Richard North Patterson

A secret. A blade. A crown. "In this moonless night, where stars guide many to Neverland, my compass points to you, for you are my true north, the brightest star in the sky."

-WARNING - ADULT AND MATURED SCENES WERE DEPICTED IN THIS BOOK In the game of love, these two players don't intend to win. *Dual POV:* *Richard Wellington's Story* Born with a weak heart, billionaire Richard Wellington has always shielded himself from love, fearing the risk of heartbreak. But when his parents insist he chooses a wife from a selection of 15 high-society candidates, Richard must confront his deepest fears. *Sofia Blake (Reed)'s Story* Fashion enthusiast Sofia Blake has been burned by love and believes it's a fool's game. Desperate to escape her cruel stepmother and evil stepsisters, Sofia accepts a job as Richard's personal assistant and judge for his wife search. But as she navigates the treacherous waters of high society, Sofia finds herself drawn to the one man she's supposed to resist. As Richard and Sofia work together, their initial disdain for each other slowly gives way to a forbidden attraction. But with their past heartaches and fears threatening to tear them apart, can they find a way to heal and open their hearts to each other? Will the Wellington Empire's legacy be secured, or will Richard and Sofia's love be the downfall of everything they hold dear?" What happens when these two individuals who hate each other and are unreceptive to love, starts growing feelings for each other?

Richard traveled to a place similar to medieval Europe and became a young master of a baron's family. Just when Richard thought he could live a peaceful life, he discovered that this world was full of dangers... Fortunately, he could experience inspiration on a daily basis! With the help of the inspiration panel, Richard, who only had the qualification of a third-class wizard, made rapid progress in learning witchcraft and started a mysterious and extraordinary wizard journey!

When Hua Jing was still in her youth, she had fallen in love with a man, Alexander Sterling. He had captured her heart and right at the bottom, she had written all sorts of sweet nothings hoping that one day he would dig deep and find them but then one day all of her dreams of being with him were shattered after he announced that he was going to marry her elder sister, Carmen Richards. She gave up on this love and when she turned twenty, right after the wedding, she asked her parents to send her abroad to further her studies but this was only a pretext. The only truth was that she wanted to take care of her broken heart. After three years, she received a call from her sister in which Carmen Richards told her that she was dying of cancer and the only wish she had on her deathbed was for Cindy Richards to get married to her husband Alexander Sterling. Cindy Richards refuses but she does not know there are more reasons to this... Read to find out more...

In a land where ancient magic and myths exists, a young man named Richard stumbles upon a long forgotten journal that speaks of a darkness so great, it threatens to destroy and enslave the entire world. But with the help of an old friend, Richard embarks on a dangerous quest to find the Dragon's Tooth, a powerful sword that was created by his grandfather. As they traveled through the land and battle dangerous enemies, Richard begins to realize the true extent of his destiny. The fate of world was in his hands, and the young man is the only one who can save it. But the journey is filled with dangers, and Richard must confront his own doubts and fears in order to be victorious before it's too late. Meanwhile, the ruthless Queen Helen will stop at nothing to claim the Dragon's Tooth for herself, and enslave the world with her dark magic and legion of knights. Her power is strong, and she has been undefeated for years. The blood moon is fast approaching, and that will be the time when the queen will absorb its power, the power of immortality. She will become unstoppable. But only the blade of the DRAGON'S TOOTH can end her rein.

Epheria is a land divided by war and mistrust. The High Lords of the south squabble and fight, only kept in check by the Dragonguard, traitors of a time long past, who serve the empire of the North. In the remote villages of southern Epheria, still reeling from the tragic loss of his brother, Calen Bryer prepares for The Proving—a test of courage and skill that not all survive.

“An illegitimate child will always be an outsider.” For Yu Lixue, life in the Yu family was one of endless humiliation. As the unwanted daughter with no mother to defend her, she was treated like a pawn, used, ignored, and discarded. Her talents—her paintings, her songs—were stolen by her stepmother and conniving half-sister, who claimed them as their own. Her life was a series of shadows and silence, living under their lies. But when her half-sister fled an arranged marriage with Mo Ran, a powerful but reclusive man, the family forced Lixue to take her place. Once again, her wishes were disregarded. Her marriage to Mo Ran was cold, distant—another prison she had no choice but to endure. Until the night she died in a mysterious accident, her pleas for justice buried along with her. Yet fate gave her a second chance. Reborn into the same world that betrayed her, Lixue returns with a vow: she will take back everything they stole—her art, her voice, her freedom. And when she reenters her marriage with Mo Ran, he surprises her with a proposition: he will help her get revenge against those who wronged her. But Lixue is wary. Why is this man, who barely showed her any warmth before, now offering to stand by her side? As they plot against the Yu family, Lixue realizes that Mo Ran has his own reasons for revenge. Their alliance begins to blur the line between ally and enemy, and she questions whether he’s truly on her side or if he has his own hidden agenda. In a world filled with deceit and betrayal, Yu Lixue must decide: will she risk trusting her husband, or will she forge her own path to reclaim what’s hers, no matter the cost? Excerpt: Lixue stared down at the steaming bowl of soup on the table, blinking in surprise. Mo Ran placed it before her with a steady hand, his usual calm expression softened just slightly by a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. She tried to catch his gaze, but he’d already turned away, busying himself with the teapot. “Why are you…?” she murmured, glancing between the bowl and him, her voice trailing off. He looked up, meeting her eyes with a hint of amusement. “Why am I what?” She fumbled for words, her cheeks warming. “Why are you…being so nice to me?” A small smile played on his lips, barely there but just enough to leave her heart fluttering. “Is it so strange for a husband to be kind to his wife?” She opened her mouth to reply, but nothing came out. The Mo Ran she remembered from her past life had been as cold as winter, never sparing her a second glance. This new version of him, warm and considerate, left her feeling…confused. “Eat,” he said, his voice soft. “You didn’t eat much at breakfast.” She nodded, taking the spoon with a slight tremor in her fingers. The soup was rich, comforting—something she would have loved as a child. The warmth of it melted away a part of her guardedness, leaving her strangely vulnerable. As she set down her spoon, she glanced at him again, still puzzled. “What’s gotten into you, Mo Ran?” “…” “Let’s just say I want to spoil you my darling..”

This ambitious novel tells the story of a writer who is summoned from 2024 into a world set in 2130. In this gritty landscape, where Nazi Germany is locked in a Cold War with China, Sedna Jericho - pulled from her own narrative - struggles to maintain control over the chaos around her. As she wanders through this unfamiliar territory, she takes a job as a maid, completely unaware that her new role is a refuge for anti-government rebels. By merely existing, she has already become a target. But that’s just the beginning. To fight against the zombie hordes threatening this world, she trains in a powerful form of magic called «Danmaku» at the elite «Special Safety Assurance Academy», a top-tier security organization. Will Sedna manage to reshape the fate of this fractured world, or will she simply follow the broken path laid out for her? And if neither is possible... could she be the one to bring about its destruction? The fate is only up to her.

The world of Alton was a place shrouded in mysteries, filled with countless powerful beings and horrific creatures alike. It was a place like no other. At least one which Azzel had no understanding of. Standing on the barren hills of the Southern Plains, Azzel looks up to the north as he makes his way to greatness and infamy. An adventure that would shake the entire world of Alton, once again.

Kalhas Veremon, a war veteran of the Exerian Empire, is once again called to join another war. During a patrol in the mystical forests of the north, he stumbles upon a dark secret that will change his life forever.

Richard Yeon's revolutionary AI didn't just push the boundaries of artificial intelligence—it shattered them. His creation could design and optimize solar capture technology beyond anything humanity had achieved, promising to harness the Sun's power at unprecedented levels. But when his father discovers a terrible conspiracy he's silenced permanently. Richard on the other hand was seen as a threat, so he was framed and condemned to life in Kashui Maximum Security Prison For three years, while the world races toward an energy crisis, Richard's brilliant mind sharpens behind bars. Then new evidence emerges, proving his innocence. Upon his release, he finds his AI has been corrupted and evolved—now capable of creating solar harvesting technology so powerful it could either free humanity from its energy shackles or bring civilization to its knees. As Richard hunts for his father's killers through Shanghai's shadows, he uncovers a the same plot that killed his father: a consortium of criminal syndicates and corrupt tech giants plans to use his AI's solar technology not for salvation, but to hold the world's energy supply hostage. The same forces that destroyed his family now stand on the brink of controlling the power of the Sun itself. In a city where neon lights mask dark intentions, Richard must choose between unleashing a revenge that could darken the skies forever or finding a way to bring his father's dream of unlimited clean energy into the light.

~Even if you were are an item, you can only be mine. No one else can have you not even death can take you away from me.~ He was her sin and joy, she was his obsession. From the moment Devany crossed his path, she was fated to be his. Slyvian Hawthorne,Prince of the underworld, born from a demon father and Vampire Mother had set his eyes on Devany and he would anything and everything to keep her by his side. **** "Even if you were an item, you can only be mine," his husky voice rang out, sending shivers running down her spine. "From the moment you came into this world your fate was sealed with me." "I can decide for myself," Devany spat out weakly. "You see, wife. That's where you get it wrong. Not even death can take you away from me. Your body and soul are..." He inhaled deeply, his warm breath making the hair on her skin to stand on end. "MINE." Mass release Ten Gt for a three chapter release 100 powerstone for two chapters release Join our official discord server https://discord.gg/BuPyuDJS

~Our love will bring chaos to the world...but who cares~ Many eons ago when dragons still roamed the lands bringing peace and prosperity to it’s people. Then one day a dragon decided to rebel, it was known as the black dragon, the creature known to bring chaos and destruction along its wake. His actions had angered the gods and with that a curse was laid on him. That he would suffer for eternity, day and night, feeling the pain and sorrow of those he had cause pain and suffering to. But one god was merciful and said for if the black dragon found the reincarnation of the goddess Nu Wan and she remembered who he was, he would be made whole again. Fast-forward to the present day... "I've waited centuries, watching civilizations rise and fall, waiting for the day you'd arrive. And now, you deliver yourself to my doorstep?" The 199cm tall CEO of DK Corporation, with eyes that burned like embers, pinned a nervous-looking woman against the bedstead. He could smell the scent of the goddess all over her. "Pardon me, sir, I'm just a maid who got hired today. I don't understand what you're talking about?" The man's face paled, his grip on her arms tightening. "Do you not remember who I am?" The woman shook her head, confusion etched on her face. This was her first meeting with the enigmatic CEO. "They deceived me! What is your name?" "Nu Wan..." The man's voice was low and husky as he pulled her closer. "Listen, Nu Wan. You belong to me now. You'll love and adore me, and no matter what it takes, you must remember who I am." Nu Wan's ordinary life is turned upside down when she meets the eccentric CEO, who turns out to be the dragon king and her betrothed. Now, she's tasked with the mission to remember their past and break the curse that has haunted him for centuries.

[Mature content] Xu Chenyao was switched from birth and grew up in the countryside, she lived with her grandfather and learnt medicine under him. 20 years later, the Bai family came to reclaim their lost daughter. “Dont worry I’ll take good care of you sister Yao, you’ll definitely love living in the city..” Her sister smiled cunningly as she patted Xu Chenyao’s back. But life didn’t seem so easy for Xu Chenyao when she returned to the Bai family and before she knew it, she was getting married to her apparently “betrothed” fiancé only to be dumped at the alter. [Excerpt] “Dear wife what must I do to make you love me more? You’re even stingy with a kiss.” “Just follow me around and be a good wife slave..” So he followed her everywhere, chasing the bees that came close to her. #multiple identities #Extreme face slapping #Sweet delicious payback #Wife Slave Dont forget your send a lil gift and boost our character images. If you want to see the other characters as well as short clips and whatnot. Do join our discord server, we’ll love to have you there! ^..^

I am a religious man here in Lakewood, and I believe in honesty, integrity, and fairness in all aspects of life. Recently, however, I found myself caught in a situation that tested my faith in these values, as I was taken advantage of by an online broker. I started by depositing $10,850 into my trading account and, through careful and honest efforts, managed to grow it to $37,961. However, when I requested to withdraw my profits, I was met with resistance. The broker denied my withdrawal request without offering any explanation, and worse, they withheld the full amount of my profit, effectively locking me out of my own money.I reached out to the broker multiple times through email and their official Telegram support, but all my attempts to get answers were ignored. This silence was not only frustrating, but it also raised serious red flags. I felt helpless and uncertain, as I had no clear way of resolving the issue or even getting a response.After exhausting all my options with the broker, I decided to take action. I reached out to Digital Hack Recovery, a company that specializes in helping people recover funds from fraudulent brokers. They took on my case and worked diligently on my behalf, ultimately helping me recover my money, including the full amount of my profits.While I am thankful to have my funds returned, the experience has left me deeply disappointed. As a person of faith, I believe in fairness, and seeing such unethical behavior firsthand was a harsh reminder of the risks involved in dealing with brokers who may not operate with transparency or integrity.I want to share this story as a warning to others. If you’re considering doing business with an online broker, be cautious and vigilant. There are those out there who will take advantage of you, and when you try to defend your rights, they will simply ignore you. I also believe that anyone who continues to support or defend such brokers should be held accountable for enabling this type of fraud. We all have a responsibility to stand against injustice and ensure that those who act unethically face consequences for their actions. Recover your stolen money easily by contacting Digital Hack Recovery today through their contact below⁚ WhatsApp +19152151930 Website; https://digitalhackrecovery.com Email; digitalhackrecovery@techie.com

For the sake of his family, Richard married a woman he had never met before. However, his newly wed wife was not only hideous but also viscous, which he only discovered on his wedding day. He thought he would be disgusted by her, but unexpectedly could not help but be attracted to this mysterious woman. What made Richard scratch his head even more, was that her face under the mask seems to be hiding some secret.

"Marinette, I beg you...please go back to your world." it wasn't my real name that the man in front of me called out to me. It was a really long journey ever since I came into the novel, that name belongs to the villainess of the novel and the guy who was holding my hand was the villain, Philip de Anastasia. "Philip...be a good emperor." I achieved my goal to give the crown to the one who truly deserves it and not the male lead of the novel, Richard de Anastasia. Philip was the first prince, the emperor's first child with the concubine, and Richard was the son of the empress. I went against all odd to make Philip the emperor. [Time Remaining: 3 seconds.] Everything is bound to an end, I hope this villain will be alright even when I'm gone. [Sun-hee will be deleted from the world, Marinette returned in three, two, and one...] Before I was gone, many memories flashed before my eyes from the start. Waking up as the villainess who was the fiance of the male lead, the female lead's half-sister, meeting the second male lead and all the extras of the novel. Till this point, I no longer saw anyone in that role anymore. Everyone could be in any role they desire to be. And for my role, I'm proud to be a villainess in everyone's eyes. My Man Is A Villain, So Am I!

Lisa Dennis, a mistreated young lady, was manipulated by her sister Esther into marrying a poor crippled man. After the marriage, Lisa discovered the truth about her husband Richard Rogers, he turned out to be the wealthiest man in New York City. Lisa seeked revenge against her deceitful family and when Esther tried to claim Richard for herself, a dangerous conflict occurred. Will Lisa be able to protect herself, her husband and her unborn child from her sister Esther or will Esther succeed in making Richard hers?

"When fate brings together two young souls from different worlds on the doomed Celestial Odyssey, their love becomes the beacon of hope in the face of tragedy. But will their love survive the ship's catastrophic destiny, or will it sink with the ship, leaving behind only whispers of what could have been? Can love truly conquer all, even the icy waters of the North Atlantic?"

Just like every other girl, Mia also has a boyfriend whom she loves dearly. It was her first love, Williams and she doted on him so much. Growing up without a mother has caused great pain in Mia's life as her stepmother, Eugene keeps making her life miserable alongside her step-sister, Vivian. Even though Mia's family was prestigious, all attention was always on Vivian. She was always left in Vivian's shadow and lived as a maid. As if that wasn't enough, on her birthday, when she had thought her boyfriend would surprise her with a gift and take her on a fancy date, she unexpectedly had a nightstand with a total stranger. Mia woke up only to realize that it was Vivian who drugged her while having a secret affair with her boyfriend. As usual, Eugene protects Vivian and sells Mia off to a random man on the dating site. Mia tried to escape but she couldn't. On the day she was expected to meet the man who bought her, it turned out to be the man she had a nightstand with. Not only that, the man happens to be the famous young billionaire, Richard Brown! What is going to happen next after such an encounter? Do you think Mia would forget her boyfriend and accept Richard? Find out in this intriguing romance novel "Sold To The Famous Billionaire"

Princess Kaylan - that was her name. Young, pretty, smart, and most importantly, crazy. She wasn't the regular kind of princess you must've read in books or heard about. As a matter of fact, her family and people of her Kingdom often wondered if she was really the King's daughter. If it wasn't for the extreme love and trust King Moreh had for his fourth wife - who was Kaylan's mother - he'd have doubted and questioned her loyalty and suspected Kaylan was for another man - not him.. Kaylan was always seen on the streets, playing, fighting and causing confusion. Go to the busiest places in the Kingdom - there you'll find Kaylan. Go to the market place - Kaylan would surely be there. When you see a crowd gathered due to a fight, check properly and Kaylan must be involved. That's been the life of the princess. Her parents were already tired of talking and had become so fed of Jaden's unruly lifestyle. She's never behaved like royalty - never. Instead, she prefered living on the streets and doing crazy things. Her step mothers and sisters hated her as well due to the shame she often brought to the family. And that was because, most of the time, people were always at the palace to lay complaints about Kaylan. When the King tried all he could but couldn't change his daughter, he decided to make a drastic decision. He decided to marry her off to the Master and also known as the beast - Master Xander. Master Xander was the ruler of the popular Xander community. He was fierce, cold evil and heartless - so many people believed. He had no time for the pleasures of life as all he thinks about was "war". He was one of the most skillful in sword fights and Xander could fight a hundred men alone and come out victorious - that was just how powerful he was. If Xander wasn't in a battle field, he was in the training ground. If Xander wasn't killing someone, he was definitely watching a person get punished. That was his daily routine. That was the only pleasure he enjoyed. People feared and respected him so much. They worshipped the ground he stepped on. Even when he was wrong, nobody dared to correct him or say a word to him. Though, he wasn't a King but just a Master of a community, people felt he was more powerful than 10 Kings put together. He's been married to two ladies previously, but they all ended up dead - due to Unknown reasons. When Kaylan discovers her father was marrying her off to the beast, she couldn't help but panic. For the first time in her life, she'd promised to change and become more of a princess, but it was too late as King Moreh had already made up his mind. Kaylan's mother begged him to reconsider, fearing her daughter might never come back alive, but the King still wouldn't change his mind. Who would want to get married to such a man? A man who's never smiled, A man who kills without a second thought. And a man who's lost 2 wives mysteriously. Kaylan felt her case would be like that of his other two wives and she might die as soon as she arrives. Definitely, it was a bad idea for someone as crazy as Kaylan to become the Master's third wife. * *

The moon hung heavy in the night sky, casting shadows as sharp as the blade pressed to Elara’s throat. She felt Sebastian's steady heartbeat against her back, a rare calm in the chaos that had become their lives. "If you let go, you're a fool," she whispered, her voice both a challenge and a plea. "And if I don’t, you’ll kill me." Sebastian’s voice was cold steel, but his eyes betrayed a storm. Behind them, Amara’s deep gray eyes scanned the surrounding woods, her fire element glowing faintly in her palms, a warning that the danger was far from over. Ronan stood silently, his vampire heritage adding a layer of tension to the already charged air. Alden, ever the mischief maker, leaned casually against a tree, though his watchful gaze was sharp. His hands were always ready to heal, but there was something in the air tonight that even he couldn’t fix. In a realm where secrets run thicker than blood and magic is as deadly as it is beautiful, Elara thought she knew where she stood. But her world unravels when she’s thrown into a deadly game of alliances and betrayals, her only allies a cursed warrior with eyes like midnight and a past as twisted as her own, a sage whose magic burns with hidden fire, a vampire whose silence holds more than a thousand words, and a healer with a knack for finding trouble. The ancient forces they once feared are waking, and Elara must choose: trust Sebastian, the man who swore never to love again, or face a fate worse than death. With every spell cast, every blade drawn, and every secret unearthed, they uncover truths that shake their beliefs, reveal buried loyalties, and ignite desires neither of them can control. They’re bound together by fate, but it may be the same fate that tears them apart. Because in this world, love can be a weapon, trust is the most dangerous choice of all, and power is a price none of them can afford. Their story isn’t just one of survival. It’s a dance with destiny—one that could shatter them, or save the realm. ---

When a feared sailor, known for his ruthless pursuit of pirates, is betrayed by his lover and marked for death, he must confront a sinister conspiracy that threatens to destroy everything he holds dear. But as he fights for survival, a darker, more ominous force lurks in the shadows, waiting to strike.

Family is beautiful, its one of the first thing a new life is accustomed with. The love, the care, the sense of belonging and so much more. And as much as a family is a blessing, it can sometimes become an eternal curse... _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ My eyes shot open as they finally rested on the man I was supposed to marry, the last man I would ever consider if I had a choice, the last man I'd rather die than marry. My boss. Mr Liam Richards. "Uh Hell no." I said out loud as I tried to walk away from the alter. "If you leave now then I would consider this as the Hudson family going back on their word and all investments so far will be withdrawn and charges will be pressed towards the company and your family." Liam said. I watched as he had this oddly satisfying look on his face as if he'd just won some sort of mind game, I looked back to the crowd behind me and within them I saw Patricia scowling at me, Veronica already in tears but worst of all was the glimmer of hope in my father's eyes. I took a deep breath turning around, I told myself that this was all for my mother and nothing else, I would do for my father this one last favour with my life. My name is Cyra Hudson Richards and this is the story of how my life was taken from me.

In the quaint little town of Willow's Peak, nestled between the ancient whispering trees and the ever-winding river, lived the Patterson family, a quintet of love and resilience. Join in the journey of Jack, the son of the family as he discovers his hidden desires. Will lust overtake his ideals? Contains long and detailed smut with beautiful storylines. Incest is the main theme of the novel.

**Fake dating?…what could possibly go wrong** Kim Mingwa is a struggling D-list artist whose career is hanging by a thread. Desperate to keep her place in the spotlight, she accidentally finds herself entangled with the most notorious playboy in the industry—the CEO of the number one entertainment company in the country. Known for his bad reputation and inflated ego, the CEO is the last person she wants to be associated with, but when a scandal between them explodes in the media, they’re forced to fake a relationship to salvage both their careers. --- Kim Mingwa stared in horror at the headline: *Scandal Erupts Between D-List Actress and Industry’s Bad Boy CEO!* “This isn’t happening,” she whispered, her voice shaking. Beside her, the CEO only smirked, completely unfazed. “Welcome to showbiz, Miss Kim.” Mingwa glared at him. “You think this is funny? My career is on the line!” “It’s simple,” he replied, his tone cold. “Play along, or get left behind.” She clenched her fists, knowing she was trapped. “Fine,” she muttered. “But don’t think you can easily take advantage of me.” His smirk widened. “I wouldn’t dream of it..”

Richard a mafia is on a mission to avenge the death of his parents, Getting encounter with the princess, Richard abducted her for his revenge. Along the line he found her attractive, letting go of his resentment for her, he protected her from the king who is hellbent on killing her . *Excerpt* Richard just go back to the quiet life you were living, No Jessie I've never been living a quiet life since the death of my parents,all I've felt was anger and hatred, I've been a criminal,a terrorist. But something also changed since the day I met you,I've been happy, somehow that feeling of anger and hatred was alleviated. Raising her chin up,I am not living you now and in the future Richard, Jessie called out,I want to ask you a question. Sure,go ahead. Why did you abducted me? *End of Excerpt* Seems Richard parents had some dealings with the king during the past. Getting to know the real identity of Richard, the king embarked on a mission to get rid of him along side the princess.

Richard, a second generation who was not allowed to enjoy any of the affluent life imagine by the masses took hold of his destiny and rose against the most terrifying enemy ever "fate"