MTL - Tomb Raider: Storytelling and Writing, The Mystic Nine is Confused - Chapter 230

Deceived into marriage, exploited for a lifetime as a nanny without pay, and finally beaten to death by her adoptive mother in front of her adoptive father's sickbed, Shen Mianmian's miserable life came to an end.When she opened her eyes again, she found herself back at fifteen. Shen Mianmian vowed to escape her past fate, punish her malicious cousin and adoptive mother, but accidentally shone too brightly in the process.The third-to-last student in school suddenly rose to the top, becoming the candidate fought over by prestigious universities, causing a sensation among all the teachers and students...While others were busy studying, Shen Mianmian was busy starting small businesses to make money...While others were preparing for the college entrance exams, Shen Mianmian purchased the two most notorious haunted houses in Beijing in one go... becoming an oddity in everyone's eyes, they mocked her that even if she had the fortune to buy them, she might not have the life to live in them.While others graduated and were busy looking for jobs, the haunted properties purchased by Shen Mianmian were requisitioned by the government, earning her a considerable amount of demolition compensation.Those who had mocked her couldn't help but slap themselves twice... inquiring everywhere where there might be haunted houses for sale.Shen Mianmian, originally needing to borrow money for tuition fees, used the demolition funds and leveraged her rebirth advantage to buy a suitable plot of land and built a rental building, transforming into a Beijing's wealthiest and most prosperous landlady...One day, Shen Mianmian, carrying a bag of keys and having just collected the rent, was dragged to the Civil Affairs Bureau.“Shen Mianmian, it's time for you to pay back what you owe me.”

WARNING[R18]“I’m already engaged to him,” she blurted, her voice trembling but resolute.Her eyes shot toward the silver-haired man, the figure who had been watching her all along. Her heart pounded in her ears as she raised her hand, pointing directly across the room. The gesture felt foreign, like it wasn’t even her own body making the movement. But there he was, sitting quietly in the VVIP section, and she had to do something. Anything.All eyes turned toward her, and the room fell into stunned silence. The weight of a thousand gazes bore down on her, and the only sound was the frantic beat of her own heart as she waited for his response.***************Lilia’s life is turned upside down at a lavish masquerade party when an unexpected announcement claims she is engaged to Lowell, a man she has never agreed to marry. Caught between the overwhelming pressure of her parents’ expectations and the confusion surrounding her emotions, Lilia finds herself trapped in a web of deception. But when a silver-haired stranger named Zethan steals the spotlight, Lilia’s impulsive declaration sends shockwaves through the room. With her parents and Lowell thrown into chaos, Lilia is left questioning whether she has just freed herself—or unwittingly stepped into a more dangerous game of fate and manipulation.Who would have thought their futures had already been sealed? This vampire had been obsessed with her long before she ever knew he existed.

The universe is big, and Hayden’s about to invade it. Being drafted into a demon army wasn’t on Hayden’s bucket list. But when his soul is shoved into a human soldier on the eve of a new invasion, it’s not exactly like he can appeal the decision. Surrounding Hayden are demons, excited and ready. For them, the invasion promises a feast of souls and new growth. Their target? Berlis — a sword and sorcery realm straight out of classic fantasy. Hayden’s human status puts him at the bottom of the totem pole, meant to be cannon fodder that soaks up damage and dies first. But as he plunges into the carnage, he’s learning that he was born for the madness. Readers can expect: + Grimdark action and violence + Fighting, lots of it + Multiple worlds and magic systems + Slow burn

“Stop crying. I’ll marry you. Calm down.”Cold. Emotionless.That is Duke Morvex, the monster duke whose half-blood lineage comes from the terrifying wolf demons.And I, Valerie Austin, wake up in the same bed as him, the ruthless duke who should never have touched me.But the biggest problem isn’t that forbidden night…It’s the truth everyone in the empire already knows:Duke Morvex is engaged and soon to be married.