Luminous Scan

All because of Leo Cullen’s words, I gave up a place at a top-tier university in Ceres and stayed behind to retake the entrance exams with him—three times. By the fourth year, a girl arrived at our cram school, and Leo forgot the promise we made. He started skipping class, picking fights, smoking—doing everything but studying. One day, I stood at the school gate, blocking his path with a textbook in hand as he tried to ditch class. He smirked, unimpressed, and blew a bubble with his gum, letting it stick to the ends of my hair. “Naomi…,” he began, “who still cares about studying these days?” So I stopped caring and avoided him entirely. When he fooled around in the classroom, I went to the library. When he played basketball, I sat in a quiet corner with my books. Even when I craved noodles from my favorite shop, I’d scan the room first to make sure he wasn’t there. “Are you avoiding me, Naomi?” he asked later, his face in a frown. I shook my head. “Why would you think that?”

There’s an envelope sitting in the middle of my desk. White. Unmarked. Perfectly centered, like someone placed it there with intention. My name is typed across the front. “Termination of Employment.” My stomach sinks. I scan the rest—employment ended effective immediately… final paycheck processed… return company property… Thank you for your service. He even dared to say thank you. The signature at the bottom makes my throat tighten. His name. Bold. Clean. Like this is nothing but routine paperwork to him. “Xavier Crest. CEO of TechUp” So this is what “no” costs. I stared at the letter filled with rage. Just when Sydney thought her life was starting to come together, her ruthless boss just had to bring chaos into her peaceful and organized life — bringing along his terrible ex who is hell bent on making Sydney’s life a living hell. Forcing her into a marriage, neither of them wants, he realizes Sydney is not as docile as she seemed which only infuriates him the more because NO ONE dares to cross Xavier. She said no. He fired her . Then claimed her. What happens when saying no to the most powerful man in the room costs you everything?

Everyone in the upper crust knows that I love Sasha Ramirez more than anything in the world. For many years, I have done everything for her silently. When her mother was sick, I secretly hired all the most famous doctors all over the nation just so they could cure her. When she started her own company, I invested large amounts of money in order to pave her path to success. Whenever I came across something nice, I'd always present it to her on a silver platter. We've been married for 12 years. I've always believed that my love will eventually make her feel moved. But what I don't expect is that Sasha has been cheating on me with her male secretary, Gavin Shaw, behind my back. When I see an ultrasound scan of Sasha's pregnancy, as well as countless couple photos that Gavin has sent to me, I feel my heart breaking. Instead of kicking up a fuss, I calmly call for a shareholders' meeting and dismiss Sasha from her position as the CEO. I want her to understand that she's nothing without me.

Ilia was never supposed to be chosen. As a half‑breed servant girl, she has no claim to status, no voice within the brutal werewolf packs that govern the wilderness. But when fate delivers a sacred mark meant for another, Ilia finds herself bound to an alpha who should have belonged to someone else. Caelan, the ruthless and commanding Alpha, is torn between honor and instinct. The mark that appeared on Ilia’s skin is a mistake—or so everyone says. Yet every time he looks at the shy, luminous beauty with the voice of a siren and the heart of a fighter, every growl deepens into a claim he can’t resist. With enemies plotting to tear them apart, secrets rising from the mist, and a bond that threatens to consume them both, Ilia and Caelan must choose between obedience and obsession, between the world they were born into and the one they could create together. In a realm where belonging can be stolen, and the heart can be conquered, only one thing is certain: the mark chose her for a reason—and it will burn until it is answered.

I detested clubs and parties but I was dragged here by my best friends for my 19th birthday. As I started dancing I could feel a pair of eyes on me. I began to scan the room subtly until my gaze was connected with a pair of bright green beautiful eyes. This wasn't a man, this was a God. His hair was dark and not too short but just that length where you can push it back and it looks effortless. His body looked sculpted and chiseled as if every little detail about him was carefully planned out. He wouldn't stop looking at me. I tried to avert my gaze until a couple of seconds later I felt two large strong arms wrap around my body. Amara, a young woman of striking beauty and innocence, unwittingly falls in love with the charming and enigmatic Killian, a mysterious figure with ties to the criminal underworld. As their romance blossoms, Amara remains blissfully unaware of Killian's true identity as a feared mafia boss. However, when the truth finally comes to light, Amara finds herself plunged into a dangerous world of deceit and violence. torn between her love for Killian and the realization of the danger he represents, Amara must confront the ultimate question: Will she risk her life for her obsession with Killian, or will she walk away from the tumultuous love they share?

Nocturne Ville, as beautiful as the mystery city might be, has always been a magnet for supernaturals in an alternate America. Although neighbouring cities dismissed the bizarre happenings as fables, its citizens knew that there was more to the lovely metropolis than meets the eye, but they preferred to be oblivious to the reality. It was much simpler. There she was in the centre of it all. Desirée Doyle, who had the gentle and luminous aura of an empyrean creature, was divided between accepting the obvious reality and remaining convinced that everything was a myth. All she cared about was finishing college and escaping Nocturne Ville, which was the source of all her problems. Desirée was just interested in keeping her head down as usual, but the appearance of the intriguing André Baudelaire, a Vampire, appeared to be the solution to the hole she had always felt. Their encounter made Desirée rethink everything she had always believed, entangling them in a web of hot passion that André was determined to deny to the ends of the world, given his hatred for commitment as a result of his instability over decades. How can a quiet girl who has always felt incomplete manage the supernatural world? Will she accept the heat and commotion that comes with it, or will she flee to the hills?

At three in the morning, I stare at the unknown transaction record on my phone screen, my fingertips turning cold. The record is for a payment of 2980 dollars, made for an executive suite at the Wisteria. The time of payment was 8:00 pm last night. My husband, Tristan Griffin, is a detective. He was on the night shift last night. I clutch my phone, my knuckles turning white as I text Tristan, "I just saw your credit card bill for a hotel stay last night. What's up with that?" His reply is instant. "Our team had to work overtime at the last minute, so they put us up at the hotel. I forgot to tell you about it." I scan the text and sputter. The Wisteria is located in the western region of the city, which is on the other end from where his squad is stationed. I don't press him for more details and click on the bank app on my phone. Having found the vendor's address through the payment record, I sent it to my best friend, Rowena Sheffield, who works as a private detective. She replies instantly with an "OK" emoji and follows up with, "Give me a second. I'll find out everything you want in a jiffy!"

Held Light, Held Close follows Celeste Bradbury, a quiet, disciplined young woman who arrives in New York to work with the world-famous band Luminous Riot. Raised in the hush of convent halls and foster homes, Celeste has learned to survive by moving gently, listening closely, and building her life out of small, steadfast rituals. But the music world is loud, chaotic, and unkind—especially under the sharp eye of Paul Logan, the band’s volatile lead singer who meets her composure with relentless mockery. As weeks turn into months, Celeste maintains her quiet routines, her faith, and her dignity despite the storm around her. She becomes a still point in the band’s restless orbit—an anchor none of them expected, and a mirror that reveals what each member is running from. Through rehearsals, touring, backstage politics, deadlines, and private battles the world never sees, Celeste’s presence begins to shape the group in ways that defy explanation. The House She Built is a story of chosen family, slow-burn transformation, unspoken tenderness, and the quiet power of a woman who refuses to break—even when the world demands it. It is about the sanctuary we build within ourselves, and the imperfect people we let inside.

At the company’s year-end party, management tried to cut costs by using junk as raffle items. The prize box was filled with bottle caps, instant noodle wrappers, toothpaste boxes, and other trash. Everyone was only allowed to pick one item and scan the QR code on it. Whether you won anything depended entirely on luck. I casually picked up a bottle cap and unexpectedly won a car worth 500,000 dollars. As soon as the vice president found out, he rejected my win and demanded that I hand over the prize. “The company spent 20 dollars to get these raffle items from a recycler. Any prizes won have to be recorded in the books as company assets. They belong to the company.” My boss reprimanded me as well, “Have you lost your mind because you’ve been poor? Do you think you could have won without the company? You don’t know how to be grateful, and now, you’re trying to take company property. Stop causing a scene!” I did not argue and calmly handed over the bottle cap. Then, I turned around and called one of our clients. My boss had forgotten one thing: I was the company’s top salesperson. If he insisted on crossing me, I would make him lose five million.

After the death of her family, Romona Quinn, a Seer and half dragon destined to protect her kind, the dragons, had a goal in mind to kill the tyrant lycan Alpha king Caspian of Dalerie, who had taken everything from her. What she didn't expect was the blooming, overwhelming passion that erupted whenever he gazes at her. Alpha Caspian Alessandro, a powerful lycan, despises dragons and anything related to magic, and he destroys them all in his empire. What happens when he meets his fated mate that dispels his hatred? What happens when he becomes entangled in the web of her raging vengeance? ... "Stay with me, and piece by piece, I will make your life even more extraordinary than it is." He whispered monotonously, slowly carressing her red cheeks with the back of his fingers and igniting the fire she never thought she had in her. Ramona's luminous pink lips parted slightly, her heart raced, and her twinkling amber eyes reflected those blazing crimson eyes that oozed desire. "It will be the biggest mistake I will ever make, but I will never regret it, Caspian," her voice came out deep, and the side of her lips pulled up. What was she thinking?! Was she really not going to regret staying with him? What about vengeance?