Rome Must Perish - Chapter 539 - 407: Preparations for War (Part 3)

At her wedding banquet, a man claiming to be Selina's lover stormed in, brandishing so-called intimate photos and causing chaos.Selina immediately saw through this as a scheme orchestrated by her half-sister, Natalia. However, Selina's fiancé, Ryan, not only refused to believe her but also went out of his way to defend Natalia.It turned out that Ryan and Natalia had already developed feelings for each other in secret. Everyone—Selina's father, stepmother, and Ryan's parents—knew about their affair, except for Selina, who was left in the dark.Taking advantage of the situation, Selina's father suggested swapping brides, proposing that Natalia replace Selina and complete the wedding. Ryan's family not only didn’t object but wholeheartedly supported the idea.That was the moment Selina finally realized the cruel truth: her family and Ryan's family were nothing but wolves in sheep’s clothing!“Cancel the engagement? Fine. But let it be clear—I’m the one rejecting you, you two-timing, spineless excuse for a man!” Selina declared with unshakable confidence.Her gaze then swept across the room, landing on an elegant and distinguished man. She vaguely remembered him as Ryan’s younger uncle. Walking over, she boldly asked, “Sir, how about getting married?”The man raised an eyebrow, finding her audacity intriguing. “It would be my honor, madam,” he replied....

[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?

After learning about my girlfriend's infidelity, I got drunk and woke up in the world of the novel R-19.I became a character who is not even included in the extras of the novel — the useless and unnecessary daughter of the Duke de Walt. However, I didn't care about it, because I knew what this world was waiting for ahead.In the near future, the Ruvens Empire will be mired in chaos, and in order to survive it, I decided to quietly sit out in the manor enjoying a luxurious life. Everything went according to plan, until one day I made just one fatal mistake.A year after my rebirth, I accidentally found a wounded commoner in the forest. Out of pity, I decided to take her in and kept her. We lived together until I found out that this was the main villain who was supposed to die at the end of the novel. But because of my interference, the plot of this damn book continued with me!I have to run now! But where...?!After all, this crazy woman is now stalking me.— Where are you going, lady?— I… just went out for a walk.— Take a walk? The border of the empire is not the best place to walk. Let me walk you back.With the sword in her hand, I didn't have a chance to refuse.

Rumor had it that Qiao Xi had a weak constitution—a sickly beauty. Rumor had it that she spent a fortune every day on medications—eating them like candy. Rumor had it that ten servants waited on her by her bed every day—a burden to everyone. They were all waiting for the Qiao family to toss Qiao Xi back to the countryside and leave her to fend for herself.Qiao Xi: "They're all saying that I'm weak and can't take care of myself. Apparently, I spend money recklessly as well.”She looked down at her tattered shirt and was exasperated.Qiao Xi: “Are you saying that this wealthy family lets their daughter wear tattered clothes every day?”The Qiao family's rich daughter? She had enough! She would not be it anymore! Therefore…Scumbag guy: "Without the Qiao family, you're nothing."Qiao Xi: "If I'm kicked out of the Qiao family, I'll be done for."Scumbag girl: "Sis, don't be too disappointed. As long as you work hard, you'll be praised one day.”Qiao Xi: "Shut up, I don't know a traitor like you."The scumbag guy and girl: "???"Rumor had it that the Gu family's youngest son, Gu Zheng, rashly married a woman who had nothing but looks.Qiao Xi: "Is someone looking down on me?"One day, Qiao Xi saw one of Gu Zheng's employees racking his brains over a series of numbers on the computer screen. Since she was free, she lent a hand.Did she just crack the firewall created by the joint efforts of top elite hackers?!Gu Zheng inched closer with every step. "Qiao Xi, what else are you hiding from me? Hmm?"Qiao Xi: "Oh, no! I feel dizzy again! I'm so weak. This body of mine is just too weak!"