Brandon carried me to the car after the movie, my legs still wobbly from what had happened in the theater. By the time we pulled into the Hamptons driveway, I was wide awake, the unexpected nap Having reset my internal clock.
1
“I’ve got some work to catch up on,” I told Brandon, slipping off my shoes. “I want to review those Manhattan West Side files Leo
gave me.”
Brandon raised an eyebrow. “At this hour?”
“I won’t be able to sleep,” I explained. “Do you mind if I use your study?”
“It’s your study too,” he reminded me, loosening his tie. “Go ahead.”
An hour later, I was deep into Leo’s files, cross–referencing data and making notes. The Manhattan West Side project was ambitious -exactly the kind of challenge I’d hoped for when joining Stark Group.
Max appeared in the doorway, his dark eyes fixed on me with that sad, pleading look dogs perfect from puppyhood.
“No, Max, Brandon said firmly from behind him. “Mom’s working. Don’t disturb her.”
Max made a muffled “woof” sound–almost like he was arguing.
“I mean it,” Brandon continued. “Sit.”
To my amazement, Max immediately sat, though his eyes kept darting between Brandon and me with obvious discontent.
I refocused on the files, making connections between Leo’s previous projects and the challenges of Manhattan West Side. I was so absorbed that I didn’t notice Brandon’s presence until he appeared in the doorway, his hair damp from a shower, a towel draped around his neck.
“Your hair’s still wet,” I scolded, looking up. “You’re going to catch a cold.”
“Still working?” he asked, ignoring my comment. “You just started at the company. Is Leo already loading you up with assignments?”
I shook my head. “No, nothing like that. These are just materials he gave me to study. I don’t want to fall behind on the Manhattan West Side project.”
Brandon nodded, moving behind my chair. His hands came to rest on my shoulders, immediately finding the knots at the base of my neck
“You don’t have to do that,” I said quickly. “I’m fine.”
“Your shoulders are tight,” he replied, his thumbs working with unerring accuracy. “Let me.”
As the tension melted from my muscles, my mind cleared, and I found myself focusing on the project again.
“What do you think, what you’ve read so far?” Brandon asked.
Leo is impressive,” I began. Look at the Parkview Plaza project from three years ago–his first after returning to New York. The site had serious environmental concerns with a river nearby. Residents were worried about pollution.”
“How did he handle it?” Brandon’s hands continued their work.
1
Chapter 166
‘He redesigned everything to work around the river, creating buildings that followed its natural course. He implemented strict environmental controls,” I explained. “It’s a case study in adapting to constraints rather than fighting them.”
“And Manhattan West Side?”
“Even bigger challenges,” I sighed. “Beyond the contamination from abandoned factories, there’s the psychiatric hospital and rehab center to consider. You can’t just relocate facilities like that.” I flipped through my notes. “The geological surveys show potential issues too. Do you think the project might end up shelved?”
Brandon’s fingers worked at a particularly stubborn knot. “What do you think?”
“I think it could become a major commercial hub eventually. But those institutional facilities are uncontrollable variables, and the pollution requires serious remediation.”
Brandon’s hands stilled. “Everything has a solution.”
I hesitated before asking, “I heard Fortune Corp wants a piece of this project. Is that true?”
“Yes,” he said simply.
“They’re nowhere near capable of handling something this complex. When I was there, their operations were a mess. They depend completely on Stark Group to stay afloat.” I thought for a moment. I noticed Stark Group reduced their order volume recently. Fortune Corp immediately started having problems–not just with personnel but accounting irregularities too.”
Brandon’s expression remained neutral.
“That was your doing,” I said. “Controlling the order flow.”
His lips curved into a slight smile.
“It makes sense now,” I continued. “Old Alexander Stark wanting Alexander to be with Victoria–he’s after her shares in the Taylor family’s Capital Corp. Now the order flow is normal again, I thought you would just cut it.”
“He saved my uncle Gavin’s daughter’s life,” Brandon said unexpectedly.
The apparent non sequitur threw me. “Your uncle Gavin?”
“My uncle also has an adopted daughter, Zoey Stark.”
“I didn’t know that,” I said, surprised. “I only knew about Gavin being completely devoted to his wife.”
Brandon’s expression softened slightly. “And there is Alice Stark, my half–sister from my father, and Grace Stark, whose real name is Katniss Kennedy–my uncle Gavin’s daughter and Edward Lee’s wife,
My jaw nearly dropped. “What?”
*If you meet members of the Stark family,” Brandon said, his tone serious, “those two you can trust. They’re different from the others.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “I never knew you had sisters! And wait–Edward Lee is married? How did I not know that?”
These things arent public knowledge, he replied. “It’s a Stark family secret.”
“And you’re just casually telling me all this?” I asked, genuinely stunned.
Chapter 166
Brandon’s gaze was steady. “You’re my wife, June. Why wouldn’t I tell you?”
The simple statement sent warmth spreading through my chest. Despite everything–our unconventional start, the secrecy at work, the complications with our families–in this moment, I felt truly connected to him.
Honestly, there are too many names to keep track of right now,” I said with a small laugh. “Maybe let’s save the full Stark family tree for when I actually meet them? My brain is already on overload
“Thank you, though, I added softly, reaching up to touch his hand on my shoulder. “For trusting me.”
Brandon leaned down, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “It’s late. Don’t stay up too much longer.”
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The Billionaire’s Sudden Bride
