Chapter 168
Summer’s POV
I’d barely taken two steps toward the exit when the private dining room’s door swung open. Dr. Sean Sullivan appeared in the doorway, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit. His eyes sparkled with amusement as he surveyed the scene–me frozen mid–escape, my mother half–risen from her chair, face flushed with anger.
“Well, Sean drawled, one hand casually tucked into his pocket. Isn’t this Miss Taylor? Where are you rushing off to?”
I stared at him in shock, suddenly understanding Brandon’s earlier calm when I’d mentioned this dinner. He must have arranged for Sean to show up pretending to be Michael Sullivan, Daisy Sullivan’s son.
Elizabeth recovered instantly, her fury morphing into saccharine politeness. “Michael! You’re here!” She grabbed my arm, her fingernails digging painfully into my skin. “Summer was just so excited to see you that she was coming to greet you! Weren’t you, dear?
Sean raised an eyebrow skeptically. “Is that so?” His gaze locked with mine, and I could practically hear his unspoken laughter.
“Don’t you dare mess this up,” Elizabeth hissed through her frozen smile. “Say hello to Michael right now.”
Elizabeth’s voice rose to its public–performance pitch. “Michael, just look at our Summer! She came specifically to see you tonight. Please, have a seat!”
She reached for Sean’s arm, but he smoothly sidestepped her, turning to me instead.
“After you, Miss Taylor,” he said with exaggerated courtesy.
“Please, Mr. Sullivan,” I replied with an equally forced smile. “After you.”
Elizabeth shot me a warning glare before turning to pour wine for Sean.
“Let me get that for you,” Sean interjected before Elizabeth could finish.
Elizabeth thrust the wine bottle into my hands. “Summer, pour Michael some wine! You were just telling me how much you wanted to talk with him before he arrived, weren’t you?”
I barely suppressed an eye roll as I poured Sean’s wine and handed him the glass. “Here you go, Mr. Sullivan.”
“Thank you,” he replied, lightly brushing my fingers as he took the glass. He winked when Elizabeth wasn’t looking.
I shot him a sideways glare that clearly said, Don’t you dare make this worse.
Elizabe settled into her chair before launching into her campaign. Summer’s being so quiet! And here she’s been talking about you constantly since Victoria’s wedding. Always wondering when she might see you again!
“Really?‘ Sean’s eyes danced with mischief.
“Oh yes, Elizabeth continued. “Michael, please don’t mind her shyness. This daughter of mine–she’s just too timid. At home, she mentions you all the time, always finding subtle ways to ask about you.”
I maintained a neutral expression, refusing to acknowledge her ridiculous fabrications.
Oh yeah?” Sean replied, clearly enjoying the absurdity of the situation.
Chapter 168
“Well,” Sean said, turning to me with theatrical seriousness, “I’m deeply honored to have caught Miss Taylor’s attention. It’s quite flattering!”
I nearly choked on my water. The thought of being romantically linked to Sean sent an involuntary shudder through me.
Elizabeth beamed triumphantly. “Oh, it’s our Summer who should feel honored that you’ve taken notice of her! Isn’t that right, Summer?”
She pinched my thigh under the table, leaning close to whisper harshly, “Talk to him. Tell him you like him.”
That was the last straw. I stood abruptly. “Excuse me, I need to use the restroom.”
“Summer!” Elizabeth called after me, but I ignored her, walking briskly toward the exit.
When I returned ten minutes later, I found the table laden with food. Apparently, they’d ordered without me.
“Miss Taylor, Sean said as I approached, “please, have a seat. We took the liberty of ordering. If anything isn’t to your liking, we can order something else.”
“This is fine,” I replied, settling back.
“See?” Elizabeth jumped in. “Michael, didn’t I tell you? Summer’s tastes align perfectly with yours! You two are truly meant for each other!” She leaned forward conspiratorially. “Perhaps we should get both families together soon to discuss wedding arrangements?”
I nearly dropped my fork. Wedding arrangements? She had officially lost her mind.
Sean choked on his wine before breaking into genuine laughter. “Wedding? Mrs. Taylor, I think there might be some misunderstanding here.”
Elizabeth’s smile faltered. “Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding? Aren’t you interested in marrying Summer? Your mother Daisy and I are very close friends, you know. She promised me this match. And I saw how well you two got along at Victoria’s wedding!”
1 gripped my fork so tightly my knuckles turned white. Every word out of her mouth made me want to sink further into my chair.
Sean’s expression shifted, the playful gleam in his eyes replaced by something harder.
“I enjoy Miss Taylor’s company,” he said carefully. “She’s impressive–intelligent, beautiful, accomplished. Of course I find her appealing. But Mrs. Taylor, I’m afraid you’ve misunderstood. I don’t recall my mother ever mentioning your friendship, and even if you are acquainted, she has no authority over my marriage choices and neither do you.”
Elizabeth’s jaw dropped. “How–how dare you speak to me that way
And I’m speaking with great restraint because you are Miss Taylor’s mother, Sean replied, his voice growing colder. “I genuinely admire Miss Taylor and value her friendship. However, since I arrived, you’ve done nothing but criticize and belittle her. If she’s so inadequate by your standards, why are you so eager to have me marry her?”
The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees. I’d never seen this side of Sean before–the carefree playboy replaced by someone with a steel backbone.
Elizabeth sputtered incoherently, her face reddening. “You-
“Mist Taylor is exceptional, Sean continued. Im certain she has many worthy admirers. There’s no need for you to concern yourself so heavily with her marital status. While I’d be happy to enjoy a casal meal with Miss Taylor sometime, I find I’ve lost my appetite for tonight’s dinner.
Chapter 168
I couldn’t help the small smile that crept onto my face. Seeing my mother rendered speechless was a rare pleasure.
Sean turned to me. “Miss Taylor, I have some business to attend to. Are you heading home soon?”
“Yes,” I replied, grateful for the escape route. “I have work early tomorrow morning.”
“May I offer you a ride?” he asked smoothly.
“Absolutely not,” Elizabeth interjected, recovering her voice.
Sean raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Do you have some objection to my association with her now, Mrs. Taylor?”
Elizabeth’s face contorted with barely controlled rage. “I need to speak with my daughter privately. If you’re so busy, Michael, we won’t keep you.”
She gripped my wrist, keeping me firmly in my seat as Sean prepared to leave.
“Thank you for the offer, Mr. Sullivan,” I said quickly, “but I drove here myself.”
Sean nodded. “Very well, then. Good evening.”
The moment Sean disappeared, Elizabeth’s fingers dug painfully into my arm. “What is wrong with you?” she hissed. “You just sat there like a mute while Michael Sullivan disrespected me! I’m your mother!”
I met her gaze evenly. “What exactly did you want me to say? Should I have argued with him? Isn’t your goal still to marry me off to him? If I antagonized him, wouldn’t.that ruin your plans? Think about it–insulting him means insulting the entire Sullivan family. Is Taylor Enterprises ready to lose such a powerful potential ally?”
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