Smug Synonym の小説・ストーリー

The day I finally secured an investment worth over 20 million dollars, I walked into the office and immediately caught sight of that calculating assistant wearing a smug look as she spread gossip around. According to her, my husband, the CEO, was planning to strip me of my position and exile me to some forgotten branch in Northreach. Contract in hand, I headed straight for the CEO's office. I stood behind my husband and rubbed his temples while joking casually, "You won't believe what I just heard. Apparently, you're sending me off to a branch office. If only they knew we've been married in secret for seven years and are about to make it public." He didn't look surprised at all. He gently pushed my hand away and smiled. "It's not a rumor. Andrea messed up the last project, and the board is breathing down my neck. They want someone sent to Northreach, and they picked her. That place is brutal. She wouldn't survive it. She's not like you. She doesn't have the luxury of failure. If she goes there, her career is finished. She was my junior back in school. I can't let her life fall apart." He paused, then added softly, "Once you come back, I'll announce our marriage. And I'll make sure you get what you've always wanted. A child." I smiled, but it held no warmth. I turned around and walked out without another word. Before I reached the elevator, I made a call to his biggest competitor. "Looking for a vice president? I'm bringing 20 million dollars of funding with me. I only ask for one thing: Don't send me to Northreach."

He's everything Kelsie Anderson shouldn't want: cocky, smug, and very annoying, always trying to get on her nerves. Lancelot freaking Wolfe. The guy she knew nothing about. But he caught her attention from the time he wanted to run her over with his Harley. She thought she wouldn't meet him again, until he showed up at her red room (the viper's den) as his new bodyguard. Through a race she lost, he ended up being, not just her bodyguard, but her biker prince. One kiss aroused many feelings and he was all she could think about. She tried to fight it, but her feelings won. The same goes for Lancelot too, whose sole reasons for swinging into the Andersons' lives weren't honorable. Revenge had him seeking her family, but as events unfolded, tension thickening he began to question his motive. Plus, his insides were always on fire when she was near. But it seemed fate didn't want them to be together, not that easily. Truths about his family's death unfolded in ways he couldn't imagine, but he tried to keep Kelsie away while trying to unravel it all. It turned out that the bane of his existence wasn't Gerald Anderson but someone else close to him. He was put in the middle of it, made the villain behind Kelsie's sister's death, and now, Kelsie had to choose between standing for her love or letting him be sent to jail. Did Lancelot take the fall for what he didn't do, or was he able to persevere and bring his family's killer to book? Was their love strong enough to pass the test of time that shook them both?

My new neighbor is a jerk. A grumpy, arrogant shithead. At first, I was dazzled by his looks; tall, broad-shouldered, hot enough to melt panties at ten feet. But the moment he opened his mouth, I knew I hated him. He’s smug, rude, and way too good at getting under my skin. I’ve never disliked a man more, especially because he's got that 'Ill ruin you' energy and my stupid body wants it. I want him gone—until he shows up out of nowhere and saves me from getting abducted. And the worst part? The photos go viral. Turns out, my hot, broody neighbor is an NHL hockey star and now the world thinks we’re dating. His PR agent wants us to run with the story. For his reputation and fans. Fake dating? With him? Great. *** Rhett Lawson isn’t just the world’s hottest hockey player. He’s a powerful Alpha hiding his real identity. His parents were murdered when he was just a boy, leaving him and his pack scarred and cursed. And the reason he’s in the human world is because the Moon whispered, “You’ll find your greatest enemy and your fated mate in the human world. She holds the key to your redemption.” His only goal is to find his enemy and the fated mate who holds the key to his redemption. Not get tangled with his annoying neighbor. THE CRESCENTMOON DUET ⁠◕ Fake Dating My Hockey Alpha The unforgettable love story of Rhett and Lucy. A tale of passion, sacrifice, and the bond that defies all odds. Book Two: Fake Bride of the Heartless Alpha Hyera’s journey, a new character whose destiny intertwines with Atlas, their son. A story of resilience, heartbreak, and the miracle of love that rewrites fate.

My future mother-in-law, Diane Grant, loved setting rules. On the day I proposed, she sat there with that smug, superior look and told me if I wanted to marry her daughter, Olivia Grant, I had to pass her so-called "son-in-law training", which was three months working as a food delivery driver. She said she wanted to test whether I could handle hardship. For my fiancee's sake, I kept my identity hidden. I was the heir to one of the most powerful families in Crestfall City, and I agreed without hesitation. For three months, I shed every trace of privilege. I worked from dawn to night, delivering orders across the city. My parents didn’t understand. My friends disapproved. Mrs. Grant watched me like a hawk, picking me apart every single day. "Three minutes late? That’s a $3,000 penalty. The wedding shall be delayed by a month!" "Wrong unit delivery, bad review? $8,000 penalty. You don’t get to see Olivia this week!" Even then, I never gave up. Until the final day. I received an urgent order with a massive tip. The note was in bold: "Lifesaving medication. Immediate delivery." I sped through the streets, pushing myself to the limit. Just as I was about to enter the residential compound, Mrs. Grant stepped in front of me, blocking my way, her face full of disdain. Her voice shot up sharply. "The wedding gift goes up to $200,000. Not a cent less." I looked at her look of absolute certainty and suddenly laughed. My finger slid across the screen. The recipient of that urgent order was her precious son, Christopher Grant. I slowly put away the unlimited card in my pocket, along with the check I had prepared for a million-dollar wedding gift. Originally, I had planned to reveal my identity that day to give her the surprise of a lifetime. It seemed there was no need.

My daughter-in-law cheated on my son behind his back, and I caught her. When I confronted her, she turned the tables on me, accusing me instead. I told my son everything exactly as it happened, but she broke down crying and accused me of bullying her. "Ever since I married into the Simmons family, you've never been happy with me," she sobbed. "If I’d known you’d slander me like this, I would’ve been better off dead!" She attempted to hurt herself to prove her innocence, but my son stopped her. "Mom, how could you accuse my wife like that? You're my own mother, but this is too much!" he shouted. Furious, he moved out with her. Later, I fell gravely ill and begged my son to come see me one last time. When he finally arrived, he brought her with him. To my horror, they removed my oxygen tube. As I struggled to breathe, I heard her smug voice whisper in my ear: "Old hag, if it weren't for you accusing me of cheating, Herman and I wouldn’t have gotten your inheritance so quickly!" She laughed coldly. "Oh, and next time you accuse someone, make sure you have evidence. Did you really think your word alone could ruin me?" I died choking on my final breath. Afterward, they lived happily, spending my money without a care in the world. But then, I woke up. It was the day I caught her cheating again. This time, I went straight to work. I replaced the lubricant at home with industrial-strength glue. She wanted proof? Fine. I’d give her proof.

The humiliation clung to my skin like a stain I couldn’t wash away. With trembling hands, I pulled my clothes back on, desperate to leave the room, to put as much distance as I could between me and this hell. But as I reached for the door, Chris’s voice called after me, smug satisfaction lacing his words. “You’re not so bad, Camilla,” he taunted, turning to Tyson. “What do you think, future Alpha? Do you mind if I visit a little more often?” Tyson’s face was a mask of cold fury as he looked at me, his pride and ego burning from the knowledge that his mate was a lowly omega. He stared me down, a sneer twisting his lips as he spoke. “I, Tyson Woods of the Two Moons pack, reject you, Camilla, as my mate.” His words struck me like a blade. “Accept it or don’t. I don’t care.” **** Turning eighteen was supposed to change everything. I should have felt my wolf awaken, should have finally belonged to my pack. Instead, all I got was silence—the same empty, gnawing silence that’s haunted me since the day I realized I’d always be the runt, the omega no one cares about. When I met my mate, I thought it might finally be different. But Tyson Woods, my so-called fated mate, didn’t just reject me—he destroyed me, making it clear I was nothing but a stain on his pride. Running away was my only choice, even if it meant crossing into enemy territory. Now I’m trapped, claimed by Alpha Ryker—a man as cold and unyielding as the forest that swallowed me up. He’s dangerous, feared by every wolf on this side of the border,

I was five months pregnant when my husband, James Fletcher, allowed his mistress to invade our lives—on the very night of our wedding anniversary. But she didn’t just come to flaunt her presence. She came to take my life. Pregnant and vulnerable, I confronted her, desperately clinging to my dignity. But the fight ended with me tumbling down the staircase, my swollen belly crashing against the cold, hard ground. Blood seeped across the floor, vivid and unrelenting. James only arrived after hearing about his precious mistress’ ordeal. He stood there, staring at the pool of blood, at my broken body. But instead of helping me, he rushed to her side. She had nothing but a few superficial scratches, yet he swept her off to the hospital like she was the one dying. By the time he returned, my child was gone. The doctors barely managed to save me. And what did James do? He struck me in front of everyone, his words sharper than the sting of his hand. "Lisa only wanted to bring you a Christmas gift, and you attacked her out of nowhere! You shameless witch!" “She didn’t force her way in! What nonsense! I gave her the house key ages ago. You just can’t stand that she’s prettier and kinder than you!" “You didn’t just hurt her. You killed my child! You vile, despicable woman. Why couldn’t it have been you instead?” Lisa stood beside him, pretending to comfort him while flashing me a smug, victorious smirk. James’s vicious tirade didn’t stop there. He dragged my name onto the internet, painting me as a monster.

For the past three months, I've slept only three hours every day just so my team and I can create an app. Thanks to our hard work, the app goes absolutely viral to the point we've garnered over 100 million registered users on the first week of its launch. At the afterparty, my wife, Stacie Woodward, announces that her godbrother, Tory Frost, who's the PR manager, will be the one receiving the million-dollar bonus. She then tosses me a few 50% discount coupons that can be used in shopping malls as my bonus. "You're just a code monkey—why do you need that much money anyway? You can have these discount coupons. Use them on anything you want. At least buy some nice clothes for yourself. Don't go around wearing these rags. You'll just end up humiliating me more." I plead to her in a low tone, "Have you gone crazy, Stacie? My dad needs the money for the best medication in order to save his life! Can you please stop joking around?" But Stacie clings to Toby's arm, looking high and mighty. "Your dad's dying, isn't he? He might as well stop wasting the public resources! I can always choose him a better grave and hold a nice funeral for him when his time comes!" As I look at Stacie's smug face, I just smile at her instead of getting mad at her. She must have forgotten that the app's core algorithm and the user growth model are built using my private, undisclosed technology stack. That means the copyright is mine and has nothing to do with the company. I just smile while nodding at Stacie. That night, I activate the technology stack's self-destruct and migration protocols.

His sharp intake of breath hit her, gaze dragging over her breast to her mound. Every part of her body his dark, hungry gaze touched, burned. His voice was deeper than any she'd ever heard. “On the couch.” She obeyed. She made her way to the couch and sank into the plush cushions. “Spread your legs.” She hesitated, biting down on her lower lip. A frustrated groan left Jason's lips and Anna jumped at the sound. Before she could blink, she was pushed back on the couch, Jason's lips over hers. His hands grazed her nipples, and he shoved her thighs apart, settling between them. He took her breast into his mouth sucking until sparks shot to her core. "Jason—" she gasped, desperate. ******** Anna was supposed to be enjoying her sister’s wedding after-party, not stuck in a locked car with the groom’s infuriating older brother. Jason Knight—best man, shameless flirt—had been under her skin since they met for rehearsals, and now, in her space. He wasn’t supposed to make her skin heat with one touch. And she wasn’t supposed to end the night tangled in bed with him. One night. That’s all it was meant to be. But what Anna doesn't know: Jason isn’t just her brother-in-law’s maddeningly smug brother, he’s the boy she once humiliated in high school—the one who never forgot, and he’s spent every one of the years after changing everything about himself. Now, he's back with a grudge, a memory that cuts deep, and a plan. Twenty-one days. One dangerous game. Anna is about to learn that some grudges don’t fade, they smolder and ignite. When old wounds collide with white-hot chemistry, will revenge blur into something even more dangerous? or will it be their ruin?

Yelena Moon, the new intern, claimed to be someone who could bring wealth to everyone. Apparently, the lottery numbers she had her eye on would definitely win a prize. Everyone lined up to get her to buy lottery tickets for them. Surprisingly enough, they became millionaires overnight. But I soon realized that whenever Yelena won a lottery prize, I'd lose money to all sorts of incidents and accidents. I might suffer from a bone fracture one day, only to get into an accident that required a surgery the next day. Even my own luck started to run out when it came to my own wealth. I kept failing my investments while racking debts nonstop. In the end, the loan sharks came knocking on my door. My senses were all frayed at that point. In a fit of despair, I demanded answers from Yelena, only to get scolded by everyone else. "What do you mean Yelena swapped out your luck for hers? I think you're just jealous of the fact that everyone's getting rich now!" "You can't even retain your own wealth, and yet you have the guts to frame a young woman for such nonsense! People like you are absolutely toxic to this world!" I tried my best to defend myself, but not even my own dad believed me. To rub salt into my wounds, he even treated Yelena as his own biological daughter and kicked me out of my home. Later on, someone tossed a sack over me and kidnapped me. After torturing me to no end, they threw me off a high building, I was crushed beyond recognition. When I wake up again, I've returned to the day Yelena is flaunting her financial luck. Upon noticing how smug she looks, I start buying lottery tickets like mad. "What a coincidence! I'm also super lucky when it comes to wealth!"