Anna’s POV
I arrived at Murphy Estate just as the afternoon sun cast long shadows across the manicured gardens. The sprawling mansion with its imposing facade looked quieter than usual-the winter chill had driven even the most dedicated groundskeepers indoors.
Walking past the empty gazebo, I found myself imagining Marcus sitting there, his powerful presence commanding attention even in solitude.
The butler greeted at the entrance, taking my coat with practiced efficiency.
"Is Mr. Murphy available?" I asked, brushing a stray hair from my face.
"He’s in his study, Ms. Shaw. Though I should ntion he’s not feeling his best today." The butler’s voice carried a note of concern. "Caught a chill from reading in the garden pavilion yesterday."
My heart tightened instantly. "Mr. Murphy isn’t well? Did he catch a cold?"
"Yes, he insisted on sitting in the garden despite the weather. I’m afraid he’s paying for it now."
I followed him through the ornate hallways, my heels clicking against the floors-each step punctuated by my mounting concern for William’s health.
The study door opened to reveal William Murphy sitting in his armchair, a woolen blanket draped across his legs despite the crackling fire nearby. His beloved parrot perched in the corner, eyeing suspiciously.
"Trouble’s here, trouble’s here!" the bird squawked the mont I stepped inside. I stood awkwardly, rembering our last encounter when I’d accidentally startled it.
William waved dismissively. "Just a minor cold. Why is everyone making such a fuss? Don’t you people ever get sick?" Despite his gruff tone, I could tell he was touched by the concern.
"Annie, it’s been too long since you’ve visited," he said, his eyes crinkling with genuine warmth.
Guilt pinched at my conscience. "Year-end is keeping busy at the company," I replied, taking the seat opposite him.
"Facing difficulties?" He leaned forward slightly. "You can tell , perhaps I can help."
A wave of affection washed over as I moved to his side, gently taking his arm. "Nothing major, just the usual end-of-year chaos. I’m trying to wrap up important matters before the holidays so I can properly spend ti with Mom and Grandma."
"That’s our thoughtful Annie." William sighed I, settling back. "Unlike Marcus, getting injured every other day. At his age, you’d think he’d be more careful..."
My heart stuttered. The teacup slipped from my fingers, rolling across the table before tumbling onto the carpet.
"Marcus is injured?" My voice cracked with sudden alarm. "How did it happen? Mr. Murphy, is it serious?"
William sighed heavily. "Been bedridden for two weeks now.
Thankfully, his life isn’t in danger."
"That serious?" I exclaid.
"Don’t worry yourself, Annie."
William’s dismissive tone did little to reassure . "That boy is tough as nails. No competitor has managed to take him down permanently, and they never will."
I nodded absently, my mind entirely occupied with thoughts of Marcus lying injured in so hospital bed.
Without thinking, I began arranging tea and snacks, my movents chanical.
"Annie, are these cookies expired?
They taste... strange." William’s face scrunched up in confusion.
I glanced down at the plate and realized I’d served him the decorative fake cookies from the centerpiece. "Mr. Murphy, I’ll get fresh ones right away." My cheeks burned with embarrassnt.
---
Back at Goldenleaf Manor, I imdiately reached for my phone.
My fingers trembled slightly as I dialed Marcus’s number, anxiety building with each ring.
"Marcus?" I asked eagerly when the line connected.
"Ms. Shaw, it’s Peter Reed." The formal voice on the other end deflated my hopes instantly.
"Why are you answering his phone?" I couldn’t keep the disappointnt from my voice.
A brief pause. "Mr. Murphy isn’t available to take calls at the mont."
My throat tightened. "Is he badly injured?"
"Yes, quite severely," ca Peter’s clipped response.
"Could I speak with him just for a mont?" I tried, desperate to hear Marcus’s voice, to confirm he was truly okay.
"I apologize, Ms. Shaw, but Mr. Murphy cannot co to the phone right now."
Sothing in Peter’s tone made my stomach twist uncomfortably. Was Marcus deliberately avoiding ?
"I’ll call tomorrow then. Please take good care of him."
"We will, Ms. Shaw."
The call ended, leaving staring at the silent phone in my hand. What had I done to make Marcus pull away?
The next evening found at Kieran Green’s daughter’s art exhibition, my face partially concealed behind oversized sunglasses and a cashre scarf. Rachel and Sean flanked protectively as we navigated through Skyview City’s elite, none of whom seed particularly interested in the abstract paintings adorning the walls.
"Anna." Jack Simpson’s voice ca from behind . Despite my disguise, he’d recognized instantly.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, genuine surprise in his tone.
"I entered with a ticket, or is that sohow offensive to Mr. Simpson?"
My mood was sour, making my response sharper than intended.
Jack studied my face, seemingly reading my underlying frustration.
"You’re here for Kieran Green, aren’t you? I can introduce you."
I removed my sunglasses, staring directly into his eyes. "So it really was your family working against behind the scenes."
Anna’s POV
When Jack made that inviting gesture, I didn’t refuse. Despite knowing the Simpson family was working against , I wouldn’t let personal feelings get in the way of a potential solution to my loan problems.
As I approached Kieran Green, I caught that fleeting expression of discomfort on his face.
"Ms. Shaw, lovely to see you! I’ve been aning to schedule that coffee with you after the holidays," he said, extending his hand while his eyes darted nervously.
I maintained my professional smile and shook his hand. "You’re too kind, Mr. Green. I know you’re busy, so I thought I’d save you the trouble of reaching out."
Jack smoothly excused himself. "T’ll leave you two to talk while I check out the other exhibits."
The mont Jack walked away, Kieran’s facade crumbled. His expression cooled significantly. "Ms.
Shaw, to be frank, I can’t help you with your request."
I dropped the act as well. "I’m following standard procedure with my application. What exactly can’t you help with, Mr. Green? Is it that you can’t, or won’t?"
That struck a nerve. His expression hardened instantly. "I’m simply following regulations, Ms. Shaw. Please don’t put in a difficult position."
Anger bubbled up inside , though I kept my voice asured while my expression turned serious. "And these regulations you ntion-are they specifically designed for Shaw Corp?"
After leaving Kieran, my anger had nowhere to go. Jack hurried over, feigning concern. "How did it go?"
I couldn’t contain myself any longer.
"As if you don’t know? Why bother pretending to be helpful? Do you think I’m stupid?"
A flash of guilt crossed Jack’s face before he slipped back into his lecturing mode. "Why are you so fixated on Skylake District? You must realize the risks for Shaw Corp are enormous—you can’t afford the losses."
His words only fueled my rage. I turned to leave, but heard him following quickly behind, his voice suddenly tinged with what sounded like genuine concern.
"What’s more important-that historic building or you? Have you considered what would happen to Elizabeth and Margaret if you gamble away the entire Shaw fortune on one old building?"
I whirled around, eyes blazing. "That’s my business, not yours."
I turned away again, my heart racing, chest tight.
Behind , I heard a confrontation brewing. Sean was intercepting Jack, preventing him from following .
Though I didn’t stop walking, Jack’s aggressive voice carried clearly.
"Who do you think you are?"
Sean responded calmly, "How do you know Ms. Shaw won’t succeed? She’s always fought fairly, never sabotaging anyone. If those using underhanded tactics win in the end, then God must be blind."
Jack’s cold laugh followed. "Shaw’s employees are just as naive as she is."
His words stung because they reflected my own doubts. In this world, playing by the rules sotis seed futile against backroom dealings—a reality I was reluctantly learning to face.
Rachel rushed over with unexpected news. "Ms. Shaw, I just ran into Ms. Price! She’s performing at the neighboring exhibition and would like to treat you to lunch afterward. Should be finishing soon."
"Nora Price?" I asked, surprised.
"Yes, she insists you join her-says it’s to thank you for helping her twice."
I nodded slightly, touched that Nora had rembered my small gestures of assistance.
After waiting briefly in the car, Nora appeared, smiling as she approached. I learned she’d just finished a piano performance.
"Had I known, I would have watched instead of getting angry," I said half-jokingly.
Nora got straight to the point. "You wants to et with Kieran Green, right?"
I surprised. "You know him?"
Nora’s lips curved slightly. "I do. Co on, I’ll take you to see him. Your assistant ntioned you’ve been stressed about the loan situation when he drove ho."
I hesitated. "I just saw him. The Simpsons have clearly poisoned him against ."
"Let’s try again," Nora insisted confidently.
I studied her for a mont, considering my limited options.
"Alright, one more attempt."
When we confronted Kieran again, his face imdiately darkened. "Why are you back?"
I plastered on a brilliant smile, though my tone was sharp. "How could I stay away? You haven’t fulfilled your promise, Mr. Green. I’ll have to keep bothering you until you do."
His expression grew uglier. "Your persistence won’t change anything. I won’t approve your application, no matter what. Keep pushing, and there will be consequences."
As I prepared to counter, Nora stepped forward from behind , her voice like silk. "Kieran, it’s been a while."
In that instant, Kieran’s expression transford completely. He looked as though he’d been struck by lightning, his face registering pure panic.
After leaving the exhibition, my mood had lifted considerably. "I should be the one treating you to lunch today.
Nora, what would you like?"
"Let’s go to Le Ciel," she suggested directly. "It’s been ages since I’ve been I paused at her suggestion. Le Ciel was among Skyview City’s most exclusive restaurants, typically reserved for business partners or close friends. Was she considering a friend?
Noticing my hesitation, Nora added, "Unless you prefers sowhere else..."
"Le Ciel sounds perfect," I decided quickly, turning to Rachel. "Please reserve us a private room."
"No need," Nora smiled. "I already made a reservation, just in case you agreed."
Seated in the private dining room, I gestured for the waiter to give Nora the nu first, watching as she ordered with practiced ease.
"It’s been so long since I’ve dined here," Nora said with a hint of lancholy. "You know, I don’t have many friends in Skyview City. It’s too depressing to co to places like this alone. Anna, thank you for joining ."
Her words softened sothing in . I typically maintained my distance from others, but decided to lower my guard.
"No need for thanks. You helped trendously today. I had no idea you knew Kieran Green." My curiosity got the better of . "I have to ask though —do you have so kind of leverage over him?"
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