what year is the empress set in

Madelyn, leader of the world's top assassin organization Vermilion Order, discovers she's the long-lost daughter of Southhaven's powerful Randall family. She returns home pretending to be a poor girl from the slums, hiding her true identity. While her family showers her with love, her Uncle Louie plots to seize power, teaming up with the mafia to expose her past. Meanwhile, old enemies from the Darkscale Union seek revenge.Madelyn joins forces with her once-hostile stepsister Britney and reconnects with Jeffrey Hudson—secretly the head of the Duskthorn Order. With her strength and her family's support, Madelyn defeats the threats and secures her place in both the family and the underworld.

Aurelia Carroll, the daughter of a wealthy tycoon, hides her identity and marries Cade Garrison, a poor young man. However, after three years of marriage, Cade treats her like a free maid, and when he gets the chance to be with a cousin of the billionaire Albright family, he unhesitatingly abandons her. Little does the scumbag Cade know that Aurelia, whom he looks down upon, has four brothers who adore her! The eldest brother is the CEO of a multinational conglomerate, the second brother is a highly respected diplomat, the third brother is a renowned medical expert, and the youngest brother is a superstar in both acting and singing. Upon learning that their sister, who has been missing for three years, is now selling skewers by the roadside and has been abandoned by Cade, the eldest brother drops a billion-dollar contract, the second brother postpones a meeting with a foreign prime minister, the third brother pauses an international medical conference, and the youngest brother cancels a fan signing event. The Albright brothers all drive their luxury cars to welcome their sister back…

Alvin Kirkland and Nahla Snider had been inseparable since they were kids. Twenty years of shared memories, inside jokes, and a promise to get engaged on his 25th birthday. But when the day finally came, Alvin walked in on Nahla taking couple-y pics with Jared Whitehead, some underclassman from college. She brushed it off like it was no big deal, kept making excuses for Jared, and expected Alvin to just deal with it. Fed up with her gaslighting, he left a breakup note, packed his bags, and took that overseas job offer without looking back.

Whitney, the heiress of Sherwood Group, thought marrying Tyrone was a journey of love, only to find herself trapped in a hellish nightmare. First, she was unjustly imprisoned, then ruthlessly crippled. Tyrone appeared indifferent to Whitney's suffering, but when a tragic fire claimed her life, his heart inexplicably hollowed. Yet, a month later, a woman bearing an uncanny resemblance to Whitney appeared at a lavish banquet, introducing herself as "Anna." With a smile as radiant as it was deceitful, she cunningly captivated Tyrone, beginning to spin a web of vengeance...

Six years ago, Ethan Gray left his rural hometown to study overseas, leaving behind his aging parents and his beloved girlfriend, Luna Kurt. Now, returning as the wealthiest man, he is devastated to find that Luna has gone missing. Through relentless searching, he finally finds Luna. She had been trafficked and subjected to unimaginable torments, leaving her psyche irreparably damaged. Despite her condition, Ethan refuses to give up on her. He takes Luna to numerous specialists, searching tirelessly for a way to help her heal. After facing numerous challenges together, Luna's mental state begins to improve, and their love story finally finds its long-awaited happy ending.

She dreamed of becoming a pilot but unexpectedly had a child with him, leading her to give up her aspirations and choose to be a devoted wife and mother. Seven years into their marriage, she discovered that he had someone else and witnessed him pledging eternal love to another woman. Heartbroken, she met her end in a plane crash. However, she unexpectedly found herself reborn, back before the disaster, and vowed to change her fate…

Chena's top agent, Stella Kurt, lives incognito and humbly to provide her parents with a peaceful, ordinary life. However, her selfish relatives, seeking personal gain, plan to marry her off to a local thug. Stella's parents sever their ties with these relatives in protest. Undeterred, the thug uses his influential family background to humiliate Stella’s parents and, in a horrific turn of events, kills her mother. Fueled by rage and a desire for justice, Stella sets out to confront them, determined to make them pay for the atrocities committed against her family.

When Melody Lowe was young, she saved Michael Pond, leaving a scar on her face. Hoping he would recognize her, she was heartbroken when he mistook Sharon Bright for his savior. Despite her love for him, she was misunderstood, but they eventually married—only because she offered him financial support during his lowest point. Melody devotes herself to their marriage, but their relationship remains cold. After being diagnosed with cancer, she passes away shortly after—only to be reborn. Determined to fight back, she seeks revenge against Michael and his mistress. Just when she thinks she can find happiness with her child, she discovers that it is her daughter who saved her life. Overwhelmed by loss, she finds solace in someone who truly loves her, while a little kid begins to cultivate on a distant mountain.

Rescued by Gabriel three years prior, Jennifer Gibson marries him, only to face betrayal from his family. Jennifer, aiding Gabriel in secret, realizes their deceit. Three years later, she awakens to reclaim her status as the Wealthiest Heiress.

Liam Chandler, an ace pilot, adopted Sophie Adams and Yvette Cruz. Initially, he believed he could forge a perfect future with them, but the complicated entanglements involving the two girls and William Lynch forced him to sacrifice his honor and venture into space. Three years later, Liam fell in love with Eleanor Lloyd, while both Sophie and Yvette eventually recognized the error of their past actions. Ultimately, William Lynch's misdeeds were exposed, and he was duly punished.

Haley Watson is a financially struggling college student who was supposed to be artificially inseminated with a sperm sample from her ex-boyfriend and professor, Ben Ferguson, but was mistakenly implanted with the sample of her longtime rival, Justin Crosby. According to the plan, Ben was supposed to give Haley a check after the procedure to help her save her brother, but he backed out at the last minute, claiming he would only fulfill his promise if Haley actually got pregnant. Under constant bullying from her classmate Regina and mounting pressure from Ben, Haley was pushed to her limits. At this point, Justin stepped in and actively helped her with kindness and generosity. Haley's perception of him gradually changed, and she began to develop feelings for him, but she never dared to tell him that the child was his. Can they overcome these challenges together and ultimately find their way to each other?

After being betrayed and left for dead by her sister Cathy Bane, Summer Bane loses her memory. She starts a new life, helping Salem Pike build his company, only to suffer domestic abuse. Once her memory returns, Summer transforms into a business tycoon. Following her divorce, she rises to prominence through her own capabilities, determined to find her would-be murderer. In a surprising twist, she uncovers her sister Cathy's conspiracy. Summer's bold return shocks the Bane family, and she ultimately exposes Cathy’s crimes, sending her to prison. Meanwhile, Summer rekindles her relationship with Rory Falk, embarking on a new chapter in her life.

She is a long-lost heiress, yet she ends up betrayed by her boyfriend, and her foster parents sell her to a much older man. Out of desperation, she hastily marries a street stall vendor. Little does she know, the street stall vendor is actually a dignified CEO! From then on, the CEO dotes on her and teaches those who mistreat her a lesson. What an affectionate man, indeed!

Kimber Klein, a janitor, goes to pick up her child as usual, but she's humiliated by her former classmate, Lara Spencer. On her way home, a convoy of luxury cars passes by, and she learns that her father, who abandoned her and her mother, is now the richest man in the country. Kimber doesn't believe it. Her father, Ronan Klein, hands her a black card and leaves. Kimber takes her child to a high-end restaurant, only to be humiliated again by Lara. When she tries to use the black card, it gets declined, and Lara mocks her and demands she lick her shoes. For her child's sake, Kimber complies. Just then, Ronan's men arrive and turn the situation around. Kimber finally realizes she is truly the daughter of a billionaire, kicking off her journey of revenge and reclaiming her rightful place.

Three years ago, Mabel witnessed her father being killed in a car accident by Sharlene, the heiress of the Quinn family. Her mother was brutally beaten to death, leaving the family in torment. Three years later, Sharlene became engaged to the wealthy Frost family but sought true love with a punk. Seizing the opportunity, Mabel took on Sharlene's identity, marrying into the Frost family. Using her new status as the Quinn family's heiress, she planned to exact revenge and make the Quinn family pay for their blood debt.

After making a name for himself, the once-poor boy Cade Shaw remembers all that his wife, Sue Ford, has done for him. However, an accident strips him of his memories, leading Sue to believe that he has betrayed her.

Nadia Hart was born into a poor family in the countryside, yet she managed to earn a spot at a prestigious university after her parents humbled themselves to secure her tuition. Determined to make a name for herself, Nadia swore she'd bring honor to her family. Years later, as a successful professional, she returns to develop her village—only to face accusations of disgrace. Little do they know, she is the very person they now hope to befriend: the director of Smith Corp.

Samuel Young and Lucy Pincott met, grew close, and eventually tied the knot. However, an unexpected incident on their wedding day altered the course of their future…