Chapter 187
Summer’s POV
Brandon stood beside me, arms crossed, expression unreadable. He glanced at the dog, then suddenly turned to me.
“Me or Max. Choose one,” he said flatly.
My jaw dropped. Was he serious?
“What the Sean sputtered, looking utterly betrayed. ‘Brandon, that’s low, even for you! You’re seriously comparing yourself to a dog?”
Before I could even formulate a response, Sean grabbed Max’s leash and stormed toward his car. “Come on, Max. Let’s go where we’re appreciated.”
“Wow, really smooth,” I said, turning to Brandon with my hands on my hips once Sean’s car disappeared down the driveway. “Did you have to do that?”
Brandon’s face softened as he stepped closer, his fingers brushing against my cheek.
I tried to maintain my disapproving expression, but I could feel my resolve crumbling. “Fine…” I managed weakly as he pulled me inside.
Later that morning, I was curled up on the couch with a book when I heard Brandon’s voice from his study. He was on the phone, speaking in that authoritative tone he used for business matters. I wouldn’t have paid much attention, except that a familiar name caught my ear.
“The video situation with Sophie needs to be contained immediately, he was saying. “James, handle it personally.”
When he hung up and emerged from the study, I couldn’t help but ask, “Sophie? Why are you talking about Sophie?”
Brandon settled beside me on the couch, his hand automatically finding mine. “Anna saved you,” he explained simply. “I owe her a favor, so I’m repaying it.”
“What are you planning to do?” I asked, genuinely curious.
“I’ve already put James on it,” he replied. “When the video was leaked, everyone’s faces were blurred. People are speculating, but there’s no definitive proof of identities. Sophie doesn’t want to press charges.”
I nodded, understanding completely. “I get why she wouldn’t. If she does, the whole thing will never go away. Not only would those men and their families face consequences, but Sophie and her family would never know peace either. The media would have a field day with it. That would be devastating for her.”
Brandon’s expression remained neutral. “I’ll use my connections to scrub the video from circulation. It’s not a difficult problem to solve.” He paused, studying my face. “She helped set a trap for you. Don’t you hate her?*
I sighed, feeling the complex emotions wash over me. “Of course I hate what she did. But she’s suffering now, and she’s a victim too. Victoria was the real mastermind. Well, do you think I’m too soft–hearted?”
“No, Brandon said, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. “That’s called being kind.”
He stood up, extending his hand to me. “Come on, go upstairs and change. I’m taking you out.”
I took his hand, looking at him curiously. “Now? Where are we going
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Chapter 187
“The stables,” he replied with & hint of a smile. “Didn’t you mention wanting to go horseback riding?”
My eyes widened with excitement. “You actually remembered that? heading up to change right now!”
“Go ahead,” he nodded. “I’ll wait for you.”
I practically sprinted upstairs, digging through my closet for appropiate riding clothes. I found a pair of fitted riding pants and a light breathable top, quickly changing and applying sunscreen. When I rushed back downstairs, Brandon was still in his business casual attire.
“Wait for me,” he called, eyeing my outfit. “I should change too.”
“Of course!” I grinned. “Hey, why don’t you wear that light gray athletic set I bought you when we went shopping? I bet you’d look amazing in it.”
“Alright,” he agreed, heading upstairs.
Half an hour later, we were ready to leave. Brandon made a quick call to James, arranging for security to meet us at the stables. I couldn’t help but smile at his constant precautions, though I’d come to understand they were simply part of his nature.
When we arrived at the stables, I immediately spotted the security personnel James had dispatched. They maintained a discreet distance, professional and alert. What I hadn’t expected to see were the two familiar figures leaning against a sleek black car–Dr. Sean and another man I didn’t recognize but had a strong feeling about.
Brandon’s eyebrow arched slightly as we approached. “What are you doing here?”
“Can you believe this guy?” Sean exclaimed, gesturing dramatically toward Brandon while looking at me. “I literally just took Max off your hands, and here you are sneaking off to the stables with Mrs. Stark! The betrayal!”
He turned to me with a grin. “Mrs. Stark, we meet again!”
“What a coincidence,” I replied with an amused smile.
“Quite the coincidence indeed,” Sean agreed, his tone suggesting it was anything but.
Brandon placed his hand on my lower back, guiding me forward. “June, this is Edward Lee.”
So this was the famous Edward Lee–another member of the Wall Street Four. I extended my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Lee.”
Edward took my hand with a firm, confident grip. “The pleasure is mine. I’ve heard you and Brandon got married. I haven’t had the opportunity to offer my congratulations in person until now. When you two hold your wedding ceremony, I’ll be sure to bring an appropriate gift.”
“Thank you, Mr. Lee,” I replied politely.
Sean jumped in immediately. “Come on, Mrs. Stark, there’s no need to be so formal! Just call him Edward, or Ed even. Right, Ed?”
Edward shot Sean a sharp look that could have cut glass before turning back to me with a composed expression. ‘Please call me Edward.
“Edward it is,” I nodded, then looked back at Brandon curiously. “You guys are called the Wall Street Four, right? Where’s the fourth
member?
“Ah, that one,” Sean said with a knowing grin. “He is quite the elusive character–here one day, gone the next. But don’t worry, Mrs. Stark, you’ll definitely meet him eventually. He made a promise that he’d show up when Brandon finally got married.”
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Chapter 187
I glanced at Brandon questioningly, noticing a subtle tension in his posture.
“He’s busy and rarely in New York these days,” Brandon explained smoothly. “You probably won’t meet him anytime soon, but hell definitely be there when we hold our wedding ceremony.”
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