One Night Stand With My Ex's Uncle

Chapter 40: Whiskey & Power Plays

Anna’s POV

Standing before me, Samuel Griffin was undeniably fit, his physique speaking to regular workouts and a disciplined lifestyle. His arms looked powerful, his abdominal muscles well-defined beneath droplets of water that clung to his skin.

I quickly averted my eyes, focusing instead on arranging the wine bottles on the table with steady hands that belied my inner turmoil. *Could Samuel possibly be..?* No, that was absurd. The timing, the build, the height... it could be pure coincidence.

But the seed of suspicion had been planted, and I couldn’t shake it.

"How often do you visit Skyview City, Mr. Griffin?" I asked, keeping my tone conversational as I uncorked one of the bottles.

Samuel raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth quirking upward. "Why the sudden interest in my travel schedule, Ms. Shaw? Planning to arrange more *attentive* hospitality for my future visits?"

His deliberate emphasis on "attentive" made my skin crawl, but I maintained my pleasant smile. "Just curious. For someone based in Sovereign City, you seem quite familiar with Skyview."

He didn’t answer directly, merely accepting the glass of wine I offered.

’This hotel has quite decent facilities, don’t you think? Though their service leaves much to be desired."

I noticed Samuel’s face darkening when he saw the flowers on the table.

"Can’t this hotel even fulfill a customer’s requests?" His tone turned sharp, genuine annoyance breaking through his carefully calculated demeanor.

Before he could berate the server, I smoothly intervened. "I’m allergic to roses, so I asked the staff not to place roses. It’s entirely my fault for not mentioning it earlier," I said softly.

"Allergic?" he repeated once we were alone again. "How convenient."

Samuel finally moved to the dining table, gesturing for me to join him.

Sean positioned himself discreetly by the door, his presence both reassuring and necessary. I’d never been more grateful for his company.

"So, Ms. Shaw," Samuel began as we settled into our meal, "tell me about your personal life. Do you have a boyfriend? Husband? Significant other of some description?"

I nearly choked on my wine at the abrupt change of subject. "I don’t see how that’s relevant to our business discussions."

"Indulge me," he insisted, cutting into his steak with precise movements. "I like to know who I’m dealing with."

"I’m currently single," I answered simply, seeing no reason to lie about something so easily verified.

Samuel laughed, the sound lacking genuine mirth. "Of course you are.

Women like you-corporate sharks in stilettos-rarely maintain relationships.

No man wants to compete with a boardroom for attention. You should know how to use your advantages, understand?"

"Business and pleasure needn’t be mutually exclusive," he continued suggestively, his eyes deliberately wandering over me in a way that made my skin crawl. "In fact, I find they often complement each other quite... satisfyingly."

The implication was too obvious. My grip tightened on my knife, but my expression remained pleasantly neutral.

"Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting, Mr. Griffin?" I asked directly, setting down my utensils and meeting his gaze. "That if I sleep with you, you’ll help me secure the Skylake District project?"

"Always straight to the point, aren’t you? I admire that." He took a leisurely sip of his wine. "But yes, that’s exactly what I’m suggesting. It’s a simple exchange. You give me something I want, I give you something you want."

I leaned back in my chair, studying him with a detached curiosity that seemed to unsettle him slightly. "For the Skylake District project?" I let out a small, deliberate laugh. "Mr. Griffin, I’m afraid you severely overestimate the value of a single night’s company.

If I were to make such a trade, it would have to be for something far more significant than a mere real estate development."

I saw surprise flash across his face before he masked it with another smirk.

"You’re an interesting woman, Anna Shaw," Samuel finally said. "Most would have either slapped me or eagerly accepted by now."

"I’m not most women," I replied simply. "And the Skylake District, while important to me, isn’t worth that particular sacrifice."

Something like genuine respect flickered across his features. "Fair enough. But securing my investment won’t be easy either. I have standards."

I smiled. "Then I suggest you take your time to properly evaluate Shaw Corp’s potential. You can slowly assess my sincerity, Mr. Griffin."

"Perhaps," he conceded, finishing his wine. "But for now, how about you show me around Skyview City?"

"Ms. Shaw has meetings this afternoon," Sean interjected smoothly from his position by the door.

Samuel’s lips twitched in a slight sneer, completely ignoring Sean: "Anna, your sincerity doesn’t seem very impressive."

"Cancel them. I’ll accompany Mr. Griffin," I decided immediately.

Samuel’s smile widened. "Excellent.

Give me a few minutes to change."

As soon as he disappeared into the bedroom, I turned away, pulling out my phone and dialing Rachel’s number.

"Rachel," I whispered urgently when she answered. "I need you to look into Samuel Griffin’s travel schedule for the past two months. Every visit to Skyview City, every hotel he’s stayed at."

I need to figure out whether Samuel is actually that man from 3303.

If he is, then this Samuel is quite frightening. What if he has some kind of ulterior motive...

Now is not the time for wild guesses. I steady my nerves, deciding to wait until Rachel confirms everything.

After a while, Samuel came out.Baseball jacket, sneakers, dressed very casually.

I stepped forward and asked, "Should I make arrangements or do you have somewhere in mind?"

Samuel put his hands in his pockets:

"Follow me."

Anna’s POV

I stared at the converted warehouse before me, its industrial façade illuminated by flickering electric blue neon lights. This was definitely not the upscale venue I had expected Samuel Griffin to choose.

"A pool hall?" I asked, unable to keep the surprise from my voice as I adjusted my blazer - suddenly acutely aware of how out of place my attire would be inside.

Samuel flashed me that insufferable smirk of his. "Disappointed? I thought corporate sharks in stilettos liked to slum it occasionally."

I ignored his bait and followed him through the heavy metal door. The moment we entered, my senses were assaulted by the cacophony of rock music blaring from speakers, the sharp crack of pool balls colliding, and the distinctive smell of beer, leather, and motor oil.

The space was a strange juxtaposition of elements -vintage motorcycles displayed like museum pieces between pool tables, while the industrial ceiling remained exposed, with iron rafters from which hung various motorcycle parts that had been converted into light fixtures. The second floor overlooked the main area through wire mesh barriers, where a small crowd of leather-clad enthusiasts were headbanging to the music.

I’d never been anywhere remotely like this place, and despite myself, I felt a spark of curiosity.

"Who the hell came in?" someone shouted over the music.

Samuel didn’t answer, just sauntered in with an irritating swagger. I followed behind him, taking in the environment. At the far end was a well-stocked bar where several women with dreadlocks and leather skirts sat drinking and scrolling through their phones.

As we moved deeper into the space, I became increasingly aware of the stares. Like a monkey in a zoo, I was the main attraction - a woman in a tailored suit amid a sea of leather and denim.

Surprisingly, Samuel Griffin, heir to Heritage Group, seemed perfectly at home here. He glanced back at me, clearly expecting me to be intimidated, but found only curiosity in my expression. noveldrama

"Holy shit, if it isn’t Griffin!" A man with bleached blond hair leapt over a pool table and grabbed Samuel in a rough embrace after fist-bumping him.

"Long time no see, man. Can’t believe you still remember us little people."

"That’s why I’m here, aren’t I?" Samuel responded easily.

The blond man looked me over, clearly impressed. "New girlfriend? Griffin, you lucky bastard, they just keep getting prettier."

Samuel didn’t bother to correct him, just tilted his head toward me.

"Weren’t you going to drink with me?

Let’s go."

I sighed inwardly. I’d hoped Samuel wouldn’t try to get me drunk, but clearly, that had been his plan all along. People started cheering, and within moments, the bar was completely cleared for us. Even the rock musicians upstairs put down their guitars to peer through the wire mesh at the spectacle.

Samuel leaned against the bar, his smile devilish. "Ms. Shaw, now let’s see just how sincere you really are."

I wanted to scratch that handsome face of his, but considering I’d just had my nails done, I decided against it. If he wanted to drink, we’d drink. This bastard could try his best to get me drunk. But I wouldn’t be drinking for nothing.

"Mr. Griffin, I’ve brought an agreement." I pulled a folder from my bag, deciding to be direct. "Let’s be clear-if I drink with you today, you’ll sign it, correct?"

Samuel looked slightly surprised, a flash of respect crossing his features.

"Already trying to get me to sign a contract? Ms. Shaw, aren’t you overestimating yourself?"

I smiled back. "Mr. Griffin, surely you realize you’re not my only option. I’m simply trying to avoid owing favors, which is why I’m seeking alternate partnerships."

Samuel narrowed his eyes, and I knew he’d investigated my connections to the Murphy family.

"It’s not professional favors you’re trying to avoid, it’s personal entanglements, isn’t it?" Samuel taunted. "Ms. Shaw, Skyview City’s celebrated female CEO-you’ve got an uncle and his nephew, an ex-husband and a potential lover, all wrapped around your finger."

That infuriated me internally, as if I’d deliberately seduced Marcus and Jack.

My smile faded, but I maintained my composure.

"Just as you enjoy games with willing participants, Mr. Griffin, I do business with principles," I stated firmly. "Don’t try to provoke me. Even without Uncle Marcus, without you, I’m confident others would be willing to venture with me. Because while many people like you are interested in Skylake District, there’s only one historic building."

Samuel’s eyes flashed with what seemed like appreciation for my response.

I grew tired of our verbal sparring. My gaze swept over the row of already opened bottles on the bar, and without another word, I grabbed one and started drinking.

The crowd erupted in cheers as I drained one bottle after another. By the end, the world was spinning around me. I leaned against the bar, my consciousness becoming hazy, not noticing the sudden silence that fell over the room.

After finishing the last bottle, I carelessly tossed it aside, slurring, "More... bring more alcohol."

Suddenly, my body was lifted into someone’s arms. I opened my eyes, unable to focus properly, and saw a familiar figure wavering before me.

"Hmm, I think I see... Uncle Marcus," I mumbled groggily, feeling an unexpected warmth and dependence wash over me.