hbr guide to buying a small business

Betrayed. Broken. Stripped of everything she once called hers. Elysia Sinclair thought she had already lost it all—until she lost the one thing that truly mattered. Her baby. Left bleeding and abandoned in a cold hospital room, she swore revenge. But what could a woman with nothing do against the man who destroyed her? Enter Adrian Blackwood. Ruthless, calculating, and as dangerous as they come. He doesn’t do charity. He doesn’t do kindness. But when he looks at Elysia, he sees something more—something raw, something familiar. "Sign these papers, leave him, and marry me," he says, his voice a dark promise. "I'll help you get your revenge." It’s a deal with the devil himself, but Elysia is too shattered to refuse. One signature, and she goes from the discarded ex-wife of a billionaire to the new bride of a man even more powerful. But Adrian didn’t just want a wife. He wanted her. And as he slides his ring onto her finger in front of the man who betrayed her, a shiver runs down her spine. Because in Adrian’s eyes, this isn’t just a contract—it’s possession. Now, tangled in his world of power plays and whispered threats, Elysia must ask herself— Is she using Adrian to destroy her past? Or is he using her to rewrite his own? One thing is certain: when you strike a deal with the devil, there’s no turning back.

As I gazed into his eyes, I couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity, as if I had known him for years. "There's something about you," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Something that draws me to you." He smiled, revealing a set of perfect teeth. "I feel it too," he said, his voice low and melodic. "It's like we were meant to meet." I couldn't deny the electricity that coursed through me as he spoke, and I found myself leaning closer to him, wanting to feel his warmth. "Who are you?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me. He chuckled softly, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "I'm just a guy," he said. "But I've been told that I have a certain charm." I couldn't help but laugh at his modesty, knowing full well that he was more than just a guy. He had an aura about him, a sense of confidence and self-assurance that was both intimidating and alluring. As we continued to talk, I found myself opening up to him, sharing things that I had never told anyone before. It was like he was a confidant, someone that I could trust with my deepest secrets. And as we parted ways, I knew that I had met someone special. He was more than just a guy, he was a kindred spirit, a soulmate that I had been searching for all my life.

When Caterina Mari Santelli--daughter of a Capo--was born, she became a living curse. It was against the Italian mob to fraternize with the Russian enemy. And when her father decided to marry her late Russian mother, their family was walking on a thread in the Mafia industry. So, here comes Lucas De Marchi--a Boss--pure Italian from the greatest and legendary bloodline. His goal is to marry Caterina for her to be stripped off from being a curse, for him to be, someday, head of both clans and another dark mission he has to fulfill. But Caterina isn't a damsel in distress. When she met Lucas and discovered the truth, she knew there was blood to be shed. Only she didn't know whose.

Xavier Castello lived his whole life devoid of emotions. A ruthless Don with a voracious appetite and brutal tactics. Due to a horrible betrayal, he kills one of his most trusted men, Benicio Morales and takes his daughter hostage. What Xavier never expected was to fall in love with the enemy's daughter. Ariana Morales, once lived a normal life as daddy's princess. Now, her whole family is dead and she is at the mercy of the man who killed them. She will have to become his pet for a year before regaining her freedom. What happens when she falls in love with her captor? Will their love story flourish, or will she desert her family's murderer when the contract expires?

Ashely's mom was diagnosed with a very deadly disease that is threatening to take her life. Ashely couldn't watch the only person she had in this world leave her yet again like her dad, Billionaire Alan offered to sponsor the treatment and made sure that Ashely's mom got the necessary treatment only based on being in a contract marriage with Ashley. Will this Contract Marriage be a sham or would it grow into a real love?.

Alicia Stewart, the eldest daughter of the powerful Stewart family, has outstanding looks but is sidelined after the death of her father. At the age of twenty-three, she regains her shares in the company and a car accident gives her the superpower of unforgettable memories. She smiles contemptuously and moves upward step by step, gradually reclaiming everything she owns. However, another problem lies in front of her. On one side is the gentle childhood friend lawyer, on the other side is the overbearing president of the business marriage, when they both show their love to Alicia, who should she choose?

Penny Sullivan had been married for three years but her husband never knew who she was.Penny did not expect that the first time that they met would be in bed.She happily signed the divorce agreement and thought that their lives would never intersect again.Unexpectedly, that was just the beginning…One day, there was a rumor in Imperial City. Caleb Fergerson, the CEO of the Fergerson Corporation, fell in love with an up-and-coming designer! The man was known to have never been involved with any woman. He helped her many times and made sure to punish those who bullied her. Other than that, when men confessed their love for her, he would warn them to stay far away from her.Someone was curious and could not help but ask for confirmation. "May I ask what is the relationship between you and Mr. Fergerson?"Penny smiled and said, "We’re employee and employer, and also...ex-husband and ex-wife."

Margo aka Bridgette lost everything that was precious to her in one single night. Her family, her safety, and her innocence. After spending five years in captivity and three years in hiding she's back and ready to face the demons of her past. However, she isn't returning alone and must plan her next steps carefully or the people hunting them will have both of their heads. Kane is ex special forces and a member of the Devil's Knights MC. He has hardened his heart against the fairer after his ex wife turned his world upside-down and left his heart as broken as his body. When they run into each other Kane is reminded of a young woman he helped escape while Margo tries desperately to hold on to her heart. After all, who would want someone as broken as her. They soon find themselves in a race against time and Kane can't help his attraction to the woman who seemed ready to to protect everything she holds dear. Danger lurks around every corner and old wounds will be ripped open. What Margo doesn't know is that Kane wants her and will to keep her and her ward safe. Steamy scenes await as they plunge head first into the dangerous world that is his home and has Margo dancing a fast paced tune of revenge. In this book Margo will learn that nothing is as it seems and that only one man will keep her safe and her warm.

"I'm willing to be a papa to your son, but don't ever expect me to treat you like a wife." To realize her son's dream of having a daddy, Lily is willing to enter into a contract marriage with Keenan, who also happens to be desperate to find a wife to inherit his family's company. An agreement was made where the relationship between the two would appear harmonious only in front of the child. However, they cannot resist the fate that has fostered unusual feelings. Unfortunately, the appearance of a past figure is also inevitable. Making it hard for both of them to go further. Will Lily and Keenan stay together? Or will each of them choose to give up when there is no more reason to survive?

Amanda's return to the country was greeted by sad news. She lost her beloved sister. The grave was still wet, but her papa urged her to get married. Not with the man she loved. However, with a widower who was none other than her late sister's husband. She wanted to ask for his blessing to marry her lover, but the situation made things complicated. Amanda never expected to be presented with such a surprising request. Marry a former brother-in-law and become a birth mother to a month-old baby girl? It was both ridiculous and sad considering their ages. But how could she refuse? "Everywhere there is a sugar baby or sugar daddy, while I'm a sugar mommy. Radit is too young to be my husband. This is crazy!"