Can I Habe De Pusi

For generations, the Drake Family has thrived on power, respect, and secrets buried deep beneath their noble facade. But beneath the grandeur lies a hidden truth—the Dirt of the Drake Legacy. Ethan Drake transmigrated into this world, only to be branded as a waste—lacking the talent that the family so desperately values. Without a notable cultivation root, he was destined for obscurity, dismissed as a failure. Yet, Ethan is bound to the Ascension System, a mysterious technology that allows him to forge powerful clones—each a step toward true strength. As long as he stays silent and hides his true power, he can craft a series of increasingly formidable avatars. After Two years of concealment, he manifests a Novice Level clone. Five years , a Elder Level Grade. Fifteen years, a Celestial (Preliminary) Grade—the pinnacle of potential in the current era. As Ethan brushes aside family expectations, cancels arranged marriages, and navigates relentless tests, he quietly builds his strength, playing the long game in silence. Twenty years later, a crisis erupts, threatening everything the Drake Family has built. When the moment comes, Ethan reveals his true power—no longer a disappointment, but a hidden monster capable of shaking the very foundation of their legacy. One by one, his secret clones rise, exposing the Dirt of the Drake Legacy—secrets that will shake the world as the true strength of the Drakes is finally revealed. ..... Hey! This is my first time writing a webnovel, and English isn’t my first language — so if you notice anything that could be better, feel free to leave a comment or review. I’d really appreciate the help! Thanks for reading.

"Those who defy the heavens must be prepared to pay the price." Zhu Rong dared to forge a divine grade weapon in the mortal world, an act the heavens deemed a challenge to their authority. In response, the tribulation descended with fury, striking him down and ending his life in a blaze of divine wrath. But death was not the end. In the moment his soul scattered, he awoke once more... in the body of his 17 year old self. With his memories intact and the mistakes of his past laid bare, Zhu Rong is granted a second chance, to repair the regrets that once shackled his heart, to reclaim the strength he once lost, and to finish the masterpiece that cost him everything. This time, he will forge his legend anew. And this time, not even the heavens will dare to stand in his way.

I transmigrated and went through numerous hardships to become an official, but unexpectedly, I was falsely accused by my superior and thrown into prison. Then, I awakened the Eternity Mirror and began the cycle of cultivation. I could solidify my fate with [Dao Fruit], ensuring eternal enlightenment about Tao. Using parallel worlds as a way to avoid calamities, I sought blessings in the real world... In the first life, I joined the Heaven and Earth Society as an important mission to resist the Qing Dynasty. I condensed the fate of [Righteous Thief], performing righteous deeds, striving to conquer my destiny. Faced with threats from the imperial court, there was a chance to seek good luck and avoid misfortune. I also became a disciple of the Dragon Gate Sect's Daoist, learning the art of the Corpse Immortal. I condensed the fate of [Underground Lord], a third-class wandering ghost in the underworld without a ghost register or duties, the beginning of Corpse Immortals... What about the second life? I haven't decided yet...

In a world of endless star fields and interdimensional wars, the wizards' floating city conquered one world after another. At the wizard academy, through blood-stained exams, the towering wizard tower sent wizards batch after batch. Becoming an apprentice wizard, Richard activated the miracle furnace deep within his soul, where constant refining of materials granted him knowledge and skills... The veteran's weapon could be refined into legendary martial arts techniques. The ancient wizard's encrypted notes could be refined into lost knowledge. The remains of brutal monsters could be refined into monster bloodlines. In this era of great voyages in the wizarding world, Richard was destined to become a leader of his time.

Reborn into the body of a poor young boy in an unknown village in another world, Lu Qing felt quite helpless. Fortunately, he awakened an ability to see through the information of objects, which gave him a bit of capital to survive. He looked at a weed by the road. [Cow bone grass, average quality, medicinal, highly effective in treating bone injuries.] He looked at a red carp in the river. [Red moon carp, excellent quality, delicious meat, a top-grade nourishing food.] He looked at a wild rabbit in the mountains. [Gray rabbit, ordinary wild rabbit, edible.] ... With his innate ability, Lu Qing gradually established himself in the village, able to survive. Just when he thought he would lead a peaceful life in this ancient world with low productivity, one day, he suddenly saw a figure sweeping across the sky...

In the wizard world, the mysterious magic cube gave Lin Suo the ability to fuse all things. However, sometimes the recipe was a bit strange. The Evil God would shake his head when he looked at it. Horse corpse x 2 + stone + wood + clay + tent cloth = Double Horse Chariot. Octopus corpse + flower of enlightenment + black goat corpse = octopus flower with black hair? Skeleton + Bloodthirsty Vine + Vampire Eyeball = Thorny Creature Eyeball??? Lin Suo: As long as there are corpses in the recipe, it will definitely make the Evil God frown.

Lin Xing has the ability to turn back time. Whenever he faces a life-threatening danger, he would return to the past. He falls to his death, and returns 5 seconds earlier. He is killed by a falling object, and returns 1 minute earlier. He is struck down by a dump truck, and returns 20 minutes earlier. Then one day... he finds himself having returned to one year ago.

Reborn into the Lin Family of the cultivator clan, with system notifications at hand All sorts of opportunities followed one after another, and all kinds of calamities and dangers did not touch him Leading the family, step by step, they ascended to the gates of immortality. [Mortal Flow][Family Clan Flow][Beast Taming]

"Should I be grateful or cursed the fact that despite all misfortune, I can still feel love an unearthly love but still for the earthly objects."

Summoned to a kingdom that never wanted him, Ren is cast into the Wasteland with no magic, no class, and no way home. Until a vanishing shop grants him a map only he can read. Forgotten technology. Hidden wells. Ruins waiting to rise. He starts with one house, one field, one tool at a time. He is not here to conquer. He is here to build something the world can’t ignore.

Wie groß muss der Reichtum einer Familie sein, die seit fünftausend Jahren vererbt wird? Manchmal weiß man erst dann, wie reich die eigene Familie wirklich ist, wenn man seine Eltern ein wenig unter Druck setzt! Erst nachdem er das fünftausendjährige Vermögen seiner Familie geerbt hatte, erkannte Zhang Menglong, dass die Freude der Reichen so einfach ist. Der Bankpräsident: "Herr Zhang, bitte, ich bitte Sie, Ihr Geld bei unserer Bank anzulegen, und Sie können den Zinssatz bestimmen!" Huaxias oberster Reicher der zweiten Generation: "Gehört Ihrer Familie die ganze Welt oder was?" Der reichste Mensch der Welt: "Ich fühle mich wie ein armer Mann!" Europäisches Königshaus: "Herr Zhang, fehlt Ihnen eine Freundin? Wenn ja, würde es Ihnen etwas ausmachen, eine zu finden? Wenn nicht, hätten Sie dann noch eine? Was halten Sie von der Prinzessin unseres Landes?" Später fand Zhang Menglong heraus, dass das College, das seine Eltern ihm hinterlassen hatten, das Beeindruckendste war. Dekan zu sein, war sogar noch schöner, als der reichste Mensch der Welt zu sein!

An Overlord, drunk in power and lust, lost everything. But this is just a beginning. - In a realm beyond gods and mortals, where stars have fallen and the Akashic Record lies shattered, one being dares to defy the impossible. Once revered as the Overlord, he now stands alone in the void, surrounded by the corpses of Celestial bodies itself. With nothing left but the memory of those he loved and lost, he makes a final decision. To sacrifice his very existence and cast his soul into the past, using the ancient and forbidden Wheel of Time. But this rebirth comes at a cost. His powers, his memories, even his name; everything will be stripped away. And yet, he accepts this fate, for a chance to see them again. To save them. To live, not as a ruler or a god, but as someone who still remembers what it means to feel. In a new world where magic thrives, powers awaken, and history has yet to collapse, a boy with no past begins his journey. Guided only by an unshakable will and the remnants of forgotten emotions, he walks a path full of conspiracies, ancient wars, and divine enemies determined to repeat the Collapse. But the Overlord is no ordinary soul. Even reborn, his presence alone warps destiny. Can one soul change everything, even when the universe says it’s already too late? Witness the tale of rebellion against fate, of eternal bonds that defy time, and of a man who chose to die… so the Universe could live again.

Abandoned, exiled and left for dead The son of the noble Caelum family is cast out, and tagged useless because he couldn't awaken an elemental affinity. Banished to the Outlands, a land ruled by beasts and death. Alone and powerless, the boy died like they expected. But that’s when Arden woke up. A forty-year-old man from Earth who died trying to be a hero finds himself reborn in the body of the abandoned boy, armed with nothing but fading memories and a burning thirst for adventure. But fate isn't done with him yet. Because death triggered something new— The Life Signature System. Now, every creature he defeats leaves behind power, instincts, and skills he can absorb. From raw speed to beast like senses, Arden grows with each kill. He doesn't need elemental magic. His strength is something deeper. In a world ruled by clans, affinities, and ancient bloodlines, a new kind of monster is rising from the Outlands . And this time, he's not just surviving He's coming for everything.

Across the vast convolution of worlds, divine beings rule as absolute sovereigns—each god assigned dominion over a singular realm. Skirmishes are inevitable, whether for power, amusement, or sheer pettiness. One such battle, between Nexus, the God of Trickery, and an aging, senile deity, resulted in an anomaly… A soul misplaced. Elliot, an ordinary man, was never meant for Ul’Tra-el. But fate, or perhaps a cosmic prank, had other plans. Unlike other worlds, Ul’Tra-el is an aberration—one that developed a voice. A voice that diverged from the natural order. A voice that changed everything. Its foundation cracked, leaking dimensions into one another. Rifts tore open like festering wounds, vomiting forth unspeakable horrors—monsters not meant to exist. But the world did not sit idly by. In response—perhaps an act of self-preservation—the world gifted its inhabitants power. Talents awakened, granting people extraordinary abilities. And for every rift sealed, the Voice of Ul rewarded them generously. Survival was simple: fight, grow stronger, and close the rifts… or die trying. In this ruthless, blood-soaked reality, Northern—a white-haired boy burdened by his past life—was reincarnated. But unlike the chosen heroes, he awakened as a talentless nobody. No power. No strength. No future. And when death loomed over him—when despair clawed at his soul and the cold grip of the failure threatened to take him— A Voice responded: [System Notice] [Your Soul cannot take a form.] [Searching for a Unique Pattern Ability…] [Searching…] [Search Found.] [A Unique System Ability has been detected.] [You Can Copy And Evolve Talents] ... Follow Northern through his journey as he becomes the pinnacle of this world. This a story about a white-haired boy’s rise from rubbles!! Note: This is an overpower genre but MC does not just start off like that. Even though MC can copy talents he doesn't just jump around copying talents because there's a limitation. However, his rise to strength is depicted and is an experience to enjoy. The first few hundreds would be frustrating to follow because MC is weak but that makes the experience all the more interesting when MC finally gets freaking strong and starts wiping the floor with everyones asses.

Desde o princípio, o mundo sussurrava a mesma verdade cruel: os fracos não duram em Eldria. E Leonia Bellius nasceu com esse destino gravado em sua pele – uma criatura frágil e amaldiçoada. Mas, após quatorze anos de silêncio, suor e cicatrizes, tornou-se a candidata mais promissora à lendária Ordem dos Arautos de Prata. O dia de sua glória parecia certo: a Cerimônia de Formatura. Porém, o destino, sempre traiçoeiro com os destemidos, transformou o momento que deveria ser de triunfo em humilhação. Diante de todos seus companheiros do Arquiducado de Montreal, Leonia foi reprovada. Sem glória. Sem explicação. Apenas o gosto amargo da humilhação e os olhares satisfeitos pela sua queda. Movida por um orgulho ferido e pela raiva de quem tem seu direito negado, Leonia desafiou o Arquiduque Monteiro... e recebeu como resposta a sentença de morte. Mas, como se os deuses ainda brincassem com suas ambições, uma nova oportunidade foi lançada aos seus pés. Se infiltrar na Ordem do Lorde do Submundo, em Arion, e ela poderia assumir o posto tão almejado. Dois anos para provar que pode voltar. Que pode reescrever seu nome. Que pode, enfim, tornar-se um Arauto. Mas a floresta não é feita apenas de árvores – é feita de monstros. E o maior deles talvez caminhe ao seu lado, com um sorriso arrogante e olhos cruéis. Para sobreviver, Leonia terá que enfrentar não apenas os perigos de Arion, mas também o que há de mais sombrio entre os homens. Pela honra e pela glória.

Die Apokalypse kam, und die Menschen passten sich langsam an die extreme Umgebung an. Nach der Apokalypse wird das Leben von Su Jiyai im Haus ihrer Pflegeeltern immer erbärmlicher. Ihre Pflegemutter fand immer wieder Wege, sie zu verkaufen, ihre Cousins wollten sie töten, um die Last zu verringern, und ihr Pflegevater versuchte, sie auszunutzen. Als ihre Pflegeeltern sie jedoch dazu drängten, anstelle ihrer leiblichen Tochter in die Armee aufgenommen zu werden, verließ sie das Heim und brach die Verbindung zu ihnen ab. Als sie in die Armee aufgenommen wurde, kämpfte sie mit ihren bloßen Händen gegen Zombies, da sie keine Superkräfte hatte. Gerade als Su Jiayi mit den Zombies in der Nähe eines geheimnisvollen Ortes kämpfte und sicher war, dass sie sterben würde, löste sie versehentlich ein System aus und wurde die Besitzerin dieses geheimnisvollen Ortes. Sie hatte nicht nur einen sicheren Ort, an dem sie bleiben konnte, sondern auch ein erstaunliches System, das es ihr ermöglichte, die Dinge, die sie bei der Dämonenjagd erhielt, zu vermehren. [Ding! Verkaufsautomat entdeckt! Herzlichen Glückwunsch an den Gastgeber für den Erhalt des Vending Machine X ∞! Der Gastgeber kann für 200 Bundesmünzen Verkaufsautomaten kaufen] [Ding! Ein Luxuszimmer entdeckt! Herzlichen Glückwunsch an den Gastgeber für die Erlangung des Luxuszimmers X ∞! Der Gastgeber kann Deluxe-Zimmer für 10000 Bundesmünzen kaufen] Sie eröffnete ihr eigenes Wohngebiet und einen Lebensmittelladen. Ihr Lebensmittelladen und das Mietshaus wurden schnell zu einem Hit und Leute aus verschiedenen Orten kamen, um ihr zu gefallen. Als ihr Geschäft wuchs, kamen ihre Pflegeeltern und bettelten sie an, aber sie schickte sie einfach weg. Oh! Und war das nicht der Hauptmann der Weidenarmee, in den sie sich verknallt hatte? Warum sieht er sie wie einen verlorenen Schatz an, wenn er nicht einmal ihre wahre Identität kennt... Die Geschichte wird in den ersten 19 Kapiteln rasant sein. Die Haupthandlung wird nach 20 Kapiteln beginnen.

After leaving earth in a pathetic way, Asher finds his soul in the body of a baron's bastard son. As the last surviving member of the Ashbournes, Asher must take up the mantle and build his territory or die in the jaws of a beast or the blades of hungry nobles greedy for his territory. Luckily, he did not enter this man-eat-man world without support. [Ding! Soulbinding successfully completed.] [Would the host like to upgrade your bronze-ranked butler to a powerful silver-ranked swordsman? Yes or No.] ............. https://discord.com/invite/8Ufe4789YX

"If all the Ancient Ones rise against us, I'll burn them all. If the entire world turns against us, I will set it ablaze. Nothing will stand in our way. Nothing!" - Achilles Adrastia Maxwell --- Death followed Achilles like a plague. Finding himself at his lowest point, he comes to realize how little value human life held as terrifying Advanced Humans and Evolutius Beasts waded across the Colonies of this World. About to lose the only remaining person close to him by falling into the jaws of an Evolutius Beast, a spark bloomed inside of him as the Evolutius Crystals he held disappeared, and he saw a distinct blue panel appear before his eyes! [Achilles Maxwell] [Assimilation]:: Organic Crystal(Evolutius Crystals)(3%)- Obtained qualities of Regeneration, Energy Conversion, Flexibility, and Light Manipulation  [Existence Corruption Value]:: 0% [Complexity]:: Negligible A simple spark. And yet the changes it brought…were limitless! In an endlessly vast post-apocalyptic world filled with futuristic Colonies that merged magic with technology, undercurrents surge from the depths of the World as even the Ancient Ones sealed many years ago begin to awaken. In the middle of all this, the terrifying power dwelling within Achilles leads him to question its origins, and the answer to this is something that resonates and leads back to his very bloodline. Ancient Ones. Advanced Ones. Ancient Bloodlines, and Unfathomable Lineages...anything and everything swirls into a storm of heavy proportions that will change everything!

Supreme Thief: I Can Steal Anything! I was born with the Supreme Thief Physique. Bound to the Supreme Thief System. And I level up by doing one thing— Stealing. That's why they call me the SUPREME THIEF! --- Who says a thief can only run? This thief doesn’t just run— He fights. Who says someone is strong? I’ll meet them... And steal their strength. Got some rare techniques? Those tricks? They’re mine now. You think your talent is unmatched? Not anymore. I just stole it. --- At the peak, I’ll chase gods themselves. Stealing their divine weapons, sacred realms, fame, cultivation... Even their fate. I steal anything! If I want it, I get it. So tremble— Because I am the one and only… Leon, the SUPREME THIEF! --- What’s it like when the most powerful cultivators run from you, Terrified you’ll take their treasure, their technique, their talent? What does it mean to be the creator of Mana itself? And when I transmigrate to a parallel world filled with even stronger beings… You already know what I’ll do: Steal more. --- From system holders to dragon kings, From ancient treasures to divine realms— Nothing is safe from me. I'm not here to be a hero. I’m not your righteous savior. I am a real villain. And this… is my story. --- Add to your Library Vote for Updates Leave a Review Drop a Comment Share with friends Support the journey of the greatest thief the multiverse has ever known! Because if you don’t… I might just steal your attention anyway. DISCORD SERVER LINK: https://discord.gg/qvgReWCYKH

Transmigrated into the future, Nash, once the father of the first true Artificial Intelligence and the richest man on Earth, found himself reduced to a nameless vagrant, the lowest of the low. Stripped of power and identity, he faced a world that had evolved beyond his imagination. Fortunately, in this bleak new reality, Nash uncovered a hidden gift: the ability to program his body. Once a linguistic genius, a pioneer who gave commands to artificial intelligence with precision and brilliance. What twist could he do now that he is given the ability to program his body? Can't control every fiber of your body? → [Control Module System] Tired of endless training? → [Training Module System] Too weak in combat? → [Combat Module System] Need perfect memory? → [Memory Module System] In a world ruled by technology and extraordinary, watch how Nash reforge his destiny as he uncovers the deepest secrets of his body. "This time, I won’t build a god. I’ll become one."

In a world transformed by the arrival of mana, Earth is no longer the domain of humanity alone. Magical beasts and three powerful humanoid species have claimed vast territories, forcing humanity into fortified cities protected by mana-infused barriers. The hope for survival lies with the awakened—those blessed with magical classes and the ability to wield mana. Victor Revenant, a hilarious and self-deprecating 16-year-old, has spent his life dreaming of joining their ranks. But on the day of his Awakening Test, his dreams are shattered. Like countless others, he fails to awaken, destined to remain ordinary in a world where mediocrity means irrelevance. Just as Victor hits rock bottom, his father gifts him a VRMMORPG game, Ascendant Realms: Cultivation Chronicles, as a consolation prize. The game promises an immersive cultivation experience, complete with mystical techniques, powerful bloodlines, and the journey to ascend to godhood. But when Victor logs in as his in-game persona, Fang Chen, he discovers something incredible: the cultivation techniques he learns in the game begin to manifest in the real world. Armed with the Primordial Chaos Constitution and the legendary Void Emperor Bloodline, Victor embarks on a dual journey—mastering the game’s cultivation system while using his newfound abilities to change his fate in the real world. What begins as an escape from his failures turns into a chance to rewrite his destiny. But Victor quickly learns that his unique ability may make him more than just an anomaly—it may make him a target...

‘Is this shit actually happening to me?’ That was Kael Carter’s first reaction when he saw a bunch of priests kowtowing in front of him, worshiping him as the ‘Hero.’ For a good while, he actually thought it was just another one of his dreams, until reality hit him. It was real… He was actually summoned to a fantasy world where magic exists. A world of Beast Tamers. A world where Humans and Magic Beasts grow stronger together. A world he, as its supposed Hero, was meant to protect. His response? “Fuck no!” How was he supposed to protect an entire world when even opening a jar of pickles was like a life-or-death battle to him? He was no Hero. And to prove it, he decided to place his hand on the ‘Orb of Resonance’ that was supposed to ‘confirm his identity as the Hero.’ But then, [Ding!] He heard a sound. [Talent Awakened.] [Talent Name: Dragon Genesis] [Talent Rank: SSS Rank] [Description:] [Power to turn any beast with even the slightest trace of Dragon Blood in them into a full-grown Dragon.] ‘What in the hell…? I... I can create Dragons…?’ Kael couldn’t believe what he was seeing. In a world where Dragons were living Legends—creatures of unparalleled strength, wisdom, and power, In a world where entire Kingdoms tremble at the sight of just one Dragon. He could create… an army of them? ... AI-Generated Cover. ... Discord: https://discord.gg/qZHRTHGdZG If the link does not work for some reason, DM me: SleepDeprivedSloth

"Astal-nim, please… just for one week, pretend to be my lover." We had always been nothing more than friends—until the Saintess suddenly proposed a contract romance. — I did it! Finally! Now I can use this as an excuse to make him see me as a woman…! That was when I began to hear the voice of her heart.

Zixin dies from Qi Deviation and an Earthling transmigrates into his body, the Earthling then accepts his new identity as Xong Zixin and embarks on a new journey of cultivation. Zixin later discovers that he actually has a System called Attack Catching System which like its name suggests, captures and stores attack from people who attack him. … [Ding! 1002 punches from a Core Condensing Realm have been captured successfully!] [Ding! Qi Deviation has been successfully captured!] [Ding! Soul Possession Attack has been captured unsuccessfully.] ,... Follow Zixin on his unparalleled journey to the peak of martial arts, releasing saved attacks on his enemies and competency obliterating them.

Han Yi accidentally crossed into the Cultivation World and became an outer disciple of the Xuan Dan Sect. Sects, Immortal Countries, Sacred Places, Heavenly Demons—the dangers in the Cultivation World were everywhere. Fortunately, Han Yi had a Skill Panel. Alchemy, Formations, Talismans, Divine Abilities, Magic Skills... Just work hard, and everything will be alright.

Naomi Pratt lived her days by being studious and keeping out of trouble. So when she gets invited to a party, her everyday normalcy is threatened by an old 'friend'. Now she must stick to her neighbor, Jaccob Fillion, the second most popular guy in school until his injury is healed. It's only for a couple of months. Nothing will change the way she feels about him, right?

What if your greatest weakness became your ultimate power? Simon Reid was an overworked office worker—until life gave him a second chance. Awakening in a parallel world ravaged by monstrous Dreadbeasts and ruled by superpowered Astral Lords, Simon quickly realizes survival isn't guaranteed. In this brutal reality, strength is everything, and only the gifted thrive. But fate isn't done with him yet. During the Astral trials—his one shot at gaining powers—Simon seemingly fails... until he discovers something extraordinary. He doesn’t just awaken an Astral skill—he gains the ability to replicate any power he touches. Fire manipulation, flight, earth-shattering strength—if someone has it, he can copy it. With a skill this overpowered, Simon could dominate the world—but only if no one finds out. In a society where the strong rule and the weak are crushed, secrets can be deadly. As he navigates deadly trials, rising corporate empires, and the ever-present threat of Dreadbeasts, Simon must play a dangerous game of power, deception, and survival. In a world where everyone’s fighting to be the strongest, what happens when you can steal their edge? Dive into an action-packed adventure filled with deadly monsters, epic powers, and a hero who's rewriting the rules of the game—one copied ability at a time.

The boardroom was a wall of glass and judgment. At exactly 8:59 AM, Arielle pushed through the doors in a sharp navy dress that clung to her like confidence had been stitched into every seam. Her heels echoed across the floor as she approached the long, polished table where half a dozen stone-faced executives sat, murmuring over papers and steaming coffee. Dominic was already seated at the head of the table. He didn't look at her. Not at first. But he felt her enter. Just like gravity feels the moon. She took her spot near the screen, placed the tablet in front of her, and exhaled slowly. "You ready?" Dominic asked quietly, his voice low, unreadable. She turned to him with a sharp smile. "Born ready." He finally met her gaze—and for a second, something flickered behind his eyes. Not approval. Not yet. But something… closer than before. "Gentlemen," Dominic said to the table. "This is Arielle Sinclair. She'll be walking you through the market projections and proposed strategy updates for Q3." One of the older men raised a brow. "Her?" Arielle didn't flinch. "Yes. Me," she said, smiling sweetly. "Try to keep up." There was a pause—half stunned, half amused—and then, silence She launched into her presentation. And she nailed it. Clear. Sharp. Confident. She wasn't just parroting facts; she owned the numbers. Her explanations were quick, her slides precise, and her delivery unapologetically fierce. For the first time, they weren't looking at her legs or her lipstick. They were looking at her mind. And Dominic? He watched every second like a man watching a match ignite in a room full of gas. At one point, their eyes locked—and she saw it. A crack in his armor. Not desire. Not annoyance. But something like… respect. And it made her stomach flip in a way no designer bag ever had. When she concluded with a succinct, "Any questions?" the room was quiet. Then, one of the board members nodded. "Well done, Miss Sinclair. Concise and well-structured." Dominic didn't say a word. But his fingers drummed once against the table. A silent approval. The meeting ended. As the board members filed out, Dominic remained seated, watching her. She turned to him slowly. "Well?" she asked. He stood, approached, and said nothing until he was directly in front of her. "You surprised them." "And you?" His gaze dropped to her lips for a split second before meeting her eyes again. "I don't surprise easily." She stepped closer. "You didn't think I could do it." "I knew you could," he said, voice dark and steady. "I just didn't know if you would." She tilted her head. "So what now?" His eyes raked over her—not with lust, but with something more dangerous. Calculating. Hungry. "Now," he said slowly, "I stop holding back." She inhaled sharply. "What does that mean?" "It means if you're staying in this game, you better be ready to lose sometimes." She licked her lips. "I never lose." He smirked—slow, wolfish. "We'll see." And he walked out first. But this time? She followed with her chin high, her stride proud, and fire crackling in her chest. She hadn't just passed the test. She'd lit the room on fire. The hallway was quiet after the boardroom storm, but Arielle's heels still echoed like a victory march. She was glowing. Not just from the adrenaline of her flawless presentation, but from something else—something hotter, deeper. The way Dominic had looked at her afterward wasn't just professional respect. It was a crack in his walls. And she intended to widen it. She pressed the button for the elevator, and just as the doors slid open, a shadow fell over her shoulder. Dominic. Of course. He stepped in beside her without a word, towering, silent, composed. The doors closed. Silence. Tension. Air that thickened with each passing floor. She stood beside him, not touching, but close enough to feel the heat rolling off his body. Close enough to catch a whiff of his cologne—clean, dark, devasta