All Chapters of One Night Stand With My Ex’s Uncle : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Jack’s POV I drove away from Phoenix Project headquarters, my knuckles white against the steering wheel. The decision to drop Lucy off at her place before heading back to the Simpson mansion was automatic. The atmosphere inside the car was suffocating. Even the air conditioning seemed to struggle against the weight of tension filling the space between us. I stared straight ahead at the road, refusing to glance at the woman beside me. “Jack, I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry.” Lucy's voice cracked as she continued crying. The sound grated against my already frayed nerves. “This is all my fault. I embarrassed you. It’s all because of me. Please don’t be angry, don’t be mad at me, okay?” My temples throbbed with each word she spoke. A headache built behind my eyes as I gripped the steering wheel tighter, the veins in my forearms standing out prominently. I remained silent, my jaw clenched so tight I could feel the pressure in my teeth. Once, I had found her emotional vulnerability charmi

Anna's POVI watched Marcus's car disappear down the driveway, a curious warmth blooming in my chest. The truckload of supplies he’d delivered for my grandmother’s birthday was more than generous it was overwhelming. I stood there for a moment, letting the quiet hum of gratitude settle over me before turning back toward the house, questions swirling in my mind.Inside, Grandmother was still smiling, her eyes gleaming with a light I hadn’t seen since before my father passed. The sight made my heart ache with bittersweet joy.“Grandmother,” I said, easing down beside her on the sofa, “all these gifts... are they really from William? Did he ask Marcus to deliver them?”She patted my hand gently, her voice soft but certain. “Of course, they’re from William. He called me just this morning.” Her expression grew thoughtful. “He said you’re recently divorced and that your grandmother’s birthday party must be nothing short of perfect. He doesn’t want anyone whispering behind your back or looki

Anna’s POV The presentation of gifts continued as I stood beside my grandmother, maintaining the composed smile. But when Daniel announced Marcus Murphy's gift, the practiced curve of my lips nearly faltered. "From Mr. Marcus Murphy," Daniel's voice rang clear across the garden, "a historic mansion in the Skylake District." A collective gasp rippled through the assembled guests. The significance wasn't lost on anyone Skylake District properties were rare treasures. My mother's face went slack with shock. This was her childhood home the mansion she'd spent years telling me stories about, where three generations of my maternal ancestors had lived before financial hardship forced my grandfather to sell it. I watched as Daniel handed my grandmother the elegant folder containing the deed and ownership papers. This wasn’t just any gift it was a piece of my family's legacy, returned to us after decades. The sheer magnitude of the gesture left me breathless. "Uncle Marcus, this gift is

Anna's POV"Are you sure you don't want Daniel to handle this?" Rachel asked, her concern clear in her voice as she sat beside me.I shook my head. "This needs to be done in person. I want to make it absolutely clear."The drive to the Simpson mansion was mercifully short. As we pulled up to the grand iron gates, I could already hear Mary Simpson’s shrill voice echoing through the open windows. She was yelling at Jack what about, I didn’t care anymore.I took a deep breath, straightened my spine, and stepped out of the car. Behind me, Rachel and the driver carefully carried the wrapped painting. As we approached the front steps, the massive doors flung open before we could even knock.Mary stood there, face pinched, eyes narrowing the moment she saw me. “I just knew it!” she spat, every word laced with venom. “Showing up first thing in the morning you're obviously looking for an excuse to reconnect with Jack!”A cold smile curved my lips. I didn’t rise to the bait. Jack appeared behin

Anna's POVWilliam’s voice was the first to cut through. Gruff, unimpressed. “Marcus makes his own decisions. That property belonged to him, not Simpson Group.”“But the timing!” Mary snapped, indignation lacing every word. “Just as we’re about to announce the Skylake development? Don’t tell me that’s coincidence!”“With me, nothing is coincidence,” came Marcus’s voice cool, unbothered.I bit my lip to suppress a smile. This man is something else.Voices erupted in protest. Then Phillip Murphy Marcus’s older brother and Catherine’s father tried to bring calm.“Marcus just returned to America. How could he possibly know Simpson Group’s internal plans?”Mary’s voice returned, practically vibrating with outrage. “He doesn’t care about his own sister’s family business, but he knows all about Shaw affairs. Let me make this clear: he can like whoever he wants, but Anna Shaw is off-limits. You might not care about appearances, but the Simpson family still has a reputation to maintain.”The w