Novels by J.B.Vale

Amnon felt relieved when he saw that Liam wasn’t angry about his oversight. He continued. "Alright, Young Master, are you heading to the venue today?” “I’ll be somewhere near the Imperial Grand Garden. If you need anything, just give me a call."Liam acknowledged and hung up the phone.He hailed a cab. About 10 minutes later, he was nearing the block where the Imperial Grand Garden was located.The driver couldn’t help but comment. "Wow, I heard two big shots are getting married at the Imperial Grand Garden today. Looks like it’s true.”“A wedding this grand? You’d only see something like this on the internet!"Liam listened to the driver’s words. He glanced meaningfully at the street ahead.Jake had been hyping up today’s wedding for weeks. A red carpet stretched from the Imperial Grand Garden, taking over the entire street. The hotel’s entrance displayed a massive screen looping a wedding video of Jake and Nina.The entire block had been cleared out to make way for the event.Security guards

Inside, the villa was just as breathtaking. Every inch of it radiated quiet luxury. The high-end furniture looked like it had never been touched. The decor was understated yet elegant.Liam took his time exploring. His footsteps were the only sound breaking the stillness. After freshening up, he finally let exhaustion win. He sank onto the plush bed and let sleep take him under.Morning arrived with the sharp vibration of his phone. It was Emily Carter."I heard Jake got arrested last night. What happened?"As soon as Liam picked up the phone, Emily asked immediately. Her tone was a mix of curiosity and concern.Liam smirked and sat up."How’s your stomach? Feeling better?""It’s fine now," Emily replied quickly, then pressed on. "But seriously, what happened? Did it have something to do with you?"Liam shrugged over the phone."News travels fast. Let me guess, Nina called you?"Emily sighed. "She was begging me to help bail him out."Liam let out a short laugh, low and unimpressed."Instead of ca

At this point, pride was all Jake had left. If he was going down, he’d drag Liam with him!Nina’s breath caught as reality sank in. The car was real. Liam was real. And if he wasn’t a loser… then what did she do? She walked away from a hidden billionaire?!Her stomach twisted. She thought she’d made the right choice. Now it felt like a cruel joke. Her voice came out strained, cracking at the edges."Liam… if you had this kind of money, why didn’t you tell me?""Why did I have to suffer for five years? If I had known…"Liam laughed, but there was no warmth in it. Just cold amusement."Listen to yourself, Nina.""Five years ago, you told me you wanted to marry someone on your level."His gaze flicked over her, unreadable. "That’s what I did. I hid my identity to support you from the shadows.""Do you really think you could’ve built Nova Group into what it is today without my help?"Nina flinched like he’d slapped her. Her phone slipped from her fingers and hit the pavement with

Jake checked his watch. He looked visibly irritated."Every minute we waste here is money lost. Can you even afford to cover that?""Just do yourself a favor. Apologize to us and the viewers. Admit you’re a fraud. Save yourself the humiliation."Liam ignored the jeers. He tilted his head slightly, as if listening for something. Then he smiled."It’s here. Cash or card?"Nina blinked. "What?"Before she could process his words, the deep, throaty roar of an engine echoed from the entrance. A sleek white supercar rolled into view. Its polished exterior gleamed under the lights like a predatory beast fresh out of a showroom.Liam took a slow lap around the car. He nodded in approval."Not bad, Jake. You’ve got decent taste."The driver’s side door swung open. A young, attractive salesgirl stepped out, clutching a purchase contract. Her face glowed with excitement."Who’s Liam? Mr. Liam?"Liam raised a hand lazily."That’s me. Payment goes through?"The salesgirl beamed. This sale alone would land her a

Jake oozed with smug confidence. He let out a cocky laugh."Oh, you think you know everything, huh?" He spread his arms wide."Let me enlighten you. I’ve got connections! Do you know Mr. Amnon? He’s a close friend of mine!"Liam studied him for a moment. Then he chuckled softly and quitely. He shook his head."Impossible," he said, his voice calm but sharp, like a blade wrapped in silk."I know Amnon well. He works for me.”“Amnon doesn’t waste his time with idiots, and he sure as hell wouldn’t lower himself to someone like you."Jake smirked and shook his head."Liam, do you even hear yourself? You? Amnon works for you?"He clapped his hands and doubled over with laughter."Dude, it’s nighttime! Quit daydreaming!"With a mocking tilt of his head, Jake pointed at Liam."So what are you now? Some undercover billionaire?" He scoffed. "Lemme guess, delivering pizzas is just your way of ‘staying humble’?"He snapped his fingers."Alright, big shot, here’s your chance. Buy me a Lamborghini

But Nina forced a smile, her hand brushing over Jake’s chest."Jake, you were amazing!" she cooed. "I’m the luckiest woman alive to have you!"Jake puffed up like a damn peacock, soaked up every word of her praise.He planted a sloppy kiss on her cheek, then, without warning, dropped the bombshell."Nina, will you marry me?"He didn’t even wait for her answer, already convinced it was a done deal."This weekend, I’m throwing the most extravagant wedding at the Imperial Grand Garden. You’re going to be my bride there!"Nina’s heart nearly stopped.This weekend sounded too soon.But The Imperial Grand Garden? The most exclusive venue in the city?That place wasn’t just for anyone. Even a Silver Membership required a minimum deposit of over a hundred million.Even though Nova Group was successful, Nina wasn’t anywhere near that level."Oh my god!" she gasped without one more second hesitated, "Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes! I can’t wait to be your bride!"She threw her arms around him,

Time ticked by as the rich and powerful began to trickle into the Holiday Auction House, each one more important than the last.Holiday Auction House was world-famous, always offering treasures beyond imagination.It wasn’t just an auction; it was the event to attend if you had money and influence.The hall was split into two levels.The first floor was the main area, buzzing with chatter.It was bright and spacious, with wooden tables piled high with drinks and snacks, where guests mingled casually.The second floor, though, was where the real action was.Reserved for VIPs, the suites up here were private and luxurious, offering a perfect view of the entire hall.It was quiet, secluded, and absolutely the most exclusive place to be.Peter had already heard that the Phoenix Herb would be up for auction tonight.He’d spared no expense, securing the best suite on the second floor just for this moment.Arthur sat back in their private suite, cool and calm, while Peter stood by, eyes lock

That night, Daniel led a small team of armed soldiers, quietly closing in on the Selune house.The air felt thick with tension, the cold night wrapping the street in a quiet, oppressive silence.Edward Wells stood at the doorstep.The doorbell rang out, sharp and clear, cutting through the silence like a gunshot, its echo lingering in the still night air.Harold stepped forward with an easy smile, his hand already reaching for the door to pull it wider, expecting another normal evening.But when his eyes locked with Daniel’s, the smile faded as if it had been wiped away.Daniel stood tall and imposing—his broad shoulders and muscular frame silhouetted against the dim porch light.In his hand, he gripped a gun with an ease that spoke volumes about his deadly precision.His cold, hard eyes locked onto Harold, and the smile vanished entirely from Harold’s face."Mr. Wells, what’s going on?" Harold stammered, his voice shaky, a faint tremor betraying his confusion and fear."Cut the crap!

Peter Charles’s sleek, luxury car cruised slowly into Arthur’s line of sight, its polished design turning heads and drawing the attention of everyone nearby.“Not bad. Looks like you’ve awakened,” Arthur said with a slight nod.Peter looked full of energy.“It’s all thanks to your guidance! I can’t thank you enough!”“And I have got a good news for you!”Arthur raised an eyebrow, his gaze sharp. “What do you mean?”Peter grinned. “Earlier, you told me to keep an eye out for rare herbs. Tonight, there’s Phoenix Herb at the auction!”Peter quickly pulled an auction catalog from his bag and handed it to Arthur.Arthur opened the catalog, and his eyes landed on a stunning, blood-red plant.The fiery color seemed to burn off the page—exactly what Arthur had been searching for.His heart raced.Two-thirds of the ingredients needed for the antidote were already within reach.“This Phoenix Herb has to be mine!”“Of course!” Peter’s excitement matched Arthur’s. “I’ll make sure to get it for yo

“You’ve already caused enough trouble for our daughter, and now you’re hooking up with another woman?!”Ana’s voice was dripping with disdain, and Harold’s tone matched hers, laced with fury.But there was a smug gleam in their eyes, an air of certainty.They had been waiting for this moment.Once Selune saw the undeniable evidence of Arthur’s betrayal, she would finally see the light and toss him out of her life for good.Selune sat motionless on the couch, her body rigid, her hands clasped tightly together in her lap.Her eyes were fixed on the photo on the table in front of her, the image refusing to blur, even as her mind scrambled to process it.In the photo, Arthur was standing uncomfortably close to a woman—a woman she didn’t recognize.They were so close their bodies were practically touching, and the moment was captured just as they were getting into her car.It was like a punch to the gut, each beat of her heart feeling slower, heavier.The shock cut through her in waves, le

Arthur stood at the table, staring down at the broken crystal ball.He knew it wasn’t going to reveal anything more.But he couldn’t figure out why the old woman was so thrilled, or what she meant by "the Chosen One."“Well, let’s call it a day,” he said, his voice calm.“Take the fifth herb from the third row in your garden, mix it with the others in your basket, and simmer it for three hours.”“Drink it in three doses a day. In a week, your leg will be healed.”Arthur offered this advice as a thank you for the old woman’s reading, then turned to leave.Isis’s eyes lit up.Her respect and awe for him deepened.She couldn’t believe Arthur could figure out the exact effects of her herbs just by looking at them!She had been brewing potions with them for years, but the results were always weak.Now she realized she’d been missing one crucial ingredient.It all clicked. Gratitude flooded her heart.She was even more impressed by Arthur now.“Wait, Savior!” she called, rushing forward wit

Mia and Arthur stepped out of the car, their boots sinking into the soft, wet earth.The air smelled fresh, a mix of rich soil and pine.All around them, the forest was alive with vibrant green leaves and the sound of birds chirping.“Don’t get any ideas just because my dad likes you. I’ve met guys like you before, and trust me, you’re not special,”Mia shot Arthur a look that could cut glass.“Hurry up! If you get lost, don’t come crying to me!”Without waiting for him to respond, she marched off into the thick woods.Arthur rolled his eyes. This girl was way too full of herself.But he wasn’t about to argue with her. He had better things to do.Plus, it was easier to follow her than get lost in this dense forest.They trekked through the underbrush, tall grass brushing against their legs, branches rustling as they passed.The air was thick with moisture and the earth beneath their feet was soft, like the whole forest was alive.After what felt like forever, they finally broke throug

Lewis Parker’s words slammed into the banquet hall like a cannon blast.The air turned ice-cold. Every breath hitched. Every movement froze.Shock.Disbelief.Fear.A hundred pairs of eyes locked onto Ethan, drilling into him, desperate to make sense of what they’d just heard.The business elites who had been strutting around like peacocks a moment ago, now looked like they’d been struck by lightning.Stiff, stunned, completely out of their depth.Robert’s face went ghostly pale, drained of every drop of blood.His lips parted, but no words came out. Just air and sheer panic.Madeline? She looked like someone had yanked the soul right out of her body.Her mother, Edith, gripped the back of a chair like it was the only thing keeping her upright.Her knuckles were bone-white, her breathing shallow.Any second now, she might hit the floor.The entire hall fell into a suffocating silence. Well, you could probably hear hearts pounding.Lewis took a step forward, his deep, steady voice slic

Robert barely had time to process what was happening before someone chimed in with an eager, sycophantic tone."Mr. Davenport, when did you call in The Shadow? We had no idea!"The man who spoke was trying to curry favor.It was obvious!If anyone on this ship had the influence to summon The Shadow, it had to be Robert Davenport.After all, not everyone can hold a wedding here.A hush fell over the crowd as heads turned toward him, waiting for confirmation.“Huh?”Robert snapped out of his daze, his mind scrambling. Then, with a nervous chuckle, he straightened his tie.“Oh, yeah. Of course. Just now.”He had no idea what was going on. But he sure as hell couldn’t admit that.A few minutes ago, he hadn’t even known what The Shadow was. Now they were here, and everyone thought he had called them?On this ship, The Shadow represented Lewis Parker, right?So…didn’t that mean Mr. Parker was paying close attention to his wedding?That had to be it!Why else would Parker’s elite security fo

Ethan let a slow, deliberate gaze sweep over Madeline and RobertHe was done with this drama.The murmurs in the crowd grew louder, buzzing like restless insects.“His ship?”“Isn’t this Lewis Parker’s?”Madeline seized the moment, turning to the guests with exaggerated exasperation.Her lips curled into a sneer as she tossed her hair back, making sure all eyes were on her."That’s right, everyone!" she announced with mockery. "This is my ex-husband. And, as usual, he had a great imagination."She flipped her hair for dramatic effect."You’ve all seen it, right? He just keeps doing this, over and over again!"A sharp laugh burst from her lips. She spread her arms wide as if inviting the whole room to share in the absurdity."His ship. His company. Mr. Parker, and you all his so-called friends!"For a heartbeat, silence stretched across the room. Then the laughter erupted as if on cue.Madeline basked in it, her eyes gleaming as she met Ethan’s calm stare."Ethan, don’t you feel ridicu

Ethan let out a short, mirthless laugh. He shook his head. "Stop your wedding?”“Madeline, I have told you. I couldn’t care less about your wedding."Madeline sneered. "Oh really?” “Then what are you doing here?” “I just told you yesterday I was getting married on Serantis Island. And today—suddenly, you’re on this ship?”“And you expect me to believe that’s a coincidence?!"Ethan’s expression was hard. "It is."Madeline barked out a laugh. "Bullshit. Everyone knows, you just wanna beg me to be back to you."Ethan sighed helplessly. "What can I say?""If I really wanted to ruin your wedding, you wouldn’t have even made it onto this ship today."Madeline let out laugh, infuriated by Ethan’s tone."Blah, blah, blah- You really think you’re something important, aren’t you? We are all your servants. Even Lewis Parker is your servant!”The guests around them couldn’t help but chuckle. Among the crowd of elites, not a single person recognized who Ethan was. Didn’t that say it all?

Kathrine approached with her usual lively energy. She waved, her lips curling into a playful grin.“Miss Kathrine, fancy running into you here,” Ethan said, his tone laced with amusement.Kathrine rolled her eyes. “Drop the ‘Miss,’ will you? Just Kathrine is fine.” Resting her elbows on the railing beside him, she glanced sideways. "Are you heading to Serantis Island too?"Ethan hesitated for a beat, then nodded. "Something like that."Her face lit up. “That’s great! I’m going there too! For a wedding! My friend Madeline is getting married.”His fingers drummed idly against the cold metal, his expression unreadable. "Is that so? Well... Congratulations to her."Kathrine, oblivious to the shift in his demeanor, continued chatting, her eyes drifting toward the white waves.“To be honest, I don’t really like the guy she’s marrying. Robert’s all talk.” “He is just one of those guys who think a fancy yacht and a garage full of sports cars make up for having an actual personality.”

The Carnival Cruise, the world’s number-one luxury liner, had just docked at Atlantis Pier.Twenty-one decks.Every inch, sheer opulence.Ethan, dressed in simple, casual clothes, arrived at the entrance.As he looked up at the familiar white ship, memories flooded his mind.“It has been a while, old buddy.” He said to the ship.Just as he was about to step in—A sharp, piercing voice rang out behind him.“Ethan Saxon! What are you doing here?”The voice made him pause. It was familiar, unpleasantly so.Turning around, he wasn’t surprised to see Edith Reed—Madeline’s mother.The shoulder was strapped up in a sling, but the sour expression on her face was as sharp as ever.“And what, exactly, is stopping me from being here?” Ethan raised an eyebrow. “You’re here too.”“Hah!”Edith let out a cold laugh, her posture full of arrogance.“I’m here because I’m boarding this ship to Sarentis Island!“For my daughter’s wedding! And you?”She folded her arms, looking him up and down with open d