A Stepmother's Marchen - Chapter 14

Ethan Blackwood wasn’t used to being defied. As the CEO of a global empire, he crushed obstacles with a single glance. But when Lily Anderson stood before him, her chin lifted in quiet defiance, and something in him snapped. “Sign the contract,” he said, his voice like ice. “30 days. You’ll obey every command. After that, you’re free.”She hesitated, her fingers trembling as she gripped the pen. “And if I refuse?”His smirk was cold, but his eyes burned. “Then you’ll spend the rest of your life paying off your father’s debts. Your choice.”Trapped, Lily signed. But she vowed one thing: she wouldn’t let him break her.From the first day, their clash was electric. He demanded perfection; she gave him rebellion. “You think you can control me?” she spat, after he criticized her for being late.Ethan stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. “I don’t just control you. Lily, I own you.”But as the days passed, the lines between them blurred. Late nights in his penthouse turned into whispered conversations. His cold demeanor cracked, revealing glimpses of a man haunted by his past. One night, after a heated argument, he pinned her against the wall, his breath hot against her ear. “Why do you fight me so much?”Her voice trembled. “Because I’m afraid if I stop, I’ll lose myself to you.”Their connection deepened, but danger loomed. Secrets from Ethan’s past resurfaced, threatening to destroy everything. When Lily discovered the truth behind his obsession with her, she confronted him. “Was I just a pawn in your game? A way to settle an old score?”His eyes darkened with pain. “You were never just a game, Lily. You’re the only thing that’s ever felt real.”As the final days of their contract approached, their bond was tested like never before. Enemies closed in, and trust hung by a thread. Could they overcome the shadows of their pasts, or would their love crumble under the weight of secrets and pride?

“I’ve really had enough of this damn place…”Li Muyang has transmigrated and become a demon sect’s outer sect disciple.The good news is that he has a system.The bad news is that this system can only play games.“Well, playing games is still better than nothing.”In the game, he is powerful and mysterious, causing the otherworldly fairies to be deeply mesmerized.Since it’s just a game, why not aim to collect all the characters?Until one day, the fairies from the game come looking for him.Li Muyang is shocked. How did a character from the game become reality?“Uh, Fairy… let me explain!”I was really just playing a game!

The Ning family finally found the sole granddaughter after she disappeared for ten years. Grandpa Ning was overjoyed! He embarked on the search for a grandson-in-law in River City. With a raise of her finger, Ning Dai pointed at the Mo family's disfigured Second Young Master, Mo Chen. Everyone thought she was crazy, but only Ning Dai knew that when she was kidnapped, Mo Chen risked everything he had—even with a broken leg and disfigured face—to rescue her from the devil's lair after her elder brother died tragically. Ning Dai returned to repay Mo Chen for saving her life, and also to exact revenge on her uncles for her elder brother's death. Everyone claimed that the Mo family fell from grace after Mo Chen's injuries while Second Young Master Mo Chen became paranoid and ruthless too. No one dared to get close to him. However, Ning Dai insisted on clinging to him. "Second Brother, your medicine won't taste bitter today because I'll give you a kiss to go with it." Mo Chen was about to lose control of his emotions. "Scram. I don't love you." Ning Dai gave him a cheeky smile, "Two kisses, then." Eventually, Mo Chen kissed Ning Dai's forehead shakily, his resolve shattered into a thousand pieces. After seeing how profound Mo Chen's love for her was, Ning Dai was convinced that he would once again stand up for her and stay by her side at the top of the world.

Arthur Ventrike, a genius second-year at the prestigious Wolkan Royal Academy, hailed to be the most talented in his generation, reaches the Swordsman stage of Knight at just 15 under Grandmaster Thorne Bladesong. But envy strikes when a fifth-year student tries to poison him. Though the plot fails, Arthur is left crippled, his dreams shattered. Just when all hope seems lost, he inherits a Great Sage’s legacy and sets out to become the greatest wizard along with the blessing of an indecent goddess and save the world from an ancient evil.