Mantis Piercing Nose

Laura Miller Williams problems come all at once. Her boyfriend cheated on her, her father's company was on the verge of bankruptcy, and she risked losing the Miller Estate. Now, she was about to marry a man she only knew by name - Draco Atlas Smith, the owner of the Smith Group of Companies. It was a marriage of convenience; she and Draco would marry to save her family's assets, especially the beloved Miller Estate. And when Laura saw the man she was to marry, her heart almost stopped. Draco Atlas Smith was tall, fair-complexioned, well-built, and gorgeously handsome. The man's sex appeal was simply overflowing. His piercing stare sent chills, a trait that earned him the formidable reputation as the Cold Billionaire. Draco and Laura got married in a simple ceremony. But it wasn't until she became Mrs. Smith that she discovered the real reason he'd married her. It wasn't just about helping her; he'd used her to exact revenge on her father, who had wronged him.

The medicine in her hand is a gateway to death, but it may not be. Victoria knew the path she was about to take could lead to destruction, but the hope for a little happiness remained. In the darkness of the hospital room, before her sits a man she once knew-a man who has lost everything, who now stares at her with sharp, hateful eyes. Logan, the badly injured CEO of Dallas Corp, spends his days in a wheelchair, trapped in a deep grudge. Victoria knows this is the right moment. If she didn't act now, it would all be over. “I can take you to get everything back,” Victoria said, voice wrapped in hesitation yet full of determination. Stepping closer, her eyes met Logan's dark, piercing ones. “Everything they ever took away, including your own honor as CEO of Dallas Corp,” she added, looking at him deeply, like an unbreakable promise. “But... pay for my daughter's entire treatment. Even if necessary, find the best doctor in the country so he can work on her recovery.”

What a ridiculous thing happened to me! I was sent as a substitute for my sister for just one night but I end up marrying her supposed husband. “What are you doing? Are you not aware of the reason for which you are here?” He said and sat on the bed. I sat straight and curled my legs. “I…I….am... But I am a virgin and the thought of all of this is what scares me.” I said and Greyson gave me an evil smirk. My voice wasn't supposed to sound this weak and pathetic but I can't hide my emotions. “You have nothing to fear. I am the man who would be marrying you. Think of this as our marriage consummation.” He said and my eyes brimmed with tears. If only you knew that I am not the woman you would be marrying. I am simply her substitute. I thought to myself. Greyson reached out to my legs and dragged his fingers on them, and pulled me by the legs to himself. He frowned when he saw that I still wore a nose mask and suspicion took over him. “Remove your face Mask, Bella. There is no need to hide your face from me.” He said and I shook my head. Greyson tilted his head, and his eyes became cold. “Remove the face mask, Isabella Walters.” He said Authoritatively and I gasped. This was trouble.

I was on the verge of unbuckling his belt when he pulled away so forcefully I stumbled forward, disoriented by the sudden loss of contact. My core throbbed, my nipples could cut diamonds, and my skin was so sensitive even the brush of air caused me to tremble. But when the fog of sensation dissipated, I realized Alex was glaring at me. “Fuck.” He scrubbed a hand over his face, his scowl fierce enough to make grown men quake. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.” “Alex—” “No. What the hell were you thinking?” he bit out. “Did you think we would fuck in the kitchen while your friends are in the other room?” Heat scorched my cheeks. “If this is about Josh—” “It’s not about Josh.” Alex pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled a slow, controlled breath. “Not entirely.” “Then what is it?” He wanted me. I knew he did; I felt it, and I’m not just talking about the massive bulge straining his pants. Yes, Josh would attempt to murder us both if he found out what happened, but he couldn’t stay mad at us forever. Besides, he didn’t return to D.C. until Christmas. We had time. “It’s me. And you. Together. It won’t work.” Alex’s glare intensified. “Whatever fantasies you have of us swirling in that pretty head of yours, kill them. That kiss was a one-time mistake. It’ll never happen again.”

I had taken leave from the sealed research institute where I'd been confined for six years, just so I could attend my daughter's kindergarten graduation. The moment I stepped through the gates, I froze. A woman holding a little boy by the hand was shoving my daughter, Amy, straight into the gutter. She slapped Amy across the face, then sneered for everyone to hear, spitting venom as she called my little girl a filthy wretch. Drenched in filthy water, Amy dropped to her knees before the woman, trembling in humiliation. Rage burned through me. I stormed forward and slapped the woman across the face. But instead of shame, she jabbed a finger at my nose and shouted, "Do you even know who I am? To offend me is to offend the entire Grant family!" Tears welled in Amy's eyes as she tugged at my sleeve, pleading in a choked voice, "Please leave… she's my dad's nanny. My dad will punish you if you hurt her." The woman planted herself in front of me, her arrogance towering. "The Grant family rules this city. You think you can run from us?" For a brief moment, I stood stunned, then calmly pulled out my phone and dialed my husband. "Your nanny says you run Bexley City. Well, I think that's about to change."

BLURB: "I'll never let you go," Adrian Miller vows, his piercing gaze holding Heaven captive, his touch igniting a flame that threatens to consume her. ••• When Heaven Anderson's fiancé betrays her, she's forced into a marriage with the powerful billionaire. But Adrian's secrets and lies ensnare her in a deadly game of power and manipulation. His rumored disability is a myth, masking a darker truth: a man driven by vengeance and obsession. As Heaven navigates the treacherous world of wealth and desire, she uncovers secrets about Adrian's tortured past, her family's hidden agendas, and the ruthless Miller dynasty. Torn between loyalty and rebellion, she must decide: surrender to Adrian's all-consuming passion or fight for her freedom. But Adrian's fixation knows no bounds. He'll stop at nothing to possess Heaven, body and soul. And as their twisted game unfolds, she realizes escape may come at a steep price. Will she risk everything to break free, or succumb to Adrian's intoxicating control? Dive into a world of power, manipulation, and forbidden passion, where loyalty is tested, trust is shattered, and love becomes a deadly game.

"He is not yours!" She affirms with a confident and unwavering look. "Whose child is he, then?" I question, my eyes wandering to the boy with piercing blue eyes like mine. Celine narrows her eyes with her hands clenched. "He is mine!" "What about his father? Who is he?" I drop my hands lazily and watch her intensely. "That is none of your business." She says defensively. "It means he is mine and I am taking him", I conclude with a smile and walk past her to pick up the child who is already dozing off. "No, no, no!" Celine chants, blocking my way. "Please, don't take him. I beg you!" **** After realizing she was pregnant which was not part of the deal she made with Billionaire Bryan Martinez, Celine left his mansion before the end of the contract. When they meet again and he discovered the secret she was hiding from him, he decided to punish her by taking custody of the child. What will happen when the baby wants his mother close to him? Will this reunion blossom the love between them before her departure? How sweet will Bryan's revenge be for Celine?

"It's not so simple to seek death," Zedex groaned coldly. "Living will be a torment, that I will grant you for the rest of your life." “Ughhh…!” I let out a piercing scream, feeling overwhelmed by the situation. This man was a monster, a demon disguised as a human. **** After discovering her best friend Sia's ultimate betrayal with boyfriend Leo on their three-year anniversary, Camila Stone's world shattered. The devastating blow worsened when Leo rejected her upon learning about her terminal heart disease, courtesy of Sia's malicious revelation. Heartbroken and seeking solace, Camila stumbles upon Alpha Zedex at a clubhouse. Their passionate night together ignites an unquenchable desire. Unknown to Camila, Alpha Zedex possesses the cure for her heart disease. Alpha Zedex, haunted by past rejections and crudity from the human hunters, vowed to keep emotions at bay and seek revenge. However, Camila's determination to claim him as hers threatened to dismantle his defenses. Will she succeed, Even at the stake of her life? Will Alpha Zedex push behind his hunted past and accept her as his mate? Will he accept to be redeemed?

He looked at me, his piercing eyes cold and sharp. “What do you want?” he asked, his tone irritated. “Cat got your tongue?” Fear gripped me, but I couldn’t back down. Not when proving my love was on the line. My hands trembled, but I managed to speak. “Hunter Steele...” I swallowed hard, my voice barely above a whisper. “Will you... will you marry me?” His brows furrowed, and he tilted his head slightly. “What?” ANYA BLAKE ____________________________________ I can’t remember the last time I willingly let a woman get so close. To me, they were a necessary evil....useful when needed, and avoided afterward. But when a young woman, trembling yet determined, stepped in front of me and asked the most ridiculous question I’d ever been asked, I felt something I hadn’t felt in years: a spark. And when I kissed her, it awakened something in me—a feeling I hadn’t known existed. Her innocence intrigued me and I wanted to be the one to claim her, to mold her......to make her mine. HUNTER STEELE

Elise Stanton has one dream: to study medicine. When she earns a coveted spot in medical school, her future seems bright—until her parents present her with an ultimatum. The only way they’ll pay her tuition is if she marries Alejandro Mendoza, the disabled heir to a powerful family. “Marry a stranger for money? Is that the price of my freedom?” Elise protests, her voice trembling with frustration. “Clara gets her luxuries handed to her, but I have to sell my life to pursue my dream?” In her family’s eyes, she is always second-best, a shadow to her younger sister, Clara. Left with no other choice, Elise agrees to her parents’ condition. Then she meets Alejandro Mendoza. Confined to a wheelchair, Alejandro is bitter and guarded, his piercing gaze a wall against the world. But when Elise examines his condition, her sharp medical instincts kick in. “The doctors had a wrong diagnosis,” she insists. “Your condition is reversible.” Alejandro narrows his eyes. “Why are you doing this? What do you want?” Her answer is simple: “I’ll help you recover, and when you can walk again, this marriage ends.”