Beneath the Surface: Secrets of an Obsessed Heart - Chapter 49 - 48

I found myself inside the game I used to enjoy.But something feels off.

After years of hard study, she finally became a master's degree holder. One day, she suddenly finds herself traversing into a different world as an illegitimate daughter.In her previous life, she was a prominent student from a prestigious university; in this life, she is a weak girl from a noble family.She hides her brilliance, conceals her sharpness, aims for survival, and seeks peace. However, the scholarly family she is part of is also fraught with countless disputes and endless troubles.The concubine schemes against her, her legitimate sister plots, leading to her ruin and disgrace.Retaliation is a must!Her attitude must be gentle!Her methods absolutely ruthless!She retaliates fiercely with gentle means, and what's next is...Marriage?To whom?Can she choose her own spouse?This is a serious issue.*******************************

The interview begins:“Boss Gu, what is your view on pursuing women?”“The most important thing is loyalty and protection.”The man turned his head to look at the petite woman beside him, his deep-set eyes glowing with utmost affection.“He's obviously cunning and shameless, relentlessly dealing with both friends and in-laws, without any limits...”Shang Xixia's smile was brilliant, but her slightly twitching lips betrayed her silent complaints.“Boss Gu, why did you choose to inherit and manage the Gu Group?”“There are many ways to live life, I want to...”Gu Jingchen's lips curved slightly, exuding a calm elegance.“If I couldn't be at home all the time,”Continuing her inner complaints, Shang Xixia glanced with great grievance at the man beside her....The most beautiful love is when, after growing up, you are still my beloved childhood sweetheart.

In a world torn apart by rifts that release dangerous monsters, Espers—humans imbued with powerful abilities—serve as humanity's last line of defense. But the power of an Esper comes with a price. Overuse of their abilities leads to dangerous corruption, a force that can destroy them from the inside out. This is where Guides come in: individuals with the unique ability to calm the corruption within Espers and restore their balance.Rowan Mercer, an S-class Guide, is one of the best in his field, capable of stabilizing even the most dangerous Espers. He has worked quietly behind the scenes, helping those in need, but his life takes a dramatic turn when he is called to work with Lucian Vaughn, an S-class Esper whose immense power and unstable corruption levels make him a dangerous threat to himself and others.Lucian, a tall, stoic, and enigmatic figure, has long fought against the growing corruption within him. At first, his relationship with Rowan is purely professional—Rowan as his Guide, helping him to stay in control. However, as their interactions grow more frequent, their bond deepens in ways neither expected. What started as a simple duty soon turns into a complex relationship where power, trust, and vulnerability collide.As the world around them faces escalating threats from rifts, Rowan and Lucian must navigate not only their personal challenges but also the dangerous world of Espers and Guides. Their bond will be tested as they fight together against the corrupting forces that threaten them both.In Corrupted Bonds, survival isn’t just about battling monsters from the rifts—it's about fighting the darkness within themselves and finding a way to stay connected in a world that’s constantly pulling them apart.