The Billionaire’s Sudden Bride
Chapter 243
Summer’s POV
The morning buzz at Stark Group headquarters felt different today. People huddled in small groups, hushed conversations breaking off as others walked by. Something was definitely up.
Monica appeared in the Projects department doorway, carrying a small box tucked under one arm while consulting a tablet with laser–like focus.
Leo emerged from his office just as Monica spotted him. “Monica, what brought you down to Projects?” He glanced at her tablet. “Does Brandon have new instructions?”
“No special instructions from Brandon,” she replied, setting her box on the nearest desk. “I’m here on a mission of my own. She reached inside and pulled out two small cards attached to lanyards one red, one blue. “The blue one is for you, Director Schmidt. And this red one is for Miss Taylor.”
I stepped forward, examining the red card attached to a red lanyard she handed me.
“What’s this about?” I asked, turning the tag over in my hands. “Something for the annual party?”
“Exactly,” Monica confirmed, checking names off her list. “Everyone make sure to keep these safe. You only get one, and they’re essential for the annual party this year.”
Heather swooped in like a hawk. “Monica, what are these number tags for? Is there something special happening at the annual party this year?”
Monica’s lips curved into a secretive smile. “Keep it safe. Everyone only gets one. Red lanyards for ladies, blue for gentlemen. Don’t lose them, or you’ll miss out on something good.”
Heather’s eyes widened. “Something good? Wait, are the prizes better this year? Last year’s grand prize was a car–don’t tell me it’s something even better this time!”
“Your guess isn’t too far off,” Monica replied cryptically. “It’s definitely a worthwhile perk.”
I caught Monica’s eyes darting toward me briefly, something knowing in her expression that made me instantly suspicious.
Leo cleared his throat. “If you’re all done gossiping about perks, perhaps we could get back to work? It’s still business hours.”
He turned to me, handing me a folder. “Summer, I need you to review these blueprint adjustments with Jean–Pierre’s team. Make sure they’re aligned with our environmental impact statements before we proceed.”
“Got it,” I nodded, accepting the folder.
As I returned to my desk and dove into the blueprints, Heather sidled up thirty minutes later.
“So,” she whispered conspiratorially, “aren’t you the least bit curious about what these are for?” She dangled her red–lanyard number
tag.
I glanced up briefly, “Hmm? Oh, the tags. Yeah, I guess?”
“You guess?” Heather looked appalled. “Monica practically confirmed it’s some kind of amazing perk! Aren’t you dying to know what
it is?”
I shrugged, turning back to my blueprints. “Well, you said it’s about the annual party, right? We’ll find out then anyway. I really
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need to finish this before my meeting.”
Heather stared at me like I’d sprouted a second head. ‘God, Summer, you’re such a workaholic! I totally misjudged you. When you first started, I thought you were just some pretty face who got in through connections. But you’re actually worse than Leo when it comes to work ethic.”
I couldn’t help but smile at that. “Thanks… I think?”
As soon as Heather left, I pulled the number tag from my drawer and examined it more closely. Why would Brandon have Monica distribute these? And why separate colors by gender?
I grabbed my phone and opened WhatsApp.
Monica’s handing out these number tags. This was your idea? I texted Brandon.
His reply came almost instantly: Yes.
Something about perks at the annual party? I pressed.
Care to guess? came his response.
I rolled my eyes. I’m not playing guessing games. I’ll find out at the party anyway.
“This is all your fault,” I groaned, staring helplessly at the array of dresses spread across our bed. “You said I need to look good but also stay warm. Do you have any idea how impossible that combination is for formal wear?”
It was the evening before the annual party, and Brandon had just returned from discussing something with Gavin in his study.
“You’re overthinking this,” he said, crossing to the bed and picking up a sleek black dress with subtle white accents. “What’s wrong with this one?”
“That’s not even a dress!” I protested. “That’s just—”
“Just what?” Brandon’s eyebrow arched in challenge.
“Nothing!” I backpedaled, knowing it was the dress I’d worn on our first real date.
“So just to be clear,” I said, taking the dress from him, “you want me to look nice but not too flashy, basically like I do every day?”
“You always look beautiful,” he said simply. “It’s just an annual party.
“Fine, this one it is. Where’s the party being held?”
“Manhattan Club,” Brandon replied, hanging up the other dresses. “We initially planned to hold it at Stark Tower, but with everything going on at the company lately, it would have disrupted operations.”
I nodded, then remembered the mystery. “By the way, about those number tags–do you have one too? Heather’s been driving me crazy all day trying to figure out what kind of perk they’re for.”
A smile played at the corner of Brandon’s mouth, “Is it Heather who’s curious, or you?”
“Fine, you caught me,” I admitted. “So are you going to tell me what they’re for?”
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“It’s a little secret, he replied, his eyes twinkling. ‘If I tell you now, ruins the surprise. I promise my wife will be pleased.”
‘Don’t say things like that, I warned, lowering my voice. “Remember, hardly anyone knows we’re married. If people at Stark Group find out during the annual part, it could get complicated.”
“Don’t worry, Brandon assured me, his hand finding mine. “I know what I’m doing. You’ll go with the Projects team tomorrow, and Leo will look after you.”
“I know, I know. I’m a grown woman, Brandon. I understand what’s appropriate and what’s not. I know you’ll be busy tomorrow–I won’t get in your way.”
I studied his face, trying to decipher what was going on behind those dark eyes. “Why do I feel like you’re hiding something from me? Are you planning something for tomorrow?”
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