Corrupted Bonds - Chapter 35: Aftershocks

[Please select your difficulty. Choose very carefully, as it will determine everything.][Easy] [Normal] [Hard] [Nightmare] [Hell]“Hell, obviously!”------------Sam Walker, an average office worker, transmigrates into the world of the game he hates the most: [Forsakened].In this world, the apocalypse descended on Earth and merged with the [Forsaken] realm.The select few chosen, known as Awakeners, could explore this realm to gain tremendous strength and treasures.Sam didn't have any expectations, but surprisingly, he unlocked an SSS-Rank Class.[Primordial.]Alongside his class, Sam unlocked a unique skill that allowed all of his skills to evolve infinitely.“If this game truly wants me dead in this difficulty... then I'll fight back with everything I have!”...[You have evolved “Master Sword Technique” into “Primordial Sword Technique”][You have evolved “Fire Meteor” into “Supernova”][You have evolved “Powerful Shield” into “Ultimate Barrier”]...Nothing could stop him now.

Shen Weiyi has a younger, boy-next-door boyfriend whose allure lies in his height, long legs, and strong torso. With a wild mind and a talent for flirting, the eighteen-year-old Jiang is impulsive, fun-loving, and fickle, exhibiting both innocent and wolf-like traits at the touch of a button. Beloved by countless girls, he always thought Shen Weiyi, who would do anything at his mere call of 'sister', would forever indulge him, only to find she suddenly doesn't want him anymore.Breakups are breakups; whoever regrets it is a dog.Shen Weiyi, once red-eared and compliant to his every whim, now won't look back, leaving an eighteen-year-old Jiang's genuine liking turning into a resolute declaration of disinterest. 'Jiang,' she says, 'I date for happiness, not for extra headache.'Later, a desperate Jiang tries everything for her, getting injured in the process and lowering himself to the dust, only to see her blooming in another man's arms, which drives him to a jealous rage.Sheng Ting, the genius of the Z University, untouchable and seen by everyone as the embodiment of purity and restraint, had decided the names of their unborn children upon his first glimpse of Shen Weiyi.[Childhood friend VS Sudden love, not seeking the adoration of the whole world but asking to be your one and only exception in life.]

“Block him.”“He's technically still my boss.”“Then block him with dignity.”The call ended again.And then started again.I let out a sound somewhere between a growl and a sob, then finally answered with the enthusiasm of a snail crawling through salt.“Yes, Mr. Walton?”“Have you changed your mind yet?”I collapsed onto the towel and gazed at the sky as though it might consume me entirely if I pleaded sweetly enough.“Do you ever take a break?” I asked, shielding my eyes with one hand.“You're avoiding the question.”“Because it's a dumb question.”He exhaled, the sound sharp and irritated even over phone. “It's not a dumb question. It's a business offer.”“It's a weird offer-one that I already said no to.”There was a brief pause, and I could practically hear him clenching his jaw through the speaker.“You are acting unreasonably.”“ Unreasonable?” I sat up. “I'm not the one drafting fake girlfriend contracts like it's a normal Tuesday.”“Isabella-”“Certainly not, Mr. Walton.” I mimicked his tone perfectly. “I told you I'm not doing it. You need to find someone else to play pretend with.”SYNOPSISIsabella Miller thought saying no to her boss’s fake dating offer was the end of the story.But Adrien Walton doesn’t take no—especially not when he’s convinced she’s a gold digger.Suddenly, her student loans are piling up, her father’s vet clinic is on the brink of eviction and her brother is about to be kicked out of college. Coincidence? She thinks not.Adrien Walton is calm, calculating—and he's just pulled every string to corner Isabella into the perfect position.Now she’s stuck choosing between pride and survival.So she agrees to his offer: be his fake girlfriend.No feelings attached. No drama. Just business.Or so she thought.“Conference Room B. Fifteen minutes,” he said, passing by without a glance.The folder he pushed across the table landed with a thud.I opened it. The contract. All of it.---Enemies to lovers? Check.Slow burn? Hmmnyea.Banter so sharp it might file your nails? Yes.Delicious workplace tension? Of course.Tension that could melt steel?Absolutely.Smut?? Wanna find out?Welcome to corporate romance warfare. There’s no escaping this contract.

In the first episode, Little Palace Maid Lian Hua, holding tea leaves, thought to curry favor with Zhaoyi. The Emperor intercepted her halfway, and before she could react, he hijacked her tea leaves, leaving her bewildered.In the second episode, she wanted to curry favor with the Noble Consort. During the Noble Consort's birthday feast, she hadn't even presented the meticulously prepared tea leaves before the Emperor seized them, leaving her aggrieved.In the third episode, she had just sneaked out with the Palace Maids to pick bamboo shoots, planning to go back and cook something delicious when the Emperor burst out of nowhere wanting to freeload a meal. If it wasn't tasty, he would punish her, she managed to barely pass muster by exerting all her energy. Before she could feel relieved, the Emperor told her he was also staying to sleep!This time, he was thoroughly taking advantage of her, enjoying free food and lodging without the slightest intention of rewarding her.At night, the more she thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt. All the silver she had saved up in earlier years had been used to sustain the Emperor. Now that the money was gone, she feared being punished for not being able to support him in the future. The more she thought, the sadder she got, her tears plopping down, which woke the Emperor sleeping beside her.In a flurry, the Emperor consoled her, “There, there, don't cry, don't cry. I haven't even had time to reward you, how could I punish you!”After much consoling, and finally with his promise to provide for her sustenance, she turned her tears into laughter.The Emperor breathed a sigh of relief. This Little Concubine would need to be favored properly from now on—he dared not make her cry again.→→【This story has concluded, thank you for reading】→→New book recommendation:“Consort of the Roll-Royce is Here, Run!”—It's a good read! Please add it to your favorites.