Chapter 207
Brandon’s POV
“Oh my God, is that–are they following us?” June’s voice pitched higher as she twisted in her seat, staring out the rear window.
I checked the rearview mirror, confirming my suspicion. The black sedan had been making identical turns for the past ten minutes- not close enough to be obvious, but consistent enough to be deliberate.
“Don’t worry about it,” I replied calmly. Without warning, I made a sharp right turn, cutting across traffic. Horns blared as I accelerated down a narrow side street. June yelped, grabbing the door handle.
I took another abrupt turn into an even narrower alley, weaving through Manhattan’s lesser–known passages. Three more turns in rapid succession, each executed with precision. The sedan tried to keep pace but fell behind with each maneuver.
“Hold on,” I warned, spotting an opportunity. I cut the wheel hard, sliding the car into a service entrance before immediately pulling back onto a main avenue heading in the opposite,direction.
June was pressed back against her seat, knuckles white. “Are they still behind us?”
She glanced back, then shook her head. “No… they’re gone.”
I allowed myself a small smile, easing up on the accelerator. “Good.
I pulled into the underground parking structure of a shopping center and parked in the executive section. Once certain we hadn’t been followed, I pulled out my phone and call the staff of a Diana shop.
“Yes,” I said into the phone. “Bring down a set of clothes. The usual. Something conservative.” A pause. “Five minutes.”
Minutes later, a nervous–looking woman approached, carrying a garment bag. She tried to peer into the passenger window, though the tinted glass prevented her from seeing June clearly.
“The clothes?” I asked, lowering my window slightly.
“Yes, Mr. Stark,” she said, extending the bag. “Exactly as requested.”
I took the bag without comment, waiting for her to leave. When she lingered, I fixed her with a cold stare.
“Was there something else?”
She jumped slightly. “No! I’ll just be going then. Enjoy your day, Mr. Stark.”
Once she was gone, I handed the bag to June. “Here. Put these on.”
June unzipped the bag, revealing a modest but elegant midnight blue dress with a matching blazer.
“Are we meeting someone important?” she asked curiously.
I nodded. “Go ahead and change.”
Her eyes widened. “Here? In the car?”
I was about to respond when movement in my side mirror caught my attention. The black sedan that had been following us was cruising through the parking structure.
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Chapter 207
“Fuck, I muttered, my jaw clenching.
“What’s wrong?” June followed my gaze, then sucked in a sharp breath. “They found us? How did they-
Lock the doors when I get out,” I instructed, already reaching for the handle. “Change quickly. I’ll deal with this.”
June’s hand shot out, grabbing my sleeve. “Wait, Brandon! You don’t know who they are. What if they’re dangerous?”
I turned to her, softening my expression slightly. “It’s fine. It’s just my mother. Stay in the car and don’t come out.”
Her worry immediately transformed into understanding. “Oh! Okay then. Be careful.”
I positioned myself in front of the car, adjusting my cufflinks as I turned to face the approaching sedan. Through the windshield, I could see Jane Sinclair in the passenger seat, with Elle beside her driving. Jane seemed hesitant, likely sensing my mood from my rigid posture.
I remained where I was, making no move to approach them.
Elle’s voice was barely audible as she said something clutched Jane’s hand. “He looks…”
“I’ll handle this,” Jane said, squaring her shoulders before exiting the car.
“Brandon!” she called, approaching with practiced grace.
“I thought I made myself clear, Mother,” I replied coldly. “Some lines are better left uncrossed.”
“Brandon, you misunderstand,” she protested. “I was simply concerned. When I saw you leaving Stark Tower so suddenly, I was worried about you.”
“Worried enough to follow me across half of Manhattan? With her?” nodded toward Elle.
Before Jane could respond, Elle emerged from the car, rushing to join us.
“Brandon,” she said breathlessly. “I only came because I thought you might need me. I’m your secretary, aren’t I? If you’re handling business outside the office, shouldn’t I be with you?”
I turned my gaze on her, making no effort to hide my contempt. “Secretary? Interesting that you remember your position now. Leaving during work hours without authorization, following your superior without permission. Tell me, Elle, where exactly did your
mother education and upbringing fail you? Or is this just your cheap, low–class roots showing through, no matter how much my tried to make you into a Sinclair?”
Elle flinched as if struck, her eyes immediately filling with tears.
“Brandon!” she cried, her voice breaking. “How can you say such things? I can’t help how I was born! If I could choose, don’t you think I’d want to be a real Sinclair by blood?”
“And yet, you were given that chance, weren’t you?” I replied coldly. “My mother and uncle took you in, gave you their name. Not everyone gets to climb so rapidly into nobility. You should be grateful your mother had a wealthy ex–lover.”
Jane stepped forward, flushed with anger. “Brandon, that’s enough! Elle only cares for you. She has feelings for you.”
“Feelings?” I repeated, my voice dropping dangerously low. “Mother, have you forgotten every lesson in proper behavior? Elle is my uncle’s adopted daughter–my cousin in name, if not blood. Even without shared genetics, surely you recognize the impropriety?”
Brandon, you’re being unreasonable- Jane began.
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Chapter 207
“I’ve accommodated Elle’s presence at Stark Group against my better judgment,” I cut her off. “That was my final concession. If you persist in this… campaign, I won’t hesitate to position myself agains you–and against the Sinclair family if necessary.”
I saw the color drain from Jane’s face as I turned to leave.
Behind me, Elle rushed forward, grabbing my arm with desperate fingers. “Brandon, please! Tell me what’s wrong with me! Whatever it is, I can change! Is it my appearance? I’ll get surgery–I’ll look however you want! I’ll look like Lyanna if that’s what you prefer!”
I stared at her hand on my sleeve with revulsion, pulling out my handkerchief to wipe away her touch before dropping the cloth to the ground.
“You’re deranged,” I said flatly. “I’ve warned you not to touch me. The next time you put your hands on me, whichever hand it is, I’ll ensure you never use it again.”
Elle’s face contorted, her eyes wild and red–rimmed. “No, Brandon, you can’t mean that! It’s because of her, isn’t it? Lyanna? Or is there someone else now?” Her gaze darted to my car, her expression darkening further. “There’s another woman in your car, isn’t there? Someone’s seduced you! Who is she? I’ll get rid of her right now!”
Before I could stop her, Elle darted past me, lunging toward my car.
What the fuck?
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