/0/66360/coverbig.jpg?v=78d1f39aaea6cc0de6a91dc2c8a9d128)
" Please don't tell anyone." She turned around and sighed heavily. "Really? You want the rest of the staff to be shocked by the news more than they already will be?" " I need to tell them and I will tell them." She nodded, "Fine. I'll give you twenty four hours," she headed out of the office and slid her badge through the time clock. She let out a slow breath, to calm down her nerves, before pushing through the break room door. She needed to figure out what she was going to do and she had no time to waste.
Although Charisa was fortunate as a child, she didn't think of herself as such. She never had to worry about anything because her family was well off. Although she now suspects that her mother became aware of her father's plot and fled, she never even asked why she had left him five years prior.
Now that she had insisted on staying with him, Charisa felt guilty. She needed a sympathetic ear to weep on right now because she had alienated her mother.
Everyone had left her behind. She ended her relationship with her two-year lover. She was abandoned by her friends. Charisa felt miserable and alone. Charisa pondered what would happen once she somehow passed her finals at the end of the spring semester.
Could she possibly return to school? Would she have a home at all? The house she had grown up in was sealed up and locked. This summer, it and everything within were to be put up for sale.
Sitting on her dorm room bed, Charisa gazed out the window. Sylvia, her roommate, had already departed. Since the announcement of her father's death, Sylvia had scarcely spoken to her. Charisa believed Sylvia had the finest excuse of any of her friends. Her father had probably lost a lot of money because he had been an investment in the Edwards Fund.
Charisa could not believe how bright the day was outside. A deep moan escaped her lips. She had refrained from phoning her mom. Although she was certain that her mother would not reject her, she was unsure about how to approach her. She was now in California, on the other side of the nation.
Charisa had picked up her life, but she didn't think she'd have the money to buy a plane ticket at the last minute.
From Charisa's doorway, a gentle voice remarked, "You're still here."
Charisa looked around and saw Chloe, her sorority sister, standing there. She had a package under one arm and a luggage in the other.
"Yes," Charisa remarked, "I'm not in a rush to get anywhere." After placing her belongings at the doorway, Chloe proceeded to Sylvia's former bed. She took a seat, measured Charisa, and gazed at her.
Charisa did not know how to interpret that. She was never close to Chloe. Despite being a sweet girl and a year older than her, Chloe and she didn't share much in common.
Finally, Chloe remarked, "The past few weeks have been difficult for you." "Are you aware of your destination?"
Charisa gave a shoulder shrug. "I'll probably give my mom a call and ask if I can go with her to California." Chloe scowled. "If you can, that's a long way to go."
Even though she did not fully comprehend the scenario, Charisa valued Chloe's ability to grasp it immediately. But that didn't help, and Charisa sighed deeply once more before turning to face the window once more.
You know, I might have an answer for you, Chloe said.
Charisa faced Chloe once more. All she needed was a solution. "What is that?"
My father owns an upstate resort. It pays pretty well, and he constantly needs extra help over the summer. Even though you're staying in the servants' quarters, you still get to stay at the resort for free. As long as you don't mind spending the summer in a room roughly the size of this dorm room, it's not too bad.
Charisa never had a summer job to do. Although she understood the idea, she was unfamiliar with the actual practice. Still, there was something appealing about the prospect of landing a job. She no longer needed to rely on her mother, and if she saw that she was making an attempt to move past things and improve herself as a result, it could help the two of them mend their connection.
She might even agree to do it on more amicable circumstances than Charisa having to relocate to an unfamiliar place if her mother could assist.
"Will it be difficult to find me a job, specifically?" Charisa enquired.
Chloe gave a headshake. According to my dad, anyone who is unable to ask a few basic questions about an investment is certain to lose their money. Chloe stopped and shot Charisa a pitying glance. It's a severe viewpoint. However, it indicates that he will not be opposed to assisting you. Furthermore, you were unrelated to everything that occurred. Your father was the cause of it all.
For the first time in weeks, Charisa gave Chloe a genuine smile. "Thank you so lot. I don't care what he asks me to do. I'll even clean the restrooms.
Chloe chuckled. "It won't be too horrible. Although it will be a lot of work, you will get to enjoy some of it because the resort is lovely and employees always have two days off throughout the week.
Charisa had no interest in enjoying the resort. Charisa was beginning to see the end of a very dark tunnel for the first time since the beginning of the investigation into her father.
She even doubted that it was a train.
********
Stuart Estates was the first place Charisa had ever had the chance to visit. Although she was aware that many of her father's clients likely frequented this resort, it was much more luxurious than anything her family could have afforded. She wishes she hadn't had to work there to witness and appreciate it.
The vast manor house, which was situated in a mountain valley, served as a venue for a variety of gatherings, including conferences, marriages, and family reunions. Although the majority of guest accommodations were in "cabins," which were buildings that had previously been guest houses or were constructed after the original property was renovated, some of the upstairs rooms were still used as private spaces for visitors.
Nevertheless, Charisa believed she would like her job here. It was clear and crisp. Beauty was all around her. Despite her boss Henry Graven's assurance that she would be too busy to notice their surroundings, it was peaceful.
Tall, with dark hair and pale skin, Mr. Graven was a chilly man. Charisa instantly knew the name and tried not to wince. He was among those who lost their retirement funds as a result of her father's scam. By the way he stared at her, she could tell that he recognized her. He wouldn't be allowed to take any overt action, but he wouldn't think twice about firing her if she offered him a good cause.
The majority of her first day was a learning curve as she went from being the one being waited on to actually doing the waiting. She found the rest of the staff to be sympathetic and friendly, and Mr. Graven was reluctantly patient while she learnt. She was grateful that she didn't believe any of them were aware of her situation. She was glad to go to her room in the evening because it had been a tough day.
Her "room" consisted of half of a little cottage that Charisa assumed had formerly been a campground cabin. It now has illumination and a tiny window unit for air and heat control. Additionally, a common bathroom was constructed on top of it for the two apartments. Although it was not as large as her dorm room, it was cozy, well-lit, and most importantly, private.
As she lay in bed, Charisa reflected about her day. There has been a lot going on. Yes, Mr. Graven was correct. She had hardly had time to take in the breathtaking surroundings. She made the decision to alter it. After allowing herself a few days to adjust to the job, she would pause for a few seconds each day to simply enjoy her current situation.
There's a hunt every blue moon, an ancient custom among vampires to defend themselves by eliminating the one animal capable of killing them without the use of weapons. The werewolf. Furthermore, whereas the other otherworldly beings are happy to forget and dismiss... The leader of the wolf, the White Wolf, cannot. Vali had turned her attention to figuring out how to put an end to the ongoing mass murder after losing her position as second in command to the previous hunt. With two months until the next Blue Moon, the Summit is her last remaining option, so she must move quickly. She must go after Mircea Dracula, the vampire prince, and beg his assistance in putting an end to the hunt permanently. The prophecy about a White Wolf and a Dracula bringing peace to the supernatural realm is her last hope. She is unaware, though, that he is trying to find a way out. a means of escaping his forced marriage. from a crown that is compromised. A means of ending the carnage and bringing peace to the world of the paranormal. And neither of them realizes that the new era is only getting started as they meet eyes at the summit.
Following her father's passing, Lady Sarah Jane is handed down to her inheriting uncles and cousins as the obedient ward who no one wanted to take care of. After the passing of her last surviving family members and the impending dissolution of the Rosenberg title, Sarah Jane had to figure out how to protect herself in a culture that prioritizes men. Finding an old document that might save her life, she learns of the unusual agreement her father had with the late Viscount Killsworth. By signing the arrangement, she puts herself in the capable hands and compassionate care of Killsworth's son, an unmarried man who ends up becoming her guardian and protector. Due to a secret, Lord Killsworth isolates himself. He is happy about the sizeable bequest, but he was not prepared for the ill-mannered, barbaric ward that comes with it. However, he quickly understands that giving in to his ward's demands for a season would be the last straw to save his shattered, evil heart.
"We shouldn't; your son is my fiancé." I said it in a hushed, resentful, uncertain voice. His brilliant blue eyes, the same ones he had only moments before watched me undress, studied me intently before he softly tipped his head to the right. "Darling, I really don't give a fuck right now." The deeper his voice got, the more his chest rumbled. My thighs became more clenched together, and my hands continued to cover my exposed breast. I wanted to feel him deep inside of me, and the only thing separating us were his sweatpants hanging over his muscular body and his forgotten loved ones. At that point, I made the decision to raise my hands so he could see my entire body. It felt so appropriate, even though he is my dad's greatest friend and my soon-to-be father-in-law. Talitha has always been the ideal child-she has never disobeyed her parents and has always complied with their regulations. Talitha appears flawless in every way, yet behind closed doors, she becomes a complete mess. Bodhi Rhodes has always been fond of her and has been wanting her for a while. However, didn't he think it strange that she was seeking a relationship with him after her family filed for bankruptcy? His father returns to the city after their engagement in the real world. Kaz Rhodes is a 47-year-old prosperous businessman who is also Talitha's father's close friend. When they encounter each other, everything changes-skin to skin, tongue to mouth, commit flies out of the room-but for how long? Her family's reputation will benefit from her marriage to Bodhi, but if her father learns the truth, he will never pardon her for her transgressions.
A virgin is offered up to a mighty beast every 200 years so that it may reproduce. There have been no offspring born in the previous years. It is well known that the beast can only have a pup if he is mated. The ostracized virgin is always chosen by the community out of complex beast-related fear. Ava Goodchild and I were chosen as virgins.
The werewolf The Diamond Crescent pack is where Quinn lives. She is both physically and mentally strong, and as the daughter of the head pack warrior, she would fight anyone or anything that got in her way. She doesn't need a partner right now, but this year she is old enough to go to the yearly mating ball. Will Quinn reach her goals and leave the ball single, or will her soul mate find her and drag her into a life she's not ready for? If her mate finds her, will she have the strength to turn down the one person who was really meant for her, or will her years of training not be enough and she will give in to his demands? I stopped for a moment, closed my eyes, and took a big breath. I want to know where the smell is coming from. It fell suddenly, right on top of me. When I suddenly opened my eyes, I saw a beautiful chest standing in front of me. I thought about the blue suit. I slowly turned around and saw the most beautiful green eyes I'd ever seen. "Mate." Even before I knew I was thinking it, I had already said it. The man gave me a big smile, and his eyes were shining. It was hard to keep from sending it back. "Let me tell you about myself," he said. He looks a little worried. At least I wasn't the only one. "I am..."
Nancy Owens's youth was the worst she could have had. After her mother died, her father hurt her, and she was picked on at school her whole life because she was overweight. Keith Carter. He was rude, cocky, and a real jerk. Keith is a real playboy. He has good looks and will soon be the CEO of a multibillion-dollar business. He doesn't care what other people think or how he makes them feel. What will happen when they run into each other?
Veronica is an eighteen-year-old omega who falls into an emotional breakdown when her Mate, who was soon to be the Alpha of the Sun crest pack, turns against her, hurls hurtful words at her, and rejects her on the night of the full moon festival because he and everyone in the pack, including her, thinks she is an omega. As if the pain of rejection, helplessness, and worthlessness wasn't enough, she lost her best and only friend to the cold hands of death when rogue wolves attacked their pack. Right in the presence of her mate, she was tagged as someone who always attracted problems and calamities anywhere she went and he turned a blind eye and watched as she was banished from the pack. With hatred for her life, she runs deep into the woods that were off-limits and jumps off to end her life, but in a turn of events, something else happens. What would her mate do when he finds out that Veronica is not who he thinks she is? Will she be able to forgive him? What fate lies ahead for them?
"Love is blind!" Lucinda abandoned her beautiful and comfortable life because of a man. She married him and slaved off for him for three long years. One day, the scales finally fell off her eyes. She realized that all her efforts were in vain. Her husband, Nathaniel still treated her like shit. All he cared about was his lover. "Enough is enough! I quit wasting my years with an ungrateful man!" Lucinda's heart was shattered into many pieces, but she summoned up the courage to ask for a divorce. The news caused a stir online! A filthy rich young woman recently got divorced? She was a good catch! Countless CEOs and handsome young men immediately swarmed to her like bees to honey! Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He held a press conference and begged with teary eyes, "I love you, Lucinda. I can't live without you. Please come back to me." Would Lucinda give him a second chance? Read to find out!
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."
When Zora was sick during the early days of her pregnancy, Ezrah was with his first love, Piper. When Zora got into an accident and called Ezrah, he said he was busy, when in actual fact, he was buying shoes for Piper. Zora lost her baby because of the accident, and throughout her stay at the hospital, Ezrah never showed up. She already knew that he didn't love her, but that was the last straw for the camel's back, and her fragile heart could not take it anymore. When Ezrah arrived home a few days after Zora was discharged from the hospital, he no longer met the woman who always greeted him with a smile and cared for him. Zora stood at the top of the stairs and yelled with a cold expression, "Good news, Ezrah! Our baby died in a car accident. There is nothing between us anymore, so let's get a divorce." The man who claimed not to have any feelings for Zora, being cold and distant towards her, and having asked her for a divorce twice, instantly panicked.
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad. Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded. She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer. Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone. But then the ex-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.
Darya spent three years loving Micah, worshipping the ground he walked on. Until his neglect and his family's abuse finally woke her up to the ugly truth-he doesn't love her. Never did, never will. To her, he is a hero, her knight in shining armour. To him, she is an opportunist, a gold digger who schemed her way into his life. Darya accepts the harsh reality, gathers the shattered pieces of her dignity, divorces him, takes back her real name, reclaims her title as the country's youngest billionaire heiress. Their paths cross again at a party. Micah watches his ex-wife sing like an angel, tear up the dance floor, then thwart a lecher with a roundhouse kick. He realises, belatedly, that she's exactly the kind of woman he'd want to marry, if only he had taken the trouble to get to know her. Micah acts promptly to win her back, but discovers she's now surrounded by eligible bachelors: high-powered CEO, genius biochemist, award-winning singer, reformed playboy. Worse, she makes it pretty clear that she's done with him. Micah gears up for an uphill battle. He must prove to her he's still worthy of her love before she falls for someone else. And time is running out.