novel_evaray

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?

30 Days of Passion and Revenge

Lily had previously worked in the media industry and was highly perceptive about how paparazzi operated. Unless someone had leaked information, every reporter couldn't mobilize overnight.

"Understood, Miss Anderson," Helen replied, immediately picking up her phone to instruct others to investigate.

The sheer number of reporters outside was overwhelming. The bodyguards pushed back the crowd, creating a narrow path for their car to enter the Clearwater Bay community.

When they arrived at Ethan's villa, the once-luxurious and lively mansion seemed desolate, shrouded in a sense of decline. The maids had stopped working, gathering in small groups and whispering anxiously.

The grand, gilded European-style villa now exuded an atmosphere of loss and disarray, as though it had been defeated overnight.

Nanny was sitting in the living room, crying uncontrollably. When she saw Lily enter, she quickly rushed over. "Miss Anderson, how is Mr. Blackwood?"

A Ruthless Father