Love And Leverage

Love And Leverage

Priscillia Omorotiomwan · Completed · 159.5k Words

701
Hot
701
Views
210
Added
Add to Shelf
Start Reading
Share:facebooktwitterpinterestwhatsappreddit

Introduction

Mr. Ethan's business is bankrupt and in debt, so he turns to the powerful but ruthless Lucas for help. However, the price of preserving his livelihood is something Mr. Ethan could never have imagined: his daughter, Grace.

Grace Ethan is a hardworking and kind-hearted young woman who has tirelessly searched for work to help her father in need but has been rejected repeatedly. She is angry when she finds out that her father has promised her a job as Lucas' secretary and his wife. Torn between her loyalty to her father and her own life, Grace is thrown into a world of power, arrogance, and control embodied by the tyrannical Lucas.

When Grace reluctantly joins the Lucas Consulting Firm, her boss, Lucas, has high expectations of her and demands even higher terms. But as time passes and their lives intersect, Lucas' cold exterior crumbles to reveal a man wrestling with his demons. Despite the manipulation and hardships, Grace remains determined and unsure if she can accept her fate.

Will Grace find a way to get through this risky arrangement without losing herself? Or will Lucas' control and secret affection be enough to change both of their lives forever?

Chapter 1

Mr. Ethan sat in Lucas's lit office, his hands shaking as they clasped together. The confident man who had once been pleased in the Real Estate Business finds himself on the brink of collapse. Commitments were mounting, clients were pulling back, and his company was on the brink of liquidation.

Lucas sat silently at his costly oak work region, his fingers clasped underneath his chin, looking at Mr. Ethan with a cold, calculating gaze. Known as one of the wealthiest and most capable experts in New York, Lucas was more than a business person: He was a man who worked with control, power, and opportunity. And for the cost, he seemed to offer assistance in helping business visionaries throughout the city to succeed.

Mr. Ethan cleared his throat, his voice scarcely above a whisper. "Mr. Lucas, you have got to assist me. My business is about to collapse, and I'm losing my mind. I'm presently in need. If it's not too much trouble, offer to assist me, please."

Lucas's cold, impassive eyes never cleared out Mr. Ethan's confrontation as he considered what he requested. "Mr. Ethan, you know I can't offer assistance to anybody without getting something in return." His voice was also tender for the genuineness of the circumstance. "In case you need me to assist you in your real estate business, you've got to donate something in return."

Mr. Ethan gulped. He knew this would be more complex. Asking a man like Lucas for help was like asking almost for the fallen blessed Angel. There were continuous conditions, conditions that may have taken a toll on his life if he hadn't been cautious. Be that as it may, Mr. Ethan was desperate enough to make this deal happen, no matter Lucas's request.

"What do you think is most valuable that you simply can grant me to assist you?" Lucas asked, his lip bending into a knowing grin. It was a smile that sent shivers down Mr. Ethan's spine.

Mr. Ethan felt a hitch in his throat as the question crossed his mind. He had nothing to offer, his savings were depleted, and his business barely survived. His eyes shot around the room, trying to find answers, but there were none. He knew what Mr. Lucas truly needed from him. It wasn't cash, and it wasn't a favour. It was something more significant.

"I-I don't have much," Mr. Ethan stammered. "I don't know what to say."

Lucas raised his eyebrows, his grin obscuring somewhat as his tone got more sharpened. "Come on, Mr. Ethan, you've got something. Think carefully. Everybody has something critical to offer, indeed, on the off chance that they think they don't."

Mr Ethan's heart dashed, endeavouring to get what Lucas was trying to say. What was his most crucial ownership? Was it his work? Is he domestic? His time? But none of this appeared to fulfil a man like Lucas.

"I'll cancel your debts," Lucas said in a nearly trance-like tone. "I'll grant you the associations, clients, and openings you would like to modify your real estate business. You might indeed be more effective than ever. But in return, you ought to know I'd inquire of you for something."

"Mr. Ethan, you know I can't help anybody without getting something in return," Lucas said calmly and calculatingly again. If you need me to assist you with your business, you've got to grant me something in return."

Mr. Ethan gulped, his throat dry. He had anticipated it, but hearing it again was still a chill. He wasn't a man who seemed to deliver little. His investment funds were exhausted, and his property was now mortgage-bound.

Mr. Ethan's heart was still hustling at the question. His mind ran through different conceivable outcomes, but nothing appeared beneficial sufficient to satisfy Lucas. After a few thoughts, he said, "Nothing but--"

A reply shaped in his head, and his heart sank—the foremost profitable individual in the world to him.

"My daughter," said Mr. Ethan, but the words tasted biting as they left his mouth. "She is the foremost profitable individual to me. I will give her to you, as long as you offer to assist me remain out of debt."

There was a long, important silence in Lucas' office. The room appeared to limit as Lucas raised his eyebrows, captivated by Mr. Ethan's reply. Gradually, a grin spread over his face. It was not a neighbourly grin but savage, full of covered-up implications.

"Your daughter, you say?" Lucas thought, tapping his fingers on the work area. "Let me know everything about her."

Mr. Ethan moved awkwardly in his chair, lamenting the words the minute they cleared out his mouth, but he had no other choice presently. "Her name is Grace. She's 27, she graduated two years ago, she studied Business Administration, and since then, she hasn't been able to find any job. She's clever, dedicated, and… His voice split for a minute. "She's everything to me."

Lucas inclined forward marginally and limited his eyes. "You know what, Mr. Ethan? I've needed a secretary for a long time, and if she's as able as you say she is, she may be my secretary."

Mr. Ethan flickered in astonishment. He hadn't anticipated that. Grace had been meeting for a job for what felt like forever, so the prospect of working for a fellow like Lucas, be that as it may be frightening, was nearly a favour. Possibly, it wouldn't be so awful after all.

" Wow," Mr. Ethan said slowly as if attempting to catch up with the abrupt shift. She's been trying to find work for two years and can't get a job." That ought to be great news for us. Thank you for the benefit, Mr. Lucas. " His grin became more threatening.

"Well, Mr. Ethan," Lucas said, his voice dropping to an unsafe mood. "Do not thank me, however. You see, I might require her for more than being a secretary." His look honed, locking onto Mr. Ethan's with unsettling concentration. "She can be my spouse, as well. I want to marry her."

The words were overwhelming, and the discussion was choking.

Mr. Ethan's heartbeat and his confrontation went pale. "Your... spouse?" he said, barely understanding what Lucas meant.

Last Chapters

You Might Like 😍

A pack of their own

A pack of their own

923.4k Views · Completed · dragonsbain22
Being the middle Child ignored and neglected, rejected by family and injured, She receives her wolf early and realizes she is a new type of hybrid but doesn't know how to control her power, she leaves her pack with her best friend and grandmother to go to her grandfather's clan to learn what she is and how to handle her power and then with her fated mate, her best friend and her fated mate little brother and grandmother start their own pack.
Letting Go

Letting Go

364.2k Views · Completed · Becky j
Molly's life was perfect. She was married to her high school sweetheart, surrounded by her friends and family and she was looking forward to the future. But that all ends one tragic night when her whole world is turned upside down.
That fateful night leads to Molly and her best friend Tom holding a secret close to their hearts but keeping this secret could also mean destroying any chance of a new future for Molly.
When Tom's oldest brother Christian meets Molly his dislike for her is instant and he puts little effort into hiding it. The problem is he's attracted to her just as much as he dislikes her and staying away from her starts to become a battle, a battle that he's not sure he can win.
When Molly's secret is revealed and she’s forced to face the pain from her past can she find the strength to stay and work through the pain or will she run away from everything she knows including the one man who gives her hope for a happy future? Hope that she never thought she would feel again.
From Substitute To Queen

From Substitute To Queen

283.3k Views · Completed · Hannah Moore
For three years, Sable loved Alpha Darrell with everything she had, spending her salary to support their household while being called an orphan and gold-digger. But just as Darrell was about to mark her as his Luna, his ex-girlfriend returned, texting: "I'm not wearing underwear. My plane lands soon—pick me up and fuck me immediately."

Heartbroken, Sable discovered Darrell having sex with his ex in their bed, while secretly transferring hundreds of thousands to support that woman.

Even worse was overhearing Darrell laugh to his friends: "She's useful—obedient, doesn't cause trouble, handles housework, and I can fuck her whenever I need relief. She's basically a live-in maid with benefits." He made crude thrusting gestures, sending his friends into laughter.

In despair, Sable left, reclaimed her true identity, and married her childhood neighbor—Lycan King Caelan, nine years her senior and her fated mate. Now Darrell desperately tries to win her back. How will her revenge unfold?

From substitute to queen—her revenge has just begun!
The Badass Mafia Princess and Family

The Badass Mafia Princess and Family

186k Views · Ongoing · Tonje Unosen
Betty have been living a lie for as long as she can remember. She have been abused by her parents her whole life, even though she is a broken and abused girl in her own home. Outside of those four walls she is a force to be reckoned with! She is not afraid to do what she need to stay alive!
Surrendering to Destiny

Surrendering to Destiny

337.7k Views · Completed · Allison Franklin
Catherine is not only a rogue half-breed, she is also the result of mate-bond infidelity, was abandoned as a baby and, to top it off, she can only shift during the full moon. When Catherine left the only pack she'd ever known in order to escape the new alpha, the last thing she expected was to find her mate... let alone for him to be the mouth-watering, heavily tattooed, lead warrior of the most feared lycan pack on the continent.

Graham MacTavish wasn't prepared to find his mate in the small town of Sterling that borders the Blackmoore Packlands. He certainly didn't expect her to be a rogue, half-breed who smelled of Alpha blood. With her multi-colored eyes, there was no stopping him from falling hard the moment their mate bond snapped into place. He would do anything to claim her, protect her and cherish her no matter the cost.

From vengeful ex-lovers, pack politics, species prejudice, hidden plots, magic, kidnapping, poisoning, rogue attacks, and a mountain of secrets including Catherine's true parentage there is no shortage of things trying to tear the two apart.

Despite the hardships, a burning desire and willingness to trust will help forge a strong bond between the two... but no bond is unbreakable. When the secrets kept close to heart are slowly revealed, will the two be able to weather the storm? Or will the gift bestowed upon Catherine by the moon goddess be too insurmountable to overcome?
Fangs, Fate & Other Bad Decisions

Fangs, Fate & Other Bad Decisions

178k Views · Ongoing · Elizma Du Toit
Some bad decisions come back to bite you. Literally.

After finding out her boyfriend cheated, the last thing she expected was to stumble across a wounded man in an alley. And definitely not one with fangs. But thanks to a mix of cocktails, shame, and her questionable life choices, she takes him home. Turns out, he’s not just any vampire—he’s a king. And according to him, she’s his fated mate.

Now, she’s stuck with an overprotective, brooding bloodsucker who keeps rescuing her, a growing list of enemies who want her dead, and an undeniable attraction that’s making it very hard to remember why falling for a vampire is a terrible idea.

Because if she’s not careful, she won’t just lose her heart—she’ll lose her humanity.
Goddess Of The Underworld.

Goddess Of The Underworld.

178.6k Views · Ongoing · sheridan.hartin
Left at a pack border with a name and a stubborn heartbeat, Envy grows into the sharpest kind of survivor, an orphaned warrior who knows how to hold a line and keep moving. Love isn’t in the plan…until four alpha wolves with playboy reputations and inconveniently soft hands decide the girl who won’t bow is the only queen they’ll ever take. Their mate. The one they have waited for. Xavier, Haiden, Levi, and Noah are gorgeous, lethal, and anything but perfect and Envy isn’t either. She’s changing. First into hell hound, Layah at her heels and fire in her veins. Then into what the realm has been waiting for, a Goddess of the Underworld, dragging her mates down to hell with her. Then finally into lycan princess, stronger, faster, the moon finally answering back, giving her exactly what she needs to protect her family.

When the veil between the Divine, the Living, and the Dead begins to crack, Envy is thrust beneath with a job she can’t drop: keep the worlds from bleeding together, shepherd the lost, and make ordinary into armor, breakfasts, bedtime, battle plans. Peace lasts exactly one lullaby. This is the story of a border pup who became a goddess by choosing her family; of four imperfect alphas learning how to stay; of cake, iron, and daylight negotiations. Steamy, fierce, and full of heart, Goddess of the Underworld is a why-choose, found-family paranormal romance where love writes the rules and keeps three realms from falling apart.
Mr. Ryan

Mr. Ryan

123.7k Views · Completed · Mary D. Sant
"What things are not under your control tonight?" I gave my best smile, leaning against the wall.
He came closer with a dark and hungry expression,
so close,
his hands reached for my face, and he pressed his body against mine.
His mouth took mine eagerly, a little rudely.
His tongue left me breathless.
“If you don't go with me, I'll fuck you right here.” He whispered.


Katherine kept her virginity for years even after she turned 18. But one day, she met an extremely sexual man Nathan Ryan in the club. He had the most seductive blue eyes she has ever seen, a well-defined chin, almost golden blonde hair, full lips, perfectly drawn, and the most amazing smile, with perfect teeth and those damn dimples. Incredibly sexy.

She and he had a beautiful and hot one-night stand...
Katherine thought she might not meet the man again.
But fate has another plan

Katherine is about to take on the job of assistant to a billionaire who owns one of the biggest companies in the country and is known to be a conquering, authoritative and completely irresistible man. He is Nathan Ryan!

Will Kate be able to resist the charms of this attractive, powerful and seductive man?
Read to know a relationship torn between anger and the uncontrollable desire for pleasure.

Warning: R18+, Only for mature readers.
I Am His Wolfless Luna

I Am His Wolfless Luna

332.8k Views · Completed · Heidi Judith
Ethan's fingers kept rubbing back and forth on my clitoris, while his penis kept jumping inside my body. Every joint on my body is sore and screaming for the next orgasm. All too quickly, I feel that electric tension winding tighter, a mounting pressure that threatens to shatter me. My hips lift involuntarily, urging him to continue his exploration, silently pleading for the release I’m so close to tasting.

Ethan also kept emitting deep roars in my ear, 'Damn... I'm going to cum... !!!' His impact became more intense and our bodies kept making slapping sounds.

"Please!! Ethan!!"


As the strongest female warrior in my pack, I was betrayed by those I trusted most, my sister and my best friend. I was drugged, raped, and banished from my family and my pack. I lost my wolf, my honor, and became an outcast—carrying a child I never asked for.

Six years of hard-won survival turned me into a professional fighter, fueled by rage and grief. A summons arrives from the formidable Alpha heir, Ethan, asking me to return as a wolfless combat instructor for the very pack that once banished me.

I thought I could ignore their whispers and stares, but when I see Ethan's emerald-green eyes—the same as my son’s—my world tilts.
Healing His Broken Luna....

Healing His Broken Luna....

102.4k Views · Completed · Jcsn 168
Do you believe in Myths? Just when she thinks it can't get any worse, it does. Lucy lost everything four years ago in a rogue attack. She's been abused, starved, rejected, and broken. As her eighteenth birthday approaches, strange things start to happen, things that only happen once every century. She finds friendship in the most unlikely place and escapes to find her true self with the help of the most dangerous Alpha. Warning: This werewolf trilogy is not intended for anyone under the age of 18 or anyone who doesn't enjoy a good spanking. It will take you on adventures around the world, make you laugh, fall in love, crush your heart and possibly leave you drooling.
The mafia princess return

The mafia princess return

121.8k Views · Ongoing · Tonje Unosen
Talia have been living with her mother, stepsister and Stepfather for years. One day she finally get away from them. Suddenly she learn she have more family out there and she have many people that actually love her, something she have never felt before! At least not as she can remember. She have to learn to trust others, get her new brothers to accept her for who she is!