Tag(s):
• Arranged marriage
• Billionaire
• ChildrenofSeniorCadres
• Doctor
• drama
• Enemies to lovers
• Femalelead
• HappyEnding
• Love at first sight
• Weak to strong

Although born into opulence, Hermione Watson Pierce has always felt like a mere pawn in her parents' ruthless game of power. Her voice has been silenced since childhood, her autonomy suffocated by the weight of expectation. Behind the facade of luxury, Hermione has discovered a devastating truth: her life is not her own. As a result, she has learned to suppress her emotions, earning her the reputation as the icy queen of the corporate world. However, when her parents demand she undertake a task that will irreparably alter her future, Hermione decides to seize control of her destiny. That's when Aiden Mendes enters the picture – a charismatic playboy with a reputation for recklessness. But beneath his carefree exterior lies a complex web of scars, forged in the fire of his dysfunctional family. Aiden's coping mechanism is to indulge in the excesses of life, using his charm and good looks to keep people at arm's length. Yet, when he's threatened with disinheritance unless he marries the enigmatic Hermione, Aiden reluctantly agrees. For him, it's a mere contract marriage, a means to an end. But when they meet for the first time, Aiden is blindsided by an unexpected attraction. It's love at first sight, but his notorious reputation precedes him, and Hermione's disdain is palpable. As their contract marriage turns into a battle of wills, Aiden must thaw Hermione's icy heart and prove that there's more to him than meets the eye. But can he convince her to look beyond his reputation and take a chance on love?

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Book Comment (1)

• 
  Jocelyn Basco

  ilike

  14/08

    0

• Total: 137

• Chapter One AIDEN

  Soft music floats in the background, complementing the ambiance and décor of the restaurant I've cho

• Chapter Two HERMIONE

  "Let's get started. Anesthesia, are we ready?" I inquire, getting into position. I flex my wrists br

• Chapter Three HERMIONE

  It remains a few hours before my shift is over. I don't have any surgery scheduled until the next tw

• Chapter Four AIDEN

  When Dad informs me about my marriage match at dinner, I bite my tongue. I want to protest, but that

• Chapter Five HERMIONE

  I stormed out of my mom's office in annoyance the previous day. However, I still looked up the detai

• Chapter Six AIDEN

  My dad's voice is laced with displeasure as he asks, "Did you meet Ms. Hermione already?" at breakfa

• Chapter Seven HERMIONE

  I set down my pen after finishing writing Chairman Gonzalez's surgical report, and I hand it to Dr.

• Chapter Eight AIDEN

  "We have reports of a fatal accident on Interstate 10, near Phoenix, Arizona. According to eyewitnes

• Chapter Nine AIDEN

  My phone chimes as I halt my car in Dad's parking space. I glance down at it, a surly expression on

• Chapter Ten HERMIONE

  I drag myself to my office at the wee hours of dawn, my eyes groggy with sleep and exhaustion deeply

• Chapter Eleven AIDEN

  "Hermione, no!" I exclaim, my arm shooting out to stop her. Panic sweeps through me, and I dash towa

• Chapter Twelve HERMIONE

  I did the one thing I vowed never to do again: reveal my vulnerability to another soul.
  As Aiden driv

• Chapter Thirteen AIDEN

  "You can't meet them," the President insists, his voice firm. He deliberately uses 'them' to avoid d

• Chapter Fourteen HERMIONE

  I fiddle with the small wad of paper in my hand, my eyes narrowed and my mouth twisted in contemplat

• Chapter Fifteen HERMIONE

  "Yes, come in," Dr. Gavin's voice echoes from the door of his office, and I enter.
   I close the door

• Chapter Sixteen AIDEN

  The sound of glasses clinking and cutlery scraping against dishes fills the air, accompanied by conv

• Chapter Seventeen HERMIONE

  My first thought when Aiden kissed me was to push him back and slap his face, but his kiss sent my t

• Chapter Eighteen AIDEN

  My heart warms at the angry expression on Hermione's face. She looks as cute as a bunny.
  Her eyes rad

• Chapter Nineteen HERMIONE

  The night air is cool and refreshing as we step outside. The house's air-conditioned interior is soo

• Chapter Twenty HERMIONE

  My hands pause over my keyboard at a knock on my office door. I raise my head, frowning, and demand

• Chapter Twenty One AIDEN

  I grunt as I work out on the bench press, my chest heaving with each lift. My muscles bulge beneath

• Chapter Twenty Two HERMIONE

  Dr. May and three residents—Jojo, Miles, and Crystal—accompany me on my rounds. We visit each ward,

• Chapter Twenty Three AIDEN

  My desk chair rotates beneath me as I maneuver it to face the direction I want. I drum my fingers on

• Chapter Twenty Four HERMIONE

  I wake up at exactly five a.m. and run through my mundane routine, despite not having work to attend

• Chapter Twenty Five HERMIONE

  The press is waiting as Aiden's driver pulls into the curb. 
  Aiden's hand squeezes mine in a moment o

• Chapter Twenty Six AIDEN

  Hermione's clearly not thinking clearly if she thinks I'll let her sit through a 45-minute interview

• Chapter Twenty Seven HERMIONE

  Aiden Mendes spanked me on a live broadcast.
   I seethe with rage as we exchange goodbyes with Becca a

• Chapter Twenty Eight HERMIONE

  Although I'd rather not ride back home with Aiden, I'm compelled to step into the limousine as the d

• Chapter Twenty Nine AIDEN

  "Turn the car around," I order Kash. 
  He promptly halts the car and executes a swift U-turn. Although

• Chapter Thirty HERMIONE

  My mouth hangs open in disbelief at Aiden's outburst. A rollercoaster of emotion explodes within me,

• Chapter Thirty One HERMIONE

  I stare at my reflection in the mirror and grimace. My hair's a mess, and I try to tame it with my f

• Chapter Thirty Two AIDEN

  I had a hunch that Hermione would avoid me again after I left her house that evening. I tried to cal

• Chapter Thirty Three HERMIONE

  "You're having a misunderstanding, Mr. Mendes," Xavier says, trying to clarify the situation. 
  I don'

• Chapter Thirty Four AIDEN

  I had to leave. 
  I couldn't trust myself not to react impulsively in a way I'd later regret. My body

• Chapter Thirty Five HERMIONE

  I lower my hands to my sides. They had embarrassingly hung limp after Aiden released his grip. 
  The s

• Chapter Thirty Six HERMIONE

  I arrive at work the following morning to find an unwanted visitor in my office. I pause at the door

• Chapter Thirty Seven AIDEN

  "Why are you grinning?" Lachlan asks, giving me a once-over as he steps into the elevator beside me.

• Chapter Thirty Eight AIDEN

  When I arrive at the hospital later in the day, I send Hermione a text to let her know I'm outside. 
  

• Chapter Thirty Nine HERMIONE

  A seafood restaurant.
   I scrunch my nose. 
  Aiden notices my expression. "They serve the best caviar re

• Chapter Forty AIDEN

  Hermione assures the manager that their menu was not the cause of Lovette's earlier episode. The cou

• Chapter Forty One HERMIONE

  Aiden's car pulls to a stop in front of the hospital, and I reach for the door handle.
   "Hey," Aiden

• Chapter Forty Two AIDEN

  The rendezvous is set at a private guesthouse with enclosed quarters. I am led inside by a waiting a

• Chapter Forty Three AIDEN

  "The number you've dialed is unreachable at the moment; please try again later," the robotic voice r

• Chapter Forty Four HERMIONE

  Mom's hand trembles, her rage barely contained, as she raises it, then lowers it and turns to face A

• Chapter Forty Five HERMIONE

  "No," Aiden responds, shaking his head. "I wouldn't advise you to be disrespectful, but she should r

• Chapter Forty Six HERMIONE

  We arrive at the building Aiden has purchased, and I'm struck by its grandeur, which far surpasses t

• Chapter Forty Seven HERMIONE

  I am stunned by the array of dishes Aiden has laid out for dinner, reminiscent of a five-course meal

• Chapter Forty Eight AIDEN

  "Spend the night with me," I murmur against Hermione's mouth, intoxicated by her taste. Her neck is

• Chapter Forty Nine HERMIONE

  I wake up to Aiden's erection pressed against my back. Our legs are tangled, with one powerful arm w

• Chapter Fifty AIDEN

  Hermione's breathing remains ragged as we stand still, our foreheads touching, our breaths mingling,

• Chapter Fifty One HERMIONE

  I wake up the following morning with a languid stretch. Last night has been wonderful, and my body s

• Chapter Fifty Two HERMIONE

  Mauritius was an unforgettable experience that left an indelible mark on my memory.
   We stayed at the

• Chapter Fifty Three AIDEN

  Neil's excited cheer greets me as I step into my office on Monday. The balloons burst with a loud po

• Chapter Fifty Four HERMIONE

  I sit in my office, cringing at the memory of my embarrassing moment.
   I've clearly lost my edge afte

• Chapter Fifty Five HERMIONE

  The rest of the day passes without incident. Mercifully, I don't have any further slipups, and I con

• Chapter Fifty Six HERMIONE

  I drive to work after enjoying breakfast at an early morning diner, feeling grateful for Aiden's tho

• Chapter Fifty Seven AIDEN

  My eyes twitch in surprise. Did I hear Hermione wrong?
   "What?" I blurt out, blinking away the shock.

• Chapter Fifty Eight HERMIONE

  Aiden's anguished murmurs in his sleep jolt me awake. 
  His body convulses over the bed, as if he's fi

• Chapter Fifty Nine AIDEN

  I pull my car to a halt by the fence of my childhood home, enveloped in a thick sense of nostalgia.
   

• Chapter Sixty HERMIONE

  "Your mother has a valid justification for her actions..." 
  I mutter under my breath, interrupting Da

• Chapter Sixty One AIDEN

  I stand amidst the vacant space, having scoured every nook and cranny of the house in search of clue

• Chapter Sixty Two HERMIONE

  I rub my arm as I walk towards Aiden, having managed to calm down during the drive while taking in t

• Chapter Sixty Three HERMIONE

  "That was a rendition I performed in middle school," I say.
   "You mean it's been ages since you've pr

• Chapter Sixty Four HERMIONE

  The moment the ambulance van reaches the hospital, the doors are flung open.
   I called Dr. May during

• Chapter Sixty Five HERMIONE

  Chairman Mendes arrived at the hospital in the wee hours of the morning. By then, Aiden had been tra

• Chapter Sixty Six HERMIONE

  "Do you recognize me?" Mom asks Aiden. 
  She's the fourth person to visit him—after his dad, his stepm

• Chapter Sixty Seven AIDEN

  I find myself unable to tear my gaze away from the beautiful doctor as she leaves the room. 
  Despite

• Chapter Sixty Eight HERMIONE

  "It's alright," I assure Raymond. He told me about Aiden's memory lapse, expressing his wonder at ho

• Chapter Sixty Nine AIDEN

  A thrill runs through my body at her words. It's not the first time I've been propositioned by a gor

• Chapter Seventy HERMIONE

  I knew better than to let my guard down so easily; Mom never lets transgressions go unpunished.
   The

• Chapter Seventy One AIDEN (One and a half month later)

  "You look terrible," I say, scrunching my face in disapproval. 
  Despite her makeup, I notice the dark

• Chapter Seventy Two AIDEN

  "The investigation has been impeded because the sole witness refuses to say anything unless she sees

• Chapter Seventy Three HERMIONE

  A soothing, romantic melody plays softly in the background while Aiden stands behind me, his arms wr

• Chapter Seventy Four AIDEN

  The shaman's eyes are eerie – a pale white that appears to have rolled back into their sockets. 
  Her

• Chapter Seventy Five HERMIONE

  "Hermione, meet Felicia Violet Gallagher," Aiden says, gesturing to his mother, who is seated in a w

• Chapter Seventy Six HERMIONE

  Cellists play a wonderful rendition that fills my heart with emotion. Everyone in attendance at the

• Chapter Seventy Seven HERMIONE

  I breathe a sigh of relief when Mom doesn't instruct me to stay behind after the event concludes. Th

• Chapter Seventy Eight AIDEN

  I'm completely absorbed in the game, my heart racing with every punch and kick. The characters on sc

• Chapter Seventy Nine HERMIONE

  "Wow!" Dr. May exclaims when she sees me. "Professor Pier...Mendes," she stutters, still unaccustome

• Chapter Eighty AIDEN

  "Have you found anything?" I ask Detective Jordan, sitting in the backseat of my car while Kash driv

• Chapter Eighty One AIDEN

  As I busy myself preparing dinner, the weight of my worries begins to lift. The rich assortment of a

• Chapter Eighty Two HERMIONE

  It's frustrating how quickly time passes. The three days leading up to my European trip vanished in

• Chapter Eighty Three AIDEN

  I halt my car in the familiar position I've often parked it in when I still lived with Dad. It appea

• Chapter Eighty Four AIDEN

  I retreat to another side of the room, engaging with more guests and exchanging conversation with th

• Chapter Eighty Five AIDEN

  I seek out Dad toward the end of the celebration, requesting a moment of privacy.
   Dad doesn't hesita

• Chapter Eighty Six AIDEN

  I arrive home, realizing I have two missed calls from Hermione. The penthouse elevator doors slide o

• Chapter Eighty Seven AIDEN

  As expected, Dad refuses to grant me his permission. 
  "No," he objects firmly. 
  After visiting Mom, Da

• Chapter Eighty Eight AIDEN

  The engine sputters as I pull to the curb and switch off the ignition.
  I step out of the car, looking

• Chapter Eighty Nine AIDEN

  As I drive, reflecting on Mrs. Alan's and the shaman's accounts, it occurs to me that Lachlan had ca

• Chapter Ninety AIDEN

  "What on earth is going on here?" Father's thunderous voice reverberates through the room, halting L

• Chapter Ninety One AIDEN

  Neil approaches my desk table later with a first-aid kit in his hand. "We haven't needed this for so

• Chapter Ninety Two AIDEN

  "I'm sorry," Jordan apologizes over the phone, roughly a week after our last conversation. 
  It turns

• Chapter Ninety Three HERMIONE

  A round of applause surges in the arena, with several physicians rising to their feet, hugely impres

• Chapter Ninety Four HERMIONE

  "Did you know I have already arrived?" I inquire of Aiden. "I believed you were asleep."
  He proceeds

• Chapter Ninety Five AIDEN

  I am preparing the final pancake when Hermione arrives, appearing as delectable as ever. Her heels p

• Chapter Ninety Six HERMIONE

  Dad is the first to know about my arrival, and then I plan on checking in on Mom at work to report t

• Chapter Ninety Seven HERMIONE

  "Snugglebug!" Dad exclaims, embracing me the moment I step inside, grinning.
   "Dad," I reply, embraci

• Chapter Ninety Eight HERMIONE

  A double what!
   Mom cheated? On Dad? The most considerate and supportive partner any woman could ever

• Chapter Ninety Nine AIDEN

  "Have you found anything?" I ask the Ghost, holding a tumbler of whiskey in one hand as I gaze out a

• Chapter One Hundred HERMIONE

  I barely registered Aiden slipping into bed with me last night. My reflections had carried me into a

• Chapter One Hundred and One HERMIONE

  I groan in a languid attempt to push myself up in bed, dry-heaving. Aiden quickly sets the towel he'

• Chapter One Hundred and Two HERMIONE

  I exhale a sigh of relief as Aiden leads the doctor out of the room. 
  The test results alleviate my a

• Chapter One Hundred and Three HERMIONE

  My fever lasts five days before the doctor finally certifies me fit for work. By the third day, I am

• Chapter One Hundred and Four HERMIONE

  Ezra Watson—God knows what new surname she intends to adopt now that she’s divorcing Dad. 
  To be hone

• Chapter One Hundred and Five AIDEN

  “The turnaround metrics have been significant since VP Aiden initiated reforms with his restructurin

• Chapter One Hundred and Six HERMIONE

  Dad’s decision is made, then.
  He isn't divorcing Mom unless she makes the first move. I know this isn

• Chapter One Hundred and Seven HERMIONE

  Aiden doesn’t take the threat lightly when I apprise him of it.
  I wouldn’t have bothered him with the

• Chapter One Hundred and Eight AIDEN

  Dad smiles at me in approval. Hermione retrieves a gift from her bag and extends the rectangular pac

• Chapter One Hundred and Nine HERMIONE

  "Excuse me, please. I need to use the restroom," I say to the men, rising from the table.
  The two see

• Chapter One Hundred and Ten AIDEN

  "What’s going on?" Dad asks, his brow furrowed with concern.
  "Why did you bring him here?" I direct t

• Chapter One Hundred and Eleven AIDEN

  Hermione opens her eyes on the fourth day of her treatment.
  I am at work when I receive the miraculou

• Chapter One Hundred and Twelve AIDEN

  "I didn't harm the doctor," Annabelle insists for the umpteenth time as Jordan’s interrogation conti

• Chapter One Hundred and Thirteen AIDEN

  "Don't forget that the money you received has been confiscated," Jordan reminds her.
  Janine's eyes fl

• Chapter One Hundred and Fourteen AIDEN

  "What's going on?" I ask Neil for the umpteenth time when I reach him. He is waiting to intercept me

• Chapter One Hundred and Fifteen AIDEN

  The shaman is waiting, as expected, when I pull over at her residence.
  She knows.
  I knew she would hav

• Chapter One Hundred and Sixteen HERMIONE

   
  "Successor, hm?" I ask Aiden once I have settled in after returning from work.
  The news of the Chair

• Chapter One Hundred and Seventeen HERMIONE

  "You're oddly good at lying. Should I be worried?" Aiden teases as we settle into the car after the

• Chapter One Hundred and Eighteen LACHLAN

  The reaction most women would have had to those rumors was to lash out. But because it had all been

• Chapter One Hundred and Nineteen AIDEN

  "Who was murdered?" Dad asks the moment I set my phone back on the table, his eyes fixed intently on

• Chapter One Hundred and Twenty LACHLAN

  "Father?" I say when he answers. My jaw tightens at the request I’m about to make, already anticipat

• Chapter One Hundred and Twenty One HERMIONE

  "I don't think my mom is keeping the baby," I tell Aiden.
  It has been over two months since my return

• Chapter One Hundred and Twenty Two LACHLAN

  My fist plunges into the bastard's face with a satisfying crunch. He staggers in his seat, momentari

• Chapter One Hundred and Twenty Three HERMIONE

  I step into my mother's office, wondering what she wants this time. She hasn’t required my attention

• Chapter One Hundred and Twenty Four LACHLAN

  My phone beeps twice, signaling an incoming notification. My Bluetooth earpiece connects the call as

• Chapter One Hundred and Twenty Five AIDEN

  The shaman appraises me with a strange, searching look. Her face has wizened further under the throe

• Chapter One Hundred and Twenty Six LACHLAN

  My throat bobs as I swallow, watching Ellie sink into a doleful mood.
  This isn’t going well.
  "I’m desp

• Chapter One Hundred and Twenty Seven LACHLAN

  I have nothing to do in this office besides smoke all day and surf the internet on my laptop. It has

• Chapter One Hundred and Twenty Eight LACHLAN

  "You assured me you conducted a thorough background check on her!" I bark into the phone at Boyd as

• Chapter One Hundred and Twenty Nine HERMIONE

  It is hard to keep myself together as we all assemble for Aiden’s funeral service. My chest tightens

• Chapter One Hundred and Thirty LACHLAN

   I have locked myself in my room all day, hesitant to act.
  Am I truly out of harm’s way? Is my attemp

• Chapter One Hundred and Thirty One HERMIONE

  "Ezra!" Dad barks, storming forward to stand between us. "This will be the last time you lay a finge

• Chapter One Hundred and Thirty Two HERMIONE

  "Can you come and get me, please?" I ask Noah over the phone as I exit Dad’s study, the shock of the

• Chapter One Hundred and Thirty Three HERMIONE

  Overwhelmed by Dr. May's betrayal, my mother’s vileness, and the cascading disasters of the day, I r

• Chapter One Hundred and Thirty Four HERMIONE

  Mom and Dad are in the heat of an argument when I arrive. They stop instantly at the sight of me. Wh

• Chapter One Hundred and Thirty Five LACHLAN

  "Murders, isn't it?" Justin inquires as he approaches from the bars. "A mother and her son."
  This dra

• Chapter One Hundred and Thirty Six HERMIONE

  I blink, rubbing my eyes to be certain I am not hallucinating.
  Aiden continues to approach from a dis

• Epilogue AIDEN

  News of my return spreads like wildfire. The media goes wild with speculation about how I could have