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2,707,505	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2707503}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:31	active	2651	Making Restful Sleep a Daily Habit	"Insomnia has become my norm. Every night feels like a battle with my mattress; my thoughts keep racing, making it hard to fall asleep. Even when I'm exhausted, I just can't sleep. Countless nights, I've struggled with insomnia, waking up the next morning feeling drained. The Zenowell Sleep Aid Device changed all that. Using vagus nerve stimulation technology, it helps me relax and fall asleep quickly, improving my sleep quality. Now, I enjoy deep sleep every night, wake up refreshed, and greet each new day with a better state of mind." — Sarah Williams Click to learn more and start your day with better sleep.	LEARN_MORE	http://zenowell.ai/	Zenowell	https://www.facebook.com/zenowell24/	23	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	zenowell.ai	DCO	{{product.description}}	http://zenowell.ai/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481021956_526151320498831_383548186131997740_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Muw6UQqZQeAQ7kNvgHR6Jzx&_nc_oc=AdhSFyJ57Cb1kviYp7WYwPcDfmIBKErkPnsBhSvQAQtnb9rrbwoY9nT53npDTlh9qJcft-odvTBRHc1CVZu5Wom8&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AduyuvuBqIgF_eqYRwt8uE9&oh=00_AYBmifQJwzhULe1YO40zX467j92yPFcPidrg7ECcQhCWpQ&oe=67C7320F	PERSON_PROFILE	Zenowell	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,706,875	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2706872}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	❤️‍🔥 Continue reading "Shy" 👉👉	"She's shy," Brooke shrugged, glancing at Indianna, who looked like she wanted to be anywhere but in the classroom. "Well, come on, I don't bite," Greyson urged, and Indianna stiffened, just like before. "Don't talk about that," Indianna said, her voice was still quiet but firm. "Struck a nerve, have I?" Greyson wondered and smirked. "Somebody likes it kinky." Indianna Hughs had always been the quiet, shy one. She was always the one who stayed in the background. She blended in and never got noticed. She liked it like that. So when she was forced to move schools, she was not happy. Everyone noticed a new kid, and she didn't want that attention, especially not from Mr. Bad Boy, who seemed to be very interested in her. *** Chapter 1 "You'll be fine," her mother said and waved her hand dismissively at her. "Just be social and make friends!" "Social," Indiana muttered and grabbed her bag from the back seat. "Sure." She climbed out of the car, ignoring her mother's happy wave goodbye. She slammed the door behind her and looked up at the brick building in front of her. It was simple. Large stone steps led up to large double doors that were flooded with many students, laughing and talking to their friends. The students noticed Indianna. She groaned quietly and swung her rucksack over her shoulder. She lowered her gaze as she walked up the steps that led to the school and didn't look up as she walked through the bustling corridors. She thought that if she couldn't see anyone, that maybe they couldn't see her either. She knew she was being stupid. The town she and her mother had moved to wasn't small, but it wasn't big either. Not everyone knew each other personally, but they would recognise a new face from a mile away. This made Indianna's anxiety rise. She hated being noticed. She was most definitely an introvert. Indianna clutched her hands tighter around the strap of her rucksack and carried on down the corridor. She had come to the school a few days before and the Principle had shown her around, but she could only remember how to get to her locker. She fumbled with the lock and hurriedly grabbed the textbooks that were stacked neatly inside, stuffing them into her rucksack. Indianna hated that she could feel everyone's curious stares on her. She hated that she stood out. She swallowed nervously and looked at the crumpled piece of paper in her hands. She scanned the timetable and saw that her first lesson was history. After stuffing her timetable back into her pocket she braced herself and walked down the busy corridors, hoping to find her class. Indianna let out a sigh of relief when she found the classroom. It was relatively empty so she made a beeline straight to the back of the class. Now there were no eyes on her she let her shoulders relax and she leaned back in her chair. One year, she told herself. She had to survive for one year in this new town and then she was free. She would graduate and be able to go wherever she pleased. "Hi!" Indianna's heart jumped in her chest when a blonde, curly-haired girl appeared next to her. She was smiling brightly and had kind eyes. "You're Indianna, aren't you? Indianna Hughs? You've moved to town with your mother, right?" Indianna stared at the blonde girl with wide eyes. She wanted to go unnoticed, but this girl definitely seemed to know her. Indianna didn't know how to respond. "Sorry," the girl apologised and sat down next to Indianna. "I didn't mean to scare you, I just thought I'd introduce myself, I know everyone in town. I'm Brooke!" Indiana nodded and looked at her hands that were resting on the desk. She picked at her chipped black nail varnish and hoped this girl would go away. She wasn't good with people. She'd rather be left alone. Brooke blinked and waited for Indianna to speak. She frowned when Indianna said nothing. "Not a people person?" She wondered. "That's okay, people would argue that I can talk enough for two people." Indianna's eyes flickered to Brooke and back to her hands. "You can talk to me, I promise I don't bite," Brooke said kindly. Indianna stiffened and shook her head. "No," she whispered. Her voice was gentle and soft. Brooke frowned. "No?" "Don't talk about that, please," Indianna said. "Talk about what?" Brooke asked, cocking her head to the side. "Biting," Indianna muttered. Brooke noticed how she grabbed her wrist, her eyes flashing with panic. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to- I'll shut up now," Brooke said quickly and she looked up when a guy walked up to them. He had the same blond curly hair as Brooke and matching brown eyes. "Brooke, you're not terrorising the new girl, are you?" He teased, smiling at Brooke. "No!" Brooke gasped and hit his arm. "Well, not purposely. Indianna, this is Brandon, my cousin. Bran, meet Indianna Hughs." "Hi," Brandon said warmly. "It's nice to meet you, Indianna." Indianna swallowed and looked up at him, forcing a smile. "Hello." "She's a little shy," Brooke said. "After a few minutes with you I'm sure that'll change," Brandon laughed. Indianna looked up at the clock on the wall and she groaned internally, less than ten minutes of the lesson had passed. If the year was going to pass as slowly as this she didn't know how she was going to survive. Indianna frowned when Brooke sighed. "Oh, great," she said as the classroom door opened and three guys walked in. Brooke made an effort to slouch down in her seat and avoid eye contact. Brandon glared at them. The two boys at the front were talking to one another. One was joking around, he had ginger hair and a carefree demeanour. The brown-haired boy was smiling, showing off his dimples. He seemed kind. Both of them were very attractive. The last guy made Indianna's heart race. His face was blank, his eyes dark and frightening. His hands were stuffed into the pockets of his jeans and she noticed tattoos covering his arms, the rest hidden by his white t-shirt. Indianna forced herself to look away. He was so incredibly gorgeous but so incredibly frightening. The rest of the class seemed to agree as they were all staring at him with wide eyes. Indianna couldn't tell if the looks he was receiving was lust or fear. The guy, who now look irritable, ran his fingers through his dark hair, pushing his it away from his chiselled face. "What?" He snapped. His voice was deep, stern, and projected throughout the classroom even though he barely raised it. One word from his mouth made Indianna's stomach fill with butterflies. "Who are they?" Indianna asked quietly, eyeing the guy as he sat down on the opposite side of the classroom. He kicked his feet back onto the desk and crossed his arms over his chest, turning to his two friends and joining in their conversation. "The ginger one is Kal and Ace is the brown haired one," Brooke said. "The guy at the back is Greyson Evans," Brandon muttered. "Stay away from him," Brooke said firmly to Indianna. "He's fucked about half the school and I'm pretty sure he has like a billion STD's. He's also a dick." "I can hear you, Brooklyn." Indianna's eyes widened when Greyson turned in his seat and raised his eyebrows at Brooke. He raised an eyebrow at her. "Not gossiping again, are we?" "I'm just telling the truth," Brooke shrugged and smiled sweetly. "I'm very interested to hear what you have to say," Greyson urged, smirking. "I highly doubt you would enjoy hearing what I had to say," Brooke shrugged. Greyson sighed and his eyes flickered to Brandon who hadn't stopped glaring at the three guys since they entered the room. "Brandon, stop with the glaring. I will punch you and considering you're Brooklyn's cousin I know I shouldn't," he paused, his eyes glittering with dangerous amusement, "but you very well know I will." "Greyson," Brooke sighed. Indianna noticed how she seemed to be the only person in the room who wasn't looking at Greyson with fear filled eyes. "You will not punch Brandon." "Like you'd be able to stop me, Brooklyn. You may be surprisingly high up on the school social ladder, but I know of a guy who can keep you on your leash." Greyson's two friends both laughed and he smirked when Brooke pursed her lips, her cheeks going a light shade of pink. "Don't try and tell me what I can and can't do, Brooklyn. You will always lose." "Speaking of Harry, where is he?" The ginger friend wondered and Greyson shrugged, looking questioningly at Brooke. ------------------------------- 📚 Wondering what happened next? Download the FictionMe app and read the novel "Shy."	INSTALL_MOBILE_APP	http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.f	FictionMe	https://www.facebook.com/fictionmeapp/	1,074	1969-12-31 18:00	Install now	play.google.com	VIDEO		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fiction.me	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481316829_935603288389585_7351846918367209914_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PlJH7e41tkcQ7kNvgGsWW_c&_nc_oc=AdhBeW80u1Z24x1odTWDFDXceJCsrgjXXZg_hxDfGR-Swf8Du9eUu6V0h0dMGhxhfVnLbiGFWrJmr1fN3Kwg3jEL&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ApCilCjXhPBKipbIcmxpMvC&oh=00_AYACfuwgD7negRLRpdiYxx5vy334kO1iBny4wIRHgIuJeg&oe=67C7421B	PERSON_PROFILE	FictionMe	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,707,583	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2707582}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:31	active	2651	What is the best treatment for foot lesions in 2025？	🚨 Discover the best options for neuropathy treatment! Effective and affordable solutions to relieve pain and improve nerve function. Find your perfect treatment today! Learn More 👉	LEARN_MORE	https://sojoyunit.com/sic/076b5e7502d2a0402282e61c	Spring Fashion	https://www.facebook.com/61573649577952/	0	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	sojoyunit.com	IMAGE	Foot neuropathy is a condition that affects the nerves in the feet, leading to discomfort, pain, and sometimes loss of function. It is a common compli...	https://sojoyunit.com/sic/076b5e7502d2a0402282e61cc9c1b6c8?utm_source=facebook&pixelId=652880203762177&styleId=4362070016&the=light&sub1=970477281707777&sub2={{campaign.id}}&sub3={{ad.id}}&media_source={{placement}}&kw=Treatment of foot neuropathy	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481048842_690279860232886_5267950012268040823_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YddT8L4EliMQ7kNvgFRzIOt&_nc_oc=AdjqbLc-7A-NT7tDJ-L7eGN_ik5zzNC47ln9ttrkeCSt6PVGjjvBcD9-scyuM5FKw7Hv-QfM_wSbGNYgIr-XWgyt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AJtOeFQIybgmafAEuHVP68N&oh=00_AYDODOtKhbAgqMNhQxe2lZGHofBIaOrSOUH2M_c56b6i0A&oe=67C73B9E	PERSON_PROFILE	Spring Fashion	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,706,474	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2706471}'	No	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	Stop Struggling With Nerve Pain, Try This Proven Fix	TRUE or FALSE: “You can only TREAT nerve pain, not get rid of it.” Most people believe that’s true, but it’s actually false. Turns out there IS a way to get rid of nerve pain once and for all. And the answer has been right in front of us all along. Tap the button below to discover this natural “off switch” for nerve pain.	LEARN_MORE	https://advancednervesupport.primallabs.com/news/1	Nerve Support Zone	https://www.facebook.com/61554217027523/	960	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	advancednervesupport.primallabs.com	DCO	{{product.description}}	https://advancednervesupport.primallabs.com/news/1712/video_ans_mg_nhc_mon_offer_fs	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481470747_632941889480556_4650075378146566186_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TB_sPN1uyR8Q7kNvgHfF1o1&_nc_oc=AdgUEfqNYQ-p8PejbEAxKnvmvT8H77RFUL6G15HHQTWFAntLBL0Z7EV12sSNG7u-6Pc8_p02ba_tn77Dk0HVWoyX&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AafEUw8TQ6o_rneoD9FCvJu&oh=00_AYBPHL4hKJMkUX7qnJP73um_y3t2pV1p19yuj8379Wsuaw&oe=67C710CE	PERSON_PROFILE	Nerve Support Zone	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,707,160	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	🔥 Secrets, Betrayal & A Second Chance at Love: Can Evelyn Reclaim Her Family?	Years after fleeing betrayal, Evelyn returns as a single mother of six, hoping for a fresh start. But when her son accidentally calls her powerful CEO ex-husband, Ethan, "Daddy," their long-kept secret is exposed. Now Ethan demands answers about her disappearance and the children he never knew. As old enemies resurface and sparks fly, can they rekindle their love and protect their family, or will past secrets and danger tear them apart again? #SecondChances #LoveAndBetrayal #FamilyDrama #SecretsUncovered #RekindledLove	LEARN_MORE	https://shorttvup.com/videos/1071?token=DTEnjgql	Unraveling Hearts	https://www.facebook.com/100089936582305/	124	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	shorttvup.com	VIDEO		https://shorttvup.com/videos/1071?token=DTEnjgql	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481230277_536287342272293_4026571339199751902_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6Tnq4t0MuA4Q7kNvgEVIBLr&_nc_oc=Adix1Qhi2L0v5fLU_SJP-TEzZSbvi4WtlwrbgR_HhFnVJwBy2IzQGXAOe6fQ5CdXSIm_mk3QoDX622iLFDKnfzgd&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AFi2eZAKLwS6RzsRA-S0PRk&oh=00_AYBgEh6z3hou5f0KoTGsTM_THGlug3XRaxlwhAQVXwsJRg&oe=67C7265F	PERSON_PROFILE	Unraveling Hearts	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,707,297	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2706433}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651		The Power of Meditation: A Comprehensive Exploration Meditation has been a cornerstone of human development for thousands of years, shaping cultures, spiritual traditions, and scientific inquiry across the globe. From ancient Vedic practices in India to Buddhist mindfulness, Native American vision quests, and Christian contemplative prayer, meditation has evolved as a universal tool for self-awareness, healing, and transformation. In the modern age, neuroscience, psychology, and quantum physics provide compelling evidence supporting its profound benefits, bridging ancient wisdom with contemporary understanding. This article delves into meditation’s historical significance, evolutionary role, scientific validity, metaphysical insights, and quantum considerations, offering a holistic perspective on its power. Historical and Geographic Perspectives Meditation dates back at least 5,000 years, with the earliest documented practices found in the Vedas of ancient India. The Buddha formalized mindfulness and concentration-based meditation around 500 BCE, inspiring various Buddhist sects, from Zen in Japan to Vipassana in Burma. In China, Taoist practices integrated meditation with breathwork and movement, influencing Qigong and Tai Chi. Indigenous cultures worldwide practiced meditative states through chanting, drumming, and trance to connect with nature and the spiritual realm. In the West, monastic traditions emphasized contemplative prayer, as seen in the Christian Desert Fathers and Hesychast mysticism. Today, meditation is a global phenomenon, adapted to various cultural and secular contexts, influencing therapy, business, and education. Evolutionary Considerations From an evolutionary standpoint, meditation can be seen as an adaptive mechanism enhancing cognitive flexibility, emotional regulation, and social cohesion. Homo sapiens' survival hinged on their ability to manage stress, focus attention, and foster cooperative relationships. Practices resembling meditation—such as rhythmic breathing and trance states—may have played a role in early communal bonding and spiritual experiences. Studies suggest that meditative practices engage brain regions such as the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus, enhancing problem-solving, emotional stability, and resilience. Meditation’s ability to cultivate present-moment awareness and decrease reactivity likely contributed to evolutionary advantages in decision-making and survival. Scientific Evidence and Psychological Benefits The scientific community has rigorously studied meditation, providing robust evidence of its benefits. Neuroscientific research using fMRI and EEG has shown that regular meditation enhances gray matter density in areas associated with attention, memory, and emotional regulation (Luders et al., 2012). A meta-analysis of mindfulness-based interventions found significant reductions in anxiety, depression, and stress (Goyal et al., 2014). Meditation also lowers cortisol levels, decreases blood pressure, and improves heart rate variability, contributing to overall physiological health. Long-term practitioners exhibit increased gamma wave activity, associated with heightened consciousness and cognitive performance (Lutz et al., 2004). Holistic and Metaphysical Insights Beyond the clinical benefits, meditation offers a gateway to profound states of awareness. Holistic healing traditions assert that meditation aligns the mind-body connection, facilitating self-healing and energetic balance. Yogic traditions describe meditation as a means to activate the chakras, subtle energy centers regulating physiological and emotional states. Shamans and spiritual seekers alike describe expanded consciousness and mystical experiences as direct results of deep meditation. This transcendence of self, known as non-dual awareness, has been extensively described in various wisdom traditions, suggesting a universal experience beyond individual identity. Additionally, meditation is believed to harmonize the body's bioelectric field, influencing cellular function and promoting self-repair. Some holistic theories suggest that prolonged meditation strengthens the vagus nerve, enhancing the parasympathetic nervous system and supporting immune function. Ayurvedic medicine incorporates meditation into treatments for chronic ailments, emphasizing its role in balancing the body's three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Moreover, sound-based meditation techniques, such as Nada Yoga and binaural beats, stimulate altered states of consciousness, encouraging deep relaxation and expanded awareness. Studies on vibrational healing suggest that chanting mantras or listening to specific frequencies during meditation can positively affect brainwave activity, enhancing focus and emotional well-being. The phenomenon of spontaneous healings reported by some meditators remains an area of interest in holistic medicine, warranting further scientific exploration. Quantum Perspectives and Consciousness Quantum physics offers intriguing parallels to meditative states, particularly regarding the nature of consciousness and reality. The observer effect, as seen in quantum mechanics, implies that consciousness influences the behavior of subatomic particles. Some theorists, such as physicist Amit Goswami, propose that meditation enhances our ability to interact with the quantum field, potentially manifesting changes in reality through intentional focus. Furthermore, studies on brain coherence during deep meditation indicate synchronized neural activity, mirroring quantum entanglement principles (Newberg & Waldman, 2016). While speculative, these perspectives invite contemplation on the fundamental role of consciousness in shaping experience. Statistical Data and Global Trends Meditation is experiencing a renaissance in modern society. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (2017), the number of adults practicing meditation in the U.S. tripled between 2012 and 2017. Corporate mindfulness programs, such as Google’s “Search Inside Yourself,” have demonstrated improved employee well-being and productivity. A Harvard study found that eight weeks of mindfulness meditation increased brain matter in the hippocampus, correlating with improved memory and emotional regulation (Hölzel et al., 2011). Schools implementing meditation programs report reduced student stress and improved focus, highlighting its broad applications in education and workplace settings. Profound and Meaningful Insights Meditation is not merely a relaxation tool but a profound vehicle for self-discovery and transformation. It teaches us that the mind is not our master but a tool that, when trained, can unlock extraordinary levels of peace, creativity, and insight. The deepest experiences of meditation reveal the illusory nature of ego, allowing practitioners to tap into an expansive, interconnected awareness. This realization aligns with spiritual teachings across cultures, emphasizing unity, compassion, and presence as the core of existence. Meditation stands at the intersection of history, evolution, science, and spirituality, offering a multidimensional approach to human well-being. Whether viewed through the lens of neuroscience, quantum physics, or mystical traditions, its power remains undeniable. As research continues to uncover its profound effects, meditation’s role in society is only set to grow. In an age of digital distraction and heightened stress, the practice of stillness and awareness may be the most revolutionary act of all. References Goyal, M., Singh, S., Sibinga, E. M., et al. (2014). “Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” JAMA Internal Medicine, 174(3), 357-368. Hölzel, B. K., Carmody, J., Vangel, M., et al. (2011). “Mindfulness practice leads to increases in regional brain gray matter density.” Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, 191(1), 36-43. Luders, E., Toga, A. W., Lepore, N., & Gaser, C. (2012). “The underlying anatomical correlates of long-term meditation: Larger hippocampal and frontal volumes of gray matter.” NeuroImage, 61(2), 541-547. Lutz, A., Greischar, L. L., Rawlings, N. B., Ricard, M., & Davidson, R. J. (2004). “Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 101(46), 16369-16373. Newberg, A., & Waldman, M. R. (2016). “How Enlightenment Changes Your Brain.” Avery Publishing. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2017). “Use of Meditation in the U.S.: National Health Interview Survey.” Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is carefully researched and intended for informational purposes only. While we strive to present the most accurate and up-to-date content, knowledge is ever-evolving, and we encourage you to engage in your own exploration. Independent research is a powerful tool for informed decision-making and personal empowerment. We invite you to question, learn, and seek additional perspectives to support your well-being. Always consult a qualified professional before making any health, wellness, or lifestyle changes.	NO_BUTTON		Simple Earth Rebel	https://www.facebook.com/61556081945648/	105	1969-12-31 18:00	No button		IMAGE			1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481080803_603566149258622_5019457675985520383_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=i_9ZsiMQKSEQ7kNvgF1rfse&_nc_oc=Adhv8RY6Pndz6G8qoIVAeRRdtAo-GYZDNeiOdUjHx6YiCU5s1yQVD1M_2hhRXpbOvWKH4FQ2lCy-YF6azF-AoYXA&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AnBDYmReg_8rhxZYQa2-VQa&oh=00_AYCSs3iDYpQJH8IcJM0WIm4XLdKe0RCWBeS8KQ3NxDc4EQ&oe=67C71CEC	PERSON_PROFILE	Simple Earth Rebel	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,707,212	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2707210}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	Most Side Sleepers Are Surprised They Never Knew This...	Side Sleepers: LISTEN UP! A good nights' sleep is crucial for all of us, but when hip or back pain and stiffness set in, it can feel like your body is betraying you… Side sleeping without proper support twists your spine and puts pressure on surrounding nerves and muscles. This can lead to chronic hip pain, lower back stiffness, and shooting leg cramps. Left unchecked, this discomfort can lead to more serious issues down the line… Introducing: The SmoothSpine Alignment Pillow. Developed with top physiotherapists, this pillow uses Active Spine Realignment™ to: ✅ Relieve hip, lower back, and sciatica pain ✅ Stop nerve compression at the root ✅ Keep your spine aligned for restful sleep Simply placing this pillow between your legs when lying down can make a world of difference. Users report significant improvements in mobility and pain reduction in as little as 7 days… Why not just use a regular pillow? Regular pillows flatten, shift, and collapse, leaving you unsupported by midnight. They’re made to support your head, not your spine, legs, and hips. The SmoothSpine Alignment Pillow is made to support your lower body. And thanks to its soft elastic strap, it stays in place all night, no shifting, no flattening. https://smoothspine.com/products/improved-leg-pillow Plus, you will get: 🎁 FREE How-To-Use Guide. 🎁 90-Night Risk-Free Guarantee. 🎁 FREE SmoothSpine Travel Bag. Ready to find relief with a solution specifically designed for you as a side sleeper? Don't let hip and back pain hold you back any longer. Take the first step towards pain-free sleeping and living now!	LEARN_MORE	https://smoothspine.com/products/improved-leg-pill	SmoothSpine	https://www.facebook.com/smoothspinestore/	3,601	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	smoothspine.com	VIDEO	FREE Back & Hip Health Guide with every purchase (valued at $20.00)	https://smoothspine.com/products/improved-leg-pillow	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480799279_615720674593603_3792575042029544195_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Mx-dMGG5P7MQ7kNvgGJBJ5g&_nc_oc=AdgZc9Zy04i4dmfl8WTSkehpq9qgrB_vusDqZQxzSo_FaoQ1QLuaNYqFL_clE7JM-_Ic2BR8WJbbhtsmZ68J_D7i&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AvqSyRvYI4cJJrZKj17H1yp&oh=00_AYBnrvebUrvLpxLhINb5OhOAHSiB8XdXBddHgxWisSEXjg&oe=67C73B04	PERSON_PROFILE	SmoothSpine	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,706,958	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2706727}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	The #1 Cream for Nerve Pain 🏆	How do we know that Nerve Balm is one of the most powerful remedies for nerve pain? Because we can't stop selling out! We are busy here at Lune fulfilling orders, but the orders keep rolling in! What's behind the frenzy? Our customers swear by its power to conquer nerve pain. 💯% Natural Ingredients 🥦Packed with 14+ Superfoods 😃Tens of THOUSANDS of happy customers 💳PLUS a money back guarantee if you're not satisfied. ✓ Soothe pain, prickling, and burning ✓ Calm inflammation & stiffness ✓ Fortify the nerve's protective coating ✓ Improve circulation & healing ✓ Provide long-term results Rest assured; we are increasing our production & are committed to fulfilling every order. Put your order in today & secure your jar of the most impactful nerve pain relief balm that you can find!	SHOP_NOW	https://www.luneusa.com/products/nerve-balm	Lune	https://www.facebook.com/100085237752848/	839	1969-12-31 18:00	Shop Now	luneusa.com	DCO	★★★★★ 4.7	https://www.luneusa.com/products/nerve-balm	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480665242_1849646832516562_4827332941325525289_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5saf6HLFU3gQ7kNvgE-hHeP&_nc_oc=AdiAcQyArj30rzkjdNptTV8PRKfKuGN6mx2DGKxrU2Bt7c2kI5LeAPsy0CHMWmN_1kV_A1XxwTlKw3PXFrm0htAM&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=APo6jsbWvg77h6sUSXISibs&oh=00_AYA3QA4twFZwxRmeAMdTujcNDyuYuvcUsxfyrtLSAeUEeA&oe=67C7202E	PERSON_PROFILE	Lune	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,707,067	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2706433}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651		What’s in your Lion’s Mane? 🤔 Some supplements sneak in grain fillers—ours doesn’t. We use 100% pure mushrooms for real potency. No shortcuts, no fluff — just real benefits. 🍄💪 . . #BoldBotanica #LionsMane #BrainHealth #MyceliaFree #MushroomPower #HerbalSupplement #Natural #Wellness #WellnessTips #Nature #MushroomFacts #Superfoods #PlantBased #WellnessMatters #HealthyLiving #Nootropic	MESSAGE_PAGE		bold botanica	https://www.facebook.com/boldbotanica/	3,861	1969-12-31 18:00	Send message		MULTI_IMAGES			1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481183404_1762376397661214_882955513502992889_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EzyXD-ojZ_AQ7kNvgEs0hZH&_nc_oc=AdjsjxOWSjLTc7zWLCow7Jva3lMfBfR7CCUFtnlqCOnE3eqZq5J20ESPU85cR4pKVyb5vna9jF68ZkpjV7vnGgQ7&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AsQsRN8fxRTOuJ0ShrcTO2v&oh=00_AYBXR5D6Nr0_IoAJytJ5NVRHj08fbeiQj5kbRLzKesXOng&oe=67C73F0E	PERSON_PROFILE	bold botanica	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,707,436	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-02-28 00:31	active	2651	❤️Click to read more exciting content❤️	Chapter 1 She's Back At dawn, Odalys Stone cracked open her eyes, the sunlight pouring through the window making her squint. For a moment, she stared blankly, her mind groggy, before her gaze fell on the crooked calendar on the wall. A bitter smile tugged at her lips. She was back. Back to this godforsaken day—the day her life had been ripped apart. The day she was sold into a marriage from hell, betrayed by the very people she had called family, and ultimately killed. Hatred boiled in her veins, rising like a tide that threatened to drown her. But just as quickly, she forced it down, letting icy calm take its place. Her past life had already wrung every last drop of emotion out of her. Not this time. This time, she wasn't that naive, helpless girl. She was alive. And she was here to make them pay, every single one of them. The sound of heavy footsteps snapped her out of her thoughts. A sharp knock rattled the door, followed by louder, more impatient banging. Before Odalys could even move, the door burst open with a deafening crash. A tall figure stormed in, grabbing her arm roughly and yanking her up. "Odalys Stone, are you fucking deaf?" Henry Bennett barked, his grip bruising, his expression one of pure rage. Her face turned glacial, her lips curling into a sneer. Without hesitation, she twisted his wrist sharply and shoved him away with enough force to make him stumble. As he regained his balance, blinking in stunned disbelief, Odalys calmly reached for her phone, pressing the record button without missing a beat. Henry gawked at her, his jaw slack. This wasn't the meek, obedient sister he knew—the one who flinched at his every word. She wasn't cowering or apologizing. She had fought back. "What the hell's gotten into you?" he spat, pointing an accusatory finger at her. "Do you think this is some kind of joke? The Stewarts are coming today, and you're still lying in bed? Do you want them to take Sophia instead? Is that it?" Odalys's gaze hardened, her voice cutting through his tirade like a knife. "Why, Henry? Isn't she the one engaged to him? Or is it because their son is dying that you want me to take her place? You're scared she'll end up a widow, but me? I'm just expendable, right?" His mouth opened and closed, his face turning an ugly shade of red. "Sophia is different," he muttered, his eyes darting away. "If people find out she's been married before, her life will be ruined." A bitter laugh escaped her lips, sharp and cold. "Oh, I see. Her reputation is sacred, but mine? That's disposable? How fucking convenient." Henry's fists clenched at his sides, his face twisting with anger. Before he could lash out, a frail figure appeared at the doorway. "Henry, stop," Sophia Bennett said, her voice trembling as tears streamed down her pale cheeks. She looked heartbreakingly pitiful, her wide eyes shimmering with sorrow. "I'll do it. I'll marry him, okay? If he dies, then... then I'll..." Her voice broke into sobs, her frail body shaking as though she might collapse. "Enough!" Hannah Bennett's voice sliced through the room like a whip. Odalys turned her gaze to her mother, who stood at the doorway flanked by her two brothers, Caspian and Atlas Bennett. Their faces were etched with fury, their contempt for her palpable. "Odalys," Caspian snapped, his fists tightening, "how can you be so heartless? Sophia is your sister. Are you really going to let her face this alone?" Atlas crossed his arms, his tone dripping with disgust. "We're not asking you to die. Just marry him for a while. Once he's gone, you'll come back safe and sound. What's the big deal?" Their audacity was almost laughable. Before her time travel, this might have broken her. She might have screamed, begged them to see reason, only to be crushed under their blackmail and cruelty. She had been drugged, stripped of her dignity, and forced into that cursed marriage. And when it became too much, she had ended it all in despair. But not this time. "Fine," she said coolly, her tone so steady it was almost unnerving. "I never said I wouldn't marry him." Taking a deep breath, Odalys straightened her shoulders, her lips curling into a calm, almost serene smile. Without a word, she walked to her desk, picking up a pen and paper. Her phone, still recording, caught every calculated move. The room fell silent. They exchanged confused glances, trying to figure out what game she was playing. A moment later, she turned back to them, holding out a document she'd just written. "Here's the deal—you're all signing this agreement to sever any and all family ties with me. I want it airtight, legally binding, and notarized. No bullshit, no loopholes. Once that's done, I'll marry the guy. Simple as that." Their stunned silence quickly turned to outrage. Atlas grabbed the document with a sneer, his voice dripping with mockery. "You? Cut ties with us? Who the hell do you think you are? Spit it out—how much do you want?" Henry didn't even hesitate. He pulled a sleek black card from his wallet and tossed it onto the table with a cold, detached expression. "Thirty thousand dollars. Take it and get out. Stop playing the victim—it's just a goddamn wedding. You're acting like we're sending you to the gallows." Sophia's eyes flickered with a momentary spark of relief when she saw the agreement, but she quickly smothered it with crocodile tears. "No, no, don't do this, sister!" Her voice cracked as she shook her head, her tone full of exaggerated despair. "I'll go. I'll marry him if that's what it takes. Please, don't fight with Mom and the boys because of me. It's my fault—I should've left the house the moment you came back if I'd known you felt this way." She spun around dramatically, her frail frame trembling with grief, and collapsed conveniently into Henry's arms. "Sophia," Henry murmured, holding her close like she was made of porcelain. He shot Odalys a glare filled with venom. "Is this what you wanted? To tear this family apart?" Odalys met his fury with icy detachment. "I'm not tearing anything apart. Just sign the damn agreement, get it notarized, and I'll go play your sacrificial lamb." Their angry, incredulous faces only fueled her inner amusement. 'Why did I waste so many years trying to please these people? Why did I beg for affection from people who wouldn't piss on me if I were on fire?' Once, she'd been their discarded daughter, tossed aside like trash while they paraded around their "replacement" — a shiny new girl they'd adopted to fill her spot. Meanwhile, Odalys had been left to fend for herself in the streets, barely surviving. If not for her mentor, she'd have been dead long ago. And yet, despite all that, she'd come back, hoping to earn their love, only to be betrayed in the cruelest way imaginable. But this time? This time, she wasn't here to beg. "You'll regret this!" Hannah's shrill voice snapped through the tension like a whip. She turned to the nearest servant and barked, "Get the lawyer. Now!" Her desperation was almost laughable—she wasn't worried about principle, only about Odalys backing out. The brothers exchanged uneasy glances but stayed silent, too afraid to challenge their mother. "Uh... yes, ma'am," the servant stammered before scurrying off. Henry stood frozen, his jaw clenched as he processed what was happening. "Mom, you're not seriously doing this, are you?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief. But before he could get an answer, Sophia's soft sobs stole the spotlight. "Mom, let's not take it this far," Caspian chimed in, playing the concerned brother. "She's still family." Hannah's lips curled into a sneer, her eyes flashing with pure disdain. "This ungrateful brat thinks she can just walk away? Fine. Let her try. Without the Bennett name, let's see how far she gets in this world." The lawyer arrived moments later, looking thoroughly confused but professional as ever. Hannah shoved the document at him without hesitation, watching as it was officially notarized. Odalys took the signed agreement, her face calm and unreadable. She snapped a photo of it with her phone before slipping the papers into her bag. Without a word, she turned and walked toward the door, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. "Move," she said coolly, her voice like a blade. "You're in my way." Hannah stood frozen, her fury simmering beneath the surface. Finally, she grabbed her phone and hurled it toward Odalys's retreating figure. "You selfish little bitch! Are you trying to kill me?!" But Odalys didn't even flinch. Her voice floated up the staircase, steady and sharp. "Are those the wedding gifts from the Stewart family?" "Yes, ma'am," a servant replied hesitantly. Everyone froze, their confusion quickly morphing into curiosity as they followed her downstairs. There, Odalys stood in the entryway, surveying the piles of lavish gifts stacked neatly by the door. She pulled out her ID and handed it to the nearest servant. "Go to the bank. Open a safety deposit box and store everything there." The servant blinked, visibly stunned. "Pardon me, ma'am?" Odalys arched a brow, her lips curving into a smirk. "What's the problem? Aren't these gifts for me?" "Y-yes, ma'am," he stammered, nodding quickly. At her command, a team of guards began loading the extravagant gifts back into the trucks. The grand Bennett estate erupted into chaos as workers scrambled to carry out her orders. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Hannah screamed, her voice hoarse with rage. Chapter 2 Wedding Gifts The Stewart family—everyone knew their name. They were the pinnacle of power, dripping in wealth, and way out of anyone else's league. The wedding gifts they sent weren't just generous—they were mind-blowing. Even without counting, it was obvious they were worth billions. For a family like the Bennetts? Getting tied to the Stewarts was nothing short of a miracle. They weren't even in the same universe. But fate had handed them a golden ticket. William Bennett and Evander Stewart had once fought together, shoulder to shoulder, in life-or-death battles. Somewhere along the way, they'd sealed a promise: a marriage pact between their future children. Initially, the Bennetts planned to marry off Sophia. It was a straightforward enough plan until bad news hit. The man she was supposed to marry was at death's door, and the whispers said he didn't have much time left. No way were they going to send Sophia into a marriage that'd turn her into a widow before it even began. Luckily—or unluckily, seven months ago, the Bennetts had found their long-lost biological daughter, Odalys Stone. And just like that, they had a perfect solution: send Odalys instead. She'd secure the Bennetts' connection to the Stewarts, widow or not. Sophia would be off the hook, and the family would still come out on top. It was a win-win—at least for everyone except Odalys. "What am I doing here?" Odalys said, her voice calm but laced with a sharp edge as she glanced around. She raised an eyebrow, her smirk growing. "Well, obviously, I'm here to collect what's mine." She didn't bother hiding the amusement in her eyes. Watching the Bennetts fume while the Stewart family bodyguards loomed nearby was too satisfying. "What's wrong? Were you planning to keep it all for yourselves?" Her voice turned mockingly curious, her tone dripping with fake innocence. "Oh, wait—I get it. You're trying to screw me over because you think I'm just the backup bride, right?" Her words hit like a grenade. The bodyguards immediately paused their work, sharp eyes locking onto the Bennetts with unspoken suspicion. Hannah's face went pale, her heavily made-up features twisting in barely contained rage. She spat through gritted teeth, "If the Stewarts gave it to you, then fine. Take it. It's yours." "Damn right, it's mine." Odalys tilted her head, smirk still firmly in place. "Let's go, guys. Load it all up." The bodyguards didn't need to be told twice. They began reloading the boxes of gifts onto the waiting trucks. One of them rattled off the inventory under his breath. "Three boxes with three million dollars each. Two boxes of gold and diamond jewelry, 200 pieces total. One small box containing six property deeds for Crystal Cove villas. One small box with keys to 11 luxury cars." Sophia's fists clenched at her sides, her nails digging so hard into her palms that she almost drew blood. Those gifts were supposed to be hers. Sure, she didn't want to marry into the Stewarts, but she'd never said she didn't want the spoils. And now, she thought Odalys was walking out with everything. Every last thing. Her chest tightened with rage, her breaths coming quick and sharp. 'Why? Why does she get to take what should be mine?' "Odalys Stone, don't you have any shame?" Hannah snapped, stepping forward with a trembling hand pointing at her. Her voice cracked with the effort to keep her anger in check. "Aren't you afraid people will laugh at you? Taking all this—it's disgusting." "Laugh? At me?" Odalys turned, her expression cool, her voice calm and mocking. "For what? Taking what my husband gave me? No, Mrs. Bennett, people aren't going to laugh. They're gonna be jealous as hell." Her lips curled into a cold smile, her eyes glinting with something dangerous. "Or is it you who's jealous?" Her gaze swept across the room, pausing on each familiar face. To her surprise, she didn't feel the anger she thought she would. The Bennetts didn't deserve her rage. What she felt instead was an eerie calm. She'd been here before, in another timeline. This time, she wasn't here to please anyone. This time, she was here to cut ties, burn bridges, and take what was hers. "These gifts belong to me because the Stewarts are marrying me. You got a problem with that?" Her voice was soft but carried an unmistakable edge. Each word hit like a slap. Her eyes scanned the room, finally settling on Sophia. Slowly, deliberately, she stepped forward. Sophia froze, her eyes darting nervously to the side as she stumbled back a step. Her gaze flickered to the boxes of gifts, jealousy and frustration swirling in her tear-filled eyes. She'd never wanted this to happen. Sure, she'd agreed to let Odalys take her place in the marriage, but she hadn't agreed to give her everything. And now, Odalys was walking away with it all. The thought made her stomach churn with rage and humiliation. "Odalys, how could you do this?" Sophia's voice wavered, trembling with fake sweetness as she bit her lip, tears streaming down her face. "You're upsetting Mom. If you take everything, what will the Stewarts think of our family?" Odalys Stone chuckled coldly, her hand gripping Sophia Bennett's chin with just enough force to make the other woman flinch. Leaning in, she lowered her voice, her tone dripping with venom. "And just who the hell do you think you are? A nobody foster kid, and you've got the balls to come at me?" Her lips twisted into a smirk, her gaze sharp and mocking. "What the Stewarts think of you? That's your problem, not mine." She added with a scoff, "Jealous, huh? Pathetic little bitch." Sophia froze, her eyes wide with disbelief. The insult landed like a slap, and for a moment, she couldn't even process it. She wanted to lash out, but with the Stewarts' people watching, she bit her tongue. All she could do was stomp her foot in frustration, her chest heaving as she struggled to keep her composure. "Odalys Stone, what the fuck is your problem?" Atlas barked as he stormed forward, his expression dark. He pulled Sophia behind him protectively, glaring at Odalys like he wanted to snap her in half. Odalys raised a brow, her smirk deepening. Without a word, she turned on her heel and strode toward the door. When she reached it, she pulled a key from her pocket and flung it onto the floor. The sharp clink echoed through the room. Pausing in the doorway, she tossed a cold glance over her shoulder, her voice dripping with mockery. "And what are you gonna do about it? Or better yet, maybe she should be the one marrying instead?" The room fell into stunned silence as she walked out, her ponytail swishing in time with her confident strides. The Bennetts could only stand there, fuming, as the Stewarts' bodyguards continued hauling out the extravagant betrothal gifts without a care in the world. Hannah staggered, her face pale as she watched millions—billions—of dollars in gifts disappear. Her instincts screamed at her to do something, to stop them, but before she could act, Sophia grabbed her wrist in a panic. "Mom, don't! She's just trying to piss you off!" Sophia's voice cracked, panic lacing her words. "Once she calms down, she'll bring everything back. She's just throwing a tantrum—nothing more." But even as she said it, doubt flickered in Sophia's eyes. The truth was, everyone in Crownridge knew the situation with the Stewarts. Their patriarch was already at death's door, with the hospital issuing what was essentially a countdown to his final moments. Years ago, the Stewarts and Bennetts had been close, and the marriage was supposed to strengthen their bond. But now the Stewarts were rushing the wedding to bring some semblance of good fortune to a dying man. There wouldn't even be a ceremony. They'd sent the wedding gifts today with plans to take the bride immediately. The Bennetts, unwilling to let Sophia marry into such a grim situation, had shoved Odalys into the role instead. After all, she'd only recently been found after years of being lost and had no real connection to the family. The plan was simple: send her off, let her deal with the mess, and once the Stewart patriarch passed, bring her back. It was, in their minds, the perfect solution. Henry snorted, his tone filled with contempt. "She really thinks she can pull this shit? That's what happens when you let someone think they're equal to us. Time to remind her where she stands." Caspian leaned lazily against the wall, his lips quirking into a cruel smile. "Relax. Let her have her little moment. Once the bridegroom kicks the bucket, we'll drag her back here and teach her a lesson she won't forget. Let's see if she still thinks she's hot shit after that." But as they watched Odalys climb into the waiting car without so much as a glance back, a cold wind swept through the courtyard, sending a shiver down everyone's spine. The atmosphere shifted, the air growing heavy and unnervingly still. For the first time, an inexplicable unease settled over the Bennetts. In the backseat of the car, Odalys sat quietly, her gaze fixed on the rearview mirror. The Bennett mansion shrank in the distance, shrouded in swirling clouds that seemed to darken the skies around it. The house looked cursed, like it was being swallowed whole by its own greed and malice. A soft, bitter laugh escaped her lips as she leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes. Her mind was flooded with memories from her past life—memories that stung like open wounds. She could still feel the humiliation, the betrayal. The people she had once trusted—her own family—had stripped her bare, literally and figuratively. They'd recorded her, used the footage to blackmail her, and forced her to take Sophia's place. All for their own selfish gain, all to secure their position with the Stewarts. Chapter 3 You're Dying After her death, Odalys's soul drifted aimlessly, trapped in a limbo that felt endless. She couldn't move on, couldn't reincarnate—until an unknown, powerful force yanked her back into the living world, slamming her into a reality she wasn't sure she wanted. The memory made her fists clench tightly, her nails biting into her palms as her jaw set with cold determination. The sleek black car rolled to a stop in front of a sprawling courtyard mansion, its grandeur weighed down by an eerie stillness. The house seemed more like a relic than a home, its walls steeped in secrets and shadows. "Madam, Mr. Stewart is waiting for you upstairs," the butler, Dorian Huxley, said as he stepped aside, gesturing politely for her to follow. His tone was calm and measured, but it carried a quiet urgency. Odalys didn't respond. She stepped out of the car and into the courtyard, the oppressive silence pressing down on her like a physical weight. As she crossed the threshold, her gaze swept over the carefully arranged antiques in the living room—each piece meticulous, imposing, and completely lifeless. Her heels clicked against the polished wood floor as she climbed the stairs, each step reverberating in the stillness. At the top, she paused. A tall figure stood inside the room, his back to her, framed by sunlight filtering through the window. The light scattered across his broad shoulders, softening the harsh lines of his frame. She couldn't see his face, but his presence was unmistakable—commanding, unyielding, and suffocating. "You're Percival Stewart?" she asked, her voice steady, but low and cautious. The man turned slowly, deliberately. His eyes met hers, and for a moment, the world seemed to freeze. Those eyes were cold, bottomless, and completely detached, like looking into a frozen void. He held her gaze for a beat longer than necessary before shifting his eyes away, the indifference in his expression sharp enough to cut. The silence stretched between them, heavy and tense, before he finally spoke. "This marriage? It's just my grandfather's dying wish," he said, his voice deep and rough, every word laced with disdain. "Don't waste your time thinking it means anything. There won't be a ceremony, no legal documents, nothing. Once I'm gone, you're free to leave." The bluntness of his words caught her off guard, but she didn't flinch. She just stared at him, taking in the man who had been a shadow in the past. In truth, she knew next to nothing about Percival Stewart. Before her time travel, she had died before the marriage ever happened. All she'd heard was that he was twenty-eight, the head of the Stewart family, and dying from some incurable illness. Beyond that, he was a mystery—a figure hidden behind the impenetrable walls of the Stewart dynasty. He was like an invisible king, ruling from the shadows, unchallenged but utterly alone. Before she could respond, a harsh, violent cough broke the silence. Percival's tall frame trembled slightly, and the sharp, metallic tang of blood filled the air, cutting through the faint scent of scented candle burning in the corner. "Mrs. Stewart, perhaps it's best if you retire to your room," Dorian said, stepping forward quickly. His voice was polite, but the urgency in his movements was impossible to miss. Odalys didn't move. Her sharp gaze stayed locked on Percival, ignoring the butler entirely. She took a step forward, her eyes narrowing as the scent of blood grew stronger. It wasn't just a hint—it was thick, suffocating, and impossible to ignore. Percival felt her approach and shot her a warning glare, his expression hardening. "Go back to your room," he said, his voice rough and authoritative. He turned abruptly, his steps hurried and uneven as if trying to escape her scrutiny. But just as he moved past her, Odalys reached out and grabbed his arm. He froze instantly, his body tensing under her touch. He made a move to pull away, but she was faster. Twisting her grip, she held him in place, then reached up and grabbed his collar without hesitation. The sound of fabric tearing cut through the room like a slap. Percival's shirt split open, revealing a chest sculpted like stone, his bronze skin catching the fractured sunlight pouring in from the window. The room fell silent. Even the air seemed to hold its breath. Dorian stood frozen, his jaw slack with shock, his gaze darting between his mentor and the woman who had just ripped his shirt like it was nothing. No one saw it coming. Odalys, without hesitation, tore open Percival's shirt with a single, fluid motion. No one had ever dared to get this close to him before—let alone touch him. The speed and boldness of her actions left everyone in the room frozen, mouths agape. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" Percival growled, his hand shooting up to clamp around her wrist with an iron grip. Her wrist was locked in his grasp, but Odalys didn't so much as flinch. Her eyes stayed locked on his chest, unblinking, studying his skin with laser focus. Beneath the smooth surface, something was moving—twitching, writhing, almost alive. It looked ready to tear through at any second. His veins bulged unnaturally, pushing against his flesh as though ready to explode. The air grew thick, the metallic tang of blood sharp enough to taste. Percival's body was a battleground, wracked with excruciating pain. It felt like shards of glass were tearing through him, breaking him apart piece by piece. His skin stretched taut, veins pulsating beneath it as if threatening to burst, and every nerve in his body screamed for relief. "Shit," he hissed through gritted teeth, sweat dripping down his temples. His face had gone pale, his jaw tight as he tried to suppress the pain. With great effort, he turned his icy glare on Dorian, who was frozen in the doorway, and the bodyguards lingering nearby, too stunned to move. "Take her back to her room," he ordered, his voice rough but unwavering despite the agony gripping him. "Yes, sir!" Dorian stammered, snapping into action and rushing toward Odalys, his face pale with fear. But before Dorian could reach her, Odalys made her move. She ignored the butler completely, her free hand lifting to press lightly against Percival's chest. The touch was almost playful, her fingertips tracing slow, deliberate patterns on his skin. Then, without warning, she shoved—hard. Percival froze, his entire body locking up. The moment her hand made contact, it sent a shockwave through him, like a current of electricity surging through his veins. The chaos beneath his skin—veins ready to rupture, blood cells fighting a violent war—suddenly stilled. The energy that had been raging inside him recoiled, like a storm abruptly silenced. His blood, moments away from tearing through his flesh, began to reverse its course. Thickened, frozen, and pushed back as though retreating from an unseen force. His heart seized painfully in his chest. "Ugh!" The sound ripped from his throat as dark blood spewed from his lips, splattering onto the floor. The black, foul-smelling liquid dripped from the corner of his mouth, its acrid stench filling the room. He staggered back a step, his pupils blown wide, his body trembling like it was ready to break apart. And then, suddenly, everything stopped. The agony gripping him moments ago faded to a dull ache. The sharp, relentless pressure vanished. His breathing steadied, his chest no longer heaving in pain. Slowly, cautiously, he glanced down at his body, expecting to see the usual horrors: split skin, torn veins, blood pouring from open wounds. But his skin was intact. No ruptures. No shredded flesh. No rivers of blood pooling at his feet. Aside from the dark blood he'd coughed up, he was fine. Whole. The pain, the chaos, the destruction that had always followed these episodes—it was gone. Percival's eyes snapped back to Odalys, shock flickering across his normally stoic face. She stepped back, her hand falling away as she regarded him with a calm, almost clinical detachment. Her gaze swept over him like she was piecing together a puzzle. "So the rumors are true," she said, her tone flat and disinterested. "You really are knocking on death's door." As she spoke, she pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and began wiping her fingers clean. "But since you already made it clear this marriage is just your grandfather's idea to 'ward off bad luck,' and you don't actually want to marry me, that works out perfectly. I wasn't planning on getting married anyway." She tilted her head slightly, her eyes sharp and calculating as they locked onto his. "Let me guess. Your doctors told you you've got less than a month to live, didn't they?" His lips pressed into a thin line, but he didn't deny it. Odalys smirked faintly, the corner of her mouth curving upward in a way that was both confident and infuriating. "So, here's the deal. I'll keep you alive for the next month. In return, you let me walk away when it's over. No strings attached." Percival's eyes narrowed, suspicion mingling with disbelief. "You're saying you can keep me alive for a month?" "That's exactly what I'm saying," she replied, her tone as steady as her gaze. She stepped closer, reaching out again. This time, her fingers brushed against the corner of his mouth, wiping away the blood that still lingered there. She brought her fingers to her nose, sniffing lightly before speaking again. "You're not dying as fast as they think. You're poisoned—badly—but it's not terminal yet. I can stabilize you. Give you some time." With that, she wiped her fingers clean on the handkerchief and tossed it into a nearby trash can, her movements smooth and deliberate. She met his gaze again, her expression unreadable but unshakable. "Clock's ticking, Stewart. Your move."s ------------------- There are limited chapters to put here, click “learn more” to open App to continue reading (It will automatically jump to the book)	LEARN_MORE	https://fqwebsite.novellairs.com/share/middle/lsjv	Novellair-The Reading Room	https://www.facebook.com/61558704884181/	496	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	fqwebsite.novellairs.com	VIDEO		https://fqwebsite.novellairs.com/share/middle/lsjvoxuerezeq002ezsi5usq?campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481457723_1457920431834536_145971137201194781_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TChEFDLISTQQ7kNvgE3JBaq&_nc_oc=Adhb26gBPgfCL-hoad8h485Gn2AYtcX3ocxmD-0MfqR00rzBbVEXGuk1Z1T4Fz03S2HcSFt2lr_N61lvdxWuuMzG&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=An1a0VAwW_Q6qHZz1Xgg63V&oh=00_AYCelXescSFWDHoRtVWhgfAg_o2aGua5ES1rMlc5qr4GeQ&oe=67C7207E	PERSON_PROFILE	Novellair-The Reading Room	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,707,075	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"is_bh_simple_request":true,"simple_request_ratio":0.07460055096418733,"is_bh_selenium":null,"selenium_ratio":null,"ratio_threshold":0.8}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	Address Those Nagging Neuropathy Symptoms Once And For All	Peripheral Neuropathy HURTS! 😫 Burning 😫 Stabbing 😫 Cramping 😫 Throbbing 😫 Numbness 😫 Loss of Reflexes 😫 Tingling Sensations And nothing seems to help. But there IS a light at the end of the tunnel because… There's a breakthrough treatment where neuropathy symptoms can be significantly reduced or even completely eliminated if less than 87% of nerve damage has occurred - And It WORKS! This treatment requires no surgery and no addictive medications! NorthStar Medical is now offering White Bear Lake residents who are suffering from neuropathy symptoms the opportunity to get back to the lives they once knew and loved (pre-pain). Their Exclusive Nerve Recirculation™ works to eliminate blood blockages to nerves, which creates a revival effect. It starts with a non-invasive treatment that painlessly and successfully opens blood vessels. Once the passage of nutrients has been opened, continual PERSONALIZED treatment to support lasting nerve health is offered. To qualify for this breakthrough treatment and get back to living the high-quality life you deserve, click the link below and schedule a $21 Complete Neuropathy Relief Assessment today. Take advantage of this special offer now - click the link below: ➞ https://northstarmedical.co/neuropathy North Star Medical 1330 Hwy 96 E Ste 102, White Bear Lake, MN 55110 (769) 200-3159	LEARN_MORE	https://northstarmedical.co/neuropathy	North Star Medical	https://www.facebook.com/61564811468408/	22	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	northstarmedical.co	VIDEO	Discover An All-Natural Breakthrough Treatment Protocol	https://northstarmedical.co/neuropathy	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481945510_1652859188661854_3413294810605763776_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vQVPnPSIM8QQ7kNvgE8sjMF&_nc_oc=AdgwdiP1nNtxEfSMiJPp-mp2cQni9HIH8wg4bFPFNwtH1S2o1ae9d11K2LVwynM0j_Z1UIpW88gJcwGDnZo9vGyY&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AsQsRN8fxRTOuJ0ShrcTO2v&oh=00_AYAbVp8YeqZ4IF29EC7jox0dVPtKdfn4sI8k-5ihKNxSGA&oe=67C70CB0	PERSON_PROFILE	North Star Medical	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
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2,706,742	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2706727}'	No	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	The #1 Cream for Nerve Pain 🏆	💯% Natural Ingredients to Fight Nerve Pain! 🥦Packed with 14+ Superfoods 😃Tens of THOUSANDS of happy customers 💳PLUS a money back guarantee if you're not satisfied. ✓ Soothe pain, prickling, and burning ✓ Calm inflammation & stiffness ✓ Fortify the nerve's protective coating ✓ Improve circulation & healing ✓ Provide long-term results We want YOU to be the next person who is able to experience life without nerve discomfort. No one should suffer from this kind of tingling & burning pain on a daily basis. You deserve relief, & you can get it with Nerve Balm.	SHOP_NOW	https://www.luneusa.com/products/nerve-balm	Lune	https://www.facebook.com/100085237752848/	839	1969-12-31 18:00	Shop Now	luneusa.com	DCO	★★★★★ 4.7	https://www.luneusa.com/products/nerve-balm	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/482301049_1552736112080689_4006327513023786168_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4DPlm1yuko8Q7kNvgHLuWwX&_nc_oc=AdjmfKBulktcmDEcbv6PjfMlGWsx_N1vTTTafacUrG2eiZCDN8tuUuv_aNzRnimSXMqieA5wHqUJwzb1Z3Qo_8Gq&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AYCvgeMvlDm3IcgG6G4XXiE&oh=00_AYBc9sGuUCz9GzBY3MDF5ujKvTRokhz9dRqoFOv6Bhzf4Q&oe=67C73C06	PERSON_PROFILE	Lune	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,706,859	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2706778}'	No	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	🔥 Download Goodnovel to read the full novel 😍👉👉👉👉 "Seducing My Ex's Father In Law"	Today was supposed to be the day my fated mate and I got engaged. But now I’m watching him kiss another woman. Marrying her could make him the future Alpha because she’s the daughter of Gavin Landry, the most powerful Lycan chairman in the world. A couple of months ago, our Alpha died during a battle, and now all the candidates are competing for that position, including my mate, Ethan. Everyone knows the Lycans control the werewolf population. And Gavin? He could singlehandedly appoint everyone the new Alpha. So, Ethan made his choice. Her, not me. “Get me a whiskey and a martini for the lady,” A deep voice sounded from nearby. “Is it the future bride, or the future groom that’s got you in a mood?” “I’m just not into parties,” I decided to say. “Nor am I,” he murmured. “I’m here out of obligation.” The bartender placed my drink in front of me and I immediately took a sip, sighing in contentment. I waited for it to do its job and finish numbing the pain. Every time Ethan kissed her it destroyed me a little more. How had my life taken such a devastating turn? How could my fated mate do this to me? Did our 2 years together truly mean nothing? Did the mark on my neck mean that little to him? “Thank you for the drink,” I told the man. I took one last sip of my martini and started to get down from the stool, except my blouse snagged on the corner of the counter and just as I heard a tearing sound, I began to fall to the ground. I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the impact, but it never came. Instead, I felt strong arms wrapping around my body, lifting me into the air. I opened my eyes and peeked up at the man who caught me, and my breath hitched. He was so handsome. He held me with ease as if I weighed nothing and I could tell from the feeling of his arms around me that he was muscular. He smiled down at me and a dimple appeared on his right cheek. I wanted to lick that dimple. “Madam, are you falling for me?” He asked teasingly. I stared at him for a heartbeat longer before I squinted my eyes at him, seeing what he did there. “You’re a funny one, aren’t you?” He grinned. Then he looked at my shirt and immediately frowned. “Let me take you to my suite upstairs,” he said, making my heart skip a beat. “What?” I said in barely a whisper. His eyes met mine and I got lost in their beauty for a moment. Goddess, his good looks were sinful. “Your shirt is ripped. I have one you can wear upstairs in my VIP suite,” he explained. I blinked a couple of times and gave a nervous chuckle. “Oh, alright. Thank you,” I managed to sputter. He turned to the bartender. “Charge our drinks to my suite,” he ordered. “Yes, sir.” I allowed the man to carry me out of the room. His arms were so warm that I found myself resting my head against his broad chest, breathing in his minty scent. My wolf was practically purring in my mind. She’d been quiet for most of the evening while she licked the wounds the broken mate bond had caused. But right now, it was as if she had forgotten she was heartbroken. “Take off your shirt,” he instructed once we were in the suite. He had released me and was walking to the closet. “Excuse me?” I squeaked. “So, you can put on a new shirt,” he explained. “Right,” I breathed. I lifted my ripped shirt over my head and threw it onto the bed, leaving me in only my innerwear from the waist up. Once he found a shirt, he turned around to face me, and his entire body froze as his eyes trailed down my body. I was too busy checking him out to notice him staring at me but the longer I stared at him, the more I started to recognize him. Then, realization struck me, and I gasped. “It’s you…” I breathed, taking a step back. His eyes shifted upward and met mine; his brow arched. “You know me?” He asked. “I know of you,” I clarified. The corner of his lips tipped upward as he walked towards me, slowly, as if he were stalking his prey. I could practically hear the sounds of my heartbeat. “And what do you know of me?” “Only what I’ve heard…” I admitted. “And what have you heard?” “You’re Gavin Landry, Lycan Chairman. You’re a heartbreaker. You have a new woman each week and you never sleep with the same woman twice.” He raised his brows. “Is that so?” He asked. “Tell me more about myself.” Heck, he's the father of the bride and Ethan's future father-in-law? I'm confused, I don't know what I should do. But I'm not surprised I didn't recognize him at first. The Lycan family isn't high profile, they're more used to staying behind the scenes than becoming politicians and celebrities like werewolf Alpha. Should I tell him who I am? But that would be foolish at this moment. He continued to walk towards me, and I continued to walk backward until my back hit the wall. “What more do you want to know?” I asked, my voice coming out breathy. “Everything.” I’m not sure if it was the martini speaking or me, but I decided to be bold. If Ethan can indulge himself in someone new, then so could I. I lifted my gaze to meet his as he neared closer. “Your eyes…” I started to say. “I’ve heard that they were mesmerizing, and I must agree.” “What else?” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “When you smile, you have this adorable dimple on your cheek…” I whispered. He was only inches from me now, staring so intently at me that I thought I would burn up under his scrutiny. He licked his lips, drawing my attention to his mouth. “And your lips…” Before I could finish that sentence, his mouth crashed into mine. His kiss was anything but soft and sweet but filled with hunger and possession. I kissed him with just as much eagerness. His tongue made its way to mine, tasting every inch of me. He lifted me into the air, my body pinned between the wall and him. Instinctively I wrapped my legs around his waist and allowed him to deepen the kiss. His tongue trailed down the nape of my neck and warmth spread across my body as I felt him nibbling my soft flesh. All self-control and common sense left my mind the moment we kissed. All I could think about was Gavin; he consumed my mind, body, and soul entirely. I pulled at his tie, wanting to take it and his shirt off. He helped me undo his tie and then lifted his shirt over his head, tossing it to the ground. I let my fingers explore his body; they roamed over his torso and up his broad shoulders. I moaned into his mouth as his tongue found mine again. “Are you sure you want this?” He asked between kisses. “Yes,” I rasped out. “We are both willing adults, so why not?” We kissed again and just as he was about to take off my innerwear, I received a tearful mindlink from my adoptive mother. “Judy! Please, come home!” She sounded panicked; my mother never panicked. Hearing her voice was like cold water being dumped on my head and I gasped. I let my legs fall from around him and I pressed against his chest. “Stop,” I said breathlessly. “I have to go.” He frowned. “I don’t have much patience; stop joking,” he says, a hint of anger in his tone. “I’m so sorry. But I’m sure you have plenty of other options,” I said and started to run towards the door, but he grabbed my arm, stopping me. I whirl around to face him, my own anger rushing to the surface but before I can say anything, he points to the bed. “Your shirt is ripped, remember?” I looked down at my innerwear with a frown. “Oh…” He sighed, grabbing his shirt and putting it over my head. I inhaled deeply and warmth spread throughout my body; it smelled like him. …… The moment I stepped into the house; I could hear my mother sobbing. “Judy?” My mother sobbed; I could hear that she was in the kitchen and my heart stuttered at the sound of her broken voice. “Your father was taken away by the Gammas tonight.” Chapter 2 Judy’s POV My heart fell into my stomach. “What?!” I gasped. We lived in a decent-sized house; my adoptive father, being a successful businessman and a Delta of the Redmoon pack, had a lot of money. “He was arrested,” she explained. “He made a bad investment for the company, and he ended up losing all the money. He went completely bankrupt and now he owes the pack so much money. Until he pays it, they put him in jail.” “They can’t just come and take him away like this,” I said, standing to my feet, hardly able to contain my emotions. “Without any warning? That’s not fair!” “They can do whatever they want. The Beta is under the jurisdiction of the Lycans, and it was his decision. Loan sharks are ruthless, and nobody wishes to deal with them. It’s easier to just get rid of the problem and right now… your father is the problem.” Before I could say anything more, my phone started to ring. I reached into my bag and pulled it out. I frowned when I saw the name flash across the screen. “I heard about your father,” Ethan’s voice was soft as he spoke, and my traitorous heart skipped a beat. I hated how my body responded to him still; it was because of this foolish mate bond. Even though he rejected me, and I accepted it, that didn’t mean it severed our bond. It won’t be severed until he marks someone else.“I might have a suggestion though. But I’d like to tell you in person. Come outside.” I quickly left the kitchen and walked out of the house. Ethan was leaning against his car with his arms folded across his chest. Goddess, I hated how good he looked. I had been in love with him for longer than 2 years. He was my friend, my confidant, my fated mate. When he rejected me, it destroyed everything I had dreamt of. I wrapped my arms around my body, desperately trying to hold myself together. “Why are you here?” I asked him after a long and awkward silence. “I wanted to talk to you,” he replied. “Why?” The corner of his lips tipped upwards as he stared at me; I nearly melted under his scrutiny, and I had to shift my gaze to look at the ground. “Because I can help you,” he answered. “Your father’s funding chain is broken, and he now owes a lot of money. I know for a fact that he doesn’t have that kind of money, especially now that his business has gone under. But I do.” I lifted my gaze to meet him; he was serious. “Are you saying you’d pay my father’s debt?” I asked him. He nodded. “Yes,” he answered. “And what would we have to do in return?” I asked, almost afraid to ask. He smirked, which gave me an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. “There is a condition,” he confessed. I waited silently for him to continue, my eyes never leaving his. “After I get married, I want you to drop out of school and become my mistress.” I couldn’t have heard him correctly; I stared at him with my jaw practically on the ground. “Excuse me?” I managed to sputter. “You want me to what??” “Drop out of school and become my mistress. I already have a luxurious home for you to live in. You would never have to want for anything. I’ll pay off your father’s debt and give you more money than you could dream of.” “How… how could you ask me to do such a thing?” I asked in a choked whisper; tears threatened to spill from my eyes, but I kept them away, not wanting him to see my break. He stepped closer to me, and I felt rooted to the ground, unable to move away. My wolf was whimpering about his request; she couldn’t believe our mate could ask such a thing from us. She was gutted and I hated that she was put in this position. “Because we’ve always been so good together, Judy,” he said, reaching out and touching my arm gently. “We will always have this strong connection, even if I mark someone else. You and your family would be set for life… all you have to do is say yes…” He was rubbing his fingers up and down my arms and I felt sick to my stomach. I finally found the strength to step away from him, my body trembling. “No,” I said, meeting his eyes. “I would never become your mistress.” His eyes darkened. “I’m about to become the Alpha, Judy. You must get with the times. Becoming my mistress would only benefit you and plus, don’t you want your father out of jail?” “I will find another way,” I said through my teeth. “If that’s all you came here to say, then I’ve heard enough. You can leave.” He raised his brows as he stared at me. He studied me for a moment longer like he expected me to change his mind at any moment. “You’ll change your mind,” he told me as he stepped away from me and towards his car. “And when you do, I’ll be here. But until then, your father will remain in prison.” “I’ll figure it out,” I said to his retreating back. “We don’t need you, Ethan!” He chuckled as he opened his car door and then he turned back to gaze into my eyes. “In order to get him out of prison, you’ll need at least 5 million dollars. When you realize that there’s no other option, you’ll come to your senses. I’m sure of it.” Without another word, he got into his car. I watched as he drove away, disappearing into the night. It was only when he disappeared that I allowed myself to fall to the ground. Tears streamed down my cheeks before I could stop them. 5 million dollars? How was I going to come up with that kind of money? —————— I had two classes this morning and one later in the afternoon. My first class was warrior training, and my second class was shifting, both of which I excelled at. I was going to college for Gamma training so that once I graduated, I could prove myself to the Gamma force and become a warrior. Then I would easily be able to pay off my father’s debt and save my family. “You look terrible,” my best friend, Nan, pointed out as I sat beside her against the large Oaktree; the very tree we always met up at. “It was a rough night,” I admitted as I took out my textbook to study. “Where did you go last night? When I returned, you were gone. Did you leave early because of the engagement party?” I bit my lower lip as I thought about what to say to her. If I lied, she’d be able to see right through me. I was a terrible liar initially, but Nan could read me like a book. “I ripped my shirt, and someone brought me into his room to change,” I said, feeling my cheeks growing warm at the memory. She raised her brows, and I could barely look at her. “You went to someone’s room?” She asked. “Whose?” I was quiet for a moment, and she grabbed my arm, getting my attention. “Judy, who did you leave with?” She asked, now her voice was filled with alarm. I knew there was no getting out of this conversation. I bit my lip and peeked up at her through my lashes. “Gavin Landry,” I squeaked. Chapter 3 Judy’s POV “Shut up!” She gasped. “Are you serious?? You went to Gavin Landry’s VIP suite? As in THE Gavin Landry?!” I nearly tackled her; she was being so loud! “Keep your voice down!” I scolded, attempting to cover her mouth with my hands but she was too quick and dodged me. “How can I possibly keep it down when my best friend went to Gavin Landry’s hotel room last night and waited until now to tell me!” She exclaimed. Nan was a waitress at the hotel restaurant the engagement party was at last night. The hotel, called Carter Resorts, was in the human territory, and it was owned by Patrick Carter, the Delta of the Silver Crescent pack. Which happened to be Gavin Landry’s pack. I wasn’t surprised to see Gavin there last night, especially considering his daughter was the bride-to-be. I was less surprised to see that he had a VIP suite at the hotel. I sighed. “It all happened so fast, and I had a bit too much to drink,” I admitted. “I forgot when I got home because other stuff happened.” I wrapped my arms around my body and looked up at her concerned eyes. “What else happened?” She asked, her voice dropping to a whisper. I took a deep breath, and I told Nan everything that happened, right up until Ethan came over and asked me to be his mistress in exchange for him paying off my father’s debt. By the time I finished talking, Nan’s jaw had dropped. “The nerve of that scum!” She hissed. “How dare he! He rejected you and now he wants you to be his bit on the side?! He has zero shame.” “I’m not sure what I’m going to do, Nan,” I whispered. “There’s no way I could come up with 5 million dollars to pay off my father’s debt.” We both fell silent as our thoughts consumed us and then her face lit up. I knew that look well and it grew nervous as a smile spread across her face. I knew right away that she had an idea, and I also knew that I wasn’t going to like it. “You said that he gave you his shirt to wear?” She asked. I nodded. She gasped and grabbed my arm. “Isn’t it obvious, Judy? Gavin is into you. That’s the only reason he’d give you his shirt. He wanted his scent on you! He's very picky. In all my time as a waitress, you're the first woman he's ever offered.” I gawked at her. She had officially lost her mind. “Gavin’s not into me,” I said, shaking my head. “He gave me his shirt because mine ripped. There was nothing to it.” “Why would he even care?” Nan asked, folding her arms across her chest. “He’s Gavin Landry and doesn’t need to care about any of this. Besides, you mentioned that he kissed you heatedly. You were ready to go all the way with him, which is huge because you were planning on waiting until after you were married. There had to be some kind of connection last night.” I glanced at my hands. “Or maybe I was just hurting and wanted to get back at Ethan,” I murmured. “Plus, I had a little too much to drink.” “Drunk actions are sober thoughts or something like that,” she said, waving away my words. Then, she smirked. “You could use this to your advantage. Do you still have that lingerie you bought for your wedding night? You should pay Gavin a little visit and make him an offer he can’t refuse.” ___ I knew it was a bad idea the moment she spoke the words, but her words continued to replay in my mind for the remainder of the day and night. When I woke up the next morning, my mind was made up. I went to my closet and grabbed my red lingerie. I had only tried it on once and I felt a little self-conscious wearing it, but I knew the night of my wedding when I finally gave myself over to Ethan fully, it wouldn’t matter what I was wearing. My heart ached at the thought, and I quickly brushed it out of my head before I started to cry again. I dressed in the lingerie, and I grabbed a long trench coat, wrapping it around my body. I left my hair down and I put on a little makeup to make my features pop. For the last day or so, my mother had either been speaking on the phone to lawyers, visiting my father in prison, or in her room. I had barely seen or spoken to her since I told her Ethan wasn’t going to help us. I hated knowing I disappointed her, but hopefully, this would fix all our problems. It was no secret where Gavin’s office was; everybody knew the famous Gavin Landry Corporation. When I walked through the front door, the receptionist was typing on her computer. She barely spared me a look as I approached the desk. “Good morning, I’m here to see Gavin Landry,” I said as politely as I could. The receptionist looked upward at me and blinked a couple of times, looking less than amused. “Do you have an appointment?” “Uh, no, but—” “Look, I don’t have time for this. Countless women come in here and request to speak with Gavin and I’m going to tell you what I tell them. Mr. Landry is incredibly busy, and he doesn’t have time or patience to be dealing with another fan girl,” she said bitterly. “And what gives you the right to turn away those who come to see me?” A deep voice boomed. Chapter 4 Judy’s POV “Mr. Landry,” the receptionist said, quickly standing to her feet. She suddenly seemed disheveled, and I wanted to smirk with satisfaction, but I kept it held in. “I asked you a question, Laura,” he said, narrowing his eyes at her. “What gives you the right to send away guests? You know the protocol. You are to call my office, and I am the one who decides whether or not I will see them or not. Not you.” She swallowed and glanced at the ground as if staring directly at him physically hurt her. “Come with me.” It took me a second to realize he was speaking to me, but when I saw the receptionist glaring at me and Gavin’s retreating back, I nearly stumbled over my feet to catch up to him. He walked through a luxurious waiting room until we reached a glass elevator. It was very high-tech with a touch screen attached to it. He brought up a keypad and typed in some sequence before pressing the floor number. He stood so close to me that the elevator felt almost cramped, despite it being a wide space. I could smell his incredible minty scent, mixed in with his aftershave and my heart skipped a beat. He didn’t bother looking at me though and I was starting to doubt this plan would work. Maybe he didn’t like me as much as I thought he did. I felt awkward knowing that under this coat was nothing but lingerie. The elevator came to a halt and the doors opened. It was an extremely large space with marble flooring and granite walls. “Where exactly is your office?” I asked, staring around the gorgeous area. He glanced at me; his face kept indifferent. “This is my office.” My eyes grew large at his words. He continued walking until he rounded the corner and sure enough, there was his desk right in front of large windows that overlooked the human city. It was gorgeous and my stomach twisted with nerves. He didn’t bother sitting on his desk chair. Instead, he turned to face me, leaning against his desk and folding his arms across his chest. I swallowed the lump in my throat as I took him in. He wore a white dress shirt with sleeves rolled up halfway, showing off his incredible muscles and his dark dress pants hugged his waist perfectly, showcasing his incredible form. My wolf purred with satisfaction, and I found myself staring at him for way longer than I intended to. He cleared his throat, making me nearly jump out of my skin as my gaze shot upward and met his. He was smirking at me, as if to say, “Caught you.” My cheeks burned from the embarrassment I felt. “So, what did you come here for?” He asked, breaking the tension between us. Oh. Right. The reason I’m here. “I have a problem, and I need your help,” I said in a rush. He raised his right brow. “What kind of problem?” I cleared my throat before continuing. “My father was arrested the other night,” I blurted. “His business went bankrupt, and he owes a lot of money. Roughly 5 million dollars.” He was silent as he stared at me; I realized he was waiting for me to continue. Probably wanted to know how I needed his help. “I was hoping you’d be able to help him and maybe pay the debt for my father so he could get out of prison?” I asked, biting my lip. He was quiet for another moment, processing my request before he ran his hands over his face. “And what would I get in return for helping your family?” He asked. I swallowed the lump in my throat. Confidence: I needed confidence. I held my head up high and looked him right in the eyes. It was known as a challenge to look an Alpha directly in the eyes, even worse so looking a Lycan directly in the eyes. But Gavin wasn’t as angry as I thought he would be, instead, he looked intrigued. “Well,” I began, I dropped my voice low as I stepped closer to him. “At the party the other day, we obviously had a connection…” I felt my cheeks growing hot as I spoke those words. “And I thought maybe…” I took a deep breath and undid my coat, revealing a portion of my lingerie, but not all of it. Not yet at least. His eyes darkened as he gazed over my body, and I nearly melted under his scrutiny. I suddenly had a surge of confidence, and I reached my hand out to touch his arm. “I thought maybe I could do some favors for you in return,” I said in a sultry voice. “I’m a college student and very clean. I haven’t done it before, but I’m on birth control, so you don’t need to worry about anything.” His breathing grew heavy as he straightened his posture, closing the small gap between us. His nearness was intoxicating, and my heart started to race against my chest. His scent enveloped me, and I couldn’t remember the last time I felt this delirious. He reached his hand up and I felt his fingers glide down my cheek, sending a wave of warmth throughout my whole body. We were so close together that I thought I was going to pass out from the heat that consumed me. His eyes were dark like they were the night in the VIP suite. He swallowed hard and I watched his Adam’s apple move slightly. I closed my eyes, preparing for him to kiss me. I could feel his breath on my lips and just as I leaned in close to him, getting ready for his embrace, it never came. Instead, I felt him adjusting my coat, covering my body. My eyes flew open, and I looked at his stern expression. “Do you really think I need to pay a woman for her body?” He asked, breaking the silence. “You said it yourself that I have many options.” My cheeks flushed immediately. “I just thought—” “You thought you could use your body to pay for my help,” he said, interrupting me. “You are still young, Miss Montague. You will regret taking such shortcuts in the future.” How did he know my name? I hadn’t told him. Had he looked into me? My heart skipped a beat at the thought, but his words were slowly crushing me. He didn’t want me. I lowered my gaze, hating how hot my face was getting. I knew he could see just how embarrassed I was. When he spoke next, he softened his voice and spoke with compassion. “Look, I have a daughter,” he told me. “I would never teach her to use her body as a transaction. I want more for her and her future, and I expect better from her.” He reached his hand and caressed the nape of my neck with his fingertips; my breath hitched as I gazed into his eyes. “I expected better from you,” he added; my heart fell into my stomach and disappointment consumed me. He was right. I was better than this. I nodded my head and opened my mouth to speak, but I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to see a couple of security guards standing nearby and I whipped around to look at Gavin with wide eyes. “I’m afraid my time is up, and my patience has run out,” Gavin said, looking at me briefly before glancing at the security guards. “Accompany Miss Montague out of the building, please.” “Yes sir,” they both said. They stood on each side of me, and I stared at Gavin with shock. I didn’t fight or argue with the security guards as they told me to come with them. “Thank you for your time,” I managed to say before I turned and left the office. I wanted to cry because of the shame, but I knew more importantly I needed a new job. …. “I’m so excited we get to work together,” Nan said with a wide smile. “And you look great in that uniform.” I looked down at my uniform. I felt ridiculous in this thing; it was a short skirt and a crop top that showed way too much bosom. I felt like I was on display. Especially at night when this place pretty much turned into a club. These men are wealthy and would tip generously. It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up when I was struggling for money. “That’s what friends are for,” she said, nudging my arm with hers. She looked behind me and sighed. “Looks like we are getting a group of guys. Good luck,” she said. I sighed and turned to greet the customers but then I froze when I saw who was amongst them. Ethan. Chapter 5 Judy’s POV “You were right,” I heard one of his friends saying. “She does work here. This is going to be so good.” “Hey, call girl, can we get a table, or are you just going to stare at us?” Call girl? I placed the menus on the table for them and waited for each of them to take a seat. “I’m not a call girl. Please, take your seat.” As I leaned over the table to put the beer in front of each of them, one of them grabbed my rear end. I felt my entire body freeze. “I like this little uniform on you. How about you take it off and see what’s underneath.” My entire body went hot as I stepped back from the table, forcing his hand to drop. “Do not touch me,” I said loudly to each of them. “Oh, come on, Judy. Aren’t you here to satisfy men?” Another of his friends asked. “So come here and satisfy us. Sit on my lap.” I pressed my lips together. “I’m not a call girl,” I told them for the final time. “I’m a waitress.” “You got this job because you’re hot,” one of them chuckled. “The manager didn’t care about your skills. He cared about whether or not you could flirt with the customers and make him a lot of money. I’m willing to give you a good tip if you let me see what’s underneath your uniform and sit on my lap.” I felt my blood going cold from his words. “Come here baby girl,” he said, patting his lap and winking at me. I just stared at him, disbelieving. I looked at Ethan who was watching me, waiting to see what I would do. How could he just let his friends speak to me like this? At one point, he would have never allowed this. He would have punched anyone who looked at me with desire in their eyes. Now, he was acting as if he didn’t care. “I’ll give you 10 thousand dollars if you drink this entire beer,” one of his friends asked. My mouth nearly fell open. “What?” I asked. “You heard me,” he answered. “Drink this whole beer and you’ll get 10 thousand dollars.” “We’ll all give you 10 thousand dollars each if you drink all of our beers,” another one said. I stared at the beer and then at the men. My eyes landed on Ethan once more; he raised his brows, waiting for my answer. Swallowing my pride, I stepped towards the table and grabbed one of the glasses. I really didn’t like beer, but money was money, and I knew Ethan’s friends were rich and could pay that kind of money easily. I needed the cash to get my father out of prison and pay off his debt. I brought the cup to my lips and let the liquid run down my throat. I winced at the bitter taste, but I kept pushing myself until the cup was empty. His friends were cheering and chanting as I drank the contents of the cup. I slammed the cup on the counter and looked at the next guy who slid his beer at me, winking as he did so. I chugged his beer as well. I only got halfway through the third glass when I felt a firm grip around my wrist and I was yanked away. I heard Ethan’s friends booing and telling him he was a party pooper. I had no idea where Ethan was taking me; he was quiet until we reached outside and then he whipped around to glare at me. “Accept my offer and stop this foolishness,” he ordered. “I won’t be your mistress, Ethan,” I told him, narrowing my eyes, my head fuzzy from the beer. “You can forget about that.” “You’d rather act like a little call girl instead?” He asked through his teeth. “You looked ridiculous in there!” “Why do you care? You have your fiancé. This is my private business, and my private business no longer includes you.” “You are still mine, Judy. You will always be mine,” he growled. I wanted to laugh at his ridiculousness, but I also wanted to cry. He was so sweet at one point; I spent more than 2 years loving this man. Now as he stood before me, I realized he was a stranger. “I am not yours,” I told him, glad that my voice came out stronger than I felt. He let out a bitter laugh. “Fine, be a call girl for all I care,” he growled. “Spread your legs for money because that’s all you’re good for—” Before I could stop myself, my hand swung and made contact with his cheek, causing a loud slap. He didn’t flinch but he did grow angrier as he went to grab my throat. He froze though when he looked at my neck and I watched the color draining from his face. “What the heck,” he hissed. He grabbed my chin and yanked my head to the side. “Is that a lovebite?” I realized when getting dressed this morning that the lovebite Gavin left on me the other night was still there. It was fading, but visible. “So, what if it is?” I asked. He released my chin and glared at me, his gaze icy. “Who the heck have you been with?” “That’s not your concern,” I retorted. I turned to walk away, but he gripped my arm, making me whimper in pain as he whipped me around to face him again. “Answer my freaking question, Judy! Who have you been with?!” Through gritted teeth, I answered, “Gavin. Your future father-in-law. Happy now?” He released me and let out a bark of laughter. “Are you kidding me? You don’t have to make up such a ridiculous story,” Ethan said through a fit of laughter. I heard more laughter from nearby and I realized Ethan’s friends were crowding around. “Is she talking about Gavin Landry? He has standards. He would never go for a girl like, Judy.” “Yeah, Judy is a call girl and Gavin is a Lycan chairman. There’s no way,” another friend laughed. “I’m being serious,” I told them, folding my arms across my chest. This time Ethan did grab my throat, and his gaze turned almost deadly. “Stop playing me for a fool and tell me the truth,” he growled. “Gavin would never want someone like you. You are nobody. You don’t fit into his world. ” I couldn’t breathe as his hands tightened around my throat, so I couldn’t respond. “Now, how about you do as I say and move into the house I bought? Once I get married, I’ll see you frequently at night and you can spread your pretty little legs for me only—” There was a loud honk from nearby, making Ethan drop his hold around my neck. I coughed and rubbed my sore neck as he glared at the person interrupting us. I glanced at the black limo and frowned when the door opened. I gasped when I saw Gavin seated in the back, his eyes on me. “Get in,” he ordered. I stared at him, disbelieving. “I won’t ask you again, Judy,” he said through his teeth. I felt Ethan’s shocked eyes on me as I quickly hurried towards the car and got in, closing the door behind me. “Drive,” he instructed the driver. “Yes, sir.” The car started to move; Ethan stood on the curb; his mouth nearly dropped. His friends were equally shocked. Gavin glanced at me, and I felt my cheeks redden. “Using me to make your ex-fiancé jealous, are you?”	LEARN_MORE	https://getokn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16927&u	Enjoying reading	https://www.facebook.com/61559698863477/	310	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	getokn.com	VIDEO		https://getokn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16927&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480955963_3929289864025954_3133059047069391212_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5mPXfDT3FRwQ7kNvgEJYFCF&_nc_oc=AdhyWmPalpiB1TnxX1klpCWQ6KB1tSe1k16nk0AdsCHdVeuZRM3gNL2JK4Yw1aIinCNJtg01LIqxXVD_OufFEF7j&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AoIhAlbnaLo-abNKHye8pD-&oh=00_AYDwNDmKZv-q8L0PyYQWTk3SZ49_Kfa9wdyrZxnYD7ow9g&oe=67C71386	PERSON_PROFILE	Enjoying reading	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,707,352	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2707343}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	🔞🔥Click to Read more about📜<The Billionaire's Ex-Wife (Her Ex-Husband's Regret)>📜	💥💞Please, baby. Help me change Daddy's heart. I march towards my husband's office on the top floor of Steele Corp Building, carrying a present in my hand. It's our third anniversary and I thought I'd give my husband a surprise. I just came back from the OBGYN. I placed my ultrasound photos inside a small box and wrapped it with a ribbon. "Excuse me, Miss Carlisle. You need an appointment to see the CEO," Tara, my husband's secretary, blocks the entrance to my husband's office. "Or do you want me to call your supervisor?" She raises a haughty brow at me, acting like she's above me. Well, I suppose she is above me. She is the CEO's executive secretary, sitting in the office at the top floor, while I'm just a graphic designer with a cubicle on the third floor. I have been married to Steele Corp's CEO, Kayden Steele, for three years. But sadly, no one in the office knows about it. "Umm..." I force a smile on my face. "Mr. Steele called my extension and personally asked me to bring the present that arrived for him." I motion at the box in my hands. "A present? From whom?" "His wife, maybe," I reply nonchalantly. Tara smirks. "You know he's still single!" See? Not even his secretary has a clue. "Although, I wonder if it's from that woman he asked to be picked up at the airport." "What?" Now, it's my turn to be surprised. "What woman?" Tara raises a skeptical brow at me again. "That information is none of your business," she replies. Then she turns to open the door to Kayden's office. "The graphic artist is here to see you, Sir?" "Let her in," I hear Kayden say. As I walk past Tara, I can't help smiling at her smugly. If she only knew what I'm carrying in my hands right now. This gift, this wonderful news, is going to bring my husband closer to me. This baby will change everything! I close the door behind me, and with wobbly legs and a big smile of anticipation on my face, I walk towards Kayden. He looks up from the papers on his desk as he watches me intensely. I almost lost my nerve as I remembered how devilishly handsome he was, with his midnight black hair, and blue-gray eyes. We've been married for three years, but he still takes my breath away. "Kayden," I call, my voice almost squeaking. "I have... some news for you." "Before you say anything, I have something to say to you, too," he says in a voice laced with ice. When he speaks so coldly to me like that, I wonder if he's the same man who makes hot love to me at night. "Oh, okay. What do you want to tell me?" I ask. He stands up from his seat. I cannot read the expression on his face as he stares back at me in silence. "Kayden, what is it?" He sighs heavily before turning away from me, as if he can't bear to look at me when he says what he needs to say. "You see, when I was young, I vowed to marry someone," he mumbles. "But unfortunately, I couldn't because..." he trails off, heaving another sigh. "But now, she's back in town. And I don't think I can do this anymore, Cassie." Wait, what did he mean by that? He turns around. His eyes look distant, devoid of any emotion. "This is not working out for both of us. I want a divorce." Divorce? The word keeps ringing in my head like a deafening siren. Sure, this marriage was far from perfect. But in the years that I've been married to Kayden, I tried to be the perfect wife. I made sure I gave him no reason to regret ever marrying me. "But... why?" Tears begin to brim my eyes. “Come on, Cassie. Did you really think this marriage was going to last?” he asks. His voice was ice cold, and his face almost stoic. “You know it wasn’t my choice to get married. You drugged me and threatened to expose my indiscretion the same week that I was going to be announced as CEO of Steele Corp! What was I supposed to do? Of course, I had no choice but to marry you!" I shake my head. "No, Kayden! I told you before that I didn't drug you. That night, somebody drugged me, too! I-I was framed. I don't even remember how I got to your room that night! Somebody made it seem like... like I staged it all!" He sighs heavily. I doubt that he heard anything that I just said. Or maybe he did. He just doesn’t care. “It doesn’t matter anymore. I managed to gain control of my father’s company. Your family got whatever it is you wanted to gain out of this marriage. Maybe it’s better we walk away now, while we still can. Before we tear each other apart.” “I gave my life to this marriage, too, Kayden!” I tell him evenly. “I didn’t plan on marrying a stranger as soon as I graduated university! This was against my will, too. I also have dreams I gave up because of this marriage.” “How could I believe you? Your father was too eager to give you away. And his business suddenly boomed, didn’t it? I was desperate to gain control of my father’s company. And you just took advantage of my vulnerable situation.” I can’t believe I’m hearing this. In the three years that we’re married, I can hardly remember when Kayden showed me any affection. He’s always been reserved and indifferent. It wasn’t a perfect marriage, but I never thought he’d ask me for a divorce so soon. My hands tremble. The box I'm carrying drops to the floor. My wonderful news, my little ray of hope, completely forgotten. "Tricking you into marriage is the last thing I would do!” He scoffs. “But that’s exactly what you did, didn’t you? I dreamt of building a family for myself. On my own terms and at the right time. Marrying you felt like I wasn’t given a chance to choose what I wanted for myself.” I shake my head, unable to control the tears that's flowing from my eyes. I realize that no matter what I say or do, Kayden will never believe me. "Is that why no matter how hard I tried to be the perfect wife... even after the many nights we made love, you... you never learned to love me?" Kayden's face remains relentless as he stares back at me. "Love? When you trapped me in this marriage, were you thinking about love at all? Your father bagged his biggest clients at the mere mention of my name, remember? It’s all about money and power. Of course, I could never love you!” I inhale deeply. It's painfully obvious now what the man I had desperately loved for three years thought of me: a gold-digging, scheming bitch! Looking back at that night, I know that somebody had spiked my drink, and somehow, I ended up in Kayden's penthouse. And the morning after, somebody had tipped the paparazzi and made it look like I blackmailed Kayden into marrying me. I know that somebody had set me up. I just don't know who. Kayden inhales deeply. “How could I love anyone who robbed me of my will?” "You're wrong, Kayden," I sob. "It seems that after all these years, you never saw me for who I really am." Kayden shakes his head. "It doesn't matter now. My lawyers are already preparing the divorce papers as we speak. Let's do this as quietly as possible," he says. "Anyway, there are only a few people who knew you were my wife." I nod, feeling numb. "Yes. You did an excellent job keeping me a secret." That was his first request to me: keep quiet about the marriage. Thinking about it now, he must have been planning to divorce me since then. Why did he wait three years to do this? I wipe the tears on my cheeks as I struggle to compose myself. I know that when Kayden makes a decision, there's very little chance that he'll change his mind. "An—anything else you want to say?" "One last thing," he replies. I look up at him, pretty sure that there's nothing he can say that would make me feel any worse than I do at this moment. He takes a deep breath and announces, "I don’t want to see you around the office. You're fired!"	LEARN_MORE	https://www.novel-oasis.com/share/middle/gawbuzqsl	Lereader-Excellent Novel	https://www.facebook.com/61550357834620/	675	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	www.novel-oasis.com	VIDEO		https://www.novel-oasis.com/share/middle/gawbuzqslewpmb4l5gkdmnht?ad_id={{ad.id}}&sid=120219993614970651&campaign={{campaign.name}}&adgroup={{adset.name}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480825701_1257216312010600_3415184519244558427_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3_bSlFsU7ewQ7kNvgHjPWgk&_nc_oc=AdhiWJVnmTUOF1POe087Xw_sOJYqLIUztCq3p-K3z38TVB-FNn1YMqH9h6kh7V20AkCB7j4-8XFCebFszJu1Uudu&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AhkCwi8TWwgzxp1PVcokhEr&oh=00_AYBWH_sGdw_V6L2ByMLuONxfGe3cvxnv17nZkXtVHDvFdg&oe=67C72904	PERSON_PROFILE	Lereader-Excellent Novel	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
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2,706,828	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2706778}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	🔥 Download Goodnovel to read the full novel 😍👉👉👉👉 "Seducing My Ex's Father In Law"	Today was supposed to be the day my fated mate and I got engaged. But now I’m watching him kiss another woman. Marrying her could make him the future Alpha because she’s the daughter of Gavin Landry, the most powerful Lycan chairman in the world. A couple of months ago, our Alpha died during a battle, and now all the candidates are competing for that position, including my mate, Ethan. Everyone knows the Lycans control the werewolf population. And Gavin? He could singlehandedly appoint everyone the new Alpha. So, Ethan made his choice. Her, not me. “Get me a whiskey and a martini for the lady,” A deep voice sounded from nearby. “Is it the future bride, or the future groom that’s got you in a mood?” “I’m just not into parties,” I decided to say. “Nor am I,” he murmured. “I’m here out of obligation.” The bartender placed my drink in front of me and I immediately took a sip, sighing in contentment. I waited for it to do its job and finish numbing the pain. Every time Ethan kissed her it destroyed me a little more. How had my life taken such a devastating turn? How could my fated mate do this to me? Did our 2 years together truly mean nothing? Did the mark on my neck mean that little to him? “Thank you for the drink,” I told the man. I took one last sip of my martini and started to get down from the stool, except my blouse snagged on the corner of the counter and just as I heard a tearing sound, I began to fall to the ground. I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the impact, but it never came. Instead, I felt strong arms wrapping around my body, lifting me into the air. I opened my eyes and peeked up at the man who caught me, and my breath hitched. He was so handsome. He held me with ease as if I weighed nothing and I could tell from the feeling of his arms around me that he was muscular. He smiled down at me and a dimple appeared on his right cheek. I wanted to lick that dimple. “Madam, are you falling for me?” He asked teasingly. I stared at him for a heartbeat longer before I squinted my eyes at him, seeing what he did there. “You’re a funny one, aren’t you?” He grinned. Then he looked at my shirt and immediately frowned. “Let me take you to my suite upstairs,” he said, making my heart skip a beat. “What?” I said in barely a whisper. His eyes met mine and I got lost in their beauty for a moment. Goddess, his good looks were sinful. “Your shirt is ripped. I have one you can wear upstairs in my VIP suite,” he explained. I blinked a couple of times and gave a nervous chuckle. “Oh, alright. Thank you,” I managed to sputter. He turned to the bartender. “Charge our drinks to my suite,” he ordered. “Yes, sir.” I allowed the man to carry me out of the room. His arms were so warm that I found myself resting my head against his broad chest, breathing in his minty scent. My wolf was practically purring in my mind. She’d been quiet for most of the evening while she licked the wounds the broken mate bond had caused. But right now, it was as if she had forgotten she was heartbroken. “Take off your shirt,” he instructed once we were in the suite. He had released me and was walking to the closet. “Excuse me?” I squeaked. “So, you can put on a new shirt,” he explained. “Right,” I breathed. I lifted my ripped shirt over my head and threw it onto the bed, leaving me in only my innerwear from the waist up. Once he found a shirt, he turned around to face me, and his entire body froze as his eyes trailed down my body. I was too busy checking him out to notice him staring at me but the longer I stared at him, the more I started to recognize him. Then, realization struck me, and I gasped. “It’s you…” I breathed, taking a step back. His eyes shifted upward and met mine; his brow arched. “You know me?” He asked. “I know of you,” I clarified. The corner of his lips tipped upward as he walked towards me, slowly, as if he were stalking his prey. I could practically hear the sounds of my heartbeat. “And what do you know of me?” “Only what I’ve heard…” I admitted. “And what have you heard?” “You’re Gavin Landry, Lycan Chairman. You’re a heartbreaker. You have a new woman each week and you never sleep with the same woman twice.” He raised his brows. “Is that so?” He asked. “Tell me more about myself.” Heck, he's the father of the bride and Ethan's future father-in-law? I'm confused, I don't know what I should do. But I'm not surprised I didn't recognize him at first. The Lycan family isn't high profile, they're more used to staying behind the scenes than becoming politicians and celebrities like werewolf Alpha. Should I tell him who I am? But that would be foolish at this moment. He continued to walk towards me, and I continued to walk backward until my back hit the wall. “What more do you want to know?” I asked, my voice coming out breathy. “Everything.” I’m not sure if it was the martini speaking or me, but I decided to be bold. If Ethan can indulge himself in someone new, then so could I. I lifted my gaze to meet his as he neared closer. “Your eyes…” I started to say. “I’ve heard that they were mesmerizing, and I must agree.” “What else?” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “When you smile, you have this adorable dimple on your cheek…” I whispered. He was only inches from me now, staring so intently at me that I thought I would burn up under his scrutiny. He licked his lips, drawing my attention to his mouth. “And your lips…” Before I could finish that sentence, his mouth crashed into mine. His kiss was anything but soft and sweet but filled with hunger and possession. I kissed him with just as much eagerness. His tongue made its way to mine, tasting every inch of me. He lifted me into the air, my body pinned between the wall and him. Instinctively I wrapped my legs around his waist and allowed him to deepen the kiss. His tongue trailed down the nape of my neck and warmth spread across my body as I felt him nibbling my soft flesh. All self-control and common sense left my mind the moment we kissed. All I could think about was Gavin; he consumed my mind, body, and soul entirely. I pulled at his tie, wanting to take it and his shirt off. He helped me undo his tie and then lifted his shirt over his head, tossing it to the ground. I let my fingers explore his body; they roamed over his torso and up his broad shoulders. I moaned into his mouth as his tongue found mine again. “Are you sure you want this?” He asked between kisses. “Yes,” I rasped out. “We are both willing adults, so why not?” We kissed again and just as he was about to take off my innerwear, I received a tearful mindlink from my adoptive mother. “Judy! Please, come home!” She sounded panicked; my mother never panicked. Hearing her voice was like cold water being dumped on my head and I gasped. I let my legs fall from around him and I pressed against his chest. “Stop,” I said breathlessly. “I have to go.” He frowned. “I don’t have much patience; stop joking,” he says, a hint of anger in his tone. “I’m so sorry. But I’m sure you have plenty of other options,” I said and started to run towards the door, but he grabbed my arm, stopping me. I whirl around to face him, my own anger rushing to the surface but before I can say anything, he points to the bed. “Your shirt is ripped, remember?” I looked down at my innerwear with a frown. “Oh…” He sighed, grabbing his shirt and putting it over my head. I inhaled deeply and warmth spread throughout my body; it smelled like him. …… The moment I stepped into the house; I could hear my mother sobbing. “Judy?” My mother sobbed; I could hear that she was in the kitchen and my heart stuttered at the sound of her broken voice. “Your father was taken away by the Gammas tonight.” Chapter 2 Judy’s POV My heart fell into my stomach. “What?!” I gasped. We lived in a decent-sized house; my adoptive father, being a successful businessman and a Delta of the Redmoon pack, had a lot of money. “He was arrested,” she explained. “He made a bad investment for the company, and he ended up losing all the money. He went completely bankrupt and now he owes the pack so much money. Until he pays it, they put him in jail.” “They can’t just come and take him away like this,” I said, standing to my feet, hardly able to contain my emotions. “Without any warning? That’s not fair!” “They can do whatever they want. The Beta is under the jurisdiction of the Lycans, and it was his decision. Loan sharks are ruthless, and nobody wishes to deal with them. It’s easier to just get rid of the problem and right now… your father is the problem.” Before I could say anything more, my phone started to ring. I reached into my bag and pulled it out. I frowned when I saw the name flash across the screen. “I heard about your father,” Ethan’s voice was soft as he spoke, and my traitorous heart skipped a beat. I hated how my body responded to him still; it was because of this foolish mate bond. Even though he rejected me, and I accepted it, that didn’t mean it severed our bond. It won’t be severed until he marks someone else.“I might have a suggestion though. But I’d like to tell you in person. Come outside.” I quickly left the kitchen and walked out of the house. Ethan was leaning against his car with his arms folded across his chest. Goddess, I hated how good he looked. I had been in love with him for longer than 2 years. He was my friend, my confidant, my fated mate. When he rejected me, it destroyed everything I had dreamt of. I wrapped my arms around my body, desperately trying to hold myself together. “Why are you here?” I asked him after a long and awkward silence. “I wanted to talk to you,” he replied. “Why?” The corner of his lips tipped upwards as he stared at me; I nearly melted under his scrutiny, and I had to shift my gaze to look at the ground. “Because I can help you,” he answered. “Your father’s funding chain is broken, and he now owes a lot of money. I know for a fact that he doesn’t have that kind of money, especially now that his business has gone under. But I do.” I lifted my gaze to meet him; he was serious. “Are you saying you’d pay my father’s debt?” I asked him. He nodded. “Yes,” he answered. “And what would we have to do in return?” I asked, almost afraid to ask. He smirked, which gave me an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. “There is a condition,” he confessed. I waited silently for him to continue, my eyes never leaving his. “After I get married, I want you to drop out of school and become my mistress.” I couldn’t have heard him correctly; I stared at him with my jaw practically on the ground. “Excuse me?” I managed to sputter. “You want me to what??” “Drop out of school and become my mistress. I already have a luxurious home for you to live in. You would never have to want for anything. I’ll pay off your father’s debt and give you more money than you could dream of.” “How… how could you ask me to do such a thing?” I asked in a choked whisper; tears threatened to spill from my eyes, but I kept them away, not wanting him to see my break. He stepped closer to me, and I felt rooted to the ground, unable to move away. My wolf was whimpering about his request; she couldn’t believe our mate could ask such a thing from us. She was gutted and I hated that she was put in this position. “Because we’ve always been so good together, Judy,” he said, reaching out and touching my arm gently. “We will always have this strong connection, even if I mark someone else. You and your family would be set for life… all you have to do is say yes…” He was rubbing his fingers up and down my arms and I felt sick to my stomach. I finally found the strength to step away from him, my body trembling. “No,” I said, meeting his eyes. “I would never become your mistress.” His eyes darkened. “I’m about to become the Alpha, Judy. You must get with the times. Becoming my mistress would only benefit you and plus, don’t you want your father out of jail?” “I will find another way,” I said through my teeth. “If that’s all you came here to say, then I’ve heard enough. You can leave.” He raised his brows as he stared at me. He studied me for a moment longer like he expected me to change his mind at any moment. “You’ll change your mind,” he told me as he stepped away from me and towards his car. “And when you do, I’ll be here. But until then, your father will remain in prison.” “I’ll figure it out,” I said to his retreating back. “We don’t need you, Ethan!” He chuckled as he opened his car door and then he turned back to gaze into my eyes. “In order to get him out of prison, you’ll need at least 5 million dollars. When you realize that there’s no other option, you’ll come to your senses. I’m sure of it.” Without another word, he got into his car. I watched as he drove away, disappearing into the night. It was only when he disappeared that I allowed myself to fall to the ground. Tears streamed down my cheeks before I could stop them. 5 million dollars? How was I going to come up with that kind of money? —————— I had two classes this morning and one later in the afternoon. My first class was warrior training, and my second class was shifting, both of which I excelled at. I was going to college for Gamma training so that once I graduated, I could prove myself to the Gamma force and become a warrior. Then I would easily be able to pay off my father’s debt and save my family. “You look terrible,” my best friend, Nan, pointed out as I sat beside her against the large Oaktree; the very tree we always met up at. “It was a rough night,” I admitted as I took out my textbook to study. “Where did you go last night? When I returned, you were gone. Did you leave early because of the engagement party?” I bit my lower lip as I thought about what to say to her. If I lied, she’d be able to see right through me. I was a terrible liar initially, but Nan could read me like a book. “I ripped my shirt, and someone brought me into his room to change,” I said, feeling my cheeks growing warm at the memory. She raised her brows, and I could barely look at her. “You went to someone’s room?” She asked. “Whose?” I was quiet for a moment, and she grabbed my arm, getting my attention. “Judy, who did you leave with?” She asked, now her voice was filled with alarm. I knew there was no getting out of this conversation. I bit my lip and peeked up at her through my lashes. “Gavin Landry,” I squeaked. Chapter 3 Judy’s POV “Shut up!” She gasped. “Are you serious?? You went to Gavin Landry’s VIP suite? As in THE Gavin Landry?!” I nearly tackled her; she was being so loud! “Keep your voice down!” I scolded, attempting to cover her mouth with my hands but she was too quick and dodged me. “How can I possibly keep it down when my best friend went to Gavin Landry’s hotel room last night and waited until now to tell me!” She exclaimed. Nan was a waitress at the hotel restaurant the engagement party was at last night. The hotel, called Carter Resorts, was in the human territory, and it was owned by Patrick Carter, the Delta of the Silver Crescent pack. Which happened to be Gavin Landry’s pack. I wasn’t surprised to see Gavin there last night, especially considering his daughter was the bride-to-be. I was less surprised to see that he had a VIP suite at the hotel. I sighed. “It all happened so fast, and I had a bit too much to drink,” I admitted. “I forgot when I got home because other stuff happened.” I wrapped my arms around my body and looked up at her concerned eyes. “What else happened?” She asked, her voice dropping to a whisper. I took a deep breath, and I told Nan everything that happened, right up until Ethan came over and asked me to be his mistress in exchange for him paying off my father’s debt. By the time I finished talking, Nan’s jaw had dropped. “The nerve of that scum!” She hissed. “How dare he! He rejected you and now he wants you to be his bit on the side?! He has zero shame.” “I’m not sure what I’m going to do, Nan,” I whispered. “There’s no way I could come up with 5 million dollars to pay off my father’s debt.” We both fell silent as our thoughts consumed us and then her face lit up. I knew that look well and it grew nervous as a smile spread across her face. I knew right away that she had an idea, and I also knew that I wasn’t going to like it. “You said that he gave you his shirt to wear?” She asked. I nodded. She gasped and grabbed my arm. “Isn’t it obvious, Judy? Gavin is into you. That’s the only reason he’d give you his shirt. He wanted his scent on you! He's very picky. In all my time as a waitress, you're the first woman he's ever offered.” I gawked at her. She had officially lost her mind. “Gavin’s not into me,” I said, shaking my head. “He gave me his shirt because mine ripped. There was nothing to it.” “Why would he even care?” Nan asked, folding her arms across her chest. “He’s Gavin Landry and doesn’t need to care about any of this. Besides, you mentioned that he kissed you heatedly. You were ready to go all the way with him, which is huge because you were planning on waiting until after you were married. There had to be some kind of connection last night.” I glanced at my hands. “Or maybe I was just hurting and wanted to get back at Ethan,” I murmured. “Plus, I had a little too much to drink.” “Drunk actions are sober thoughts or something like that,” she said, waving away my words. Then, she smirked. “You could use this to your advantage. Do you still have that lingerie you bought for your wedding night? You should pay Gavin a little visit and make him an offer he can’t refuse.” ___ I knew it was a bad idea the moment she spoke the words, but her words continued to replay in my mind for the remainder of the day and night. When I woke up the next morning, my mind was made up. I went to my closet and grabbed my red lingerie. I had only tried it on once and I felt a little self-conscious wearing it, but I knew the night of my wedding when I finally gave myself over to Ethan fully, it wouldn’t matter what I was wearing. My heart ached at the thought, and I quickly brushed it out of my head before I started to cry again. I dressed in the lingerie, and I grabbed a long trench coat, wrapping it around my body. I left my hair down and I put on a little makeup to make my features pop. For the last day or so, my mother had either been speaking on the phone to lawyers, visiting my father in prison, or in her room. I had barely seen or spoken to her since I told her Ethan wasn’t going to help us. I hated knowing I disappointed her, but hopefully, this would fix all our problems. It was no secret where Gavin’s office was; everybody knew the famous Gavin Landry Corporation. When I walked through the front door, the receptionist was typing on her computer. She barely spared me a look as I approached the desk. “Good morning, I’m here to see Gavin Landry,” I said as politely as I could. The receptionist looked upward at me and blinked a couple of times, looking less than amused. “Do you have an appointment?” “Uh, no, but—” “Look, I don’t have time for this. Countless women come in here and request to speak with Gavin and I’m going to tell you what I tell them. Mr. Landry is incredibly busy, and he doesn’t have time or patience to be dealing with another fan girl,” she said bitterly. “And what gives you the right to turn away those who come to see me?” A deep voice boomed. Chapter 4 Judy’s POV “Mr. Landry,” the receptionist said, quickly standing to her feet. She suddenly seemed disheveled, and I wanted to smirk with satisfaction, but I kept it held in. “I asked you a question, Laura,” he said, narrowing his eyes at her. “What gives you the right to send away guests? You know the protocol. You are to call my office, and I am the one who decides whether or not I will see them or not. Not you.” She swallowed and glanced at the ground as if staring directly at him physically hurt her. “Come with me.” It took me a second to realize he was speaking to me, but when I saw the receptionist glaring at me and Gavin’s retreating back, I nearly stumbled over my feet to catch up to him. He walked through a luxurious waiting room until we reached a glass elevator. It was very high-tech with a touch screen attached to it. He brought up a keypad and typed in some sequence before pressing the floor number. He stood so close to me that the elevator felt almost cramped, despite it being a wide space. I could smell his incredible minty scent, mixed in with his aftershave and my heart skipped a beat. He didn’t bother looking at me though and I was starting to doubt this plan would work. Maybe he didn’t like me as much as I thought he did. I felt awkward knowing that under this coat was nothing but lingerie. The elevator came to a halt and the doors opened. It was an extremely large space with marble flooring and granite walls. “Where exactly is your office?” I asked, staring around the gorgeous area. He glanced at me; his face kept indifferent. “This is my office.” My eyes grew large at his words. He continued walking until he rounded the corner and sure enough, there was his desk right in front of large windows that overlooked the human city. It was gorgeous and my stomach twisted with nerves. He didn’t bother sitting on his desk chair. Instead, he turned to face me, leaning against his desk and folding his arms across his chest. I swallowed the lump in my throat as I took him in. He wore a white dress shirt with sleeves rolled up halfway, showing off his incredible muscles and his dark dress pants hugged his waist perfectly, showcasing his incredible form. My wolf purred with satisfaction, and I found myself staring at him for way longer than I intended to. He cleared his throat, making me nearly jump out of my skin as my gaze shot upward and met his. He was smirking at me, as if to say, “Caught you.” My cheeks burned from the embarrassment I felt. “So, what did you come here for?” He asked, breaking the tension between us. Oh. Right. The reason I’m here. “I have a problem, and I need your help,” I said in a rush. He raised his right brow. “What kind of problem?” I cleared my throat before continuing. “My father was arrested the other night,” I blurted. “His business went bankrupt, and he owes a lot of money. Roughly 5 million dollars.” He was silent as he stared at me; I realized he was waiting for me to continue. Probably wanted to know how I needed his help. “I was hoping you’d be able to help him and maybe pay the debt for my father so he could get out of prison?” I asked, biting my lip. He was quiet for another moment, processing my request before he ran his hands over his face. “And what would I get in return for helping your family?” He asked. I swallowed the lump in my throat. Confidence: I needed confidence. I held my head up high and looked him right in the eyes. It was known as a challenge to look an Alpha directly in the eyes, even worse so looking a Lycan directly in the eyes. But Gavin wasn’t as angry as I thought he would be, instead, he looked intrigued. “Well,” I began, I dropped my voice low as I stepped closer to him. “At the party the other day, we obviously had a connection…” I felt my cheeks growing hot as I spoke those words. “And I thought maybe…” I took a deep breath and undid my coat, revealing a portion of my lingerie, but not all of it. Not yet at least. His eyes darkened as he gazed over my body, and I nearly melted under his scrutiny. I suddenly had a surge of confidence, and I reached my hand out to touch his arm. “I thought maybe I could do some favors for you in return,” I said in a sultry voice. “I’m a college student and very clean. I haven’t done it before, but I’m on birth control, so you don’t need to worry about anything.” His breathing grew heavy as he straightened his posture, closing the small gap between us. His nearness was intoxicating, and my heart started to race against my chest. His scent enveloped me, and I couldn’t remember the last time I felt this delirious. He reached his hand up and I felt his fingers glide down my cheek, sending a wave of warmth throughout my whole body. We were so close together that I thought I was going to pass out from the heat that consumed me. His eyes were dark like they were the night in the VIP suite. He swallowed hard and I watched his Adam’s apple move slightly. I closed my eyes, preparing for him to kiss me. I could feel his breath on my lips and just as I leaned in close to him, getting ready for his embrace, it never came. Instead, I felt him adjusting my coat, covering my body. My eyes flew open, and I looked at his stern expression. “Do you really think I need to pay a woman for her body?” He asked, breaking the silence. “You said it yourself that I have many options.” My cheeks flushed immediately. “I just thought—” “You thought you could use your body to pay for my help,” he said, interrupting me. “You are still young, Miss Montague. You will regret taking such shortcuts in the future.” How did he know my name? I hadn’t told him. Had he looked into me? My heart skipped a beat at the thought, but his words were slowly crushing me. He didn’t want me. I lowered my gaze, hating how hot my face was getting. I knew he could see just how embarrassed I was. When he spoke next, he softened his voice and spoke with compassion. “Look, I have a daughter,” he told me. “I would never teach her to use her body as a transaction. I want more for her and her future, and I expect better from her.” He reached his hand and caressed the nape of my neck with his fingertips; my breath hitched as I gazed into his eyes. “I expected better from you,” he added; my heart fell into my stomach and disappointment consumed me. He was right. I was better than this. I nodded my head and opened my mouth to speak, but I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to see a couple of security guards standing nearby and I whipped around to look at Gavin with wide eyes. “I’m afraid my time is up, and my patience has run out,” Gavin said, looking at me briefly before glancing at the security guards. “Accompany Miss Montague out of the building, please.” “Yes sir,” they both said. They stood on each side of me, and I stared at Gavin with shock. I didn’t fight or argue with the security guards as they told me to come with them. “Thank you for your time,” I managed to say before I turned and left the office. I wanted to cry because of the shame, but I knew more importantly I needed a new job. …. “I’m so excited we get to work together,” Nan said with a wide smile. “And you look great in that uniform.” I looked down at my uniform. I felt ridiculous in this thing; it was a short skirt and a crop top that showed way too much bosom. I felt like I was on display. Especially at night when this place pretty much turned into a club. These men are wealthy and would tip generously. It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up when I was struggling for money. “That’s what friends are for,” she said, nudging my arm with hers. She looked behind me and sighed. “Looks like we are getting a group of guys. Good luck,” she said. I sighed and turned to greet the customers but then I froze when I saw who was amongst them. Ethan. Chapter 5 Judy’s POV “You were right,” I heard one of his friends saying. “She does work here. This is going to be so good.” “Hey, call girl, can we get a table, or are you just going to stare at us?” Call girl? I placed the menus on the table for them and waited for each of them to take a seat. “I’m not a call girl. Please, take your seat.” As I leaned over the table to put the beer in front of each of them, one of them grabbed my rear end. I felt my entire body freeze. “I like this little uniform on you. How about you take it off and see what’s underneath.” My entire body went hot as I stepped back from the table, forcing his hand to drop. “Do not touch me,” I said loudly to each of them. “Oh, come on, Judy. Aren’t you here to satisfy men?” Another of his friends asked. “So come here and satisfy us. Sit on my lap.” I pressed my lips together. “I’m not a call girl,” I told them for the final time. “I’m a waitress.” “You got this job because you’re hot,” one of them chuckled. “The manager didn’t care about your skills. He cared about whether or not you could flirt with the customers and make him a lot of money. I’m willing to give you a good tip if you let me see what’s underneath your uniform and sit on my lap.” I felt my blood going cold from his words. “Come here baby girl,” he said, patting his lap and winking at me. I just stared at him, disbelieving. I looked at Ethan who was watching me, waiting to see what I would do. How could he just let his friends speak to me like this? At one point, he would have never allowed this. He would have punched anyone who looked at me with desire in their eyes. Now, he was acting as if he didn’t care. “I’ll give you 10 thousand dollars if you drink this entire beer,” one of his friends asked. My mouth nearly fell open. “What?” I asked. “You heard me,” he answered. “Drink this whole beer and you’ll get 10 thousand dollars.” “We’ll all give you 10 thousand dollars each if you drink all of our beers,” another one said. I stared at the beer and then at the men. My eyes landed on Ethan once more; he raised his brows, waiting for my answer. Swallowing my pride, I stepped towards the table and grabbed one of the glasses. I really didn’t like beer, but money was money, and I knew Ethan’s friends were rich and could pay that kind of money easily. I needed the cash to get my father out of prison and pay off his debt. I brought the cup to my lips and let the liquid run down my throat. I winced at the bitter taste, but I kept pushing myself until the cup was empty. His friends were cheering and chanting as I drank the contents of the cup. I slammed the cup on the counter and looked at the next guy who slid his beer at me, winking as he did so. I chugged his beer as well. I only got halfway through the third glass when I felt a firm grip around my wrist and I was yanked away. I heard Ethan’s friends booing and telling him he was a party pooper. I had no idea where Ethan was taking me; he was quiet until we reached outside and then he whipped around to glare at me. “Accept my offer and stop this foolishness,” he ordered. “I won’t be your mistress, Ethan,” I told him, narrowing my eyes, my head fuzzy from the beer. “You can forget about that.” “You’d rather act like a little call girl instead?” He asked through his teeth. “You looked ridiculous in there!” “Why do you care? You have your fiancé. This is my private business, and my private business no longer includes you.” “You are still mine, Judy. You will always be mine,” he growled. I wanted to laugh at his ridiculousness, but I also wanted to cry. He was so sweet at one point; I spent more than 2 years loving this man. Now as he stood before me, I realized he was a stranger. “I am not yours,” I told him, glad that my voice came out stronger than I felt. He let out a bitter laugh. “Fine, be a call girl for all I care,” he growled. “Spread your legs for money because that’s all you’re good for—” Before I could stop myself, my hand swung and made contact with his cheek, causing a loud slap. He didn’t flinch but he did grow angrier as he went to grab my throat. He froze though when he looked at my neck and I watched the color draining from his face. “What the heck,” he hissed. He grabbed my chin and yanked my head to the side. “Is that a lovebite?” I realized when getting dressed this morning that the lovebite Gavin left on me the other night was still there. It was fading, but visible. “So, what if it is?” I asked. He released my chin and glared at me, his gaze icy. “Who the heck have you been with?” “That’s not your concern,” I retorted. I turned to walk away, but he gripped my arm, making me whimper in pain as he whipped me around to face him again. “Answer my freaking question, Judy! Who have you been with?!” Through gritted teeth, I answered, “Gavin. Your future father-in-law. Happy now?” He released me and let out a bark of laughter. “Are you kidding me? You don’t have to make up such a ridiculous story,” Ethan said through a fit of laughter. I heard more laughter from nearby and I realized Ethan’s friends were crowding around. “Is she talking about Gavin Landry? He has standards. He would never go for a girl like, Judy.” “Yeah, Judy is a call girl and Gavin is a Lycan chairman. There’s no way,” another friend laughed. “I’m being serious,” I told them, folding my arms across my chest. This time Ethan did grab my throat, and his gaze turned almost deadly. “Stop playing me for a fool and tell me the truth,” he growled. “Gavin would never want someone like you. You are nobody. You don’t fit into his world. ” I couldn’t breathe as his hands tightened around my throat, so I couldn’t respond. “Now, how about you do as I say and move into the house I bought? Once I get married, I’ll see you frequently at night and you can spread your pretty little legs for me only—” There was a loud honk from nearby, making Ethan drop his hold around my neck. I coughed and rubbed my sore neck as he glared at the person interrupting us. I glanced at the black limo and frowned when the door opened. I gasped when I saw Gavin seated in the back, his eyes on me. “Get in,” he ordered. I stared at him, disbelieving. “I won’t ask you again, Judy,” he said through his teeth. I felt Ethan’s shocked eyes on me as I quickly hurried towards the car and got in, closing the door behind me. “Drive,” he instructed the driver. “Yes, sir.” The car started to move; Ethan stood on the curb; his mouth nearly dropped. His friends were equally shocked. Gavin glanced at me, and I felt my cheeks redden. “Using me to make your ex-fiancé jealous, are you?”	LEARN_MORE	https://getokn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16927&u	Enjoying reading	https://www.facebook.com/61559698863477/	310	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	getokn.com	VIDEO		https://getokn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16927&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/482323879_9284935548265765_7429998419693969211_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Hse3EBscDuEQ7kNvgF98n6u&_nc_oc=AdjXV_OHoqXrTYgKkk7HhLyjZX0se1sTzYfhDw5XmyRb9h2O-LdmFhKhgEvRYHAP1UitWiYNeL9j2Jrl1sV-I4NQ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AY2iNOEeoBFCVckcfBVMoQW&oh=00_AYDnXwxidb1dCmf3g-1Fg-ejlFME9qNDhi91qC6v8r_JwA&oe=67C70F21	PERSON_PROFILE	Enjoying reading	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,706,835	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2706833}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	Two girls. One crown. Who's the real heiress?	Hailey Kaplan, a wealthy teenager who decides to conceal her true identity when she transfers to Western High, a public school. Tired of being known only for her family's wealth, Hailey hopes to make genuine friends and experience a normal teenage life. However, her plans are thrown into chaos when Candice Mathis, the daughter of the Kaplan family's maid, arrives at school posing as the Kaplan heiress. Candice quickly rises to the top of the social hierarchy, while Hailey finds herself at the bottom, subjected to bullying and ridicule.	WATCH_MORE	https://w2a.reelshort.com/w2a/booksAdvPageV2/?book	Reelshort-Video stories	https://www.facebook.com/100090841033078/	608,953	1969-12-31 18:00	Watch more	w2a.reelshort.com	VIDEO		https://w2a.reelshort.com/w2a/booksAdvPageV2/?book_id=6746aa92c946defef504c9ff&chapterId=5epijo1kve&chapterIndex=1&mediaType=fb&px=25247865436%253A1813&push_type=2&book_type=1&campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481258298_485606937952951_7163630987509092711_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Yhe4EcxGy28Q7kNvgF0m1i-&_nc_oc=AdjZdu9ojirROzFz0t65Y7hhgXfB4vQunFzLG1r9Msa8pMcOVOtPDdtvczuxc0bYFhSQ5aJKZK-C5nJVlYxrkiov&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AY2iNOEeoBFCVckcfBVMoQW&oh=00_AYALTpgnHEtQGottJjDNKgHCQhvFmm9yMKXua-gsaNVV3g&oe=67C734C3	PERSON_PROFILE	Reelshort-Video stories	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,707,580	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2707166}'	No	2025-02-28 00:31	active	2651	❤️😍Continue reading👉👉👉	Trapped and whipped by two men, I couldn't scream a single sound because I'm mute... ------------------------- As evening fell, Blair Davidson had prepared a feast, eagerly awaiting her husband's return for dinner. The hours crept by, and at one in the morning, her husband still hadn't come home. The wall clock ticked steadily, marking time in the quiet house. The once-warm dishes had grown cold, mirroring Blair's dejected heart. With a quiet sigh, Blair collected the untouched food and moved it to the kitchen. She began reheating everything, hoping to preserve some warmth of home. Just then, she heard the front door open and quickly turned around. A tall, striking figure in a business suit walked in. He seemed unsteady on his feet, having clearly been out drinking, but somehow this only enhanced his natural charm. This was Blair's husband, Rhys Davidson! Blair rushed to welcome him home. She had prepared a special drink for him, but as she offered it, his unsteady movements caused it to spill across the floor. Before she could step back, Rhys moved closer, tilted her face up, and kissed her suddenly. Then Rhys swept her up and carried her toward their room. His intentions were clear - he was seeking physical comfort. Rhys placed Blair on their bed with urgency. As she tried to sit up, Rhys's body pressed against hers, pinning her to the mattress. His strength overwhelmed her; resistance was futile. She couldn't voice any objections even if she wanted to. Being mute, silence was her only option. Blair surrendered to the moment. Rhys trailed passionate kisses down her neck and chest. Noticing her quietness and stillness, he touched her cheek gently, whispering, "Why so quiet?" Tears welled in Blair's eyes at his question. Her condition meant she couldn't express pleasure vocally like other women. She wondered about his question - did he ask despite knowing her condition? Was he trying to hurt her? Or was there something deeper behind his words? Blair responded by kissing him and running her fingers along his body... Rhys's arousal grew intensely; his manhood straining against his clothes. Unable to wait, he undressed them both and joined their bodies as one. Blair's beautiful features tensed with discomfort. Despite their previous intimacy, she always felt completely filled. His size was overwhelming! Being his wife had its challenges... Yet soon, the initial discomfort gave way to waves of pleasure. Chapter 2 Their intimate moment was intense - despite her mixed feelings, Blair couldn't deny the physical connection. With Rhys's athletic build, their encounter lasted a full hour. They reached their peak together... Dawn had broken when Blair next opened her eyes. Rhys was in the bathroom, leaving her alone with her thoughts. As the passion faded, emptiness crept in. Her heart ached; Rhys's actions spoke of desire, not love. She wondered about her place in his life. Was she truly his wife? Or merely a convenience? A buzz from the bedside table interrupted her thoughts. Rhys's phone! Someone had messaged him. Blair caught a glimpse. It was from a woman - Raven Brooks. The message read: "[You said you'd be with me tonight. Why'd you go back to that worthless mute?]" The words cut deep into Blair's heart. So that explained his late return - he'd been with another woman... The bathroom door creaked open as Rhys emerged, freshly showered. Blair quickly looked away from the phone, pretending she hadn't seen anything, and continued dressing. Rhys approached the bed, grabbed his phone, and studied Blair's face. "Did you check my messages?" he asked casually. Blair shook her head quickly. She recalled his wedding day words: "Don't fall for me. I'll provide for you, but that's all." He'd made it clear - love wasn't part of the deal. Even if she had seen the message, what right did she have to react? Her feelings meant nothing to Rhys - whether she felt jealousy, sadness, or pain. Those denied care have no right to anger. Her love, her emotions - to Rhys, they were probably just inconveniences... Blair signed: "I'll make breakfast." Fighting her body's soreness, she rose slowly and headed to the kitchen. Rhys watched her fragile form retreat, then deleted Raven's message. Soon, breakfast was ready. They ate in silence. "You're coming to the Davidson Estate with me," Rhys suddenly announced. Blair nodded with her usual smile. Rhys observed her. Blair's constant agreeability and perpetual smile seemed to erase her identity. A person without spirit held little interest... After breakfast, they drove to the Davidson Estate. Blair had entered Rhys's life through his grandfather, Fletcher Davidson, who had a soft spot for her. Three years ago, a critically ill Fletcher had ordered Rhys to marry Blair. But Rhys's heart belonged to another then. That woman was Raven, who'd just messaged him. Childhood sweethearts, Raven and Rhys had grown up together. Despite his feelings for Raven, Rhys couldn't defy his grandfather and married Blair. Blair loved Rhys, though she couldn't voice it. One-sided love in marriage was destined for heartache. Marriage had taught Blair this harsh truth. Rhys's heart remained with Raven... They arrived at the Davidson Estate. The house buzzed with excitement - Rhys's sister, Skylar, had just had a son, and they were celebrating. Blair followed Rhys inside. Margaret, Rhys's mother, was cradling her grandson, beaming. Her smile vanished at Blair's appearance. Her dislike was obvious. Blair greeted her, but Margaret ignored her, focusing on Rhys and Skylar. Blair accepted the slight quietly, maintaining her composure. Skylar glanced at Blair, saying, "The baby's adorable. When will you and Rhys have one?" Margaret scoffed, "One mute in the family is shameful enough. Another would be unbearable!" Rhys glanced at Blair, who lowered her head in pain. Skylar's question wasn't innocent. The previous year, Blair had been pregnant, but Margaret had forced her to terminate, fearing another mute child! Chapter 3 When Rhys learned about it, he remained silent, offering no protection. Under the pressure, Blair had no choice but to end the pregnancy. She often wondered about that child - they would've been turning one by now... Besides Fletcher, the family rejected Blair, especially Skylar, who harbored deep resentment. Blair had entered their lives when she was five. Skylar, jealous of their grandfather's affection for Blair, tormented her for being mute. She'd lock Blair away, burn her hair, and once even pushed her down the stairs - an incident Rhys witnessed. He scolded Skylar then. Already bitter about their grandfather favoring Blair, Skylar now faced her beloved brother's criticism for hurting Blair. Her hatred only grew. Back then, Blair couldn't sign or write to report the abuse, so Skylar's cruelty intensified, with Blair bearing the brunt of every mood swing. As they aged, Skylar's tactics shifted from physical to emotional warfare. She deliberately brought up pregnancy, knowing it would reopen Blair's wounds. Such calculated cruelty! "We're leaving," Rhys announced abruptly. "Why the rush?" Skylar protested. "At least finish eating!" "Work calls," Rhys replied curtly, leading Blair out without a backward glance. Skylar watched them leave, her anger mounting. Rhys should love Raven, not Blair. Why was he defending her? In the car, Rhys lit a cigarette, clearly agitated. Blair waited quietly beside him. When he finished, he turned to her. She maintained her gentle smile, like a servant awaiting instruction. Her lack of reaction and submissive attitude unsettled Rhys. He despised spinelessness. People should show anger when wronged! Yet, he felt a twinge of sympathy. "What are your thoughts on having children?" he asked. Blair's surprise showed briefly before she signed: Your mother's right. If the child is mute like me, it's better not to have one. Life had taught Blair harsh lessons: every hope eventually shattered. The sweeter the dream, the more painful its end! Like when Fletcher bought her a birthday cake as a child. Before she could make her wish, Skylar shoved her face into it. She'd lifted her frosting-covered face to find everyone laughing at her misfortune. She'd smiled through her tears. After so much pain, Blair dared not hope anymore. "We weren't careful last night," Rhys mentioned suddenly. "There might be a chance..." Blair signed: I'm on birth control. Rhys watched her graceful fingers move - long and elegant from years of signing, their dance-like movements oddly captivating. After a moment, he looked away, started the engine, and muttered, "That's good." Blair lowered her gaze. Rhys stopped at Blair's workplace, a coffee shop. There stood Raven. She always managed to find him. Tall and striking, with endless legs and cascading curls, Raven commanded attention. Watching Rhys and Blair exit the car, fury blazed in her eyes. Raven carried herself like the wife, while Blair seemed the outsider - yet Blair held the legal claim to that title! Chapter 4 When Raven spotted Rhys, she knit her eyebrows and asked, "What brings you here?" Her eyes fell on Blair standing next to him, noticing light bruises on her neck. The sight made her blood boil. Holding back her anger, Raven flashed a smile at Rhys. "I just wanted to see you," she said sweetly. Rhys turned to Blair, "Get inside and start your shift." Blair nodded and walked toward the coffee shop. This was her workplace - the only place that had given her a chance after countless rejections. Once Blair was out of hearing range, Raven grabbed Rhys's arm playfully. "Are you still mad at me?" Instead of pulling away, Rhys simply said, "Let's talk in the car." Before climbing in, Raven pulled out sanitizer from her purse and sprayed the seat where Blair had been sitting. She looked up with a smirk, "Got to clean up after trash sat here!" Rhys just watched her silently, letting her do as she pleased. Through the coffee shop window, Blair watched everything unfold. She saw how Rhys let Raven get away with everything, how much he cared for her. People who are loved think they can do no wrong. Rhys was so into Raven that even her most outrageous behavior seemed okay to him - even when she was dissing his wife right in front of him. After sanitizing the seat, Raven finally got in the car. She fixed her curls and grabbed Rhys's hand. "Come on, why so serious? I promise I won't bring up divorce anymore!" Though Rhys spoiled Raven rotten, he'd always get upset whenever she mentioned divorcing the mute woman. Sure, Rhys claimed he didn't love Blair and only felt obligated to her, but that still drove Raven crazy. Raven was the jealous type - she wanted Rhys all to herself. She couldn't stand the thought of sharing him with anyone, even a mute woman! Plus, her gut told her Rhys was lying. Something inside her said he might actually love Blair but just couldn't show it. That thought made Raven even more furious and deepened her hatred for Blair. Rhys lit up a cigarette, leaned back, took a couple of deep drags, and let the smoke fill the car. "Look, Raven," he said. "I promised you'd never want for anything as long as you're with me. Even without marriage, I'll take care of you forever. I keep my word." He turned to face her. "That's my promise to you, just like the one I made to my grandfather." Before his grandfather died, he'd made Rhys swear to look after Blair for life, whether he loved her or not. And Rhys had promised! In his whole life, Rhys had only made promises to two people: his grandfather and Raven. Promises! Damn promises! Those words always set Raven off! "Yeah, I know you're a man of your word," Raven said through gritted teeth. "But I was in your life first!" After finishing his smoke, Rhys flicked the butt out the window and took Raven's hand, his voice soft. "I'm sorry. What do you want?" Raven tilted her head, thinking. "I'm over my Ferrari. I want a Maserati now!" A slight smile crossed Rhys's face. "Done." "And one more thing," Raven added. "Don't go see that mute Blair for a month." Rhys paused for a moment before nodding. "Okay." Satisfied, Raven beamed. "Let's go, you've got work!" Blair watched Rhys and Raven drive away, her heart breaking. The cloth in her hand was all twisted up from her grip. She smoothed it out on the table, like she was trying to smooth out her own tangled emotions. Just then, someone spoke up, "Your husband's getting cozy with another woman right in front of you. Doesn't that make you mad?" Chapter 5 Blair turned to see who was talking. It was Lauren Hayes, lounging in her chair, giving off a light scent of designer perfume. She owned the coffee shop and had become Blair's friend. Lauren was tall, about 5'10", with short hair, wearing a black tee and casual pants. When she kept quiet, people often mistook her for a guy. During Blair's job interview, Lauren had playfully squeezed her cheeks, catching Blair off guard. It wasn't until Lauren spoke that Blair realized she was actually a woman. Blair put down the cleaning cloth and signed with a smile, "I'm used to it." Lauren watched Blair's fingers move and noticed her red-rimmed eyes, her heart going out to her. As Blair's friend, Lauren knew all too well about the raw deal Blair got in her marriage. Lauren handed Blair a coffee, saying, "Here's your favorite, just brewed. Give it a try." Blair thanked her and took a sip. It was perfect! A smile lit up Blair's face. With her fair skin, when Blair looked at someone, she looked just like a helpless puppy - the kind that made your heart melt. That's why Lauren couldn't resist pinching her cheeks. Blair wasn't into it at first but got used to it over time. It's crazy how things become normal after a while! Lauren had a big heart. She even watched videos to learn sign language just to understand Blair better. Now she could get most of what Blair was signing. Suddenly, Lauren grabbed Blair's arm. "Come upstairs, I need your help with something." Blair quickly set down her coffee and followed Lauren up to a corner room on the second floor, filled with colorful paintings. Besides running the coffee shop, Lauren was also a "painter." Though she gave herself that title - she hadn't sold a single painting yet. Her parents had shot down her dreams of studying art, so she'd opened this coffee shop as a front for her secret painting studio. Once inside, Lauren plopped Blair onto a stool. "Don't budge. You're my model for today." Blair sat perfectly still. Lauren loved using Blair as her muse and had done tons of portraits of her. As the morning wore on into lunch hour, a massive downpour started outside. Rain drummed against the windows, creating a cozy vibe inside. The bad weather drove more customers in, making the downstairs crazy busy. Lauren and Blair had to put the painting on hold to help out. Being short-handed, even Lauren, the boss, had to pitch in with deliveries. She asked Blair to come along. Lauren jumped on her motorcycle with Blair riding behind her. Blair wanted to take an umbrella despite the rain, but Lauren wouldn't hear of it. According to Lauren, motorcycles were cool, but umbrellas on motorcycles? Not cool at all. So Blair just clutched the coffee close, shivering on the back of Lauren's bike. The rain was coming down in sheets, with thunder and lightning making the noon sky look like nighttime. When Lauren's motorcycle pulled up outside a particular building, Blair's face fell. Because this was Rhys's company! Chapter 6 Lauren helped Blair get her helmet off; they were both soaked to the bone, but the coffee Blair was holding stayed dry. Lauren joked, "These people are crazy. Big fancy company, but no coffee maker, so they've gotta get delivery." Taking the coffee from Blair, Lauren grinned, "Wait here, I'll be right back." Blair nodded and quietly walked to the entrance to wait. Staring at the wall of rain in front of her, Blair's mind wandered. It was pouring just like this the day Fletcher brought her to Rhys's house. She'd hidden shyly behind Fletcher while nine-year-old Rhys checked her out. Rhys had asked who she was. Fletcher had teased, "Your future wife. Interested?" Nine-year-old Rhys had sneered, "I don't want some monkey for a wife." She really had been scrawny and pale back then, with dry, straw-like hair - probably looking worse than a monkey at the zoo. But then he'd added, "How're you gonna be my wife when you're so skinny? You need to eat more." Even though Rhys was just kidding around, Blair always took his words to heart. Lost in these memories, a voice snapped her back to reality. "With this awful rain, I don't feel like working. I'm outta here!" It was Raven, clicking out of the company gates in her heels, when she spotted Blair standing there, drenched. "Blair?" Raven was on the phone with Rhys, who caught Blair's name on his end. Glancing back at the building, then at Blair, Raven hung up. "Here to see Rhys?" Blair shook her head. Raven raised an eyebrow and strutted over, smirking, "Rhys says you're so innocent, but you're not fooling anyone. Coming here all wet and pathetic for sympathy?" She tugged at Blair's dripping hair mockingly, "Playing the poor little victim!" Raven's face oozed smugness. "Drop the act. Rhys doesn't give a damn about you. You're just like some stray he took in!" Blair pressed her lips tight - maybe from the cold rain, they'd gone ghostly white. Raven didn't need to spell it out; Blair knew it all too well. The way Rhys looked at her was exactly how he looked at their pets at home. He loved their cat too - if he forgot to feed it before work, he'd come all the way back just to do it. Just then, Lauren came back with the coffee. She quickly stepped in front of Blair protectively and sized Raven up, saying, "Back off, you home-wrecker! Leave Blair alone!" Raven's face darkened as she glared at Lauren. "How dare you!" Lauren crossed her arms, giving Raven a mocking once-over, "What's wrong with calling it like it is? Am I lying? You're nothing but a cheap home-wrecker!" "You..." Raven sputtered, her face turning purple. She hated being called that. If it weren't for Blair, she should've been Rhys's wife! Why was she getting trash-talked? Used to getting her way because of Rhys's favor, Raven had never been dissed like this to her face. She raised her hand to slap Lauren. But Lauren wasn't having it. Before Raven could strike, Lauren beat her to it. Raven went down with a shriek. The slap left her face swollen, and she twisted her ankle in those stilettos. She clutched her foot, tears streaming down her face. Lauren looked down at her with disgust. "You really thought you could hit me? Serves you right, you home-wrecker!" Through the pain, Raven shot Lauren a hate-filled glare. Lauren grabbed the shocked Blair. "We're out of here!" Blair kept looking back. She saw Rhys rushing out, scooping Raven up from the ground. Even through the rain, she could see how gentle he was with her. But Rhys never noticed Blair standing there in the rain. Lauren revved up the motorcycle and disappeared into the downpour. The heavy rain blurred Blair's vision until the tall building behind them became just a shadow in the storm. Chapter 7 Raven let out an annoyed sigh, turning her head away from him. A security guard came over with some security camera footage and handed it to Rhys. "Sir, here's the video footage." As Rhys watched the video, his expression darkened immediately. He'd been to Blair's workplace before and knew Lauren, along with her other identity she kept hidden. But Blair wasn't in the footage. Rhys tossed the tablet onto the table and said to Raven, "I'm taking you to the hospital." Even more upset by how little he seemed to care, Raven shot back, "No way! Let my leg break - at least then I won't have to hear people calling me a sl every time I go out." "Don't be stubborn. We're going to the hospital," Rhys insisted. "I said no!" Rhys picked her up and walked out. Blair sat behind Lauren on the motorcycle, rain streaming down her face. She carefully held onto Lauren's waist. Even in the cold rain, Lauren's back felt warm. She wanted to thank Lauren but couldn't speak. In her twenty-three years, besides Fletcher and Rhys, Lauren was the first person to ever stand up for her. Lauren glanced down at the hand on her waist and silently sighed. In the freezing rain, what fell on Lauren's back felt warm - they weren't raindrops, but Blair's tears. She was finally letting herself cry in the downpour. Instead of heading back to the coffee shop, Lauren drove Blair home. After parking, Lauren got off the bike, walked Blair to her door, took off Blair's helmet, and smoothed down her wet hair. "Get changed - you don't want to catch a cold. He won't care if you get sick!" Blair nodded and signed, "Hold on a sec." She rushed inside and came back with an umbrella, offering it to Lauren. Lauren hesitated but took it, not wanting to hurt Blair's feelings. Lauren smiled and said, "Okay, I'll take it. Now get inside, quick!" Blair lingered, seeming to want to watch her leave. "You're something else, you know that?" Lauren opened the umbrella, propped it on her shoulder, got on her bike, and rode off smoothly. Her voice carried through the rain, "See you later!" Blair watched until she disappeared, a smile playing on her lips. If Rhys had been there, he would've noticed this smile was different - more real. Blair sneezed. Even after taking a hot shower and some cold medicine, she still felt woozy. When she checked her temperature, it read 103 - she definitely had a fever. After taking some Tylenol, she crawled into bed and passed out. When Blair woke up, someone was sitting by her bed. The room was so dark she thought she was seeing things. She rubbed her eyes and switched on the light. There sat Rhys, legs crossed, in a black shirt with the top buttons undone and sleeves rolled up, showing off his muscular forearms. An expensive watch on his wrist screamed money and status. His face was stone-cold as he stared at Blair. "Sleeping pretty good, weren't you?" Blair knelt up on the bed, quickly signing, "Sorry I overslept. Have you eaten?" Ignoring her question, Rhys said flatly, "You're done at the coffee shop." Shocked, Blair signed, "Why?" "Lauren's bad news. She'll be a bad influence on you. You're not going back there. I'll find you something else." Usually, Blair just went along with whatever Rhys said. Not this time. She signed, "I like working there. I want to stay." "I said no!" His voice went ice-cold, his eyes drilling into her. Blair bit her lip but held his gaze. It was the first time she'd ever dared to look at him this way. Blair signed, "Is this about what happened at the company?" "You've got some nerve bringing that up. Who took Lauren there?" Rhys's eyes narrowed. Blair looked down but didn't explain, just stubbornly signing, "I want to work there!" "You really want to test me on this?" Rhys's voice was filled with anger. Blair didn't move. Rhys stood up and headed for the door. At the doorway, he turned back to Blair. "Don't let me catch you hanging around Lauren again!" He walked out without another glance. Still super dizzy, Blair touched her forehead - still burning up, even her breath felt hot. She shook her head, jumped out of bed barefoot, and chased after him downstairs. On the stairs, she grabbed the bottom of his shirt. Rhys stopped and turned. "What now?" Blair pressed her lips together, stared at him for a long moment, then seemed to make up her mind. She let go of his shirt. She walked past him to the living room couch, bent down, and opened a drawer. Following her, Rhys saw it - divorce papers sitting right there in the drawer! Those papers had been there for a while, but Rhys never knew. He'd never even opened that drawer before. He stared at Blair in shock and confusion. Blair looked back at him, her eyes saying everything her voice couldn't: Let's get divorced!	INSTALL_MOBILE_APP	http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.t	GreatNovels	https://www.facebook.com/61570845060031/	38	1969-12-31 18:00	Install now	play.google.com	VIDEO		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tapread.reader	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/482197482_1150116639918490_8665356745562286085_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yWCMWgDCsxQQ7kNvgFYvWNJ&_nc_oc=AdiKTbmTWxO_UggZRz6qUyL8BsSdvQ3Ym6dPp6TTs9ybaFkfQLr8YwiSzpYsRPoa_SUTKf9I3vffUcbL2FTW34XY&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AJtOeFQIybgmafAEuHVP68N&oh=00_AYCaMbW6ZUwSrO_txl0KsxoTyUB9D4XQ8MLqLfbdjyp4bQ&oe=67C7331B	PERSON_PROFILE	GreatNovels	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,706,953	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2706727}'	Yes	2025-02-28 00:30	active	2651	The #1 Cream for Nerve Pain 🏆	How do we know that Nerve Balm is one of the most powerful remedies for nerve pain? Because we can't stop selling out! We are busy here at Lune fulfilling orders, but the orders keep rolling in! What's behind the frenzy? Our customers swear by its power to conquer nerve pain. 💯% Natural Ingredients 🥦Packed with 14+ Superfoods 😃Tens of THOUSANDS of happy customers 💳PLUS a money back guarantee if you're not satisfied. ✓ Soothe pain, prickling, and burning ✓ Calm inflammation & stiffness ✓ Fortify the nerve's protective coating ✓ Improve circulation & healing ✓ Provide long-term results Rest assured; we are increasing our production & are committed to fulfilling every order. Put your order in today & secure your jar of the most impactful nerve pain relief balm that you can find!	SHOP_NOW	https://www.luneusa.com/products/nerve-balm	Lune	https://www.facebook.com/100085237752848/	839	1969-12-31 18:00	Shop Now	luneusa.com	DCO	★★★★★ 4.7	https://www.luneusa.com/products/nerve-balm	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481941592_968393945438297_717004794761209252_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=P1HzfuhuRdAQ7kNvgGZsYnR&_nc_oc=Adhp90dmEJUNMnmCA68RFKjAUowX6scKefTRCaaBgCvuGmP6ABLtr3rfykeNj_Jy6G3tsKx8VoAdCFSKbS748oJl&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=APo6jsbWvg77h6sUSXISibs&oh=00_AYAyL_YYKk6MHgUY2sXxSAZ7RNQDJVHbRCXkbVWN63PzEA&oe=67C74136	PERSON_PROFILE	Lune	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete

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