The Winner

He was the only man Adrian Vale could never beat. For years, Adrian and Lucien Moreau stood at the top rivals in power, money, and control. When Lucien’s empire suddenly collapses, Adrian finally gets what he’s been waiting for: the chance to watch him fall. But Lucien doesn’t beg. He doesn’t break. And worst of all… he agrees to every demand Adrian makes. Determined to prove his dominance once and for all, Adrian pushes further than he ever has blurring the line between control and something far more dangerous. What starts as a game of power turns into something neither of them planned… and Adrian soon realizes he may not be the one in charge after all. Because Lucien isn’t losing. He’s waiting. As secrets come to light and the truth behind the “collapse” unfolds, Adrian is forced to face the one thing he never expected: his own feelings. Pride turns into obsession. Control turns into surrender. And the man he wanted to destroy becomes the one he can’t walk away from. In the end, there’s only one question left: Was Adrian ever winning… or did Lucien let him believe he was? A sharp, addictive rivals-to-lovers romance filled with power, tension, and a love that refuses to lose.

Elena tried to get out of his grip but he was too heavy for her. “I am married.” She screamed. “You are not, not anymore.” He spoke as he bit her neck to the extent that she felt as if he will snatch out her flesh. “Please, let me go.” “That husband of yours lost you on a bet. I am the winner, and you belong to me. Just me.” She knew what Aslan was saying was right. John had indeed lost her on a poker table as if she was nothing but another of his belongings just like his watch or an old table. She pushed his chest with all her might but failed. It was her end. In this world where women were progressing, she was traded off on a poker table. She smirked at her fate. She was nothing. Nothing, but a lost bet.

My sister Emily and I were both given a Destiny System, a once-in-a-lifetime chance to change our futures. In our first life, Emily chose the Beauty System. She thought beauty would make every powerful man fall at her feet. Instead, it only made her a pretty toy for rich heirs to admire and discard. When she failed to earn genuine love before the deadline, the system took everything back. Her beauty vanished, her admirers disappeared, and she ended up broke, abandoned, and bitter. I chose the Elite Athlete System. I trained until my body nearly broke, became America’s youngest Olympic champion, shattered records, and built a legendary career. Fame, fortune, and success were all mine. Even Ethan Walker, the heir to one of the country’s most powerful old-money families, chased after me. Emily hated me for it. So she rammed her car into mine and killed me. When I opened my eyes again, we were both sixteen, standing before the Destiny System on the very day we first made our choices. This time, Emily shouted before I could speak. “I choose the Elite Athlete System!” She looked at me with a smug smile. “Olivia, this time I’ll be the one everyone admires.” I looked at the Beauty System now drifting toward me and smiled. Emily thought she had stolen my golden future. She had no idea that every gift fate offers comes with a price.

Julian Vale—the undefeated actuarial prodigy—finally lost. In an international match, he got taken down by an intern who had just come back from overseas. The story blew up that same day. Reporters swarmed the training room entrance. "Ms. Clermont, Mr. Vale once said if anyone beat him even once, he'd marry her. Now that he lost to an intern, what do you think?" "Ms. Clermont, we heard the intern is his ex from overseas. Did you know?" My head buzzed. I thought about the five years I spent with Julian. I gave everything every match—and never beat him. I used to think he was just respecting the game. Thought I just wasn't good enough. Not until today—when he threw the match to that intern. That's when it clicked. The girl he wanted to marry was never me. I faced the mics and forced a smile. "That match was rigged."

Before the final match of the national championship, I received some devastating news. As the team captain, I was accused of having stimulants in my water. I was immediately disqualified from the competition and faced severe penalties, including the possibility of a lifetime ban. Amid the overwhelming boos and jeers from the audience, all I wanted was to prove my innocence to my girlfriend. When I called her, she said in mockery, “It’s just 300,000 dollars. You aren’t that broke, are you?” “You’ve already earned more than enough honors. If you’d let Ethan play earlier, I wouldn’t have had to pull this move. “He’s been diagnosed with cancer. He doesn’t have much time left. I had to make his last wish come true.” She had no idea that this match was not just any competition for me. It was my last before retirement. I wanted to win the championship. I wanted to propose to her. I also planned to reveal my identity as the heir of Everglory Group.

WAGERED TO THE BILLIONAIRE BLURB Sophia Mitchell never thought she’d be the prize in a high-stakes game of power and control. But when her gambling-addicted husband wagers her in a desperate bet—and loses—she finds herself trapped in the hands of Alexander Hawke, a ruthless billionaire who plays for keeps. Cold, calculating, and dangerously alluring, Alexander doesn’t believe in love. But Sophia isn’t just another pawn in his empire—she’s a challenge, one that ignites a fire in him he never expected. As she fights for her freedom, their dangerous attraction spirals into something deeper, something forbidden. But when betrayals surface and dark pasts unravel, Sophia realizes the most dangerous game isn’t one played with cards—it’s the one being played with her heart. And in Alexander’s world, losing isn’t an option.