the strangers: chapter 1 maya

As the most powerful man in Rivton City, Barlow Sapir hated the most when women threw themselves at him. However, the first time he met Elvira Ann, the latter solemnly declared, "I'm not interested in you, Barlow Sapir." The second time, she swore to God, "I won't sleep with you." Then there was the third time… the fourth time… But little did Elvira know, Barlow Sapir desired nothing more than her love. The more she tried to get rid of him, the more he yearned for her. What could she do?

Leon Norwood, the Celestial Grandmaster of the Everpeak Sect, possesses extraordinary martial arts skills. In his quest to provide a complete family for his triplets, he tirelessly searches for answers. When Camille Sutherland finds herself in danger, he steps forward to rescue her. Faced with threats from powerful families like the Sampsons, Leon chooses not to resort to violence. Instead, he uses his wisdom and power to resolve the situation with subtle finesse, successfully rescuing Camille while exposing their wrongdoings.

After Jim Yates, the leader of the Dragon Clan, conquers the underworld, he hides his identity and runs a barbecue restaurant. At the same time, Yvonne Lane, the CEO of Lane Group, with whom he had a one-night-stand five years ago, was being bullied by Matthew Todd, the second son of the Todd family. One day, she arrives at Jim's barbecue restaurant with her twin children, Daryl and Quincy, and is saved by him. Jim recognizes Yvonne at first glance and suspects he is the father of her two children. The two children quickly warm to Jim and wish he could be their father. Meanwhile, in an effort to stifle the Todd family and Lane Group, Yvonne decides to marry Jim. Jim summons his subordinate, Nadia Yates, to run a DNA test, which confirms the two children are indeed his. In light of this revelation, Jim vows to protect his new family. At the banquet, Jim stands up for Yvonne and fights the Todds. The Todds call upon Simon Gray, the chief officer of the Dragon Clan, for reinforcements. Jim defeats him, and through his subtle manipulation, has Nadia promise a favor to Yvonne in the name of the Dragon Clan. Yvonne uses this favor to become the chairman of Lane Group. As Jim Yates continues to support and protect her and the children, their relationship grows even deeper.

The Judge, holding the power over life and death, has always drawn much attention.Hemera Yates, the last Judge on earth, faced many trials. Eight years ago,near death among corpses, she was rescued by Frank Gates. Grateful, she vowed to forgive him 101 times and stayed by his side, even having his daughter.But her love was unreturned. When the chances ran out, her identity as the Judge was revealed.

Sally Grant has kept her identity hidden since she married Wesley Reed. However, one month after she gave birth to their baby, she discovers his betrayal. She decides to divorce him and takes back the reins of the company. Through a storm of challenges and conflicts, Sally proves her strength and unwavering calm. In the end, with the support of Dean Lake, not only does she resolve the company crisis, but she also finds a new sense of happiness in her personal life.

Ye Liuying, once a gifted noblewoman, was saved from being sold to a brothel by Meng Wanting. The two formed a bond that lasted through years of hardship. When Meng Wanting's husband, Gu Changqing, was summoned to the palace, Ye Liuying accompanied her, only to witness Concubine Yong have Meng Wanting, Gu Changqing, and their child killed before her eyes. A year later, Ye Liuying returns to the palace, driven by revenge. But as she uncovers the truth, she realizes the true killer is someone she never expected…

Celia grew up in an orphanage. After being reunited with her family, her mother passed away during a bitter divorce. The orphan girl she adopted, Nancy, turned out to be a matchmaker who accidentally bound Celia to her cold CEO boss, Henry. Haunted by childhood trauma, Henry was physically allergic to women, rendering his blind dates disastrous—until he met Celia and relentlessly pursued her. Mistaking his avoidance of others as disinterest in women and fearing their professional ties, Celia fled and even tried to quit. They forged a marriage pact to cure his condition, but their fragile bond was sabotaged by Celia's stepsister. With Nancy's schemes and Henry's grandmother's support, their relationship deepened. When Celia's childhood friend returned, declaring their love a "fake crush." Could their fragile bond survive?

Aurora, once a math prodigy with solutions valuable to military research, was revealed to be the lost daughter of the wealthy Winslow family. But after being brought home, she was looked down upon for her rural background and overshadowed by the adopted daughter, Luna. Luna framed her repeatedly, and during a major exam, copied Aurora's answers. Yet Aurora was the one punished.In her next life, Aurora returns with a vow for revenge. When Luna tries to provoke her again at the exam hall, surrounded by their biased family, Aurora publicly cuts all ties with them, determined to uncover the truth and reclaim her place.

To support her husband Josh's startup, Cherry secretly funded him for years while managing their home. With her help, Josh found success after six years. As an older mother-to-be, Cherry decided to reveal her role but was met with betrayal. Relatives shamed her under the guise of concern, and when a plot led to her risking preterm labor, Josh dismissed it and abandoned her. Cherry called her brothers for help, delivered her baby safely, and decided to divorce, cutting all business ties. At their child's party, Cherry publicly exposed the scheming women. Josh apologized, and Cherry returned to her family, ready to start a new chapter with her daughter.

Luke Moore, a business prodigy, made a name for himself when he was 18 years old and returned to his country, founding Moor Corp at the age of 21. However, after being betrayed by his family, he conceals his identity and works as a food delivery rider. When he learns that his girlfriend has cheated on him, he finds himself being pursued. Fortunately, Lena King, someone he met during his childhood, rescues him. Because of the promise they made when they were young, she pressures him to marry her. With Lena's protection and companionship, Luke gradually leaves the past behind and embraces the future with her.

While delivering food, Miles accidentally walked into a conflict between Clare and her uncle, Baron. Baron coveted Clare's family's goods and intended to seize them. Miles not only ruined his scheme but also selflessly shielded Clare, taking a fatal bullet for her. As a result, Clare developed feelings for Miles, believing he was meant for her. However, Miles was already engaged to Winnie. Winnie and her family were greedy, constantly demanding money in the days leading up to the wedding. Miles' mother, Martha, invested everything she had for her son's marriage but still couldn't satisfy their insatiable greed. After learning that Miles was being tormented by Winnie's family, Clare intervened without hesitation. Using her strength to intimidate everyone, she successfully took Miles away, and they held their wedding.

In her past life, Cici was killed by her husband, Yates. However, she miraculously reincarnated and returned to the day she first met Yates's family. This time, Cici decisively chose Yates' uncle, Benson. Despite rumors claiming that Benson was sterile, Cici found herself pregnant with triplets and was spoiled by Benson!

When the biological daughter of the White family returns, Sabrina Thompson ends up suffering humiliation as her parents have mistakenly taken her for their real daughter. After being told to return to her family in the countryside, she is left dumbfounded upon discovering that the seemingly ordinary village is, in reality, the prestigious abode of the world's top billionaire.

Keith's daughter had a lifelong strawberry allergy. After eating a cookie with hidden strawberry ingredients, she died from an allergic reaction.Keith,already battling cancer, found out his wife Hollie was the one who gave her the cookie. To spare her the guilt, he took the blame. But Hollie,believing he killed their daughter, resented him deeply and made him suffer. Only as Keith lay dying did she learn the truth—too late to make things right.

Faced with unbearable hardships, Carl Champ is forced to step into a world he never imagined. Along the way, he meets two remarkable sugar mommies who become the brightest lights in his life.

Reanna, a top SAT scorer, was framed for cheating by Lori and her brother Frank. Her reputation was destroyed, and she died with no chance to defend herself. After being reborn, Reanna starts digging for the truth and uncovers their secret scheme. In the next exam, she hands in a blank paper to prove her innocence. To everyone's shock, her teacher reveals she's already secured a spot at a top university. At the school ceremony,the truth finally comes out. Lori's wealthy father tries to silence the scandal, but Reanna refuses to back down. In the end, she reclaims both justice and her true identity.

Lucine and her husband, Cheney, were in a devastating car accident that took Cheney's life. Lucine survived but lost her memory. When the powerful Sterling family learned she was carrying Cheney's only child, they sent his twin brother, Noah, to bring her home and ensure her safety. At first, Noah saw it as a duty, but as he cared for the vulnerable and lost Lucine, an unexpected bond began to form. Amidst fierce family struggles, kidnappings, a heartbreaking miscarriage scare, and ruthless outside schemes, their connection deepened—until neither could deny the pull between them.

Raised in the wrong family due to a mistake, Peggy was kicked out by her adoptive parents after they reclaimed their real daughter. However, she soon discovered her biological parents were the wealthiest in town, and she had three adoptive brothers who adored her. As she fell for a prince-like man, her adoptive brother Michael also vied for her love. Who did Peggy ultimately choose?