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“Mr. Atwater’s widowed sister–in–law p>
“You mean Marcia Carson p>
Paige Jensen hesitated for a moment.
After all, Marcia was the mother of the Atwater family’s eldest grandson.
If Marcia had somehow slighted the Murphy family, then any retaliation on their part would be understandable, and the Atwaters could hardly protest. But right now, there was no justifiable
reason…
To send the Atwater heir’s mother to entertain the fourth son of the Crest family–that was practically a slap in the face.
Butler Murphy followed at Paige’s side, easily reading her misgivings. “No need to worry. Marcia is desperate to get on your good side these days. She’s already stooped to seducing her own brother–in–law–what’s a little friendly company for the Crest family’s fourth son in comparison p>
“And she’ll be sure to keep it from the Atwaters. You can be certain of that p>
Marcia would agree in a heartbeat if it meant getting closer to the Murphys. But she’d be just as eager to keep it secret, if only to hold on to her place as Spencer’s wife.
Paige considered this, her doubts fading. “Then what are you waiting for? Call her and tell her to
come over p>
“Yes, ma’am p>
Butler Murphy replied swiftly.
Marcia was in her office when the call came through, listening to her assistant report on the progress of a clinical trial application.
The paperwork was approved. Once the medication was ready, they could begin the trials.
Elissa, oh Elissa… I hope this drug you’ve developed really is the miracle you claim!
Her assistant, skepticism written all over her face, couldn’t help but ask, “Ms. Carson, are you sure the data you have is the latest from the Murphy Group Research Institute p>
“Of course I’m sure p>
Marcia’s confidence was unshakable.
After all, a member of Elissa’s own project team had handed her the data personally.
And the data Elissa submitted to the other departments? Marcia had already swapped those out. The drug Elissa’s team was about to trial was just something they’d thrown together recently–no one could say if it would have any effect on cancer at all.
The side effects, though, were certainly nothing to ignore.
Once Elissa’s project entered the trial phase, the fallout would be catastrophic. The entire Murphy
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Group’s reputation would be swallowed up by scandal.
Who knew if, when the time came, Rowan would still be willing to shield Elissa?
The assistant finally seemed reassured. She noticed Marcia’s phone lighting up on the desk and reminded her, “Ms. Carson, you’ve got a call p>
Marcia shot her a look. “Well, what are you waiting for? Step outside p>
She used to feel wary around this assistant, since she’d been sent by the Murphys. But now, with Elissa’s supposedly side–effect–free cancer treatment in her hands, Marcia felt she had the upper hand at last.
The assistant understood the shift in power, swallowing her annoyance. “Right away, ma’am. ”
Once the assistant left, Marcia picked up the phone.
When Butler Murphy told her to come to The Assembly to meet someone from the Crest family, Marcia perked up instantly, grabbed her purse, and hurried over.
The Crest family didn’t wield quite as much power as the Murphys in Vistapeak, but they had their fingers in both the city’s respectable and not–so–respectable circles. Making a connection was always a good thing.
Marcia assumed Paige Jensen was showing her favor for obtaining Elissa’s results and wanted to support her further.
But the moment she stepped into The Assembly’s private room, Marcia sensed something was off.
Butler Murphy lifted his chin, motioning for her to take a seat beside a man she recognized instantly–a notorious eyesore.
She’d heard plenty of rumors about him.
An illegitimate son, and not just unattractive–his personal life was a mess.
Marcia tightened her grip on her purse as she sat down. The man leaned in, gave her a once–over, then turned to Paige Jensen.
“Matriarch Murphy, this is the Miss Drummond from your family p>
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