a pair of tickets by amy tan

James Grant was kidnapped when he was a kid and stayed ten years in the orphanage. When he finally found his family, his family made him take the blame for illegally running a casino, instead of his adopted brother, Yale. During the days in jail, James met the Card King, Jack Warren. Jack taught James all his gambling skills and asked James to use these skills against gambling. After getting out of jail, James decided to take revenge and protect his friends from the orphanage.

Josie is the daughter of Chief Commander Choi, and her husband, Gordon Hodges, hails from the Snoylor tribe. Their marriage was only a ceremonial affair—no formal paperwork was ever signed. Shortly after the wedding, Gordon returned to the military camp, and Josie's pregnancy news was delivered to him by letter. Seven years passed without the couple ever reuniting. That is, until their son, Freddie, cried out, desperate to see his father. Josie, determined to fulfill her son's wish, decided to take him to visit Gordon. But when they arrived at the military camp, Josie was shocked to find that Gordon had remarried. Labelled as a "homewrecker," Josie and her son were brutally beaten. In that desperate moment, Josie shouted her father's name. Her father's men immediately rushed her and her son to the hospital, while he went to seek out the Commander. At the hospital, Gordon's new wife, Claire, feigned stomach pains. Gordon, cold-hearted and furious, dragged the doctor away to attend to Claire instead. Tragically, Freddie died on the operating table. When Josie's parents arrived, Gordon and Claire were thrown into prison. But Gordon escaped, and in a fit of madness, he mercilessly shot and killed Claire's mother, Marsha...

Seven years ago, Shaina stabbed her own father and was sent to prison. Two years later,Jason stood waiting outside the prison gates with an umbrella, only to be told, "She was released long ago." When they met again seven years later, she froze during an interview session as she recognized him. Someone asked, "Mr. Yale, do you know her?" He replied coldly, "No, I don't." His words shattered whatever hope she had left. Later, she resigned and decided to leave for good, but he angrily cornered her against the wall and asked, "How dare you run away again...?"

When Hespera's elder legitimate sister Rachel gets pregnant, Hespera is sent to be Rachel’s husband's concubine. But Rachel's delivery day becomes Hespera's death day. Reborn, Hespera plays her cards carefully: she wraps Rachel's powerful father-in-law around her finger, marries him, reclaims her legitimate daughter status, and takes revenge on all.

On the night before her engagement, Clara made a daring escape from her cheating ex and her toxic, sexist family. Fate took an unexpected turn when she discovered she was carrying the child of Cary Sampson—the nation's wealthiest and most powerful man. Before she could catch her breath, Cary bought out the hotel where she worked, determined to keep her in his life. But Clara wasn't about to let anyone derail her dreams. She worked tirelessly to prove her worth, resisting Cary's advances at every step. Yet, his persistence and devotion slowly melted her defenses. In the end, Clara not only built a thriving career but also became the center of Cary's world, cherished and adored like never before.

Bruce Litt, the head of Axio Builders, hides his identity to let his son Sam Litt gain real-world experience, working as a humble melon seller at a construction site. Arrogant Owen Zeller, son of Bruce's subordinate Frank Zeller, steals Sam's girlfriend and bullies him. Bruce reveals his true identity, but Owen still defies him—until his father arrives.

Hongland in the 1990s was a lawless underworld. A brilliant but calculating female doctor—charming yet ruthless—crossed paths with a tragic, devoted, and ruthless gangster heir. What began as a game of seduction and deception gradually evolved into a deadly partnership, ultimately leading them to join forces for vengeance. Together, they crafted a story of love, betrayal, and revenge.

Once the Queen of Gambling, Miracle Mayer quit the tables after her lover's death, vowing never to return. Years later,her peaceful life shatters when her son Andy's gambling debts hit ten million.To save him, Miracle steps back into the casino world, swiftly clearing the debt. But Andy's greed flares again, leaving her heartbroken. When casino boss—and former mentor—Danny Grant challenges her, Miracle decides it's time to settle old scores.In one final, high‑stakes showdown, she defeats Danny, exposes his crimes, and walks away with her son—proving the truth she's always known: the real win is not gambling.

Out of desperation, Queenie Xavier sells her first night to Yarden Lewis, the man she's secretly loved for eight years. Yarden enjoys the thrill but keeps her as a secret lover, never imagining it could last. She feels the same. When the time comes, she walks away.Only then does Yarden realize he's been in love with her to the very core all along.

Claire Gould, the heiress of a billion-dollar conglomerate, conceals her identity to repay a life-saving favor by marrying a commoner. Little did she know that after personally guiding her husband's company to become a multimillion-dollar conglomerate on the brink of going public, he callously casts her aside, opting to marry the niece of the wealthiest man in town.Post-divorce, Claire's true identity is exposed, leading to a satisfying comeuppance for the deceitful ex-husband and his conniving new wife. Despite his regret, it's too late for him to reclaim what he lost. Claire finds herself adored and cherished by three influential and eligible bachelors, leaving her ex-husband to rue the day he let go of the woman now embraced by the affections of powerful suitors.

He used to be an illegitimate kid of an influential family, while she used to be kicked out from a wealthy family. Rosalee Chase thought her encounter with Ciaran Laurent was an accident. But three years later,Ciaran tried every possible way to get close to her and help her get back what was taken away from her. But, one day, he overheard that she said she couldn't fall for her.

Bryan Jagger takes the blame for his girlfriend,Claire Smith, and spends five years in Darkhold Prison. There, he gains a mysterious Griffin Kidney, greatly increasing his strength. Upon his release, he rushes to reunite with her—only to discover that she has already betrayed him and gotten together with her boss, Perry Wright. His imprisonment was part of their scheme.Heartbroken, Bryan meets Luna Gray,the CEO of Rydor Corp, who hires him as her assistant. As they grow closer, feelings quietly begin to bloom.

Five years ago, waitress Willow Shelby spent a night together with a drugged CEO, Marcus Ives, and bore his heterochromatic twins. When their unusual eyes spark suspicion, Willow and her sons face humiliation, expulsion, and kidnapping. Marcus rescues them, exposes his fiancée’s scheme, and reunites the family. In the end, love and justice prevail, promising a future full of happiness.

Seven years ago, Rose Jonas and her mother were involved in a car accident, Rose's unfortunately became a vegetable. Three years ago, Rose, a college graduate, married Gerald, the CEO of Riversoul Group, whom he had only seen a few times before. After three years of marriage, Rose had always misunderstood that Gerald liked Kathy Yvonne. After repeated misunderstandings, Rose became disheartened and decided to divorce. He also hired a Andrologist for Gerald as the reason for his divorce. After the divorce, Gerald began to pursue his wife.

Harold Simpson, also known as Erebus, ruler of Erebus Dungeon, returned to the city to uncover the truth behind his family's massacre. He was accompanied by seven extraordinary elder sisters: Eldest Sister Alva, a detached and beautiful CEO; Second Sister Belle, enigmatic and mysterious; Third Sister Chloe, an international flight attendant; Fourth Sister Daisy, a renowned doctor; Fifth Sister Emily, a stunning live streamer; Sixth Sister Fay, with a mysterious background; and Seventh Sister Gina, a legendary actress. Armed with unparalleled combat strength and extensive connections, Harold swept through the underworld, bested his enemies, protected his seven sisters, and gradually unraveled the mysteries of his own origins

The night before our 17th wedding attempt, my mafia husband, Rafaeal Holloway, looks at me and promises an uninterrupted wedding. He solemnly swears. "Gianna, I promise you. I told Natalia that even if the sky falls, she'll deal with it alone." I am five months pregnant by then. After three years of dating and five months carrying his child, we've never managed to make it down the aisle because he's canceled the past 16 weddings. Every single time, it's for his sworn sister, Natalia Sullivan. The first time, she claims she has a fever. I spend the whole night at the hospital, still in my wedding dress, just to find out she has a mild cold. The second time, she claims her chest hurts. Rafael abandons me mid-wedding and rushes to her side, while she's out laughing over afternoon tea with friends. The third time, she cries for fear of thunder. He bolts mid-vows and leaves me alone in a hall full of staring guests. But everything's different now. Three days ago, a letter arrived from Northern Silenzio. My father, the Don of the Rossetti family, has finally summoned me home. If Rafael walks away for Natalia one more time, I'll leave for good.

Five years ago, waitress Willow Shelby spent a night together with a drugged CEO, Marcus Ives, and bore his heterochromatic twins. When their unusual eyes spark suspicion, Willow and her sons face humiliation, expulsion, and kidnapping. Marcus rescues them, exposes his fiancée’s scheme, and reunites the family. In the end, love and justice prevail, promising a future full of happiness.

Just back from abroad, Thalia Prince receives a marriage certificate from her mother—tying her to a man rumored to have a terrible reputation. Determined to secure a quick divorce, she impulsively spends the night with a supposed escort, only to discover that he is actually her husband…