Rivers of the Night - Chapter 17: Storm

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?

Feng Chen, the esteemed head of the Feng Clan, had lived a peaceful life for thirty years since his transmigration. He believed his life would continue as it is—until his 30th birthday, when his System finally arrived!But along with that came the plot for the Main Character.Ling Meiyu: “I can no longer be engaged to Feng Yun. His cultivation is low, and he is unworthy of my Ling family’s status!”Feng Yun: “Today, it’s not you, Ling Meiyu, withdrawing from the engagement. It’s me, Feng Yun, repudiating you! I am divorcing you today!”It seems like my brother is the protagonist!

[Sweet Baby + Parenting + Doting In-laws + Light-hearted + Redemption]Xu Wan became a widow right after her marriage, initially hoping to enjoy a carefree life as a Marquis’s wife.Unexpectedly, on her very first day at the mansion, that notorious troublemaker of a stepson, infamous throughout the capital, tried to intimidate her twice.Xu Wan grabbed a knife and rushed out, instantly becoming the talk of the entire capital!Though she thought her dreams of being the Marquis’s wife were over, her in-laws surprisingly retaliated by entrusting the little devil to her care for reformation.Xu Wan: “???”Little Devil: “???”At first, no one believed it would work…But later, the maids would exclaim in amazement every day:“The young master who never studied is actually going to the study room!”“The young master is even bringing foot-washing water for the old Marquis!”“The young master actually saved all the children in the slums!”…The Marquis’s mansion was shocked, the entire capital was shocked, even His Majesty in the palace was shocked.Word spread that the Marquis’s wife had a special talent for reforming troublesome children. Soon, court officials began sending their rebellious sons to the mansion, and the mansion’s “elite class” kept growing!Three years later.The Minister of Rites, responsible for the imperial examinations, wailed to the heavens: “It’s impossible to choose! They’re all top candidates!”

Choices. Crossroads. Opportunities.Plunged into a broken world ruled by the strong, Damien must decide how his newfound life will proceed. Navigating through conflicts and alliances, his journey intertwines with the fates of powerful figures and kingdoms, challenging the very fabric of the hellish world.Set against the backdrop of the legendary One Piece universe, this tale reimagines familiar characters and lore, weaving a narrative that explores themes of power, redemption, and the indomitable spirit of adventure. Damien's quest is not just for treasure or glory but a deeper pursuit of a truth that could change the course of history.As the tides of the Grand Line shift and churn, Damien confronts the harsh realities of the pirate world, facing challenges that test his limits and forge his legacy. In this saga of the high seas, only the bold dare to dream, and only the strong survive. Will Damien rise to become a legend among pirates, or will the unforgiving waters claim yet another soul? The journey to discover 'One Piece' is as perilous as it is wondrous, and for Damien, every choice and battle is a step closer to his ultimate destiny.Join him as he goes against all odds in the world of Pirates, Marines, and Revolutionaries, sailing on the Path to Power!