Arranged Marriage To The Infamous Billionaire Playboy
Born into luxury, Hermione Watson-Pierce has always felt like merely a pawn in her parents' ruthless game of power. She learned to suppress her emotions, earning herself the title of the "Ice Queen."
Just then, Aiden Mendes bursts into her life-a charming playboy known for his reckless reputation. Aiden chooses to cope with his inner turmoil through a lavish lifestyle, using his charisma and striking looks to keep others at bay.
A looming threat forces them to face a contracted marriage or risk losing their inheritance. When they first meet, Aiden is struck by an unexpected attraction, as if it were love at first sight. Yet, his notorious reputation precedes him, and Hermione makes no effort to hide her disdain.
As their contractual marriage evolves into a battle of wills, Aiden must work to melt Hermione's icy heart, proving that he is more than what meets the eye. But can he persuade her to rise above her prejudices and bravely pursue love?
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Chapter 6
AIDEN
My dad's voice is laced with displeasure as he asks, "Did you meet Ms. Hermione already?" at breakfast.
I react instinctively, my spoon clattering against my plate.
At the mention of her name, my heart skips a beat, and a shiver ripples beneath my skin.
Despite having met her only yesterday, my attraction to her runs deep - it is almost otherworldly.
I had spent the entire night replaying my Freudian slip at the diner in my head. But I hadn't pegged Ms. Hermione as the type to run to her mom and tattle. Had she reported our unfortunate run-in last night?
"Yes," I answer, biting my lower lip.
"You had only one task, and you went about blabbering. If this deal falls through, I'm cutting you out of my inheritance," Dad hisses, scowling and waving a finger in warning.
I lower my gaze, murmuring, "I'm sorry."
"You'd better not mess up next time," Dad says, shifting in his chair.
His irritation is palpable; both Lachlan and Beatrice know better than to chip in with the comments burning to be voiced on their tongues. Otherwise, they'll attract Dad's criticism.
I excuse myself after finishing breakfast and drive to work. As I step into the elevator, my secretary, Mr. Neil, greets me with a vibrant smile.
"Good morning, VP Mendes," he says, walking alongside me.
"Good morning, Secretary Neil," I respond.
As the elevator ascends, I glance at Mr. Neil's profile, impressed that he shows no signs of exhaustion despite the heavy workload from the previous day. His ability to remain cheerful under pressure is astonishing. I struggle to multitask as efficiently as he does.
Just as I'm about to head to my office, Mr. Neil stops me. "Sir, you should head to the conference room. I just received a message from the president's office about an urgent executive meeting," he says, holding up his phone.
I raise an eyebrow, checking my own phone for notifications, but there are none. I frown, thinking it unprofessional that Lachlan didn't inform me about the meeting earlier, especially since we had breakfast together.
Upon entering the conference room, I see that it's already filled with top executives. I assume everyone was informed about the meeting beforehand. It seems Lachlan intentionally kept me in the dark until the last minute.
Lachlan sits at the head of the table, his position as president evident. As the acting vice president, I'm the last to arrive, and my chair is the only vacant one, situated to the left of the president. I take my seat, nodding briefly to greet everyone.
The marketing director, head of the strategic planning team, and other executives occupy their respective positions around the conference table. Soft murmurs fill the air as we wait for the president to begin.
Lachlan leans back in his chair, tapping a rhythmic pattern on the table. The murmurs subside, and all heads turn toward him.
When he has everyone's attention, Lachlan starts speaking, his finger tapping silently against the table. "Our market share has declined over the past quarter. We need a new strategy to regain our position."
Director Evans, head of the strategic planning team, speaks up. "I propose we focus on digital content creation. Our competitors are investing heavily in online platforms, and we can't afford to fall behind."
CEO Chris nods in agreement. "I've been researching new formats for online content. We could create a virtual reality experience for our fans."
Lachlan leans forward, his knuckles brushing against his jaw. "Virtual reality? Is that really worth the investment?" His expression reveals skepticism.
"Yes, sir," Director Evans affirms. "VR technology is advancing rapidly, and our fans will love the immersive experience."
"I agree with Director Evans," CEO Chris says. "We should explore new and innovative ways to engage our audience."
Lachlan ponders their suggestions before voicing his approval. "Alright. Let's allocate a budget for digital content creation and VR research. But we need to see results within the next six months."
"Of course, President Mendes," Director Evans assures him, smiling.
Lachlan turns to me, his expression expectant. "You've been quiet."
My brain registers the conversation, but my body isn't fully engaged. It takes a moment for me to realize Lachlan is addressing me. I snap out of my daze, focusing on him.
"Mmn," I respond, buying time to gather my thoughts. I adjust my sitting position, clenching my fist into a ball over the table.
Lachlan's gaze is keen on my face. "What input do you have to add to the matter at hand as Vice President?" he inquires.
I know he's trying to embarrass me, but I'm prepared. "I believe you've already reached a conclusion," I say, glancing at the others. "The ideas they've raised are worth trying."
Lachlan leans forward, his eyes narrowing. "I want to hear your own inputs. We should weigh our options, shouldn't we?"
I meet his gaze, my tone firm. "Let's not go back and forth, President Mendes," I say, emphasizing his title.
"There should be an alternative," he says. He tweaks a finger in my direction, insisting, "Your idea."
I clear my throat, thoughts racing in my head for an impromptu solution. Lachlan's eyes narrow, a hint of amusement in them.
"I'm waiting for your input, Aiden," he says. "Something that will blow my mind."
I take a deep breath. "I've been thinking," I begin. "What if we create a virtual world, a metaverse, where our fans can interact with our artists, attend virtual concerts, and even create their own content?"
The room falls silent, with all eyes fixed on me.
Lachlan raises an eyebrow. "A metaverse? That sounds like science fiction."
I nod slowly. "It's not as far-fetched as it sounds. We can utilize blockchain technology to create a decentralized platform, where users can create their own avatars, buy and sell virtual merchandise, and even attend exclusive events."
CEO Chris leans forward, his eyes sparkling with interest. "That's a game-changer. We could create a whole new revenue stream."
Director Evans nods in agreement. "And it would give us a competitive edge. No other entertainment company is doing anything like this."
Lachlan's expression turns thoughtful, his brows furrowing in silent assessment of my idea. "But it's a huge undertaking. We'd need to assemble a team of experts, invest in new technology... it's a big risk."
"I agree, it's a risk," I respond. "But I believe it's a risk worth taking. We could be at the forefront of a whole new industry. And think of the engagement we could generate. Fans would be able to interact with our artists in a whole new way."
The room falls silent once more as the executives ponder my proposal. They confer with one another, murmuring softly. Lachlan strokes his jaw, considering my idea. I nibble my lower lip in anticipation, awaiting his final verdict.
I had blurted out the first thing that came to mind. I've always been absent-minded in meetings, finding them tedious. During the prior conversation, my thoughts were preoccupied with a certain appealing female, Ms. Hermione Watson Pierce. My father's threat to withhold his inheritance wasn't necessary; I'm already drawn to her.
Lachlan's gruff voice brings me back to attention. "Alright, Aiden. Your idea seems great and worth considering. However, as I mentioned earlier, the risk is too big for a fanfare idea like yours. It's a great idea nonetheless." His nose flares, as if it pains him to admit this.
"We'll be working with Director Evans' idea instead," he continues. "VP Mendes, you'll work closely with the team until the project's completion."
I raise an objection. "I thought I was tasked with getting that exclusive author to sign with us."
I knew Lachlan had no intention of approving my ideas. He just wanted to catch me off guard and embarrass me. Fortunately, my quick thinking never fails me in challenging situations.
"You haven't gotten it done?" Lachlan asks, feigning ignorance about the challenges of securing an audience with the elusive Author X. I suspect he assigned me this project hoping I'd fail, just so he could berate me.
Author X's identity remains a mystery, but their broad fan base and readership make them an attractive collaborator for our company. However, their elusiveness makes it difficult to establish contact.
"The deadline isn't up yet," I reply.
Lachlan scowls, forced to retract his previous statement about partnering with Director Evans. "Step on it," he growls.
I shoot him a pointed look, pursing my lips. Since I've been working under his administration, I've been inundated with tasks, from significant ones to those whose purpose I struggle to comprehend. If not for my diligent secretary, I'd be miserable by now.
Finally, Lachlan dismisses the meeting. "Okay, that will be all for today."
I'm the first to stand up and walk out of the conference room, the sound of chairs scraping against the floor echoing behind me.
As I step out of the conference room, I can feel Lachlan's eyes on my back. A small smile curves on my mouth. It's another win for Aiden.
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7.1
I was living as a ghost in a run-down trailer park, trying to outrun a past that would kill me if it ever caught up. Then the storm hit, and a dying monster collapsed through my door, bringing the smell of copper and the promise of a very different kind of death.
I tried to defend myself with a cheap butcher knife, but Darius didn't just disarm me—he acquired me. Before the rain even stopped, I was drugged and whisked away on a private jet, waking up in a luxury penthouse that was nothing more than a high-tech cage overlooking the city skyline.
He didn't just want my silence; he wanted total control. When I begged to check on my sick grandmother, he threw a manila envelope on the table filled with surveillance photos of her at her nursing home.
"I own the board of that facility," he said, his voice cold as ice. "One call from me, and she dies alone on the street."
He vetted my life in that trailer park down to my medical records and childhood diaries, convinced he had every lever of power needed to keep me obedient. He forced me into silk dresses and expected me to be his domestic pet, a quiet girl waiting for him to return from his world of shadows and blood.
I played the part, letting him pull me into his lap and bury his face in my neck, pretending to be the broken girl he thought he’d bought. I watched his security cameras, calculated his blind spots, and waited for the moment his exhaustion outweighed his instinct.
Darius thinks he knows me because he saw where I lived, but he’s never been more wrong. His investigators found the pauper, but they completely missed the princess with an Ivy League degree and a family name that carries more weight than his illegal empire.
He thinks he’s the one holding the leash, but he has no idea who he’s actually brought into his home. The game has just begun, and this time, the "asset" is going to be the one who burns the house down.
8.1
Content Rated 🔞🔞
This book contains explicit sexual scenes, obsession, morally grey characters, toxic desires, raw emotions, family dramas, dark romance themes, and psychological tension.
Stay off or get burned.
Just kidding! Dive dive in and enjoy the fire.😉😉
.............
"These sharp lips," he growls against my throat, grazing his teeth on my pulse, "they already cost me my soul. And now they'll moan my name...." his hand drags down my waist, gripping it harder, finding its way to my bare throbbing core. "and learn exactly who they belong to."
*******
One brother owns her future.
The other is addicted to her ruin.
Meeka Clemson is engaged to marry Nathaniel DeWitt, the billionaire heir her family chose, the man she's secretly loved for years. But one reckless mistake changes everything.
One forbidden night with a stranger she should never have touched. A man who held her like he intends to keep her.
Slade is everything she shouldn't want. He's dark, obsessive, scarred and dangerous.
And worst of all? He's Nathaniel's older brother.
Slade doesn't believe in restraint. He doesn't believe in sharing. And the once he tastes Meeka, he refuses to let go.
Every stolen touch becomes a betrayal. Every secret meeting pulls her deeper into the obsession. And the closer the wedding gets, the more ruthless Slade becomes, willing to destroy his brother, his family, and even his own name just to claim her.
Now Meeka is trapped between duty and desire, safety and sin. Between the man she's meant to marry, and the man who will burn the world before letting her walk away.
Because Slade doesn't do mercy, he does destruction, and he possesses. And he'll stop at nothing until she's his.
8.1
Desperate for a way out of rejection and poverty, Pearl Augustine accepts a nanny job with an outrageous salary-working for billionaire Ace Warren. What she doesn't expect is his daughter.
Mia Warren is spoiled, sharp-tongued, and feared by everyone in the mansion. Behind her cruelty is a lonely child longing for a mother. As Pearl becomes the only one who can reach her, walls begin to fall-especially those around Ace, a grieving man hiding behind wealth and control.
What started as "just a job" quickly turns into something dangerous: attachment.
Sometimes, healing begins where you least expect it.
9.0
For three years, I wasn't a foster child. I was a living, breathing cure.
Hidden away in the attic of the Thomas mansion, my sole purpose was to keep their precious daughter alive. Every week, they drained my blood to treat her rare disease, leaving me anemic, scarred, and invisible. I was the "walking blood bag" from the wrong side of the tracks-a stray they'd reluctantly taken in.
The day Katharina was finally cured, I overheard the truth. "That walking blood bag has served her purpose," the grandmother hissed. "We are done with her."
They threw me out into a freezing rainstorm, tossing a crumpled check at my feet like a tip for a beggar. Payment, they said, for the years I'd "leeched" off their family. Payment for the six thousand milliliters of blood they'd stolen, for the chronic anemia, for the scars.
I shredded their charity in front of their faces and walked into the storm.
They laughed, screaming that I'd be back, that I'd be begging on the streets by morning. But as I stood alone on that dark road, my world shifted. A sleek, black Rolls-Royce pulled up in silence. The door opened, and my real family stepped out.
I wasn't a stray from the slums. I was their lost heiress. And the Thomases are about to learn that the girl they bled dry is now the one holding all the power.
8.2
Blurb:
Richard Tucker lost everything long before he died. Orphaned young, forced to work two jobs through college, and later dragged into a scandal with the daughter of a wealthy family, he became the unwanted son-in-law of the powerful Warrens. His mother-in-law despised him, every employer rejected him, and his life fell apart piece by piece.
Then one night, Richard was hunted down, beaten, and left to die in a cold alley.
But death wasn't the end.
Richard woke up with the Trillionaire System, a mysterious power that deposits $500 into his account every hour and rewards him with skills, strength, and unlimited financial advantages. With $360k a month at Level 1, Richard discovers a future he never imagined, one where he can rebuild himself, protect his wife, and rise far beyond everyone who mocked him.
Yet power comes with enemies.
A vengeful ex-suitor, a ruthless rival family, and a powerful heiress who wants Richard for herself move against him. Old threats return, new alliances crumble, and the truth about the scandal that ruined his life resurfaces with deadly consequences.
But as Richard climbs, a new identity emerges in the shadows:
Mr. Tusks, the mysterious billionaire quietly becoming the largest shareholder in multiple corporations and preparing to launch the most anticipated company in the nation, RT Enterprise.
When the world gathers for the grand unveiling, Richard plans to reveal who he truly is...
And when he does, every enemy who called him worthless will finally understand the man they tried to destroy.
7.5
I run my family's political dynasty with an iron fist. From my father’s Senate votes to my own calculated engagement, every move is mine to control.
Then, in a single evening, my ambitious stepmother made her play. She used our housekeeper as a spy and orchestrated a scandal involving my fiancé and stepsister, designed to shatter my reputation and power.
They thought they could break me. Within twelve hours, the spy was dead on the marble floor of my foyer. My fiancé’s family was blackmailed into silence. My stepsister was exiled to a Swiss boarding school, and I stripped my own father of his authority for his weakness.
As for my stepmother, Bronte, I had her declared mentally unstable and forcibly taken to a remote facility in Montana, completely cut off from the world.
Everyone saw a cold-hearted coup, but they didn't know the secret I held. I had proof that Bronte had systematically orchestrated my brother’s death years ago, all to position her own son to inherit everything. This wasn't about power; it was vengeance.
But winning the war at home has put me on a much deadlier board. Now, I'm preparing for a dinner with Eldridge Marsh—the most dangerous man in Washington—who wants to decide if I'm a player he can use, or a threat he needs to destroy.