Anna’s POV
My lips twitched with the effort not to smile. Trust Catherine to co charging to my defense like an avenging angel in heels.
Lucy imdiately pivoted to her favorite role the victim. "Catherine, I’m just here with Jack," she said, eyes widening in feigned innocence.
"Charity events like this are ant for established families-it’s not my place as a young woman to take the lead."
Her friends closed ranks around her. "Miss Murphy, everyone knows you’re close with Anna Shaw," one of them said, indignation coloring her voice.
"Even if you want to stand up for her, you shouldn’t bully Lucy."
"That’s right," another added. "Anna is already divorced from Jack Simpson, and Jack is going to marry Lucy. Lucy is your cousin’s future wife, after all.Did you donate money?"
I watched Catherine fold her arms
across her chest, her expression one of pure disdain. Soone from the crowd, apparently checking the donation display, whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear: "Catherine’s na is actually on the list—she donated $80,000."
Lucy and her friends fell silent.
Catherine didn’t miss a beat. "People who haven’t donated a cent should keep their mouths shut. Who are you to judge how much others give? Even if soone donated just ten dollars, it’s not for your nasty mouth to comnt on."
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing as Lucy’s group retreated, thoroughly chastened.
Walking forward, I placed a hand on Catherine’s arm, giving it a grateful squeeze before making introductions.
"Ms. Butler, may I introduce Catherine Murphy? Catherine, this is Jasmine Butler."
"I’ve heard so much about you, Ms. Butler," Catherine said, her business instincts imdiately kicking in. "If you have any profitable ventures coming up, would you keep in mind?"
I smiled indulgently at my friend’s directness. "Our Miss Murphy only loves two things: freedom and investnt."
Jasmine seed more amused than put off by Catherine’s straightforwardness.
"Next ti I have a project suitable for you, Miss Murphy, I promise you’ll be the first to know."
I watched as Jasmine Butler slid into her black Bentley, the driver closing the door with practiced precision. The cool evening air felt refreshing against my skin after the stuffy atmosphere of the gala. Around us, a parade of luxury vehicles rolled through the circular driveway, valets rushing between them with keys jangling in their hands.
As her car pulled away, I exhaled deeply, feeling the tension finally drain from my body. I turned to Catherine, wrapping an arm around her waist and leaning against her slightly.
"Thanks, babe." My voice ca out in a near-whisper, fatigue suddenly washing over . "I owe you dinner for that save back there with Lucy."
Catherine’s shoulder bumped mine playfully, but I could sense sothing different in her deanor—a subtle undercurrent of restlessness that wasn’t typically there.
"Don’t ntion it. Besides, I genuinely want to work with Jasmine too. I’m not getting any younger, and I can’t just keep floating around doing nothing forever." Her tone aid for casual, but missed the mark by inches.
I straightened up, studying her face in the soft glow of the exterior lighting.
"What’s going on? Did your parents say sothing?"
Catherine held up two fingers, a flash of irritation crossing her features. "Marriage or career, pick one." A defiant snort escaped her. "Are they kidding? What’s so great about marriage? Unless I find a man who makes want to say yes willingly, nobody’s forcing into anything."
I nodded, a surge of admiration rising in my chest. "So you chose career.
Good for you."
"I’m serious-if you’re going after the Skylake District, count in." Her eyes locked onto mine with surprising intensity.
My heart ward at her offer, but caution tempered my reaction.
"We can do that," I said after a thoughtful pause, "but we should sign a proper agreent. Business is business, even between friends."
Catherine rolled her eyes, waving dismissively. "Fine, fine, whatever you say. I’ll set up the company right away so my parents and Simon can stop nagging ."
That caught off guard. "What does Simon have to do with you starting a company?"
She sighed, frustration radiating from her in waves. "That little brat’s getting too big for his britches, wants to follow Uncle Marcus’s footsteps and build his own empire overseas. He’s trying to dump Murphy Global in my lap." She shook her head, lips pressed into a tight line. "But in this economic climate, what’s he going to accomplish out there?"
I waited, sensing there was more.
"Besides, I’m not like you, Anna." Her voice dropped, vulnerability seeping through the cracks of her usual confident facade. "I don’t have the confidence to take over Murphy Global. If anything went wrong under my watch, I’d be the family disgrace forever."
"You know —I’m used to my freedom," she continued, her eyes reflecting a yearning I recognized all too well. "I just want a small company to play with, and soone to manage it for . anwhile, I can do whatever I want, go wherever I please."
"Alright, call when you’re ready," I said, giving her arm a gentle squeeze.
"I’ll help you figure it out."
She smiled, the tension in her shoulders visibly easing. A black Escalade pulled up, and her driver stepped out, nodding respectfully in our direction.
"That’s my ride," Catherine said, suppressing a yawn. "Ti to call it a night."
We exchanged quick goodbyes, and I watched as she climbed into the SUV and disappeared into the night traffic of Skyview City.
Turning back toward the gala, I decided to make a final round of goodbyes.
As I walked past a private lounge area, a strong hand suddenly shot out from the doorway, grabbing my wrist and pulling inside with surprising force. The door slamd shut behind
with a loud bang, the sound echoing in the small space.
My heart lurched into my throat, adrenaline flooding my system. I whirled around, ready to defend myself, when my eyes locked with a familiar pair.
"You?" I blurted out.
Samuel’s POV
"You’re still here?" I asked irritably, bracing one hand against the wall, effectively caging her between my body and the wallpaper. I knew I reeked of alcohol and sweat, but the uncontrollable fire coursing through my body was far worse. Seeing Anna pressed against the wall trying to escape gave a twisted sense of satisfaction.
"When I leave is none of your business, Mr. Griffin," she responded, feigning composure though her pulse visibly raced at her throat.
"You really are... asking for trouble," I managed through gritted teeth, fighting against the raging inferno inside . I could feel veins pulsing at my temples, my vision swimming with need.
Her eyes narrowed, scanning my face.
"Are you drunk or have you been... drugged?"
The question cut through my haze montarily. Drugged? The possibility hadn’t even occurred to , but it made sense.
I didn’t want to admit I’d been caught off guard, but I was in too much discomfort to maintain the pretense.
I’d only intended to grab a random server to help relieve my condition, planning to pay them off generously afterward. Never did I expect to pull in Anna Shaw of all people.
I forced my face into a casual, flirtatious expression. "That’s right, Ms. Shaw. I’m in quite a state, and since you’ve interrupted my plans, perhaps you could be a good Samaritan?" I blew gently on her ear, deliberately provocative despite the way my lungs burned for oxygen.
"I’m sorry, Mr. Griffin, but I’ve never been much for charity work. You’ll need to find soone else," she tried to push away, but I didn’t budge.
Though I’d cultivated the image of just playboy, my chest and arms possessed genuine strength. I looked her up and down shalessly: "Finding soone else wouldn’t be nearly as exciting as you, Ms. Shaw. With looks like yours, anyone would be tempted."
I moved closer to her ear, my burning lips almost touching her earlobe: "I told you before, I’m interested in you."
The mont those words left my mouth, a searing pain shot up from my groin. I doubled over, clutching myself, my face instantly turning dark as agony exploded through my lower body. "You... you bitch..." The pain was so intense I couldn’t even finish my sentence.
"My looks ca from my parents, not for perverts like you to fantasize about," Anna declared, looking down at with undisguised triumph. "Mr. Griffin, this is karma for all your misdeeds!"
The pain forced to close my eyes, cold sweat breaking out on my forehead even as the rest of my body continued to burn. She poked my shoulder, her voice laced with satisfaction: "Not feeling so predatory now, are you? See, one move from and you’re cured. No need to thank ."
I leaned against the wall, hunched over, in too much pain to even retort.
The drug still raged through my system, but the agony she’d inflicted had montarily overpowered it.
"Um, are you... broken?" Anna suddenly looked worried, which surprised .
I didn’t answer, but when she took out her phone to record video, I wished I could smash it to pieces.
"Mr. Griffin, here’s the deal. I’ll take you to the hospital. But to ensure you don’t try to bla later, I’m recording this as evidence. You’ve been drugged, right? You’re in pain, correct?"
I glared at her with pure venom, ntally imagining terrible revenge scenarios. The pain was sothing only n could truly understand, and this damned woman wasn’t rushing to help but was instead recording in my weakest mont!
"Mr. Griffin, if you don’t nod, I’m leaving, and tonight’s events will have nothing to do with ."
Assessing the situation, I realized being seen in this state by Anna alone was better than being exposed to everyone at the gala. With extre reluctance, I nodded.
"Mr. Griffin, you forced my hand. I’m no match for you physically, and if you recover tomorrow and decide to cause trouble for , I’d be in a difficult position," Anna said with satisfaction as she backed up the video. "Rest assured, as long as I remain safe, no one else will see this video."
"Stop talking and get to a hospital," I said through clenched teeth. If I didn’t get dical attention soon, I felt I might explode from the combination of drug-induced heat and the throbbing pain between my legs.
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