บททั้งหมดของ Beautiful Disaster: บทที่ 61 - บทที่ 70

When the office stirred to life sometime after 7:30 AM, Austin had long been hard at work, going over the Group's quarterly reports. He was on his third when Elizabeth knocked on his door and bounded in with a fresh cup of coffee. She placed it on his desk and lingered, clearly waiting for something. Austin had no idea what she wanted, though. After his restless night, he wasn't in the mood to play guessing games with her. "Was there anything else you needed, Elizabeth?" he asked, barely glancing at her. "The mayor called, sir," she said quickly. "He was so disappointed you didn't show up for the press dinner after his address. He was looking forward to discussing the city's proposal for the entertainment district—" Austin got a headache just listening to her. He didn't know how many times he had to say it for everyone to understand that if the city wanted to play hardball green-lighting his plans for a new casino in the Bay, he didn't give a shit about investing in Mayor Stone's l

Shortly after 1:00 PM, Austin set off for St. Anne's Cemetery, six kilometres from the centre of Clarence Estate. He asked Arno to stop at the florist a block away from the church, where he bought two bouquets of pink carnations, his mom's favourites. He and Iris had been together for three years before she died, but he never knew what flowers she liked. Come to think of it, there was a lot he didn't know about her. Maybe because she never needed anything from him except sex. But then again, why would she when she was a spoiled mafia princess with enough resources? "We're early," Arno stated the obvious as he parked the car. "That was the plan," Austin grunted as he jumped out of the car, declining Benji's offer to tag along. He took a leisurely stroll to Iris' grave. Surrounded by thriving greenery and centuries-old trees, the cemetery spanned 15.2 hectares of land. It was the perfect final resting place for some of the country's notable figures. He'd had to fight the De Jagers

The question threw Marybeth for a loop. She sat there, her mouth agape and eyes wide, wondering if she'd heard her ex right. "You didn't know, did you?" Elijah's brows shot up as genuine surprise flickered in his eyes. "Of course I knew," Marybeth lied, picking up a plastic fork from the cutlery holder to distract herself from the sound of her fury rushing in her ears. How many more surprises were in store for her? How many skeletons from Austin's past would keep popping up? And how many lies would she have to tell herself and others just to save face? As much as she wanted to give her husband the benefit of the doubt, everything Elijah had told her so far had turned out to be true. There was also the lipstick stain on Austin's shirt the other night. Was it from the same woman? The same escort he was supposedly renting an apartment for? She snapped the plastic fork in two, surprising herself with how quickly her anger had manifested. She was even more surprised that it wasn't

The directions Marybeth had followed led her to a food truck on the boardwalk, and if it wasn't for the big old sign flashing Surf 'n Turf on the roof in big garish red neon letters, she would have thought she was lost. It really was low-key, and she was curious about how Austin, with all his fine upbringing and wealth, had found this place. There was a story there, and she was dying to hear it. He was already waiting for her at a lone table for two overlooking the sea. He stood up when he saw her and beamed at her as he opened his arms. She reluctantly eased into them, stiffening when he kissed her temple. Her reaction didn't escape his notice. He held her away slightly and scanned her face, asking in a low voice, "Is everything okay?" "Everything is perfect," she replied, her breath catching in her throat as she gazed back at him, enthralled by the honey flecks in his eyes. He had the most beautiful brown eyes she had ever seen. If only they didn't belong to a cheater…and a

"It smells divine," Marybeth said as she sniffed her food. When she took her first bite and all the flavours, textures, and sensations hit her mouth, she couldn't stop herself from moaning loudly. Austin smiled smugly at her. "I told you it's the best mussels you'll ever have." Blushing, she put down her fork and twirled her free pass between her fingers, thinking of her next question. "Aren't you eating?" "Is that part of your interrogation?" He cocked his brow and laced his hands behind his head. "No." She quickly shook her head. "Are you a hitman?" Austin gazed at her for a while, silence engulfing them as soon as she asked her question. Sitting up, he pulled his plate closer and took a small bite of his food. "I told you I don't kill for the fun of it, Beth, and I've never been paid to kill. Now, I have a question for you." "What?" "Are you still in love with him?" "Don't be absurd!" She reached for the bottle and topped herself up when it became obvious he wasn't going