The final ingredient to finding true love is one teaspoon of lies. **** On her 18th birthday, Elspeth's world was shattered after a one-night stand left her pregnant. The child's father, Alan, betrayed her by revealing his alliance with her scheming half-sister, Heather, who aimed to steal Elspeth's position as heiress. To protect their family’s reputation, her parents sent her away in disgrace. Years later, Elspeth returns, determined to reclaim her place and exact revenge on those who wronged her. But her family’s pressure to marry complicates things. Desperate to dodge a blind date, she impulsively kisses Castiel Stepanov, her daughter's teacher, using him as a convenient escape. When a key investor insists on meeting her husband, Elspeth sees an opportunity and proposes a fake marriage to Castiel. Castiel, a powerful Russian business mogul and part-time elementary teacher, has his own hidden agenda. Traumatized by witnessing the murder of his family, Castiel’s life has been driven by the desire for revenge. Unbeknownst to Elspeth, her father is responsible for the tragedy that destroyed his family. Eager to destroy Elspeth's life, Castiel agrees to the sham marriage, intent on ruining her and her father. As their fake marriage progresses, hidden truths and deep-seated wounds begin to surface. Can Elspeth balance her desire for vengeance with her need to protect her heart, her daughter, and her empire? And will Castiel follow through with his plan for revenge, or will love and the weight of the past consume them both? _______ TROPES: One night stand. Pregnancy. Contract/Fake Marriage. Win her back. Betrayal x Revenge Family. First person (dual perspectives) ______ IG: @ebynamani TT: @eby.namani
Song Rec'd: Poison — David Kushner
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Heather Loughton stepped out of the taxi outside a quiet diner, adjusting her coat against the cool evening breeze. The soft clicking of her heels echoed across the floor as she entered.
She headed for a private room, flashing a polite smile at the older man waiting for her: Timothy Richardson—the highest shareholder of Loughton Corporation. The faint aroma of black bean noodles lingered in the air as she sat across from him, her posture poised.
"Nice of you to honor my invitation, Mr. Richardson," she said, her lips curving into a practiced smile.
Timothy glanced up from his plate, slurping another mouthful of noodles before offering a dismissive nod. "The pleasure is mine," he replied, washing his words down with a gulp of beer.