Chapter 101
Summer’s POV
“Forgot?” James’s voice showed barely contained irritation. He then turned to the producer. “Quinn, would you please give Miss Taylor the script?”
Victoria’s smile was starting to crack at the edges. Even through the grainy footage, I could see the tension in her shoulders as James continued.
“Miss Taylor, this film is extremely important to Mr. Stark. He’s invested considerable capital in this project,” James said, his professional tone barely hiding his frustration. “If I don’t fulfill my responsibilities here, it’ll be my ass on the line when I report back to him.”
Victoria shot her manager a venomous glare before quickly composing herself.
“Yeah, this was totally our oversight,” she said, voice dripping with practiced contrition. “Won’t happen again. Just give me thirty minutes, I’ll–7
“Fine,” James pinched the bridge of his nose. “Make it quick, Miss Taylor. Mr. Stark has other matters waiting for my attention.”
“Of course!” Victoria nodded eagerly.
watched my sister struggle to focus on the pages, her eyes darting back and forth as she tried to memorize the lines. Her fingers gripped the script so tightly the pages crumpled.
After James departed, Victoria maintained her strained smile.
“Quinn,” Victoria ventured, “what happens next…?”
The producer settled more comfortably into her chair. “Mr. Wilson might be in a hurry, but I’ve got all day, Miss Taylor. No need to
rush–take it slow. I’ll be right here with you.”
“I’ve never seen her like this,” I murmured, unable to look away from Victoria’s increasingly desperate attempts to memorize her
lines.
“So you brought me here just to watch her act?” I asked.
His lips curved into that dangerous half–smile as he beckoned me over. Without warning, Brandon pulled me into his lap, his arms wrapping firmly around my waist.
“What the hell?” I gasped, squirming in surprise. “Let me go!” I shot him an exasperated glare, my cheeks burning.
Brandon chuckled, resting his chin on my shoulder. “Just chill for a sec. Let me hold you.”
I sighed in defeat, gradually relaxing against him. His warmth enveloped me, and despite my initial protest, I found myself oddly comfortable.
A knock at the door made me stiffen. “Is that James?”
Brandon’s arms loosened. “Come in, he called, as I scrambled to my feet and quickly smoothed down my blouse.
James entered, immediately noticing my flushed face and Brandon’s satisfied expression. He cleared his throat awkwardly.
“Sir, about Victoria Taylor… she’s quite the performer,” he reported diplomatically.
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Chapter 101
“Oh yeah? Brandon asked, anfusement evident.
“She’s…” James hesitated. “Well, let’s just say she’s persistent.”
Brandon’s smile returned as he gestured toward me. “Wanna take a tour of the place?
“A tour of what?” I asked, eyeing him suspiciously.
“Since she enjoys making things difficult, Brandon said, glancing at ames, “might as well play along. How you handle it is up to you.” He paused. “Let’s give her something to really freak out about.”
“Brandon!” I bit my lip hesitantly. “Do you really have to do this?”
“Don’t you want me to?” He raised an eyebrow, studying my face. “If you don’t, I won’t. But think about it–your kindness doesn’t exactly get you much in return.”
I felt my resolve waver. I knew Victoria better than anyone–if Brandon didn’t intervene, she’d absolutely focus on making my life hell. Especially now that the Taylors knew about Grandpa’s shares.
“Fine,” I sighed. “Do whatever you think is best.”
“Good.” Brandon nodded, dismissing James with a wave.
James had left, Brandon studied my distant expression. “What’s going on in that head of yours?” he asked, reaching over to ruffle my
hair. “Hmm?”
I shook my head. “I feel like I’m turning into Victoria. But maybe that’s not so bad.”
“You’re nothing like her,” Brandon said with unexpected gravity. He cupped my face between his hands. “She’s not worth a fraction
of who you are.”
His words sent warmth cascading through me. Even if he was just trying to make me feel better, it worked.
“C’mon,” Brandon said, offering his hand. “Let me show you around.”
He led me out, fingers intertwined with mine. We’d entered through the CEO’s private access earlier, which was why nobody had noticed us arrive. Now, as we walked through the main corridor, employees stopped and stared at the notorious Brandon Stark holding hands with an unknown woman.
“Cut it out,” I muttered, trying to pull away. “Everyone’s staring.”
Brandon tightened his grip, smiling smugly. He walked slightly ahead, holding my hand behind him in a possessive gesture that practically screamed relationship.
“If you keep this up, the whole damn Street will know about us by tomorrow,” I warned.
He turned, suddenly serious. “Does that bother you?”
The directness caught me off guard. Did it? A few weeks ago, I’d have freaked out. But now…
No,” I said finally. “It doesn’t.”
His face lit up. “Good,” he said, ruffling my hair affectionately, causing nearby female employees to gasp. “Don’t sweat it, they won’t gossip.”
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Chapter 101
“Yeah, right,” I scoffed. “People love to talk, especially about someone like you.”
“This is my company,” Brandon squeezed my hand. “I make the rules. If I can’t control something this basic, how do you think I run this place?
I noticed department heads already directing curious employees back to work. “Guess I was overthinking it.”
“Let’s meet some people,” Brandon said, pulling out his phone. “James, get all department heads in the conference room. Ten
minutes.”
There was a long pause on the other end.
“Didn’t you hear me?” Brandon’s voice turned cool.
“Yes, sir!” James replied quickly. “I’ll handle it right away!”
When the executives hurried into the conference room, their surprise was evident. Brandon sat in a side chair rather than at the head of the table, while I was positioned in the main seat. Brandon’s hand remained linked with mine, and I could see the curiosity and confusion in everyone’s eyes as they connected what they were seeing with the rumors already circulating about Brandon walking through the building hand–in–hand with me.
Their expressions were a mixture of surprise and confusion as they exchanged glances.
Brandon surveyed the room with calm authority, waiting until the last executive had taken their seat before he spoke. I could feel the weight of everyone’s gaze, the silent questions hanging in the ai
This was it. No going back now.
