Punished by his hidden love - Chapter 4307: Battle Begins (7)

【Follow the Ship】【I'm a Marine on My Own】【System】Ike thought he could convince Luffy to give up being a pirate, but instead, he ended up joining the Straw Hat crew. To make things even more awkward, he awakened the Justice Marine System—but luckily, he had a letter from Garp appointing him as a Private Marine. This meant that all the good deeds done by the Straw Hat Pirates would count as achievements for the Private Marines.Arlong: “So what if the Straw Hats defeated me? It’s not like I’m wanted.”Ike: “Huh? We’re a Private Marine crew. We just fly the Jolly Roger, but we’re not pirates. Why would we be wanted? One call, and the bounty is gone.”Crocodile: “The Straw Hats are in Alabasta. Why isn’t the Marine arresting them?”Marine officials: “Huh? They’re Private Marines, not pirates.”World Government: “The Straw Hat Pirates destroyed Enies Lobby! Arrest them immediately!”Ike: “Who said that? It was clearly that idiot Spandam who pressed the Golden Den Den Mushi, and the Buster Call wiped out Enies Lobby. Our Private Marines were just there to eliminate Spandam—the real culprit behind the destruction.”

On the day she went to get her marriage certificate, she got dumped! Her love rival pompously gloated about their live with lewd photos. In a fit of anger, she dragged an unmarried middle-aged man into the civil affairs bureau. “Mister, they said I have a flat chest?” “It’s alright as long as I like it.” “...” “Mister, they all said you like fair-skinned curvy and long-legged beautiful women?” “I like flat-chested short-legged women.” “...” He was Jin City’s ruthless and resolute business tycoon. He was cold-blooded and emotionless, yet he doted on his coquettish wife that was ten years his junior! People asked, what is your secret method to doting on your wife?” “Lover her, love her, passionately love her!” “...”

A soul from the Earth transmigrated and was reborn as a newly hatched little black dragon.Bad news: His dragon mother has been targeted by a human kingdom, which has already dispatched a massive dragon-slaying army.Good news: He awakened a Talent:[Feast]: Converts all devoured matter into bodily growth, permanently increasing physical strength and overall size.When ten stacks, a hundred stacks, ten thousand stacks, and even a hundred thousand stacks of [Feast] are accumulated… a terrifying black dragon that feeds on stars and entire planes of existence is born.Udi: “I'm gonna f*cking EAT, EAT, EAT!”

“Look at me,” he said, voice barely above a whisper, like he wasn't just asking her to see him—but to choose him.She did.And oh God.The moment her eyes met his, it was like the floor tilted. His gaze wasn't cold anymore. It wasn't guarded or teasing. It was raw. Fierce. Wrecking. Like he saw through every layer she'd tried to hide.She swallowed hard. Her legs trembled.Her heart betrayed her, pounding so hard against her ribs it seemed like it wanted to break free.Why did his eyes soften like that, as if she was delicate glass, and he'd do anything to keep her from shattering?She swore she was going to melt right there.And he didn't even kiss her.Didn't have to.That one look—his fingers brushing against her skin like he owned the right, it was more than any kiss she'd ever had. More dangerous. More intoxicating.Her lips parted, maybe to speak, maybe to breathe, but nothing came out. Nothing could.The tension between them tightened—thick, electric, blinding.If he moved even an inch, it would be over.But he didn't.And that restraint? That maddening, infuriating, goddamn beautiful control made her want him even more.“Let me handle this,” he whispered. “You don't have to trust Conor. Just trust me.”Her eyes dropped to his lips. They were so close now she could feel the whisper of his breath. Her heart pounded harder, like it wanted to escape.“Please stop doing that,” she murmured. For a fleeting second, nothing moved, then he dropped his hand.His brows drew together. “Doing what?”“Touching me,” she whispered. “Especially when you're trying to make a point. You did it in the restroom too.”“Why do you think I'm doing that?” he asked, voice husky now, softer.Synopsis:At an elite college, falling for the rich, cold son of a bi-llionaire wasn’t part of the plan, especially when his brother is tied to her mother’s mysterious death.But from the moment Merlina steps onto campus, the chemistry is undeniable. He’s detached, arrogant, and everything she should stay away from. Yet no matter how hard she tries, she can’t ignore the pull.She’s here for a degree, but her real mission is uncovering the secrets of her mother’s past at this very school. As sparks fly between her and the guy she should keep her distance from, she’s torn between two things: exposing the truth and protecting her heart from falling for him.The deeper she digs, the more dangerous things get. Anonymous threats, dark secrets, and a guy who’s starting to think her obsession with the past could ruin everything. When the truth finally breaks free, it threatens everything she’s worked for—the truth, her heart, and the fragile bond she shares with him.With everything at risk, she must choose: expose the truth, or hold on to the one person who makes her feel truly alive.