Catherine Hale Novels & Stories

“Mr. Hale, surely you don't expect anyone to believe that absurd lie. You can't suddenly drag a nobody into high society and claim she's Alistair Gance's daughter.” My muscles tensed, ready to fight, but I held back. I had to hold back until the end of this banquet. Unlike the other woman, Cassandra said sharply. “Mrs. Duncan, that's enough. Mr. Hale has no reason to lie. If he says this woman is Alistair's daughter, then I believe he speaks the truth.” Extending her hand toward me, she added. “It's a pleasure to meet you. And you are?” I accepted her handshake. “Scarlett Gance.”

“This is a mess. A dangerous one. Her mother isn’t just a threat to Lexi; she’s a threat to anyone remotely connected to her. Including you.” I didn’t need him to remind me. Catherine Hale was no ordinary woman. Ruthless, calculated, and utterly devoid of conscience. A woman like that didn’t just disappear for years without a plan. She was waiting, watching, and now, it seemed, making her move. “We need to neutralize her,” I said finally, my voice cold. Étienne raised an eyebrow. “Neutralize? Is that the new polite term for getting rid of someone?” I ignored his sarcasm. “I’m not letting her get anywhere near Lexi. And I’m not going to sit back and wait for he

* She wouldn't put it past her pragmatic son; he needed a mother for Rita and feelings for Phoebe had been shallow. Grandma Hawthorne was also adding up sums: illustrious family background, new matriarch material—never mind that the current one hadn't yet turned cold. Their stares began to raise goose-bumps on Candice's arms. She had no idea of the arithmetic, but if she had, her eye-roll would have reached the ceiling. Did they even know she was Charlie's woman? Their mystifying expressions gave nothing away. "Where is Miss Hale from?" Grandma opened. "Vanclyn."

“I’m so sorry she ruined your day.” “She didn’t ruin anything,” Ariana said softly, resting her head on his shoulder. “She just reminded me how lucky I am… to have you, to have Martino, to have this.” She gestured at the party around them, laughing and dancing. “Not what she has.” They danced as the music resumed, guests slowly relaxing. But at the edge of the property, hidden in the shadows, someone was watching. Nicholas Hale. Fugitive. Father of Katherina’s dead baby. Enemy of the Blackwoods.

"We knew each other in college. Briefly. It's been years. We were both... surprised to see each other, that's all." That wasn't all. It was everything. It was the weight of seven years of guilt and grief and wondering if she was even alive. It was the memory of her smile, her laugh, the way she'd looked at him like he was something worth believing in before he destroyed it all. Catherine didn't look convinced, but she was too professional to push. "Very well. I'll check on Ms. Hale and make sure she's settling in." "Thank you, Catherine." She left, closing the door behind her with a soft click that felt too loud in the sudden silence.

the woman whispered, stepping closer until Ophelia could see the deep lines of grief etched into her face. “It’s a map. Catherine found a ledger inside this mountain... a ledger that proved the Yates fortune didn’t start with hard work. It started with a theft from the Sterlings that should have started a war.” The woman reached into her coat and pulled out a small, leather-bound book. It looked identical to the one Ophelia used for her designs. “Catherine was the first Architect,” the woman said, her voice breaking. “She wasn’t just a geologist. She was the one who designed the security for the Yates vaults. She knew every secret, every back door, and every lie. And when she tried to take t

“I do not think so.” Relief washed through her chest. A knock sounded at the door. Alexander’s expression hardened instantly. “Do not let anyone in unless I say so.” Isabella nodded and opened the door only enough to see who stood outside. A woman in a dark suit waited calmly, hands folded in front of her. Her posture was composed, her expression unreadable. “Mrs. Voss,” the woman said. “My name is Eleanor Hale. I represent interests that are very interested in what happened last night.”

Rebecca said, turning to her side, "Your Majesty, meet Zita. She is my personal help and Lady Cathy's governess." "It's nice to meet you, Your Majesty." Zita said politely and curtsied. "Same here." Violet said calmly, with a warm smile. "Um, I would love to continue this conversation but I have to return home. My husband is coming back today and I..." Rebecca said as she collected Catherine from her, "...plan to surprise him by making him a special meal." Violet felt a little sad when Catherine returned to her mother.