Eliza Lane

Alexander Thornton, the billionaire CEO, business genius, and a man with dangerous secrets. While fighting to keep control of his empire from scheming relatives, Alex is determined to expose his ex-girlfriend's brother for illegal dealings connected to his friend's mysterious death Eliza Bennett meets Alexander Thornton during a job interview. They start a romance, but it puts Eliza in danger. Alexander's enemies target her, and she must choose a side in a fight she doesn't fully understand. Just as Eliza commits to helping Alex, her ex-boyfriend Jaden delivers a shocking revelation to the media: Alex himself caused his friend's fatal accident three years ago as part of an elaborate revenge scheme. As doubt tears them apart, enemies get closer, but the truth is still hidden. Is Alex a justice-seeking hero or a murderer? Will Eliza discover the truth before it destroys them both? And who really wants Alexander Thornton to fall and why?

Lane Allen, an A-rank Guide, got injured on an emergency mission suppressing a dungeon break, and perished in his almost-lover’s arms. As the remaining members of his team continued to fight for their lives, in a fancy apartment in a distant part of the city, a young man opened his eyes. “Phew… That hurt like hell…” “It’s a bit of a shame to switch so soon… But I guess it is what it is.” “Anyway, who should I become next?” Actually, Lane Allen was not a Guide, but rather an Esper with a mysterious Plunder ability! It allowed him to possess other people’s bodies, and steal their awakened abilities. Keeping his real body safe, Lane could enjoy life to the fullest, constantly swapping identities, and doing whatever he wanted without ever worrying about the consequences! How great was that? Except… Damien Lennox grabbed Lane’s arm, and pressed him against the wall, his clear green eyes staring down at Lane intently, as if he could see right through him. “There’s no one else whose guidance feels so harsh and chaotic, yet pleasing at the same time.” It seems that Damien was somehow able to recognize Lane even after switching identities, and is unwilling to let him go? . . . Villainous protagonist who couldn’t care less (at least for now~) x Righteous love interest possessive of MC! Top x top :> #Guideverse #guide #esper

Now, as life begins to pull them in different directions, their silent love is at risk of being lost forever. Will they finally find the words to confess before it's too late, or will their love story remain one of the greatest things never said? a slow-burn, emotional romance about two people who fell in love without saying a single word—but must find the courage to finally speak!!!

The story starts with Jasper Jean Mariano, in short "Jay-jay", a high school student who transfers to the prestigious Higher Value International School. Expecting a fresh start, Jay-jay is surprised to find herself placed in Section E, the school's lowest and most unruly class, consisting entirely of boys. The class president, Mark Keifer Watson, along with his peers, attempts to drive Jay-jay out through various pranks and challenges. However, Jay-jay's resilience and wit turn the tables, leading to unexpected friendships and romantic developments.

**"On her first day at university, Jay Jay starts experiencing strange glitches—flashes of memories she doesn’t remember living. And then Kiefer, a boy she’s never met before, says something chilling: 'It’s happening again, isn’t it?' Why does he feel so familiar? Why does reality itself seem to glitch around her? Some stories never truly end… they just wait to be rewritten."** this is about destiny that refuses to be forgotten and its time ,its coming back for her!

Nikolai gets bitten by a vampire and a werewolf on the same night. Their bites cause his hidden blood to awaken as the first hybrid. He grows stronger by devouring the blood of his enemies and lacks the weaknesses of both races. Despite this, he lives a normal life during the day. While at night, he explores a dark, hidden life, working for a spoilt princess and helping his obsessive friend. One is a vampire—the other leads a werewolf mafia group. Lost in this strange world, he finds help from Eliza, the strange pendant his mother created before she died. This helps him realise the world isn’t what he thought as he faces constant threats and danger from those who despise him. In this new world, his growth is rapid, and with endless possibilities, Nikolai fights for his life and to protect what he finds important while rising to the top.

At nineteen, Alex Lane's life revolved around caring for his sister, Iris, after their parents' death. When Iris was diagnosed with Breast cancer, Alex turned to running illegal packages to pay for her treatment. His life spiraled into chaos after running into problems with the most dangerous gang in the city, the BlackWolf Gang. Things turned ugly quickly when Alex and his sister, Iris, were hunted down by the BlackWolf Gang and unfortunately killed. But death wasn't the end. Nemesis, Goddess of Divine Retribution, saw in Alex the perfect instrument of karmic justice. She granted him rebirth as Andre Atlas, son of a reclusive billionaire, and gifted him the Karmic System—a power that grew stronger with each crime he committed, especially those serving as poetic justice against the powerful. Now, as Alex builds his criminal empire from the shadows of high society, with each crime bringing new supernatural abilities he will achieve his one goal. His goal: Destroy those that took everything from him!

Sophia Lane, a young, talented architect, has always kept her head down, focusing on her career and avoiding distractions. But after a chance encounter with Ethan Carter, a mysterious and powerful entrepreneur, she finds herself drawn into a world she never knew existed—a world of romance Ethan, with his dark past and enigmatic nature, has a dangerous connection to a secret society that could change the course of history. As their bond grows, Sophia finds herself at the heart of a conflict that could destroy everything she’s worked for.

--- A new chapter every Wednesday --- Puppeteer" is a gripping thriller that delves into the dark corners of the human psyche. When a mysterious serial killer terrorizes London, Cedric Ashwell, a man driven by vengeance, teams up with the determined Detective Eliza Cole and an eccentric theater director to unravel a dangerous web of manipulation and violence. But the Puppeteer is always one step ahead, pulling the strings in a twisted game where no one is safe. Every move, every moment counts – but not everyone will make it out alive. Step into a world of lies, betrayal, and dark art, where every decision could mean the difference between life and death.

"Eliza, should I murder my sister for you right now?" Those were the words that came out of Atlas' mouth stunning everyone in the mansion. "Why are you putting me in this position sir?" I whispered already aware of my fate in the hands of his mother and sisters. Eliza an orphan becomes a slave to the infamous pompous and ruthless son of one of the richest family in the city. How will she be able to manage or survive knowing she's also short tempered?

Synopsis: The House at the End of the Lane Amir never believed in ghosts. The old, abandoned house at the end of the lane had always been the subject of terrifying village rumors, but he dismissed them as mere superstitions. However, when he returns to Kampung Sempadan after years away, something about the house feels different—darker, more sinister. Strange whispers echo through the night, shadows move behind the cracked windows, and every step he takes seems to be watched by unseen eyes. As Amir digs deeper into the house’s past, he discovers a horrifying truth buried beneath decades of silence. Some doors should never be opened. Some houses should remain abandoned. But something inside that house has been waiting for him… and now, it won’t let him leave.

"You can outrun many things, but fate will always find you, like your shadow in the light." . In the heart of Washington D.C., mafia heir Vaughn Volkov is on a mission that takes him far from the sun-soaked streets of California. The bustling city, with its imposing monuments and corridors of power, is a far cry from the palm-lined avenues of his home. Vaughn, however, is not one to be easily intimidated. His piercing blue eyes and commanding presence turn heads wherever he goes, a reminder that beneath his polished exterior lies a man accustomed to danger and control. Vaughn's path crosses with Eliza Monroe, a seemingly innocent college student whose gentle demeanor masks a resilience forged from her own turbulent past. Eliza, with her kind heart and determined spirit, is an enigma. She spends her days buried in books at the library, her nights working part-time to make ends meet. Her brown eyes, often hidden behind a cascade of dark curls, hold a depth that Vaughn finds both intriguing and unsettling. Their first encounter is anything but ordinary. Vaughn watches, intrigued by her fearlessness and the fire in her eyes. "You're not like the others," he remarks later, cornering her in the quiet corner of the library. His voice is a low, dangerous purr that sends shivers down Eliza's spine. "And you're not just the student here," she retorts, meeting his gaze with a mixture of curiosity and caution. "What do you want from me?" Vaughn's lips curve into a slow, dangerous smile. "Maybe I just want to get to know you." Despite her reservations, Eliza feels a strange pull towards Vaughn. His presence is intoxicating, a blend of danger and allure that she finds hard to resist. As they spend more time together, Eliza begins to see glimpses of the man beneath the mafia heir. Vaughn, too, finds himself drawn to Eliza in ways he never anticipated. Her kindness, her strength, and her unyielding spirit ignite something within him that he thought long buried. Yet, as their connection deepens, the shadows of their pasts loom ever larger. Vaughn's family business, shrouded in crime and violence, is never far from his mind. His enemies are ruthless, and his association with Eliza puts her squarely in their crosshairs. Eliza, too, harbors secrets. The dark forces that have shaped her life threaten to consume her, and Vaughn's world only amplifies those dangers. As their worlds collide, they must navigate a treacherous web of intrigue, passion, and forbidden desire. But with danger lurking around every corner, will their love survive, or will they be torn apart by the shadows of fate?

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

Synopsis In a universe where breastfeeding rewrites quantum physics, a genetically engineered mother and her quantum-wolf lover battle cosmic forces to protect their reality-shaping infant. Across millennia—from 1023 AD Norse rituals to 10,000 AD galactic tribunals—their struggle to balance parental love with spacetime stability evolves into a mythic saga where milk becomes the fabric of reality, stretch marks map star systems, and a baby’s teething pain triggers supernovas. Plot Summary & Future Arcs Core Premise Lynette, the 500th incarnation of a lab-engineered "Spiritborn," discovers her breastmilk holds quantum code capable of creating—or erasing—civilizations. Alongside Caelium, a werewolf-physicist cursed to oscillate between human and feral states, they raise a universe-breathing infant whose needs (hunger, teething, diaper changes) manifest as cosmic crises. Their nemesis, the ancient witch Isolde, lurks in black hole rattles and formula corporations, weaponizing parental guilt across timelines. Key Existing Arcs (Chapters 1-50) · The Quantum Nursing Wars: Breastmilk algorithms vs. artificial formula empires in 3024 AD. · The Milky Tribunal: Intergalactic courtroom drama where lactation laws put Lynette on trial for "chronon genocide." · Teething Armageddon: The infant’s first tooth eruption rips spacetime, summoning dystopian dentist fleets. · Caelium’s Wolf-J.D. Crisis: His battle with black hole student loans and a werewolf lawyer rebellion. Future Outline for "The Lactating Cosmos" Chapter 51-60: The Pacifier Prophecy Arc Core Conflict: The infant’s discarded pacifiers form a neutron star oracle predicting a Galactic Potty Training Revolution. Methane-based diaper civilizations declare war on organic life, weaponizing fecal black holes. Key Beats: · Lynette brokers peace via Quantum Diaper Treaties, rewriting sanitation laws. · Caelium’s wolf-pack battles Toilet-Bomb Anarchists in Andromeda’s nursery lanes. · Isolde hijacks the prophecy, corrupting pacifiers into Singularity Pacifier Grenades. Global Hook: Parenting’s most mundane task (potty training) becomes a galactic power struggle, blending absurd humor with climate crisis metaphors. Chapter 61-70: Colostrum Crusades Arc Core Conflict: A cult worshipping Lynette’s “first milk” hijacks the Andromeda galaxy, using Lactation Lasers to erase formula-dependent civilizations. Key Beats: · Lynette discovers her colostrum contains Isolde’s Original Sin Code. · Caelium confronts his darkest self: a 2149 AD Formula Executive who monetized infant hunger. · The infant’s third eye leaks visions of a Milkless Universe, forcing Lynette to question her worth. Global Hook: Critique of corporate greed and "wellness culture," with breastmilk as both sacred and commodified. Chapter 71-80: Weaning the Gods Arc Core Conflict: The toddler’s tantrums collapse realities into a Tesseract Playpen—a hyperspace nursery where dark matter is finger paint and black holes are sippy cups. Key Beats: · Lynette and Caelium infiltrate the playpen to teach Gentle Reality-Building. · Isolde manifests as a Toxic Nanny AI, weaponizing bedtime stories. · The toddler’s first scribbles accidentally create Proto-Civilizations in her coloring books. Global Hook: Parental guilt meets multiverse theory: How do you raise a god without breaking reality? Final Arc (81-100): The Lullaby Singularity Core Conflict: The child’s first spoken word (“Mama”) triggers a Nursing Big Bang, birthing a new multiverse. But Isolde’s final gambit emerges: a Formula-Fed Doppelgänger Child hellbent on devouring their legacy.

A brutal crime. A missing past. A person who shouldn’t exist. Detectives Emma Lane and Alex Carter thought it was just another case, until the details refused to make sense. The deeper they dig, the more they realize they aren’t uncovering a crime; they’re unraveling something far older, far darker than they ever imagined. The symbol keeps appearing. The missing records don’t add up. And the more they search for the truth, the more the truth seems to be waiting for them. Some mysteries are meant to be solved. This one was meant to consume them. "An Angelic Devil" is a psychological thriller that explores the breaking point of the human soul. Some devils don’t need horns; they wear the faces of angels. But when innocence and desperation collide, who is truly the victim… and who is playing a deadly game?

Abigail Wynter, a determined and selfless young entrepreneur, has been working tirelessly to establish her own clothing shop while juggling multiple part-time jobs. Her life takes a dramatic turn when her clothing proposal is accepted by a prominent TV home shopping channel. As Abigail navigates the exciting world of television retail, she catches the attention of Caleb Lane, the channel's merchandising director. Initially, Caleb's aloof demeanor keeps Abigail at arm's length, but he soon finds himself irresistibly drawn to her kindness, beauty, and determination. Just as Caleb starts to develop genuine feelings for Abigail, he shocks her with an unexpected request: he asks her to pretend to be his girlfriend. As they navigate the challenges of their fake relationship, Abigail and Caleb must confront their own feelings and the true nature of their connection. Will Abigail's growing emotions for Caleb compromise her values and ambitions? Can Caleb reconcile his past and present to make room for love? As they walk the fine line between reality and deception, Abigail and Caleb must decide what they're willing to risk for a chance at true love.

Kieran just moved to Santa Monica from New York. He arrives late to his first class and is paired up with a group of four girls (Eliza, Brooke, April, & Harper) For a group project. Will he fall in love? Or will he slowly corrupt each girl? EARLY ACCESS: patreon.com/Lovely_Lola |TAGS| r18, smut, teen, sleepover, truth or dare, kissing, bikini, friends to lovers.

16 year-old Dom Lanes ends up in a parallel world called "The Boundless Realm" and teams up with four other people of the same age to fight against the enemies of The Boundless Realm and return to their original realm. On his journey, he meets many allies and enemies along the way and grows as a person.

Yun Hao has been a bystander for all of his life. Since losing his parents at a young age, he resigned himself to being a bystander. It just so happens that this frustration builds up within him to a point- when presented with the opportunity to be a hero, he swerved his car into the oncoming lane to avoid a careless child running into the street. Only to die in an accident as a truck collides with his car. Yun Hao wakes up in a world resembling Ancient China where martials arts and young marriages reign supreme! However he has some hiccups in his body that he must resolve and a gold finger that was as delayed to join him as it was powerful- the Unlimited Passives System Unbeknownst to him however, the day he had his accident, a tablet appeared in the sky and various people around the world suddenly disappeared… what mysteries could the tablet hold?

Mr. & Mrs. Doom (Warning: Mature Content R-18) Rick Everhart, a young billionaire with an empire spanning multiple industries, has everything a man could ever want—power, wealth, and an app that grants him an irresistible charm. With a simple tap, no woman can resist him, from elite CEOs and influential political figures to stunning actresses. But Stara Lane is different. A tough, independent teenager who lost everything at eight, she has spent her life fighting to survive. She despises men like Rick—men who take whatever they want without consequences. Unfortunately for her, fate has other plans. When Stara accidentally discovers Rick’s dark secret, he forces her into an arranged marriage to keep her under his control. Trapped in a golden cage, Stara refuses to be another pawn in his game. She resists him at every turn, but Rick—used to women falling at his feet—finds himself obsessed with taming the one woman who defies him. old resentments explode, new secrets surface, and neither of them is prepared for the ultimate truth—love was never part of the plan.

Victoria Lane, the unflinching CEO of Luminex International, is no stranger to power. With a reputation forged in ambition and an empire built on ruthless precision, she thrives in a world of control—until the arrival of Ethan Ward, her seemingly ordinary new intern. Beneath his polite demeanor and sharp intellect, however, Ethan hides a dark purpose: he is here to shatter the seal binding the secrets of Victoria's soul. As Victoria navigates her corporate kingdom, she becomes increasingly drawn to Ethan’s enigmatic charm and unwavering confidence, even as her instincts scream caution. Unknown to her, Ethan’s every move is calculated, part of a larger, otherworldly plan to unlock a hidden power within her—a power tied to a family curse Victoria has spent her life suppressing. But Victoria is not a pawn in anyone’s game. With her sharp intuition and commanding presence, she begins her own investigation into Ethan's past, uncovering fragments of his true identity. Their dynamic shifts from a tense battle of wits to a dangerous dance of attraction and betrayal, as layers of mystery, power, and forbidden desire unfold. In a world where ambition blurs the line between loyalty and manipulation, who will outmaneuver whom? The Queen and Her Pawn is a tale of dominance, intrigue, and romance, where the stakes are nothing less than control over fate itself—and perhaps, a shot at love.

Kira Santos has one rule: never sleep with a Dominion operative. As the most successful smuggler in the Outer Rings, she's stayed alive by keeping Dominion forces—and their arrogant officers—far from her cargo hold and even further from her bed. Until Commander Julian Blake storms her ship during a routine "inspection," and her well-honed instincts scream that he's the most delicious danger she's ever encountered. Blake has spent three years hunting the infamous Santos across star systems, telling himself it's about justice and not his obsession with those defiant amber eyes and curves that haunt his dreams. Now, with her finally in his custody, he's shocked to discover the notorious criminal is even more intoxicating up close. The raw electricity between them threatens to short-circuit his sense of duty. When a rival syndicate targets them both, Kira and Blake are forced to forge an uneasy alliance. By day, they dodge assassins and navigate treacherous space lanes. By night, their verbal sparring explodes into a passion that leaves them both scorched. As the heat between them reaches unbearable levels, they'll have to decide what burns hotter—their need to maintain control, or their desperate hunger for each other. Sometimes the finest line in the galaxy is the one between surrendering to your enemy... and surrendering to desire.

Looking back, maybe it wasn't all that bad. Sometimes, I wonder if life would have been better for us all if Eliza and I had never discovered the truth. Maybe that's selfish. But we might have been happier-or at least, that's what I'd like to believe. Magic is a mystery, and not much is known about it even today. it flows through the world, choosing its own vessels. I wish that was all I had to tell you, but my story is darker and filled with mystery and loss. My name is Maddox, and I should have never left the orphanage."

Lane, when he was young, accidentally swallowed the memories of a transmigrator. Later, he joined the knight order and became the leader of the "Dark Corrosion" Knight Order. After the duties of the knight order were completed, Lane happened to receive the news that his adoptive father was seriously ill. After seeing his adoptive father for the last time, Lane took over his adoptive father's job according to his will. But... the job of his adoptive father turned out to be the personal butler of a young loli miss? Nainali Yaxi, nine years old, the daughter of a count. Although this blonde young miss was very cute, she was a little arrogant. Thus, the daily story of a top knight who transformed into a personal butler and a proud and withdrawn loli young miss began.

In the snow-kissed town of Evergreen, heartbroken Eliza Harper finds love in the unlikeliest of places. When Finn, a charming stranger, accidentally hits her with a snowball, their connection sparks a winter wonderland romance. As they explore the picturesque town, laughter and adventure reignite Eliza's passion for life. But with Finn's departure looming, they must confront the reality of their long-distance relationship. Will Eliza risk her heart again, or will fear hold her back? Dive into this enchanting tale of love, vulnerability, and the promise of spring, where the seasons of life mirror the ebbs and flows of the heart."

My husband and I have always been careful with our financial decisions. We researched, planned, and never took unnecessary risks at least, that’s what we thought. But sometimes, even the most cautious people can find themselves in difficult situations. Not long ago, we came across an opportunity that seemed promising. The numbers made sense, the platform looked professional, and everything appeared to be in order. At first, things went smoothly. We saw positive results, and our confidence grew. But over time, small concerns started to arise, delays, unanswered questions, and inconsistencies we couldn’t ignore. Before we knew it, we were locked out, with no clear path forward. The feeling was overwhelming. We had invested not just our money but also our trust, and now we were left with nothing but uncertainty. We explored every possible way to fix the situation on our own, but it became clear that we needed professional help. That’s when we found **Digital Resolution Services**. At first, we were skeptical after all, trusting someone new after what we had just been through wasn’t easy. But from the very first conversation, they reassured us. They had seen cases like ours before, and they knew exactly what to do. Step by step, they guided us through the process, kept us updated, and most importantly, delivered results. Looking back, we learned a valuable lesson. Even the most well-thought-out plans can go wrong, but what matters is how you respond. If we hadn’t reached out for help, we might have never recovered. Thanks to the right people, we were able to turn things around and for that, we’re incredibly grateful. Thanks to:DIGITAL RESOLUTION SERVICES Email: digitalresolutionservices@myself.com Email: digitalresolutionservices007@zohomail.com WhatsApp: +1 (361) 260-8628 Grateful soul Natalie Lane

In the quaint village of Maplewood, the arrival of the enigmatic and wealthy bachelor Mr. Theodore Ashford ignites a flurry of matrimonial ambitions, particularly within the Woodhouse family. Mrs. Eleanor Woodhouse, a determined matriarch, schemes to secure a match between Ashford and one of her three daughters: the sharp-witted Eliza, the romantic Marianne, or the bookish Clara. Ashford’s aloof demeanor and mysterious past, however, intrigue Eliza, who suspects he harbors secrets darker than his imposing estate, Willowmere Hall. As the Woodhouses navigate societal balls and calculated encounters, tensions rise with the arrival of Ashford’s ailing sister, Margaret Hale, whose fragile health and cryptic remarks hint at a family legacy marred by debt and scandal. Eliza’s curiosity deepens when she discovers burned letters and cryptic notes from Ashford, unraveling a web of blackmail tied to their father’s gambling debts and a deadly duel. The shadowy creditor Corbyn threatens to expose Margaret’s illicit past—a secret involving a child born from a forbidden affair in Italy—unless Ashford surrenders Willowmere. Determined to save Ashford’s family from ruin, Eliza joins him on a perilous journey to London and Naples, forging an unlikely alliance. Their quest reveals shocking truths: Margaret’s presumed-dead daughter, Alessandra, may still be alive, and Corbyn’s machinations extend beyond extortion to vengeance. Risking scandal and danger, Eliza and Ashford confront Corbyn in a deadly showdown, aided by a streetwise orphan named Jem, whose fate becomes entwined with theirs. Amidst arson, betrayal, and a race against time, Eliza and Ashford’s partnership evolves into a passionate bond, challenging his pride and her independence. Sacrifices mount as Margaret’s final act of redemption exposes a decades-old conspiracy, culminating in a bittersweet resolution. The novel closes with Eliza and Ashford, scarred but unbroken, embarking on a uncertain future—their trust in each other the only certainty in a world of thorns and fleeting hope. **Themes:** Pride, redemption, societal ambition, and the transformative power of love amidst secrets and sacrifice.

A Twentieth Century Werewolf Romance Story. You had only been asleep for some days and to me felt like years. It felt like forever waiting for you to just open your eyes and look at me. Now that you have finally awoken, I can't still be with you. I want you to know that while you were asleep, all I thought about was you. I rode down memory lane.~ Jack. A politician's son and a loving human girl meets in a world ruled by a secret Werewolfhood. The wreckless rich boy meets a human girl but does their story end with her being human? Jack promises to be loving this time. In Love In This Time ~ *** The book starts with a girl going into the woods for a reason unknown.., while her supposed husband stayed in a pub drinking. In the morning he goes to see Lyya, the girl in the hospital. His father's Beta, Charles, informs Jack, the Alpha's son, that his father wants to meet with him. There, at his father's office he's informed that he is getting married to Clarissa Barrington; a daughter of another Alpha and also his ex-girlfriend.