Chapter 79
Summer’s POV
“I can’t believe how much you’ve changed!” I couldn’t help laughings Scarlett fired off another sharp–tongued observation about Manhattan’s elite. “Ruby’s been a terrible influence on you!”
“What do you mean, terrible influence? Ruby protested from the backseat of Brandon’s Porsche, which I was carefully navigating through weekend traffic. “I’m a perfectly good influencel”
The familiar banter felt like college all over again, when we’d spend hours in our favorite coffee shop near Columbia, sharing dreams and complaints. Now here we were, years later, headed to the Hamptons estate I shared with my… husband. The word still felt strange, even in my thoughts.
“Ruby…” I started, but she was on a roll.
“No, Summer, listen! Scarlett and I have had enough of watching these people hurt you. Just because they’re your family doesn’t give them the right to treat you like this! If it were me, I’d make sure they couldn’t show their faces on Wall Street ever again!”
“Oh please, I couldn’t help smiling despite the serious subject. “Remember when that guy stole your coffee in college? You ranted for hours but never actually confronted him!”
“That was different!” Ruby huffed. “I was saving my energy for more important battles!”
A sleek, modified sports car suddenly roared past us, cutting so close I had to swerve slightly. The driver leaned out his window, waving mockingly before accelerating away.
“What the hell?” Ruby surged forward between the front seats. “Who does that jerk think he is? Summer, catch up to him!”
“No way!” I kept my grip steady on the wheel. “I’m not that good a driver, and besides, we’re almost there. No point picking fights with strangers.”
“But didn’t you see how smug he looked?” Ruby’s voice rose with indignation.
“Maybe I was in his way?” I suggested mildly.
“You…” Ruby slumped back in her seat. “You’re impossible! How can you be so calm about everything?”
The Hamptons estate came into view, its elegant facade gleaming in the afternoon sun. Ruby pressed her face against the window like an excited kid.
Ruby’s eyes went wide as she took in the collection of luxury cars. “Summer, I knew your husband was rich, but this is something else!”
Scarlett observed quietly, always the more practical one. “And look at the grounds – there’s not another house in sight. Don’t you find it lonely out here?”
“It is pretty big,” I admitted, leading them toward the house. “Here, guest slippers are this way.”
The sound of voices from the kitchen made us all pause. A man’s playful tone carried clearly: “Brandon, I haven’t seen you cook in ages! Don’t tell me you’re doing all this just for me?”
C
Brandon’s response was characteristically cool: “Why are you here?1
*Come on, brother, don’t be like that! All this food can’t just be for… oh.”
Chapter 79
We rounded the corner to find Dr. Sean grinning like a cat who’d fad the cream. “Summer! You’re back!
“Hello!” I greeted.
“If you need to be at the hospital, go. Brandon’s sharp tone made Sean’s grin widen. Then Brandon turned to me, his votre softening instantly: “You’re home.”
The contrast in his demeanor made something warm unfurl in my chest.
“Hey, Mr. Stark! Ruby bounced forward before I could stop her. Remember me from last night? I’m Ruby, Summer’s friend, and this is Scarlett!”
Brandon acknowledged them with a polite nod. “Welcome.”
Brandon took the shopping bags from my hands. “You must he tired Why don’t you show your friends to the living room? Dinner will be ready soon.” He turned to Ruby and Scarlett, his usual intimidating presence softening slightly. “Please make yourselves comfortable.”
Ruby waved off his concern. “Don’t worry about us we’ll take care of ourselves, right Summer?”
I squeezed Brandon’s arm gently. “Go finish what you were doing. I’ll keep them company.”
Brandon’s POV
I watched June lead her friends toward the living room, something warm and unfamiliar stirring in my chest at how naturally she moved through what had once been my solitary domain. The sound of their laughter floating back made the usually empty house feel different – alive in a way it hadn’t been before.
“Well, well.” Sean’s knowing voice from the doorway broke through my thoughts. “You’re really serious about this, aren’t you?”
I continued preparing dinner, not bothering to look up. “When have ever not been serious?”
“Look,” his voice lost its usual playful edge. “I probably don’t have any right to say this, but… don’t let her down, okay? Not when she’s finally starting to trust you.”
“I know what I’m doing.”
Sean’s soft laugh held no humor. “You know how it is for people like us on Wall Street. Real feelings? That’s rarer than únicorns.”
“Sean.” I finally turned to face him. “I’m not like you. I’ve never been like you. You know that.”
“Yeah.” His expression softened as we heard another burst of laughter from the living room. “You’re different. And it looks like she’s accepting you – bringing her best friends to meet you? That’s a pretty big step.”
I studied his face, noting the unusual seriousness in his bearing. “What else?“.
He produced a medical report from his jacket. “About the drug they used on your wife last night… I ran the analysis myself. It’s a controlled substance, very rare. Victoria wouldn’t have access to something like this on her own. She might just be the front for someone else.”
“You’re sure? I examined the report carefully.
“You doubting my professional skills now?” His mock offense couldn’t quite hide his concern. “Just… be careful, okay? Keep Summer
safe.”
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Chapter 79
I filed the information away for later consideration 1 kmw.
I could hear the laughter spilling from the living room as hune’s friend Ruby recounted their Columbia days. The usually formal space felt different somehow, warmed by their easy camaraderie and unes soft responses,
And then Summet actually got the professor is change his mind why’s enthusiasm carried clearly through the open doorway “She was so quiet usually, but when she believed in something…
“Speaking of belief,” Sean’s voice held that particular note of mischief that usually preceded trouble, “what’s got three beautiful ladies laughing so hard?
This Dr. Sean Sullivan. June introduced.
“Please, call me Sean. His natural charm shifted smoothly into place Though I have to ask was that you in the Porsche earlier?
The one that wouldn’t race?”
Ruby’s voice sharpened with recognition. “Wait, that fancy sports car outside is yours? So you were the one trying to provoke us?
“Ah, about that…” Even without looking, I could picture Sean’s sheepish expression. “I lost that car to Brandon in a bet. Thought he might be driving it and wanted to mess with him a bit. My bad!”
“The commute to the office is pretty far,” June explained, and I could hear the smile in her voice. My fingers paused briefly in their work, remembering how naturally she’d adapted to driving the Porsche.
That Porsche suits you better anyway.” Sean’s agreement carried clear approval. “Brandon’s never been one for flashy vehicles.”
“Just a misunderstanding then.” The soft rustle of movement suggested June rising. “I should go help Brandon with the dinner!”
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