Katahane no Riku - Chapter 40.Nostalgic memories

In a world of countless schemes, where you are being manipulated at every moment,often without even knowing it.A world where you can't be sure if what you see is reality… or just another illusion crafted as part of a deeper scheme.This is the story of someone who survives it all kind of schemes both small and vast, some he understands, and others he never even realizes.Even he, who is constantly being schemed against, crafts schemes of his own against others.This is a world ruled by deception and Yuan will persevere it, shape it, and rise through it.------------English is not my native language, so please understand if there are any mistakes

Ethan Blackwood wasn’t used to being defied. As the CEO of a global empire, he crushed obstacles with a single glance. But when Lily Anderson stood before him, her chin lifted in quiet defiance, and something in him snapped. “Sign the contract,” he said, his voice like ice. “30 days. You’ll obey every command. After that, you’re free.”She hesitated, her fingers trembling as she gripped the pen. “And if I refuse?”His smirk was cold, but his eyes burned. “Then you’ll spend the rest of your life paying off your father’s debts. Your choice.”Trapped, Lily signed. But she vowed one thing: she wouldn’t let him break her.From the first day, their clash was electric. He demanded perfection; she gave him rebellion. “You think you can control me?” she spat, after he criticized her for being late.Ethan stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. “I don’t just control you. Lily, I own you.”But as the days passed, the lines between them blurred. Late nights in his penthouse turned into whispered conversations. His cold demeanor cracked, revealing glimpses of a man haunted by his past. One night, after a heated argument, he pinned her against the wall, his breath hot against her ear. “Why do you fight me so much?”Her voice trembled. “Because I’m afraid if I stop, I’ll lose myself to you.”Their connection deepened, but danger loomed. Secrets from Ethan’s past resurfaced, threatening to destroy everything. When Lily discovered the truth behind his obsession with her, she confronted him. “Was I just a pawn in your game? A way to settle an old score?”His eyes darkened with pain. “You were never just a game, Lily. You’re the only thing that’s ever felt real.”As the final days of their contract approached, their bond was tested like never before. Enemies closed in, and trust hung by a thread. Could they overcome the shadows of their pasts, or would their love crumble under the weight of secrets and pride?

After many years of unrequited love, she used her power and favors to coerce him into marrying her. Yet, she knew there was a constant “lunar light” in his heart. In the presence of this lunar light, he would never cast a glance upon her. Eventually, she regretted it, she no longer wanted this marriage. But who could tell her why the man had started to relentlessly pursue her now?

(Completed) She and he were born on the same year, month, day, and time, and on their first day of life, their unscrupulous parents arranged their future marriage.From then on... she began to cling to him.As a child, Luo Mengmeng would say in her baby voice to Gu Zhihan, “Husband, I want to marry you,” but he would grimace and respond, “Who would marry you!”When they grew up, Gu Zhihan hooked her chin, pinned her against the corner, and smirked, “Mengmeng, I heard getting married is cheap nowadays, I'll treat you.”From birth to kindergarten, elementary, middle school, high school, and university, they had always been together.[Growth literature, from childhood to adulthood, exclusively adored]