
When A Billionaire Falls
Ricardo Balleno · Completed · 221.5k Words
Introduction
When his controlling father insists Ryan marry the daughter of a business partner, he rebels. After a reckless car crash leaves him with amnesia, a small-town waitress named Lilia nurses Ryan back to health and steals his heart. Just as they confess their love, Ryan’s memories return, forcing him to choose between family duty and following his heart.
Returning to his lavish life, Ryan goes through the motions planning a loveless marriage while longing for his beloved Lilia. When his cold father refuses to accept the match, Ryan must stand up to him for the first time. On the day of his wedding, Ryan makes a stunning choice by stopping the ceremony to declare his love for Lilia.
With his furious father disowning him, Ryan races to Lilia’s town, only to find she’s disappeared. Heartbroken, Ryan goes to their special meeting place by the river. In a surprise twist, Lilia reappears—she had playfully hidden to surprise him. Despite the obstacles, through the power of love, the couple joyfully reunites to start their new life together.
Chapter 1
Ryan pulled up to the sprawling hacienda just after nine in the morning, his shiny red Ferrari growling to a stop on the winding gravel driveway. Stepping out into the glaring morning sun, he slipped off his designer sunglasses to survey the familiar land. The hacienda sprawled across acres of fertile farmland, dotted with groves of mango and coconut trees. In the distance, stable hands were leading horses to the paddock, their shouts and laughter carrying on the breeze.
The air was heavy with the sweet scent of ripened fruit. It had been too long since Ryan's last visit. He set off down the shaded row of trees, Italian leather shoes crunching on the gravel path. Though dressed simply in jeans and a linen shirt, his confident stride and athletic six-foot-two frame evoked a young prince strolling towards his kingdom.
Winston galloped over on his chestnut stallion. "Sir Ryan! Good to see you," he called out cheerfully.
His tanned and weathered face creased into a smile.
Ryan greeted the longtime caretaker warmly. "It's been a while since I visited the ranch," he said, a touch of guilt in his voice.
"Well, as long as you're here now!" Winston steadied his horse. "Care to take her for a ride? Rekindle some memories?"
Ryan ran his hand along the horse's glossy neck, feeling her powerful muscles ripple beneath his palm. After a moment's hesitation, he hoisted himself into the worn leather saddle. Gripping the reins, muscle memory took over as he galloped across the estate. The stallion's hooves thundered over the ground, kicking up clouds of dust in their wake. The wind whipped through Ryan's gelled hair as he raced ahead.
Winston watched Ryan disappearing down the trail, a grin on his weathered face. Out here, far from the family empire and burdens placed upon his shoulders, it was like Ryan could actually breathe again.
"You still ride like you did as a kid," Winston remarked, riding up alongside him.
"Remember how you used to sneak off and take the horses out yourself?"
Ryan chuckled at the memory. "I always got in so much trouble for that. But it was worth it."
Returning the stallion to her pen, Ryan affectionately smoothed down her mane. The familiar smells of hay and leather brought back a swell of nostalgia. He walked down the row, peering into each stall. The ranch horses were stocky and well-muscled - trusted companions that had served the farm for years. Ryan trailed his fingers over their velvety noses as they nickered softly in greeting.
"I've missed this place," Ryan murmured, almost to himself. Being around the horses and the sprawling wildness of the ranchlands made his anxieties over the family empire melt away. Out here, the future didn't seem so suffocating.
Winston gave him a thoughtful look. "Well, the horses have missed you too. Anytime you need an escape, you know where to find us."
Ryan nodded, taking one last lingering look around the stables before he headed back up to the mansion. The raucous voices and clinking glasses indicated his father already had guests. Ryan took a deep breath, bracing himself as he continued down the paved path lined with lush gardens.
Passing through the imposing double doors, he followed the noise towards the dining room. The echoes of his footsteps on the Italian marble floors announced his presence before he appeared in the archway.
"Come join us, son!" his father called out jovially from the head of the table.
Ryan scanned the crowded room - his father's business partners were there, along with a few family friends. And of course, Margareth and her parents. Forcing a polite smile, Ryan took the empty seat beside his fiancée. Her crimson nails dug into his arm possessively as she greeted him.
Margareth turned to Ryan, her crimson lips curling into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Where were you today, babe?" she asked, her long nails still gripping his arm.
"I was just out at the ranch, visiting the farmlands," Ryan replied simply, gently extricating himself from her grasp as he reached for his champagne glass.
"The farmlands?" Margareth raised a perfectly arched eyebrow. "Whatever for? I didn't take you for the rustic, country type."
Ryan shrugged, keeping his tone casual. "I used to spend a lot of time out there as a kid. It was nice to see the horses again."
Margareth frowned, clearly puzzled by his interest. As an heiress who split her time between shopping sprees and the Hamptons, she saw the ranchlands only as the quaint backdrop to their lavish estate.
"Well, I'm just glad you're back now," she said brightly, patting his leg. "We were discussing plans for the exhibition gala this weekend. I had Pierre design the most stunning dress!"
"Oh right, the exhibit," Ryan said, remembering what his father had mentioned earlier. "You meant the unveiling of the new car model that the company is launching this weekend."
"Yes, of course!" Margareth laughed lightly. "I can't wait for everyone to see your latest creation. It's going to be such a hit."
"Your father says this new self-driving car system will revolutionize the industry," Margareth continued enthusiastically. "Just imagine - being chauffeured wherever you want, while you relax in the back seat!"
"Hopefully it lives up to expectations," Ryan said with a slight grimace. In truth, he found little fulfillment in his role at the company lately. The board made most of the decisions, leaving Ryan as little more than a figurehead - and soon to be beneficiary of the wealth.
"I'm sure it will be amazing," Margareth said firmly, then lowering her voice, added "And once it's a success, it will make a perfect time to announce our engagement." Her eyes sparkled at the thought.
Ryan's father stood up, tapping his champagne glass to get everyone's attention.
"As you all know, this weekend is our annual gala celebrating the release of the new luxury car models," he announced proudly. "This year, we will be unveiling the most advanced self-driving car on the market."
Enthusiastic murmurs rippled around the table.
"The gala will attract media attention and investors from around the world," Ryan's father continued. "It's the perfect stage to showcase our latest innovation and the future of Callahan Motors."
"And I expect all of you to be there to show your support," Ryan's father concluded, looking around sternly before breaking into a grin. "Now, let's have a toast!"
As the applause died down, Margareth's father stood up, raising his glass again.
"I'd like to make a toast of my own," he proclaimed, smiling at his daughter. "To Ryan and my beautiful Margareth."
Ryan stiffened imperceptibly as all eyes turned to him.
"We are so fortunate our children found each other," Margareth's father continued. "I can already envision the lavish wedding that will undoubtedly be the event of the year!"
Enthusiastic chuckles arose around the table. Ryan forced a polite smile, even as his gut twisted with unease.
"And of course, we are beyond thrilled to welcome Ryan to our family. The union of our two powerful dynasties will create an unstoppable empire!" Margareth's father declared.
"To Ryan and Margareth!" The table erupted in eager cheers and applause.
As the cheers died down, Ryan cleared his throat. "I appreciate everyone's enthusiasm," he began carefully. "But Margareth and I haven't actually discussed any wedding plans yet."
He felt Margareth's glare burn into him but continued. "We're focused on ensuring the success of the company first and foremost."
A confused murmur arose around the table. Ryan's father frowned, looking at him sharply.
"Don't be silly, son," he admonished. "You two are destined to be together! This union has been years in the making - it's what's best for the families."
Ryan held his tongue, knowing nothing he could say would change his father's mind.
Margareth's father let out an uneasy chuckle. "Of course, the boy's right, we shouldn't rush into anything," he said smoothly. "Plenty of time for wedding bells after the exhibition makes headlines, eh?"
He gave Ryan an appraising look - one that warned not to delay for too long. Ryan nodded politely, relief flooding through him. The conversation soon shifted to lighter topics, though he could still feel both fathers' scrutinizing gazes on him.
Desperate for a respite, Ryan cleared his throat and stood abruptly. "Excuse me for a moment," he muttered, avoiding making eye contact with his father or Margareth.
Ryan took the grand staircase two steps at a time, desperate to get away. At the top, one of the maids exiting a room nearly collided into him.
"Oh, I'm so sorry Sir!" she exclaimed, startled. "Are you alright?"
Ryan avoided meeting her worried gaze. "I'm fine, just heading to my room," he muttered, moving to step past her.
But the maid hesitated, seeming to sense his turmoil. "Is everything okay, Sir?" she asked gently. "You seem...not quite yourself tonight."
Ryan paused, seeing the genuine concern in her eyes. For a moment he nearly unburdened himself - confessed how trapped he felt in this life of wealth and privilege.
But he swallowed back the words. The maid meant well, but she could never understand his gilded cage.
"I'm okay, thank you," Ryan said instead, forcing a smile. "Just tired from the day's activities. Please excuse me."
Last Chapters
#182 Chapter 182: A Promise Renewed
Last Updated: 6/17/2025#181 Chapter 181: A New Beginning
Last Updated: 6/17/2025#180 Chapter 180: A Bold Declaration
Last Updated: 6/17/2025#179 Chapter 179: A Joyous Celebration
Last Updated: 6/17/2025#178 Chapter 178: A Homecoming To Remember
Last Updated: 6/17/2025#177 Chapter 177: The Father And Son Reunited
Last Updated: 6/17/2025#176 Chapter 176: The Prodigal Son Returns
Last Updated: 6/17/2025#175 Chapter 175: He Will Come Back
Last Updated: 6/17/2025#174 Chapter 174: A Father's Sacrifice
Last Updated: 6/17/2025#173 Chapter 173: The Weight of Love And Fear
Last Updated: 6/17/2025
You Might Like 😍
The Biker's Fate
I squeezed my eyes shut.
"Dani," he pressed. "Do you get me?"
"No, Austin, I don't," I admitted as I pulled my robe closed again and sat up. "You confuse me."
He dragged his hands down his face. "Tell me what's on your mind."
I sighed. "You're everything my parents warned me against. You're secretive, but you're also honest. I feel wholly protected by you, but then you scare me more than anyone I've ever known. You're a bad boy, but when I dated a so-called good one, he turned out to be the devil, so, yeah, I don't get you because you're not what I expected. You drive me crazier than anyone I've ever met, but then you make me feel complete. I'm feeling things I don't quite know how to process and that makes me want to run. I don't want to give up something that might be really, really good, but I also don't want to be stupid and fall for a boy just because he's super pretty and makes me come."
Danielle Harris is the daughter of an overprotective police chief and has led a sheltered life. As a kindergarten teacher, she's as far removed from the world of Harleys and bikers as you could get, but when she's rescued by the sexy and dangerous Austin Carver, her life is changed forever.
Although Austin 'Booker' Carver is enamored by the innocent Dani, he tries to keep the police chief's daughter at arm's length. But when a threat is made from an unexpected source, he finds himself falling hard and fast for the only woman who can tame his wild heart.
Will Booker be able to find the source of the threat before it's too late?
Will Dani finally give her heart to a man who's everything she's been warned about?
His Mission
Emily is suddenly thrown from one world of danger and uncertainty into another. The two teens ride the rollercoaster of love, unbelievable betrayal and heartache.
The mafia princess return
Accardi
“I thought you said you were done chasing me?” Gen mocked.
“I am done chasing you.”
Before she could formulate a witty remark, Matteo threw her down. She landed hard on her back atop his dining room table. She tried to sit up when she noticed what he was doing. His hands were working on his belt. It came free of his pants with a violent yank. She collapsed back on her elbows, her mouth gaping open at the display. His face was a mask of sheer determination, his eyes were a dark gold swimming with heat and desire. His hands wrapped around her thighs and pulled her to the edge of the table. He glided his fingers up her thighs and hooked several around the inside of her panties. His knuckles brushed her dripping sex.
“You’re soaking wet, Genevieve. Tell me, was it me that made you this way or him?” his voice told her to be careful with her answer. His knuckles slid down through her folds and she threw her head back as she moaned. “Weakness?”
“You…” she breathed.
Genevieve loses a bet she can’t afford to pay. In a compromise, she agrees to convince any man her opponent chooses to go home with her that night. What she doesn’t realize when her sister’s friend points out the brooding man sitting alone at the bar, is that man won’t be okay with just one night with her. No, Matteo Accardi, Don of one of the largest gangs in New York City doesn’t do one night stands. Not with her anyway.
Mated by Contract to the Alpha
William—my devastatingly handsome, wealthy werewolf fiancé destined to become Delta—was supposed to be mine forever. After five years together, I was ready to walk down the aisle and claim my happily ever after.
Instead, I found him with her. And their son.
Betrayed, jobless, and drowning in my father's medical bills, I hit rock bottom harder than I ever imagined possible. Just when I thought I'd lost everything, salvation came in the form of the most dangerous man I'd ever encountered.
Damien Sterling—future Alpha of the Silver Moon Shadow Pack and ruthless CEO of Sterling Group—slid a contract across his desk with predatory grace.
“Sign this, little doe, and I'll give you everything your heart desires. Wealth. Power. Revenge. But understand this—the moment you put pen to paper, you become mine. Body, soul, and everything in between.”
I should have run. Instead, I signed my name and sealed my fate.
Now I belong to the Alpha. And he's about to show me just how wild love can be.
I Slapped My Fiancé—Then Married His Billionaire Nemesis
Technically, Rhys Granger was my fiancé now—billionaire, devastatingly hot, and a walking Wall Street wet dream. My parents shoved me into the engagement after Catherine disappeared, and honestly? I didn’t mind. I’d crushed on Rhys for years. This was my chance, right? My turn to be the chosen one?
Wrong.
One night, he slapped me. Over a mug. A stupid, chipped, ugly mug my sister gave him years ago. That’s when it hit me—he didn’t love me. He didn’t even see me. I was just a warm-bodied placeholder for the woman he actually wanted. And apparently, I wasn’t even worth as much as a glorified coffee cup.
So I slapped him right back, dumped his ass, and prepared for disaster—my parents losing their minds, Rhys throwing a billionaire tantrum, his terrifying family plotting my untimely demise.
Obviously, I needed alcohol. A lot of alcohol.
Enter him.
Tall, dangerous, unfairly hot. The kind of man who makes you want to sin just by existing. I’d met him only once before, and that night, he just happened to be at the same bar as my drunk, self-pitying self. So I did the only logical thing: I dragged him into a hotel room and ripped off his clothes.
It was reckless. It was stupid. It was completely ill-advised.
But it was also: Best. Sex. Of. My. Life.
And, as it turned out, the best decision I’d ever made.
Because my one-night stand isn’t just some random guy. He’s richer than Rhys, more powerful than my entire family, and definitely more dangerous than I should be playing with.
And now, he’s not letting me go.
Omega Bound
Thane Knight is the alpha of the Midnight Pack of the La Plata Mountain Range, the largest wolf shifter pack in the world. He is an alpha by day and hunts the shifter trafficking ring with his group of mercenaries by night. His hunt for vengeance leads to one raid that changes his life.
Tropes:
Touch her and die/Slow burn romance/Fated Mates/Found family twist/Close circle betrayal/Cinnamon roll for only her/Traumatized heroine/Rare wolf/Hidden powers/Knotting/Nesting/Heats/Luna/Attempted assassination
Goddess Of The Underworld.
When the veil between the Divine, the Living, and the Dead begins to crack, Envy is thrust beneath with a job she can’t drop: keep the worlds from bleeding together, shepherd the lost, and make ordinary into armor, breakfasts, bedtime, battle plans. Peace lasts exactly one lullaby. This is the story of a border pup who became a goddess by choosing her family; of four imperfect alphas learning how to stay; of cake, iron, and daylight negotiations. Steamy, fierce, and full of heart, Goddess of the Underworld is a reverse harem, found-family paranormal romance where love writes the rules and keeps three realms from falling apart.
My Possessive Alpha Twins For Mate
My drunk stepfather remained indifferent, his weight suffocating, making it hard to breathe as my heart raced.
Suddenly, the door slammed open, and two figures burst in.
"Get off her!" a deafening roar echoed.
I didn't expect the twin brothers who'd bullied me at school to come charging in like gods to save me.
After my grandmother passed, I had to move in with my mom and stepdad, who treated me like a servant. I prayed every day for my 18th birthday to come, so l could leave and escape this broken home.
However, on my first day at my new school, l encountered the legendary twins everyone feared.
To make matters worse, the Moon Goddess revealed they were both my mates!
After helping me out with my stepdad, my twin mate cornered me, played with my hair, and whispered possessively, "You belong to us, our little mate..."
Mr. Ryan
He came closer with a dark and hungry expression,
so close,
his hands reached for my face, and he pressed his body against mine.
His mouth took mine eagerly, a little rudely.
His tongue left me breathless.
“If you don't go with me, I'll fuck you right here.” He whispered.
Katherine kept her virginity for years even after she turned 18. But one day, she met an extremely sexual man Nathan Ryan in the club. He had the most seductive blue eyes she has ever seen, a well-defined chin, almost golden blonde hair, full lips, perfectly drawn, and the most amazing smile, with perfect teeth and those damn dimples. Incredibly sexy.
She and he had a beautiful and hot one-night stand...
Katherine thought she might not meet the man again.
But fate has another plan
Katherine is about to take on the job of assistant to a billionaire who owns one of the biggest companies in the country and is known to be a conquering, authoritative and completely irresistible man. He is Nathan Ryan!
Will Kate be able to resist the charms of this attractive, powerful and seductive man?
Read to know a relationship torn between anger and the uncontrollable desire for pleasure.
Warning: R18+, Only for mature readers.
Fangs, Fate & Other Bad Decisions
After finding out her boyfriend cheated, the last thing she expected was to stumble across a wounded man in an alley. And definitely not one with fangs. But thanks to a mix of cocktails, shame, and her questionable life choices, she takes him home. Turns out, he’s not just any vampire—he’s a king. And according to him, she’s his fated mate.
Now, she’s stuck with an overprotective, brooding bloodsucker who keeps rescuing her, a growing list of enemies who want her dead, and an undeniable attraction that’s making it very hard to remember why falling for a vampire is a terrible idea.
Because if she’s not careful, she won’t just lose her heart—she’ll lose her humanity.












