Billionaires with Heart Series Boxset Books 1-4
Juliette Duncan
Books 1 - 4
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Copyright © 2020 Juliette Duncan
All rights reserved
The books in BILLIONAIRES WITH HEART SERIES BOXSET BOOKS 1-4 are works of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents are all products of the author’s imagination or are used for fictional purposes. Any mentioned brand names, places, and trade marks remain the property of their respective owners, bear no association with the author, and are used for fictional purposes only.
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Contents
Foreword
Book 1 - Her Kind-Hearted Billionaire
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Epilogue
Book 2 - Her Generous Billionaire
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Book 3 - Her Disgraced Billionaire
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Book 4 - Her Compassionate Billionaire
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Epilogue
Other Books by Juliette Duncan
About the Author
Foreword
Note from the Author:
HELLO! Thank you for choosing to read these books - I hope you enjoy it! Please note that this story is told from two different points of view – Wendy, an Australian, and Bruce, a cowboy from Texas. Australian spelling and terminology have been used when in Wendy’s point of view – they’re not typos!
As a thank you, I'd like to offer you a FREE GIFT. That's right - my FREE novella, “Hank and Sarah - A Love Story” is available exclusively to my newsletter subscribers. Go here to claim your copy now and to be notified of my future book releases. I hope you enjoy both books! Have a wonderful day!
Juliette
Book 1 - Her Kind-Hearted Billionaire
BOOK ONE
Chapter 1
Sydney, Australia
Nicholas Barrington sat behind his desk on the forty-fifth floor of the tower bearing his family’s name and removed his pre-prepared meal from his lunch bag. Below, Sydney Harbour shimmered in the midday sun and looked spectacular. A small tugboat, looking much like a toy from this height, guided a large cruise ship through the harbour towards the heads, while a number of yachts sliced through the water easily in what Nick assumed was a strong breeze, given the trim of their sails. The problem was, being on the forty-fifth floor, he was removed from reality. The view was sensational, but he felt like a spectator. He’d much rather be a participant.
A firm knock sounded on his office door, pulling his gaze from the vista. Nicholas swivelled around. Alden, his brother and fellow director, sauntered in and sank into the chair on the opposite side of the desk. “Taking time for lunch today, bro?” At thirty-one, Alden was two years younger than Nicholas and had the same sea-blue eyes, although his hair was lighter.
“Yes. I was just about to eat. Did you bring yours?” For a moment, Nicholas forgot he was talking with his brother. Of course Alden hadn’t brought his lunch.
Alden scoffed, eyeing Nicholas’s bag with amusement. “It’ll be here in five minutes.”
Nicholas pulled out his sandwich and salad, glad he didn’t have to wait for his meal to be delivered.
“Eating in here today?” Charity, their younger sister, appeared in the doorway. The sharp bob framing her pixie-like face was the same dark colour as his, but she had their late mother’s emerald green eyes. She plopped onto the chair next to Alden and pulled a portable blender filled with green powder from her carry bag. Opening a bottle of water, she poured half of it in and hit the button.
“That looks disgusting,” Nicholas shouted over the whir of the machine.
“Try some if you like.”
Grimacing, he quickly shook his head. “No thanks. I’ll stick to my sandwich.”
Moments later, a young man knocked tentatively on the door holding a rectangular food box. Alden waved him in and took the box.
Setting it on the desk, he peeled back the cardboard lid, revealing a large steak with new potatoes and green beans. Although it smelled appetising, as Nicholas took the last bite of his sandwich and moved onto the salad, he was thankful his tastes weren’t the same as his siblings. He was a simple man with simple needs.
“It’s all right, but it could be better,” Alden commented after swallowing his first mouthful.
Nicholas ignored his brother’s comment and instead focused on Charity who’d just turned the blender off. The silence was very welcome.
“So, you know I was meant to be flying to Bali tomorrow for that meditation retreat?” Angling her head, she glanced at him as she poured some of the green concoction into a glass.
He nodded. Of late, Charity had been delving into meditation and something about self-praise and how to be her own deity. Not what Nicholas would have considered a worthwhile venture, bu
t, each to his own. He’d started exploring things of a spiritual nature as well, but his initial explorations had led him to a traditional church, although he hadn’t yet made up his mind whether that was what he wanted.
“Looks like I’ll have to postpone the flight to another day.” Charity released a frustrated sigh before taking a mouthful of what Nicholas considered a disgusting looking green concoction.
“Why’s that?”
“Why?” Charity’s green eyes bulged. “Because of that lazy pilot.” Her voice rose to a crescendo and Nicholas wouldn’t have been surprised if the whole floor had heard.
“Ugh, don’t even get me started.” Alden shook his head, waving a fork in the air.
Charity leaned forward. “Can you believe he told me he can’t work tomorrow? I mean, I’m his boss. It’s not like we’re ordering him to fly every day. He gets plenty of time off. I just needed him for one day.”
“Why can’t he take you?” Nicholas asked in a calm voice.
“His daughter’s having surgery. I get that family is important and all that, but honestly, it’s only a few hours each way. He’d be back before she even woke up.”
Nicholas studied his sister with sadness. He doubted she knew that Roger’s small daughter had been born with special needs and her surgeries required extensive preparation. Even the anesthesia was a risk. But it was no use saying anything. She wouldn’t understand or care. “Did he suggest anyone else who could step in?”
“I don’t want anyone else. They wouldn’t know our plane like he does.” Charity blew out another breath and sipped her concoction. “Anyway, I think we should fire him.” Shifting in her chair, she crossed her long, slim legs and adjusted her skirt.
“I agree,” Alden said. “Last time he took me to Dubai, we were an hour late. He said it was because they didn’t have a place for us to land, but isn’t it his job to make sure all of that’s figured out ahead of time?”
Nicholas sighed. “That’s hardly his fault. Sometimes unexpected things happen that are out of anyone’s control. You know Roger’s competent and he always does his best.”
“You’re so naive, big brother. You always want to see the good in everybody. No wonder they take advantage of you.” Alden gave him a withering look.
Nicholas pursed his lips. He wished his siblings could show a little more humility and understanding, especially since they’d been given so much. How could they be so cruel and selfish when it came to others?
Taking a sip from his water bottle, Nicholas shut out his siblings as they continued talking about things he couldn’t relate to. Although the three were very different, it saddened him they weren’t closer. Without any other family, they only had each other. But all they ever talked about was the business and what gave them pleasure, like Charity’s Bali trip. Beyond that, very little of depth ever entered their conversations. While the two continued to talk about things of no interest to him, Nicholas returned to his work, but his ears pricked when Alden mentioned their late grandfather, James Barrington.
“You know, old James wouldn’t have liked us wasting the money on a lousy staffer. Just because a man’s nice enough doesn’t make him worth the money.” It seemed they’d returned to the issue of whether to fire Roger or not. Nicholas groaned. From what he remembered of James Barrington, firing a man because of an important family issue would have been the last thing he would have done.
When he died, the three siblings had inherited their grandfather’s fortune, amassed during the mining boom of the eighties. A billion for each, plus the company divided between them. Now the trio lacked for nothing, but as much as Nicholas appreciated the life he now had, he would much have preferred his grandfather, and his parents, to still be alive. How different things would have been if his parents had inherited instead of the three grandchildren.
He sighed sadly. Yes, he’d give just about anything to have his parents back. It didn’t seem fair that their lives had been snuffed out while they were still in their prime.
“So, do you think we should fire him? After he takes me to Bali, of course?” Charity asked nonchalantly, inspecting her perfectly manicured nails.
“Don’t be a fool,” Alden said harshly.
For a moment, Nicholas held hopes that his brother might stick up for the man, but they were soon dashed when Alden continued. “You should probably wait until he brings you back from Bali. You don’t want to be stuck there!” He laughed, and Charity joined in.
Nicholas seethed. He had to say something, but he needed to remain calm and rational. An emotional defense of the pilot wouldn’t go over well with his siblings. “Why don’t we give him another chance? His daughter is having surgery, it’s hardly a time to be selfish.”
Charity huffed with exasperation. “Whatever you say, big brother. Although I don’t see how it affects you, since you never use the private jet, anyway.” Her voice dripped with sarcasm.
Biting his lip, Nicholas brushed her comments and attitude off. They’d soon forget about the pilot and move on to a discussion about shoes or something as equally trivial.
“Well, I’m headed out. I’ve got a hot yoga class this afternoon.” Charity stood, tossed her rubbish in the bin, and then picked up her blender.
“Don’t you need more than that shake before working out?” Alden waved the last piece of steak on his fork as if he were teasing her with it.
She rolled her eyes. “Keep your cow, thanks.” With that, she turned and left the room, teetering on her stilettos.
Alden mopped up the last of his gravy, said a brief goodbye to Nicholas, and then also left the office.
Leaning back in his chair, Nicholas released a slow breath and gazed out the window. The cruise ship was long gone, but a Manly ferry was approaching Circular Quay, leaving white frothy water in its wake.
As much as he loved his siblings, he also loved his peace and quiet. He sometimes wondered about their grandfather and whether he’d be pleased with how his grandchildren were handling his fortune. James Barrington was renowned for his kindness, a rarity in the ruthless mining industry, and Nicholas wished he’d gotten to know him better before he passed. He sensed he could have learned a lot from him, and not just about the business. He’d heard that James Barrington was a religious man. Another rarity in the industry.
Swivelling his chair all the way around, Nicholas set back to work, tapping his fingers on the keyboard, opening emails from clients, studying spreadsheets. Millions of dollars in transactions and exchanges occurred on a weekly basis and the company was doing well, but as Managing Director, he needed to stay on top of it.
Their clients were happy, and he had reason to be proud of the company that he and his siblings had maintained and grown since taking over almost ten years ago. To the world at large, they were a success.
But sometimes, in the still of night, when he had time to think, he pondered what success really was. What was he missing by spending all his days on the forty-fifth floor?
Chapter 2
Making her way to the teacher’s lounge, Phoebe Halliday smiled and greeted all those she passed. No matter how she felt inside, no matter what thoughts passed through her mind each day, she outwardly remained positive, energised, and grateful. Nobody wanted to see a sad face.
She sat at the table she usually shared with her friend, Johanna, the other kindergarten teacher who also doubled as the music teacher. People often confused the two since they both had similar medium-brown hair and light eyes, although Phoebe’s were more of a grey-blue than Johanna’s hazel ones.
Opening her bag, she pulled out a plastic container filled with leftovers from the previous night’s dinner. Sensing someone approaching, she glanced up and was surprised to see Mrs. Jamison, the school counsellor, and not Johanna, hovering beside the table.
Mrs. Jamison, friendly and grey-haired, was always on the lookout for someone in need of care. Although she had great respect for the woman, Phoebe groaned inwardly. She didn’t want to be the subject of
her caring attention right now.
“Hi, Phoebe.” Mrs. Jamison smiled. “Do you mind if I sit here?”
Phoebe returned her smile. Despite how she was feeling, she couldn’t be rude. “Not at all. Please feel free.”
As Mrs. Jamison sat next to her, Phoebe sensed that this might be more than just a friendly visit.
Billionaires with Heart Boxset: Christian Romance Series Page 1
