Chapter 244
Summer’s POV
Six o’clock found me hunched over blueprints in the nearly empty Projects department. Most of my colleagues had already rushed home to transform themselves for tonight’s Stark Group annual party, but I remained absorbed in the Manhattan West Side environmental impact assessments.
“If we adjust these filtration systems here,” I pointed out to Leo, who stood beside me, “we can reduce the runoff by another fifteen percent without increasing costs.”
Leo nodded thoughtfully. “Jean–Pierre’s calculations check out. It’s impressive work.”
We continued until Leo suddenly glanced at his watch.
“Aren’t you going to head out?” he asked, looking surprised. “Everyone else cleared out of here like the building was on fire.”
I shrugged, gathering some papers. “Oh, it’s fine. The party doesn’t start until eight. Manhattan Club isn’t far from here–we don’t need to rush.”
Leo raised an eyebrow. “Most women I know would be halfway through their makeup routine by now. Don’t you need time to get
ready?”
I smiled, closing my laptop. “I’ve got a change of clothes in my car. Won’t take long.”
“That’s refreshing,” Leo remarked. “Are you heading straight to Manhattan Club?”
“Actually,” Leo said, somewhat hesitantly, “my car’s in the shop. I was wondering if I could catch a ride with you?”
“Of course! Meet you downstairs in ten minutes?”
Ten minutes later, I stood by my car in the parking garage, already changed into my evening attire. I’d swapped my work blazer for a sleek black coat that hung to my knees, its minimal design highlighting my silhouette without being flashy.
Leo emerged from the elevator looking completely transformed. Gone was the stern director of Projects; in his place stood a sophisticated gentleman in a tailored charcoal suit.
“Wow,” I said appreciatively. “You clean up nicely, Director Schmidt.”
Leo’s eyes widened slightly. “I could say the same about you. Very elegant.”
As we pulled onto the street, Leo pulled out his phone, his thumbs moving rapidly over the screen.
“Sorry,” he said, not looking up. “Catching up with an old friend I haven’t seen in ages.”
We drove in comfortable silence before Leo spoke again.
“Everyone else seems on edge about tonight’s party, but you seem completely unfazed. Why is that?”
I glanced at him bry. “Should I be nervous?”
He studied me. “I’ve been meaning to ask you something. You and Brandon Stark… there’s more to that relationship than most people know, isn’t there?”
I tensed slightly but kept my expression neutral. Leo already knew more than most people, and Brandon seemed to trust him.
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Chapter 244
“There’s not much to hide, I guess, I admitted. “Brandon and I haven’t been married long, and we haven’t told many people. And yes, he did pull some strings to get me into Stark Group.”
Leo nodded thoughtfully. “That explains a lot. You know, when you first started, I wasn’t particularly thrilled about having you thrust into my department.”
“I noticed,” I replied dryly. “Is this your way of getting back at me now?”
Leo laughed–a genuine, warm sound I rarely heard from him at work “Not at all. You’ve earned your place in Projects, regardless of how you got in.”
14
The main hall of Manhattan Club had been transformed into a glittering wonderland. Most of Stark Group’s employees were already present, mingling with drinks in hand.
As Leo and I entered together, a ripple of whispers spread through the crowd.
“Look, isn’t that Director Schmidt from Projects and Summer?” a woman in accounting stage–whispered.
“Why are they arriving together?” came the reply.
“There must be something going on between them,” another voice added. “Both single, both good–looking… and now coming to the annual party together?”
I couldn’t help noticing how these rumors spread like wildfire.
A choking sound drew my attention to the bar, where Heather was struggling not to spit out her drink. Her eyes were comically wide as she stared at us, clearly having overheard the gossip.
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