Katahane no Riku - Chapter 22.The encounter

[Mature content.]

Chloe Carlson, 35, was a married woman living with her cheating husband— Vincent Gray, and their daughter— Mackenzie.

Her failing marriage led her to file a divorce after 10 years, but her husband refused to sign it.

“I know what you want Chloe, you want my money after we divorced. You want to take everything from me and I will not let that happen!” Vincent accused.

“I don't need your Money, Vincent! I just want to take Mackenzie with me and leave!”

At last, she left her bastard husband without taking a cent from him. She was going to carve her own path in life and give her daughter the best in the world.

However, things aren’t working so well with a single mother like Chloe. It was difficult to find job because she was a housewife without qualification for a long time. Thus, in desperation as she needed to care for her daughter, she only had one way out.

She contacted her brother-in-law— Vernon Phoenix Gray, 25, a young, heartless playboy, who happened to be the CEO of a skyrocketing company, asking him for a job in this tough time.

“A job? That's not an issue. You can work as my personal assistant and take care of all my daily needs.” Vernon smirked and leaned in. “Especially in bed,” he whispered in her ear.

—

Would Chloe fall into the hands of her evil brother-in-law and become a slave of his whim?

Or would she return to her abusive scum husband for their daughter’s future?

—

Note: There is an age gap in this story,

Chloe is 35 years old.

Vincent is 35 years old.

Vernon is 25 years old.

Elias “Grim” Kingsley, a nine-year-old orphan with a hardened heart and sharp tongue, dies alone from pneumonia in an overcrowded orphanage. Known for his perpetual scowl and biting remarks, he's labeled a “problem child” by caretakers and “damaged goods” by potential adopters. Years of rejection have built thick armor around his young heart.In death, he encounters the God of Balance who offers him a second chance at life in a different world—this time as Grim Van Ambrose, son of a noble house. Balance explains that every soul deserves to know love and connection, something Elias was cruelly denied in his first life.Promised the family and belonging he never experienced, Grim begins his new life only to suffer an immediate tragedy: his mother dies moments after his birth. This cruel twist of fate reinforces his belief that loss is inevitable, leaving him with a distant father and the mysterious voice of a “Guidance Assistant” in his head.As Grim grows into his new identity, he struggles with his dual nature—the emotional scars of his past life bleeding into his present one. His difficult personality and sharp tongue remain, now paired with noble privilege and expectations. Despite his outward brashness, he carries the deep wounds of his first life and the fresh loss that welcomed him into his second.What begins as one orphan's second chance evolves into an epic journey through a world of ancient beasts, elemental magic, and deadly political intrigue. As Grim uncovers the truth about the Ambrose Clan's fall from grace and the conspiracy that framed them for treason, he faces increasingly dangerous adversaries—both human and monstrous. His quest for revenge against those who destroyed his family's legacy will challenge him to master forbidden techniques, forge unexpected alliances, and ultimately decide whether to rebuild the Ambrose Clan as it was, or transform it into something entirely new.In a realm where power determines survival and ancient secrets lurk beneath noble facades, Grim must learn that sometimes the greatest battles aren't fought with swords, but with the choices that define who we truly are.

On her wedding night, framed for infidelity and to be burnt alive?Chu Qianli laughed heartlessly, “I've already written the divorce letter for you, farewell.”Feng Yexuan seized her firmly, his cold and sinister voice cutting through the air, “Thinking of leaving? The only way out is over my dead body!”…The Divine Doctor unexpectedly transmigrated into the unlearned Princess of Prince Xuan, and Chu Qianli only wanted to live an easy life without any ambitions.But she inadvertently caught the attention of the obsessive and insane Prince Xuan and accidentally got spoiled to the heavens!One day.The officials approached with gloomy faces, “Prince, the Princess is causing chaos in the Golden Hall again, please reassert your authority!”Feng Yexuan knelt before his wife with a thud, presenting a “taming husband whip” with both hands, “Lili, I've ripped their mouths for you, can you be a little gentler?”

[Mutual favorite sweet text + sick Jiao + cute baby] She is a gifted girl, and she is one step away from the Olympic champion, but she unexpectedly became pregnant, passed her dream and fell to the altar.

He is a genius scholar, a cold-blooded, decisive business wizard, a sudden car accident, it is said that his IQ is only five years old.

The first time we met, in the bathroom, he was pulling her clothes: you looked at my body and you have to be responsible for me.

Well, she’s in charge. No one cares about him, she cares, no one loves him, she loves, no one pets, she pets.

Unexpectedly, on a quiet night, he put her on the bed, little thing, this time it’s my turn to spoil you!

The woman smiled wickedly, why don’t you ask my richest father, actress mother, actor brother, MD brother, and that trash twin brother first?

During the day, she hurt him to the bone.

At night, he spoiled her like his life.

The paranoid, arrogant and sickly male protagonist and the salty and sweet sassy female protagonist tease each other sweetly!

- Description from novelbuddy