MTL - Apotheosis – Ascension to Godhood - Chapter 15 provocative

“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.

Rogers Darren is a smoker, drinker, liar, lothario, gold-digger, rule-breaker.At a brutal Marine HQ hearing, Darren faces accusations of scandalous wages, stolen Germa tech, suspicious Celestial Dragon deaths, and a few too many questionable entanglements with nobles-just another day for the greatest disgrace in Marine history.Biting his cigar, Darren simply grins: “I smoke, I drink, I lust for money and women, I crave power, I lie, and I break every rule... but I'm a damn good Marine.”Silence fell like a dropped anchor.(￣□￣；) (ーー゛) (￣o￣)

Qing Qin dressed as the cannon fodder character with the same name in the book, is an unlucky man who was imprisoned for a major accident after inheriting the richest man’s family business.

Now, he is about to start the first round of investment competition.

The winner of the competition will inherit the richest man’s 100 billion family business and embark on the road of cannon fodder, while the loser gets 10 million, which was enough for him to enjoy himself.

Qing Qin: “Okay, 1 million loses 1 million, and 10 million loses 10 million. If I don’t lose the game, I will be a dog!”

Seven years later.

Qing Qin is worth 100 billion yuan and is listed on the Forbes Rich List.

The former richest man burst into tears: “I now understand why you refused to compete to be heir in the first place. Even without the protection of your parents, you can create a business empire alone!”

The protagonist confessed to the media: “With all the properties under Lou’s family as a gift. I hope you can agree to my pursuit.”

Qing Qin looked up at the sky and sighed. He could only write sadly in his autobiography: “Really, I didn’t think about making money at first…”

This book became a bestseller. Netizens are happy to play along–

“Actually, I don’t plan to make money.”

“It’s not that I make money, but that money put itself into my arms.”

“Damn money, go away!”

- Description from Novelupdates

Xu Jinzhi lived a healthy life until she was seventy-five, passing away without much suffering, and seemingly without any major regrets or dissatisfaction.However, looking at her son, daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren beside her bed, Xu Jinzhi couldn't help but think of her late husband who died young in an accident, wondering if she would be able to see him again—if only she could.Upon opening her eyes next, Xu Jinzhi shockingly finds herself transported back several decades in the past, at a time when the Xu and Xie families were negotiating a business marriage. Without hesitation, she mentions the name 'Xie Yanchuan.'In her previous life, marrying Xie Yanchuan was a reluctant choice, but in this life, she chooses him decisively!The Xie family holds significant influence in City A, Xie Yanchuan, however, is the overlooked member of the family, overshadowed by his older brother carrying familial responsibilities and a younger, frail brother.This setup doesn't bother Xie Yanchuan much; he is content with living quietly.One day, the marriage arrangement with the Xu family lands unexpectedly on his shoulders, resulting in his marriage to the woman named Xu Jinzhi!Xie Yanchuan initially prepares for a marriage of mutual respect or non-interference. However, why does Xu Jinzhi always surprise him with her unexpected actions?