CHAPTER 21: RED AND RESOLVE

Anna’s POV

After explaining for what felt like the hundredth time that I had nothing to do with Sean beyond professional admiration and that I’d let him and his team join the Phoenix Project solely because of his talent my mother and grandmother finally believed me.

I told them again about Sean’s past: a top student forced by circumstance to work at the Olympus Club. This time, something shifted. Sympathy flickered in their eyes. My mother even wept.

The next day, Sean called with an update.

"The person who stole the data has been identified," he said, his voice taut. "But he’s gone."

We gathered in the conference room. I sat at the head of the table, posture calm by design, though a storm brewed beneath my surface. Sean stood beside the screen, swiping through surveillance footage.

"We’ve identified him as John Fisher a graduate student who worked under Mr. Torres," Sean announced, pausing on a frame showing the young man slipping a flash drive into his pocket. "He vanished the day after the breach."

Trevor Torres, our chief engineer, looked hollow like the guilt had been eating him alive.

"Ms. Shaw," he said, voice low and heavy. "I’m so sorry. I misjudged him and brought this mess into the company."

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Before I could respond, an all-too-familiar sneer echoed across the room.

"So your student steals company data, and you think a weak apology absolves you? How do we know you weren’t both involved?"

I looked up sharply. "What are you doing here?"

Lucy folded her arms, perfectly poised in her smugness. "As General Manager of Phoenix, I have every right to be here when there’s an update about the breach."

My patience, already on a knife’s edge from weeks of power plays, snapped.

"Yesterday’s agreement was crystal clear: Simpson Group handles marketing and sales. The research facility is none of your concern and frankly, you wouldn’t understand what goes on here even if it were."

A blush crept up her neck, but she forced a composed smile.

"There’s no need to be so harsh. This still concerns Phoenix, after all. We’ll keep the breach quiet—for the sake of the project. But I hope you resolve this fast. The market won’t wait. Simpson Group needs your product ready to sell."

She turned and walked off with a final click of her heels. I nodded to Rachel, who quietly locked the door behind her.

Turning back to Sean, I asked, "Any leads?"

He shook his head. "Roommate hasn’t seen him since the incident. No one suspected John would do this. By the time we put the pieces together, it was too late."

I tapped my fingers on the table, mind racing. "Check his social circles. There must be a link somewhere."

Sean gave me a nod, the same suspicion darkening his gaze. "There’s something off," I said. "He would’ve known those were discarded test results. Why steal worthless data? Unless they weren’t worthless."

I met Sean’s eyes. We were on the same page now.

"Clear Trevor’s name. Get him back on the project. We don’t have time for delays."

"Yes, Ms. Shaw."

That evening, I brought only Rachel to the business party. I chose my armor well: a black satin mermaid gown paired with a crisp white blazer. My hair was pinned in a classic chignon, power polished into every detail.

The moment we arrived, we were surrounded.

"Such a waste to spend your youth behind a desk," one man leered. "A beautiful woman like you should be enjoying life."

"My son’s recently divorced," another added. "Harvard Law. You two would have so much in common."

I smiled thinly. "I enjoy running my company."

Not one of them asked about business. I scanned the room for an exit and finally escaped with a well-placed excuse.

Then he appeared.

Tall. Expensively dressed. Arrogant smile firmly in place like he’d never heard the word "no."

"Beautiful lady, may I buy you a drink?" he asked, his eyes shamelessly raking over me.

"Get lost," I said flatly.

He didn’t budge. Instead, his smile curdled.

"What’s your name, sweetheart?"

I tried to step around him, but he grabbed my wrist hard.

"Playing hard to get? That’s fine. I like a challenge. I always get what I want. Tonight, that’s you."

The fury that had been simmering all day erupted.

"Are you sure I’m the one who’ll have a difficult evening?"

From the corner of my eye, I saw Jack and Lucy watching. Jack’s expression was unreadable. Detached. He didn’t move.

The man sneered. "Don’t joke, baby. Money, power name it. You’re mine tonight."

Enough.

I plucked a glass of red wine from a passing tray and dumped it onto his white shirt.

"I’m afraid I’m far out of your league," I said calmly.

His face twisted with fury, and he lunged, fingers reaching for me.

But before he could touch me, a strong arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me into the safety of a firm chest.

I looked up and met Marcus Murphy’s eyes.

Anna’s POV

Startled, I looked up and found myself staring into the dark, commanding eyes of Marcus Murphy.

"Uncle Marcus?" I breathed, my anger momentarily giving way to shock. "You’re here too?"

Relief crept into my voice before I could stop it. I hadn’t expected him, but his presence felt like a lifeline.

Marcus’s gaze lingered on me, unreadable. "Just checking in."

It was only then I realized he still had his arm around my waist. Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I stepped back quickly, unnerved by how flustered I felt. "Thank you... for the rescue."

His eyes swept over me, evaluating. "Where’s your assistant?"

"Rachel went to the car to grab something for me," I muttered, cursing her timing. If she’d been here, that man never would’ve gotten close.

Unfortunately, the harasser hadn’t backed down. Wine-stained shirt and all, he stood his ground, glaring between Marcus and me. "So you like older men? Interesting taste."

Marcus’s face darkened. The warmth disappeared from his features, replaced by something cold and dangerous. Without a word, he gave a subtle nod to his right-hand man.

"Remove him," he said, his voice sharp as ice.

The words sent a chill down my spine.

"What the fuck? Do you even know who I am? Touch me and see what happens!" the man sputtered as Peter Reed closed in.

With precise efficiency, Peter silenced him, gripping his arm and covering his mouth before escorting him from the ballroom. The entire exchange was handled so cleanly, most guests didn’t even notice.

Marcus turned back to me, calm as ever. "I have some friends I’d like you to meet."

My heart skipped. The Murphy network? That kind of access had always been withheld from me during my marriage to Jack, despite William Murphy’s affection. The Simpson family guarded their resources like a fortress Jack had made sure I remained on the outside.

"Uncle Marcus, I can’t thank you enough," I said sincerely, struggling to hide the excitement bubbling beneath my composed exterior.

The corner of his mouth lifted almost a smile.

"Shall we?"

He led me toward a private section of the ballroom where several older men stood in quiet conversation. I recognized them instantly heavyweights of Skyview City’s financial elite. I’d seen them at events before, but never spoken to them. There was always a silent boundary I hadn’t been allowed to cross.

Until now.

Marcus made the introductions effortlessly, his hand resting lightly at the small of my back as he guided me through the circle. I fell into my role with ease polished, respectful, asking sharp but respectful questions, and offering thoughtful insights.

To my surprise, they responded warmly, clearly swayed by Marcus’s implicit endorsement. By the end of the introductions, I had more than just handshakes I had promises. Promises of meetings, connections, and collaboration. It would’ve taken me years to get this far on my own.

I filed away each name and number, mentally charting my next moves. Shaw Corp needed allies. Tonight, I’d gained several.

But just as I began to savor this rare success, Joseph Walker’s voice cut through the hum of conversation.

"I’ve heard Skylake District is up for redevelopment. Any of you gentlemen interested? If not, I might make a move myself."

I froze, champagne halfway to my lips.

Skylake District.

The same neighborhood where my mother’s family home the Shaw ancestral mansion stood. That house was the last thread tying us to her childhood, to her memories. If it became part of some development plan...

"Skylake?" one investor scoffed, swirling his brandy. "Mostly wetlands and worn-down homes. What’s the appeal?"

Joseph shrugged, eyes gleaming. "Just keeping options open. Heard Simpson Group has their eye on it."

My pulse quickened. Jack’s aggressive bidding at the auction suddenly made sense. It hadn’t been about me it had been business. Cold, calculated.

The mansion wasn’t just a keepsake from my mother’s past. It was a strategic acquisition in an area that was about to explode in value.

And I had been too blinded by emotion to see it.

I took a slow sip of champagne, masking the dread rising in my chest. My grandfather had sold that house in desperation. Now someone else owned it. And if they were part of this redevelopment... it could be demolished.

Unless I stopped it.

I glanced at Marcus. He was still engaged in the conversation, his expression neutral but when our eyes met, I had the distinct impression he already knew exactly what I was thinking.

The topic soon shifted to other ventures, but my mind was elsewhere, racing with possibilities. I had to find out who bought the mansion. That outrageous 200-million-dollar bid at the auction it hadn’t come from Jack or me. Someone else had wanted that property badly.

If I could find them... maybe I could offer more.

For my mother, for our legacy I would do whatever it took.

As the evening wound down, I kept up appearances, smiling and nodding, but inside I was plotting. I needed information. And fast.

When I spotted Marcus slipping away toward a quiet side corridor, I seized my chance. I excused myself from a lingering conversation and followed, quickening my pace as he turned the corner.

"Uncle Marcus," I called, my voice low but firm.

He stopped and turned, his expression as unreadable as always.

"About what Joseph said... the Skylake District." I paused, steadying my breath. There was no point being vague. "My mother’s family home the mansion that went up for auction it’s there. I need to find out who bought it. You have connections everywhere... Can you help me?"