The renowned shadow... - Chapter 36 - :The proposal

Nora is shattered a month before her wedding when she uncovers her fiancé's deceitful affair. As she manages this betrayal, she discovers a deep ploy to hinder her from claiming her rightful inheritance. Devastated but determined, Nora takes a daring step to regain control of her life. Enter Demetri 'The Demon' to those who know him, a formidable man barely known to her, who offers her protection and support in return for a contract marriage to satisfy him. In a twist of fate, Nora marries Demetri to claim her inheritance and fight those who plotted against her. But as she battles her own family and Demetri's many rivals, will she be able to keep from falling for the man known to crush people beneath his booted heel.Excerpt:She had forgotten that the man was intimidating and directly challenged him.Rather than speaking, Demetri rose from his seat and approached her deliberately. Although it was a mere few steps, time seemed to stretch for Nora. When he was almost within touching distance, his hand gently landed on her knee, moving it sideways. His touch moved with a hint of a caress, and he stepped between her open legs. Nora sat there in frozen silence, her eyes wide like a deer caught in headlights.Catching her chin between his fingers, he tilted her face upwards and spoke unhurriedly,“ You are my wife.”She nodded her head slowly in affirmation while his thumb slowly traced her lip. “I have given you time to gather your emotions.”Another nod. Nora's nervousness made her lick her lips, acutely aware of his intense gaze fixed upon them.“Your reason for the marriage was to secure your inheritance and get away from under your mother's thumb.”“Yes...” Nora whispered in confusion. Her confusion was not about his statement but about the bewildering sensations coursing through her. What was happening with her?”It's time for you to fulfil your end of the contract, yes?“ He continued.”Yes,“ Nora whispered breathlessly. Why was she breathless? Had the oxygen level in the house dropped? Was the air suddenly thinning?Abruptly, his hand left her face, and she watched as he drew closer. It was then that Nora comprehended what was unfolding. All those tantalizing, heart-pounding kisses she had read about in novels were about to possibly become her reality.But the anticipated kiss didn't happen. Instead, he paused near her and commanded, ”Kiss me.“

The end of the world has come, the world order is in chaos, and human morality has declined.Li Yu, a cold man, was reborn and won a 30-million bonus at the start of his new life. He built a god-level base and hoarded resources.While others were struggling on the brink of starvation to death, Li Yu was enjoying himself on the rooftop, having a barbecue and drinking beer.

“Black Myth: The Destined One” the mobile game, sent Li Ping'an back to the Journey to the West World where deities and Buddhas had perished, demons roamed freely, and the Three Realms had collapsed. The longer he survived, the stronger he became.Cultivation, Divine Skills, Side Techniques, Magical Treasures... and the like were obtained from the game and could even be taken back to the real world.Black Bear Spirit Bodhisattva, Shadowy Moon Demon Lord, Howling Celestial Dog, Hundred Eyes Demon Lord Bodhisattva, King Huang Feng Bodhisattva, Old Buddha Huang Mei... One after another, those claiming to be immortals, Bodhisattvas, and Buddha Ancestors fell beneath his staff.Only after he had acquired wealth and status in the real world through the Cultivation, Divine Skills, Side Techniques, and Magical Treasures obtained from the game, did he realize that the real world was nothing more than the Nineteenth Layer of Hell in the Journey to the West World...With an undying heart, at ease and carefree, the Destined One Li Ping'an embarked on Journey to the West once more!

At the age of 16, Bian Yue became an orphan, inheriting a massive fortune from her family and becoming the wealthiest young heiress in Xiangjiang. The Li family, close friends with the Bian family, took pity on her and brought her to their home. Upon first meeting Li Siheng, he approached her past rows of black-suited bodyguards and tenderly offered to take her home, a gesture that would captivate her heart for a lifetime. At 22, Bian Yue managed to marry Li Siheng, but under the dim lights, he, with an indifferent tone, confessed his change of heart. Determined to part gracefully, Bian Yue resolved to give Li Siheng a decent break-up.Xiangjiang's newspapers headline the daily news, reporting that Shen Jin, the head of the Shen family, frequently visits temples due to a terminal illness and is on his deathbed. People applaud behind closed doors, citing his ruthless actions as karma. Seeing this, Bian Yue devises a plan. During a continuous downpour in Xiangjiang, Bian Yue sits in the Shen residence, drenched. In the dim light, she sees the distinctly elegant and captivating Shen Jin and hesitantly proposes marriage, to which he coldly agrees. Their marriage is hastily arranged, stirring public uproar.Meeting Li Siheng again after her marriage, Bian Yue takes shelter from the rain. Li Siheng rushes out of his car and runs to her, desperately holding her hand and pleading for a divorce so he could marry her. That night, Shen Jin, who was abroad, returns instantly upon hearing the news and confronts Bian Yue, who had just come home. Lighting a cigarette, he casts a more enchanting silhouette against the night, kissing her fiercely. He promises that the rainy season in the harbour city will end, and he will also wait for her return home.