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29|First Real Test
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Beautiful Disaster 30|By The Balls
An irritable Austin walked into his doctor's office almost an hour later. He would have gotten there much sooner, but all the traffic lights in the Central Business District were out. Rolling blackouts were back, and so was everyone's road rage."I was surprised to see you on my appointment list today, Hawthorne," said Dr Claudia Young as she pointed at one of the velvet scallop chairs reserved for her patients.Austin dutifully sat down, grumbling, "Nice to see you too, Claudia."He'd known her all his life, so there was no need for formalities and honorifics. She may be a doctor now and deserved all the respect that went with the title. To him, though, she would always be bratty, annoying Claudia, the little girl with pigtails who used to follow him, Blake and Tim, around when they were kids.Eric Young, Claudia's father, was the Hawthornes' primary physician for over three decades. Several years ago, following a heartbreaking diagnosis of early onset dementia, he was forced to hang
Beautiful Disaster 31|Polaris
The air-conditioned lobby, kitted out in all the fancy trappings one would expect of a luxury lifestyle brand as influential as the Hawthorne Group, was a welcome relief from the stifling heat outside. After a quick chat with Stanley, the security guard on the day shift, Austin took a private elevator strictly reserved for upper management, praying he wouldn't run into Blake. It was very likely that he would, though; after all, they shared the top floor.While Austin looked after Hawthorne Group, the mother body of all their lifestyle brands, Blake headed up the Hawthorne Foundation, responsible for their charity work.Austin never meddled in the Foundation's affairs, but that didn't stop Blake from constantly poking his head in the Group's. His incessant demands to be included in everything the Group did, forced Austin to hand over Gold Rush to him, a decision he was seriously starting to regret in the face of the gambling crew debacle.He hadn't even sat down when his office door bu
Beautiful Disaster 32|The Golden-Haired Boy
As soon as Principal Smith adjourned the weekly status update meeting, Marybeth shot out of the staff room, dashed to her car and sped down the road for her midday rendezvous with her ex.She struggled to find a free parking spot, finally squeezing her Picanto between a Sea Point Metro Police Golf 7 GTI and a shiny BMW M3, when a sedan pulled away and took a left turn, disappearing from view.She grabbed her purse and phone, locked her doors, and walked across the road to Jimmy's.The place was more a fish and chips joint than a coffee shop. But it was a firm favourite with nurses, teachers and cops alike, since it was conveniently located in the middle of the inner city triangle bordered by Sea Point Primary, the police station and the public hospital.The familiar aroma of reheated cooking oil, deep-fried hake and slap chips greeted Marybeth as soon as she strolled through the doors.She scanned the place, her eyes lighting up when golden-haired boy Elijah Boshoff raised his hand an
Beautiful Disaster 33|The Trigger Happy Serb
Angry silence followed Marybeth's outburst, and they both looked at the condiment bottles and the salt and pepper shakers on the table until Elijah spoke. "That was low, Beth—""Only one man has the right to call me Beth," she said quietly. "And it's certainly not you, Elijah!""Still, that was low. I was young.""You were nineteen. Your moral compass was well in place. You knew I don't handle betrayal and rejection well. You knew me, Eli. You knew about my mother. And yet you turned around and did the same thing she did. You chose someone else over me. You walked away from me. After I was open with you. After I allowed myself to be open to you. So don't sit there and tell me about evil and moral compasses. I know Austin. He never pretended to be anything he wasn't. And I'd take his honesty, as terrifying as he is, over the bullshit you fed me for years, any day!""I'm sorry." Elijah reached for her hand, but she snatched it away."Unless I broke some kind of law by marrying Austin, I
Beautiful Disaster 34|Sunshine And Some Light Breeze
Marybeth shifted her car into drive and cruised the few blocks back to work on autopilot.She came out of her trance when Scarlett banged on her window, startling the daylights out of her as she waved a bakery box in the air."Look what we got you!" her bestie announced when Marybeth rolled down her window."What?""It's a red velvet cake. Not your favourite, I know. But it's still cake. Okeke's gone to SaveRite to pick up snacks and cool drinks. It's not much, but it's the best we could do without the school governing body getting a hernia, you know, for using school funds and all."Marybeth gaped at her, utterly puzzled by the last sixty seconds. "It's not my birthday. My birthday is in December.""I know that, Dummy!" Scarlett rolled her eyes. "It's for your bridal shower slash wedding celebration. Smith felt horrible for missing your nuptials—""Whoa! You told her?" Marybeth glared at her, biting back a string of expletives. "Scar, you promised! Nobody was supposed to know about t
Beautiful Disaster 35|Start Of Something Deliciously Dysfunctional
Marybeth sat there awhile, thinking up a plan. The social workers were taking too damn long, and the notes she'd left Adeline's mom had done nothing but anger the woman and put the child in harm's way.Maybe if she dropped by Sea Point Flats this afternoon and tried to reason with Mrs Scheepers by showing her how gifted Adeline was, she'd come around and agree that her home wasn't the right place for the little girl."Or maybe she'll call the cops on you for harassment," Marybeth muttered. But she'd risk the cops. As a caregiver, she couldn't sit by and watch a child slip through the cracks. She'd never forgive herself if she didn't do everything in her power to help Adeline.Her phone buzzed in her hand, postponing her dilemma.It was Austin. And he was the last person she wanted to speak to. But she couldn't ignore his call, not when it might concern Orlando."Žena," he said when she finally brought herself to hit the answer button. "I miss you."Marybeth closed her eyes, breathing
Beautiful Disaster 36|Dark Horse
"Right! Lunch is over, guys. Let's settle down!" Marybeth said sternly as she walked into her class, hoping to send her kids scampering to their seats.They didn't budge.The flowers were too great an attraction, and when she finally paused in front of her desk, she could see why they were all mesmerised. The bouquet was so massive, she wondered how she'd carry it to her car.She absently took one of the roses and smelled it, a pang of regret stabbing her heart.She could get used to this. Receiving flowers for no reason.She would have gotten used to it. If Austin wasn't who he was—"Ma'am has a boyfriend!" screeched one of her kids, zapping her back to the room.Marybeth couldn't see who it was, but from the sounds of the jolly voice, she figured it was Sisonke, a firm favourite among his classmates because of his constant stream of jokes and endless pranks.It didn't take long for the rest of the group to join him, singing the K-I-S-S-I-N-G rhyme in a surprisingly harmonious tempo.
Beautiful Disaster 37|Bonnie To His Clyde
Holding two red cups in her hands, Scarlett waltzed over to her little corner and asked, "why are you miserable at your own party? What's eating you?""Thanks," Marybeth mumbled as she took one of the cool drinks. "I don't suppose there's a shot of vodka in here, right?""Why? Married life is already stressful?""Hardly.""Then, what's going on?""It's Adeline. Things have gotten worse for her at home. She came to school with fresh bruises today because I left a note for her mom to come and see me.""You've done all you can. It's up to the authorities now," Scarlett said, tipping her glass at her.Marybeth shook her head, refusing to give up. "I can't just sit by and do nothing.""You can't save everyone.""Not everyone. Just one person. At least just one person, Scar."Scarlett downed her cool drink and crushed the cup in her hand. "What are you planning to do?""I'm going to her house.""When? ""Today. After this.""So you'll just go to Sea Point Flats, driving your fancy car and l
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Beautiful Disaster 300|Beautiful Disaster
Rock Castle was a breath of fresh air in many ways for Austin and Marybeth. Once they'd put down their roots, they embraced their new life, immersing themselves in the community and the social scene.When they were not entertaining or attending various social events, Austin focused all his energy on growing Stardust Inc. while fulfilling his duties as a board member of De Jager Inc. and Orlando's proxy.Marybeth, too, kept herself busy with various home improvement projects, including setting up the baby's nursery. She also joined the PTA at Green Meadows Primary, championing a few fundraisers. As if she wasn't already busy enough, Lukas low-key began sending her Foundation documents to review, mostly company policies and NPO funding applications. Never mind that she'd had zero orientation since she was only supposed to start the following year.She was so busy embracing her new life as a stay-at-home mom and the Foundation's silent CEO she didn't have time to miss her old job. And tim
Beautiful Disaster 299|Loved And Wanted
Austin left Clifton Bay under a heavy cloud of complex family dynamics, his departure shrouded in controversy. But Rock Castle welcomed him with open arms. The people close to him didn't care at all about the drama and scandals he'd been embroiled in over the past few months. They were just happy to have him in the same city with them, and it didn't take long at all for Eden and Natalie to reach out to Marybeth and take her under their wing, acting as her free tour guides, pregnancy encyclopedias or sounding boards.Completely sold by their raving reviews of Dr Emily Waylon, they set up an appointment, immediately falling in love with her bedside manner on their first check-up. She was attentive, not to mention patient, answering their endless questions with a comforting calmness.Orlando and Adeline couldn't contain their joy when they broke the news about the baby that evening. Marybeth's tummy had gotten so big they could no longer hold off on telling them."Is it a boy or a girl?"
Beautiful Disaster 298|A Fresh Start
The whole time Austin scoffed down his food, he noticed Marybeth wasn't eating, absently toying with her salad. His heart shattered all over again because he knew he was responsible for her lack of appetite and dramatic weight loss."Mr Hawthorne, can we talk, please?" Elizabeth appeared beside him, stealing his attention away from his wife."Sure, let's chat inside," he replied, leading her into his study."Long time no see," he said with a smile as he sat on the edge of his desk. "You look happy and younger, too.""Traveling will do that to you," she replied, flashing a brief smile that Austin found a tad unsettling because it was so unlike her. She was always stoic."So that's what you've been up to since I left the Group?"She nodded. "The place wasn't the same without you, so I left. And that's why I'm here. I want my old job back. If you'll have me, that is.""You'll have to take a pay cut," Austin said. "I'm starting from scratch, Elizabeth, so I don't have a ton of cash flow—"
Beautiful Disaster 297|Family
Barry De Villiers was at Sea Point Police Station at 9:00 AM for Austin's release, and after completing a ton of paperwork, they were finally out of there by 11:00 AM.Austin didn't talk much on their way to Pelican Surf, lost in thought and the scenery. It was like he was seeing everything for the first time. The sun on his skin, the wind in his hair, the light glaring in his eyes…it all felt different, somehow."So, what's the first thing you'll do when you get home?" Barry asked."Hug my wife and kids until they get annoyed with me," Austin replied with the biggest smile. "Maybe eat a nice home-cooked meal...Don't get me wrong, I appreciate all the takeaways you got me, but nothing beats my wife's cooking!"Barry guffawed, throwing his head back. "Okay. What else?""Mhh, I think a nice long shower is in order, too," Austin said, sniffing himself, making sure he didn't smell like something out of a garbage can."You don't stink," Barry assured him."I know," Austin chuckled. "Just ma
Beautiful Disaster 296|Bargaining Chip
Austin's altercation with another prisoner was the last straw for Marybeth, the thing that pushed her beyond her limit and sent her over the cliff.He'd asked her to hang in there for a few more days, but the thought of him getting into another fight or possibly getting killed terrified her. The stalemate with his father would only get deadlier the longer he remained in custody. Something had to be done to bring him home, and it had to be done fast. So she called Lukas, begging him to end all the madness. But, he wasn't interested in hearing her out, telling her coldly that he was too busy picking up Austin's slack—running the family and The Corporation—to worry about her fears.Marybeth's desperation got so bad that she reached out to the one person she swore she'd never ask for help. Her mom.They met at a sleepy coffee shop in Virginia after Anna and Willem's joint funeral.As usual, Vivienne was dressed to the nines, dripping head to toe in designer labels despite the sombre occasi
Beautiful Disaster 295|The Folly Of Youth
That night, Austin couldn't bring himself to eat the takeaway Barry had brought him. How could he when his heart was in pieces?A thousand kilometres away, Willem Dejager had no appetite issues. In fact, after Maryke's death and his fallout with The Corporation, his appetite had improved, and the insomnia that had plagued him for years since Iris died had miraculously vanished. If he'd known revenge would cure all his ailments, he would have joined forces with Austin much sooner.He was still furious with him for going back on his word on Maryke. But seeing Lukas so broken, now that he didn't have an heir, more than made up for Austin's betrayal.Yes, things had gotten messy over the past few weeks, but they would only get even more chaotic once he sent the ledger to the cops. He just hadn't found someone he could trust yet. His old contact at the station—the man who'd finally given him the unredacted file on his daughter—had been recently placed on administrative leave, and Willem was
Beautiful Disaster 294|Special Kind Of A Hate
Swarms of reporters were waiting outside Sea Point's police station when Austin was dragged out of Gordon and Peterson's car. They mobbed him as soon as they saw him, pushing their cameras and microphones in his face, screaming for answers. The whole thing reeked of a badly organised PR stunt, and when Gordon and Peterson made no attempt to protect Austin from the crowd, even though it was their job, he began to think one or both of them had tipped the media off. Why wouldn't they, when they had finally taken down a member of the Hawthorne crime family? Never mind that Austin didn't belong to said crime family anymore. Never mind that they didn't have evidence to back up their charges. But who needed evidence? As far as they were concerned, this was huge, and if they miraculously managed to get the charges to stick, sending him away for twenty-five to life would be a huge career move for both of them. So parading him in front of the vultures was totally in their best interest, walking
Beautiful Disaster 293|Long Arm Of The Law
"I'm fine. Vivienne was just leaving," Marybeth nodded, grateful for the interruption; she couldn't handle any more threats from her mom."Yep, I'm on my way out," Vivienne affirmed, spinning around and making her grand exit. She turned back, calling over her shoulder, "Beautiful service, by the way. But I'm not sure if Lionel was worthy of it!""You!" Marybeth shook her fist at her, ready to go after her, but Austin pulled her back by her waist, reminding her people were watching."She's not worth your energy," he said, rubbing her back to soothe her. "What did she want anyway?""To see if there's anything she could do for me," Marybeth replied, shooting daggers at Vivienne's back as she vanished into the crowd of mourners. "And to warn you.""Warn me?" Austin asked, massaging her nape. "What for?""She said to tell you to 'wake the fuck up and fix things with your father'; her words, not mine. Apparently, there's chatter.""What kind of chatter?""I don't know," Marybeth admitted. "B
Beautiful Disaster 292|A Rare Gift
Nothing good ever happens after 1:00 AM.And no one ever calls with good news after 1:00 AM.But it was her father. Marybeth couldn't ignore him. So she hit answer and braced herself for the worst."Sweet Pea," he said, sounding awfully cheerful, considering how late it was."Daddy, what's going on?""I know it's late," he said, pausing briefly before he got to the heart of his call. "And I know we planned a road trip to Still Bay in a few weeks. But is there a way we can move it forward?""Forward?" Marybeth asked, confused by the proposal."Yeah, can we go today? I suddenly have this urge to see the sunrise. And you know how beautiful Still Bay's sunrises are."Understanding what her heart refused to accept, Marybeth's mind made all the decisions for her from that moment onward."Of course, Daddy. Let me grab a few things, and I'll be there in an hour," she told him before hanging up.She shot out of bed like a lightning bolt, threw on a lightweight tracksuit and sneakers, grabbed a
