Shadow's Hand - Chapter 15: The Unraveling

This is the world of Spirit Beasts where humans can forge contracts with Spirit Beasts or command them in battle, or har...

Nora is shattered a month before her wedding when she uncovers her fiancé's deceitful affair. As she manages this betrayal, she discovers a deep ploy to hinder her from claiming her rightful inheritance. Devastated but determined, Nora takes a daring step to regain control of her life. Enter Demetri 'The Demon' to those who know him, a formidable man barely known to her, who offers her protection and support in return for a contract marriage to satisfy him. In a twist of fate, Nora marries Demetri to claim her inheritance and fight those who plotted against her. But as she battles her own family and Demetri's many rivals, will she be able to keep from falling for the man known to crush people beneath his booted heel.Excerpt:She had forgotten that the man was intimidating and directly challenged him.Rather than speaking, Demetri rose from his seat and approached her deliberately. Although it was a mere few steps, time seemed to stretch for Nora. When he was almost within touching distance, his hand gently landed on her knee, moving it sideways. His touch moved with a hint of a caress, and he stepped between her open legs. Nora sat there in frozen silence, her eyes wide like a deer caught in headlights.Catching her chin between his fingers, he tilted her face upwards and spoke unhurriedly,“ You are my wife.”She nodded her head slowly in affirmation while his thumb slowly traced her lip. “I have given you time to gather your emotions.”Another nod. Nora's nervousness made her lick her lips, acutely aware of his intense gaze fixed upon them.“Your reason for the marriage was to secure your inheritance and get away from under your mother's thumb.”“Yes...” Nora whispered in confusion. Her confusion was not about his statement but about the bewildering sensations coursing through her. What was happening with her?”It's time for you to fulfil your end of the contract, yes?“ He continued.”Yes,“ Nora whispered breathlessly. Why was she breathless? Had the oxygen level in the house dropped? Was the air suddenly thinning?Abruptly, his hand left her face, and she watched as he drew closer. It was then that Nora comprehended what was unfolding. All those tantalizing, heart-pounding kisses she had read about in novels were about to possibly become her reality.But the anticipated kiss didn't happen. Instead, he paused near her and commanded, ”Kiss me.“

Sang Qianqian, the eldest daughter of the Sang family, was eighteen when she fell in love with Shen Hanyu at first sight.”I love you, Shen Hanyu.” “But I don’t,” Shen Hanyu replied ruthlessly, his every word determined. “Not now, not ever.”

Furious, the wealthy daughter planned her revenge against Shen Hanyu but somehow discovered that he would eventually become a cold-blooded, tyrannical big-shot who would destroy her family! Her spite towards him skyrocketed, but after she left, he missed Sang Qianqian like crazy, who was now leading a carefree life after moving far away and faking her death. Suddenly, she heard the news that Shen Hanyu, now a magnate and seemingly crazier, had her grave exhumed and was now on the search for her. Alarmed, she quickly packed up her things to go on the run again… only to find the man himself standing outside her door, breathing through gritted teeth, “Running again? Go for it.”Knowing that escape was futile, Sang Qianqian changed her approach and tried to charm her way out of the dangerous situation, only to fail and end up submitting herself.***

Years later, realizing she had been tricked, Sang Qianqiang threw the divorce papers in front of Shen Hanyu. “I want a divorce!”Shen Qianyu simply pulled her into his arms and leaned in for a kiss. Pulling away after a long while, he asked hoarsely, “Still want a divorce?”Left dazed by the kiss, Song Qianqian mumbled, “N-No…” “Then call me darling.” “D-Darling…”Shen Hanyu nodded in satisfaction. “Good girl.”

Rogers Darren is a smoker, drinker, liar, lothario, gold-digger, rule-breaker.At a brutal Marine HQ hearing, Darren faces accusations of scandalous wages, stolen Germa tech, suspicious Celestial Dragon deaths, and a few too many questionable entanglements with nobles-just another day for the greatest disgrace in Marine history.Biting his cigar, Darren simply grins: “I smoke, I drink, I lust for money and women, I crave power, I lie, and I break every rule... but I'm a damn good Marine.”Silence fell like a dropped anchor.(￣□￣；) (ーー゛) (￣o￣)