"What''s that mean?" Carole blinked, clearly not following.


    ine continued, "Irvin is 55 years old. Although he’s in in look, he is a millionaire. If you marry


    him, you''ll be rolling in luxury for life!"


    Yep, that was ine''s grand n.


    It wasn''t that she had any particr affection for Carole.


    Instead, her husband, Hancock, saw a golden opportunity to rub shoulders with Irvin, hoping to


    secure him as an investor.


    Despite being in her thirties and a mother, Carole was undeniably beautiful, with ssical features


    that could turn heads.


    Carole frowned, "ine, are you suggesting that I..." The rest of her sentence hung in the air,


    unspoken.


    ine nodded, affirming the unvoiced usation.


    Carole pushed back, "I appreciate the thought, but I''m not looking to get hitched again."


    ineughed, a wry twist to her lips, "Oh, Carole, you''ve got it wrong. I''m not asking you to marry


    the guy."


    She thought Carole had an inted sense of herself.


    Thinking Irvin would marry her wasughable. Did Carole believe just anyone could waltz into high


    society?


    "ine, then what are you saying?" Carole was puzzled.


    ineid it out, "Here''s the deal. Irvin''s got his wife and kids settled in another city. He had a


    mistress here in Cloudcrest, but his mistress got into a car ident, lost a limb, and he cut her


    loose. Now, Irvin''s looking to set up a new nest with a mistress here."


    Affairs were dime a dozen among the rich and famous, so ine wasn''t fazed.


    Plus, Carole, unwed with a child, wasn''t saintly. She''d be a perfect match for Irvin.


    At that, Carole''s face drained of color. She stared at ine, incredulous, "Are you asking me to


    break up a family?"


    "Oh, honey, you''re making it sound so dramatic!" ine chuckled, patting Carole''s hand, "Look, I''m


    doing this for you. With Irvin, you won''t have to worry about a thing. Just rx, count your money,


    and enjoy life. Trust me, Irvin''s a good man. He won''t shortchange you."


    Carole stepped back, "No way! I could never do something like that!"


    "Why not? What''s stopping you?" Before ine could respond, Gemma burst out of her seat,


    pointing at Carole, "Irvin''s interested in you, and that''s a stroke of luck! With your reputation, you


    should be grateful anyone''s giving you the time of day, let alone being picky! You''ve done far worse,


    so drop the act! Do you think you''re still some untainted maiden?"


    Carole reddened her eyes as she locked gazes with Gemma.


    ine patted Carole''s shoulder, "Listen, these words are harsh but not wrong. Given your situation,


    Irvin''s interest is a blessing. He''s loaded. If you get with him, you''ll be living the high life. I''m only


    thinking of your best interest..."


    "Ridiculous!" Carole cut ine off, "Enough! I won''t agree to this!"


    Only ine could suggest such a ridiculous thing with a straight face.


    ine frowned, frustrated that Carole couldn''t see the opportunity right in front of her.


    Irvin was willing to overlook her past, and yet she had the gall to refuse him!ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .