CHAPTER 146: THE PRICE OF SKYLAKE

Anna’s POV

When I saw my mother’s delicate hand completely red and inflamed, my heart clenched painfully. Elizabeth had never even washed a dish in her life-this

burn must be severe.

"What happened?" I asked with concern, ignoring George Simpson completely to focus on my mother’s injury. I carefully placed her hand in the bowl of ice water the housekeeper had brought. "How did you burn yourself?"

Elizabeth’s eyes were rimmed with tears, but there was a defiance in her expression I rarely saw. "I accidentally burned myself, it’s nothing.

Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to hit his face with it." Her voice dropped to a furious whisper. "I’ve never met someone so disgusting."

I remained silent, focusing on keeping my mother’s hand submerged in the ice water, not letting her pull away despite her natural instinct to withdraw from the cold. Normally, Elizabeth was incredibly sensitive, complaining for hours about the smallest bump or bruise, but now she seemed oblivious to the pain, her face flushed with anger, her eyes filled with revulsion toward George Simpson.

Seeing my mother’s hand burned like this ignited a fury within me. If my father were still alive, he would be devastated.

George stood nearby, putting on a show of concern. "Elizabeth, please calm down. I misspoke, alright? I apologize. Don’t get upset, you’ll make yourself ill."

Hearing him use my mother’s first name so casually, my eyes turned cold.

No wonder my mother was in such a state. Being subjected to this level of revolting behavior was impossible to tolerate.

I turned to George, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Mr. Simpson, perhaps you should address my mother as Mrs. Shaw. You’re not exactly a young man anymore-what’s with this lovesick act?"

My mother was clearly disgusted, her expression like someone whose soul had been violated. She pointed at George angrily. "If you continue with this nonsense, I’ll tell Mary. George Simpson, I don’t believe you’d disrespect the Murphy family this way."

I couldn’t help raising my eyebrows, giving my mother a surprised glance.

My mother’s words clearly wounded George’s pride. He finally dropped his pretense, his expression instantly cooling as he nodded to one of his security personnel. "Escort Mrs. Shaw to a room to rest. Check if we have any burn ointment in the house for her."

My mother froze, suddenly frightened.

"George Simpson, what are you doing?"

She instinctively moved behind me, but remembering my pregnancy, bravely stepped forward again. "Don’t do anything foolish! You’re a man of status-don’t invite scandal."

Knowing this wasn’t the time for direct confrontation, I gently patted my mother’s hand, speaking softly. "Mom, go rest for now. Trust me, everything will be fine."

"Annie..." my mother’s voice trembled with worry.

"Don’t be afraid," I said firmly.

My mother nodded. "I’m not afraid."

Then, mustering her courage, she warned George. "If anything happens to my daughter or my grandchildren, I’ll never forgive you, even from the grave."

After my mother left, George immediately revealed his true businessman’s face. Sitting in the host’s chair, he said arrogantly, "There’s no need to threaten me with the Murphy family. Whatever happens, I’m Murphy’s son-in-law, and you, Anna Shaw..."

He looked pointedly at my stomach.

"Unless those babies you’re carrying are Marcus Murphy’s, the Murphy family won’t create trouble with me over an outsider like you."

"Anna, you’re too naive. Do you really think having William as your supporter means you can disregard everyone else? Are you willing to bet that when forced to choose between you and Mary, William would choose you?"

I laughed coldly. "Mr. Simpson, are you a child? Running to your parents because you can’t win on your own?"

George countered. "You think I’ve lost?’

"What else?" I responded dismissively.

George gave a meaningful smile. "Then let’s wait and see, shall we?"

My heart sank. "What do you mean?"

George displayed a triumphant expression. "The fact that you and your mother were ’invited’ as my guests today will soon spread throughout our social circles. After tonight, guess what people will say?"

I was shocked, encountering such shamelessness for the first time, especially from someone of his generation.

George was pleased with my reaction, no longer maintaining his superior facade, his scheming nature fully exposed. "After tonight, never mind the gossip from others, Mary herself will tear your mother apart."

I didn’t dare contemplate the consequences. If we were forcibly kept here overnight, Mary would be furious.

George could easily manipulate the situation, shifting all blame to my mother, painting her as a homewrecker. Combined with previous rumors, my mother would never be able to explain herself, no matter how hard she tried.

A terrible thought crossed my mind:

Had George’s previous harassment of my mother been deliberate? Was everything just preparation for today’s blackmail?

It must be. If things progressed in this direction, the social gossip would be devastating-my mother might destroy herself over it. George’s move was vicious, completely targeting my weakness.

I gritted my teeth in anger. "You’re despicable."

George smiled. "So you see, the outcome isn’t decided yet."

Taking a deep breath to control my anger, I asked, "What will it take for you to release us?"

George stated his demand directly. "I want Skylake District."

Of course it was about Skylake. I scoffed. "Skylake isn’t mine alone."

"I only want your portion," he said matter-of-factly.

Fury churned inside me. This was completely shameless-harvesting fruits from trees others had planted.

Seeing my silence, George said, "T’ll give you time to consider. It’s already noon, and you must be hungry. Take Ms. Shaw to a room to rest."

I was escorted to a luxurious guest room where every detail showcased the owner’s wealth and taste. As I calmed down, I realized that since George was giving us time to consider, I needed to find a way to delay.

I paced the room, one hand resting protectively on my swollen belly. The twins were unusually quiet today, as it sensing my tension._Marcus will come_, I told myself with more conviction than I felt. I just didn’t know when he would find this place.

From the looks of it, even Mary and Jack were unaware of George’s hidden mansion.