The Dressmaker Ham Novel

Celeste Harrington has lived her life as a ghost in her own family, hidden and humiliated while her half-sister basks in wealth and admiration. Forced to work as a maid in the Harrington luxury empire, she quietly gathers the family’s darkest secrets, waiting for the day she can strike back. That day comes when billionaire Damien Chen, known as “The Executioner,” saves the collapsing Harrington empire with one shocking condition—he demands to marry the family’s hidden firstborn daughter, Celeste. Thrown into a cold marriage built on power and revenge, Celeste discovers Damien has his own agenda to destroy her family. But as they form a dangerous alliance, hatred turns into trust, and control turns into obsession. When buried truths about her mother’s death resurface, Celeste is pushed into a final war against her bloodline. In a world of betrayal, power, and lies, she rises from the ashes to become the empire’s greatest downfall and rebirth.

Three years as his fiancée, reduced to nothing more than a soulless trinket. No going out. No friends. No opinions. Every breath I took was measured against Leo's mood. For three years I obeyed him unconditionally, trying to warm the heart of this mafia tyrant. Then today, in the fitting room at the atelier, his adoptive sister Alice snatched my couture wedding gown right off the rack. She didn't even have the decency to do it behind my back; she walked straight into Leo's arms while I stood there watching. Leo barely glanced at me. Just patted her head and said, “It's just a dress. Let her have it.” Three years of patience, and that's what it came to. A joke. I looked at the two of them, that smug, triumphant, and I thought: Marciano, did you really think I wouldn't fight back?

I've been pregnant for six months, but my Alpha mate, William, has delayed our mating ceremony 29 times. He's waiting for his adopted sister, Rita, to find a mate so they can have a "two-couple mating ceremony." The 30th time I altered the waist of my beloved mating ceremony dress, the bridal shop assistant looked embarrassed, "Miss, this dress really can't be widened anymore. How about you choose another one?" Disappointment rose in my throat like bile. I called William, asking when the ceremony would finally happen. But William said: "I will give you an unforgettable mating ceremony, but Rita's mate hasn't been matched yet. Darling, can you wait a little longer? We shouldn't ruin her whole life over such a small thing, right? I know you'll understand. You're always so kind." My heart clenched suddenly. So, my dream mating ceremony is just a small thing. Rita's sweet, high-pitched voice chimed in: "Brother, my mating ceremony dress matches yours so perfectly!" That was the moment I realized I was never the one being chosen. I looked down at my round pregnant belly, tears slipping quietly from the corners of my eyes. Then, with a trembling hand, I dialed the number that had always been waiting for me. "I'm ready to leave." After the call ended, the clerk cautiously asked: "Would you like to choose another one?" "No. Just cancel it, please." I took one last glance at the dress that would never belong to me. If this ceremony was never for me, then I won't stay for it.

I spent seven years making beds, scrubbing floors, and being invisible in a house that had my last name on the front of it. Then my father's empire started crumbling and suddenly I existed again. Damien Chen, the most powerful businessman in the room, had one condition for saving everything my family built. He wanted a Harrington bride. The eldest one specifically. Everyone assumed he meant my sister. But he actually wanted me. The poor broken daughter of the Harringtons. My father had to stand in front of cameras and call me his daughter for the first time in my life. My stepmother looked like she swallowed something poisonous. Vivienne has not stopped plotting ever since. Damien made his agreement clear from the beginning. This was a transaction. I would stand beside him at events, smile for photographs, and stay out of his way the rest of the time. The humiliation of hearing that was worse than anything my family ever said to me. What he did not expect was that I had been watching this business my entire life. And I would be the one to bring it down. I went to Damien with an offer. Help me burn it all down and build something real from the ashes. Teach me how to run an empire. Give me an equal seat at the table. And surprisingly he said yes. Neither of us expected what came after that.

Fashion designer Sylvania Scarlet is about to marry Russell Thompson. But just as she says her vows, masked gunmen storm in. They don’t just steal her wedding ring; they take jewelry, money, and other valuables. But one thing stands out… her ring was meant for someone called "The Don." Shocked and confused, Sylvania becomes obsessed with finding out who The Don is. As she searches for answers, her marriage starts falling apart. Russell, once loving, becomes violent, forcing her to run away and start over. Wanting to rebuild her life, Sylvania starts her own fashion business, Scarlet Fashions, and quickly becomes famous. But she doesn’t know that long before the wedding, she had already caught the eye of a powerful man. Zagaff Manscent, a feared Mafia boss, has been at war with his rival, Victor Morano. When Zagaff first saw Sylvania in a newspaper, he was drawn to her beauty and talent. He wanted her, but he knew the risks. Victor would do anything to hurt him, even going after someone he loved. To protect Sylvania, Zagaff pushed his feelings aside and stayed away. But after the wedding robbery, Zagaff is furious, convinced that Victor is behind it, making their war even worse. One night at Divas Deluxe, Sylvania meets The Don; the man she has been searching for. She is drawn to him, unaware of the deadly battle surrounding him. As they grow closer, Sylvania finds herself caught between Russell, who refuses to let her go, and Zagaff. Then, she finds out she’s pregnant. With danger all around and the fight between Zagaff and Victor Morano getting worse, Sylvania must make a choice among Love, Power, or Revenge. Will she survive this dangerous game… or become its next victim?

She was supposed to be the bride — until her best friend stole her fiancé and her own family handed her over like a bargaining chip. But fate has a wicked sense of humor. On the day of her greatest humiliation, a stranger in a black suit offers her a hand — and a contract. “Marry me. I’ll make you untouchable. And I’ll help you destroy them all.” He’s the illegitimate heir — the one they never acknowledged. Cold. Calculated. Dangerous. Now, she’s his wife in name only. Together, they’ll bring down the ones who betrayed them. But in the game of vengeance, hearts are not supposed to be collateral. What happens when revenge turns into obsession… and a fake marriage starts to feel dangerously real? Betrayal runs deep. Payback is personal. And love? That was never part of the deal… until it was.