Book Two: Chapter Thirty-One


    Ava sighed stretching. Her body felt stiff yet rxed. Though her throat was dry and her mind fuzzy she


    didn’t have a headache. Memories slowly trickled to the surface. She remembered the confrontation


    with her sister followed by the encounter with her mother. After that she had a good time apanied


    by Ss or Tracy though she couldn’t remember the names of half the people she talked to.


    She met so many people but they had all been friendly and receptive to her. Theyplimented her


    dress and even seemed interested in what she said. Ava had been afraid of the reaction she would get


    from the society she left behind but they weed her back. She was not na?ve enough not to know it


    was due inrge part because of their inherit fear and respect of Ss but it still felt nice.


    “Good, you’re awake. I was afraid I’d have to leave without a kiss,” Ss said as he stepped out of the


    closet adjusting his cufflinks. His gaze burned with desires barely contained.


    “Ss.”


    Smiling he walked up to the bed and trapped her between his arms but she wasn’t afraid. Leaning


    down he kissed her deeply. She reached up stroking his cheek as their lips parted.


    “Careful luv. We may be here all day repeatingst night’s sport.”


    “Last night?” Ava repeated.


    “You don’t remember?” Ss asked almost hurt.


    She hesitated, thinking back. Memories were still sorting themselves but he knew immediately when


    she recalled their time together after the party as her face suddenly became beet red. Chuckling he


    leaned down and kissed her again. Her innocence was strangely erotic. He gazed down at her with a


    loving expression amazed she was truly his.


    “I love you so much, Ava.”


    She blinked her eyes going wide. Her gaze softened as a small smile settled across her lips. Ava didn’t


    think she would ever tire of him saying that.


    “I really wish I didn’t have to work today but I have a board meeting. I need to put out some fires.”


    “Fires?” Ava repeated.


    “Yeah. News that I showed up with my fiancée is already spreading faster than I anticipated so the


    board stirred up,” Ss sighed with a dismissive shrug. “I have to exin the situation and tell them


    about the children which I am certain will put them in quite a tizzy.”


    “Will you be in trouble?”


    “I’m the boss. What can they do?” Ss chuckled. “Besides these people have been bugging me to


    settle down for years they can’t be mad that I’ve finally taken their advice.”


    “I suppose.”


    “Don’t worry. It’ll be fine.” Ss leaned forward and kissed her. “No one will stop me from marrying the


    woman I love.”


    A blush turned her cheeks rosy as she met his gaze.


    “So I want you to put some serious thought into what you want for the wedding.”


    “What I want…”


    “I want you to have the wedding of your dreams. Flowers. Doves. Balloons. On top of the Eiffel Tower.


    Anything.”


    “I don’t need…”


    He cut her off with a kiss, “Anything. No matter how big or small. I’m sure my mother will have plenty of


    ideas but this is your wedding so make sure it is what you want. Okay?”


    “Okay.”


    “Good. I told Duncan to bring the Christmas decorations out of storage and to purchase a tree so you


    and the kids have fun. If you want to go out just tell the security team and they’ll arrange everything you


    need.”


    “All right.”


    “Good. I’m taking you out tonight. Just the two of us.”


    “Like…a date?”


    “That’s right. Do you like seafood?”


    Ava nodded.


    “Good.” He kissed her a final time.


    She smiled her eyes sparkling already anticipating his return. Ss sucked in a breath fighting the urge


    to crawl into bed and take her into his embrace. He might have if his phone didn’t buzz alerting him


    Thomas had arrived and was waiting in the car.


    He forced himself to stand, “Sleep aste as you like. I’ll see you tonight.”


    “Tonight.” Ava agreed watching as he reluctantly forced himself to leave. She smiled as shey


    snuggled in the nkets.


    She felt so warm. For years she struggled to fend off chills that never seemed to dissipate. No matter


    how manyyers she wore she was always cold but since moving into the brownstone she was


    Ss hurried down the hallway pausing at Alexis’s door and knocked. Receiving the okay to enter he


    stepped into the bedroom and wasn’t surprised to see all three of his children gathered and pretending


    to be innocently hanging out.


    “Can we help you?” Alexis asked.


    “I read a very interesting article about Marilynn Carlisle this morning,” Ss said.


    “Did you? I don’t see how she can be interesting.”


    Ss sighed studying their nk faces. If there was one thing he could say about his children…they


    would make excellent poker yers.


    “The good news is Thomas couldn’t link it to you so it’s unlikely anyone else can…but you should be


    more careful in the future.”


    “Is that supposed to be a threat?” Theo snorted.


    “It’s a warning. I know you’ve been nning your revenge and I’m not going to try to stop you. I don’t


    think I could to be honest. But you need to be careful. You and your mother are not living in obscurity


    anymore. She’s my fiancée and she is Emerson’s long lost daughter so anything you say against


    Carlisle maye back to her. I’ll protect her and you three as much as I can but that won’t stop


    gossip from spreading as I’m sure you know.”


    Ss eyed them carefully as the brothers shared a thoughtful look. Alexis’s expression became pensive


    before she spoke for the group, “All right. We promise whatever we do won’te back to mom.”


    After a moment Ss nodded. It seemed that was the best he could expect from them. Aloud he said,


    “Thank you. And just so you know…The best revenge you can ever have is living a happy life and


    rubbing it in their faces.”


    The boys snorted back augh. He wasn’t sure if it was because he said something humorous or if


    they thought the image was legitimately funny.


    “Last night your mother had her own confrontation with her sister.”


    “What happened?” Alexis tensed as did her brothers at the thought of their aunt causing their mother


    more pain.


    “She was brilliant,” Ss smiled. “She told your aunt off in marvelous fashion.”


    “She did?” Sean asked not sure if he believed that.


    “She did. Your mother is a strong woman, she just didn’t know it, and now she’s getting her confidence


    back. So you three just watch her close and you’ll see it for yourselves. I have to go to work today. It’s


    time to officially announce your mother as my future wife and you three as my heirs…so try to stay out


    of trouble.”


    “Got it.” The trio agreed and he left still concerned with what they would do but confident they would


    look out for their mother.


    Duncan waited at the door with his overcoat.


    “Ava might sleep a little longer but be prepared to serve breakfast when she is ready.”


    “Of course.” Duncan helped him into his coat hiding a smile. “A tree will be delivered at ten.”


    “Good. This will be the first year in a long time that I’m actually looking forward to the holidays.”


    “I agree, sir. It’s good to see you with a smile on your face for a change.”


    Ss looked at the man he had known since he was little before saying, “I know you’ve been worried.”


    Duncan bowed.


    “Take care of Ava and the kids, anything they need.”


    “They shall want for nothing,” Duncan assured him opening the door.


    “Oh, Christmas presents. I need sizes, preferences, wish lists, whatever ideas you can get from the


    kids and Ava.”


    “Of course.”


    “I also told her she can redecorate any room she wants. She said our room is too dark.”


    “It is rather dark,” Duncan agreed. “I shall discuss color options she wishes to pursue.”


    “Good.”


    “I do hope you don’t work toote today,” Duncan said. “A man who has a family toe home to


    shouldn’t waste in time in the office.”


    Ss paused smirking at the butler holding the door, “Truer words have never been spoken. I’m going


    to take Ava out for dinner tonight so I can’t bete.”


    “Very good, sir.”


    Ss stepped out taking a deep breath of chilly air. Ava and the kids had only been with him for a short


    time but it felt like years had melted away. He felt lighter and content. A smile came easily to his face. It


    truly did feel like the holidays were right around the corner.


    “There you are. Finally,” Thomas dered as he approached the waiting vehicle. “What took so long?”


    “It’s not easy for a man to leave the woman he loves in bed,” Ss answered.


    “That has to be the sappiest thing you’ve ever said,” Thomas chuckled. “But it suits you. I don’t think


    you’ve ever looked this happy before.”


    “I know and I’m sorry. It seems I’ve been worrying everyone for the past few years.”


    Thomas shrugged, “It’s my job to worry. Let’s get this over with so you cane home.”


    “Right. Did you prepare the files I asked for?”


    “Naturally. Everything is in order.”


    “Good.” Ss sat in the backseat. He tried to rx as Thomas slid into the driver’s seat and pulled


    away from the curb. “I need you to make a reservation tonight for Le Bernardin.”


    “For how many?”


    “Just two.”


    “Two?” Thomas looked at Ss in the rearview mirror to see a rxed smile on his face. “What brought


    this on?”


    “I realized this morning that I’ve never taken Ava on a date,” Ss said. “In fact I don’t think anyone has


    ever asked her out. I want her first to be perfect.”


    “I’ll make the arrangements.”


    “Good.”


    In truth the restaurant didn’t really matter as long as Ava wasfortable. Thest few weeks had


    been particrly stressful and he wanted her to be able to rx. It was important everything went


    perfectly. He wanted her first date to be etched in her mind forever.


    * * *


    The boardroom was full. Most of the time a few of the members skipped or missed meetings that did


    not immediately affect them. Ss only required them to be present during quarterly meetings as those


    guided thepany’s future goals. Informational meetings such as this one were not mandatory but


    there wasn’t a single person who was going to miss it after hearing the rumors swirling from the charity


    g.


    Ss made only necessary public appearances. There were dozens of invitations sent him every month


    but he only answered those that piqued his interest. This naturally left many unsatisfied but in truth


    Ss made many more appearances than his father ever did.


    Richard Prescott was acimed as a brilliant businessman but he was also unsocial and refused to


    waste his time with benefits, dinners and events. He left it to his wife to appease the masses with her


    time and attention while he remained in his office. Ss inherited his work ethic but also his mother’s


    sense of sociability. Though Ss made regr appearances he never attended any event with a


    woman, let alone a woman he imed to be his fiancée.


    Ss was still young but there were whispers of concern that he had not started a family or even


    maintained a regr rtionship. A few more vocal members of the board gossiped often about the


    woman picked for his future wife but the woman from the rumors didn’t match her description at all.


    ording to rumors and pictures she was petite and beautiful. She was very personable and people


    already sung her praises as a gentle and genuinedy. But they still didn’t know anything about her or


    where she came from.


    Ss entered ignoring the stares that followed him as he took his seat. His assistant circled the table


    setting a thin file in front of each member. Ss said nothing until the files were handed out and his


    assistant returned to his side.


    “I know there are some rumors floating around,” Ss said with no preamble. “I also realize you have


    some concern. So let’s start with a few questions. Would anyone like to go first?”


    The Board members hesitated. As much as they wanted answers they recognized Ss’s tone. It was


    the same one he took when making decisions. All business decisions were final and he did not allow


    them to be questioned. If he was taking such a tone now the others knew to tread carefully. It was clear


    Ss already made up his mind and this meeting was not called to debate the merits of his decision but


    to merely inform them as a courtesy.


    Clearing his throat one member finally ventured a query, “The woman you were reportedly with…I’m


    not one to invest in rumors but…they imed she is your fiancée.”


    “She is.”


    “But…”


    “Sir we are happy to hear you are considering settling down but just who is this woman?”


    “Her name is Avalynn Carter but you probably know her better as Avalynn Carlisle.”


    His announcement immediately caused a stir. Ss expected no less considering his family’s history


    with the Carlisles so he let them continue for a time without interruption. Finally one bold member stood


    looking directly at Ss. He was older than most others at the table and had served under Ss’s


    predecessor.


    “Sir, do you mean to say you are selling out thepany to Emerson Carlisle?”


    “Of course not,” Ss snorted. The board members shared dubious looks. “As I’m sure you were


    already aware Ava was the victim of a cruel prank ten years ago and disowned by her father. She has


    no affiliation with him or hispany.”


    Younger members quietly nodded. Though ten years was more than enough time for many to forget the


    incident, it had caused quite a stir at the time. Since then the younger Carlisle daughter had not been


    seen or heard from again. Now it seems the reason for that was because she had changed her name.


    Even so that could not be the only reason.


    “But still…a man with as many options as yourself need not settled for the disgraced daughter…” the


    protesting member fell silent at Ss’s warning re.


    “I am settling for nothing,” Ss said. “Ava is the woman I always nned to marry.”


    The board members erupted into another conversation. Ss let them talk. No one but his mother knew


    of his ns so this was expected. He didn’t mind their chatter. Nothing would interfere with his future


    together with Ava.


    “Sir, have you told your father about these ns?” the elder number eventually asked.


    “He will be informed when I see him next. I will also be formally announcing my engagement during our


    annual New Year’s G,” Ss said making it clear it didn’t matter what his father thought about his


    marriage or fiancée. “By that time Ava and I will have settled on a date most likely spring or mid-


    summer.”


    Ss spoke evenly. His tone left no room for debate as if he was speaking about history rather than the


    future. The board members silently traded looks as they sat in their own thoughts. Richard Prescott


    N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    was the cornerstone of thepany and though it had been years since hest set foot in the building


    his influence could still be felt. Ss had taken what his father made as a foundation expanding and


    refining it as he pleased. But why start this fight?


    “There is another announcement I will be making at the New Year’s party,” Ss said after a moment.


    “You’ll find that in the files Thomas prepared.”


    Hesitantly the board members turned their attention to the files and opened them. Inside were hospital


    test results. Each test wasbeled positive though they were uncertain about the meaning until they


    read more closely: paternity tests. The realization struck each member but their shock only deepened


    when they looked more closely. The tests were not for the same person. Each test was for a different


    patient but the parents for each were the same mother: Avalynn Carter, father: Ss Prescott.


    “Sir! What is this?” a member nearly shouted as he leapt to his feet.


    “I think that is obvious,” Ss said with a hint of amusement. “As I said ten years ago Ava was the


    victim of a cruel prank…as was I. The result of that prank is in front of you. My children and heirs:


    Alexis, Sean and Theo. One day they will take over in my stead and I expect everyone here to treat


    them with the proper respect they are due…or you will regret it. My children are not to be taken lightly.”


    The members shared looks. Though Ava’s fall from grace was no great secret Ss’s part was well-


    hidden. Only his mother knew the full extent of what happened so it was quite a shock to those


    gathered around the table.


    Children? Heirs? Their future bosses? And Avalynn Carlisle was their mother?


    Ten years ago Avalynn had disappeared from the public eye. Though they didn’t know the extent of the


    prank it was clear it resulted in the conception of the three children presented to them. But why would


    Ss Prescott agree to such an obvious y for hispany. There was more to the story but none


    were bold enough to ask him about it. One thing was clear: however, Ss had every intention of


    iming and supporting his family.


    This certainly wouldn’t be the end of it. Richard Prescott would have something to say though the


    members were divided on whether they wanted to witness the showdown between father and son that


    was sure to ensue. Perhaps it was best not to protest this announcement until after the Prescott’s


    annual New Year’s party. Whether or not Ss announced his impeding nuptials and heirs would


    certainly tell them who won.


    “That’s everything I have to say,” Ss stood. “Use this forewarning to prepare your departments and


    interests. I’m sure chaos will follow once the announcements are made.”


    Without another word Ss exited leaving the others to discuss this new information freely. Thomas


    followed a step behind. Once they were out in the hallway he said, “Well that went a lot smoother than I


    thought.”


    “They know better than to defy me,” Ss said. “It’s clear not all of them agree given their protests.”


    “Well those were mild enough.”


    “They are expecting a confrontation between me and my father so they are waiting to see the results.”


    “I can see their caution. He was your predecessor and founder of thispany. He’s like an


    insurmountable mountain in their eyes.”


    “Hmm. They are going to see that mountain fall if he chooses to stand in my way.”


    “You sound very confident.”


    “Nothing will stand between me and Ava.”


    “No need to convince me. I believe you.”