Novels by Cliff Hanger

Anna's POV The world had watched Freddie Markson’s death unfold, but now, the world had moved on.His empire had crumbled, his enemies had been silenced, and those who remained knew better than to challenge the ones who had orchestrated it all. Anna and Dorian had won—not just their freedom, but the power to shape their own future.They settled into a life neither had ever dared to dream of.A Life Without FearThe estate that once belonged to Freddie was now theirs, though they had stripped it of anything that reminded them of its former owner. The rooms had been redecorated, the walls painted in lighter tones, the heavy, oppressive air of its previous life erased.Dorian had taken control of Freddie’s financial network, diverting assets, cutting ties with anyone who had been a liability. The wealth was staggering—far more than they could ever need. But it wasn’t about the money. It was about never having to run again.And for the first time in years, Anna felt safe.She spent her d

Anna's POV The world was watching.The chaos erupted within minutes.Freddie Markson was dead.The sprawling estate, once filled with laughter and murmurs of power, now buzzed with panic. Security flooded the halls, hushed conversations turning into frantic whispers as news spread like wildfire. Guests clutched their champagne glasses, some gasping, others exchanging knowing glances—men and women who had spent their lives in high-stakes deals, familiar with the consequences of power plays gone wrong.No one knew what had happened. Not yet.But they would soon.And that was why Dorian moved quickly.He had infiltrated the wedding unnoticed, slipping in through the mass of high-profile guests, blending into the sea of tailored suits and designer dresses. He had watched everything—Anna on Freddie’s arm, the way she smiled at him, the way she played her part so well it made Dorian’s blood boil. He had clenched his jaw through every toast, every scripted glance, every sickening display of

The world was watching.Hundreds of guests filled the sprawling estate, their laughter mingling with the soft notes of a grand piano. The ballroom itself was a masterpiece—vaulted ceilings adorned with intricate gold detailing, chandeliers dripping with crystals that refracted the warm glow of candlelight. Outside, the vast gardens were illuminated with soft lanterns, casting long shadows over the manicured hedges and reflecting pools. Waiters in crisp white jackets wove through the crowd, balancing silver trays laden with vintage champagne, caviar, and delicate amuse-bouches.The guest list read like a who’s who of power—Hollywood elite, Wall Street titans, political dynasties, and foreign dignitaries. They moved through the estate like chess pieces, each conversation laced with subtle negotiations and whispered alliances. Tonight wasn’t just about a wedding—it was a spectacle, an orchestrated display of power.And at the center of it all stood Freddie Markson and Anna.The cameras n

Dorian’s POVDorian woke to cold sheets.At first, he thought that Anna was in the shower or making coffee. But the apartment was silent—too silent. His gut twisted. He reached across the sheets, finding them cool to the touch.For a moment, he lay still, his mind sluggish with sleep, but then it hit him—Sophia was gone. She had taken advantage of the night and slipped out.He slept late which was what had made him wake up late as well. He knew it was futile to search for her on foot since she'd have had a wide head start. His heart pounded as he threw back the covers and sat up. The apartment was silent. Too silent. He grabbed his phone from the nightstand and dialed her number. It went straight to voicemail.He tried again. Nothing.Panic gnawed at his insides as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed and stood, scanning the dimly lit room. Her things were still here—her shoes by the door, her jacket draped over the chair. But she wasn’t.Moving quickly, he checked the front do

The wind roared around me as the private jet touched down on a long, isolated runway. I had barely spoken since Viktor led me aboard. Part of me still couldn’t believe I had agreed to this. The USB drive he’d given me burned in my pocket, but I hadn’t dared to look at it. Not yet. Not until I knew exactly what I was stepping into.As the plane taxied to a stop, Viktor unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to me. “This is your last chance to turn back.”I met his gaze. “You and I both know that’s not an option.”His jaw tightened, but he said nothing. He stood and grabbed his coat, nodding for me to follow. The moment we stepped off the plane, a sleek black car was waiting for us, the driver already holding the door open.I slid into the backseat, my fingers curling into my lap as Viktor settled in beside me. The moment the door shut, the car moved forward, gliding through the night.The estate was massive. Iron gates loomed ahead, the emblem on them gleaming under the dim security lights.

The fear never left me. It clung to my skin, wrapped around my throat and sat heavy in my chest. I told myself I was strong, that I had survived worse, but the truth was, I was exhausted.Every night, I laid awake listening to Dorian’s steady breathing. I imagined them finding us, breaking down the door, dragging us back into the nightmare we had barely escaped. I imagined what they’d do to us.After a while I couldn’t live like this anymore. I knew what I had to do.I waited until Dorian was asleep. He always slept light, but exhaustion had finally caught up to him. It was the only chance I’d get.I moved carefully, easing out from under the blanket, barely breathing as I pulled on my coat. My heart pounded so hard I was sure it would wake him. My boots were by the door. I slipped them on, then hesitated. My fingers hovered over the doorknob.If I left now, there was no turning back.I stepped out into the night.The cold bit at my skin as I pulled my coat tighter, shoving my hands i

[Moments Earlier]“It’s about time…”Adam Sanchez rose from his bed with a resolute expression on his face.As his eyes stared into the distance, his face fixed on the door that stood meters away, he had a vacant expression.His lips trembled slightly as he hid the special dagger in his pocket.‘It’s pretty late now. It’s the perfect moment to strike…’To prepare for this moment, his partner had granted him another Enchanted Item—a Stealth Necklace.Using that, along with his sole B-Tier Skill, Adam figured he could get the job done.‘No matter how strong he is… Adonis will be vulnerable in his sleep!’The floor seemed to creak as Adam took steps forward. It could have been his imagination, but the journey to the door felt longer than usual.Reaching the door at last, he placed his hand on the knob with a gentle touch.“Haaa…” He took a deep breath and calmed himself.Clearing his mind of distractions, Adam focused solely on his goal. His goal was simple, and the stage was set for hi

“So… I was thinking…” Rey began, surrounded by Monkey Monsters. Despite the creatures around him, he spoke as if pitching an idea to fellow humans.The excuse he gave himself was that he was simply doing this out of boredom, but Rey failed to consider the possibility that maybe… just maybe he was going insane.“… Instead of picking up your Cores after killing you, couldn’t I just bring a few Hobgoblins with me to do the job?”“GRRRRRRRRRR!!!”In response to their loud growls, Rey raised his hands, as if trying to pacify them and further argue his point.“Now hold on… hear me out! They’ll just be a few. Maybe even just one who’s very intelligent and quick on their feet.”The rationale behind this was simple.While Rey was busy exterminating these creatures, the Hobgoblin would be harvesting the Cores.A win-win!… Well, except for the Monsters being slain.“ROOOOAAAARRRRR!!!”The group of Monkey Monsters—about five of them—leaped from their respective positions at the same time, all of

“This is the place.”Rey and Noah stood in front of a massive building—one of the biggest in the area.Of course, it wasn’t more than three storeys, but it was very wide.It was clear that a lot of activities went on in this building, and it wasn’t for the faint of heart.“You actually did business here?!” Rey was shocked that someone as timid as Noah had the gall to trade in such an intimidating structure.“W-well, I was approached by an affiliate who brought me here.”“A-ahh… that’s true.”According to Noah’s story, he was initially just looking for a place to sell the Monster Cores when he was approached by a guy who told him he’d help him sell the goods.This man then escorted Noah to the imposing building and guided him through the necessary procedures.‘That guy must be the one behind the scam’ Rey figured, connecting the dots.The company must have dealt directly with the so-called Affiliate, who in turn dealt with Noah.He probably pretended to be the seller and got to bargai

“GRRRRR!!!”As a feral beast growled and barked at Rey, he couldn’t help but let out a small smirk, watching the creature closely.‘Well, that didn’t take very long…’ His thoughts trailed off as he observed the creature's unique features.The beast in front of him looked like a monkey—no, more like a chimp—but it had a few distinct differences that made it stand out.For one, its entire body was covered in white hair. Secondly, its pale gray skin and bright blue eyes were definitely not primate-like.Finally, while it was as large as a regular human, due to it squatting in a quadrupedal fashion, it appeared shorter than Rey.‘I guess the last one is pretty much in line with monkeys, huh?’The beast before him had very sharp jaws, as if belonging to a carnivore, and its bright blue eyes exuded nothing but sheer hatred.Despite all of these, though, Rey remained surprisingly composed as he assessed the unfamiliar creature before him.‘I’ve never seen or heard of this kind of creature be

Dorian's POVOnce I left Anna, I went back to my office with the knowledge that the board would be phoning soon. As usual, the call came in just a couple of minutes later. There was that slight calmness in the chairman’s voice, but it was tinged with disapproval.“Dorian, what’s this I hear about an announcement? A relationship with an employee?”I noticed myself counting to five silently before saying anything. As irritating as it is, I am only human and have to factor in the fact that there is a hierarchy that needs to be followed.I completely focused on the task at hand instead of the condescending tone that had come across. “Yes, as I’ve responded to the query raised by the employees in the office, I had to make it very clear in order for everyone to be on the same page and not create tension within the workplace.”“While I get what you are trying to say, there are some ethical issues and the risk of conflicting interests. The board will need reassurances.”“There is no project f

Anna's POVThe cold night air was too much for me as we ran past Berlin’s darkened alleys. The city lights were particularly bright but we kept to the shadows so we wouldn't be seen.My heart pounded as I ran but I kept moving. Dorian’s grip on my hand was firm, pulling me forward, guiding me as if he could sense the safest paths.We barely spoke, just exchanged quick glances as we wove through the streets. Dorian tried calling the organization’s emergency line, his jaw tightening when no one answered. A second call. Nothing. The third went straight to voicemail. He cursed under his breath. We were on our own.The weight of that realization pressed down on me. Whoever had attacked us knew exactly where we were. They had planned this. And now, with our protectors possibly dead, we had no backup. No weapons. No safe place to go. I shuddered as I feared what they'd do if they caught us. A distant shout echoed behind us, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps. My stomach twisted. The

Beth's POV Noah Sherlock had a very small frame for a High School Student.His cute face and unassuming expression made him seem harmless and even fragile to his classmates.As a result, he didn’t attract much attention in class.However, he was also a smartass who was recognized as a teacher’s pet, so he wasn’t liked by many.Since Noah was a smart student who always aced everything he set his heart to, he made a lot of people seem dumb in comparison.All of this culminated in somewhat average Karma Points for him.When it was time to choose his Skills and Class, he could only afford three Skills due to his limited resources.Shadow Magic (B-Tier)Phase (C-Tier)Projection (C-Tier)His Class on the other hand was pretty average as well. He ended up with the [Thief] Class, which focused on stealth and agility.It was quite hilarious how he ended up following the path of his Class to the letter.Thanks to this set of abilities, Noah could easily enter and exit the Royal Estate without

Beth's POV “Keuk!”Billy winced as something landed heavily on his stomach, the force of it creating a rush of wind even before impact.Fortunately, his quick step backward lessened the impact of the blow by a considerable degree.‘A-ahh…!’Still, a sharp burning sensation spread across his abdomen, making him grit his teeth to suppress a cry.It stung him, to say the least, but he endured the pain.He also tried to hide his downright shock, but Billy failed woefully at that.His bulging eyes were glued to Rey, who had resumed his standby stance—almost as if prepared to deliver another volley.‘D-did Rey just land a hit… on me?’ Billy stared in disbelief.Sure, Billy was aware that he lacked the advantage of using his incredible Skills, but his Stats were meant to be superior.How was Rey able to do something like that?!‘Calm down, Billy. He just got lucky. Yes… I was distracted and he had a lucky shot.’After chalking it down to a fluke, Billy found himself regaining composure.The

Beth's POV Noah Sherlock had a very small frame for a High School Student.His cute face and unassuming expression made him seem harmless and even fragile to his classmates.As a result, he didn’t attract much attention in class.However, he was also a smartass who was recognized as a teacher’s pet, so he wasn’t liked by many.Since Noah was a smart student who always aced everything he set his heart to, he made a lot of people seem dumb in comparison.All of this culminated in somewhat average Karma Points for him.When it was time to choose his Skills and Class, he could only afford three Skills due to his limited resources.Shadow Magic (B-Tier)Phase (C-Tier)Projection (C-Tier)His Class on the other hand was pretty average as well. He ended up with the [Thief] Class, which focused on stealth and agility.It was quite hilarious how he ended up following the path of his Class to the letter.Thanks to this set of abilities, Noah could easily enter and exit the Royal Estate without

Beth's POV "Good morning, everyone! Sir Brutus won’t be here today, so I’ll lead your Martial Arts Class instead.”The shock written on everyone’s face as they stared at the person speaking was priceless.No one could have anticipated this outcome, leaving them all staring in wide-eyed surprise.“Adonis is busy with the Alpha Group, so I guess you’ll have to settle for me.” The one who said this, with a bright smile on his excited face, was none other than Billy McGuire.Both Head Warrior Brutus and Grand Mage Lucielle would be away for the next few days, and there was no one left to teach the students, so they had to teach each other.Initially, when this was announced, everyone assumed that training would be put on hold until their teachers returned. How wrong they were…“This has to be a joke, right? Why are you the one teaching us? You’re practically one of us!”As expected, Adam flared up in rage.It was as if he had been waiting for a moment like this where his anger would be

Beth's POV “This is the place.”Rey and Noah stood in front of a massive building—one of the biggest in the area.Of course, it wasn’t more than three storeys, but it was very wide.It was clear that a lot of activities went on in this building, and it wasn’t for the faint of heart.“You actually did business here?!” Rey was shocked that someone as timid as Noah had the gall to trade in such an intimidating structure.“W-well, I was approached by an affiliate who brought me here.”“A-ahh… that’s true.”According to Noah’s story, he was initially just looking for a place to sell the Monster Cores when he was approached by a guy who told him he’d help him sell the goods.This man then escorted Noah to the imposing building and guided him through the necessary procedures.‘That guy must be the one behind the scam’ Rey figured, connecting the dots.The company must have dealt directly with the so-called Affiliate, who in turn dealt with Noah.He probably pretended to be the seller and g

Beth's POV After the Trial, everyone went their way and Rey had to return to his room.Although he had the freedom to wander the central Living Room, he opted to stay put since he preferred not to.No one could blame him.As night descended and everyone else slept soundly, a certain student couldn’t sleep."Damn it…" He muttered, his eyes were wide open as he stared at the ceiling. Before long, he sat upright and clapped his hand over his face.“I screwed up big time…” He murmured in the dark.It was hard to make out the expression on his face, but it appeared to be a grimace. ‘I didn’t expect to be asked for another testimony. It wasn’t part of the plan…’In the dark of the night, Adam Sanchez lay on the bed going over the earlier events of the day.How he had been humiliated before everyone.“I really fucked up!”“Ahh… don’t blame yourself too much.” A voice suddenly said from the corner of the room.“Eep!”Like a little child, Adam shrieked as he jumped from his position, startl