Novels by Notable Zest

The stone arches of St. Jude's Cathedral stood tall under the bright sun. Inside, big colorful glass windows shone red and gold light onto white carpets that covered the long center aisle.It was the wedding of the century.Global media cameras lined the tall marble pillars, zooming in on powerful politicians, oil barons, and rich tycoons packed into the wooden seats.Every seat was full of the prestige and power of the Harrison-Pentagon alliance.At the top, on the flower-covered altar, stood Paris Pentagon. Her long lace veil trailed five feet behind her, glowing bright under the spotlights.Beside her stood Richard Harrison, in a hand-made white tuxedo. His chest puffed out with pride and love.They soaked up the loud applause and flashing cameras, totally sure they had conquered the world. In their minds, their business empire could never fall, and every rival was crushed under their boots.Their oil was pumping, their wine stocks were rising, and their bank accounts were full.At

The big ballroom of the Harrison-Pentagon house was full of the clinking sound of champagne glasses and live classical music playing under high, curved ceilings.It was the night of the big wedding rehearsal dinner.Hundreds of rich people, high government officials, and company shareholders filled the hall, wearing silk dresses and sparkling diamond necklaces.To the outside world, the alliance looked unstoppable.Even though Richard Harrison and Paris Pentagon had just spent seventy million dollars in cash at the auction, their huge credit lines, rising stock prices, and oil business kept the illusion of perfect financial health alive.They easily ignored the temporary freeze on the wine ledger, calling it just a small paperwork problem by jealous officials, while their wine and oil business was still making millions every day. They still looked high and mighty.Standing near the center stage, Paris wore a beautiful white silk gown with silver thread, her huge diamond ring catching

The big auction hall smelled of old wood, cigar smoke, and rich people's money.Crystal lights hung from the high ceiling, shining over rows of soft chairs filled with the richest businessmen, art collectors, and important people.Tonight was a very important private auction before the wedding, where rare old things, land papers, and historic company papers were sold to men who measured their value in billions.Sitting near the front in the VIP area, wearing a red dress that made everyone look at her, was Paris Pentagon.Next to her sat Richard Harrison, his arm around her chair, playing with an expensive gold pen.A few rows behind them, hidden in the shadow of a big pillar, sat Chay Patrick.He wore his plain dark driver suit, hands quietly on his knees, blending into the background like a nobody.On the stage at the front was the item everyone came to see: the Royal Winemaking Ledger of the First Dynasty, a priceless, old leather book over 300 years old, with secret wine recipes an

The stock market of Chevron Province opened, and everyone became very greedy.Just two days after getting the first approval from the big company Crystal Diamond, the stocks of Pentagon Winery and Harrison Oil went up by 35%. On the trading floor, the numbers on the screens were all green and flashing.Seeing the high numbers and getting lots of money from banks, Arthur Pentagon and Richard Harrison moved with ruthless, unchecked speed.They didn't just grow their business; they swallowed everything.Because banks wanted to be friends with Crystal Diamond's new partners, they gave the Pentagons easy loans. With that money, the Pentagons bought three other wine companies in one afternoon, took their land, closed their delivery system, and added their debts to their own company.They also borrowed a huge amount of money against their oil business to build a giant, modern oil factory near Chevron Province.To Beatrice, Paris, and Richard, every dollar they borrowed felt like another bri

The big iron gates of the expensive country club opened for a line of dark blue luxury cars.It was a private club for only rich people, with big green golf fields and glass buildings where rich businessmen made million-dollar deals over drinks.In the first limousine, Kimberly Shelton sat in the back seat, busy working on her tablet.In the front seat, dressed as a driver in a clean black uniform, was Chay Patrick. He sat straight, hands on the dashboard, driving smoothly along the road lined with trees.Parked near the main building were three expensive sports cars shining in the sun.Standing next to them, acting proud and important, were Paris Pentagon, her mother Beatrice, and her new fiancé, Richard Harrison.Richard, a billionaire oil heir, wore an expensive white suit. Paris was covered in diamond jewelry that made noise when she moved.They were there for a big business meeting with a top executive from Crystal Diamond. They wanted a deal to handle all the shipping for their

The big doors of the entrance hall had just closed when the quiet of the house was broken by fast, happy footsteps coming down the large stairs."Dad!"Chay stood still, his fingers tightening around the edge of the golden master tablet in his hands.He turned toward the stairs just as thirteen-year-old Leo came rushing around the curved railing.The boy's face was flushed with a healthy color, his eyes bright and wide. He wore a soft cotton sweater that smelled a little like fresh air and clean clothes.Before Chay could take a step forward, Leo launched himself across the stone floor, throwing his arms around his father’s waist and burying his face deep into Chay's chest.Chay dropped the tablet onto a small table with a soft top, and hugged his son very tightly, so tight it felt like his own chest might break.He buried his face in Leo's soft hair, breathing in the clean smell of life and health. He closed his eyes tight and felt Leo's strong, steady heartbeat beating right against