MTL - I Maximize My Item-dropping Rate - Chapter 196 The Arrangement of the Patriarch

WARNING: DARK AND MATURE CONTENT. Readers discretion advised.Serena Alaric wanted nothing more than a quiet life, far from the shadows of her family’s dark past. But when masked enforcers storm her home and drag her into the clutches of the Council of Vitae, she learns her blood is the key to a deadly legacy she never asked for.Lucian Draven is the cold and ruthless leader of a powerful mafia syndicate, cursed to endure unimaginable pain. The Council claims Serena is his only salvation. Yet beneath the Council’s polished facade lies a web of lies, experiments, and betrayal that runs far deeper than either of them imagined.Forced into an uneasy alliance and given a time limit to produce an heir, Serena and Lucian must navigate a treacherous world of power and manipulation, where trust is a rare commodity. As they uncover the truth about the Council’s sinister plans, their hatred begins to give way to something unexpected—a bond forged in fire and blood.But with enemies closing in from all sides and time running out, Serena and Lucian must decide: will they fight their fates, or embrace the dangerous connection that could either save them, or destroy them both?

[Mature Content:]Alaric was too close to Nicolette.Her mouth was just inches away from his.He could smell the lavender on her skin, the heat radiating from within her.But he held back, refusing to be carried away by her charm…“Mr. Allens…” she purred, and he looked down at her.Her eyes widened with desire, and he knew, in that moment, that if he wanted to kiss her, she would let him.The last thing he wanted was commitment. He knew that Nicolette didn’t want that either.But why was she this tempting?So willing?It was that willingness that confused him.She blinked, then swallowed as she pulled the jacket off her shoulders. His eyes lingered on her exposed neck.God.He just wanted to bury his mouth in that hollow spot.“Here,” Nicolette said calmly, extending the jacket to him.He took the jacket, his hand brushing hers just a second. She flinched, her face turning pink as she clutched the towel against her chest.His stomach flipped at the sight.If only that towel would give way to…Before he could stop himself, Alaric pressed his arousal against her stomach, pushing her against the wall, cornering her.She gasped at the sudden movement and for a moment, he lost his mind.“Cole…” he breathed, crushing himself against her.Her eyes gleamed with desire and a vulnerability that rocked him to his core.He would be foolish not to give in to this feeling.But he would also be a fool if he did.She had chosen to marry him.Not her boyfriend.And definitely not Lucian Crawford.Yet, he couldn't help it.She was only his for a year.But still…***************When her business and the gallery she inherited from her mother burn to the ground, Nicolette Voss is determined to rebuild—and get revenge on her father.She turned to her father’s rival, Alaric Allens, for an alliance.Alaric is willing to help, but on one condition—she must be his wife for a year.They called him Ruthless Alaric after an infamous incident 6 years ago. Alaric is back in town, and so are the crumbs of his past. But he is determined to change everything with a wife.He has his hidden agenda.She needs her revenge.But will this marriage between storm and steel survive the heat? And what will they do when deep secrets threatens to destroy them both?

The plague of insects descended overnight. As an ordinary person without invincible powers and extraordinary exercises, facing blood and death, what should we do at the critical moment of life and death?

(I am a reasonable party, but the novel needs appropriate YY, please do not excessively investigate the rationality of the background in a razor-sharp way.)

- Description from novelbuddy

Pian Pian had once been the biggest bigshot in the whole game, but had disappeared from the Jianghu after being framed.

Soon after, she bought over an account online from the xianyu app, and got ready to raise up this old player’s account. But then she realised that the former user’s online relationship had also been a real-life relationship – with the former user having aborted her scum husband’s baby. Her own female disciple had used her to climb up, and then repeatedly killed the former user to the point that she couldn’t take it anymore and sold her account – it had really been excessively cliche. Pian Pian felt that her plan to abuse the cheating scum husband back, was somewhat refreshing.

Former User’s Husband: “She’s not like you – she’s very innocent. If you have anything to say, say it to me instead!”

Pian Pian: “There’s no need, happy divorce!”

Former User’s Husband: “Ai, why’re you forcing yourself to act strong.”

Pian Pian: “I’m not forcing myself, this is completely real strength. After all, I’m the game’s strongest woman[4].”

Former Disciple: “Hubbie, did you hear her? She said that she’s Boss Han’s woman! Let’s help her spread this happy news around!”

Pian Pian: “Wait, I think you read that wrong!”

Later on, she who had dealt with the gossip surrounding her and Boss Han, had actually met the real deal.

“Pian Pian, I heard that you wanted to become my woman?”

“…You think that’s possible?”

“Of course.”

Under the gaze of thousands, she received a message from the game system.

‘Yi Chuan Han Xing wants to do a pair action with you: forcibly kiss. Do you accept? [Yes] [No].”

- Description from Novelupdates