Chapter 170

Anna's POV

"They've issued two critical condition notices," Sean said, wiping sweat from his forehead. "But they're still trying." He hesitated, eyes dropping to my protruding belly. "Perhaps you shouldn't go in. I can handle this. What if you accidentally get hurt..."

I understood his concern, but as the person responsible for this project—and this man's safety—I needed to see firsthand. Despite my advanced pregnancy, I moved determinedly toward the emergency room, my hand protectively curved around my twins.

The hospital corridor reeked of antiseptic and desperation. A burly man with red-rimmed eyes spotted Sean and immediately charged toward us. "You said you were getting the blood! Where the hell have you been?" His voice cracked with barely contained panic. "If my brother dies, I swear to God—"

"Lucian," Sean said calmly, "this is Anna Shaw."

Lucian Cox's eyes narrowed as they swept over me, lingering on my rounded belly before returning to my face. "Who the hell are you? Some manager? You gonna write me a check and call it a day?"

I stepped forward, meeting his gaze directly. "I'm Anna Shaw, CEO of Shaw Corp."

His mouth opened slightly, words momentarily failing him. I understood his surprise—most people didn't expect the pregnant woman in comfortable flats to be the one signing their paychecks.

"Your brother is receiving the best care possible," I continued, keeping my voice steady. "I've instructed the hospital to spare no expense. I promise you, we're doing everything humanly possible to save him."

Catherine smoothly stepped in beside me. "Shaw Corp will cover all medical expenses and provide compensation, regardless of how this happened."

Rachel touched my arm gently. "Ms. Shaw, perhaps you should wait in the car and have something to eat?"

"She's not going anywhere!" Lucian's head snapped up, suspicion flaring in his bloodshot eyes. "My brother's still in surgery."

"I'll stay right here," I assured him, carefully lowering myself into one of the uncomfortable plastic chairs. "Clayton, could you get some food for everyone? We might be here a while."

Clayton hesitated, his protective instincts visibly warring with my request.

"Go," I said firmly. "Sean and Rachel will stay with me."

As Clayton departed, Sean returned with several paper bags from a nearby deli. He'd changed his bloodstained shirt, I noticed with appreciation.

"I thought everyone might need something to eat," he explained, distributing sandwiches among the small group of construction workers gathered in the waiting area.

Catherine was scrolling through her phone, her expression darkening by the second. "Anna, look at this." She thrust the screen at me, displaying a gossip site with the blaring headline: "CHAOS AT SHAW CORP CONSTRUCTION SITE: WORKER IMPALED, CEO NOWHERE TO BE FOUND."

"They're saying you've abandoned your workers," Catherine hissed.

My jaw tightened. Marcus had warned me about potential sabotage, but I'd never expected it to take this form—a human sacrifice for the sake of negative publicity.

"Rachel," I said quietly, "contact hospital security. No reporters inside, no information about the surgery released. Complete lockdown."

Rachel nodded and stepped away to make calls.

I turned back to Lucian and the other workers. "I believe someone deliberately caused this accident."

Lucian's eyebrows shot up. "You're saying someone wanted my brother skewered like a kebab? Why?"

"To stop Paradise Valley Estates," I explained, resting a protective hand on my belly. "Some people are determined to see this project fail, no matter the cost."

"So my brother's just collateral damage?" His voice rose dangerously.

"I'm not here to dodge responsibility," I said firmly. "But I need your cooperation to find out who's really behind this."

He studied me for a long moment, eyes falling to my pregnant belly. "What do you want from us?"

"Regardless of how your brother's surgery goes, I need you to keep this situation quiet for now. Just until we can investigate."

"You want us to keep our mouths shut?" Lucian scoffed. "So you can cover your ass?"

"So I can find who targeted your brother," I corrected sharply. "I swear to you, Lucius will receive the best care possible, and Shaw Corp will take full responsibility for his recovery. But if we go public now, whoever did this will get exactly what they want."

Lucian's face softened slightly. "I don't know, lady. That's asking a lot."

I touched my stomach. "I understand your hesitation. I give you my word—I won't abandon Lucius or any of you."

After what felt like an eternity, Lucian gave a reluctant nod.

Just then, a flustered-looking Inigo Holt—the project's engineering manager—burst through the door. "Ms. Shaw! I just heard—I was at dinner with the subcontractors when—"

"Dinner?" The word sliced through the air like a blade. "While one of your workers was being impaled, you were enjoying _dinner_? Did your phone suddenly stop working, or did you simply turn it off for your _important_ meal?"