Shantel Hale has spent her life trying to live above the dark shadows her mother’s reputation cast over her. 

She has seen powerful men fall at Jessica Hale’s feet— the infamous seductress popularly termed the modern day ‘Jezebel’ only to be left ruined afterwards.

But unlike her sisters, who embraced their mother’s legacy to build fortunes and secure influential husbands, Shantel, the seventh and youngest daughter of Jessica Hale, had carved her own path in secret, gathering several awesome identities for herself. 

One of them was the elusive Elsa—an influential force in the corporate world, sought after by the most powerful executives. Invincible CEOs vie for her counsel, but she has consistently refused to step into the limelight while offering her services.

Meanwhile, in a desperate bid to salvage his company that was crumbling after a scandal, Richard Domango turns to Elsa, convinced that she is the only one who can save him.

Seeing that Richard had played right into her hands, Shantel will stop at nothing to demand for her pound of flesh from Richard for humiliating her in the past.

But neither is ready for the sparks that begins to fly between them, especially Richard after finding out that his saviour, whom he fell helplessly for at first sight, is none other than Shantel Hale— ‘the seventh daughter of Jezebel’ and the very woman he’d felt nothing but blatant disdain for all his life. 

Will they allow their past to chart a vengeful path for them, or give in to the all consuming attraction   growing between them in leaps and bounds by the day?

And that was exactly what Jessica did. "Because of her illness, your cousin Beatrice will be moving into the city. She needs somewhere to stay until your grandmother comes back— and the only place suitable is here. With you."


Instantly, Shantel stiffened, then screamed inwardly. Anybody but Beatrice. Definitely not that wimp! 


"No," she refused flatly. "I don't have the patience to deal with that dead weight."


Jessica's nostrils flared. "Beatrice is your cousin, not a dead weight. She's family, Shantel. Family."


"Don't weaponize that word around me," Shantel snapped. "You have no right to. And come to think of it, why do I have to be the one to be saddled with such a dead weight?"


Jessica's jaw tightened. Why did I give birth to such a poisonous tongued daughter? She had to swallow her disappointment to say,


"Your sisters are married. They have homes of their own and children to look after. I can't inconvenience their marriages. It's only logical that Beatrice stays with you."


Chapter 94 - Dealing With A Dead Weight