1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $-(4^{-1} + 3)$. 2. **Recall the rule for negative exponents:** $a^{-n} = \frac{1}{a^n}$. So, $4^{-1} = \frac{1}{4}$. 3. **Rewrite the expression:** $$-(4^{-1} + 3) = -\left(\frac{1}{4} + 3\right)$$ 4. **Convert 3 to a fraction with denominator 4:** $$3 = \frac{12}{4}$$ 5. **Add the fractions inside the parentheses:** $$\frac{1}{4} + \frac{12}{4} = \frac{13}{4}$$ 6. **Apply the negative sign outside:** $$-\left(\frac{13}{4}\right) = -\frac{13}{4}$$ 7. **Final answer:** $$-\frac{13}{4}$$