The Author's POV - Chapter 266: Escape [6]

Several hundred thousand players are trapped in a gritty zombie apocalypse survival game just after game launch. There are hints that deaths in the game might be serving some other terrible purpose in the background of reality…

“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.

Playing under the plum trees and riding on bamboo, those were the days of joyful play. It was when they first met.She was not shy but innocently charming, standing before the breeze with her hair flowing, her complexion as creamy as curds.After waking up, Xu Qingfan had returned to 20 years earlier, to the year 2002.That year, the sky was very blue, the clouds were very white, and the wind was very noisy.That year, his Childhood Sweetheart hadn't gone abroad, their parents hadn't gone grey, and he hadn't the worries of being unaccomplished.That year, he was six, she was five, and they both could fully experience the climate as snowflakes blossomed.PS: This book is also titled “Help, I'm Surrounded by Childhood Sweethearts” and “I Have a Little Too Many Childhood Sweethearts.”

“Knowledge is Power, But What If The Wise Won't Use It?”

Ethan Riddles - A genius among geniuses who never tapped into his true potential because of his sheer laziness and not having any ambition at all.

Unfortunately, He was hit by the Good'Ol Truck-Kun while exploring a Mysterious, Newly-Found Temple and died as a result.

“I Can At Least Live a Carefree Life In This New World As a Noble.”

Will he still be able to live a carefree life in the Power-Driven World of Swords and Magic, Politics and Conspiracies, Gods and Beasts, Kingdoms and Empires?

Ethan who simply likes to sit below the trees and watch the drifting clouds as the cold breeze blows over his face—now must use his wisdom and intelligence to protect himself and his family from the enemies.

While Ethan believes he can still manage to live a carefree life, he soon catches the glimpse of some mysteries as well as The Wheels of Fate he is unfortunately entangled with.

Can he Defeat those who mean him harm with the newfound power and his own wit while living a carefree life? Or does Fate have other plans for him?