The Billionaire’s Sudden Bride
Chapter 12: Back to Wall Street
Summer’s POV
Something snapped inside me. All the pain, all the betrayal, all the carefully contained fury of the past weeks came rushing out in a torrent. “Changed? You mean I’m not your obedient ex–lanede anymore? When you sent me to Europe for a year, claiming it was for my career growth was that when you started seeing Victoria? Did you plan it all along? Get me out of the way so you two could be together?”
Summer-
“Leave!” The word exploded from me with enough force to make him inch, “Leave now, or I swear I’ll call security!”
The weekend passed in a blur of wine, ice cream, and alternating waves of anger and despair. F’d spent Saturday morning aggressively cleaning my apartment, as if I could somehow scrub away the memories of Alexander and Victoria along with the kitchen counters. By Saturday night, I’d graduated to sitting on my balcony with a bottle of cabernet, mentally rewriting every conversation I’d ever had with my sister.
Sunday wasn’t much better. I’d woken up with a headache and the kind of bone–deep exhaustion that came from crying yourself to sleep.
Now it was Monday morning, and I had to face reality. I stood in front of Fortune Corp’s gleaming glass entrance, trying to calm my racing heart. Just breathe in and out. You can do this. My Louboutins clicked against the marble floor as I walked through the revolving door, head held high despite the whispers that followed in my wake.
“That’s her…”
“Can you believe she had the nerve to show up?”
The whispers weren’t even trying to be subtle anymore. I kept my face carefully neutral, channeling every ounce of composure I’d learned in my years navigating Wall Street. Let them talk. They don’t now anything.
“I heard Victoria saved her life when they were kids,” a woman in Chanel whispered to her companion. And this is how she repays her? By trying to steal her fiance?”
God, is there anyone in Manhattan who doesn’t know about this mess gripped my leather portfolio tighter, using the sensation to ground myself. The lobby suddenly felt endless, each step bringing a new wave of whispers and judgmental stares.
My steps faltered for just a moment before I caught myself. Don’t react. That’s what they want. I focused on my breathing, just like I used to before big presentations. In through the nose, out through the mouth. You’re Summer Taylor, and you didn’t survive Columbia Business School to let these vultures see you crack.
“Miss Taylor!”
ncern in her eyes. Unlike the others, her expression held
I turned
find the front desk receptionist, looking at me with genuine concern no judgment – just sympathy and something that might have been respect.
“The whole street is talking about… she hesitated, glancing around before continuing in a lower voice. “You should be prepared It’s… not good.”
A genuine smile tugged at my lips despite everything. In the cutthreat world of Wall Street, even small kindnesses felt like lifelines. “Thank you. Do you… do you believe what they’re saying about me?
She met my eyes steadily. “Miss Taylor, I’ve worked this desk for three years. I’ve seen how you treat people, how you work. I don’t
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Chapter 12: Back to Wall Street
believe those rumors for a secfail,”
Before I could respond, a particularly loud voice cut through the lobby. Stealing her sister a flated and She’s a disgrace to Wall Street.“
TOLE
ting on shamefeat
| watched Amy’s face flush with anger on my behalf, and something is my chest tightened. It okay, I tald softly. “Let them talk The truth has a way of coming out eventually.“
The boardroom lelt like a shark tank as I walked in for the Monday morning meeting. Every face turned to watch my entrance, expressions ranging from harely concealed curiosity to outright honflity. Welcome back to Wall Street, Summer
1 took my
usual seat, arranging my materials with deliberate precision. The European division’s quarterly reports sat in front of me like a shield. Let them try to question my professional capabilities. Numers dow Me
“Well, well.” Lawrence’s voice dripped with condescension. “Souse prople seem to have no shame, throwing their faces at board meetings after disgracing themselves in front of all of Wall Street /
I kept my eyes on my reports, my voice steady and professional. I wasn’t aware that Wall Street’s elite had nothing better to discuss than personal matters. Should we review last quarter’s portfolio performance instead?”
His face reddened slightly. “The European numbers look impressive, one has to wonder what… methods were used to achieve such
results.
“Questioning my methods, Mr. Lawrence?” I met his eyes directly now, letting a hint of steel enter my voice. Perhaps we should compare our respective investment strategies? I believe my return rates speak for themselves.”
A ripple of uncomfortable shifting went through the room. Lawrence’s track record was notably less stellar than he liked to pretend and everyone knew it.
“Now see here- he started, but the boardroom door opening cut him off.
Alexander and his father Old Mr. Alexander Stark walked in together, and the air in the room seemed to thicken instantly. I kept my expression neutral, though my hands clenched beneath the table. Professional. Stay professional.
mea
“Good morning, everyone.” Old Mr. Stark’s voice carried that familiar note of authority. His eyes skimmed over me as if I didn’t exist, focusing instead on the papers in front of him. “Shall we begin?”
I straightened my spine, pulling up the European division’s numbers on the projection screen. If they wanted to judge me, fine. But they’d have to do it based on my work, not their gossip.
“The European market presented several unique challenges this quarter,” I began, my voice clear and confident. “However, our strategic adjustments resulted in a 15% increase in portfolio value.
As I walked them through the data, I could feel the room’s energy shifting. Whatever they thought of my personal life, these numbers were impossible to dismiss. Even Lawrence’s attempts to find fault grew increasingly desperate.
“These returns are unprecedented for that market sector, he tried one last time. “It seems… suspicious.”
I allowed myself a small smile. “Actually, Mr. Lawrence, if you’ll turn to page 47 of your packet, you’ll find a complete breakdown of our methodology. Every transaction is fully documented and verified by our compliance team. Unless you’re suggesting that all of London’s financial oversight committees are somehow compromised)
A few poorly hidden smirks appeared around the table. Lawrence’s face turned an interesting shade of purple,
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The Billionaire’s Sudden Bride
