Order of the Elements - Chapter 41: Pressure Points and Heartbeats

“Block him.”“He's technically still my boss.”“Then block him with dignity.”The call ended again.And then started again.I let out a sound somewhere between a growl and a sob, then finally answered with the enthusiasm of a snail crawling through salt.“Yes, Mr. Walton?”“Have you changed your mind yet?”I collapsed onto the towel and gazed at the sky as though it might consume me entirely if I pleaded sweetly enough.“Do you ever take a break?” I asked, shielding my eyes with one hand.“You're avoiding the question.”“Because it's a dumb question.”He exhaled, the sound sharp and irritated even over phone. “It's not a dumb question. It's a business offer.”“It's a weird offer-one that I already said no to.”There was a brief pause, and I could practically hear him clenching his jaw through the speaker.“You are acting unreasonably.”“ Unreasonable?” I sat up. “I'm not the one drafting fake girlfriend contracts like it's a normal Tuesday.”“Isabella-”“Certainly not, Mr. Walton.” I mimicked his tone perfectly. “I told you I'm not doing it. You need to find someone else to play pretend with.”SYNOPSISIsabella Miller thought saying no to her boss’s fake dating offer was the end of the story.But Adrien Walton doesn’t take no—especially not when he’s convinced she’s a gold digger.Suddenly, her student loans are piling up, her father’s vet clinic is on the brink of eviction and her brother is about to be kicked out of college. Coincidence? She thinks not.Adrien Walton is calm, calculating—and he's just pulled every string to corner Isabella into the perfect position.Now she’s stuck choosing between pride and survival.So she agrees to his offer: be his fake girlfriend.No feelings attached. No drama. Just business.Or so she thought.“Conference Room B. Fifteen minutes,” he said, passing by without a glance.The folder he pushed across the table landed with a thud.I opened it. The contract. All of it.---Enemies to lovers? Check.Slow burn? Hmmnyea.Banter so sharp it might file your nails? Yes.Delicious workplace tension? Of course.Tension that could melt steel?Absolutely.Smut?? Wanna find out?Welcome to corporate romance warfare. There’s no escaping this contract.

In a romance novel called “The Secret Lovers of the Academy” the male lead would often torment his fiancée–but wait, why did she cross into this world to become his fiancée, the villainess, instead of the heroine?

Louise Sweeney found the perfect solution to escape the misfortune of being the villainess: “Your Highness, I just want to tell you that we don’t have to be tied with our engagement. We weren’t even officially engaged, right?”

But what was wrong with the male lead’s reaction? To her suggestion, he replied “But our engagement wasn’t false, don’t you agree?”

Born as the daughter of the last martial artist of this era, that is Yeon. Her father is the world’s greatest fighter and is respected by everyone. The only problem was…… “I know it’s impressive, but I don’t have to follow in his footsteps, do I?” Her stubborn father’s dream was for his daughter to also follow the path of martial arts. Naturally, Yeon’s life was filled with grueling training. Living a dull life, Yeon’s only hobby was reading romance fantasy novels before going to bed. “If only I could live as a lady once……” After making a wish, Yeon fell asleep and entered a novel as if she were dreaming. However, her enjoyment is short-lived when she realizes that it’s not a romance fantasy, but rather a martial arts novel. “It was my dream to be a possessor, but of all things, it had to be a martial arts novel, and in the body of a supporting character who dies early!” Feeling indignant and weeping, she suddenly notices her own reflection in the mirror. It was a glamorous image. ‘Hold on. Does this mean… I could become a lady?’ Moreover, in this world, there was a man who looked exactly like the male lead in her favorite romance fantasy. He was handsome and talented, but with a wretched backstory. “Things are going to be different now.” The fate of a supporting character who dies early? Forget about it. Whether they’re followers of the devil or a heretical sect, even the worst villains don’t scare her. Why? Because she is the strongest possessor in history. This is the story of Yeon’s adventures in the martial arts world, as she stumbles along in pursuit of everything she desires.

As the eldest daughter of the Yang Family's main branch, Yang Ruxin's pleasure was building the family fortune and supporting her younger siblings. But why was that blind and lame guy such a Relentless Spirit?When she cooked, he would come to light the fire;When she set up her stall, he would follow to hawk her goods...“I say, Mr. Gu, do you have to help with everything I do?” Yang Ruxin asked with a hint of annoyance.“Yes,” Mr. Gu nodded earnestly.“Then right now I want to...”“Wife.” Mr. Gu hurriedly stood up from his wheelchair, “as long as we don't part, I'll give you anything you want.”