King of Sloth

Ana Huang

59 pages 1-hour read

Ana Huang

King of Sloth

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2024

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

The wealthy, laid-back heir to the Castillo Group fortune. He maintains a public reputation as a carefree party boy to avoid taking on adult responsibilities. He carries immense guilt over his mother's death in a house fire, leading him to fear failing the people he cares about. He takes advantage of a loophole when his late father's will demands he take a CEO position within six months. Instead of joining his family's corporate empire, he attempts to open a high-end nightclub. He uses his sharp intelligence to chip away at Sloane's icy exterior, recognizing that they share similar emotional wounds.

Key Relationships

Client and Romantic Interest of Sloane Kensington

Son of Alberto Castillo

Son of Patricia Castillo

Mentee of Eduardo Aguilar

Friend and Colleague of Kai Young

Prospective Business Partner of Vuk Markovic

Prospective Tenant of Alex Volkov

Client of Jules Ambrose

A highly driven, emotionally guarded publicist who runs her own boutique firm, Kensington PR. She relies on total control and an icy professional demeanor to protect herself from vulnerability. Estranged from her parents and older sister, she dedicates almost all her waking hours to her demanding clients and refuses to take vacations. She strictly separates her personal feelings from her work, maintaining professional boundaries with Xavier even as he pushes for a closer connection. She relaxes by hate-watching romantic comedies, using vicious reviews to process her own disillusionment with love.

Key Relationships

Publicist and Romantic Interest of Xavier Castillo

Older Half-Sister of Penelope Kensington

Estranged Daughter of George Kensington

Estranged Stepdaughter of Caroline Kensington

Estranged Sister of Georgia

Close Friend of Vivian Lau

Close Friend of Alessandra Davenport

Close Friend of Isabella Valencia

Former Fiancée of Bentley

Target of Perry Wilson

Xavier's demanding father and the current head of the Castillo Group. He suffers from terminal cancer but refuses to soften his expectations for his son. He leaves behind a complex will designed to force Xavier into a respectable corporate leadership role. He deeply resents Xavier over the circumstances of his wife's death, ensuring their relationship remains cold and distant until the end.

Key Relationships

Father of Xavier Castillo

Husband of Patricia Castillo

Best Friend of Eduardo Aguilar

Supporting Characters

Sloane's father and a wealthy socialite. He values public appearances and high-society standing far more than fostering healthy relationships with his children. He remains fiercely protective of his favored daughter, Georgia, and blames Sloane for their family estrangement. He demands compliance and views emotional grievances as childish grudges. He controls access to his youngest daughter, Penelope, keeping her illness out of the public eye to preserve the family's pristine social image.

Key Relationships

Husband of Caroline Kensington

Estranged Father of Sloane Kensington

Father of Georgia

Father of Penelope Kensington

George's second wife and stepmother to Sloane and Georgia. She operates strictly within the confines of elite social expectations. She struggles to appropriately manage her daughter Penelope's chronic fatigue syndrome, often opting to keep her hidden at home with dedicated nannies and heavy security. She shows open hostility toward Sloane during unexpected visits and enforces the family's harsh boundaries.

Key Relationships

Wife of George Kensington

Mother of Penelope Kensington

Stepmother of Sloane Kensington

Stepmother of Georgia

Sloane's older sister and the undisputed favorite child of the Kensington family. She maintains a condescending attitude toward Sloane and frequently attempts to undermine her sister's confidence. She projects an image of perfection that hides severe insecurities regarding her marriage to Bentley. She uses cruel remarks about Sloane's lack of a romantic life to deflect from her own marital struggles.

Key Relationships

Wife of Bentley

Estranged Sister of Sloane Kensington

Daughter of George Kensington

Stepdaughter of Caroline Kensington

Half-Sister of Penelope Kensington

Sloane's younger half-sister who suffers from severe chronic fatigue syndrome. Her illness confines her to the family penthouse under strict supervision and causes extreme exhaustion. She deeply loves Sloane and relies on secret visits, smuggled gifts, and a dedicated nanny to maintain a relationship outside her parents' control. She shares a passion for soccer and finds comfort in the rare moments she spends with her older sister.

Key Relationships

Younger Half-Sister of Sloane Kensington

Daughter of George Kensington

Daughter of Caroline Kensington

Charge of Rhea

Xavier's late mother who died in a tragic house fire years ago. Her memory casts a long shadow over the Castillo family. Before her death, she wrote a letter intended for Xavier's twenty-first birthday. Her written words encourage him to embrace change, follow his passions, and define his own path in life outside the family legacy.

Key Relationships

Mother of Xavier Castillo

Wife of Alberto Castillo

Georgia's husband and Sloane's former fiancé. He feels deeply insecure around ambitious women and manipulates situations to feed his own ego. His past betrayal fundamentally shattered the Kensington family dynamic. He attempts to reinsert himself into Sloane's life by complaining about his current marriage, displaying a consistent lack of accountability for his actions.

Key Relationships

Husband of Georgia

Former Fiancé of Sloane Kensington

The pragmatic and highly successful CEO of Young Enterprises. He serves as a voice of reason and provides Xavier with a crucial list of influential contacts needed to launch a new business. He uses his resources in the media empire to assist his friends when they face public relations disasters.

Key Relationships

Fiancé of Isabella Valencia

Business Advisor to Xavier Castillo

A luxury event planner and one of Sloane's closest confidantes. She provides a supportive environment where Sloane can momentarily drop her professional guard. She participates in scheming against gossip bloggers who target their inner circle.

Key Relationships

Wife of Dante Russo

The powerful CEO of the Russo Group. He sits on the committee designated by Alberto Castillo's will to evaluate Xavier's corporate progress. He ultimately recognizes the younger man's genuine efforts to build a legitimate business.

Key Relationships

Husband of Vivian Lau

Evaluator of Xavier Castillo

Owner of a flower-pressing shop and a loyal member of Sloane's friend group. She helps create a safe space for Sloane to process her personal life and encourages her to take romantic risks.

Key Relationships

Wife of Dominic Davenport

A wealthy financial conglomerate CEO who provides essential financing for Xavier's new nightclub venture. He utilizes his firm's extensive resources to support ambitious projects.

Key Relationships

Husband of Alessandra Davenport

Financial Backer of Xavier Castillo

A successful author of erotic thrillers who participates in plotting against Sloane's public relations rivals. She leverages her creativity to assist Sloane in managing complex social situations.

Key Relationships

Fiancée of Kai Young

The intimidating chairman of Markovic Holdings. He requires proof of dedication and a solid venue before committing his highly sought-after resources to Xavier's project. He values passion and hands-on commitment in his business partners.

Key Relationships

Business Partner of Xavier Castillo

The CEO of the Archer Group, a massive real estate company. He owns the basement bank vault that Xavier desperately wants to lease for his nightclub. He holds strict requirements for leasing out his premium properties.

Key Relationships

Landlord of Xavier Castillo

A highly capable lawyer working for the prestigious firm Silver & Klein. She ensures all legal requirements are met for Xavier's ambitious timeline and negotiates his commercial lease.

Key Relationships

Lawyer for Xavier Castillo

The CEO of an international technology conglomerate. He provides the state-of-the-art commercial sound systems necessary for a high-end nightclub, ensuring the venue meets elite standards.

Key Relationships

Technology Supplier for Xavier Castillo

New York City's premier interior designer for hospitality spaces. She is hired to transform a raw bank vault into an exclusive nightlife destination that aligns with Xavier's creative vision.

Key Relationships

Interior Designer for Xavier Castillo

Alberto's lifelong best friend and the interim CEO of the Castillo Group. He attempts to mediate the tense relationship between father and son, serving as a reliable presence during the family's transition period.

Key Relationships

Best Friend of Alberto Castillo

Mentor to Xavier Castillo

Penelope's dedicated nanny. She risks her employment to ensure the isolated teenager can maintain a relationship with her older sister, smuggling Sloane in when the parents are away.

Key Relationships

Nanny for Penelope Kensington

Secret Ally of Sloane Kensington

Employee of Caroline Kensington

A notorious gossip blogger who makes a living publishing invasive and damaging articles about high-profile individuals. He routinely targets Sloane's clients, earning her professional wrath and prompting her to orchestrate his downfall.

Key Relationships

Adversary of Sloane Kensington