Faking Christmas Cindy Steel

"Block him." "He's technically still my boss." "Then block him with dignity." The call ended again. And then started again. I let out a sound somewhere between a growl and a sob, then finally answered with the enthusiasm of a snail crawling through salt. "Yes, Mr. Walton?" "Have you changed your mind yet?" I collapsed onto the towel and gazed at the sky as though it might consume me entirely if I pleaded sweetly enough. "Do you ever take a break?" I asked, shielding my eyes with one hand. "You're avoiding the question." "Because it's a dumb question." He exhaled, the sound sharp and irritated even over phone. "It's not a dumb question. It's a business offer." "It's a weird offer-one that I already said no to." There was a brief pause, and I could practically hear him clenching his jaw through the speaker. "You are acting unreasonably." " Unreasonable?" I sat up. "I'm not the one drafting fake girlfriend contracts like it's a normal Tuesday." "Isabella-" "Certainly not, Mr. Walton." I mimicked his tone perfectly. "I told you I'm not doing it. You need to find someone else to play pretend with." SYNOPSIS Isabella Miller thought saying no to her boss’s fake dating offer was the end of the story. But Adrien Walton doesn’t take no—especially not when he’s convinced she’s a gold digger. Suddenly, her student loans are piling up, her father’s vet clinic is on the brink of eviction and her brother is about to be kicked out of college. Coincidence? She thinks not. Adrien Walton is calm, calculating—and he's just pulled every string to corner Isabella into the perfect position. Now she’s stuck choosing between pride and survival. So she agrees to his offer: be his fake girlfriend. No feelings attached. No drama. Just business. Or so she thought. "Conference Room B. Fifteen minutes," he said, passing by without a glance. The folder he pushed across the table landed with a thud. I opened it. The contract. All of it. --- Enemies to lovers? Check. Slow burn? Hmmnyea. Banter so sharp it might file your nails? Yes. Delicious workplace tension? Of course. Tension that could melt steel?Absolutely. Smut?? Wanna find out? Welcome to corporate romance warfare. There’s no escaping this contract.

In a world where technology has redefined humanity, the Evergrace twins aren’t just heirs to an empire—they are its most dangerous creation. Born into a dynasty that controls breakthroughs beyond government comprehension, Ren and Yui Evergrace are the perfect heirs: brilliant, beautiful, and engineered to be unstoppable. Enhanced with forbidden biotech, quantum-linked neural implants, and self-replicating nanites, they are more than human—they are the next evolution. But their bond is their most powerful weapon. Yui, the gentle sister who never raises her voice, can kill with a whisper. Her tears dissolve flesh. Her touch rewires minds. And her love for Ren is the only law she obeys. Ren, the charismatic heir who could have anything, wants only one thing: to protect the twisted devotion that defines them. He knows what Yui is—what their family made her—and he has never feared her. Only the world that would try to take her away. When corporate rivals, intelligence agencies, and even their own family begin to question the twins’ loyalty, the Evergrace estate becomes a battlefield of autonomous drones, memory-altering fields, and synthetic plagues. But the true threat isn’t the enemies outside their walls—it’s the fracture growing between them. As Yui’s control over her bioweapons wavers and Ren’s hunger for power grows, they must decide: Will they rule together? Or will the love that made them unstoppable become the flaw that destroys them? — A dark, high-tech gothic tale of twisted devotion, cutting-edge science, and the price of immortality. (Think "Succession" meets "Annihilation," with the psychological tension of "Gone Girl" and the biopunk aesthetic of "Deus Ex.")

Year 2126, on a Planet called "Everions". A planet that is on the edge of advanced future technological evolution. Where madness and chaos occur. Where war begins to become an old habit, and war between nations cannot be stopped only with words. However, on the other side of it all, there is light and hope that revive the fading spirit of humanity, slowly trying to resolve all the conflicts happening on the birthplace land of every living being. --- Telling the story of a young man named Varro Lazas in a Federation Country—Exlish—a place where the difference in caste is very strongly visible, allowing the possibility of rebellion, which sooner or later will create a civil war. However, in the midst of that uproar. The Nethera Academy exists to straighten that out, a place where teenagers who have graduated from High School strive to fight for the continuity of the Country of Exlish. Not recognizing any caste, not recognizing the difference of race or skin, all are equal in the Nethera Academy system. The Nethera Academy combines two educational programs, namely: Military and Technology. Thus allowing its students to gain learning and experience that is useful in every task and responsibility. Because the Nethera Academy stands to provide opportunities to teenagers who still have a fire burning within themselves to protect their birthplace and their loved ones. Varro, as a new student born in the state of the Federation of Exlish—Exsoma—must survive the extreme training conducted by the Nethera Academy. He enrolled in the academy not without reason or just for the sake of protecting his birthplace and his loved ones. He enrolled because he had a deeper reason. He wants to reorganize the structure of the Country of Exlish, even the structure of the world. And for that, he needs what is called comrades and support. All of that he does for "Humanitarian Values", which are not only done for the Federation of Exlish or the State of Exsoma. But for the Planet Everions. That is his duty as the "Guardian of Planet Everions". ...

Bound in chains yet yearning for freedom, Alpheo, a modern historian, finds himself enslaved in a land on the brink of chaos. As the empire of Rolmia plunges into civil war following the death of the emperor , his three ambitious sons vie for the throne. In the midst of this turmoil, Alpheo finds the chance to break his chain and escape, leading his companions into the ashes of war, trying to thrive in it, selling their swords to the highest bidder . But beyond the borders of Rolmia, hungry eyes watch as the empire's grip loosens. The Sultanate of Azania, ever the opportunist, sees a chance to expand its domain and influence , while to the south, neighboring principalities breathe a sigh of relief as the once-dominant giant stumbles and falters. In the sea, the confederation of the Free Isle finds their chance to restore their old maritime power , denied to them by an empire that is now crumbling beneath itself , lacking the strenght to stop them. In this crucible of conflict, where dynasties crumble and empires fall, Alpheo find his call and the chance to forge his own destiny amidst the ashes of empires. ----------------

In 2025, Earth changed forever. A mysterious energy surge triggered the rapid evolution of animals into monstrous beasts, while humans developed extraordinary abilities—but not fast enough. Cities fell. Governments collapsed. Only the powerful organizations remained. Seven-year-old Luo Yuchen, born into this chaos, loses everything when a catastrophic beast tide destroys his border city and kills his parents. Armed only with his genius intellect and a mysterious mutated puppy named Xing, he must survive the apocalyptic wilderness, where every shadow hides a new horror. From scavenging ruined military bases to evading slavers and S-rank beasts, Yuchen’s journey forces him to grow up too soon. But when he discovers his family’s dark legacy—and his own latent powers—he realizes survival isn’t enough. Hunted by beasts, betrayed by humans, and pursued by the ruthless Luo Organization (his own estranged grandfather’s empire), Yuchen must decide: Will he hide to live… or fight to reclaim the world?

Skylar James is no stranger to struggle. A 20-year-old underdog surviving on scholarship, late-night shifts, and self-made grit, she moves through life with her guard high and her heart locked. Masculine-presenting, proud, and emotionally guarded, Skylar has one rule never need anyone. Avery Sinclair has everything money can buy status, luxury, a last name that opens doors before she knocks. But privilege doesn’t protect her from silence. Cold family expectations, a curated image, and an identity wrapped in gold chains keep her from asking the question she fears most: Who am I without all this armor? They are both studs. Both dominant. Both used to leading, never chasing. And neither of them has ever looked twice at someone who looked like the mirror. Until now. When a random locker assignment turns into tension that simmers in silence, Skylar and Avery find themselves circling a connection they both deny. It’s not attraction. It can’t be. They don’t fit. They’re not supposed to. But glances linger too long. Words cut too deep. And slowly, their carefully built personas begin to crack. As lines blur and walls close in, the question isn’t whether they’re falling it’s whether they’ll let themselves. Because love between two studs? That’s uncharted. Forbidden. Beautiful. And if they let it… it might just ruin them or set them free.

Ding Yue had just traversed into the Parallel World and flunked his College Entrance Examination. To avoid his parents' double-punishment, Ding Yue forged an admission notice, created a fake university website, and rented a space near University Town to discretely run a counterfeit university in hope of fooling his parents. Things didn’t go as expected. On the first day of the term, the registration scene of his fake university surprisingly turned out to be a big hit... PS: This is a story filled with light-hearted farming narrative, everyday life, extravagantly rich and talented characters, technology, and top students... Feel free to add it to your bookshelf if you like it, and don’t forget to leave a recommendation vote~

Is Magic really just a wish machine? No! In a universe where Magic truly exists, the ultimate nature of Magic must be as simple and aesthetically pleasing as the laws of physics. This is the story of a mass-produced magical war tool who learned the ultimate nature of Magic. But what of it? Just as birds can fly without understanding aerodynamics, magicians can use Magic without grasping its ultimate nature. Learning the ultimate nature of Magic doesn't mean the tool can instantly transform into a great magician. But yearning for knowledge is a human instinct, and curiosity is the primary driving force of human civilization. Even for Magic, which should seemingly defy explanation, humans hope to understand its inherent operational laws. The pursuit of Magic's ultimate nature requires no reason! The story in this book takes place in an era where steel and gunpowder dance together. Here, firearms are on the rise; armor remains the main character; military theory is changing rapidly, with endless innovations in systems and techniques. And this world has something more than ours: Magic. The world is undergoing a profound transformation, and no one can remain detached from it...

She was just going to be another night. He was meant to forget about her by morning. But when Christmas magic brings out her real smell, everything changes, and so does his love for her. Ember knew the rules. Alpha Cade never spent more than one night with any woman. But everything changes when her 18th birthday and the pack’s Christmas celebration unlock her true omega scent. Cade becomes obsessed, keeping her close night after night. Just when Ember starts to believe she means something to him, Cade announces his engagement to someone else. Heartbroken and pregnant, Ember runs into the snowy woods, only to be rescued by Ash, a mysterious hockey player who claims to be Cade’s cousin and her true mate. Now, Cade will break every pack tradition to win her back. But Ember must choose between the alpha who shattered her heart or the man who saved it?

The Dewan Group, also known as the Dewan Mushtaq Group (DMG), is one of Pakistan's most prominent and diversified industrial conglomerates. Established approximately 80 years ago, the group has evolved into a professionally managed entity with a significant presence in various sectors. Throughout the 1990s, DMG's flagship company, Dewan Salman Fibre, was recognized as the top-rated private company in Pakistan. The group's industrial diversity was unparalleled, encompassing nine listed companies across sectors such as textiles, synthetic fibers, sugar and allied products, oil and gas exploration, automotive assembly and parts manufacturing, cement, and general trading. In the automotive sector, DMG was notable for distributing luxury brands like BMW and Rolls Royce in Pakistan. The group also ventured into retail with DMART shops and employed approximately 16,000 individuals at its peak. Despite facing financial challenges in the late 2000s, including significant debt defaults, the Dewan Group has remained a key player in Pakistan's industrial landscape. Its commitment to economic growth and sectoral diversification continues to contribute significantly to the country's development. Today, the Dewan Group comprises over 17 companies, employing more than 12,000 personnel, with an annual turnover of around Rs. 46 billion (USD 759 million) and fixed assets exceeding Rs. 27 billion (USD 447 million).

Meet Simba—a broke village boy with rich-boy confidence, fake graduation pics, and a borrowed blazer two sizes too big. From photoshopping his way into Harvard to faking a faint in church to avoid donating money, Simba’s life is one long episode of lies, Wi-Fi bundles, and embarrassing miracles. In a world where social media clout is more important than the truth, Simba will do whatever it takes to look successful—even if it means renting cars, collapsing on cue, or pretending to Zoom from China while standing behind a toilet. FAKE LIFE is a wild, hilarious ride through a young man’s desperate mission to look important, sound international, and avoid real work at all costs. Warning: this story may cause stomach pain from excessive laughter and suspicious trust issues.

Sentenced to a high-risk experiment, genetically engineered prodigy Alec finds himself ripped from his time and dumped into a medieval world where gunpowder is nothing more than legend—and science is a forgotten myth. Stranded with only his superior knowledge and futuristic instincts, he must navigate treacherous politics, ruthless warlords, and rigid traditions to survive. With innovations far beyond the era’s comprehension, he rises through the ranks of nobility, forging alliances with powerful families—and women who see in him a chance for a new future. From a stranger in strange lands to a feared emperor, he carves out an empire from untapped resources, forgotten technology, and the unwavering loyalty of those he inspires, earning the devotion of powerful women,. But can he hold onto power when enemies lurk in every shadow, and history itself seems to push back? This is a tale of science and strategy, passion and power, set against the sprawling tapestry of a world on the cusp of transformation. If you like action-packed war, clever inventions, and a harem with heart, dive into Technocracy 101:ROTSE and watch an empire rise. Discord server now available at https://discord.gg/RRMfr8CrwN

Power is a heavy crown, and Titania—the superhuman Iron Queen of St. Petersburg—wears it with grace and fury. But the girl behind the mask? She's a neurotic mess having the worst week of her life. Roxanna Paraveesh Shapiro thought she could handle it. Moving to college. Losing the only friends she had. Balancing duty with the small hope of something resembling a normal life. Then Dianna Rodgers happened—chaotic, magnetic, utterly infuriating. A punk-rock wildcard with no powers, no fear, and no clue what she’s about to fall into. Faith, love, power, and pain collide in a world where miracles wear body armor, and salvation may come on high, but is delivered by the girl who refuses to let go. When the world expects a weapon, what happens when you give them a heart instead?

They whisper my name in fear. Justin Black. The guy who sits in the back of the class, always in black, always untouchable. The one everyone watches but no one dares to approach. They don’t know me. Not really. Because if they did, they’d stay the hell away. I don’t do friends. I don’t do relationships. I don’t do attachments. But then there’s her. June Matthews—cheer captain, golden girl, a walking distraction. She’s everything I hate… and yet, she’s in my way. Assigned to me. Forced into my space. Testing my patience. She thinks she can handle me. She’s dead wrong. Because I have a secret. A place where I go to release the darkness inside me. Where names don’t exist, where pleasure and pain are one and the same. A world where people fulfill their deepest, most twisted fantasies. June doesn’t belong in my world. But the longer she stays, the more I want to pull her under. And once I do… I’m not sure I’ll ever let her go.

Love of Fortune and Steel is a historical fantasy that weaves together romance, comedy, adventure, and the clash of worlds. James, a modern-day banker with an unwavering passion for history, experiences an extraordinary transformation during a routine museum visit. A mysterious supernatural force transmigrates him into a parallel medieval realm—a world familiar yet distinctly altered with its own unique nations, rulers, customs, and the presence of mana, a mystical energy that enhances martial prowess. In this enigmatic land, James encounters Bisera, a formidable and strikingly beautiful general of the Vakerian Empire, locked in a desperate struggle against the powerful Gillyrian Empire. Utilizing items granted by the supernatural entity, James saves Bisera’s life. Grateful and believing him to be a divine emissary sent by the Universal Spirit in response to her prayer, Bisera invites James to join her in defending the Vakerian Empire. As two souls isolated by their disparate worlds, a profound romance swiftly ignites between them. However, Bisera’s devout faith and the heavy burden of her responsibilities compel her to restrain their relationship, fearing that any overt passion might conflict with her duties and incur the wrath of the Universal Spirit, condemning their souls and the Vakerian Empire to ruin. James, enthralled by Bisera’s personality and talent, finds himself irresistibly drawn to her, yet frustrated by the invisible barriers she maintains. The vast differences in their worldviews and customs, coupled with James’s determination to return to his own world—an eventuality that might irrevocably separate them—act as chains on their blossoming love. With his modern knowledge and items, along with Bisera’s reliance on him, James quickly becomes an invaluable asset to the Vakerian Empire. However, this also makes him a target of Vakerian court politics and Gillyrian diplomacy. Their bond is further tested with the arrival of Saralta, a bold and free-spirited cavalry commander from the Vakerian steppes. In stark contrast to Bisera’s reserved and devout nature, Saralta pursues James with unbridled confidence and charm, challenging Bisera’s deeply held beliefs. Saralta’s liberal approach to love ignites a complex and often comical love triangle, forcing Bisera to confront her fear of losing James to Saralta’s advances and her greater dread of endangering their souls should they succumb to their feelings. As the Gillyrian onslaught intensifies, James, Bisera, and Saralta are swept into a maelstrom of love, duty, and faith. Bisera grapples with her unwavering sense of duty and steadfast faith, torn by the love that binds her to James. Saralta oscillates between the allure of freedom and the demands of propriety. Meanwhile, James must navigate his deep emotional devotion to Bisera and his fiery physical attraction to Saralta, all while striving to find a way between the two worlds before losing them both.

Title: Spellbound Steel Genre: Fantasy / Coming-of-Age / Isekai Drama / Adventure / Action Synopsis: Jace Steelborn never believed in destiny. Haunted by the loss of his mother and abandoned by his father, he lived a quiet, lonely life in the shadows of a normal world. But everything changed on his seventeenth birthday, when a surge of unknown power tore through his soul, and a confession from his classmate Rihanna unraveled the fragile truth behind his mother’s death. Moments later, Jace finds himself thrust into a realm of swords, magic, and prophecy. a kingdom teetering on the edge of chaos, where summoned heroes are seen as humanity’s last hope. Among them are Rihanna, burdened by guilt and magic she barely controls; Nick, the confident leader with secrets of his own; and Eve, a mysterious girl who holds stories of demons, fallen kings, and protectors . As Jace navigates treacherous politics, ancient wars, and blooming friendships, he begins to question everything: Who is the real enemy? What does it mean to be a hero? And what is the true cost of power? With a blade called Nightlily at his side and the weight of fate on his shoulders, Jace must decide whether to follow the path chosen for him or forge his own in spellbound steel.

(Fantasy + Sci-fi) A man from modern earth dies and reincarnated in the world of swords and magic, as a former scientist who is good in every field of science (thanks to the longevity he acquired through a drug he made), he decides to modernize this world, to turn this world into an ultimate paradise for all. PS: I do not own the picture.

In a world where cursed blades whisper and the weight of sound can shatter a mind, Aethon, a tormented warrior bound to the sentient and bloodthirsty Reaper’s Fang, a sword that is created for the sheding of blood struggles to retain his crumbling sanity.wanting to bend him to its will, as it had done with his other predecessor. Every noise is agony, every whisper from the blade a seductive call to violence. When a moment of near-madness threatens to consume him in a crowded village square,chaos, having tame the sword he will confront a harrowing truth to survive, he may have to surrender to the very thing that gives him an edge over his enemies him.

Executed in the prime of his life for crimes he never committed, Raqin Draven—a disgraced hacker and martial artist—awakens ten million years into a brutal future where Earth is a forgotten wasteland and humanity lives under the thumb of alien races and immortal sects. But he is not alone. Fused with the Soulforge Core—an ancient, sentient AI hidden deep within his dantian—Raqin inherits not only knowledge lost to time but the blueprint for a new path of cultivation: one that merges steel and spirit, data and qi, flesh and machine. Now secretly the richest man on the planet thanks to a hidden inheritance, Raqin begins gathering outcasts, criminals, and forgotten talents, establishing the foundation of what will become the most dangerous human clan in the universe. From a private island base and a mysterious interdimensional realm called the Universe Garden of Beginnings, he begins training his followers using ancient techniques fused with cybernetic innovation, evolving their very bloodlines and breaking the limits of cultivation. But his enemies are watching. The insectoid Xenomorphs whose eggs cannot hatch in his followers' bodies. The cunning Phalanx, who seek to dissect his bloodline. The corrupt Celestials, who alter human reproduction to maintain control. And the ruthless Devils, who covet his secrets and wish to enslave his mind. In a galaxy torn by war, betrayal, and godlike power, Raqin must rise—becoming myth, machine, and monster—and forge a clan that will shake the stars. Rebirth is only the beginning.

Description Fake Slackers follows two boys, He Zhao and Xie Yu, as they compete to be the bottom of the class. They're both actually really intelligent, but they each have their own reason to pretend to be dumb. Author Mu Gua Huang

Steel Echo A Novel by Astra K. Some echoes never fade.... No matter how fast you drive Zara Voss swore she’d never race again. Not after the night that left her broken, memory fractured, and a world she once ruled turning its back on her. But when a cryptic message lures her back to the underground circuit, she realizes the past isn’t done with her yet. Two men stand in her way. Riven “Rev” Calloway—silent, unreadable, and the only racer who ever matched her on the streets. He’s been keeping his distance, but his eyes tell a different story—one filled with secrets too dangerous to uncover. Cassian “Cass” Laurent—the golden boy turned investigator, the one who picked up her shattered pieces and made her believe she could move on. But beneath his perfect facade lies a truth he’s desperate to keep hidden. As Zara dives deeper into the shadows of the racing underworld, the echoes of that fateful night grow louder. The streets whisper of betrayal, of rivalries that never died, and of a truth she might not survive knowing. Because someone doesn’t want her to remember. And if she does—this time, they’ll make sure she never comes back.

On one fateful day, Jareth Blaze died an extremely horrible death. But fate has some other plans for him; he got transmigrated into the body of a weak third-rate villain in a role-playing game. He thought it would be difficult to survive as a villain with this weak and arrogant body, but for some reason everyone misunderstood him. They thought of him as a strong person and feared him. 'What are you looking at me with fear for!? aren't you the protagonist of this world!?' (No harem here!) [WSA entry 2024] (Shares the same world with my other novel, Reborn as an extra) .. My Discord server link: https://discord.gg/Rv8xabCnzP

Waking up inside the ruins of an orphanage, Alexander finds himself chained and sold to slavery. A modern metallurgist, trapped in ancient times, watch as he tries to play with the cards fate dealt him. He will make plate armor, invent paper, build roads, teach governance and many more, as he tries to carve a place for himself. But how can such things not attract jealous eyes? The naval superpower- Cantagena, The unstoppable army of- Exolas, The superpower of the east- Adhania, The mercantile confederation- Sybarsis, The religious fanatics- Iyizarid, And the ever-present- Barbarians of the Barren Forrest, All want something from each other. In this ocean of sharks, follow a small carp as it struggles to leap through the dragon gate and establish a dynasty to outlast them all. The cover is not mine. If you are the owner of this cover, comment and I will remove it.

She gave up her wealth and power to save her husband and his company when they were on the brink of extinction. However he repaid her by bringing home his childhood sweetheart and divorcing her! He insulted her, called her names, a cheap lowly bitch and a gold-digger. Her sister in law treated her like trash, her mother in law called her a scheming fox who wanted to climb the social ladder. Fine! Divorce so it is then! Left without a single penny, she applied for a job and became a waitress. Who would know she bumped into her ex husband and his new fiancée there?! But there was another man whose business contract she accidentally discarded. That mysterious man came to her with a condition. "You made me lost a very important business contract, now you must pay," "How much? I don't have money. I'm not for sale either," the girl raised her chin arrogantly. "Become my fake girlfriend. I need a woman to please my grandfather," Shentu Jing said. His charming dark eyes seemed to be tempting her, luring her into an abyss. But when she arrived in front of his grandfather, he announced her as his fiancée! "I thought you said I was your girlfriend!" Qin Zhuzhu glared daggers at him. "Sorry, now you are my wife," the man's peach blossom eyes gazed at her lovingly. Who is this mysterious husband of hers? One day her phone rang with a notification of the latest financial news. There, she saw a man similar to her husband. Her husband is the richest Tycoon in the capital???!!!

The story follows the main character as he trains himself to be the best swordsman there is. Meanwhile, the story also follows another character named Baldwin to uncover the past. To contact me as the Author Email me - giridharsherkar@gmail.com