How Do Materialist Characters Impact The Plot In Novels?

My husband, Kenneth Welch, handed me divorce papers as a cruel gift for our 5th anniversary. He didn't need me anymore. For him, I had become quiet and submissive, but that wasn't enough. Lilly Sanders had no money, no name, and no power, so he threw me away like a toy he no longer wanted. He crushed my heart, but he also gave me something important—a new beginning. Once my heart was no longer his, it opened up for someone who offered me kindness—a mysterious billionaire named Darren. But how could I stay by his side when, after so many years of pretending, I no longer knew who I was? Summoning my courage, I opened up the letters my ex-husband had hidden from me, and I faced my true identity… Now Lilly Sanders no longer exists; Lillian Hayes has taken her place. I've returned to New York as the heiress of Hayes Global Group. I am powerful enough to squash those who harmed me, but I didn't come back only for revenge. I came back for love…

The day my husband, Ethan Hart, posted wedding photos in a bridal gown with the college girl he was sponsoring on his social media, I didn't fly into hysterics like I usually did. Instead, I gave them a like. I even left a comment: [Such a perfect match. Let's all wish the newlyweds a lifetime of happiness.] People in our circle said I was the most pathetic wife alive, letting the mistress walk all over me without resistance. A week later, he came home and explained, "It was just an act. Her grandfather is sick. Before he dies, he wants to see her get married." I nodded calmly. "I didn't take it seriously. I believe you." In my previous life, I had stormed into their wedding ceremony that very day and caused a scene, ruining their wedding. To punish me, Ethan went after my parents' company. He drove them into bankruptcy and forced them to jump to their deaths. And I was sent to a mental hospital by that woman, tortured until I truly went insane. So in this life, reborn with everything laid bare, I no longer crave his love. All I want is his money. Every time he cheats, I transfer a portion of the assets under his name. Three chances remain. After that, he will have nothing left.

Asher Evan is a young CEO, billionaire, and buyer entrepreneur playboy, a knave, he is known for his ravenous and underhanded method of acquiring businesses. He is on a mission to take a bride from the old money families to improve his status among society's elite. Joan Hargreaves is the heir to Hargreaves Corporation, she left home for college when she was eighteen years old to avoid taking over the family business. She however returns home when she receives a letter informing her of her father's death. When she returns home, she finds her family business in a financial constraint due to her stepmother and uncle's mismanagement. While trying to save her family's company, she discovers an old tradition between families, an alliance forged through marriage, a marriage arranged between powerful families simply for gains. When Asher finds out that Joan is the heir to Hargreaves Corporation, a company he's been trying to take over, he approaches her and made her a deal she couldn't refuse. He would help Joan save her family's company, in return, she would marry him. Joan apprehensive of Asher's deal asks that they get engaged first, but unknown to her Asher plans to steal Hargreaves Corporation from Joan. But Asher never imagined falling into his trap.

Lucas Benjamin is used to objectification. He knows the women only come to him for his money. He is kind of used to it. So when his aunt reintroduces him to a childhood friend, he's kind of relieved to finally meet someone outside his normal Gatsby lifestyle. But something is different with her. She doesn't seem to give a shit about his wealth. Suddenly, he finds himself drawn to this silent girl with a bad attitude. What happens when he discovers that money cannot buy the thing he wants this time? Charlotte is not exactly looking for love. She especially isn't attracted to the rich and famous, flaunting their wealth and throwing wild parties around. But when she is reintroduced to her old childhood friend Lucas, her whole world is turned upside down. Will she finally let her past go, and open herself up to new beginnings?

Catherine Smith was born into untouchable wealth, a girl with everything except the freedom to love by choice and not demand. When she falls for Elijah Blakes, the quiet, kind man who works at the repair shop, she thinks she’s found the one thing money can’t afford: real love. But Elijah is hiding a secret. He’s not poor. He’s not powerless. He’s the estranged heir of a rival empire— and he’s been pretending to be someone else to keep her close. When her powerful parents discover their forbidden relationship, they break them off mercilessly. Catherine is forced to marry into a loveless engagement. Elijah, heartbroken, disappears and marries someone else. Years later, fate brings them back together. He’s colder now. Married. Untouchable. But the fire between them never died. And now, with everything to lose and nothing left to hide, the only question left is: Will she risk everything again for a man who lied to win her heart or—will love truly the only thing they can’t afford?

My girlfriend is the true heiress of a wealthy family, yet she suffers from severe paranoia. She's convinced that everyone is out to exploit her. She never believed in my love. In her eyes, I stayed with her only for status and money. To prove my sincerity, during our seven years together, I never spent a single cent of hers. I handed over every paycheck I earned. As for myself, I couldn't even afford a few dollars for a taxi. Every day, I walked five kilometers to work. Then one day, my mother was in a sudden car accident. The doctor called and told me to come see her for the last time. The hospital was thirty kilometers away. There was no way I could make it on foot in time. Left with no choice, I asked my girlfriend to transfer me thirty dollars for a taxi. She flew into a rage. "Simon, thirty dollars is your entire monthly living expense. How dare you ask me for that much all at once? I almost believed your feelings were genuine. But now I see—you're no different from those gold-diggers!" In the end, I never made it to see my mother one last time. When I returned home in a daze, I found my girlfriend throwing a birthday party for her childhood sweetheart. He was wearing the latest luxury watch, his face full of smug pride. "This is the one you bought at an overseas auction, right? Worth thirty million," he said. "You wouldn't even give Simon thirty dollars for a taxi. You're really generous with me." My girlfriend smiled indulgently. "It's only thirty million. It's not like I can't afford it. "Besides, how could Simon ever compare to you? Today, he dares to ask me for thirty. Tomorrow, he'll dare to ask me for thirty thousand. "I've always known it. He's been with me just to take my money." I stood there, frozen, my heart sinking into the abyss. 'It's fine. I don't want her money anymore. And I don't want her, either.'