Lipstick Alley

Life in the slums wasn’t easy, but Seraphina and her little brother had someone to rely on—Lucian, the so-called boss of their alley. He wasn’t much older than them, but he had enough power to keep them safe and fed. One day, after stealing bread for her brother, Seraphina hit her head and suddenly remembered something strange—a past life. At first, she thought it was just a dream. But the more she recalled, the more she realized… This world was from a novel. And Lucian? He was supposed to become the villain. The problem? By the time she figured it out, she had already changed the story. Or maybe she thought....

Synopsis: When Ethan Walker steps through a mysterious door in a rain-soaked alley, he finds himself inside The Obscura Hotel—a place that exists beyond time and space. The rules of this hotel are simple: Follow them, and you might survive. Break them, and you’ll regret it. But some rules aren’t meant to be broken. Trapped in a place where reality shifts and unseen horrors lurk behind every door, Ethan must uncover the hotel’s secrets before it claims him as its next permanent guest. Rule #5: If you hear knocking from inside the closet—do not open it. Rule #3: Avoid mirrors between 3:00 AM and 4:00 AM. If you see something that isn’t your reflection—look away. Final Rule: There is no checking out.

In the grimy back alleys of 2024, mafia enforcer Ethan Perez meets a violent end, a bullet tearing through his heart. His last vision: the haunting silhouette of his killer. But death is not the end. He awakens to find himself trapped in the lavish, yet treacherous court of a 19th-century parallel world, inhabiting the body of Antoinette Versailles, the overlooked 4th Princess. Gone are the neon-lit streets and the cold steel of his Beretta. Now, he must navigate a world of ornate gowns, intricate courtly etiquette, and hidden daggers. Ethan, now Antoinette, finds herself hunted by shadowy figures within the very palace walls she now calls home, forced to flee through secret passages and delve into a conspiracy that threatens to shatter the royal lineage. The gritty survival instincts of a modern-day mobster clash with the delicate facade of a princess, creating a thrilling blend of action and intrigue. Antoinette must use every skill she possesses—from strategic thinking to ruthless determination—to survive. She must uncover the identity of her would-be assassins and understand why a man from a modern world was thrust into the role of a forgotten princess. Can Ethan, trapped in Antoinette's body, adapt to this new reality and unravel the secrets of the court? Or will the shadows of the past consume him, leaving him lost in a world he never belonged in? "The 4th Princess" is a captivating tale of reincarnation, survival, and the clash of two worlds, where a modern man must embrace his new identity to reclaim a princess's stolen destiny.

A young man, around fifteen years old, was walking under the late afternoon sun, at that moment when the light turned golden and soft. The air was cool, still carrying traces of the day's heat, gently warming his skin. With each step, he seemed lost in his thoughts, his gaze drifting into the long shadows of the trees and the gentle breeze whispering through the leaves. Night was slowly approaching, but the sky still held warm hues, like the last breath of summer before the evening arrived. Once at the entrance of his alley, he saw a car speeding toward him. He didn’t have time to react before he was thrown into the air. In those final moments of suffering and his last breath, he died—but...

In the residence of the Duke of Zhenguo, the legitimate young miss, known for her icy demeanor, had transformed overnight. She, who usually regarded no one, woke up to confront anyone she saw with a few harsh words, using her frail body to intimidate so much that no one dared to touch her. Afterwards, this legitimate young miss began taking on retainers, nurturing powerful officials, engaging in commerce, and recruiting troops… Every act so shocking and audacious, it defied the norms and provoked fear in all who spoke of her! Yan Wanqing was seen as an enchantress and a disaster by the people, a thorn in the flesh and a nail in the eye that the ministers wanted desperately removed, an entity everyone shunned as if she were a venomous snake. Only the Crown Prince Mingyue, descending from the divine altar, in the dark, godless alleys, grasped her neck and repeatedly asked her, "Will you marry me or not?"

Xu Xiangyang had two good friends, one was the neighbor girl who lived in the same alley, and the other was the girl class president from the class next door; Xu Xiangyang had a secret he couldn't tell anyone, he knew that one of his two friends was harboring a Demon King that could destroy the world...... ~ This is a story that took place at the end of the last century, where boys and girls depended on each other, warmed each other, and walked together towards happiness; a youth story filled with thrilling moments, nostalgia, and warmth.

Please devote some of your precious time to be part of the intriguing story of Santiago “Santi” Cruz on his journey to become a football icon. Santi has never known a life beyond the dusty fields and narrow alleys of his small village in Mexico. His family works hard on their farm, barely making enough to get by. But Santi has a dream that stretches far beyond the fields, he wants to play for the Mexican national soccer team. With no proper cleats, no coach and no real team, he sharpens his skills by kicking around a makeshift ball in the dirt roads with his friends. His father sees soccer as a waste of time, pushing him to focus on farm work. But Santi refuses to let his dream die. One day, a scout from a youth academy in Mexico City spots him playing in a local tournament. It’s his one shot but leaving home means risking everything; his family’s support, his friendships and the only life he’s ever known. As he steps into a world of elite competition, where wealthy kids have every advantage, Santi must fight harder than ever. Faced with corruption in youth soccer, brutal training and the weight of his family’s expectations, Santi’s journey is anything but easy. But with heart, determination and the love of the game, he’s willing to sacrifice everything to wear the green jersey of El Tri or play for a big soccer club in Europe. I post 2 chapters daily. The names, events and places are not affiliated to any person, league, club or country. Just for fictional purposes. #Support Soccer Boy

[When Prejudice Collides with Fate: Whose Trap Is This Mismatched Marriage?] Qin Ran had always believed that a man still trapped in the arranged-marriage circus at thirty must be either emotionally stunted or physically defective. But the universe had a wicked sense of humor—because the man waiting at Table 11 was a walking contradiction. Lu Sheng was a paradox of elegance and danger. His charcoal suit sculpted a body built for both boardrooms and back-alley brawls. When his gaze locked onto hers, the sharp lines of his face seemed to carve shadows into the air, the room suddenly heavy with the scent of cedar and unspoken threats. “I’m sorry, I think I’ve mistaken the table—” “Sit.” His voice cracked like a whip, freezing her mid-retreat. The glint of his platinum watch mirrored her death grip on the handbag strap. “If we’re both puppets in this family farce… let’s at least make it mutually beneficial.” Three days later, the marriage certificate seared her palm like a brand. She’d told herself this was a calculated escape from her brother’s suffocating household—until their wedding night, when the fresh scar snaking across his ribs screamed of bullets, not business deals. And when Lu Sheng shrugged off his shirt, water sluicing down the defined ridges of his abdomen, his smirk was pure sin: “Clause Three of our contract, Mrs. Lu—no coveting Party A’s assets.” She backed him against the glass wall, her fingers skating over the corded muscle of his spine. “Mr. Lu… does that clause include your six-pack?” [High-Stakes Romance | Marriage of Convenience | Enemies-to-Forced-Allies] — A billionaire with a bulletproof reputation and a vault of secrets. — A razor-tongued medical intern with a talent for unearthing truths. As lies ignite and bullets fly, only one rule remains: In this game of hearts and gunpowder, the first to fall… loses everything.

I thought being laid off from my job was the greatest of my worries but I just had to wake up in a ship's cockpit after my space game crashed. Now I have no map, no friends and no money. But that's ok, I've started from the bottom before! With my starter ship I will scour through space as a Mercenary and maybe even start up a Mercenary Company while I'm at it! This ain't my first rodeo in space after all! Except... Apparently my crew members are weird? The guy who bumped into me yesterday was found sliced up and floating outside the space station. The girl who tried to honeytrap me was reported missing with only a finger found in an alley. And then that merchant who scammed me had his entire ship blasted into bits by unknown vessels the very next day. Some people say my crewmates were behind it but they must be mistaken, right? I only know one thing for sure... In space, no one can hear you scream... *** Notes: Any R-rated scenes will be denoted by a '*' followed by an 'R' with the number of 'R's showing how much of it is R-rated. '*R' would be around 25%, '*RR' would be about 50% and '*RRR' would most likely be the entire chapter. Also, gene splicing and cybernetics exist in this story. What does that mean? MC is a futa for one and there's going to be other futas showing up as well. You can join our discord through this link: https://discord.gg/CRrb56c

This adventure takes place in the City. Because there is no place but the City. The City contains all. And the City stretches endlessly beneath the wing of the goddess Heron. Praised be Her Wing!** A scholarly giant from distant buildings, an inventor child obsessed with deadly engines, two priests of the Loving Heron, and a swordsman seeking death make up **Team 1.2**. Their mission: to traverse the bowels of the City and determine whether war—that notion of distant times, a fantasy from ancient tomes—can be exported to the muddy, wild alleyways barely two meters wide, where no one, at least not officially, has set foot in centuries. And above all, to verify the profitability of potential war.

In a city where justice is sold to the highest bidder, one man refuses to stay buried. Vincent Kang was once a ghost—a retired soldier, erased from the books, forgotten by the system that used him. But when the shadows come knocking, and the ghosts of the past return with blood on their hands, Vincent does the unthinkable: he fights back. From back-alley ambushes to government conspiracies, Vincent is thrust into a web of corruption, betrayal, and buried truth. With only a rogue hacker and his instincts by his side, he infiltrates the very institutions that branded him disposable. They thought he was dead. They’ll wish he stayed that way. No Saints in the City is a cinematic action-thriller told in brutal, noir-stained chapters. Gritty action meets political intrigue in a slow-burning revenge story with echoes of The Bourne Identity, John Wick, and The Equalizer. No superpowers. No capes. Just one man against the system.

Synopsis: The Infinite Tapestry Behold The Infinite Tapestry, a boundless expanse woven from an infinite number of universes, realms, and dimensions. Within this cosmic loom, countless realities exist, each with its own unique history, laws of physics, and vibrant inhabitants. Across this staggering multiverse, heroes rise to champion justice, wielding powers beyond imagination and battling against villains whose ambitions stretch across entire realities. From familiar worlds echoing our own to bizarre dimensions governed by magic or unimaginable science, the possibilities are limitless. Explore alternate Earths where history took a different turn, encounter mystical realms teeming with ancient beings, and witness cosmic conflicts that threaten the very fabric of existence. In one universe, a lone vigilante might stalk the neon-drenched alleys of a futuristic city. In another, a team of interdimensional guardians could stand against a cosmic entity threatening to unravel reality itself. The Infinite Tapestry holds within its threads stories of incredible heroism, chilling villainy, breathtaking adventure, and profound mystery. It is a universe without end, where every choice creates a new reality, and the echoes of extraordinary events reverberate across the infinite expanse. Journey through the boundless possibilities of The Infinite Tapestry, where every thread holds a universe waiting to be discovered.

"Beast Forge? What the hell is that?" He thought while walking out of the alley. The streets were almost empty, with only the homeless wandering around, picking up anything valuable that was dropped. He walked over to join them, still thinking he needed to do this to survive. But as he bent down, a black screen appeared in front of him, with white text displayed on it. [Beast Forge system activated User successfully registered Scanning user... done User has not awakened, cannot use Beast Forge. Analyzing for possible solutions.... done Mission: Run 50 km before 00:00 Reward: Force awakening Failure: Loss of the Beast Forge system Will you accept this mission: YES/NO] discord link: https://discord.gg/zxVEsgC83Y

A kind girl falls in love with a vicious killer. Unhinged Yuri story set in Seoul. ------ “Like a prey waiting with a trap, I missed my predator. I missed her touch in the places I’ve never been touched. I wanted to hear her sing the songs that I’ve never heard.” ------ As the blood dripped off the knife she held firmly in her pale hand, I saw my reflection in the cold blade that had just taken the life of a man. I dreamed of magical moments like this every day. Something - someone to come and free me from the suffocating monotony of normalcy. She stormed into my life brandishing death, and in the moment of madness, my heart fluttered. Then she came to my place, uninvited. I treated her wounds and fed her. She slept on my couch like a cat. We started our lives together. Death bound us like the knot of tie I fixed for her as she left for work - to kill, kill, and to kill again. I spent countless nights sitting in darkness, on my couch hugging my knees, gripped with worry and excitement. I prayed for her safe return home, but I did not pray for the souls she’d be sending to hell. But she always returned, like a stray cat coming for food in the back alley behind a restaurant. I was the cook who put out the food for her, stroked her, and gave her shelter. A stray cat. A great feline predator. She was mine and mine alone. Together we laughed, alone I cried. Together we laughed, alone I cried. But I think we also loved. I think. ------ This is a dark and twisted psychological slice-of-life romantic comedy with a sprinkle of inspiration from the noir genre. If that doesn’t make sense, it’s because it doesn’t.

In a world where strength reigns supreme, Ghaz'Rok, once the renowned surgeon Dr. Adrian Voss, finds himself reborn as a massive orc warrior—complete with reduced intelligence and a sarcastic Surgeon’s System in his head. Thrust into battle with nothing but raw instinct and fractured memories of modern medicine, Ghaz must navigate a brutal society where orcs live by the blade and view weakness as a death sentence. But when his injured brother, Druth’Roc, is cast out of their war-hungry tribe, Ghaz makes a fateful decision: to break tradition and forge his own path. From the bloodstained fields of war to the cutthroat alleys of Brethus City, Ghaz embarks on a journey to prove that an orc can be more than a mindless brute. As an adventurer, warrior, and reluctant healer, he battles monsters, rogue mercenaries, and social prejudice—all while secretly using his advanced medical knowledge to change lives in a world where medicine is nothing more than superstition. But the Surgeon’s System has grander plans for him. A challenge is issued: Establish a clinic. Revolutionize medicine. Survive. Between dangerous dungeons, underworld power struggles, and a city that doesn’t trust him, Ghaz must fight not only for his place in this world but for a future where even an orc’s hands can save lives. A warrior. A healer. A legend in the making.

In the back alleys of the slums, a starving young boy struggled to survive. “Huh? Wait… I’ve been reincarnated?” A sudden blow to his body triggered memories of his past life. Realizing that he had been reborn in another world, he pondered his next move. “Should I follow the classic route and climb the ranks as an adventurer…? Or maybe…” Then, an idea struck him. Instead of seeking fame through heroism, he would rise to power from the shadows. “Being a mafia or gang boss sounds pretty cool, doesn’t it?” Thus begins the story of a boy reincarnated into another world, blessed with a one-of-a-kind ability. With his loyal allies by his side, he sets out to conquer the underworld and eventually, the entire world itself.

A noble girl slipped away from her father's endless nagging, hoping for a moment of quiet in the city’s back alleys. But just as she rounded a corner, a boy with pale white hair and a butler’s uniform leapt over her from the rooftops. Their eyes met for a split second — sharp and urgent — before he vanished, his hurried steps fading into the distance. She thought it was a strange, fleeting encounter. Until she returned home. There he was, standing in her family’s estate, introduced as their new butler. Uneasy silence quickly settled between them. But as days passed, circumstances shifted. One event after another forced them to flee, setting them on an unexpected adventure.

In the Jiuxiao Continent, martial arts is respected. The weak are like ants living in the ruins of dark alleys, while the strong are like dragons roaring and gathering at the top of the clouds. The laws of this place use blood as ink and bones as inkstones. A three-foot-long sword can split the sun and the moon, and a murderous thought can stir up a bloody wind. There was once a drunk madman who trampled eighteen royal cities to pieces. Wherever the sword pointed, thousands of miles of mountains and rivers were dyed red. There was also a saint who lowered his eyes to calm the nine thunder tribulations, and with a flick of his sleeves, a golden lotus suddenly appeared in the abyss.

In a dark alley, obscured from the prying eyes of people, the muffled grunts of a shadowy figure beaten to a pulp were barely visible. Four hooded figures were standing around the bloody figure on the ground as he looked up in hate. Kraign struggled to his feet, his face mangled beyond recognition. "All of you idiots shall pay. THE WORLD WILL BURN!! "Boss, I think he's gone mad, we should leave", one of the hooded figures said on a low voice. "Was thinking the same thing", the shortest hooded figure replied, retreating with his crew, leaving the boy in the ground, barely breathing. As death drew near, things all went wrong.

When he was only twelve, while walking home from school, Theo Serrano noticed something odd in an alley near his home. He wasn't sure what it was about the cardboard box that seized his attention, only that it definitely wasn't there yesterday, and upon further inspection he was shocked to find a young girl abandoned and starving. With a whip lash tail at the ready, the poor thing was absolutely terrified, but ever the altruist, Theo rescued the poor succubus and even allowed her into his home. That was something his mother wouldn't tolerate for long. Receiving shelter, food, clothes, and even giving her a name, Lorelei was completely mystified. Sadly, there time together was short, as they were separated shortly upon discovery. Ten years later, as the world readies itself for yet another war amongst the humans and demi's, both these childhood friends must rediscover one another, before the sky breaks above them. This story features magic and science, a dystopian setting, and humans living to struggle with plenty of monster races. Some monster races include (but aren't limited to): Cubi, Lamia, Vampires, Beastkin, elves, dark elves, dragonkin, wyvern, and more. Adult content is to be expected, but in tasteful amounts. Expect new chapters every friday.

In the midst of a chilling night, Elena Wilson, a young and timid girl, finds herself in a harrowing chase, desperately trying to escape from an unknown pursuer. Lost in the alleys of a desolate street, she collides with a car, her heart racing as she braces for the impact. Miraculously, the driver of the vehicle manages to halt just in time, saving her from harm. As Elena regains her composure, she gazes up to meet the eyes of the car's owner, only to recognize the face that has adorned countless magazines—the enigmatic and successful billionaire, Elliot Wessex. Overwhelmed with both gratitude and trepidation, Elena implores him for help, hoping he could drive her to a safe place Little does Elena know that Elliot's desire to assist her is not purely driven by kindness. Beneath his handsome façade lies a some hidden motive. Drawn to Elena's beauty and vulnerability, he agrees to aid her in eluding her pursuer, embarking on a dangerous journey that illuminates dark secrets and tests the limits of trust.

In a city where neon lights flicker amidst the shadows of towering skyscrapers, an ancient prophecy whispers of a forgotten destiny. Xuan Xingli awakens in a dark alley—without memories, without a past, yet burdened with an unfathomable power. A crimson glow flickers in her eyes, data streams flood her mind, and a system’s cold voice welcomes her to the Absolute Evolution Program. But who is she? Why does the image of a silver-haired girl with violet eyes haunt her fragmented thoughts? As secrets unravel, Xingli finds herself entangled in a web of cybernetic conspiracies, ancient relics, and forces beyond human comprehension. The key to everything—the Mysterious Hairpin—holds the truth of her existence, yet also the path to destruction. And then, there is Luo Chenxi. Enigmatic, dangerous, mesmerizing. She walks between light and shadow, an ethereal being who knows far more than she reveals. Their fates intertwine like the threads of a celestial loom, pulling them toward a revelation that could shatter the very fabric of reality. In a world where past and future collide, where love and power entwine, the path ahead is uncertain. But one thing is certain—once she steps forward, there is no turning back.

Vlad, a destitute youngster from the slums, held an unwavering admiration for knights. Following an encounter with a bolt of black lightning, he started hearing a mysterious voice. One fateful day, a knight cloaked in the shimmering glow of the blue moonlight appeared, completely upending Vlad’s existence in the back alleys. This extraordinary event proved that even a faint star concealed among the darkest corners of the nocturnal firmament can still radiate its brilliance, should it yearn to shine. By Indra Scans Website: indrascans.site Join discord! https://dsc.gg/indra

By the year 2350, Earth was quite different than the futuristic dystopia that was imagined by scientists and comic book authors alike. With greed and corruption more rampant and powerful than ever, human beings were on the brink of ending humanity itself with countless wars and skirmishes. However, before such a tragedy could become a reality for Earth, an unexpected visitor saved humanity from the brink of self-extinction, one who was suffering from the devastating effects of their own extinction event. Humanity had been searching the cosmos for signs of extraterrestrial life for several centuries now, but they didn't expect was to be discovered by an alien race first who were known as the Yalhvi. The Yalhvi were a supernatural race capable of manipulating elements and using other abilities, something that was only considered Sci-Fi up to that point. After suffering from a similar fate in their home world which ultimately led to the destruction of the whole planet, the remaining Yalhvi swore of violence as they scoured the galaxy in search of another suitable planet to call home. A historic peace treaty was forged; granting the Yalhvi residence on Earth. In exchange, the Yalhvi shared their knowledge and revealed the secrets behind their supernatural abilities. With this newfound understanding, humanity slowly began awakening its very own extraordinary powers. Many discoveries were made and humanity advanced forward at an exponential rate. With the help of the Yalhvi, many more secrets were found and questions answered. Humanity expanded its reach much farther than the solar system, finally making contact with dozens of other species within the galaxy and establishing connections, greatly improving their technology thanks to Yalhvi's architecture and design. However, once again humanity fell victim to greed as they didn’t heed the warnings that Yalhvi had given them. Slowly, a hierarchical system emerged, where the strong reigned supreme and the powerless were oppressed. Wars erupted once again, this time posing an even greater threat than nuclear warfare, threatening to destroy all this great progress and risk the very survival of the human race once again. Amidst the chaos, ten courageous warriors arose, standing united to end the devastating conflicts that plagued their world and achieve some semblance of peace. *************** “We welcome humanity to the beginning of a new year and a new century. May we continue to flourish and make many more advancements in the coming years! Here’s to making more cherished memories in 2600!” As the holographic image of a spokesperson projected across Emerald City, announcing the arrival of a brand new year, a young boy named Mako walked through a dimly lit alley, his discontent brewing within. "Humph! Another year of happiness reserved for the privileged and wealthy. For us, it's more of the same," Mako muttered to himself as he continued walking through the alley. Little did he know that a new enemy was about to reveal itself, threatening the destruction of the entire Milky Way Galaxy, and with the dawn of this new year, a path would unveil that destiny had intricately woven for him to become the one who would either save the galaxy or lead to its destruction if he were to fail. Amidst the struggles and injustices, Mako's role in shaping the future would be the key to the survival of trillions of living beings, challenging the oppressive forces that sought to maintain control over everything. *************** If you like this novel then please consider adding them to your Library! Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/unPfQYTKw2 Follow me on Instagram: @the.real.kingu

Author: Lone Raut Synopsis (Narrated by Deadpool’s Chaotic Cousin Who Forgot to Take Their Meds): Alright, gather ‘round, folks! Let me spin you a tale so dark it’ll make your therapist retire. Picture this: Yours truly was just another fancy-pants “man of culture” on a serial killer’s hit list—because apparently, collecting rare books and quoting Nietzsche makes you a target. Who knew? (Spoiler alert: I died. Surprise!) But death? Nah, that’s just the opening act. Instead of sweet oblivion, I woke up knee-deep in Saint’s Odyssey—a fantasy novel I once tossed into my “dumpster fire of bad writing” pile. Think Game of Thrones meets Saw, but with more existential dread. And guess what? I’m not the dashing hero. Nope. I’m the guy the author conveniently labeled “Villain.” Cool, right? (Cue jazz hands.) But hold onto your chimichangas, because this “hero”? Oh, he’s a masterpiece of hypocrisy. Smiles like a Disney prince, stabs like a back-alley surgeon. His grand plan? Wipe out half the world because reasons. Classic hero logic! Meanwhile, the gods are upstairs chugging ambrosia and betting on our suffering. Adorable!!!. Well, newsflash, Olympus—I’m hijacking this plot. Reborn with a vendetta and a PhD in chaos, I’m not here to play nice. Rules? Burn ‘em. Heroes? Crush ‘em. World domination? Duh!. This ain’t a redemption arc; it’s a blood-soaked takeover tour. Think Machiavelli with a splash of Joker and a side of espresso. They call me ruthless? Damn right. I’ll out-scheme the schemers, out-betray the traitors, and maybe burn a kingdom or two for aesthetic. The hero thinks he’s pulling strings? Sweetheart, I’m the puppetmaster—and I just cut the threads. Every battle’s a chess move, every ally a pawn, and the board? Oh, it’s dripping in red. And hey, let’s laugh while we’re at it. Ever seen a “chosen one” trip over his own halo? Poetic. Ever roasted a god so hard they literally combust? (Working on it.) This world’s a joke, and I’m the punchline—delivered with a knife. So buckle up, buttercups. The script’s flipped, the crown’s mine, and if the heroes cry about “morals”? Tell ‘em to write a Yelp review. This villain’s rewriting destiny—one corpse at a time. TL;DR: Death was my warm-up. Now? I’m here to conquer, crack jokes, and maybe commit some light treason. World, meet your new overlord. Resistance is hilarious . Hahahahaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (⁠・⁠∀⁠・⁠)

In the neon-drenched underbelly of New York City, a high-stakes poker game at the Emperor’s Bar ends in murder when Jason, a charismatic gambler with secrets to spare, is found dead in an alley, poisoned with aconite. Detective Jeremiah Bonnemere and his relentless squad plunge into a tangled web of suspects—each a player from Jason’s final table, each with a motive as sharp as a dealer’s cut. There’s Michael, a desperate lawyer drowning in debt; Rowland, a volatile cabbie with blood on his knuckles; Hilary, a broke musician betting his last chord; Jang Lee, a chef with mob whispers trailing him; Brenda, a Miami stripper too close to Jason’s heart; Boris, an ex-soldier whose silence screams danger; Javier, a courier carrying more than packages; Bertrand, a curator with a penchant for poisons; Doherty, a clerk hiding a razor wit; and Sidney, the grieving waitress whose love for Jason blurs the line between victim and suspect. As the squad dissects bar webcam footage and unravels alibis, the clock ticks toward a chilling truth: the killer dealt their hand that night, and the poison was no bluff. With every frame revealing new betrayals, Jeremiah must outplay a mastermind who’s always two steps ahead—before the next card falls and the body count doubles. In this deadly game, trust is a gamble, and triumph comes at a lethal price.

Elara Moreau lives a quiet life running her coffee and bookshop until she saves a dying man in an alley. That man is Zyran Wolfe, the most feared mafia boss in the country. Betrayed and left for dead, he finds an unlikely savior in Elara, who has no idea how deep she's stepping into his dangerous world. As enemies close in, Elara becomes more than just a bystander she becomes Zyran's greatest weakness. But unknown to her, the past she's long buried is tied to this world in ways she never imagined. When secrets unravel and blood is spilled, will she walk away or will she claim her place in the darkness beside him?

One day, I was dying being stabbed by an “unsatisfied” client, leaving me in a cold dark alley with only my memories and regrets. I closed my eyes looking and my friend, the moon itself, my sole companion who will actually care for my final rest. The next day, I was awake and alive, in the same body type, but with a different face, a new name and in another place. I was not in that alley anymore, I was in an old vintage type of room. Next thing I knew, all the memories of he dead person whose body I took over came over me. Turns out, I, was now Amelia Cora Baker, a girl whose mother left her living in the family as a servant while she and her new family would get all the spoils and left Amelia to fed out of scraps. But I wasn’t going to let them use me as they see fit! I would avenge the original Amelia and impersonate her with my knowledge in business and marketing and get out of the house as soon as possible! My plan consists in getting s out of the house, get a job or sell products as I see fit, find a place to settle down, créate my own business empire and last but not least, stay away from snobby nobles and marriage proposals. Next thing I knew, I literally made my OWN Emporium! My life could not be better right? Wait, what do you mean that the pair of e enslaved twins that I rescued, safely helped them and raised them, turned out to be big shots?! What?! You mean the baby girl who I found in the road was the lost princess of a neighbouring Empire?! Huh?! What do you mean that my little half-Elf boy became the new King of Elves? What’s next?! That the man that got me pregnant is actually the new Tyrant of this Kingdom?! . . . Oh no. . . . . . . Author’s note: If you are looking for: — A self-sufficient female main character — A unique plot — A mom-type of main character — Europe background — Steampunk technology — West Fantasy (elves, fairies, wizards,etc) You are in the right book! If you are looking for: — Cliche’s — Female main character who marrieds his one night stand. — Who is willing to be submissive to men. — Asian or East culture plot. Am afraid you’ll have to look for such book(s) else where.

Mia, a quiet office worker in Houston, Texas, has always felt small in a bustling world. One fateful night, a violent explosion in a dark alley shatters her ordinary existence and forces her into a dangerous web of secrets and betrayals. Drawn into a world where her family’s mysterious past holds the key to an ancient secret society, Mia must battle both external threats and inner doubts. Along the way, her growing, complicated romance with the enigmatic Ethan is put to the test. As she unravels clues and confronts enemies determined to silence her, Mia transforms from a vulnerable bystander into a determined protector of her city’s hidden truths.

"Your parents named you Mercury, hahaha they must have hated you so much!" I stared at my reflection in the mirror and looked at my scarred face. "Probably!" I replied with a sad expression on my face. I laughed at the joke the was made at my expense because I truly thought it was funny and slightly ironic. ________ Mercury Maxwell killed his father at the young age of 12. Having spent 6 years in juvenile and 4 years in Arizona ultra maximum security he was finally released only to be arrested 60 days later after being accused of massacre, manslaughter, and terrorism. Mercury managed to walk free after no evidence was found despite being guilty. After going back home he and going to sleep he opened his eyes to find himself in a dark alley in the body of a 10 year old child starving and cold from the rain. After several years at the age of 13 he joins a mercenary group that assist different nations with their wars. The story of a kid with an empty heart who only brings destruction, death and ruin to everything. A curse from another world. A transmigrated incurable disease. How will the world filled with magic and swords deal with a person cut of from his emotions.