<h4>Chapter 70: A Dangerous Surprise</h4>


    Anna’s POV


    The words hung in the air like a grenade with its pin pulled. I sat frozen, my coffee cup suspended halfway to my lips, as my brain struggled to process what Marcus had just said. The bustling restaurant seemed to fade away, leaving only the thundering of my heart in my ears.


    Gabriel’s face drained of color. Leah Barrett looked like she’d swallowed something particrly unpleasant. And my mother-my poor mother— appeared to be experiencing all five stages of grief simultaneously.


    "Marcus," Elizabeth finally managed, her voice pitched several notes higher than normal, "what an unexpected... joke. Very amusing." She forced out augh that sounded like ss breaking.


    Marcus’s eyes remained fixed on me, ignoring everyone else at the table.


    "I’m not joking."


    The intensity of his gaze made my skin prickle with heat. I set down my coffee cup before my trembling hands could betray me further.


    "Uncle Marcus," I began, trying to keep my voice steady, "this really isn’t the time or ce-"


    "I’ve made my intentions clear," he interrupted, his deep voice cutting through my protests like a hot knife through butter. "And I don’t believe in wasting time on pretense."


    Leah Barrett, ever the social strategist, recognized a battle lost before it had truly begun. She ced her napkin on the table and rose gracefully.


    "Elizabeth, darling, I just remembered we have another engagement this afternoon. Gabriel?"


    Gabriel stood immediately, smoothing his jacket with hands that weren’t quite steady. "Yes, of course. Ms. Shaw," he nodded toward me, "it was a pleasure meeting you. Perhaps another time."


    I forced a smile, knowing full well there wouldn’t be "another time" thanks to Marcus’s theatrical entrance. "Thank you for lunch. It was lovely meeting you both."


    As soon as the Barretts were out of earshot, Elizabeth turned to Marcus.


    "What on earth do you think you’re doing? Have youpletely lost your mind?"


    "Was it not clear enough? I’m interested in Anna." The matter-of-fact way he stated this made it sound like he was discussing a business acquisition rather than a romantic pursuit.


    "This is *not* how things are done," my mother hissed, keeping her voice low but sharp. "You can’t just barge in and announce yourself like that! "


    "Isn’t this more efficient?" he asked. "Why waste her time with candidates who aren’t suitable?"


    This meal is not enough to eat, my mother made an excuse and took me away.


    ---


    "Anna, you tell me the truth right now," Elizabeth demanded the moment our car pulled away from the restaurant. "What is going on between you and Marcus Murphy?"


    My mother’s voice contained equal parts fear and fury.


    I sighed and said, "His intentions were quite obvious, it was clear even at grandmother’s birthday celebration. I really don’t know why he took an interest in me."


    "Anna," my mother’s voice dropped to a near-whisper, "you need to stay away from Marcus Murphy."


    I raised an eyebrow. "Mom, I didn’t seek him out. He’s the one who keeps appearing."


    Elizabeth turned to look out the window, her profile rigid with tension.


    "This can’t happen, Anna. I can’t—I won’t have William Murphy as an inw. I simply can’t get past that." She pped her knee in frustration. "And you should stay away from the Murphy estate. Just... keep your distance from all of them."


    ----


    The Sanders estate was awash with lights, the sounds ofughter and music spilling out from every open window. I handed my coat to the waiting attendant, mentally preparing myself for an evening of socializing when I’d much rather be hiding under my nkets at home.


    "Annie! You made it!"


    Before I could fully register the voice, I was enveloped in a crushing hug. Paisley Sanders, the birthday girl herself, bounced on her toes as she embraced me, her enthusiasm causing her curls to bounce against my cheek.


    "Paisley, happy birthday," I managed, patting her back awkwardly. For all my business acumen, I’d never quite mastered the art of receiving physical affection gracefully.


    She pulled back, her eyes bright with excitement. "I wasn’t sure you’de!


    I know how busy you are with Shaw Corp and everything."


    I smiled, genuinely this time. Paisley’s unfiltered joy was contagious. "How could I miss your eighteenth? Besides, you’re a senior in high school now— it’s not like I can just drop by to see you anytime."


    "I know, right? Mom’s been so strict about visitors during exam prep." She rolled her eyes dramatically. "But look, you’re here now!"


    I handed her the small velvet box I’d been carrying. "Happy birthday, Paisley."


    Her eyes widened as she opened it, revealing the pink diamond bracelet I’d selected. "Annie! Oh my god, it’s gorgeous!" She bounced on her toes, her excitement almost childlike in its purity. "Put it on me, please?"


    "Perfect," I said, admiring how the pink diamonds caught the light. "It suits you."


    Paisley threw her arms around me again. "Thank you! I love it so much!


    Wait here, okay? Catherine texted that she’s arriving soon. We can all catch up together!"


    "Annie! Surprise!"


    Catherine’s familiar voice cut through the ambient chatter of the party. I turned, a smile already forming on my lips—until I saw who was standing beside her.


    Marcus Murphy.


    My smile froze in ce as I took in the sight of them both. Catherine looked absolutely delighted with herself, a mischievous glint in her eye that confirmed my suspicion that she’d orchestrated this "coincidence."


    "Catherine, so good to see you," I managed, my voice remarkably steady despite the chaos erupting in my brain. "And Uncle Marcus... what a surprise. Twice in one day—how lucky am I?"


    Marcus, dressed impably in a dark suit that emphasized his imposing height and broad shoulders, merely nodded in acknowledgment.


    "Uncle Marcus just got back to town," Catherine exined with false innocence, "so I thought, why not bring him along to Paisley’s party?


    Surprise!" She wiggled her fingers in a jazz-hands gesture that made me want to strangle her.


    "How thoughtful of you," I replied dryly. Catherine’s expression told me she knew exactly what I was thinking.


    Before I could formte an appropriate response, I spotted my mother across the room. The moment Elizabeth caught sight of Marcus, her pleasant socialite smile vanished.


    Within seconds, she was at my side, her arm linking firmly with mine.


    "Catherine, darling! How lovely to see you," she greeted warmly,pletely ignoring Marcus’s presence. "Why don’t we go sit with the otherdies? I spotted Daisy Sanders over by the window with the most fascinating champagne fountain."


    Without waiting for a response, my mother began steering me away, her grip on my arm brooking no argument.