Ceo Accidental Bride

"Let's get married," Alex said, and Lynn's eyes immediately grew wide. was he crazy? "What!" "You can do what I want, and i will do what you need." What happens when Alex hult, the sole heir to the hult empire, gets married to Lynn, a waitress with a troubles past... Everyone his curious about this unlikely union. is she a goldigger? Was it love? They wonder... What brings these two unlikely pair close to each other? would they heal from their past traumas and learn to love or will their trauma consume both... A roller coaster of emotion...

[The country finally matched me with a partner—the richest man in the world.] Ye Xingguang, dumped on the day of her graduation, stormed to the civil department to get in the queue for matchmaking, and somehow got Ye Junqing, the billionaire who topped the Forbes Rich list? Everyone was saying that Ye Junqing also topped the list of celibates, and Ye Xingguang had expected that he would be difficult to get along with. However, after their marriage, her husband taught her how to dance, play the piano, survival skills, high society etiquette, and the art of death. He's a harbor in the storm like a father, and a brother who entertained her whims. She had thought that she had used up all her luck for this moment, but greater surprises were in store for her... Was she dreaming?

``` Volumen 1: Completado Enlace al Tráiler Oficial de la Novela a continuación: 1. Enlace de Instagram: https://bit.ly/3fvoXQS 2. Enlace de Youtube: https://bit.ly/3v81ATG Advertencia: Un viaje de amor y odio tipo montaña rusa y una historia conmovedora equipada con misterios. Dylan Sterling, el más joven y despiadado director ejecutivo del Grupo Sterling, posee poderes especiales que superaron al Grupo. Dinero, fama e inteligencia eran claras evidencias de su estatus en la sociedad a la que pertenece. Su talento excepcional tenía un propósito oculto, y el mundo oscuro que gobernaba era cruel. No mostró misericordia con aquellos que bloquearon su camino y devoró a quienes intentaron enfrentarse a él. Savannah Schultz, de 21 años, huérfana convertida en modelo, estaba comprometida para casarse con Devin solo para obtener apoyo para el negocio familiar que su padre había construido durante muchos años. Más tarde, la situación se torció después de la muerte de su padre. Y su tío Dalton Schultz la adoptó para obtener todo lo que ella tenía, incluida la ayuda de Devin. Devin la había vendido como a una esclava a su tío Dylan - para urdir un plan contra el hombre notorio a cambio de capital adicional para inyectar en su empresa. Dylan la había consumido como una caja de chocolates y la trató como una ficha de negociación. Se sintió desequilibrada y cayendo en un abismo profundo. Ira, tristeza, vergüenza: se hincharon dentro de ella y amenazaron con arruinar su vida. Para salvarse de la humillación, él planificó perfectamente tomarla como su esposa nominal y prometió ayudarla a romper el compromiso y apoyar el negocio familiar. Ayuda e humillada, aceptó su trato. Empezó a hacerse fuerte frente a esos abusones, pero seguía siendo débil cuando se trataba de él. Vivieron juntos pero se trataron mutuamente como extraños. No tenía planes de enamorarse de ella ya que alguien había ocupado su corazón hace unos años. Entonces la situación cambió cuando descubrió quién era realmente ella. ¡Pero el mundo oscuro que él gobernaba amenazaba con destruirlos! Misterio, engaño y venganza los impulsaron a ambos a surgir juntos. Portada creada por Weilan. Si quieres saber más sobre la historia, sígueme en Instagram: annashannellin. ```

In the world of power, wealth, and dark secrets, Eleanor Sinclair finds herself trapped in a marriage to the infamous Blackthorne twins, Alexander and Sebastian—two ruthless men known as the Devil Brothers. Feared in the underworld and worshiped in high society, they rule with iron fists and icy hearts. But Eleanor is no ordinary woman. She carries a past even she doesn’t fully remember, a hidden strength that awakens when she is pushed to the edge. Forced into this marriage by their powerful grandfather, Eleanor becomes a pawn in the Blackthorne empire—a woman they both resent, yet can’t ignore. When she is thrown into their dangerous world, Eleanor must learn to navigate the games of the rich and powerful. She will face betrayal, passion, and the unspoken war between love and hate. As secrets unravel and shadows from the past emerge, one question remains:

Leyla, a sarcastic lawyer, unexpectedly becomes trapped in a magical world of yokai beings after signing a marriage contract with the mysterious prince Naru. To free herself, she must find a stolen artifact, but as they investigate, something strong grows between them, and the magic surrounding them threatens to change everything. Will their romance become the key to salvation, or will it forever seal their fates?

#HAREM, #R18, #ECCHI, #SMUT #ROMANCE [WARNING] ****** /THIS NOVEL CONTAINS TOO MUCH EXPLICT SEXUAL CONTENT, CURSE LANGUAGE **** * ** ******* * **** AUDIENCE DISCRETION IS ADVISED "Willa. Man, that girl. Picture perfect. Like, the kind of perfect that made my teenage hormones throw a full-blown rave every time she walked by. My nightly 'Willa fantasies' were legendary, let's just say. Pure, unadulterated, mind-melting… yeah, you get the picture. So, picture this: me, late for class, scrambling through the hallway like a greased pig. BAM! I slam into someone. Willa. And, oh boy, did I get a show. Turns out, she was going commando. A major, major wardrobe malfunction. And let's just say my body decided to throw its own mini celebration. Instant bulge. Visible. Obvious. Her eyes went wide, a mix of surprise and… was that a smirk? My blood was pumping like a jackhammer. I tried to play it cool, slinking back to my seat in the back. But guess who decided to join me? Willa, blushing like she'd just won the lottery. My heart beating hard. Was she into me? Was this my lucky day? Look, I'm not gonna lie. This isn't some deep, philosophical journey. It's about girls. Hot girls. And, yeah, a harem. Because why settle for one goddess when you can have a whole pantheon? But Willa… she's different. She's the OG fantasy. So, the question is, can I juggle a whole crew and still keep my eyes on the prize? Can I have my cake and eat it too, or will Willa make me choose? Stay tuned, because this is gonna get wild." #HAREM, #R18, #ECCHI, #SMUT #ROMANCE

Gévaudan is haunted. A beast lurks in the shadows, a monster of fang and claw that the villagers whisper is no mere wolf but something far worse-something that cannot die. To appease the creature's endless hunger, a bride is given. A sacrifice. When Élise Moreau is chosen, she knows escape is impossible. Bound in silk and led into the cursed forest, she expects to meet a brutal, bloody end. But the beast does not kill her. He watches. He waits. And when the truth of what he is begins to unravel, she realizes the real terror isn't death-it's that something monstrous is keeping her alive. Because the beast wears two faces. And one of them is human.

Adopted daughter Scarlet Winter life had been a rollercoaster as she battles with providing for the parasitic family of hers... She engages in so many occupations, from a 9-5 job, to a delivery girl, a handyman, a stand in secretary or agent. As long as it provides money she is willing to take on the job. An emergency call from home concerning her adoptive parents turned her life upside down.... "You can marry her", Pauline shouted. "Marry her in place of the debt". .... The man looked her over and satisfied with the compensation "Be at the marriage registration centre by 8am or suffer the consequences", he said coldly. What happens after she signed the marriage and finds out that the groom has been swapped... not the loan sharks anymore? What happens when the groom finds out that the bride he had planned to marry had been mistakenly swapped to another? Will hell be let loose or will they both try to navigate the situation? What happens to the identities replaced? Will they seek reinstallment? Will they revenge? or Will they let go?

Aziel Mateo is a young man, born without visible talent and doesn’t have magic in a world ruled by magic users. These magic users are blessed by the universe, and they serve under the twelve gods. Aziel Mateo who didn't get his blessing from the universe, decided to train himself in order to fill the gap of magic users and himself. However, he still found himself lacking, as the magic users were stronger with their magic. Aziel felt like an outsider in the Academy, always being bullied, rediculed, and beaten up by the bullies in the Academy constantly. Still he continued his training in the shadows, slowly but surely he rose up to the ranks of the strong students without using magic. But when everything seem to finally going to his way, it all changed. An event that forever altered the course of his life happened during their training camp. Aziel Mateo was inside a cave when he saw a woman, introducing him a magic chest that was full of magic scrolls. These scrolls contained forgotten arcane knowledge for magic. The woman helped him become someone he didn't thought he could become. With her help and arcane knowledge that was written in the magic scrolls, Aziel Mateo obtain the ancient arcane powers, and become stronger that not even in his imaginations, he thought he could attain. Until the woman revealed that she was actually one of the gods who were betrayed, and she wanted Aziel's help for vangeance.

A captivating tale of supernatural intrigue, revenge, and forbidden love, where loyalty is tested, and the past holds the power to shape the future. In a realm where the line between the living and the dead is fragile, QingWu embarks on a dangerous mission to uncover the hidden truths of her past. Haunted by betrayal and her father's family's dark secrets, she seeks vengeance, ready to fight any force that stands in her way. But when a forbidden connection with Xiao Chenyuan, the formidable Dread King, begins to grow, her path to revenge becomes more complicated. Bound by ancient forces and trapped in a world of spirits, QingWu must confront the ghosts of those she’s lost while discovering her own power. As the tension between revenge and love rises, she must decide whether to let the past consume her or embrace the possibility of a future that could heal the wounds she’s carried for so long.

Four rich and handsome brothers up against one girl! Asher, Ashton, Ashley and Ashal are the four quadruplet sons of the Rollins family, the wealthiest family in the country of Danvarr. They’re notorious for being sexy, smart businessmen like their father. The brothers never use their real names in public spaces and all go by ‘Ash Rollins’. They all wear the same hairstyle and swap identities almost all the time. Even their parents can’t always tell them apart. Only the brothers can. Demi is a sweet, hardworking twenty years old girl who works at a book store. When her boyfriend cheats on her because she wanted to wait till marriage, she makes a poor decision to drink for the first time. Her night is so crazy she wakes up at home with a marriage certificate in her hand signed by one Ash Rollins. The problem is she can’t recall much and doesn’t know which of the brothers she married. Typically, all the quads deny her claim and the billionaire family kicks her out of their mansion. Demi’s fate changes when the annulment of the marriage threatens the social image of the Rollins Empire. The family proposes Demi plays their daughter-in-law for a year till the tension blows over. Demi accepts only to teach the quads a lesson. Since her true husband won’t step up, Demi is allowed to choose any of the quads to be her husband. Her ‘real husband silently grows restless seeing her with his brother, but he isn’t the only one falling head over heels for the first daughter-in-law of the Rollins empire. All the brothers compete for Demi’s heart because she’s nothing like the women they’re used to. Will their obsession to win her heart finally tear the brothers apart or will Demi’s big secret do the trick? Which ‘Ash Rollins’ will win the girl in the end?

In a world where love is a luxury she can’t afford, Evie Lane is fighting to keep her family afloat. A struggling artist working double shifts at a café, Evie’s life revolves around her ailing mother and her talented younger sister, Lily, whose dreams of attending a prestigious music school hang by a thread. When a chance encounter with Alexander Grant, the enigmatic and ruthless CEO of Grant Industries, turns her world upside down, Evie is offered a deal she can’t refuse: a secret marriage in exchange for financial security. But nothing is as simple as it seems. As Evie navigates the opulent yet suffocating world of the elite, she discovers that Alex is hiding more than just his wealth. Haunted by a tragic past and bound by a promise to her late father, Alex’s cold exterior begins to crack, revealing a man as broken as he is powerful. Caught between duty and desire, Evie must decide if their hidden marriage is a prison or a path to redemption. With secrets unraveling and enemies closing in, Hidden in Plain Sight is a gripping tale of love, sacrifice, and the lengths we go to protect the ones we love. Will Evie and Alex’s fragile bond survive the storm, or will the truth tear them apart?

Book 1 in the planned trilogy The Girl Who Sang to the Engine. In a parallel reality where humanity thrives on Ether-a mysterious energy derived from the alien element Anonium-progress comes at a hidden cost. Unbeknownst to society, their reliance on Ether awakens a cosmic Eldritch machine known only as the Engine, whose cryptic motives remain shrouded in static and whispers. Amid this unraveling world, two high school girls emerge as unlikely players in a cosmic game they don't yet understand. Rachel Harper, captain of her basketball team, discovers she has the ability to manipulate time-but each use leaves behind faint traces of static, distorting her reflection and eroding her sense of self. Her best friend, Emily Voss , foresees fragments of alternate lives-all ending tragically-and fears she's next. Together, they stumble upon clues linking their fates to the Engine, though neither understands why. Haunted P.I.A. agent Elijah Carter arrives in Corwood, Tennessee, tasked with investigating reports of anomalies tied to the town's new reactor. A seasoned tracker with the rare ability to see residual echoes of paranormal events, Elijah quickly realizes he's dealing with something far beyond his usual assignments. Meanwhile, drug lord Dezerea Hernandez floods the streets with Gloom, a substance transforming users into static-ridden husks called Hollows to flush out a threat to humanity. As Rachel grapples with her growing bond to the Engine, she risks losing herself to its cold logic. Meanwhile, Emily battles insomnia and visions of her own deaths, desperate to break free from fate's cruel grip. With the Engine's awakening imminent, humanity stands on the brink of collapse-or rebirth. But can two teenage girls rewrite fate before time runs out? Warning: This book is a Meta Cosmic Horror Trilogy, contains violence, psychologically disturbing images, heavy foreshadowing, red herrings, fourth wall breaks.

When her meticulously crafted marriage to Elijah Rossi shatters on her wedding night with a brutal revelation: "There is no us, Imogen. There never was." Imogen is abandoned by her husband and further faces an even crueler twist when her husband refuses a divorce. With the arrival of Isaac Rossi, Elijah's revenge-driven half brother, Imogen strikes a clandestine deal with her brother-in-law to navigate a dangerous game of deceit, seeking to outmaneuver her indifferent husband. As loyalties are tested, Imogen must decide which brother is right for her. The one she was made for or the one she burns for.

In a world where superpowers are common, heroism has become the biggest industry, with top heroes standing as untouchable icons. But not all heroes are superstars—some are just background extras. Adam Vance is one of them. As a mere E-Class sidekick with a weak ability, he's nothing more than a glorified errand boy for a D-Class hero who barely qualifies as one himself. Underpaid, overlooked, and mocked, Adam knows this world dosent care about nobodies like him. But everything changes when a powerful villain rampages through the city, and Adam gets his time to shine. With civilians in danger and a child trapped under rubble, Adam faces a choice: walk away like a nobody or step up like a hero. Charging into battle with nothing but determination and his so called useless power, Adam unknowingly sets into motion events that will shake the entire hero world. As he rises, so do the challenges. Media observation, jealous rivals, corrupt organizations, and hidden truths about the hero industry all threaten to break him before he can even touch greatness. This is the story where he stops being a sidekick—and starts carving his own legend. *** Additional tags #Showbiz #Gritty Realism #Hero Society #Hidden Potential #Live Broadcast Battles #Overcoming Limits *** I hope you enjoy reading this. [WPC-March-2025 Entry!!]

Betrayed. Abducted. Bound by Vengeance. Angel thought turning twenty would mean freedom—escaping the gilded cage her father built around her. But on the night of her birthday, she lost everything. Taken by Leoric, the man who had spent years plotting his revenge, she was meant to be nothing more than a pawn—a sacrifice to break her father’s pride. But fate had other plans. A mysterious vortex pulls them into a deadly new world—a land ruled by darkness, where power belongs to the strong and escape is impossible. The only way back? A tribute to the supreme ruler: a virgin bride. With danger closing in and an unbreakable bond forming between captor and captive, Angel and Leoric must face an impossible choice. In a world where innocence is currency and survival demands sacrifice, will revenge still be enough? Or will they become each other’s salvation?

I never expected my life to change so drastically. One moment, I was a woman with dreams, deeply in love with a man I thought I’d spend my life with. The next, I was betrayed and heartbroken, walking in on him cheating without a hint of remorse. That night, overwhelmed with pain and too much alcohol, I made a reckless decision, a one-night stand with a stranger who, to my shock, turned out to be my new boss. Arec, the vice president of Denco Groups, was desperate. To secure his future as CEO, he needed a wife, and in a twist of fate, he offered me a contract marriage. It sounded absurd, but his desperation mirrored my own need to escape the wreckage of my life. It was supposed to be simple: no emotions, no strings attached. A business arrangement, nothing more. I thought I could handle it, that I could keep my heart out of it. I was wrong. What started as a deal quickly spiraled into something far more complicated. As our fake marriage blurred into real feelings, the world around us began to close in. Disapproving family, old enemies, buried secrets, scheming rivals, and even an attempt on my life threatened to tear us apart. This is my story, a journey of heartbreak, unexpected love, and a fight to protect what we built together. In a world filled with lies and deceit, can a marriage born out of necessity become something real? --- Warning: This book contains mature themes. Join my Discord server: https://discord.gg/NJJKETf4

Enemies to Lovers

Agatha made a vow on her mother’s deathbed—she would never marry. After witnessing the heartbreak and suffering love brought her mother, she swore to never walk the same path. But fate had other plans. Tricked by her father and aunt, she unknowingly signed a marriage contract. The shocking truth hit her like a storm when she was introduced at the world’s most prestigious fundraising gala as Mrs. Christian Stone—the wife of the infamous, ruthless billionaire known as The Beast. At first, Agatha believed it was a terrible mistake. Then reality set in. Every attempt to escape ended in failure, leaving her with no choice but to stay. But if she had to be trapped in this marriage, she would make her husband’s life a living hell. Yet, as time passed, she uncovered a side of Christian that no one else saw—a broken man, scarred by a painful past, yearning for love yet too damaged to embrace it. The ruthless billionaire who struck fear in others found solace in her. And against all odds, Agatha found herself falling for the man she once despised. Just when happiness seemed within reach, a dark secret from Christian’s past shatters their fragile love. Devastated, Agatha is ready to walk away for good. But then, his desperate plea stops her. "You can’t leave me, Agatha. My world will crumble without you. You made me love you, and now you want to leave? For the sake of our unborn child, please… stay." For the first time, she sees the mighty Christian Stone beg. Now, standing at the crossroads of love and freedom, Agatha must make a choice. Will she walk away and reclaim the life she always wanted? Or will she stay and fight for the man who has finally captured her heart?

In a world where magic and mortal realms intertwine, Alara, a talented but reclusive young witch, finds herself trapped in a dangerous bargain. To prevent a war between her people (Humans) and the powerful Fae kingdom of the Night Court, she is promised as a bride to Lord Kael, the enigmatic and feared ruler of the court. But the almighty king has a curse, whoever he touches will succumb to death. Will Alara be able to break the curse with her enchanted magic and survive a death sentence?

Someone who loves kdrama you can come here for the tea

According to myths, two people were connected by the red thread of fate. They were destined to meet regardless of time, place and circumstances. They say the Gods tied an invisible red string around the little finger of those who were soulmates and will one day marry each other. The thread may be stretched, twisted or knotted but it will never be broken. *********************************************** Death. A word that terrifies humans. The absence of life, an inevitable universal process that occurs in all living things. For Crystal Myers, his death was just around the corner. She was diagnosed with a congenital heart disease when she was a kid. Although her family was wealthy, the doctors said it cannot be cured even with surgery. Although she was a weird university graduate who had a doctorate degree in mythological studies and was obsessed with beliefs, legends, and unworldly beings, she just wanted to live her life to the fullest and was just waiting for her death. But everything changed when she met Dr. Allistair Cohen, a renowned Cardiothoracic Surgeon. He promised to cure her and that she could live a normal life again but in exchange, she had to marry him. She was hesitant, of course. But a new life with a stranger wasn't a bad idea to move on from Brad. EXCERPT: “Why am I still alive? And where am I?” “You’re in my house.” It was a man's voice, but because of the darkness invading the room, she couldn’t see who it was. “I died. My heart stopped beating. How am I alive?” She asked again. “I saved you. It was forbidden, but I had to.” The shadow shown by the moonlight confirmed that the voice was coming from the couch just a few steps away from the bed. “You saved me? How?” The figure stood up and slowly walked toward the light. Her eyes bawled seeing a hooded black skeleton holding a scythe in front of her. “Y-You’re the grim reaper!” She exclaimed. “So you know about me. I am Erebus, son of the Goddess of Death Mist, Achlys. I am here to collect your soul.” She thought it was just a dream, but looking at her husband, she realized that he was not just a regular doctor. Could she continue her life with the man who had a dark secret? Could she control her heart every time he touched her? Would she continue being his wife if she found out that she was being deceived? ************************************* Book cover is not mine. Credit to the rightful owner.

Thania never expected that her simple act of helping an old man by the roadside would change her entire life. The man, who turned out to be a successful businessman, felt indebted to her and offered her a job. Without much thought, Thania accepted the offer, believing it was a great opportunity to improve her life. However, to her surprise, the job was far from ordinary. The man also asked her to replace his runaway daughter-in-law on the day of her wedding to his son, Gibran. In a desperate situation with no other options, Thania found herself trapped in a marriage that was not only unfamiliar but also cold and full of pain. Gibran, the man who was now her husband, did not welcome her warmly. To him, this marriage was merely an agreement to protect his family’s reputation. He could not accept Thania as his wife, let alone love her. Every day felt like a test, with Gibran constantly treating her with coldness and indifference, as if to remind her that she was just a replacement, not a choice. On one hand, Thania tried to endure, to understand the man, and to find a way to make this marriage more than just a formality. But the closer she tried to get, the more Gibran pushed her away. The continuous rejection and pain wore her down, leaving her with one lingering question—should she stay and fight or walk away from it all? What Thania didn’t realize was that behind Gibran’s cold demeanor lay a deep secret. A past that still haunted him, a reason why he couldn’t easily let another woman into his life. And when that secret finally came to light, would Thania still have the strength to stay? Or was it time for her to leave for good?

# Arranged marriage #Paranormal Romance -She was his sweet peach. His wish. His eternity. His redemption. His to corrupt and his to command. He has and would never love any the way he loved her- Hermione Barclay, an attractive princess suffered a tragic past which caused her to isolate herself, frightened by the presence of people, poor constructions of words... The memory of the vampire boy whom she had once felt safe around remained etched in her innermost self and she fantasized about nothing but him. Years later, a marriage proposal arrived and she was to wed the same man she had always dreamt about, unfortunately, her expectations of him were crushed. He only cared for her because he was asked to, not because he wanted to. Dark and Tragic twists awaited her in her new home, how was she going to survive?

“I married the right woman all along…” *** She becomes the stand-in wife for a reason. But the day her nominal husband divorces her, she panics, and so she burns her alimony down with a smile. When she thinks she is free from her terrible fate, she finds herself tied to the same marriage with the same fake name. As she lives in someone’s shadow, would her nominal husband discover her secret? EXCERPT: “Fine. I will accept your marriage proposal on one condition,” the woman across from Aleckin Ferrero said confidently. “Bring it on.” With the same confidence, Aleckin issued a challenge. “Alright, then. First, once I become Mrs. Ferrero, I am not required to appear in public. Second, I must remain inside my bedroom the entire time—unless Grandpa wants me to visit him...” “Hold on…” Aleckin blinked. His brain seemed malfunctioning, as he could not grasp what she was saying. “Come again?” He must have heard it wrong. Every woman on this planet was desperate to link their name to his. They were killing each other to win him over and become Mrs. Ferrero. However, in contrast, the woman he proposed a contractual marriage to, as the fake matriarch of the Ferrero household, has now expressed a desire for a different arrangement. Who in their right mind would request to lock her up instead of enjoying the lavish life of a billionaire's wife? This is the first time he has encountered such a thing! ‘Is something wrong in her head?’

At 27, Sharvik Singhania is a name that commands power and respect in the corporate world. His life is the epitome of perfection—unmatched wealth, influence, and an empire built on precision and control. But everything takes an unexpected turn when his grandfather arranges his marriage to a seemingly ordinary yet profoundly enigmatic girl. At just 17, she is still in school, yet there is nothing ordinary about her. She neither fears Sharvik nor is awed by his stature. Her eyes hold an unfathomable depth, her silence speaks of secrets unknown. She moves through life with an air of quiet defiance, unsettling Sharvik in ways he never imagined. For the first time, Sharvik finds himself entangled in a mystery beyond his grasp. Who is she? What is she hiding beneath her composed exterior? Will he break through the walls she has built around herself, or will this marriage remain nothing more than a mere obligation? Step into a world of secrets, power, and unexpected desires in His Mysterious Bride—only on Web Novel.

After an abrupt and unexplained death, a woman awakens in a surreal wasteland that seems to teeter between Hell and a forgotten realm. Greeted by a mysterious figure with devilish horns and a dangerous charm, she learns she is neither destined for eternal peace nor damnation. Instead, she is a curiosity—an anomaly in the grand design of life and death. As the devilish stranger offers her a chance to rewrite her fate, she must navigate a realm of twisted rules, hidden truths, and her own memories. But every choice comes with a price, and the line between salvation and damnation is thinner than she imagined. In this haunting tale of mystery and morality, will she forge her path or become a pawn in a greater scheme?