network effect a murderbot

"Mr. Verus,” she said, “the surgery has already been paid for.” Cassius blinked, stunned. “What? By who?” Before the nurse could respond, a tall, imposing figure appeared. The man was impeccably dressed, his presence commanding attention. “I paid for it,” the man said, his deep voice resonating in the sterile corridor. Cassius stood, his body tense. “Who are you?” The man smiled faintly, extending a hand. “Augustus Verus,” he said. “Your father.” Shock coursed through Cassius. “My father?” he echoed, incredulous. “That’s impossible.” “It’s the truth,” Augustus said, pulling out a neatly folded envelope. Inside were photographs, documents—proof of their connection. “I’ve been watching from a distance, waiting for the right moment to step in. And now, it’s time.” Cassius stared at the evidence, his emotions a whirlwind of disbelief, anger, and curiosity. “Why now? Why not before?” Augustus met his gaze steadily. “Because you had to face life’s hardships to grow. But now, you’ve earned the right to know the truth—and the power to change your fate.” He handed Cassius a sleek black card. “This is yours. It grants you access to my wealth. Use it wisely.” Cassius hesitated before taking the card, his fingers trembling. The weight of everything that had happened—his humiliation, his sister’s injury, and now this revelation—threatened to overwhelm him. But as he looked at Augustus, determination flickered in his eyes. “I’ll use this,” he said quietly, “to protect Vinna—and to repay everyone who looked down on me.” Augustus nodded, a faint smile on his lips. “Then I trust you won’t disappoint me, son.” Cassius watched as Augustus walked away, leaving him standing in the sterile hallway, a man reborn."

Herson wants to leave his parents' house, because they are harassing him to get a serious girlfriend. He moves into a penthouse with his gaming partner Panther, but she is a gamer being hunted by a network and what started as a simple game turns into a deadly nightmare for Herson... At first Herson falls into a deadly trap of the head of an international gaming network, but then he becomes THE KING OF THE GOLD SYSTEM GAMING, British billionaire and resident joker of The Gold System Gamertag, dethroning Maker Covington in an interesting game, where the smartest survive.

"Being insulted by my wife's family doesn't make me desperate, wait for my wife to rise, I will turn things around!" Su Juan tries hard to be accepted in his wife's family until one day, an artifact recognizes him as its master.

In a world divided by power and lineage, **Arin Valenhart**, a 34-year-old illegitimate son of the cruel Emperor James Ron Valenhart, rises from a life of neglect and obscurity to achieve greatness. As one of the thirteen imperial knight captains in the notorious Valenhart Empire, Arin's exceptional intellect and fervent determination place him at the pinnacle of martial prowess, earning him a distinction that incites envy among the royal family.  When the Emperor's trueborn heirs perceive Arin as a threat to their supremacy, they plot to eliminate him, sending him to the perilous borders teeming with cult fanatics armed with only a handful of knights. Betrayed and fatally wounded, Arin breathes his last, only to awaken in a new body—**Crown Prince Rael Lunaris**, of the powerful Lunaris Kingdom. Having been reincarnated as the crown prince, Rael combines Arin's memories and skills, unleashing his potential as he navigates the treacherous waters of royal politics, siblings envious for their father's favor, and the ever-looming dangers of external forces like cult factions. As he struggles to assert his identity amidst familial rivalry and burgeoning threats to the realm, Rael embarks on a journey toward destiny that will not only redefine his life but also impact the future of the Lunaris Kingdom itself. In this epic tale of ambition, betrayal, and the battle for legacy, alliances will be forged, secrets will be unveiled, and the fate of the lands will hang in the balance as shadows of the past collide with the promises of a new dawn. Will Rael uncover the strength within to secure his lineage and protect his kingdom, or will the ghosts of his former life consume him once more?

Matteo De Cannio's life took a drastic turn when his parents, Mr. and Mrs. De Cannio Militao, passed away in a tragic road accident. Left in the care of his wicked stepmother, Lily De Cannio, Matteo's life became a living hell. His stepmother, a notorious drug dealer, mistreated and bullied him relentlessly. Despite the hardships, Matteo's fortunes changed when the Italian Government offered him a scholarship to study at a prestigious university. However, his stepmother refused to let him accept the offer. Forced to sell his stepmother's illicit drugs on the streets, Matteo's life took a devastating turn when he was killed by the police. But fate had other plans for him. Matteo awakened in a London hospital with a mysterious System that promised him unimaginable wealth and power to exact revenge on those who wronged him. His stepmother, who had killed him, was at the top of his list. With his newfound wealth and fame, Matteo became a force to be reckoned with, establishing big companies around the world. But as he plotted his revenge, he couldn't shake off the feeling that his stepmother's wickedness would not be easily defeated. As Matteo navigated his new life, he wondered: Would he survive his stepmother's evil schemes, even with his newfound power? What would happen when Mrs. Lily De Cannio discovered that Matteo was alive? The battle for revenge had just begun.

Ethan Hunter thought that if he could endure the Blake family's mistreatment he would be able to win the love of Thalia Blake, his wife. His 3 years of marriage were filled with insults and Ethan was treated like a slave by them. However, just as Ethan began to fall in love with Thalia, it turned out that Thalia humiliated Ethan in front of the Blake family and filed divorce papers. In fact, Thalia is also pregnant. Unfortunately, it was not Ethan's child, but someone else's. Ethan broke his marriage bond with Thalia, even though it broke his promise to his mentor. However, unbeknownst to Thalia, Ethan had been the one protecting the Blake family from the threat of something very dangerous and unimaginable. "Alright! Don't expect me to protect you. I won't take back my words even if you bow down and kiss my feet."

In a world where Earth was invaded by giant spaceships and towering, blue-skinned beings known as the Maulaks, humanity teetered on the brink of destruction. But when supernatural beings emerged from the shadows to defend the planet, the tide began to turn. A mysterious figure named Marvel Holstein appeared, distributing ancient texts that held the secrets of awakening powerful abilities and forging potent weapons. With this newfound knowledge, humans joined forces with supernatural allies to drive the Maulaks back, forcing their mother ship to retreat. In the aftermath, the Earth Federation decreed that all teenagers must undergo two years of military training to unlock their latent abilities. However, the abilities taught in these programs were often weak, and only the wealthy could afford more powerful abilities. Rylan, a street-smart orphan whose parents fell in battle, was left to face the harsh reality of being ability-less in a world where powers were the norm. His only legacy from his parents was a cryptic letter, sealed until his 17th birthday, and a pendant he wore around his neck. But when Rylan finally opened the letter, he discovered a shocking truth about his true identity – one that would change his life forever.

In a world where every move is watched and every decision subtly controlled, a restless young woman finds herself trapped in a life she barely recognizes. Her monotonous existence shatters when Alex, a long-lost friend, appears at her door with a chilling revelation: a secretive organization called The Collective has been quietly manipulating society through its advanced predictive system, Project Echo. Drawn into Alex’s mission, she teams up with Marcus, a former Collective insider with a past stained by guilt. Together, they uncover the staggering extent of The Collective’s power—a network capable of influencing not just choices but entire lives. With the clock ticking, the trio sets out to infiltrate The Collective’s headquarters and destroy the heart of Project Echo. As they navigate a world of constant surveillance, betrayal, and relentless pursuit, the bonds between them are tested. Old wounds reopen, loyalty is questioned, and sacrifices are made. In the shadows of a towering conspiracy, they must confront not only a ruthless enemy but also the ghosts of their pasts. Echoes in the Shadows is a gripping thriller that weaves together themes of control, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of human connection. It’s a story about breaking free from the invisible chains of manipulation, fighting for agency, and daring to chase a life worth living—even in the face of overwhelming odds.

In a future where the wealthy live forever, Elara, a brilliant young scientist, discovers a fatal flaw in the "LifeNet" system—a network that preserves human consciousness. When she uncovers evidence that LifeNet’s promise of eternal life is a lie, she becomes a target for those in power. Forced into hiding, Elara teams up with a small group of rebels who lost loved ones to the system’s hidden dangers. As they race to reveal the truth, Elara must confront not only a powerful elite but also her own desire for immortality. Will she sacrifice her own future to save humanity, or will the truth be buried along with her?

Alex Chen mops TechNova’s office’s polished floors in the busy heart of New York City. He is just another nameless janitor to the busy workers who are hurrying by, someone to be laughed at or ignored. They are unaware that a man of extraordinary power and influence lies beneath this simple guise. Alex was raised to be a leader because he was the heir to the old Phoenix Clan. In any case, a severe fight for control constrained him in banishment, abandoning all that he knew, including Elena, the lady he cherished. In the mountains of Tibet, Alex studied under a reclusive healer for years, becoming an expert in both martial arts and medicine. In the shadows, he fabricated the Shadow Circle, a secret network so huge and compelling that even New York's most remarkable figures murmur its name in wonder. Alex has since returned to take back what is his. Elena is involved in a relationship with Nicholas Vega, the ruthless heir of the Scorpion Syndicate, as the rival Syndicate's hold on Chinatown has grown. Covering his real character, Alex carries on with an apparently typical life as a janitor while plotting his vengeance.