Total pages in book: 154
Estimated words: 146107 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 731(@200wpm)___ 584(@250wpm)___ 487(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 146107 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 731(@200wpm)___ 584(@250wpm)___ 487(@300wpm)
“Mom, he killed several men to cover up the murder of Aanya Lukin by her husband. He not only covered Ivan Pavlov’s crime, but allowed him use of Sherguevil Island to skirt the laws of the United States by funneling their money into secret accounts while taking more for himself.”
Her mother wildly looked around. “Shh … Someone will hear you. George gets really upset when someone mentions those false accusations. We must wait and see what the court says. Gabriel will prove he’s innocent.”
She wanted to tell her mother that Gabriel was going to spend the rest of his life in prison, but Haley had to pretend agreement. Distancing herself from the horror of Gabriel’s actions wasn’t easy to do.
“Sorry, I wouldn’t want them to get the wrong impression. I don’t believe a word about what they said Gabriel did,” she said hastily, changing tracks. “I was just repeating what I heard.”
“Oh …” Mollified, her mother went on, “With Gabriel no longer in charge of the island, Desmond has been having to go back and forth to handle the workload of keeping AWR running. Keeping the island maintained is vitally important for the charity. AWR uses it as a private resort where potential donors can be spoiled while their donations are being solicited. In return, they are given unlimited access to the island. Having access to an isolated island where the donors can get out from under the public’s eyes is well worth the donations itself, much less the contacts you can make by meeting other influential donors.”
Haley didn’t mention the charity that Nadia and she ran, nor that they had managed to gather the support of high-profile donors without bribing them with a stay at a luxurious beach resort.
“Gilbert would be perfect for the position that Desmond needs to fill. It would go a long way in repairing the hurt you’ve done to the family, if you could convince Desmond to give Gilbert the job.”
“Won’t you miss having Gilbert and the grandbabies close?”
Her mother shrewdly caught her eyes. “We all have to make sacrifices to keep our men happy. In return, they make us happy.”
Her trying to reinforce the misogynistic rule of men had a swell of disgust hitting her stomach. She had learned long ago that there was no fighting their viewpoints, but it still hurt that her mother herself was a woman with three daughters and still perpetuated such a double standard for her children. What hurt the most was that her family’s lopsided values would be passed down to yet another generation.
“I’ll talk to Desmond right after the party,” Haley assured her then resumed digging for more information.
“Did you and Dad ever visit Sherguevil Island?”
“A few times in the last five years,” she revealed. “Of course, with everything going on with Gabriel, Samuel felt it better for us to forego our vacation there this year.”
“Oh, really?” Pretending sympathy, she delved deeper. “Where will you go instead? It’s not like you can go to the normal vacation spots where all your fans will recognize you.”
Her mother preened in her chair. “You’re right there. We’re up to five million subscribers.”
“Wow. That’s amazing! Congratulations!”
“Thank you. George has offered for us to stay at a tiny little island he purchased several years ago that doesn’t have quite the same amenities as Sherguevil has, but it’ll do in a pinch.”
“Really?” Haley’s heart started pounding. “Where?”
“Actually, I don’t think it has a name, or if it does, I don’t remember. I’ll have to ask Samuel.”
Haley had to think fast. “I was just curious, so if Desmond has already filled the position on Sherguevil Island, maybe George has a comparable position on his island for the donors who are hesitant to return to Gabriel’s island.”
“You’re right.” Her mother seemed excited at the prospect. “I’ll go ask Samuel. We should have thought of that ourselves. Working on Sherguevil Island would provide experience for Gilbert, but the needs of the family must come first.”
“For sure,” Haley agreed, remaining seated after her mother left. To pass the time, she amused herself by watching her relatives interact with each another. Her two sisters and brother were swimming in the pool with their children and various other cousins.
Desmond was right; I didn’t make a true effort when we spoke before, Haley chastised herself.
When they left the pool, she resolved herself to make the effort to bridge the disconnection that had been created between them. She was about to make the first move when her mother returned, resuming her seat. From her downcast expression, Haley’s heart sank.
“Samuel said Gilbert finding a job where we’re going on vacation is a no-go. There aren’t any openings.”
Biting her lip, Haley hesitated before asking the name of the island, afraid her mother would shut down. Before she could come to a decision, though, her mother made the choice for her.