Novels by Mayman Hoa

“This girl has been frail since she was a child,” Lana continued, her voice dripping with fake honey. “I have to look after her so carefully.”Aaron didn’t look up. He gave a sharp, curt nod. “Then you should probably focus on your own plate. Stop worrying about everyone else.”The subtext was loud and clear: Shut up and eat.Stunned by his coldness, Lana could only manage a stiff, awkward smile. She glanced at Victor for help, but he signaled her to stay quiet. Unable to lash out at Aaron, she funneled all her simmering resentment toward Zoe.Under the table, Aaron stopped retreating. He shifted his legs, and in a sudden, predatory move, he clamped his thighs shut, trapping Zoe’s straying foot between them.Zoe froze. She tried to yank her foot back, but it was too late. His thighs were like bands of steel, locking her ankle in place.She looked up at him, her eyes wide with genuine shock. Aaron remained a mask of icy composure, calmly sipping his tea, but there was a flicker of a mo

Zoe walked in silence through the desolate hallway. Now that she was alone, the mask fell away. Exhaustion she couldn't vent settled over her; her already pale face turned a ghostly shade of sallow. That little cat-and-mouse game with Aaron had drained more out of her than she cared to admit.But if it meant landing a prize like him, she’d do whatever it took.She nudged her bedroom door open. The room was pitch black and devoid of warmth. The faint, cloying scent of gardenias—Lana’s favorite perfume—lingered in the air.Zoe froze for a heartbeat, then stepped inside anyway, pulling the door shut. The moment the latch clicked, the room flooded with light.Lana Thorne was perched on the edge of the bed, legs crossed, her face a mask of murderous intent. Dressed in a silk nightgown with her hair swept into a perfect bun, she looked every bit the elegant princess. But her eyes told a different story.“Where the hell have you been?” Lana’s voice wasn't its usual sweet facade; it was sharp

His eyes flickered. He knew it was an act—if she were truly afraid, she wouldn’t be here. But for some reason he couldn’t explain, he went along with it.He let out a frustrated sigh, annoyed with himself for his own inexplicable decision. Before the door opened, he sat down on the bed, pulled the covers over himself, and casually picked up a book.Lana entered, a gentle smile on her face. She wore a modest nightgown and carried a cup of fragrant herbal tea.“You’re still awake?” She placed the tea on the nightstand, her eyes quickly scanning the room, lingering for a moment on the slightly disheveled bed. She asked, feigning nonchalance, “I was just looking for my niece, Zoe. You haven’t seen her, have you?”Aaron leaned back against the headboard, his face an emotionless mask. “No.”His coldness made Lana’s smile falter slightly. She knew this fiancé of hers wasn’t fond of her, but she was confident that no man could resist a woman as beautiful and accommodating as she was. It was o

“Climbing into your aunt’s fiancé’s bed in the middle of the night… Have you no shame?” Aaron Kael’s voice was a low growl, laced with contempt. His jaw was tight, his entire body rigid with anger. His eyes, cold as ice, were locked on the delicate figure perched on his bed.The response he received wasn’t shame or fear, but a strangely clear, almost musical laugh.Zoe Thorne leaned back, propping herself up on her hands. The rough fabric of her dress shifted, revealing an exquisite collarbone and a sliver of pale, smooth shoulder.“You know, I’ve been asking myself the same thing.” She tilted her head, her ruby-red lips curving into a provocative smile. “But… I just had to know what my future uncle tastes like.”The fury in Aaron’s eyes deepened. He had never encountered a woman so brazen, so utterly insane.“The Thornes are supposed to be a respectable family. How did they produce someone like you?” he ground out through clenched teeth.“Too bad the Thornes had nothing to do with ra