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Chapter 319
Summer’s POV
I was about to ask him what Jeffrey wanted when his phone rang. Brandon glanced at the screen, then answered immediately.
“James,” he said simply, his voice low.
I couldn’t hear what James was saying, but Brandon’s eyes narrowed lightly.
“Mr. Stark, James’s voice came through clearly enough for me to catcf, Jeffrey Sinclair lingered outside your private room for several minutes before leaving!”
“I know, Brandon replied calmly, taking another bite of his food.
“So what should we do now, Mr. Stark?” James asked.
Brandon set down his fork, his expression shifting into something colder. “Hold position for now. Tomorrow morning, I want you to find Jeffrey and take him to see Elle.”
I started to spoon more rice onto his plate, but he subtly shook his head, stopping me.
“And increase her dosage,” he added, his voice completely emotionless. “Then let Jeffrey see her.”
The entire table fell silent. Everyone had heard him. Ruby and Scarlett exchanged alarmed glances, clearly wondering what kind of conversation they’d just witnessed. I felt my own stomach tighten at Brandon’s casual cruelty.
Ethan Kennedy and Edward Lee barely reacted, their expressions remaining neutral. Whatever Brandon was doing, they’d obviously seen it coming.
Dr. Sean, however, looked genuinely disturbed. “Brandon, have you last your mind?” he hissed. “You’re messing with her meds now? At my hospital? Are you trying to get my license revoked?”
Brandon’s lips curved into a cold smile. “Jeffrey needs a lesson in consequences,” he said simply. “He doesn’t respond to anything else.”
“What are you talking about?” Sean demanded.
“Jeffrey is predictable,” Brandon explained, setting his phone down. Elle is his playing piece. As long as she’s a viable option, he’ll never stop pushing. But if his piece is… compromised…” He let the implication hang in the air.
“You’re basically suggesting we make her appear more mentally unstable to scare him off,” Sean translated, running a hand through his hair. “Jesus Christ.”
“I’d prefer not to directly engage the Sinclair family unless absolutely necessary,” Brandon continued, his tone clinical. “They’ve been fixtures in Washington DC for over a century. That’s not a battle I’m looking to start right now.”
Sean threw up his hands. “Fine. Whatever I’ve gotta hand it to you though–you really do think of everything.”
“I don’t like wasting effort, Brandon replied.
James, who had been standing nearby throughout the exchange, cleared his throat. “Mr. Stark. The staff monitoring Elle mentioned she’s been muttering strange things lately. Keeps saying ‘go away‘ and something about a child.”
Brandon’s head snapped up. “A child?”
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‘Yes, sir, James confirmed.
Brandon’s eyes darted to Sean, something unspoken passing between them. Do psychiatric patients typically talk in coherent patterns?
Sean’s face paled as he caught Brandon’s meaning. ‘You can’t possibly think-
“Brandon, you…” I started, the implication hitting me like a truck.
Brandon turned to Edward. “Edward, looks like I’ll need your assistance again.”
Edward nodded, his expression grim. Don’t forget what you promised me.”
“Within the next few days, Brandon assured him. “I’ll arrange the meeting. What happens after that is up to you.”
“Agreed, Edward replied simply.
I glanced around the table. Ruby and Scarlett looked completely lost, while Ethan and Arya maintained their stoic expressions. Only I seemed to understand part of what was happening–Brandon was using Elle to manipulate Jeffrey, but there was clearly more. going on than he was letting on.
After dinner, Sean offered to take Ruby and Scarlett home. Edward and Ethan left separately with Arya, while Brandon and I headed to his car.
Once we were alone, I turned to him. “What exactly did you mean by increasing Elle’s dosage? Don’t tell me her current breakdown is somehow connected to you?”
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