The Phantom's Gambit - Chapter 1: Before the fall

Endless sky and infinite space, the cosmos isn’t some paradise waiting to be found, it is full of darkness and danger, death and terror of the great unknown. However, for that glittering swath of blue, we have no fear! For the longevity of men, we have no regrets! Nothing shall stand in our way because it is finally our time, our age! The age of cosmos exploration!

[Reunion at the beginning + Broken mirror reassembled + Bittersweet pull + Childhood sweethearts + Baby + Pure love + Sweet and torturous + Dramatic]Proud, cold, noble, and passionate CaptainFallen young lady, gentle flight doctorIn the fifth year after their breakup, flight doctor Annelise Winter reunited with her first love in the bustling midnight airport.That night, his news of piloting Warner Airlines 8830 through a thunderstorm zone to land back in the country stirred great waves.He is the Crown Prince of Kybourne South Airlines.And also the youngest civil aviation captain.Young and beautiful girls swarmed around him like bees.But Annelise Winter was always left behind.The cold and noble Captain Warner never glanced at Dr. Winter.Until one day, Annelise left without a word.People saw Captain Warner alone in Dr. Winter's office, eyes red.——When they met again, Annelise was holding the hand of a four-year-old girl.She said to the child, “Luna, call him Uncle.”Elias Warner suppressed his emotions as he questioned, eyes crimson, “Whose child is this?”Dr. Winter calmly replied, “A child unrelated to you.”So, during the five years she played and discarded him to go abroad, she had a child with another man.Looking at the man's desolate departing figure, little Luna obediently held her mother's hand.Perplexed.“Mom, isn't he Dad? Why should I call him Uncle?”……In this world, perhaps no one loves Elias Warner more than Annelise Winter.At eight years old, she had a budding crush.At twenty years old, she separated from him.At twenty-five, they reunited.Every day and every night, she hoped he would return safely.Such a wait, it lasted five years.

He was a simple man in his past life – a masseuse, not a hero. His hands were trained to heal pain, not cause it. But when fate dragged him into another world, those same hands became the only thing keeping him alive.Unlike the chosen ones who gain holy blessings or unrivaled power, he has nothing but skill, wit, and stubbornness. He doesn’t seek glory, nor does he dream of leaving his name in history.But the world has other plans.A kingdom built on lies. Families fighting for power in the shadows. Betrayals hidden behind smiles. And he? He’s caught in the middle, forced to navigate schemes that could devour him whole.He isn’t the strongest. He isn’t the bravest. But sometimes, the man who doesn’t want the spotlight… is the one who survives it.________I get this alot so I'm going to clarify:This is not a smut novel, there will be romantic scenes but not as pronounced.

Alexander Blackwell has always been a man of taste, charm, and relentless ambition—traits he inherited alongside the world’s largest fortune. When his legendary father, a trillionaire who built an empire from nothing, passes away, Alexander wakes up to a reality most could only dream of: unlimited power, endless wealth, and a blank canvas to shape his legacy.But Alexander isn’t content with simply inheriting the Blackwell name; he’s determined to redefine it. From purchasing private islands to creating monuments of vanity, hosting the most exclusive events, and launching ventures that blur the line between brilliance and indulgence, he sets out to make himself unforgettable.To Alexander, ambition and excess go hand in hand. After all, what’s the point of having everything if you’re not building something bigger? What’s the point of having it all if you aren’t living like it?Disclaimer:This work is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. All trademarks, brand names, and other proprietary rights mentioned or depicted are the property of their respective owners and are used for illustrative purposes only. This work is not affiliated with or endorsed by any brand, company, or individual mentioned. All rights reserved.