Semua Bab Beautiful Disaster: Bab 201 - Bab 210

"Why?" Austin stammered, bewildered out of his mind. Anna crossed her legs and linked her hands as she filled him in, "Iris didn't trust Jaco. Though she loved her father, she didn't trust him either. She felt he was blinded by his nephew. Do you have a cigarette?"Austin had plenty. He reached inside his drawer, pulled out a sealed box from the carton, and threw it at her.She caught it and ripped through the plastic film, indicating with a snap of her fingers she needed a lighter too.Austin threw her a matchbox. No way he'd give her his Zippo."Anyway," Anna continued as she lit a cigarette. "Iris was worried it was only a matter of time before Willem handed everything over to Jaco. So she gave me power of attorney over her affairs.""Do you know what she was working on before she died?" Austin asked.Anna narrowed her eyes at him through the haze of smoke as she sat up straight, "Working on? What do you mean?"Austin was tempted to tell her about the journals. But it was too soon

A cup of chamomile tea awaited Marybeth when she returned to the bedroom after her long shower. She quickly changed into a lounge set and had just settled under the covers when Austin came in and sat beside her."Žena," he began, handing her the mug. "About the baby…""Yes," Marybeth prodded him when his voice trailed off. "What about the baby?""Can we wait a while before we share the news with everyone?" he asked, looking so unsure it was almost as if he expected her to dismiss his request. So when she readily agreed, he seemed genuinely surprised. "It's just that I'm terrified my father, Blake, or worse, someone in The Corporation might try something stupid—""Whoa!" Marybeth screeched, alarm bells going off. "What do you mean your father or Blake might try something stupid?"What in the holy world had she gotten herself into? She wondered as she placed the cup on the bedside stand. Sure, Lukas was unhinged, Blake was a wild card, and she didn't trust The Corporation, but the idea

If Marybeth's eyes didn't pop out of their sockets at that moment, she didn't think they ever would. To say she was floored by Austin's announcement was an understatement."What do you mean she'll be at the welcome ball?" she asked, hating her suddenly shrill voice."Beth!" Austin said firmly, taking her hands in his to calm her down. "She's an acquaintance.""I don't care what she is; I don't want to see her. I'm not ready to see her.""She's already RSVPd—""Tell your aunt to scrap her off the guest list."Austin's phone vibrating in the main room put an end to their discussion before he could agree to her request. He went to get it, returning a second later."Beth?" he said from the doorway, waving his phone at her. "I have a meeting with my bankers and the accounting firm. They're on their way up as we speak."A still dazed Marybeth could only nod as she watched him lock up his secret room before following him to the kitchen. A moment later, the front doorbell rang, and Austin invi

As soon as Marybeth hung up from Austin, she locked away her stuff in her cabinet and rushed to the staff room; she didn't want to risk another run-in with Smith.A bright-eyed and bushy-tailed Scarlett was waiting for her with two cups of Rooibos tea. Marybeth gladly took hers; it was one of the few things she could still have in the mornings without feeling an incredible urge to puke."What the hell happened to your phone?" Scarlett asked as soon as they'd secured seats in the corner of the room.Marybeth made up a vague excuse, citing security protocols."Better you than me," Scarlett whispered. "I don't think I could marry into a mafia family.""Scar!" Marybeth said sharply as she texted her from her new number. "Watch what you say. You know the walls here have eyes and ears.""Fine!" Scarlett grumbled. Almost as an afterthought, she added, "You look like shit. Bad night?"Marybeth began to shake her head but quickly changed her mind, convinced if she didn't tell anyone about the c

Still agitated over his chat with Marybeth earlier, Austin walked into the house in Pelican Creek for his daily briefing with his capos before heading to the business district."Rough night?" asked Tim, shoving an Americano in his hands."You have no idea," Austin replied. "And before you start with me, I'm taking the weekend off to work on my shit like you said. We're going camping in Stanford.""Good for you," Angelo slapped him on the back. "Good old country air should do you guys some good."Austin knew it would take a lot more than good old country air to fix his mess. But at this point, he was willing to try anything."Where the hell is Van Staden?" he asked, changing the subject."I'm right here," Nadia said from behind him.Austin turned around, surprised to see her in a red pantsuit and black heels, her frizzy hair pulled back in a bun. He was so used to her all-black ensembles; the red was a refreshing change."Let's get started," he said, pointing at the freshly scrubbed cou