Chapter 279
Brandon’s POV
The flickering light from the television cast a soft glow across the living room of Summer’s Manhattan apartment. I watched her more than the screen, taking in her profile as she laughed at something on the TV. These moments of normalcy had become precious since our temporary separation.
My phone vibrated on the coffee table, and Summer’s eyes Immediately darted to the screen. Her eyebrows shot up.
“Grandpa George?” she said, surprised. “Why would he be calling this late?”
I picked up the phone, turning down the TV volume with my other hand. Summer leaned closer, her warmth against my side as comforting as it was distracting.
“Hello, George,” I answered, keeping my tone neutral despite my curiosity.
“Brandon, you and Summer sleeping yet?” George’s gruff voice came through clearly.
“No, we’re watching TV,” I replied, then paused. “Is there something urgent?”
“Nothing too pressing,” George sighed. “It’s about Victoria. Her father came to see me today. Since they saw how close we were at the Stark Group annual party, he thought he could get information from me…”
I could hear the hesitation in his voice, the careful way he was choosing his words. George Taylor might be in his seventies, but his mind was as sharp as ever.
“Brandon, I need to ask you something, and I want an honest answer he said finally.
“Go ahead,” I replied, already knowing what was coming.
“Is there anything between you and Victoria?” The question hung in the air, loaded with implications.
“No,” I stated firmly. “Is that what you’re asking? If Victoria and I have some kind of relationship? My answer is no. You should know that Summer is my wife.”
George sighed heavily on the other end. “I thought as much. I didn’t really suspect otherwise. It’s just that this situation has blown up so much. It’s not just affecting Victoria, but you as well…”
“I understand your concern,” I said, glancing at Summer, She nodded gesturing for the phone. “Summer wants to speak with you.”
I handed her the phone, watching as her face softened at the sound of her grandfather’s voice.
“Grandpa, it’s me!” she exclaimed, her entire demeanor brightening,
I could only hear her side of the conversation, but it was enough to follow along.
“I’m doing great, Grandpa… No, please don’t get involved. Brandon will handle everything…”
She caught my eye her expression growing more serious.
“Brandon and Victoria have absolutely nothing going on. This is just someone trying to cause trouble. It’s complicated to explain right now…” She paused, listening. “Don’t worry, I promise I won’t get the short end of this.”
Another pause.
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“I understand, Grandpa. Victoria’s caught in the middle too. I know.
She said her goodbyes and hung up, turning to me with a heavy sigh
“It’s up to you now,” she said, handing back my phone.
“I’ll handle it,” I promised, feeling a twinge of guilt. “I’m sorry you’re dealing with this.”
Summer shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. “I’m not bothered!”
She pushed off my chest and surveyed the apartment. It was nice–made sure of that–but it wasn’t our Hamptons estate. The comparison was impossible to ignore.
Though she hadn’t admitted it, I knew the move had bothered her initially. But I’d been coming here every night without fail, undetected by Jane Sinclair’s watchers. We’d maintained our routine found a new normal within these walls.
“If Dad went to Grandpa, it means they’re running out of options,” Summer mused aloud. “Do you think they know this is connected to the Sinclair family? To Elle Sinclair?”
“They do,” I replied without hesitation.
Summer’s eyes widened. “How can you be so sure?”
I chuckled, reaching out to brush my finger across the tip of her nose. “Elizabeth hired a private investigator to look into Elle Sinclair. That’s why she hasn’t had time to come after you.”
“My mother?” Summer’s confusion was evident. “But she doesn’t even know Elle. Why would she suddenly investigate her?”
Summer studied my face, her brow furrowing before comprehension dawned. “Wait a minute. Don’t tell me you orchestrated all of this! But how did you know my mother would investigate Elle Sinclair?”
I felt a smirk tugging at my lips as I pulled her into my arms. “I have my ways.”
“Oh, keeping secrets from me now?” Summer raised an eyebrow, but didn’t press further.
She knew me well enough to understand that I’d mapped out every contingency, every possible reaction. Elizabeth’s investigation was just one piece of a much larger puzzle I’d been assembling.
Later, as we settled back on the couch, I couldn’t help but feel a need to apologize again.
“I’m sorry you have to stay here for now,” I murmured against her hair.
Summer groaned. “I get it. You’ve said that like eight hundred times already. I’m sick of hearing it!”
She nestled closer, her head resting against my chest. Her eyelids were already drooping despite her insistence on finishing the
show.
“Tired?” I asked, adjusting our position to make her more comfortable. “Ready for bed?”
“No, let’s finish this episode,” she mumbled. “It’s almost over.”
*I didn’t bother arguing, just held her as her breathing gradually slowed and deepened. Within minutes, she was fast asleep, her face
peaceful in a way that made my chest tighten.
Carefully, I lifted her into my arms, carrying her to the bedroom. I undressed her with practiced efficiency, tucking her under the
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covers before sliding in beside her. My body curled protectively around hers, warming the cool sheets..
Once the bed was warm and Summer was deeply asleep, I slipped away, retrieving my phone from the living room.
James answered on the first ring, any traces of sleep instantly gone from his voice.
“Mr. Stark,” he said.
“How are we progressing?” I asked without preamble.
“Just as you predicted. Elizabeth has uncovered nearly everything about the Sinclair family. She has all the information she needs- well, everything except their most deeply buried secrets.
I could hear the admiration in James’s voice. He was impressed that d anticipated Elizabeth’s moves so precisely, engineering the situation so that she would gain access to information she’d never have found on her own.
“What’s our next step, sir?” James asked.
I leaned against the doorframe, my eyes drifting to the black sedan parked below. Jane’s watchers were nothing if not predictable.
“Have Victoria come to the office tomorrow,” I instructed. “We need to start shooting the Diana advertisement. And give her the supporting actress role in that film project.”
“I notify Maya tomorrow,” James replied, though I could hear his reservations. “Though giving Victoria that role seems… generous. It’s quite an opportunity.”
I understood his reluctance. The film had been years in the making a passion project with top writers and directors. James believed it would be a box office hit, and I agreed. But its value to me went beyond mere profits.
“You have to sacrifice a pawn to catch a wolf,” I explained. “The higher I elevate Victoria, the more vicious their fight becomes. I want both the Sinclair family and the Taylor family fully invested in this game. That’s when it gets interesting.”
I smiled to myself, already seeing the pieces falling into place. “When is the film press conference scheduled?”
“Soon, sir. We planned to announce it before the holidays and begin production afterward. Will that timing work for you?”
“Perfect,” I confirmed. “I’ll be attending the press conference personally.”
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