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2024-10-29 19:42:56Ashley turned to the receptionist. "Could you tell me Tessa's room number? Don't be alarmed; we are soon to be sisters-in-law. My wedding's tomorrow, so I need to discuss a few things. But Tessa's phone is switched off."
Bella was reluctant, but it was difficult to say no to someone from the Palmer family, who could purchase the Marigold Hotel with a snap of their fingers. Besides, the union between the Graysons and the Palmers was the talk of the town. It was usual for the bride to barge into her future sister-in-law's room a day before the wedding. "Miss Grayson is in Suite No. 4," Bella said. "But she doesn't want to be disturbed..." Ashley ignored her and rushed into the elevator. On the way up, she tried to put things together in her head. The back panel of the elevator was a mirror, and Ashley observed her reflection. She had missed looking like that. After their wedding, Jake ruined her beauty and health by imprisoning her in a maid's room. She was treated worse than a servant and fed worse than a stray dog. "If I break up with Jake, he'll find another way to steal my inheritance," she mused. "If I get married to Jake, I will be starved and tortured into sickness, made into a miserable housemaid, and my beauty will fade. Scarlet might eventually kill me. Which path do I take?" Ashley also realized that her gorgeous looks had spoiled her and blinded her to the apparent mortal danger from her fiance and step-sister. Her father's wealth had shielded her from the world's actual pain and suffering, making her an insufferable idiot. 'Have I changed?' she wondered. 'My mysterious return to the past—is it another chance to redeem my life?' The Ashley of the past was vain, overconfident, with no direction. She was spoiled by her father, her boyfriend, and her social circle. Now that the beauty had returned to the past, she needed a new purpose. Why was she rescued? The elevator door hissed and opened into a long corridor that looked like an endless vista. The walls on both sides were ten-foot-tall, with five thousand-gallon aquariums. Dollar fish, tank mates, angelfish, and a few catfish swam around in the conservative lighting. Ashley walked up to Suite No. 4 and rang the bell. Tessa, a petite eighteen-year-old, threw open the door, much alive, and greeted her with a smile. "Ashley?" she chirped. "Whassup, sis? How did you find me?" Ashley's eyes moistened to see Tessa again. She couldn't resist and pulled her into a hug. The girl struggled in vain. "Hey! Let me go! You'll crumple my dress!" When the young woman finally let go of her, she made a grumpy face. "You're a crazy lady! I'm calling the guards!" she joked. As future in-laws, they were as close as sisters. The duo had hit off from the very first time Jake introduced them. Most of what Tessa knew about fashion and other trends she had learned from Ashley. They were mentor-mentees as well as best friends. The girls went shopping together at Gucci, Hermes, and Chanel. Ashley had introduced her to the Chris Chase salon she frequented. She had also helped the teen to seduce her school crush. "Ashley, is everything all right?" Tessa asked with concern. "Tessa… It would be best if you came with me," she replied. "Let's get out of this hotel as soon as possible." Tessa furrowed her brows. "Come with you? Leave the hotel? Why? What's going on?" Ashley bit her lip, wondering what to tell the girl. Would speaking the truth alarm her? Yes, that was the right decision. The killers could arrive at any moment. "Your life is in danger, Tess. We need to leave now! There's no time!" The girl took a step back in disquiet. "Danger? What are you talking about?" "I'm not sure myself. But I had a vision about your death in this hotel room, and I came running to prevent it." Tessa broke into laughter. "A vision? Are you drunk, sis? No, wait, is this a prank? Please, your wedding is tomorrow! You need to rest and hit the salon." Footsteps echoed down the corridor as a man exited the service lift. He was dressed in the Marigold staff uniform but was too burly and severe-looking. Ashley eyed him with anxiety. 'There is no way the hotel hired such a hulk for housekeeping,' she figured. 'He must be Tessa's killer!'
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Eve Of A Thousand Wakes 10 Tooth And Nail
"Get inside now!" Ashley called out, lunging at Tessa and shoving her roughly inside. The girl was taken aback. Both of them fell into the room in a heap. Ashley jumped to her feet and locked the door behind them. "Listen…" Tessa mumbled, getting to her feet. "Please let me be and leave my room. I have an important photo shoot with TEEN VOGUE. I know you are the Palmer Princess, but you can't bully me like this! Even as a prank!" Ashley turned to her with a raised eyebrow. "Do they call me the Palmer Princess? That's a terrible moniker." Tessa bit her lip. "Aren't you acting like a spoiled Princess right now? Locking me in my own booked room? What's wrong with you? Has the anxiety of marriage gotten to your head?" Ashley shook her head. "I'm trying to save you, so don't get in the way. Your TEEN VOGUE interview is scheduled for next week. This one is fake! Didn't you see that hulking guy? Did he appear like a normal hotel staff to you?" The girl winced and shrugged. "I didn't rea
Eve Of A Thousand Wakes 11 Explanations
"Let me get this straight. You woke up A YEAR IN THE PAST after your stepmother and stepsister KILLED you?" Tessa asked over the bubbling noises of the jacuzzi. "That is AMAZING! Like a second chance reincarnation novel!" She was literally bobbing up and down in the bathtub. Ashley's sharp gaze made her freeze. "I mean, of course, it is not that amazing. Especially considering what happened to you was tragic…" she trailed off. After escaping from the hotel, the girls retreated to Malory Towers, the tallest skyscraper in the city, owned by the Grayson family. Their first stop was Tessa's master bathroom on the forty-fifth floor. The girls felt they deserved a break after the horrors encountered earlier that day. The bathroom had a glass-bottomed spa bathtub with Amazonian crystal sides. With Pietra Firma tiles, a champagne ice wall, and double vanity bidets, it was an exhibition of the filthy rich. There were two walk-in showers, a double massage couch, and super-chic mirrored furn
Eve Of A Thousand Wakes 12 The Frenchman
"What kind of help are we talking about here?" Tessa asked curiously.Ashley put on a serious face. "A security consultant to begin with. Neither you nor I are safe anymore, and our regular bodyguards are useless against Scarlet's goons."The girl nodded. "You're right. But where is he?""I think he is late," Ashley replied, checking her phone. "His agency assured me the candidate is very professional.""What's his name?""An odd name. Err… Chevalier de Guiscard.”***Chevalier de Guiscard hated Billionaires. They were pompous and egotistical and believed they could purchase everything with money.'Well, the last part is not entirely wrong,' he thought, checking the time on his military-grade watch. Guiscard's services did not come cheap. Even an hour of hiring his skills cost a small fortune to the client. Almost every billionaire in Norwich had partaken of his resources at some point in time. He was an ace in the security industry and had lent his services to even the Governor once
Eve Of A Thousand Wakes 13 Danger
'Tree-huggers' was a derogatory term for environmental activists. Spencer had received a death threat the previous night. Of course, public menaces endangering a wealthy man's life were nothing new in Norwich. Stuart Spencer was the fifth richest billionaire in the city, behind the Graysons and the Palmers. His primary business was marine foods.Lately, Spencer had diversified his interests, signing a memorandum with a Japanese company for whale oil. Kujira-hashi Inc., the leading whaling corporation in the world, was their supplier in the venture. However, a sting operation led to breaking news that the company had a dark past of brutality towards marine wildlife. Whales were not the only mammals they killed. Environmental activists had flocked in hundreds to the Spencer corporate building and staged protests. A riot had started and had disbanded after the police intervened with tear gas. Then, the death threats and attempts began. Threatening emails. Morbid letters. Poisoned cak
Eve Of A Thousand Wakes 14 To Kingdom Come
Guiscard was not fond of his questions being ignored. He grasped the waiter by the collar and dragged him to the boat's edge."Tell me what you have done, or you are going overboard!" he mouthed with a scowl. "With your broken leg, you will drown if sharks don't get you first."The waiter hung precariously, and a push from Guiscard would throw him over the edge into the dark, foaming waters."Okay! Okay! Please, I have a sick mother! Please don't kill me!""What have you done?" Guiscard repeated himself."There is a bomb," the waiter mumbled. "In the engine room. I was asked to latch it to the beam frame.""For God's sake, kid! How did you plan to escape?""I would have taken a safety boat."Guiscard shoved him back on the deck. "Bind him!" he bid the other security guards. The latter pounced on the waiter, pinning him to the ground.The tension of the guests on the lower decks was palpable. Some stood at the periphery of the yacht, ready to jump if there was an explosion. However, no
Eve Of A Thousand Wakes 15 A Bite of Macaron
"Guiscard is late!" Tessa exclaimed for the third time. "This is unacceptable! Can we not hire someone else?"Ashley was digging through her phone messages. The freelancer agency had sent her a profile of the security expert."I had been assured he was the best in the business," she contended. "Why go with anybody but the ace?""Is it normal for the best in the business to bail on his clients? Perhaps another billionaire made him a better offer, which he accepted?""That is not likely, Tess," Ashley asserted. "The agency does not allow any back-channel recruitment. His arrangement with them mandates he cannot take up another client until the present one has canceled the task.""It appears that he did not follow the mandate," Tessa said, making air quotes."Wait, let me go through his profile again. Can I project the documents on your monitors?""Sure."Ashley shared the agency files on the triple monitors of Tessa's workstation.[Name: CHEVALIER DE GUISCARD][Experience]----A total o
Eve Of A Thousand Wakes 16 The French Cookie
The man was not bluffing. He twirled the tool between his fingers with expertise. He looked like someone who could carry out threats of murder.'Calling for help would be stupid,' Ashley thought. She looked around, and iced tea was the only thing within her reach.A distraction would not be helpful, and attempting to distract might have fatal consequences. 'I could take off my top like last time,' Ashley suggested to herself. "There is no element of surprise, however. The man is not hanging from a building." The best she could do was keep him occupied. "Who the hell are you?" Ashley asked."The more important question is, what am I doing here, ain't it?" the stranger replied. "And the answer is, considering the circumstances, I am here to kill you.""I don't want to die…" Tessa whimpered.Ashley gritted her teeth. There was something she could do. Offer him money? He stepped towards them slowly, ensuring there was no room left to escape. The girls' faces turned pale. They clung t
Eve Of A Thousand Wakes 17 You're Hired
She was more impressed than upset by the incident. Nevertheless, as an employer, Ashley did not wish to lose her employee's respect through such embarrassment. Letting a security guard get cocky and treat her as a weakling was not what she wanted through their engagement. She had had enough people walk over her in the recent past."Pardonne-Moi. It was a one-time demonstration, ma'am," Guiscard explained. "It took me only an hour to plan. However, you have my word. It shall not be repeated.""Thank you," Ashley acknowledged. "It is safe to say now that you are hired.""I am pleased to hear that.""So! Chevy!" Tessa chimed in. She had finished her Long Island Iced Tea. Her mood was better than earlier, and the grating boldness had returned. "How do you describe yourself? A security guard? A bodyguard? A bouncer?" She had clearly been offended by the Frenchman's demonstration. Billionaire teens had fragile egos too."I would call myself a friend with benefits. Of course, my benefits a
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- Eve Of A Thousand Wakes
35 Cheater Cheater Pumpkin Eater 2
Jake tilted his head and regarded her with a smile. He liked flattery, especially from a beauty like Claire."Tomorrow, I'm gonna tell this story to my college friends," she murmured."What are you going to tell them?""Whatever happens tonight…." She trailed off as Jake took a hand to her thigh."Go on," he said, feeling the entire length from her knee to her hip."On second thought, I will not tell them the entire story.""Oh, really?" Jake grinned, leaning in and kissing her neck. "Will you be embarrassed by what happens tonight?""Maybe."Jake kissed her on the lips. "Good. I want you to be."Claire nodded. The wine had made her dreamy. Jake stood up and took her hand. He led her to the other end of the balcony.The girl was excited. Her heart was hammering like crazy. It was finally happening! Everything had fallen into place.Jake pulled her close. His hands went behind her and grabbed her buttocks. 'Ah, this feels good,' he thought. 'No silicone. Just a well-toned natural ass.'
- Eve Of A Thousand Wakes
34 Cheater Cheater Pumpkin Eater
Jake shook Claire's hand for the right amount of time and let go. 'Very professional,' she thought. He made constant eye contact and did not stare at her body as the other billionaires did. Part of him was aloof, as if he was somewhere else."I will take your leave, then," Rory announced. "The guys need a babysitter."Jake nodded, and Claire gave him two thumbs up as he left."Please join me," Jake invited her to the other end of the gallery. There were high-backed lounge chairs large enough to lie down. A low single-block dining table was aligned with them.Claire sat beside the billionaire, facing him, her legs crossed. "Thanks.""I noticed when you went to the bar; you ordered cranberry juice. Are you not allowed to drink? Any photoshoots or events coming up?""It's not that, Mr. Grayson-""Please call me Jake.""Hmm. It's not that, Jake, I do drink, but with the right company.""I can't promise to be the best drinking partner but, let's see what we have here–"Jake removed a tinte
- Eve Of A Thousand Wakes
33 Claire Meets Jake
"Don't forget to smile," Bono always reminded her. Powerful men had no interest in a dull and disobedient face.Chicksaw had barely looked at her face. He had a scotch in one hand- his fifth of the evening. His eyes crawled over her from bust to hip, over and over. Spencer kissed her hand, and his lips lingered on her skin a while longer than comfortable.Perry was the most daredevil. "That body is to die for, girl."Claire felt more flattered than offended. 'These are men who could have any girl they wanted, and yet they are interested in what I have to offer,' she told herself."Thank you," she replied with her least flirtatious smile."Last but not the least, Kumar Rajesh, the Assistant District Attorney," Rory said."Welcome to the party, ma'am," Rajesh said, his sharp eyes meeting hers. 'Perhaps the only gentleman at the party,' Claire surmised. "I must ask," she addressed the elite group. "I was looking forward to meeting the host of the party. Has he retired for the day?"All
- Eve Of A Thousand Wakes
32 Cream of the City
"Hi! Miss Fox, is it?"Rory James was the only casually dressed guest in Elysium Hall at the moment. He looked not very different from his YouTube videos. The close-cropped ash-blond hair, the youthful charm, the Versace pullover cardigan with Escada jeans. Everything spelled Rory James in caps. His casual wear was more expensive than most of the suits at the party, though. Even then and there, at the bachelor party of his best friend, he was promoting brands like Nike, Apple, and Rolex. The truth was, Rory liked suits and formal wear over casuals. His boyfriend shopped for them both at Armani and REISS. However, both his love for the tuxedo and his sexual orientation were best-kept secrets. Only his inner circle was party to his preferences and inclinations.Rory had to keep up the image of the cool, straight, urban, and carefree guy. It defined his internet personality. Anything different would be damaging to his social media image.Rory had sprung into action on Jake's request and
- Eve Of A Thousand Wakes
31 Jake Seeks Claire
Claire's victory in the Miss World Norwich contest was no fluke. The judges had unanimously voted for her. She was genetically gifted, with her nordic blue eyes, facial symmetry, high cheekbones, and flawless skin. Her Swedish descent from her mother's side had mixed well with her father's Connecticut genes to produce a one in million beauty. Claire had crafted her god-given gifts into a masterpiece. She looked around and saw the 'hot models' at the party. "Where are these other girls from?" she asked Bono. "Pfft! Them? Talent agencies. Luxury strip clubs. Escort services. The organizers paid a steep dime to get the best girls. But they are all uglies compared to you, baby." "Thanks, Bono." Her manager did exaggerate her beauty sometimes. Nevertheless, he was not wrong this time. The girls traipsing around as if the place belonged to them were undoubtedly attractive from their shapes and sizes. However, nobody came close to Claire in sheer beauty. She turned more heads than al
- Eve Of A Thousand Wakes
30 The Bachelor Party
The 50th floor of Malory Towers had a banquet hall so spacious that it dwarfed the town hall of Norwich City. Ten years back, when the 50th story was constructed, Jake's late father, Richard Grayson, had named the cavernous den Chive hall after a street he grew up on. Chive street belonged to rural Scotland. The name was reminiscent of Richard’s journey from a hapless boy on the streets of central Scotland to the wealthiest man in one of the leading cities in America. His rags to riches story was fit for a movie screenplay. Unfortunately, Richard suffered a heart attack three years back, leaving his staggering empire for Jake. His son was a swashbuckling businessman and took Grayson Enterprises to greater heights. However, he did not share the same roots of sentimentality characteristic of the founder of the company. The previous year, Jake had renamed the banquet space to Elysium Hall. Regardless, Elysium Hall lived up to the grandeur of its name. The ceiling, fifty feet high, was
- Eve Of A Thousand Wakes
29 Knight in Shining Armor
Ashley watched the scene with a gaping mouth. Once the action stopped, she immediately exited the van. She picked up the gun that had skidded near the front tires."Who are you?" Ashley shouted, aiming the gun at the stranger. "Show me your face!" In the van's fog light, the man turned around with a flourish. He raised an arm and opened his man-bun. Shoulder-length hair bounced down the Frenchman’s face.Guiscard! It was Chevalier de Guiscard!"It is me! Chevy, ma'am!" he said, ruffling his hair."Oh, my God!"Ashley pulled the trigger. Bang! The target took the bullet and collapsed. She had shot Nicolai, who had been trying to inch closer to a dropped gun."Good shot," Guiscard said.Ashley walked towards him. "Give me a minute."He nodded. "Sure, ma'am."The young woman headed to where Pavlov lay, writhing in pain. As Ashley approached him, he grimaced with disgust.“Jebena drolja (Fucking slut)! Daj mi pistolj! (Give me the gun)!” "You like hitting women, don't you?" Ashley fired
- Eve Of A Thousand Wakes
28 Take Three, Action!
Ashley's eyes opened a crack. The surroundings were cramped and dimly lit. She lay on her back; her wrists and feet were bound with duct tape. The place smelled of mildew and armpits. A splitting headache and nausea hit her, but she held back from groaning. Ashley's eyes had adjusted to the lighting, and she could see two thickset men looming over her. The Serbs! Zetelica!They seemed to ignore her for the time being, assuming she was knocked out. It took Ashley another minute to realize that she lay on the molded carpet of a vehicle in motion. 'A van? A large wagon?' Because of the poor lighting, her captors did not notice that she had returned to her senses.A blinding migraine overwhelmed her for a few seconds. Ashley let the memories of the day flood back. 'Let me review the situation. The testosterone capsules have worked, apparently. They dulled the longevity of the sedative that Milan gave me in the coffee. I woke up much earlier than I was supposed to.''But then, what
- Eve Of A Thousand Wakes
27 Back To The Future 2
The little girl shook her head and let out a fresh spurt of sobs. Evelyn bit her lip. How much suffering has Ashley been through to travel back into her childhood? Regardless of age, the girl was her daughter."It is okay, sweetie," Evelyn said, "I do not think you have much time left here with me, so let me tell you this quickly. Be patient and strong no matter how painful it gets. It is all for a purpose. Remember that.""What purpose? I cannot do this anymore, mom! Please help me! It is too much!"Evelyn regarded her dewy-eyed daughter. 'She is going to fall apart this way.'"Hey, sweetie, do you remember Toby?" Ashley looked up, trying to remember. "Toby?" the little voice squeaked."Let me remind you. Toby was this nuisance from 3rd grade in school. He was a real you-know-what. One day the boy picked on you and pulled on your pigtails while singing a funny song. Everyone in the class laughed at you."Ashley opened her mouth, trying to recall the incident. She had a vague recoll
