CHAPTER 115: POLITE SMILES

Mary’s POV

My cheeks burned as Father’s words cut through me like a serrated knife.

How dare he scold me in front of everyone especially that insufferable Catherine? I straightened my silk blouse, trying to maintain some semblance of dignity.

"I’m only trying to uphold the standards of this family," I said, my voice trembling slightly despite my best efforts to control it. "Someone needs to teach her proper respect."

"Mary," Father said, his tone dropping to that familiar warning rumble that had always made me shrink as a child.

"Not another word."

Lucy appeared at my side like a guardian angel, slipping a crystal tumbler of bourbon into my hand.

"Mrs. Simpson, I brought your favorite," she whispered, her fingers briefly squeezing mine in solidarity.

I took a long sip, letting the alcohol burn away the humiliation lodged in my throat. The dinner proceeded with excruciating politeness, each bite of perfectly cooked steak turning to ash in my mouth. George sat beside me, utterly unmoved by my public dressing-down, calmly discussing business prospects with Phillip as if nothing had happened.

It wasn’t until my third drink that clarity began cutting through the fog of indignation. Catherine’s unusual appearance at dinner, her hostility toward me... it wasn’t random. She knew something.

The Paradise Valley Estates incident.

I stole a glance at George. Only yesterday, he’d mentioned casually over breakfast that "Shaw’s little project had hit a snag." I’d thought nothing of it then—business was business after all. But now, watching Catherine’s barely contained rage aimed in our direction, cold realization slithered down my spine.

George had deliberately sabotaged a project that Catherine had invested in.

I gripped my fork so tightly my knuckles blanched white. The Murphy name and fortune had built everything the Simpsons now enjoyed. Without my family connections, George would never have reached his current position. And how did he repay that debt?

Lucy leaned closer, her voice barely audible. "Mrs. Simpson, breathe slowly.

Everyone’s watching."

I forced my fingers to relax, managing a tight smile. Despite what everyone thought, I wasn’t stupid.

Catherine’s POV

I watched my aunt Mary somehow manage to hold her tongue, which was honestly surprising. But I wasn’t in the mood for playing verbal chess with her anymore. Time to cut straight to the chase.

"Uncle George, been busy lately?" I asked, staring directly at George Simpson.

He offered that artificial smile I’d seen a thousand times before. "Just the usual. Everything’s fine."

Mom cleared her throat softly-clearly trying to warn me off this topic. But did she really think I’d stop now?

"Then you must have too much free time on your hands," I said with a sweet smile that couldn’t possibly hide my sarcasm, "otherwise how would you find time to meddle in other people’s projects?"

"Catherine." My father’s voice carried a warning, though it was far less effective than my mother’s throat-clearing.

George laughed casually. "Catherine, what are you talking about? When have I ever interfered in someone else’s business?"

I knew damn well I didn’t have Anna’s brilliance for verbal sparring with George, but unlike her, I didn’t need to be so cautious. The Murphy family had my back—I had nothing to fear.

"Cut the act," I said with a cold smile.

"The Paradise Valley Estates incident-that was you, wasn’t it?"

George maintained his innocent facade.

"Catherine..."

I cut him off. "You don’t need to admit it. If anything else happens to Skylake District in the future, I won’t bother looking for anyone else. It’ll all be on you."

As I spoke, I noticed his pupils quiver slightly, his expression turning to ice.

"Catherine, those are baseless accusations. You shouldn’t make unverified claims-we’re family. This kind of accusation only damages our relationships," he said, his voice laced with an unmistakable warning.

"Family?" I couldn’t help but laugh, my anger burning hotter by the second. "Don’t use ’family’ to manipulate me. Did Aunt Mary ever treat me like her real niece with all the things she did? And you-have you ever truly considered me family?"

My mother looked at me, shocked.

"Catherine, you..."

Mary’s face registered genuine surprise.

I looked at my mom, confused.

"What? Did I say something wrong?"

Mom quickly shook her head. "No, no." But I could see the suppressed pain in her eyes, along with the sharp glare she shot at Mary.

I sat up straight, feeling anger rise from deep within. "Some people think being an elder gives them rights without responsibility. If you can’t show the dignity and virtue that should come with age, don’t blame the younger generation for not respecting you. Mom, Dad, don’t look at me like that. You have your way of handling things, and I have mine. I’m just the rebellious, disobedient, thoughtless one, right?"

George turned to my father with a self-deprecating smile. "Phillip, it seems Catherine has really misunderstood me."

My father’s expression turned serious.

"Misunderstanding or not, Anna has already reported this to the police, and they’ll uncover the truth. Since we’re speaking frankly, as your older brother, I should remind you that in business, you need to know how to win and lose, and more importantly, how to follow the law. "

George lowered his head slightly. "Yes, you’re right."

I was impressed-George Simpson certainly knew how to take a hit. I’d been naive to think my pressure would make him show his hand. Even with my father stepping in, he didn’t crack.

The man was too cunning.

I’d lost my appetite completely and headed straight back to my room at Murphy Estate. Jack followed me in almost immediately.

"Is Anna okay?" he asked, his eyes filled with genuine concern.

I shot him a disgusted look, my disappointment in him deepening.

"What does it matter to you? Does asking one question make any difference?"

I pointed at him, unable to contain my frustration. "I won’t even bother critiquing your actions. You’re not like those playboys who sleep around, nor are you someone who abandons his responsibilities. But you’ve got Lucy living at your house while you’re dating Sierra Turner. Do you know what people are saying about you?"