One Night Stand With My Ex's Uncle

Chapter 42: The Party

Anna’s POV

"Awake?" Samuel’s somewhat excited voice came through the phone, the music in the background softer but still clearly audible. noveldrama

Hearing that simple "awake," I immediately realized Marcus was right —this bastard had deliberately gotten me drunk, luring Marcus and Jack to the bar. His tone was infuriatingly smug, filled with obvious malice. I bit my lip but decided not to let him see my anger.

"I tricked you into drinking with me.

Did your uncle scold you?" he asked with fake concern.

I refused to let him treat me like his entertainment. Suppressing my rage, I deliberately softened my voice: "Mr. Griffin, I certainly did drink as promised. I wonder if you felt my sincerity?" I reminded him of our deal.

"I felt your sincerity, but it’s not enough," he replied, the dismissiveness in his tone making my blood boil.

He clearly had no intention of honoring our agreement. I’d anticipated this, but I’d still won this round. I wouldn’t let him see my disappointment.

"As long as you felt it, that’s fine. I’m not in a hurry," I kept my face impassive, though my voice remained intentionally friendly. "Are you out drinking, Mr. Griffin? I can recommend a truly excellent place.

Olympus Club is very famous in Skyview City. Feel free to go and spend as much as you like-put it on my account." I already had a plan forming in my mind.

After hanging up, Rachel entered the room.

"Ms. Shaw, will Mr. Griffin go to Olympus Club?" she inquired.

"Yes," I answered briefly, my mind already working through the next steps.

"That’s good. I’ve already made arrangements at Olympus, Ms. Shaw.

Please don’t worry," Rachel’s words brought me relief—she was always reliable.

"By the way, Ms. Shaw, I heard that Mr. Simpson punched Mr. Griffin today," she suddenly mentioned, catching me off guard.

"Punched him?" I asked in surprise.

"Isn’t the Simpson family trying to connect with Heritage Group? Why would he punch Samuel?" This made no sense.

"Apparently it was because of you, Ms. Shaw. Mr. Griffin got you drunk, and Mr. Simpson became angry."

Hearing Rachel’s words, I felt a momentary flutter in my chest, but quickly shook my head, reminding myself, "What Jack does has nothing to do with us."

That evening when I went downstairs at Rosa Villa, I saw that Marcus was still awake, with Peter Reed changing his bandages.

"Uncle Marcus, your wound still hasn’t healed?" I asked with concern.

Peter glanced at me: "Miss Shaw, Mr. Murphy’s wound opened again today."

"How did it open ag-" I stopped mid-sentence, my face suddenly burning. I laughed awkwardly: "Uncle Marcus, your injury really is having a tough time healing, isn’t it?"

Marcus’s deep eyes met mine: "If a certain someone would behave, my wound would heal faster." His tone carried a hint of that familiar teasing I’d come to recognize.

As Peter finished the bandaging, my gaze inadvertently fell on the skin visible beneath Marcus’s black silk robe hanging loosely on his body.

"What are you looking at?" he quickly noticed my stare and swiftly adjusted his clothing.

"Uncle Marcus, is that a birthmark or a scar on your shoulder?" I couldn’t help asking, curious about the mark roughly the size of a quarter.

Marcus gave me a long look before buttoning his robe, his tone flat: "A scar."

In that moment, I felt a flutter of awe, thinking of the various rumors about him-this man had reportedly faced down criminal organizations overseas.

"Uncle Marcus, you’ve had that scar for many years, haven’t you?" I asked carefully.

He looked at me deeply again: "Yes."

His brief answer contained an unwillingness to discuss it further, so I didn’t press the issue.

The next day, I toured the historic building in Skylake District with restoration experts. Walking through the rooms, I felt a powerful connection to my mother’s childhood memories.

One expert pointed to the ceiling.

"These are quite rare now. If you want to maintain the historical integrity of the building, we should preserve as many of these elements as possible."

"Whatever it takes," I replied without hesitation. "I want this place restored to its original glory. Spare no expense."

When we finished touring the house, my phone rang with an incoming call.

Samuel Griffin again.

"Ms. Shaw," his voice was unnervingly cheerful. "’ve been thinking about our conversation. Perhaps I was a bit harsh yesterday."

I kept my tone neutral: "What can I do for you, Mr. Griffin?"

"I’ve been enjoying your hospitality at Olympus Club. But I’m quite bored being alone."

An idea began forming in my mind.

"How about a welcome party for you?

I could host it, introduce you to some of Skyview City’s prominent figures."

"That sounds perfect," he replied, the smirk almost audible in his voice.

After ending the call, I immediately dialed Rachel.

"Arrange a welcome party for Samuel Griffin at Olympus Club," I instructed.

"Send invitations to everyone who matters in Skyview City. Let’s see who shows up."

Jack’S POV

I stood in my father’s study as he fumed over the invitation that arrived today. The card lay on his desk like a declaration of war.

"What happened with Griffin? Weren’t you watching him? How did Anna Shaw get to him first?" Father’s face turned purple as he glared at me.

I felt irritated but kept my expression neutral. "Sean Smith introduced them.

I didn’t know he knew Griffin. They connected right after Griffin arrived."

Mother snatched the invitation. "This is a challenge to the Simpson family!

Who does Anna think she is, hosting a welcome party for Samuel Griffin at Olympus Club?" Her voice rose sharply. "She’s announcing their partnership to all of Skyview City!"

Father ignored her outburst, his eyes fixed on me. "Fix this, Jack. Heritage Group is critical for our expansion in Sovereign City. We can’t lose Griffin to Shaw Corp."

I nodded. "I understand. I’ll speak with Griffin again."

"Speaking isn’t enough." Father’s voice dropped. "Win him over. Whatever it takes."

He paused, "As for Anna Shaw, bring her to our side if possible. If that proves impossible..." His eyes met mine. "Then we’ll need to take extraordinary measures."

Anna’s POV

The party at the Olympus Club was ready to go. The elaborate event wasn’t just to welcome Samuel Griffin, it was to draw out the man behind the stabbing of Marcus Murphy.

The thought of Marcus’s wounds made my heart pound like iron.Someone in Skyview City’s elite circle had planned the attack, and my instincts told me that when they were faced with such an unexpected alliance between Shaw Corp and the Heritage Group, they were bound to show their hand tonight.

My thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of the first guests; Logan and Oscar Porter pushed through the door at the same time, followed by Catherine Murphy, whose designer gown somehow seemed both casually elegant and deliberately pretentious.

"Anna!" said Oscar as he came towards me with open arms, trying to give me a hug, which I gracefully sidestepped." This place looks fantastic. Are you trying to dwarf the Simpsons’ dinner party?"

Before I could answer, Catherine had frowned and stepped between us." You wouldn’t even recognize Grace if she slapped you upside the head, Porter.Shouldn’t you be in the hospital sewing up other people’s wounds?"

The easy smile on Oscar’s face immediately disappeared." My surgical skills are impeccable, thank you very much. Unlike some people-"

"Uncle Marcus’ wounds haven’t healed by now," Catherine interrupted, her eyes narrowing dangerously." How do you have the nerve to show up at a party when a so-called doctor like you has patients who are still suffering?"

I watch Oscar’s face redden with irritation." That’s not fair! I told him to rest and avoid strenuous activity. If he-"

"If he what?" Catherine challenged, crossing her arms.

I sighed, watching these two near-thirty-year-olds turn into children before my eyes." Can we just act like adults tonight? The guests will be here any minute."

Catherine wasn’t finished." Fat girl, I’m not done. You can question my character all you want, but never my medical skills."

I could see the mischievous glint in Oscar’s eye when he heard the childhood nickname.Catherine-now a stunning woman with a perfect body-had obviously never lost her sensitivity to being called a "fat girl."

"Don’t you dare," she hissed, clenching her hands into fists.

"Fat girl, fat girl, fat girl," Oscar taunted her in a sing-song voice that looked more like a five-year-old’s than a respected doctor’s.

"I swear to God, I’ll get you,"

Catherine growls, taking a threatening step forward.

I did some silent math: two people approaching thirty with a combined mental age of about five. Perfect.

"That’s enough," I say firmly, physically getting between them." Catherine, why don’t you help me greet my guests? Oscar, the bar needs your expert opinion on whiskey."

Having temporarily separated these two warring parties, Catherine pulls me aside, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

«Where’s Uncle Marcus? He’ll be here, won’t he?"

I was too busy adjusting the floral decorations to avoid eye contact with her." I... Didn’t invite him."

"What?" Catherine’s shock is real, her eyes wide." You’re hosting such a major power struggle without the support of Uncle Marcus? Are you insane? All the important people in Skyview City will be here, observing which side they should choose in the battle for the Skylake District."

A pang of guilt twisted my chest. The truth is, I don’t want Marcus anywhere near this party-especially when I suspect that the person who stabbed him might be among tonight’s guests. I couldn’t risk him getting hurt again because of me.

"I can’t always depend on your uncle," I said, forcing a casual tone." I need to be independent on my own."

Catherine surveyed my face thoughtfully, then slowly broke into a smile." You have the audacity to throw

a party like this that might even piss off half of Skyview City’s elite, including my father. That’s pretty bold." She gives a thumbs up." I respect you. But I still think you’re crazy."

Her approval warmed me and strengthened my resolve at the same time. I would find the culprits who hurt Marcus and make them pay.

The club began to fill with Skyview City’s young elite-the sons and daughters of powerful families, rising executives, and socialites eager to position themselves in the shifting power landscape. I noticed a few faces that had been at the Simpson dinner, people who just a few days ago had sided with the Jacks and were now betting on both sides of the fence by attending my party.

"Ms. Shaw, Mr. Griffin has arrived," Rachel whispers in my ear.

I turned to see Samuel Griffin striding into the entrance with a stunning woman on his arm. She wore a tight silver gown that left little to the imagination, and her lustrous black hair fell down her back like a waterfall. It took me a moment to recognize her as Mia, one of the most sought-after hostesses at Club Olympus.

Samuel’s arm wraps possessively around her waistline as he greets a few guests, looking like the man she just spent the night with. As he exchanges pleasantries with the Turners, I notice Mia slipping over to Rachel, who’s standing by the pillar.

"He didn’t touch me," I overhear Mia whisper eagerly to Rachel." Let me sleep in the guest room and told me not to tell anyone. And he froze for thirty seconds when he first saw me.

He looked at me strangely - like he’d seen a ghost. Do I look like someone he used to know?"

I saw satisfaction flash in Rachel’s eyes before her face returned to its professional mask. Of course - she specifically chose Mia because she looked like Samuel’s first love. It was

another carefully calculated move in our complicated game.

"It’s great as long as he keeps you around," Rachel instructs softly." Stay sweet, keep him happy, and text me if anything important happens."

A commotion in the entryway caught my attention.Jack Simpson had arrived, and Lucy Taylor was holding onto his arm like a life preserver. He takes that familiar long-legged stride that used to make my heart race. Now, as I watch him search the room and inevitably find me in the crowd, I feel nothing but cold transcendence.

Samuel appeared beside me with a mischievous glint in his eye." Ms. Shaw, Mr. Simpson has arrived," he announces superfluously, studying my reaction.

Jack walks toward us, standing beside me in a territorial stance that gives me goosebumps. I move away subtly, putting distance between us. We were divorced; he had no right to act like my husband.

"Simpson and Shaw are such a great couple," Samuel comments in an exaggeratedly innocent tone." I do wonder why such a perfect match would get divorced."