Who Is The Main Protagonist In 'Equal Rites'?

(Alternate Title: The Glorious LifeMain Characters: Philip Clarke, Wynn Johnston) “Oh no! If I don’t work harder, I’d have to return to the family house and inherit that monstrous family fortune.” As the heir to an elite wealthy family, Philip Clarke was troubled by this…

"I didn't do anything wrong," I choked out. "You stuck your nose into my private matters," he hissed. "No one can sentence me without proof," I challenged him. He straightened up. Any traces of a smile abruptly disappeared from his face. "You still don't get it, do you? I own this city. It means that if I say you go to jail, that means you go to jail." He leaned over me again, his stare piercing right through me, "And if I say that I want you, that means you are already mine." My jaw tensed as I resisted an urge to talk back. This wasn't a battle I could win, and this wasn't a man I could win against... How did I get myself into all that mess?! *** My name is Cora Bell, and I'm about to marry Aren Lan, New York's most wanted bachelor. A dream come true? I highly doubt that. The guy is an arrogant, wealthy beyond imagination, asshole. Not to mention that our relationship is based solely on a contract, a contract I was forced to sign when I accidentally ruined this guy's engagement... I used to dream of a simple life. I wanted to graduate from university and work as a software programmer, but my fate chose a different path for me to follow. First, I had to give up on my studies to take care of dear Grandma, and now I'm forced to play the role of a manipulative jerk's loving fiancée! The problem is that my husband-to-be is insanely sexy and enjoys teasing me a bit too much. How the hell am I going to survive being close to him throughout the two years of our fake marriage?!

When poor dressmaker Leah Parker delivers a wedding gown to the powerful Grant family, she expects payment, not a trap. But the real bride, Olivia Grant, has vanished on her wedding day, and the Grants need someone to protect their billion-dollar alliance with cold CEO Daniel Cole. Forced to wear Olivia’s dress and marry in her name, Leah enters a dangerous contract marriage built on fear, lies, and hidden identity. Daniel has never met Olivia, but he quickly senses that his new wife is not the spoiled heiress he expected. She is too quiet, too kind, and too terrified of the family that claims to love her. As suspicion turns into protection, Daniel begins to uncover the mystery behind Olivia’s disappearance—and the truth that Leah was never chosen by accident. In a marriage that began as a mistake, Leah may become the only woman Daniel refuses to lose.

The Andersons' rule was simple and brutal: the inheritance passed to sons, never daughters. So, I lived as a man for ten years. Even Winston Quinn, the one I had been promised to since childhood, had no idea. To him, I was just his best friend. After taking control of everything, I was finally ready to tell him the truth. Before I could say a word, Winston grabbed my arm, smiling like he couldn't be happier. "Sam, there's something I've been keeping from you. Louise quietly came back last month. We're getting married! She really looks like you." My whole body went rigid. That “sister” I had made up, the one who was supposedly recovering overseas? Before I could react, a woman who looked eerily like me peeked out from behind him. She shoved me aside, her expression sharp and smug. "I'm back, Sam. Stop clinging to Winston just because you're my brother. Have some shame. Otherwise, I'll tell everyone you've got twisted feelings for your future brother-in-law!" I looked at the arrogant impostor in front of me and almost laughed from sheer anger. She was Louise Anderson? Then who the hell was I?

After our coming-of-age presentation, everyone at Hemsworth Hall discussed my twin sister's marriage prospects. My brother pointed to the first name in the kingdom's registry of noble houses. "The heir to House Bellamy is the only man worthy of our Lydia." Our childhood friend, a young marquess, blushed as he offered her his formal proposal. "Ignore your brother. Marry me, and we can spend our lives beside the person who has known us since childhood." Our parents smiled in agreement. "Lydia may marry whomever she chooses, as long as she can remain in the capital." Only much later did they remember that I had also reached marriageable age. "Rosalind, you have neither Lydia's beauty nor her accomplishments. A respectable man without a title will do." My brother answered without even looking up. "That way, everyone can remain near the capital and gather during the holidays." My childhood friend gave a contemptuous laugh. "Once you marry, you can't keep acting on every whim. If you disgrace yourself in public, you'll shame more than the Hemsworth name." Inside my sleeve, my fingers slowly closed around the royal marriage charter. Since no one cared whom I married, I would accept the King's decree.

My young mistress's betrothed was dying, and she ordered me to marry him in her place to turn his luck. People believed the joy of a wedding could drive out sickness and misfortune, and that a dying man might be pulled back from the grave by it. "The royal physicians all say Lord Blackwell won't live past seven days! Why should I marry him only to be buried at his side? "He's never even seen me. You can marry him instead. "You're nothing but a lowborn maid. Being allowed to marry the regent is the luck of a lifetime." Before I could react, the glowing words appeared before my eyes again. [Celeste is such an idiot. What does she mean, he won't live past seven days? Lord Blackwell has the male lead's plot armor!] [Baby girl, say yes! Lord Blackwell is a wife-spoiling maniac. He'd give you his life!] [Once Lord Blackwell wakes up, your good days begin. First you'll be freed from your bond, then you'll be made a lady of the first rank, and then you'll rise straight to the top!] I knelt before my mistress and bowed my head low. "Thank you, my lady. I'm willing to marry in your place." The top of the world was too far away for me to imagine, but right now, I truly didn't want to be a servant anymore.