DUSK INDULGENCE

To the world, Serena Sterling is a graceful and compliant heiress, the orphaned ward of the Voss family and the docile fiancée of their arrogant son, Ethan. But it's all an act. For years, she has been gathering evidence against Victor Voss, the man who murdered her parents and embezzled the Sterling empire. Her plan is risky: use her body as bait to ensnare a powerful ally. Her target is Lukas Hunt, a self-made financial titan with a mysterious past and a ruthless reputation. She approaches him with a bold kiss and a proposition, believing him to be merely a sharp tool for her revenge. What she doesn't know is that Lukas is also the heir to the ultra-secret Veilance fortune—and the shy young boy who saved her life ten years ago. Lukas has never forgotten Serena. He sees through her calculated seduction and willingly becomes her "blade," posing as a charming, indulgent side-piece to help her dismantle the Voss empire from within. As Serena pushes for her revenge, outsmarting Ethan, the conniving Mia, and the manipulative Victor, she finds herself caught between two fires: her carefully constructed plan and her growing feelings for the one man she swore only to use. As old secrets unravel and a dangerous conspiracy threatens to destroy them both, Serena must decide if she will continue her lonely path of vengeance or trust the one man who has been faithfully guarding her from the shadows all along. Key Themes: Revenge, hidden identities, secret guardian, enemies-to-lovers, "fake" relationship, power couple, strong female lead.