Blossoming Path - 280. Wearing Another’s Skin

“As if I’d marry an ugly woman like you!”

Warning{Mature Content}Elaine has spent her life being the responsible one. The one who steps in when things are about to fall apart. So when her grandfather arranges a marriage for her younger cousin Ivy to Zane Whitmore a billionaire CEO with a dangerous reputation Elaine does what she has always done. She takes the burden on herself.What begins as a lie meant to protect Ivy quickly turns into a contract Elaine never meant to sign.Zane Whitmore is cold, controlled, and ruthless in both business and life. He doesn’t believe in love, only leverage. When he meets Elaine, he recognizes something he rarely encounters: a woman willing to stand her ground even when she’s afraid. Their agreement is simple. A marriage on paper. Mutual benefit. No emotions involved.As they are pulled deeper into each other’s lives, secrets begin to surface old betrayals, family conflicts, and a past that ties Zane to Elaine’s brother in ways no one is willing to talk about. The lines between obligation and desire blur, and what started as a sacrifice turns into something neither of them can control.In a world where power dictates everything and trust comes at a cost, Elaine must decide if she’s willing to gamble her heart on a man who could destroy her.A story of contract marriage, buried history, and a love born out of defiance rather than choice.(Mature content)Zane’s lips crush to mine, hungrily tasting my mouth and sucking my tongue into his. He moves lower, nipping at my neck, then my boobs, enveloping his lips around a pink nipple.I sigh in pleasure, my hands sliding into his hair and gripping hard as he bites down and then slips his mouth lower.And lower……..My eyes fly open as he shoves my dress up to my waist and pulls my panties to the side. Suddenly, his mouth dives between my thighs, and when I feel his tongue drag up my slit, it’s like an electrical shock and my eyes roll back behind my head.Holy! FUCK!!.

# mastermind

Tang Wen was transmigrated to the Da Chu dynasty and became a deadbeat noble and the lord of an abandoned island.

Fortunately, he had the Landlord System and was able to return to the modern era. After making his first pot of gold, he returned to the dynasty to make even more money.

He built waterways, expanded farms to plant herbs, and raised tigers and red-crowned cranes.

“I have to build roads as well… I can keep coming back and forth between two different times to make money, but I need more people to work for me…”

“Come and work for me. I can provide food and shelter. I even have pills for you to get stronger and I can even help you find the love of your life. Become my slave.”

Just like that, millions of people started to work for Tang Wen.

“Sir, don’t you know? Almost 80% of Linghai County now belongs to Tang Wen.”

“My liege! Tang Wen has taken almost all of our land…”

As Tang Wen’s influence started to spread even further, he said, “I don’t know how big my land is. All I know is that I have a new title, the Landlord.”

Dust and blood scattered in an instant.Asahi and Aletha belong to a family of five that once governed a world known for its many powerful Rulers. When the twilight was swallowed by a mysterious radiance, their realm was transformed; the land, its people, and even the legends were reshaped by the ensuing light.Over millennia, the Adtraic Family’s world slipped into legend, leaving behind only whispers. Now, in this new, altered world shaped by the veil of light, the two descendants step from obscurity, determined to uncover the origins of the catastrophic radiance and recover their family’s concealed past.* * * * * * * *Cover art, map, sketches, and all other character illustrations are owned by me. (Turn on Paragraph Comments to see them.) Art by Rexsama, Rainbow Amee, and MeCurrent title is a place holderIf you're here for world building, you chose the right spot!Disclaimer: Truth and Family is a passion project, it will not be rushed, and it will be edited/published at my own pace. Thank you for reading!Tags: World building-heavy, complicated magic system, high fantasy, multiple leads, multiple protagonists. Strong to Weak, Adventure