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205|The Key
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Beautiful Disaster 206|Learn To Live With It
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
Beautiful Disaster 207|Distance
The meeting with the bankers and accounting firm went on longer than Austin had anticipated, and by the time he saw his team off and headed to bed, Marybeth was fast asleep.He took Orlando to her room, tucked her in, and did a quick security sweep of the house before turning in for the night.He was almost drifting off when his phone screeched on the nightstand. He grabbed it quickly and left the room, careful not to wake Marybeth as he shut the door."This had better be fucking good! Do you know what time it is?" he snarled into the phone as soon as he hit the answer button. Piper was the last person he expected to hear from; he assumed she'd deal directly with his handlers."The cop is awake," she informed him."When did he come to?" Austin asked, relief sweeping through his body as he sank onto the coffee table in the living room."About an hour ago. His room is still under lockdown, but my colleagues said he'll be okay.""I need more than that—""I'm sorry," Piper cut in quickly,
Beautiful Disaster 208|Trust The Process
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
Beautiful Disaster 209|For The Record
Marybeth's confusion was cleared up as soon as she entered the staff room, and Estelle explained they had a bit of a family emergency."What emergency?" Marybeth asked, panic rising in her throat. "Is it Orlando? Did something happen to her at school?""Is there a place where we can talk privately?" asked Estelle when she noticed Scarlett hovering nearby.Worried sick to her stomach, Marybeth quickly nodded, "Sure, let's go."Six minutes later, Estelle's driver stopped in front of Jimmy's, and they stepped out into the scorching midday heat.Estelle covered her eyes with her hand as she narrowed her gaze at the gaudy shop sign."What is this place?" she asked as they headed inside the fish and chips joint.The whole time they waded through the packed cafe buzzing with hungry cops and tired nurses, Estelle wrinkled her nose in disgust, and when Marybeth sat down in the corner booth near the restrooms and gestured at her to take a seat, she visibly shuddered."What is this place?" she as
Beautiful Disaster 210|Whack-A-Mole
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
Beautiful Disaster 211|Let The Chips Fall Where They May
Stunned silence followed Lukas' revelations, leaving Austin reeling on his feet. He promptly sat down, convinced if he didn't, the force of gravity would yank him down."What did you say?" he asked, even though he was pretty sure his hearing was still perfectly fine."You heard me," replied Lukas. "Those records got Iris killed. And I beg you, please, Son, get rid of them. And do not breathe a word to anyone about this.""Father, you knew," Austin whispered, unable to believe that his doubts about his father's innocence and the truth had finally collided so unexpectedly.Sure, he'd had his suspicions for a while now about the ledger. But his father confirming what he'd long suspected wasn't as liberating as he thought it would be. In fact, it filled him with an all-new dread because it wasn't just his life on the line now, but Marybeth's too, since she'd seen the ledger."You knew," he whispered again, and before he could talk himself out of what he was about to do, he'd already jumped
Beautiful Disaster 212|House On Maple Lane
As soon as the finance team confirmed they'd received his father's payment, Austin contacted Sienna to fill her in on the latest development for her exposé, promising to send her the corresponding documents ASAP."How far are you with the first draft? How soon can I review it?" he asked.Sienna nicely reminded him it had only been two days since their meeting, and an exposé of such magnitude required time and research."I've done all the research for you! How much more time do you need?""With all due respect. This isn't something we can—" Sienna tried to interrupt, and Austin lost his shit, going off on her."If there's anything I hate, Sienna, it's time wasters!" he growled, pacing his office. "I've given you all the research you need. Now quit dragging your feet and write me that damn exposé. You have a week!"A brief pause on the journo's end followed his demands, and Austin assumed they were in agreement. So he cut the call and threw the burner phone in his messenger bag just as E
Beautiful Disaster 213|May Or May Not Mean Something
Austin followed Lionel out of the house, pulled out a cigarette, and sat on the flimsy steps."May I?" Lionel asked, pointing at the pack beside Austin as he joined him, the rotting wood grumbling under their combined weight."Are you allowed to smoke?""The only good thing about dying is that I'm allowed to do anything I want," Lionel smiled, and Austin couldn't help but like him a little. Anyone accepting death with as much grace as his father-in-law displayed was worth liking."How long do you have?" he asked, handing him the cigarettes and his Zippo."I told you I don't know," Lionel replied, fumbling with the lighter."The doctor must have told you something.""It could be a year, three months or a week," Lionel said. "He wanted to run extensive tests, but I felt it was a waste of money.""Do you want to live? Because if you do, I'm sure we can make a plan," Austin said, giving him a sidelong glance through the thick haze of smoke."I think I've lived," Lionel said, stuffing the c
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