Hard Carried by My Sword - Chapter 171

In the glittering, high-stakes world of Aurelia Bay’s beauty empire, Fiona Flare’s life shatters on what was meant to be her engagement night. Dumped by her fiancé for someone “more aligned with his trajectory,” she drowns her heartbreak in vodka and neon at the exclusive Eclipse Lounge.There, in a haze of bass and shadows, she collides with a mysterious stranger—tall, commanding, storm-gray eyes, hands that know exactly how to unravel her. No names. No promises. Just one raw, unforgettable night of passion that leaves her marked, aching, and blissfully unaware of who he really is.Weeks later, two pink lines on a pregnancy test turn her world upside down. Single, jobless, and determined, Fiona vows to raise the baby alone—no handouts, no hunting for the man who vanished at dawn.But fate has other plans.Unknowingly, Fiona lands a dream job at Voss Éclat—the city’s dominant beauty conglomerate—run by none other than Martin Mole, the enigmatic CEO who still dreams of emerald silk and the woman who slipped out of his bed without a trace.As Fiona rises in the company, sparks fly during tense meetings and late-night strategy sessions. Martin recognizes her instantly but keeps his distance, watching, waiting, torn between his guarded heart and the fierce woman carrying his child.What starts as corporate tension ignites into forbidden desire, corporate sabotage, family secrets, and a slow-burn revelation that could destroy everything—or build an empire stronger than either of them imagined.A story of heartbreak turned fire, one reckless night turned legacy, and two people who must decide whether to fight fate… or finally surrender to it.Secret baby. Slow-burn chemistry. Power, passion, and a bump neither saw coming.

Broken-hearted and drunk, Yoshida, a 26-years old salaryman, stumbled upon a runaway-from-home high-schooler on his way back from the bar.

“Hey, you. JK.”*

“What the heck are you doing out here. Go home already.”

“Uncle, let me stay at your place for the night.”

“You can do ‘that’ to me if you let me stay.”

“If you meant that as a joke, it’s not funny.”

“I’m not joking. It’s fine by me.”

“Then allow me to tell you that I have no interest in brats.”

“Hmm?”

“Then, just let me stay.”

Notes:

[*] JK is slang for Joushikousei (high school girl)

A law professor hiding his origin.A student who falls for him.And one secret that ties them both to the Marino name.Falling in war.Jace Marino lives two lives. Respected law professor by day, mafia heir by blood. He swore he’d left his family’s world behind, until a quiet student named Julian Pole walks into his class and turns everything upside down.Julian thinks he’s just fallen for the wrong man until he discovers the truth. Jace isn’t just his professor. He’s a Marino. And now Julian’s caught between love, lies, and one of the most dangerous families in New York

After a series of life-changing events, Pei Ge decides to start anew and rediscover her place in this world. She gets a new job, new friends and… a new boss whom she mistakes as a male host!

He helps her to get revenge on a back-stabbing friend, supports her when it seems that the world has given up on her, encourages her to be more confident about herself and even… messes up her blind dates!

With her strong working abilities and fiery attitude, she manages to climb up the ranks in the company (under the devious scheme of a certain CEO) and even gains a fan girl who can’t wait to be her sister-in-law.

As Pei Ge navigates through the ups and downs of office politics, family drama, finding her right partner and societal expectations, she realizes that things are not as simple as it seemed and everything she had believed in is tested…

The Big Misunderstanding:

“You asshole! Why didn’t you use protection?! I’m pregnant!”
“…It’s not mine.”
“Asshole! You actually dare to not admit it?! I gave all my firsts to you! You jerk!”
…
At the gynecologist, she read her pregnancy lab report and was stunned: Irregular period.
The man raised an eyebrow and smirked, “Didn’t you make a ruckus about being pregnant with my child? Where is the child?!”
“…” Who is scared of who? Let’s make a bet!