CHAPTER 124: NEW BEGINNINGS

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 black 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 accident. If I had been in that vehicle instead of Sean and Rachel...

"If it hadn’t been for you two switching places 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 Clayton, who tucked them carefully into his leather portfolio. Catherine’s recommendation had been spot-on— he moved with military precision, eyes constantly scanning our surroundings. nce 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 a large serving myself last night," Rachel replied cheerfully. "Sean and I are really benefiting from this!"

In the car, Rachel studied me with that look I’d come 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 Skylake 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 my last 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 without compromise.*

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 Skylake District.

"Beyond the financials," Mason continued enthusiastically after his presentation, "Im planning to launch 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 flashed in my mind instantly—elegant, classically 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."

Nora’s POV

The evening light filtered through Le Ciel’s crystal chandeliers, casting warm shadows across our table. I watched Anna carefully as her proposal hung in the air between us, my fork suspended midway to my mouth.

"Me?" I could hear the disbelief in my own voice. "Anna, you can’t be serious.

I couldn’t possibly do that."

The idea of becoming the face of Luminary Trade’s livestream program sent conflicting waves of excitement and terror crashing through me. A tea culture influencer? The old Nora Price would have scoffed at such a proposition. Now, I wasn’t sure what to think.

Anna took a measured sip from her thermos, her eyes never leaving mine.

"How can you know it won’t work without trying? Let’s set aside whether you can do it for now-the question is whether you want to."

Her words cut through my hesitation with surgical precision. Did I want this? The opportunity to reclaim some semblance of dignity and purpose after everything I’d lost?

"I don’t know if I’m cut out for being an... internet personality," I admitted, carefully setting down my fork.

"Wouldn’t they just see me as another fallen socialite desperate for attention?"

My chest tightened at the thought of becoming fodder for Skyview City’s gossip mill. Again.

"I mean, wouldn’t it bother you?" I asked, trying to mask my vulnerability.

Being associated with someone like me in your business?"

Anna’s expression remained unchanged, calm and thoughtful.

"I wouldn’t have offered if it bothered me," she replied simply.

I toyed with the rim of my water glass, avoiding her gaze. "I guess I’m just trying to understand why me, of all people."

"Because you understand elegance naturally," Anna said. "Your classical piano training, your eye for art—you embody exactly what Mason envisions for this project."

I let out a small, bitter laugh. "I don’t mind. Internet celebrities are doing better than me these days-they’re at least making money on their own terms. My situation... well, you know what happened. I lost the right to be picky a long time ago."

The words left a sour taste in my mouth. Once upon a time, I was Miss Price, the daughter of one of Skyview City’s oldest families. Now I was just Nora, clutching at whatever opportunities came my way.

Anna’s eyes softened. "You don’t need to care about what others think. You walk your own path. Only you know if it’s right or wrong. If you think it’s worthwhile, then it is."

"If I think it’s worthwhile, then it is?" I repeated softly, feeling something unlock deep inside my chest. The words acted like a key to a door I’d kept firmly shut since my fall from grace.

I looked up, suddenly seeing through the fog that had clouded my judgment for so long. "You’re right. No one else gets to judge what I do with my life."

The waiter arrived with our desserts, giving me a moment to collect my thoughts.

"Alright," I said finally, straightening my shoulders. "I’ll do it."

As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt a weight lift from my chest. Anna’s smile was warm and genuine, and it gave me the courage to continue.

"Thank you for this chance," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "I should tell you... I’ve had offers before. Some magazines wanted me to pose for them after I lost everything. The kind of photos that..." I swallowed hard.

"Well, I refused. But besides you, everyone in Skyview City looks at me like I’m damaged goods now."

My voice trembled slightly. "I’ve been afraid to even look for respectable work. I can put on a brave face at those high-society events, but outside of that? I can barely stand walking in the sunlight of Skylake District."

The admission made my throat burn.

Months of suppressed humiliation threatened to spill from my eyes.

Anna reached across the table, her gaze steady and encouraging. "Don’t be afraid. You have so many talents-people who can’t see that are the ones missing out." Her tone became more serious. "Nora, if you commit to this and build up the business, I’ll give you shares in Luminary Trade."

My heart lurched painfully in my chest. The offer wasn’t just employment—it was a path back to independence, to respect.

Anna’s POV

The morning light streamed through Shaw Corp’s floor-to-ceiling windows turning the polished conference table into a sheet of liquid gold. I was midway through signing the final paperwork on Nora’s contract when Samuel sauntered in, his expression a fascinating blend of amusement and irritation.

"Ms. Shaw, your talent-poaching skills are impressive. Even my people aren’t safe from you," he said, dropping into the chair across from me.

I couldn’t help the smile that tugged at my lips. Mason’s tea culture project with Nora was developing beautifully, and Samuel’s mock outrage only sweetened my satisfaction.

"Business is business, Mr. Griffin. With the right strategy, any talent can be acquired." I slid the signed contract into its folder, enjoying this small victory.

Samuel quirked an eyebrow. "So Nora’s signed a long-term contract with you now?"

I kept my expression professionally neutral despite my internal pride at securing Nora for Mason’s project. It was a perfect match of elegance and opportunity.

Samuel surprised me by shrugging nonchalantly. "Well, it’s probably for the best. She could use a legitimate career."

His unexpected graciousness caught me off-guard. I couldn’t resist teasing him a little. "If Mr. Griffin is feeling lonely, I hear Mia from the Olympus Club has been asking about you."

His handsome face darkened instantly, though a mischievous smile played at his lips. "Speaking of missing people, Anna, what’s happening with Uncle Marcus these days? "

My breath caught. The casual mention of Marcus sent an unwelcome pang through my chest. He’d been gone for so long without a word, and the reminder stung more than I cared to admit.

Fortunately, I was saved by Daniel announcing the start of our Skylake District planning meeting.

- - -

An hour later, I stood before a massive touchscreen displaying our development plans. The meeting room hummed with the excited energy of possibility as I wrapped up my presentation.

"As you can see, this project will transform not just Skylake District, but potentially the entire economic landscape of Skyview City," I concluded, turning to face my attentive audience.

Samuel leaned back in his chair, fixing me with a penetrating gaze. "Ms. Shaw, what makes you so confident that Nestling Crest Bay will develop as rapidly as your projections suggest?

Nobody even knows who’s behind that development. Even with all the construction happening, turning it into a thriving commercial district would take years, wouldn’t it?" His eyes narrowed slightly. "Or do you have insider information I’m not privy to?"

My pulse quickened. The mysterious source who’d given me that crucial information flashed through my mind. but I maintained my composure.

"Yes, I have it on excellent authority that Nestling Crest Bay will be fully operational within two to three years," I replied steadily.

Samuel considered this for a moment, then nodded. "In that case, I’m fully on board. Once Nestling Crest Bay develops, it will create a powerful synergy with Skylake District. I’ve studied those buildings going up-they’re all high-end office spaces and commercial complexes." His voice took on a thoughtful quality. "Whoever’s behind this isn’t trying to swallow Skyview City. It looks more like they’re relocating an entire business empire here, aiming to create one of the largest financial centers on the country."

Catherine, who had been silent throughout most of the technical discussion, suddenly perked up. "You think some major international corporation is moving to Skyview City?"

Samuel shook his head. "Can’t say for sure, but the level of secrecy suggests government involvement. If my theory is correct, this would be transformative for Skyview City—perhaps the entire state." His eyes gleamed with entrepreneurial excitement. "And it would be incredible for our Skylake District project. Commercial avenues, medical facilities, schools, employment opportunities, luxury housing-any investment we make now will yield substantial returns."

---

After the meeting, I stood alone in my office. Samuel’s analysis had unleashed a flood of questions I’d been avoiding.

The insider information, the massive business empire being relocated—it all pointed to one person.

_It can’t be Marcus._ I tried to convince myself, even as my subconscious screamed otherwise.

Marcus Murphy hadn’t returned to Skyview City in months.