Novels by Bella Cruz

Anastasia had no choice but to oblige with her friend’s demands. She didn’t want to, but the pressure from their stares at the other side of the restaurant was enough to make her skin prickle. If Andrew was someone influential, someone whose name carried weight in the business world or social scene, she wouldn’t have even waited to be told before she introduced him to the group. She would have walked him in with pride, letting their envious eyes soak in every detail. But Andrew’s case was different. He was a nobody. Not from an influential family, not even a man who owned a small business or had any visible status. Just a desperate man, in her eyes, who wanted nothing more than to leech off her family by marrying her. In her mind, he was a disgrace — a burden she couldn’t shake off — and nothing more. Yet here she was, having to drag him into a circle that would eat him alive with their words.Reluctantly, she walked over to Andrew’s table. He was seated alone in the far corner, cal

Where’s your manager?! I need to see him.” Mirian’s voice came out sharp, each word carrying irritation that drew a few glances from nearby tables. Her tone was firm, almost commanding, and the staff at the reception desk immediately stiffened at her presence. She wasted no time explaining the entire situation, her hands gesturing animatedly as she turned halfway, ready to point out the waiter who had blatantly ignored her earlier. Her voice was fast, words tumbling out in an annoyed rush, as though the injustice she suffered could not be told in anything less than urgent detail.“Mirian, look,” Cynthia called suddenly, cutting through Mirian’s explanation. Her tone had a strange edge—half amused, half curious—which made Mirian’s brows knit in mild confusion.But just as she turned toward Cynthia, her movement froze mid-way, her gaze locking onto something that made her blink twice in disbelief. There, seated comfortably at a corner table, was the very man she had confidently mistaken

Andrew stopped mid-stride and turned his head slightly, his brow furrowed, expecting something urgent or at least worth his attention. The voices and soft music in the background hummed around him, but this one sharp command had been prominent.“Get me an extra wine glass,” the voice ordered without hesitation.It belonged to Mirian, one of Anastacia’s closest friends. She didn’t bother to look at the man she was talking to closely; in her mind, there was no need. Her eyes had already swept lazily over his simple polo and plain jeans with no luxury item in sight and had decided he couldn’t possibly be anything other than a waiterShe didn’t care that Andrew’s clothing didn’t match the waiters—the staff here wore crisp white shirts, black waistcoats, and polished shoes. In her eyes, the man didn’t look like someone who belonged in a place where the cheapest wine bottle cost more than some people’s rent. Therefore, he must be here to serve.Andrew didn’t answer. He saw no reason to.

Andrew showed his card to the security guard at the entrance, his expression unreadable, and without further questions, he was led into the restaurant.Andrew followed the waiter through the grand entrance, his steps steady, the click of his shoes muffled by the thick carpet. The restaurant exuded quiet opulence—golden chandeliers casting a warm glow over polished marble floors, crystal glasses catching the light like tiny prisms, and the subtle hum of hushed conversations blending with the gentle strains of a piano in the corner. He had no intention of being distracted, yet as they wove past a row of neatly dressed diners, his eyes instinctively scanned the room—and froze. There, sitting in an intimate corner, was the last person he had expected to see.Anastacia Ashton.She sat at a table with five others, all elegantly dressed, their posture and laughter carrying the air of people who knew they belonged. Her laughter, bright and effortless just moments ago, faded the second she s

About forty minutes later, Anastacia finally arrived at Havens Palace. Her friends were already gathered at their usual spot, chatting and sipping their wine. They greeted her warmly when she walked in, but there was a certain curiosity in their eyes. She pulled out a chair, sat down, and joined in a brief conversation about the latest events in town, trying to act as though she hadn’t noticed the way they glanced at her from time to time. Cynthia, one of Anastacia’s friends, leaned forward with a knowing glint in her eyes. “Anna, you didn’t come with our in-law?” she asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm and mockery, her smile wide enough to let Anastacia know she was baiting her. “Cynthia!” Dorothy scolded sharply, rolling her eyes in irritation. “Must you always start trouble the moment she arrives?” Mirian, another of Anastacia’s friends, cleared her throat in an awkward attempt to diffuse the tension, while Paul shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his jaw tightening as he gr

Anastacia was sitting in the living room on her laptop, fingers lazily tapping across the keyboard as she scrolled through unread emails and half-finished tasks. Her phone vibrated beside her, lighting up with Dorothy’s name. She picked up, already knowing what the call was about. Dorothy, ever the timekeeper, was calling to remind her of their monthly dinner scheduled for later that night. It was the routine dinner held by her former classmates, a tight-knit circle that had evolved into business partners over the years. They created the club to stay connected and build stronger networks, mixing social bonding with subtle business talk. Anastacia had been a part of it from the start—before her life spiraled into unwanted headlines and whispered gossip."Dorothy," she muttered under her breath and picked the call."Hey Stacia ! You didn’t forget our dinner tonight, right?"Anastacia hesitated, her fingers frozen above the keyboard. "Dorothy... I thought it was next weekend."Doroth

Meanwhile, back at the Mortan’s mansion,the atmosphere was gloomy with their gazes fixed on the TV screen. Oliva stared in disbelief, her heart brimming with anger “How could they do this to me?! “She yelled, not exactly directing the questions at anyone “There is more to this, you said Leono requested for the video before agreeing to give you the contract. So how come they are cancelling the contract” Mrs Veronica asked, her voice laced with shock "You caused all this Olivia! such a thing was asked from you and you gave it out without informing us first, now you can see what it has cost us! Mr Kendrick yelled, his voice dripping with fury " Oliva your father is right, how could you? Your sister is serving a 20 year jail term and now your brother, had also been sentenced 30 years, all because of your selfishness ”Mrs Veronica lamented “How is it my fault mommy? They choose that path, how am I the one to blame, was I the one who asked Anita not to go to school and instead choose

A few minutes later, Denzel joined his grandfather and uncle in the sitting room. After settling down, Denzel began without delay “Grandpa, how did Montage manage to become the COO of K. D Leon? He wasn't even able to do anything when brickwell stole K. D Leon's design and now, he is sending men after my life”Denzel said, his tone laced with subtle anger "Son…” Grandpa Leon said and paused as if pondering on something “Montage was my loyal assistant for 10 years before I decided to make him the COO, as at that time, he was the best candidate for the position . Although his performance dropped, because he started to feel comfortable, coupled with my illness, I wasn't always there to monitor everything like I used to,but he never came off as someone that could be able to hurt a fly, talk more of killing his future chairman So son, are you one hundred percent sure that it was montage who sent those men?” Grandpa Leon said calmly, adjusting his glasses Denzel opened his mouth to tal

A few hours later, Denzel, Amanda and Ellias were seated in the car as his butler, Mike drove the car. They had dropped Mr.Dave at his busstop and were on their way to drop Ellis before heading back home. “So how did this happen Amanda? Denzel asked, his gaze fixed on the laptop sitting on his laps. “Young master, It was Amanda's fault” Ellias cut in sharply, giving Amanda a side glare “How was I supposed to know that it was a trap”Amanda counted, rolling her eyes at Elias “I warned you… "Ellias I need you to keep shut! Amanda go on ”Denzel said sternly , cutting off Ellais from what he was about to say “Ok young master, ” Amanda let out a deep breath as she began “After we ended the call and I escorted the testifiers and their families to take the secret route to the airport, I returned back to the court to pick up Ellias because he didn't come with his car. And Mr. Dave's car also happened to have developed a fault, so the three of us headed home in my car. H

“What do you mean by, everyone is dead and you are the only one surviving ?!” the man growled, his eyes blazing with fire “S.s… s ...sir the man released the snakes on everyone, but I managed to escape before anyone else noticed” the man on his knees stuttered, his voice laced with fear and trepidation. “What rubbish are you spewing?! How did he get the box from you Amon? Amon was in possession of that box and it was supposed to be released on those people”The furious man barked, his voice dripping with venom “S…s..sir Mr. Amon released the snakes from the box, but the mysterious man controlled the snakes and it went back into the box.”The man said, his gaze fixed to the ground because he wouldn’t dare look his boss in the face while saying something that sounded so ridiculous. “Are you listening to yourself?” Mr Philip snapped, slamming his hands on the coffee table After K. D Leon won the court case, they got information from an insider that the lost grandson of the K. D Leons

Everyone in the room let out a horror filled gasp as they stared at the shattered glass on the floor and back at Denzel. The men trembled in fear as their heart banged furiously against their chest. A few minutes ago, they felt confident and secured hiding at the back of that tempered glass, and in less than a minute, the glass was shattered on the floor, leaving them at the mercy of the mysterious man. At this point, they knew they were done for, and with just a whistle from the man , the black zambars would pour out from that box they were in and attack them. Their bodies shook in fear, and one by one, they all went down on their knees, surrendering to the mysterious man standing tall in front of them. 9 of the men were all on their knees except Mr. Amon who stood dumbfounded, as his body trembled involuntarily,still he refused to surrender. “Please sir, forgive us, we are sorry” “We will never return to our evil ways# “Please have mercy, I don't want to die” “I have a fam

Standing at the entrance was Denzel, his chest heaved up and down as sweat streamed down his muscled body. “Sir please you need to leave , grandpa Leon won't survive if he hears that you are dead” Amanda cried as her heart thumped in fear At this point, Amanda wasn't thinking about herself, the day she swore to be Denzel’s right hand man and assistant, she also swore to lay her life on the line in place of his, if need be. But now, they were both helpless with no one to save the other. “You don't need to bother about me, I will get you guys out of here”Denzel said confidently, his voice firm and laced with assurance Meanwhile, one of the men had rushed out of the room and sneaked up to Denzel’s back “Watch your back young master! ” Amanda yelled, but it was too late as the man had forcefully pushed Denzel into the room and locked the door behind him. A roar of laughter reverberated from the other side of the room covered with a large transparent glass, where the men watched fro