Not the Hero, Not the Villain — Just the One Who Wins - Chapter 88: The Weight of Gratitude

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?

All I know is this is just wrong. I was just reading the latest chapter of One Piece in my computer. And an annoying survey popped up asking me if I want to play One Piece new beginning. Thinking nothing of it I said yes.And selected ‘Realistic’ difficulty.There was a game loading screen. Loading gibberish, and warning me that the world has a lot of surprises in store for me. Not all things are same, because I had to choose the ‘developer’s time-line’.And then telling me to brace for Character Synchronization. And before I knew it, I was no longer your average Joe. And this wasn’t earth either… no this was One Piece.And, I was Monkey D. Luffy. The future King of pirates.I mean what could go wrong? If Luffy could do it, so could I.But this wasn’t the same One piece world I remember. Some changes are small like Kuina being Zoro’s rival… who’s alive.While others were huge. Like… did you know, Whitebeard had an actual beard?! Man looked like Santa Claus on steroids. Jaked and shit!Just what did I get myself into?But does it matter?No.Because I’m going to have the time of my life. This was going to be one heck of an adventure.

【Mr. Lin Wife's Love Story】“Boss, in one minute, your wife has scratched a limited edition sports car while driving.” “What, has the wife been hurt?” “No.” “That's good, you can directly charge the expenses of the car to my account. In future, you will handle similar situations in the same way, as long as my wife isn't hurt herself.” Secretary: Boss, do you have any principles left?【Mr. Lin's Marriage Trick】“Nannan, as long as you marry me, you can still do what you like, go where you want, and I will handle all the house chores.” “Hm, sounds pretty good.”【Post-Marriage Complaints】After marrying, An Nan found that a certain man secretly sabotaged her work, reducing it by half, and whenever she wanted to go somewhere, that man conveniently had free time, thus killing her plans for romance in its cradle. Damn, with things like this, why did she even get married: “Lin Mubai, I want a divorce.”(This story doesn't involve any third or fourth parties, even if one or two pop-up sometimes, they are just cannon fodder)

What would happen if you found yourself in One Piece as a Side character ?What would you do if your cheats were not actual cheats, instead you got scientific knowledge. Would you accept your life as a side character? Would you stay low key and mind your own business? Or would you throw yourself into the plot and change it to your benefit? This is a story about a man that had those options.Blerd finds himself in one of his favourite animes , One Piece. If you seen an add offering transmigration services to other worlds don't click it! At best it's spam at worst it's real. Some things are better as a work of fiction. Why? Smart Isekai is an ad that has you choose an anime world and challenge it with No golden fingers no quick power ups. You have to use you brain to think of creative ways you can challenge the world with no cheats but as a Native. I chose to challenge the world of One Piece. Now I am really in One Piece how the heck am I gonna survive ?