anxiously. The manager hesitated, sounding troubled. "Ms. Bennett, we've searched thoroughly and questioned all the staff, but... we really couldn't find any ring." "Then..." Alicia clenched her fist, her mind racing. "Do you have the contact details of the guest who booked the room that day?" "I'm sorry, but due to our privacy policy, we can't disclose any information on our clients." Her heart sank. "I see," she sighed with resignation. "Please tell me immediately if anything turns up, okay?" In a perfect world, she could've just bought an identical ring and pass it off for the original. Unfortunately, Joshua had that ring custom-made, and it wasn't easy to replicate. After dinner, it started to rain. The relatives began to trickle out one by one. Joshua stood by her side as they made their way to the car, his eyes trailing down to her bare wrist. "If you liked that bracelet at the auction, then I can buy you something like it," he said coolly. Alicia had to resist the urge to roll her eyes sardonically. She didn't believe for a second that Joshua had a change of heart towards her. "Trying to buy my silence, huh?" Her words were sharp, slicing right through Joshua's tender facade. "No need. I have no desire to be tangled up in your affairs." Joshua hadn't intended to sound like that, but her mocking tone struck a nerve. His jaw clenched, and a bitter smile crossed his lips. "Fine. Don't take it. The money I spend on you is a waste anyway." Alicia bit the inside of her cheek before adding firmly, "Joshua, I already told you. I'm willing to leave this marriage empty-handed. Let's sign the divorce papers tomorrow morning and end this once and for all." His smile twisted into something dark, something dangerous. "What about the ring?" "I lost it." Joshua's eyes narrowed, his tone unrelenting. "I don't care about anything else. I want the ring." She could barely contain her frustration, her breath hitching as he delivered his final blow. "If you can't find it," he said coldly, "I'll assume you're holding onto it because you still care about me." Just then, Joshua's phone rang; it was Lilliana calling. "Joshua." She mewled his name pitifully. "The thunder is so loud. I'm scared to sleep alone... Can you come over?" The car wasn't heading anywhere near Lilliana's and Joshua was furious with Alicia, so without a second thought, he kicked her out into the rain and sped off. He didn't even leave her an umbrella. Alicia stood frozen by the roadside, the downpour quickly soaking through her clothes. The cold rain seeped into her bones, chilling her to the core. Gritting her chattering teeth, she swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth and began trudging along the drenched pavement. Behind her, the soft hum of an engine crept closer. A sleek, low-profile Maybach rolled up beside her, its headlights cutting through the rain. "Mr. Ward," the driver said, glancing back, "I believe that's Ms. Bennett." The car slowed to a stop. Caden glanced out the window, his sharp eyes narrowing on Alicia's lonesome figure. She had just paused, her fingers gathering the fabric of her soaked dress, tying it up to ease her stride. Caden's lips curled into a faint. "Invite her inside," he drawled. The car came to a halt next to Alicia. The driver stepped out, holding a large umbrella over her head, his voice polite. "Ms. Bennett, it's hard to find a cab at this hour. May I offer you a ride home?" Alicia's eyes flicked up, recognizing the man as the Yates family's driver. She hesitated for a moment before nodding, her voice soft but steady. "Thank you. Sorry for the inconvenience." However, as soon as she slipped into the backseat of the car, she locked eyes with its other passenger--Caden. "We meet again so soon, sister-in-law?" His voice, smooth as velvet, carried a hint of mischief. ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &9&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.moboreader.net/63310322-fb_contact-e	Graceful Gales	https://www.facebook.com/61566363901062/	136	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	fbweb.moboreader.net	VIDEO		https://fbweb.moboreader.net/63310322-fb_contact-ena265_2-1228-core2.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=060236&accid=461757146675392&exdata=862D17A8066703E10265C5E45955B3640515249BDC95F362	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481119885_1387923745707958_222002630459992898_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7QJ37_dmyYIQ7kNvgFI1Zvz&_nc_oc=AdhpNDFq0ECkwbp1XbpTtFaZoLhgDk8rgAJ_Mt7h81f3e3Hj9ZiQlcF2C1QNoS7d7j4&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AKQjnAQ78lUNH3ePlsqv-LB&oh=00_AYCRXODhaT9vGUuf7HeP3gxf6SiyZBzgP3XupKl3gerzlQ&oe=67CB9F82	PERSON_PROFILE	Graceful Gales	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
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2,745,729	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2745709}'	No	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758	Ask an Expert	Neglecting your hearing health comes at a cost. Let’s walk through your benefits together.	LEARN_MORE	https://www.audibelwestjordan.com/hear/insurance/	Audibel Hearing Center	https://www.facebook.com/AudibelWestJordan/	80	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	audibelwestjordan.com	DCO	Book a free consultation.	https://www.audibelwestjordan.com/hear/insurance/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/477182492_636547945520035_6284782142923542028_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NnqS1cwLaMgQ7kNvgFwWIwI&_nc_oc=Adjf7ik5RicakjHfytokeSrvSraMqjRxc-YtYGld-EMBUZCYNKd3VTnab7MJjWDCtOE&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A00gm4Lc1p2rKmXpd0zykQf&oh=00_AYArDniLiYyzfK9h6gVE3EuBpF3vreet7zpyvUviKH9jXA&oe=67CB8FA2	PERSON_PROFILE	Audibel Hearing Center	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,745,730	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2745724}'	Yes	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758	Free Consultation	Interested in hearing aids but not sure what insurance covers? We’re happy to help.	LEARN_MORE	https://www.audibelkc.com/hear/insurance/	Audibel Hearing Center - Kansas City	https://www.facebook.com/100065279958918/	155	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	audibelkc.com	DCO	Book yours today.	https://www.audibelkc.com/hear/insurance/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/476832623_1156509828663877_9204174928348655332_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GzOgRxgrTV0Q7kNvgGvU_vt&_nc_oc=Adjj1qyMx1E0CYdl8vo6h8bMkO9KSy_U0XH2Zc_0OSpPLeELifSGIMqvdo3jStlF_mE&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A00gm4Lc1p2rKmXpd0zykQf&oh=00_AYBdbMNBGR7gJsIqPaPMLPvjG0LGBdvPliNewJyx-V40pg&oe=67CB8CA4	PERSON_PROFILE	Audibel Hearing Center - Kansas City	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,745,728	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2745709}'	No	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758	Ask an Expert	Neglecting your hearing health comes at a cost. Let’s walk through your benefits together.	LEARN_MORE	https://www.audibelwestjordan.com/hear/insurance/	Audibel Hearing Center	https://www.facebook.com/AudibelWestJordan/	80	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	audibelwestjordan.com	DCO	Book a free consultation.	https://www.audibelwestjordan.com/hear/insurance/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/477182492_636547945520035_6284782142923542028_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NnqS1cwLaMgQ7kNvgFwWIwI&_nc_oc=Adjf7ik5RicakjHfytokeSrvSraMqjRxc-YtYGld-EMBUZCYNKd3VTnab7MJjWDCtOE&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A00gm4Lc1p2rKmXpd0zykQf&oh=00_AYArDniLiYyzfK9h6gVE3EuBpF3vreet7zpyvUviKH9jXA&oe=67CB8FA2	PERSON_PROFILE	Audibel Hearing Center	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,745,739	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2745706}'	Yes	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758	Ask an Expert	Neglecting your hearing health comes at a cost. Let’s walk through your benefits together.	LEARN_MORE	https://www.audibelshawnee.com/hear/insurance/	Audibel Hearing Center - Shawnee	https://www.facebook.com/100064982392785/	9	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	audibelshawnee.com	DCO	Book a free consultation.	https://www.audibelshawnee.com/hear/insurance/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/477447252_1066148011945365_1493858824454915144_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=g4ka9zg0HH0Q7kNvgGlpd6X&_nc_oc=AdheoHTL-HckpHHqspEAn-uN8toLCcQStFHwhPmaGCz9fZahNs-vE0JaEYNUfplS3cw&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A00gm4Lc1p2rKmXpd0zykQf&oh=00_AYCfkK9T1xjNKPSNHRdY1tUb3hpBkRcinPSmiyUqCgZjrA&oe=67CB7430	PERSON_PROFILE	Audibel Hearing Center - Shawnee	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,746,869	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2746934}'	No	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758	Save Thousands On New Roof In Port Orange	Port Orange Homeowners - Save THOUSANDS With 50% Off Installation On A Roof Replacement Through The Paramount Roof Replacement Program. Why Choose Paramount Roofing: 🏠 Tons of Roofing Options To Choose From ⏳️ Long Lasting warranty 🏛 0% Interest Financing ⭐️ 4.8 Customer Rating & A+ Rating With BBB Look No Further Than Paramount Builders! Click the link below to see if your zip code qualifies ⬇️	LEARN_MORE	https://go.homecontractorpro.com/s/3noAmN1xUlyozt0	Paramount Roof Replacement Program	https://www.facebook.com/61554769964367/	16	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	Paramountbuilders.com	VIDEO	See If Your Zip Code Qualifies	https://go.homecontractorpro.com/s/3noAmN1xUlyozt0dqCw01ic6q6Oyn5XnTzkv8k9q	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481261488_1462422364735610_7035959605013216836_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EQ3tct1Yoo0Q7kNvgEosFkD&_nc_oc=Adg9qlCOxgJ_EVTobsGr8c2iY0bBKVvr1u67-75TRNGz0CmbFxJbaWWnApkbGgIv9ADQGmfe2g8zhzxqCQ749qRZ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=APj7HNOpcZKQdLoXl7L4UcN&oh=00_AYADkrtFZwersXPq_1ufmL3xTLunZh220h9uECtRUKGMBQ&oe=67CB88FA	PERSON_PROFILE	Paramount Roof Replacement Program	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,745,825	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2746053}'	Yes	2025-03-03 09:09	active	2758	Free Instant Quote! Fill Out Form		GET_QUOTE	http://fb.me/	Voolt Certified Service Provider	https://www.facebook.com/61571038885556/	101	1969-12-31 18:00	Get Quote	fb.me	CAROUSEL		http://fb.me/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/475959620_600634636458281_5855402385276607979_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fjy_fY7CrE4Q7kNvgHb9IJM&_nc_oc=AdjUABHWzIMPgNIxdF27E4RMzrUgA_-Twddgcw0f0qJ8EBdbILHeD4nK6lDl-j-Uep4&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHqAOFWzF3rS3rIu7ufMSrs&oh=00_AYCUpFNY7I-5OrNkHeE9_zIxqz3zU5k_WmSa9RkWqJQxeA&oe=67CBA08D	PERSON_PROFILE	Voolt Certified Service Provider	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete

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