Ten Years All For Nothing Novel by Avery Moore _ Novel




Ten Years All For Nothing Chapter 01

Reynaldo Colton, captain of the New York Criminal Investigation Division, had me pulled from my own academic lecture—under the guise of "assisting an investigation". It was a complete humiliation, and he did it all for his new love, Annabella Draper, a preschool teacher.
My elder brother, Blake Fordyce, flew into a rage and used his connections with the board of trustees to have Annabella fired and drive her out of the education sector entirely. Reynaldo did not lash out in revenge.
But on the night I was up for the title of Distinguished University Professor, someone locked me inside my office and pumped hallucinogens into the ventilation system.
I passed out in an alley behind the university campus. The next day, footage of me being surrounded and humiliated by a gang of thugs made headlines.
Worst of all, the nerves in my right hand were severed by a sharp weapon during the struggle. I would never hold a piece of chalk or a pen again.
Reynaldo called off our engagement without hesitation and immediately moved Annabella into his apartment.
Then Terrence Glascott, a rising star in the legal field and my childhood friend, stepped forward, claimed he didn't care about my ruined reputation, and offered to marry me to keep me safe.
But on the day we tried on wedding fittings, I overheard his assistant talking to him in the dressing room.
"Mr. Glascott, Prof. Fordyce is getting dragged through the mud online. What do you gain by taking on this mess?"
"You don't get it. Rey set Jocelynn up to ruin her hand to protect Anna. He even used his power to ship those thugs out of the country. I'm marrying her only to keep the Fordyce family from going after Anna—nothing more than keeping a useless piece by my side."
So, that was it. Both of them were protecting Annabella.
A chill washed over my body. Still wearing my heavy wedding gown, I took a taxi straight to the New York office of a border wildlife protection organization.
I went up to the staff member behind the counter and asked for an application form, "Sir, I want to join the Dzanga-Ndod National Park anti‑poaching frontline team as a field recorder. I understand the risks, and I'm ready to sign a volunteer liability waiver.
"Whatever happens to me, the organization bears no responsibility."
Seething with rage, I pressed down so hard with the pen as I filled out the form that it tore straight through the paper.
A director came to me and stared at my disabled right hand, stunned. "Prof. Fordyce, Dzanga-Ndod National Park is full of outlaws. The climate is brutal. Even the most elite veterans barely make it out alive.
"And facing armed poachers who kill without mercy, an academic like you would be like signing your own death warrant."
I clenched my numb fingers and kept my voice steady. "I'll take the place of the team member who died the day before yesterday. Even if it means being the bait in the most dangerous missions, I won't back down."
He glanced at my white wedding dress and hesitated. "Isn't today supposed to be your wedding to Mr. Glascott?"
My eyes stung, but I forced back my tears, speaking coldly, "Don't worry about it. The wedding is off."
Thanks to my massive foundation donations and their desperate need for personnel, they approved my request.
"The smuggling freighter leaving tomorrow night is the only way into the Dzanga-Ndod National Park.
"If you come back alive, the organization will step in and guarantee the closure of the Fordyce Group's contraband investigation."
I let out a bitter laugh and bowed in thanks.
The second I stepped outside, I saw Reynaldo leaning against my black SUV, a cigarette between his fingers.
"Anna wants this car. She loves its high ground clearance and great visibility. Since I've got you here, give me the keys."
This was the vehicle he'd personally modified and given me when I earned my doctorate.
He once said only someone feisty like me deserved this car. Now he was giving my ride to a delicate, dependent woman.
I dropped the keys onto the ground and turned to leave.
He mocked me from behind, "Aren't you supposed to be getting married? Why are you putting on a show in a place like this?
"What? You think this cheap stunt will make me feel sorry for you? Terrence is doing you a favor by taking you in with your reputation. Don't push it and end up completely unwanted."
I stopped and turned to look at the face I had loved for ten years.
"Stay away from me."
He snapped at my tone. He stepped forward and squeezed my shoulder roughly.
"Jocelynn, don't push your luck. Just look at how disgusting you are. Marry Terrence and leave Anna alone, or I'll make sure you're finished in New York for good."

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