<h4>Chapter 96: Thought It Was Love</h4>


    Catherine’s POV


    I sprawled across my desk, chin propped on my palm, staring at the delivery tracking app on my phone.


    Twenty-three minutes and counting My stomach growled in protest, but food wasn’t what had me fidgeting in my ergonomic chair all day.


    The pregnancy test photo Anna sent me glowed on my screen, those two pink lines taunting me with their implications. I’d been wrestling with this dilemma since morning: should I tell Uncle Marcus?


    "Fuck it," I muttered, tossing my phone onto a stack of animation storyboards. "He needs to know so he can move on."


    Anna was pregnant. With someone else’s baby. Any possibility of her bing my aunt had just evaporated like morning dew in July. My fingers drummed against the polished surface of my desk as guilt twisted through my chest. I was the one who kept pushing Uncle Marcus toward her, convinced they were perfect for each other.


    _Maybe this is for the best. Uncle Marcus can finally stop pining after her._


    I grabbed my phone and forwarded Anna’s pregnancy test photo to him before I could chicken out. Despite it being the middle of the night in Europe, his response was immediate:


    [Whose kid is it? Is your father against it or is the boy’s family the problem?]


    I stared at the message, my jaw going ck. "Oh my God." A bubble of hystericalughter escaped my throat.


    "He thinks I’m pregnant!"


    My fingers flew across the screen:


    [Not me, it’s Anna who’s pregnant.]


    I bit my lip, trying to imagine Uncle Marcus’s face as he read those words.


    The stoic mask would crack, revealing the raw hurt beneath. My chest tightened with preemptive remorse.


    [Uncle Marcus, I feel terrible. Maybe we should just let this go.]


    [Look, Anna’s having a child now. She clearly doesn’t have feelings for you.]


    I gnawed on my lower lip, desperate to offer somefort:


    [Uncle Marcus, you’re such a catch.


    You could find any woman you want to be your wife, right?]


    [Don’t be upset, Uncle. I’ll help you look for someone new.]


    I held my breath, waiting for his response. Would hesh out? Go cold?


    I braced myself for emotional fallout.


    His reply was a single sentence:


    [Don’t tell her that I know about her pregnancy.]


    I furrowed my brow, reading the message three times. Where was the heartbreak? The anger? The cold dismissal?


    Marcus’s POV


    I stared at my phone screen,pletely frozen. The photo Catherine had just sent-those two clear lines—made my heart nearly stop. A pregnancy test? My brain refused to process this information until a thought exploded in my mind:


    Anna was pregnant. I was going to be a father.


    A wave of heat spread from my chest throughout my body, my hands trembling uncontrobly. The silence of the European night was broken only by my rapid breathing. I instinctively stood up, pacing across my spacious office, trying to control my emotions. If not for years of practiced restraint, I might have burst intoughter in that moment.


    "Prepare the private jet immediately," I blurted out to Peter Reed, my voice carrying an excitement unfamiliar even to myself. "I need to return to Skyview City right away."


    Peter’s expression morphed from confusion to shock. "Now, Mr. Murphy? You just said there’s an extremely important meeting tonight.


    The entire executive team has been waiting for you all day."


    "The meeting can be postponed," I stated firmly, with only one thought in mind: I needed to be by Anna’s side immediately. "I’m going to be a father!


    That’s more important than any meeting."


    Peter hesitated briefly before nodding and turning to leave. Just then, as the initial euphoria began to fade, rationality gradually took over. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down and consider the implications and possibilities of this news.


    "Wait, Peter." I suddenly called out, shaking my head. "On second thought, I can’t go back. I must pretend I don’t know about this."


    I closed my eyes, imagining Anna’s face when she would tell me this news —those beautiful eyes flickering with uncertainty and anticipation. The image made my heart clench. But I had to stay rational. This was about our future, our child. Every step needed to be carefully considered.


    "But Anna is..." Peter’s voice was filled with confusion.


    "I know she needs me," I sighed heavily, painfully rubbing my forehead. "But precisely because of that, I need to ensure everything is properly arranged. This is my first child with Anna, and I can’t let any risks near them."


    Peter’s expression suddenly turned serious. "Sir, not to pour cold water, but I genuinely believe you shouldn’t rush back now. Doyle has recovered, and ording to our intelligence, that madman has already started moving.


    He certainly won’t let you off easily."


    My face darkened. Peter was right; with enemies like Doyle, one could never be too careful. If he learned about Anna’s pregnancy... The mere possibility sent a chill down my spine.


    For Anna and our child’s safety, I couldn’t act recklessly.


    "I’ll stay in Europe a bit longer," my voice was calm and resolute, though my insides were churning. "Contact Ryan White, have him meet with my father. Tell him the details. Anna must receiveprehensive protection, but discreetly-she shouldn’t feel rmed."


    Catherine’s POV


    My phone buzzed with Grandpa William’s name shing on the screen.


    I answered immediately, feeling that familiar flutter of anticipation whenever he called.


    "Catherine,e to Murphy Estate after work today. Immediately." His voice carried that distinctive tone that brooked no argument.


    "Is everything okay, Grandpa?"


    "Juste." The line went dead before I could ask another question.


    The rest of my workday crawled by, my mind spinning with possibilities.


    Had something happened to Uncle Marcus? Was Grandpa ill again? By the time I pulled into Murphy Estate’s circr driveway, my imagination had conjured a dozen worst-case scenarios.


    The moment I stepped into the grand foyer, I froze. The marble entryway had transformed into some bizarre high-end pharmacy. Expensive health supplements and gift baskets formed small mountains against the walls, arranged with the precision that characterized everything in Grandpa’s domain.


    "What the hell is all this?" I muttered, navigating through thebyrinth of packages.


    Grandpa William appeared from his study, leaning slightly on his cane.


    "These were meant for your Uncle Marcus, thinking he might have children soon after marriage. They were for his future wife’s health." His voice carried that particr blend of disappointment and resignation I’de to recognize whenever Uncle Marcus was the topic.


    "But your uncle hasn’t been cooperative. Couldn’t have a wife .


    Now he won’t evene back for the holidays." Grandpa’s eyes drifted across the supplements, decades of business acumen unable to hide the sentimental old man beneath.


    "Take them all," Grandpa said suddenly, waving his hand dismissively. "Have the kitchen staff prepare them for you."


    A lightbulb moment hit me with such force I nearly gasped aloud. These weren’t for me-they were perfect for Anna’s pregnancy! The universe had a twisted sense of humor sometimes.


    - - -


    Two hourster, I pulled up to Goldenleaf Manor with my car packed to the ceiling with supplements. Anna answered the door herself, her expression morphing from surprise to bewilderment as I directed the staff to bring in box after box.


    "What is all this?" She gestured at the mountain of health products now upying her foyer.


    "Just found them in our family storage.


    All high-quality stuff," I lied smoothly, avoiding any mention of Grandpa William or Uncle Marcus. Thest thing Anna needed was to know these were originally intended for her as Marcus’s wife. The irony was too much even for me.


    Anna shook her head, her fingers absently finding their way to her slightly rounded belly—a new habit I’d noticed developing. "How am I supposed to finish all this? Mom and Grandma Margaret just bought a carload today-food, supplies, things for me, things for the baby. I’m overwhelmed. The doctor said I don’t need special supplements, just a normal bnced diet."


    I raised an eyebrow, unable to resist.


    "These aren’t for you anyway. They’re for my godchild." My eyes drifted to her belly, a wave of protective affection washing over me.


    ---


    Two dayster, Grandpa William summoned me again. This time, a broad-shouldered man with a military bearing stood beside him in the study.


    "This young man is a military veteran, honorably discharged after an injury.


    He can drive, he can fight, and he’ll be your driver now," Grandpa exined casually, though the concern in his eyes betrayed his true intentions.


    I immediately thought of Rachel Wilson, still recovering from injuries meant for Anna. This man would be perfect for her, not me.


    "Thank you, Grandpa. He looks very capable." I epted with a gracious smile, already nning the reassignment in my head.


    ---


    That afternoon, I marched into Goldenleaf Manor with the stoic bodyguard trailing behind me.


    "I found him especially for you. Hisbat skills are on par with Rachel’s, and he’ll be responsible for your protection from now on," I announced proudly, nudging the man forward.


    The transformation in Anna’s face was instantaneous-from polite confusion to genuine delight. She rushed forward, wrapping her arms around me in a tight embrace before nting a firm kiss on my cheek.


    "You are the best godmother ever!


    Thanks, darling!" The warmth in her voice made my chest tighten with affection.


    I pretended embarrassment, rolling my eyes dramatically. "Why so formal with me? That investor you introduced me to, Jasmine Butler, has already helped me make a fortune. I should be thanking you."


    <fnd566> For original chapters go to fin?novel</fnd566>


    Anna released me, her eyes warm and sincere. "That’s what best friends are for."


    Anna’s POV


    The ultrasound image in my hand showed a tiny ck circle-the pregnancy sac—nestled in the gray blur of my uterus. My finger traced the outline, a strange warmth spreading through my chest.


    "Everything looks perfect, Ms. Shaw," the doctor said, her smile professionally reassuring. "You have a healthy intrauterine pregnancy developing normally."


    I nodded, suddenly hit by a wave of dread as my mind wandered to the car ident. If I had been in that vehicle instead of Sean and Rachel...


    "If it hadn’t been for you two switching ces with me, I can’t imagine the consequences," I murmured, passing the ultrasound image to Rachel.


    Rachel’s face flickered with momentary concern before she smiled. "It’s because you’re always one step ahead, boss. You sensed someone might try something underhanded. This little one is already bringing you good fortune."


    I handed the prenatal documents to yton, who tucked them carefully into his leather portfolio. Catherine’s rmendation had been spot-on— he moved with military precision, eyes constantly scanning our surroundings.


    Since Rachel’s recovery, they made a formidable security team.


    "I wonder how Sean is recovering," I said, guilt gnawing at my insides despite the positive checkup. "Choose some supplements from that mountain Catherine brought and have them delivered to him. I could never consume all those myself."


    "I had arge serving myselfst night," Rachel replied cheerfully. "Sean and I are really benefiting from this!"


    In the car, Rachel studied me with that look I’de to recognize-a mixture of concern and determination. "Ms. Shaw, Sapphire Sky Hotel isn’t far from here. Why not stop and rest for a while? It’s not quite lunchtime yet."


    "No need, I’m not tired. Let’s head straight back to the office," I replied, watching raindrops race down the window. Though pregnancy often left me feeling like I’d run a marathon by noon, work was where I found peace.


    Besides, there was too much at stake with Skke District to allow myself unnecessary breaks.


    At a red light, I called home to report my checkup results. Grandmother Margaret’s voice immediately flooded with affection: "Work isn’t nearly as important as you and the baby. If you lose money, so be it. I’d use myst savings to care for you and my great-grandchild."


    My throat tightened unexpectedly.


    Mom jumped in, her concern palpable even through the phone: "Annie, you mustn’t overexert yourself. You need proper rest—you can’t keep pushing yourself like before."


    As we pulled into Shaw Corp’s parking garage, I made a silent promise: *I’ll have this baby AND maintain my career. I can manage both withoutpromise.*


    Mason Nelson was waiting in my office with quarterly reports from Luminary Trade Ventures. The numbers were better than I’d expected-small hope against the mountain of debt I’d taken on for Skke District.


    "Beyond the financials," Mason continued enthusiastically after his presentation, "I’m nning tounch a livestream program for Luminary Trade. We can promote tea culture, not just sell products."


    I nodded, genuinely impressed.


    "Excellent idea. Everyone else is capitalizing on this trend-why shouldn’t we?" The excitement in his


    eyes mirrored my own entrepreneurial spirit. "But one important point: our content must maintain high quality.


    We absolutely will not produce vulgar content just for views."


    Mason’s agreement was immediate.


    "Exactly my thinking. That’s why I wanted to ask if you might know someone with exceptional poise who understands tea and ideally possesses artistic talents. I want to develop a unique influencer who embodies culture and refinement."


    Nora Price’s image shed in my mind instantly-elegant, ssically trained in piano, and with the perfect understated presence for what Mason described.


    That evening, I invited Nora to dinner at Le Ciel, carefully watching her reaction as I outlined Mason’s concept.


    "Me?" Nora’s eyes widened, her fork freezing midway to her mouth. "Anna, you can’t be serious. I couldn’t possibly do that."


    I took a sip of water from my thermos, secretly pleased my intuition had been correct-Nora hadn’t immediately dismissed the idea.


    "How can you know it won’t work without trying?" I countered calmly.


    "Let’s set aside whether you can do it for now-the question is whether you want to."