2/2
The Billionaire’s Sudden Bride
Chapter 218
Summer’s POV
“So I told Leo I’d handle the environmental reports myself, and you should have seen his face! Heather laughed as we walked across the Stark Group lobby toward the exit.
“I can imagine,” I grinned. “He doesn’t expect people to volunteer for extra work.”
After helping Heather with a smaller project, she’d insisted on treating me to lunch as thanks. Brandon was in meetings all day, so I was looking forward to trying the sushi place she’d been raving about.
“There’s this amazing sushi place just down the block,” Heather said, scrolling through her phone. “They have this to–die–for dragon roll that’s literally heaven.”
As we pushed through the revolving doors, I stopped abruptly. Alexander stood near the edge of the plaza, scanning the crowd of employees. The moment his eyes found me, his entire posture changed.
“Summer? You okay?” Heather asked, noticing my sudden tension.
Before I could answer, Alexander was already walking toward us.
“Summer!” he called. “Long time no see!”
Heather startled. “Jesus!” She glanced between Alexander and me. “Who is this guy? You know him?”
I pressed my lips together, not hiding my displeasure. “Not exactly.”
Alexander stopped in front of us, blocking our path. His eyes ran over me in that familiar way that used to make my heart race. Now it just annoyed me.
“Do you need something?” I asked coldly.
Alexander’s brow furrowed, clearly taken aback by my tone. “What? I. I just come see how you’re doing. Summer, we used to be…”
“Alexander,” I cut him off, “if you don’t have anything specific to discuss, would you mind stepping aside? Our lunch break isn’t very long, and you’re wasting my colleague’s time.”
Alexander glanced at Heather, then back to me. “Excuse me,” he said formally to Heather. “You’re Summer’s colleague, right? Would you mind giving us a moment? I need to speak with Summer privately.”
Heather looked at me uncertainly. I gave her a tiny head shake.
“Sorry, Heather replied, “but like Summer said, we’re on our lunch break and we’re kind of in a hurry. Whatever you need to discuss
can wait.”
“Summer,” Alexander pleaded, “can’t you just hear me out? Just for a moment?”
I sighed, checking my watch. “Fine. You have two minutes. Say what you need to say right here, and then we’re leaving.”
“I just… Summer, how are you doing at Stark Group? Are you settling in well?”
“Really? That’s what you want to know?” I laughed. “I’m doing great especially since I haven’t had to deal with you or Victoria. Anything else you’d like to ask in your remaining minute and a half
1/3
Chapter 218
Alexander flinched. “I’m glad you’re doing well. Which department are you working in? After you left Fortune Corp, I thought-
“Let’s cut to the chase,” I interrupted. “You didn’t come to Stark Group today to check on my wellbeing. What are you really doing
here?
“I… I did want to see how you were doing, but also thought I’d ask about the Manhattan West Side project. You must be in Projects, and I figured you might know something about why Stark Group decided to-
“Are you serious?” I cut him off. “You’re trying to pump me for insider information? You do realize I work for Stark Group now, right? If I shared confidential details with you, it would be a violation of my contract. Did you really think I’d risk my position here just because you asked?”
Alexander’s face tightened. “That’s not what I meant. I just wondered why Stark Group suddenly decided against partnering with Fortune Corp. We were under the impression”
“Against partnering?” I echoed. “When exactly did Stark Group commit to working with Fortune Corp? Or was that just something you assumed would happen?”
I glanced at my watch again. “Your two minutes are up. We need to go.”
I caught Heather’s eye, giving her a subtle nod.
“Look, sir,” Heather jumped in, “these questions are getting into confidential company matters. I don’t know what your relationship with Summer was, but surely you understand professional boundaries. We really need to get going.”
Alexander’s jaw clenched, but with Heather there as a witness, he couldn’t make a scene. I saw the realization dawn on his face- Stark Group had never intended to partner with Fortune Corp on the Manhattan West Side project.
Without another word, he stepped aside, allowing us to pass.
“So, who exactly was that?” Heather asked as we walked toward the sushi restaurant. “That Alexander Stark guy is related to our Mr.
Stark?”
“Probably,” I said vaguely.
“There was something weird about the way he looked at you,” Heather continued. “Like you were some prize he’d lost. And the way he tried to use you for information…”
When I didn’t immediately respond, Heather stopped walking. “Wait, you weren’t… involved with him, were you?”
I pressed my lips together. “No. He’s my sister’s husband. He was also my boss at Fortune Corp.”
Heather eyes widened. “Oh! That explains… not everything. He mentioned Fortune Corp. You worked there before Stark Group, right? So your relationship with him is…”
“Not good,” I confirmed. “Why do you think I left for Stark Group? He probably came here to find out why Fortune Corp wasn’t selected for the Manhattan West Side partnership.”
By now, we’d reached the sushi restaurant. The hostess led us to a small table by the window.
“Fortune Corp never stood a chance,” Heather scoffed as we settled into our seats. “I mean, come on! We’re working with Lee Group! Fortune Corp is like… a gnat compared to them. They’re not even in the same league.”
She beamed at me as she picked up her menu. “Remember, lunch is on me today! Order whatever you want–no holding back!”
2/3
Chapter 218
“In that case,” I smiled, pushing thoughts of Alexander aside, “I think I’ll start with that famous dragon roll you mentioned.
Chapter Comments
LIKE
POST COMMENT NOW
