<h4>Chapter 87: Strings Attached</h4>


    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 presencemanding attention even in solitude.


    The butler greeted me at the entrance, taking my coat with practiced efficiency.


    "Is Mr. Murphy avable?" I asked, brushing a stray hair from my face.


    "He’s in his study, Ms. Shaw. Though I should mention 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 nket draped across his legs despite the crackling fire nearby. His beloved parrot perched in the corner, eyeing me suspiciously.


    "Trouble’s here, trouble’s here!" the bird squawked the moment I stepped inside. I stood awkwardly, remembering ourst encounter when I’d identally 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 me busy at thepany," I replied, taking the seat opposite him.


    "Facing difficulties?" He leaned forward slightly. "You can tell me, perhaps I can help."


    A wave of affection washed over me 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 time 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 rm. "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 eximed.


    "Don’t worry yourself, Annie."


    William’s dismissive tone did little to reassure me. "That boy is tough as nails. Nopetitor has managed to take him down permanently, and they never will."


    I nodded absently, my mind entirely upied with thoughts of Marcus lying injured in some hospital bed.


    Without thinking, I began arranging tea and snacks, my movements mechanical.


    "Annie, are these cookies expired?


    They taste... strange." William’s face scrunched up in confusion.


    I nced down at the te 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 embarrassment.


    ---


    Back at Goldenleaf Manor, I immediately 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 deted my hopes instantly.


    "Why are you answering his phone?" I couldn’t keep the disappointment from my voice.


    A brief pause. "Mr. Murphy isn’t avable to take calls at the moment."


    My throat tightened. "Is he badly injured?"


    "Yes, quite severely," came Peter’s clipped response.


    "Could I speak with him just for a moment?" I tried, desperate to hear Marcus’s voice, to confirm he was truly okay.


    "I apologize, Ms. Shaw, but Mr. Murphy cannote to the phone right now."


    Something in Peter’s tone made my stomach twist ufortably. Was Marcus deliberately avoiding me?


    "I’ll call tomorrow then. Please take good care of him."


    "We will, Ms. Shaw."


    The call ended, leaving me staring at the silent phone in my hand. What had I done to make Marcus pull away?


    The next evening found me at Kieran Green’s daughter’s art exhibition, my face partially concealed behind oversized sunsses and a cashmere scarf. Rachel and Sean nked me protectively as we navigated through Skyview City’s elite, none of whom seemed particrly interested in the abstract paintings adorning the walls.


    "Anna." Jack Simpson’s voice came from behind me. Despite my disguise, he’d recognized me instantly.


    "What are you doing here?" he asked, genuine surprise in his tone.


    "I entered with a ticket, or is that somehow 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 sunsses, staring directly into his eyes. "So it really was your family working against me behind the scenes."


    Anna’s POV


    When Jack made that inviting gesture, I didn’t refuse. Despite knowing the Simpson family was working against me, 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 difort on his face.


    "Ms. Shaw, lovely to see you! I’ve been meaning 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 moment 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 regtions, Ms. Shaw. Please don’t put me in a difficult position."


    Anger bubbled up inside me, though I kept my voice measured while my expression turned serious. "And these regtions you mention-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 sh of guilt crossed Jack’s face before he slipped back into his lecturing mode. "Why are you so fixated on Skke 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 zing. "That’s my business, not yours."


    I turned away again, my heart racing, chest tight.


    Behind me, I heard a confrontation brewing. Sean was intercepting Jack, preventing him from following me.


    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 seed? She’s always fought fairly, never sabotaging anyone. If those using underhanded tactics win in the end, then God must be blind."


    Jack’s coldugh followed. "Shaw’s employees are just as naive as she is."


    His words stung because they reflected my own doubts. In this world, ying by the rules sometimes seemed 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 remembered 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 meet with Kieran Green, right?"


    I surprised. "You know him?"


    Nora’s lips curved slightly. "I do. Come on, I’ll take you to see him. Your assistant mentioned you’ve been stressed about the loan situation when he drove me home."


    I hesitated. "I just saw him. The Simpsons have clearly poisoned him against me."


    "Let’s try again," Nora insisted confidently.


    I studied her for a moment, considering my limited options.


    "Alright, one more attempt."


    When we confronted Kieran again, his face immediately darkened. "Why are you back?"


    I stered 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 me, her voice like silk. "Kieran, it’s been a while."


    In that instant, Kieran’s expression transformedpletely. 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 me a friend?


    Noticing my hesitation, Nora added, "Unless you prefers somewhere 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 menu first, watching as she ordered with practiced ease.


    "It’s been so long since I’ve dined here," Nora said with a hint of mncholy. "You know, I don’t have many friends in Skyview City. It’s too depressing toe to ces like this alone. Anna, thank you for joining me."


    Her words softened something in me. I typically maintained my distance from others, but decided to lower my guard.


    "No need for thanks. You helped me tremendously today. I had no idea you knew Kieran Green." My curiosity got the better of me. "I have to ask though —do you have some kind of leverage over him?"