Smallville Complex

【Two Male Leads + Power Dynamics + Slow Burn Romance + Corporate Warfare + 1v1】 "You came to kill me, didn't you?" "That was the original plan, but I've changed my mind." "Oh, what an honor that is." In game theory, when the sum of gains and losses among participants always equals "zero," it's known as a "zero-sum game," where cooperation between the parties is not possible. In the game of love, however, two initially opposing individuals repeatedly break the norms and find their way to each other. A mission sparks their complex relationship, with one falling first, and the other soon succumbing to the fall as well... *Dual-faced, affectionate mastermind ✖️ Undercover agent playing coy *1v1

When a young heiress named Alina Walker is reborn after a tragic betrayal by her fiancé, Viktor, and best friend, Mira. Determined to exact revenge, Alina forms an alliance with Damien, the alpha of the Blue Moon Pack. As she explores a complex feeling of love, loyalty, and deception, Alina must confront her past and choose between vengeance and redemption. Will she find love and forgiveness, or will her thirst for revenge consume her?

Annelyn Martin, a twenty-one-year-old, has always carried the weight of a troubled childhood that forced her to grow up quickly and take on responsibilities at a very young age. As one of the main figures responsible for organizing the Callaghan family's hotel, she leads a life that, at first glance, seems peaceful and predictable. However, everything changes when Christopher Callaghan, the attractive and complex grandson of her boss, enters her life. An unexpected and deep connection forms between them, throwing Annelyn into a whirlwind of emotions she never imagined experiencing. But life holds even greater surprises when, during the same period, Annelyn crosses paths with Lysander, Christopher's charming and enchanting cousin. He captivates her in a way she never thought possible, causing her to question everything she knew about love. Now, Annelyn finds herself in an overwhelming dilemma, forced to make a decision that will change the course of her life forever. She will have to choose between the man she met when he was just a little boy and the man who has enchanted her in adulthood.

In Meridian City, life moves fast and ambition drives the elite. At the top of the corporate food chain is Adrian Langston, a charismatic yet ruthless CEO of a multinational tech company. His success and wealth are unrivaled, and he is accustomed to getting what he wants—until he meets Isabella "Bella" Martinez, a fiercely independent freelance graphic designer. Bella is focused on her career and family, with a vibrant personality that is both charming and down-to-earth. She navigates the hectic city life with a sense of humor and a strong moral compass. Despite her attraction to Adrian's charisma, she's determined not to be swept into his world of power plays and high-stakes business. Adrian, on the other hand, is intrigued by Bella's resistance to his usual charm. He's used to closing deals and winning over people with ease, but Bella proves to be a challenge. What starts as a simple business proposition soon turns into a complex game of cat-and-mouse, with Adrian trying to earn Bella's trust and Bella questioning whether she can believe his intentions.

<> - Vanessa thought rock bottom was signing divorce papers with Derek Holland, a man with the emotional depth of a teaspoon. Turns out, rock bottom had a basement, and Ryker Holland was waiting for her down there with a smirk and a plan. Ryker, Derek's older half-brother (aka the family's dirty little secret), shows up offering Vanessa a deal: help her make her ex-husband, Derek Holland, jealous enough to come crawling back. In exchange, he secures his position as CEO. But Ryker isn't doing this out of kindness for he is petty and cruel. He would do anything to trample all over Derek, and now he has the perfect weapon. Vanessa, freshly dumped and just desperate enough to play along. And if she happens to enjoy making her ex suffer too? Well, that's just a bonus. As Vanessa sinks deeper into Ryker's twisted world of fake romance, secrecy and family dysfunction, things start getting real. Because fake love? It's a lot easier to control than real feelings. And Ryker has no idea what to do when the game stops being a game. Is Vanessa walking into a trap or building one of her own? Either way, the Holland brothers are going down. One's going to break, and the other's going to enjoy every second of it. _Disclaimer: This story features morally complex, flawed characters with twisted motives. It includes themes of manipulation, deception, and emotional cruelty. Reader discretion is advised.

Ruby Colton is unlike any other Omega you’ve ever seen. She’s bold, sassy, and has the smarts to keep her alive. Though she has no single strength or power because of her small wolf, she’s hard working enough to make up for her flaws with her quick wits and bright brilliance. Lucian Pierce, who is also known as the ‘Dark Devil’, has no place for troublemakers in his pack. But he contradicts this rule of his by himself when he usurps the Blue Sky pack where Ruby is from and gives the sly troublemaker a place in his pack. Ruby needs Lucian’s protection to live peacefully away from her psychotic adoptive brother who wants her gone. Lucian needs Ruby’s wisdom to keep his pack safe from an uprising of a dangerous new breed of rogues. Ruby and Lucian being together is a complex juxtaposition of contradictions. But what can they do when the universe wants them to be together and their fates are entwined? They have no choice but to be life companions in that case.

In a city where the Morano family's grip on power is suffocating, loyalty is a luxury that few can afford. For Alex Morano, the youngest son of the family, the weight of his family's legacy is crushing. When a prominent businessman is murdered, Alex is accused of the crime and must navigate the treacherous world of organized crime to clear his name. The Russos, a rival mafia family, are seeking to take down the Moranos and claim the city's underworld for themselves. But as Alex digs deeper into the mystery, he uncovers a web of deceit and corruption that threatens to destroy everything he holds dear, and Alex's own family is hiding secrets that could destroy them all. As Alex's world implodes, he finds himself torn between his loyalty to his family and his growing feelings for Sophia, a mysterious woman with ties to the mafia world. But Sophia's true intentions are shrouded in mystery, and Alex must confront the possibility that she may be his greatest enemy. “The Mafia’s Reckoning” has gritty realism, complex characters, and heart-pumping action, "The Mafia's Reckoning" is a gripping tale of loyalty, power, and survival. As Alex navigates the dark and treacherous world of organized crime, he must confront the ultimate question: what does it mean to be loyal to oneself and one's family in a world where loyalty is a luxury that a few can afford?

“You arranged a marriage for me?" I exclaimed, my voice quivering with anger and disbelief. "How could you? How dare you play with my life?” I sat in disbelief, the weight of my parent's words sinking in like an anchor in my chest. Scarlett Morgan was forced into an arranged marriage with Ethan Donovan, the richest family in Brooklyn, by merging their company with the Donovans to save their family business from total bankruptcy. On meeting Ethan for the first time, she realizes that he's the handsome stranger she shared a passionate one-night stand with two years ago, and he has no memory of her. Caught off guard by this news, Ethan and Scarlett are thrown into a complex situation they never expected. Will they be able to handle the secrets that they have been hiding from each other? As they navigate the complications of their marriage, they'll have to confront their past and turn their unexpected connection into a beautiful love story. But how long will this last? What happens when their ex shows up?

**MATURE CONTENT** Territorial Mafia Series 2: Vaughn Crossban --- He is a doctor. He is a billionaire. He is the ruthless leader of the Northern Mafia. Vaughn Christian Crossban, 27 years old, a dangerously handsome, filthy rich, and the most sought-after bachelor in the city. He can heal you, destroy you, or buy your entire existence with a single command. But beneath the perfection is a man intoxicated by control, armed with a god complex and a heart incapable of mercy. Vaughn doesn’t believe in love. He vowed never to kneel, beg, or cry for any woman. No woman could ever do that to him, not even his ex-fiancée. Admirable Kim Adore, ang babaeng hindi sumipot sa mismong araw ng kasal nila. Ang babaeng walang takot na iniwan ang isang katulad niyang bilyonaryo, at ipinagpalit lamang siya sa isang lalaking wala sa kalingkingan niya. Dahil sa galit... sa pride at ego niyang niyurakan, sinira niya ang lahat kay Mira. He watched as she drowned in debt, cursed by misfortune. At natutuwa siyang paglaruan ito. Para sa kanya, she was nothing but a toy… someone to manipulate, control, and discard. Pero paano kung lahat ng katagang binitiwan niya noon... ay siya ring kakainin niya sa huli? Paano kung ang larong sinimulan niya ay nauwi sa isang pagmamahal na hindi na niya kayang pigilan? Sa isang pag-ibig na hindi inaasahan, may pag-asa pa bang makaligtas ang isang cold-hearted prince sa apoy ng sarili niyang kapahamakan?

“He never claimed me. Not once.” - Elara Sloane - “Then let me show you what it feels like to be wanted.” - Jaxon Black - Elara Elara Sloane, once the esteemed Luna-wife of the powerful Alpha Cyrus Black, files for divorce after realizing her life is suffocating due to his lack of love and proper claim. This decision shocks their elite society. Seeking freedom, she unexpectedly finds herself living with Jaxon Black, Cyrus's estranged younger brother, who offers her protection from Cyrus’s influence. Their forced proximity ignites a complex bond, but their society forbids claims between two Alphas of the same bloodline. As Cyrus tries to reclaim her, a fierce rivalry between the brothers unfolds, leaving Elara to choose between safety and the desire to be truly claimed.