Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 156029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
“Huh?” I frown. “Hang on, what are you talking about?” I ask.
“Edward and I have to go to America for work. We’ll be away for six to seven weeks while we do the tour of the casinos. We want William to come back and stay here while we’re gone,” Edward tells me.
I look between them, confused. “Why?”
“You are not staying here alone, Charlotte,” my father says.
“Wait, what?” I frown. “This is about me?” I sit back, offended. “I’m twenty-four. I can look after myself.”
“No!” Edward asserts. “You’ll have to come with us.”
“I can’t get time off, and I’m not leaving my job, Edward.”
“For God’s sake, isn’t it about time you left that job and came and worked for the family business, anyway? We have a family empire that you should be working on. You don’t need to work in philanthropy.”
“This is our mother’s dream that I work on,” I hit back. “You don’t get to tell me what to do, Edward, or where to work. And besides, Wyatt and the staff will be here. I’m completely capable of looking after myself, you know?”
“Don’t tell her to leave her job. Why do you think you have the right to tell her what to do?” William snaps in my defence.
Edward turns, and I can see his anger rise to the surface. “You want to talk about leaving jobs?” He points at William. “Yes, let’s do that. When the fuck are you going to live up to your responsibility to this family and come and work in the business?”
“Edward.” My father sighs. “That’s enough.”
“I’m not,” William growls. “I never will. Casinos and making money aren’t life goals of mine.”
I close my eyes, resting my fingers on my temples. Here we go again.
“Why is that?” Edward growls back. “Because you’re hiding in fucking Switzerland with that whore.”
My eyes widen. He did not just say that.
“Because you’re too scared to bring her home in case she fucks someone else.” He shakes his head in disgust. “Wake up and smell the coffee, Will. She would have fucked ten men by now. When are you going to see her for what she really is? A dirty fucking whore.”
William flies out of his seat and pushes our brother hard in the chest. “Shut the fuck up.”
“Admit it!” Edward screams as my father flies out of his chair to separate the two men. “She’s brought nothing but shame to this family. We don’t even see you anymore. It’s about time you fuck her off and come home!” he yells.
They push each other and fall back. A glass gets smashed across the table as it tips over.
The staff come flying into the room, hearing the commotion. This isn’t the first time my brothers have become physical over Penelope. They’re always on high alert when William is home.
William pushes Edward hard in the chest and glares at him.
My heart breaks for him and his pain. “Will,” I whisper.
“That’s enough, Edward!” my father roars. “You will not speak to your brother like that. Do you hear me?”
“You make me fucking sick, sitting up here on your high horse. Keep your fucking nose out of my marriage. What I do with my wife is none of your concern.” William turns and storms out of the room.
“William, come back here,” my father calls after him, but William doesn’t stop and he doesn’t look back, taking the stairs two at a time. He’ll be back in Switzerland by morning… like always.
I turn on Edward and lose control. “Why do you do this? Every damn time he comes home you upset him. This is why we never see him!” I cry. “This is why he stays with her. You give him no support. None.”
My father drops into his chair and puts his head in his hands. My eyes fill with tears. “Go to Vegas, Edward, and better still, don’t come back. You and your judgement make me sick,” I whisper. “This isn’t about you. It’s about time you stand behind your brother when he needs you the most.”
“I’ll never stand behind him while he’s married to her.” He raises his chin defiantly. “You two can cower to Penelope all you want. I will not.” He points at my father and me. “She will get not one fucking penny of this estate, and I’ll make sure of that if it’s the last thing I do. I’ve got solicitors tightening up our wills as we speak.”
“Is that all you’re worried about?” I cry. “Money means nothing, Edward!”
God, this is a no-win situation. He makes me sick. I turn and storm out of the house, slamming the door behind me.
“Charlotte?” a
voice calls from behind me.
“Not now, Wyatt,” I snap over my shoulder as I angrily swipe my tears away.
How many times have my father’s staff heard us arguing over Penelope? God, it’s just embarrassing.