The Billionaire’s Sudden Bride
Chapter 26: Windsor’s Trap
Summer’s POV
The familiar patterns of my bedroom ceiling swam in and out of focus above me.
“Finally awake, Miss Taylor?*
MO
The unfamiliar male voice sent ice through my veins. I tried to turn my head toward the sound, but even that small movement made the room spin wildly. Through the haze, I could make out a figure longing in the armchair by my window tall, well–dressed, with the kind of casual arrogance that came from
old
money.
“Who…” My voice came out as a rasp. “Who are you?”
He laughed, the sound sharp and unpleasant. “Playing dumb, or has the drug affected your memory? Charles Windsor, at your service.” The mock bow he gave made my skin crawl. “Though I must say, your parents were quite… eager to arrange this meeting
Windsor. The investment deal. Elizabeth’s words echoed in my head:hey’ve promised to Invest $200 million in Capital Corp if you marry into their family.”
“Don’t… I tried to push myself up, but my arms felt like they were made of lead. “Don’t touch me.”
‘Or what?” He stood, moving toward the bed with predatory grace. “Your parents are downstairs, probably explaining your sudden ness to the party guests. Your beautiful sister Victoria is keeping everyone entertained. And your ex–fiancé…” He paused, lips curving into a cruel smile. “Well, he seems quite content with his new arrangement, doesn’t he?”
The casual way he laid out my isolation made bile rise in my throat. They planned this. All of them. “What do you want?” I managed to get the words out despite my tongue feeling too thick in my mouth. “Whatever it is, we can discuss it when I’m… when I’m clear- headed.”
His laugh held no warmth. “Discuss? Oh, you still think you have a choice in this matter? How… quaint.” He reached out, fingers brushing my cheek in a mockery of tenderness. “Your father needs that investment, Miss Taylor. And I… well, I enjoy collecting beautiful things. Especially when they come with such interesting family connections.”
I jerked away from his touch, the sudden movement sending the room into a nauseating spin. “Don’t… don’t touch me!”
“Summer?” Victoria’s voice called through the door, sugary–sweet with false concern. “Summer, darling, are you in there? Grandpa’s
looking for you.”
Windsor’s smile widened. “Your sister has impeccable timing, doesn’t she? Always knows exactly when to check on you.”
She’s part of this, I realized with a fresh wave of horror. Of course she is. She’s always been part of their plans.
“Summer?” Victoria called again, her voice taking on an edge of theatrical worry. “Darling, are you feeling unwell? Should I call someone to help? Just open the door…”
The sound of her voice, so perfectly pitched to sound concerned while knowing exactly what was happening in here, made something snap inside me. With strength born of desperation, I pushed myself up and lunged for the crystal vase on my bedside table – a birthday gift from Grandpa George years ago.
Windsor’s eyes widened in surprise as I swung the heavy crystal at his head. There was a sickening crack, and he crumpled to the floor like a puppet with cut strings.
“Summer!” Victoria’s voice sharpened with real alarm now. “What’s going on in there? I’m getting Alexander-
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Chapter 26: Windsor’s Trap
The room tilted dangerously as I tried to stand. Have to get out. Have to… My legs gave out, and I would have hit the floor if strong arms hadn’t caught me.
“Brandon? The word came out as barely a whisper. Those dark eyes d know anywhere stared down at me with barely contained
fury.
“Here.” He shrugged off his suit jacket, wrapping it around my shoulders. “Can you walk?
I shook my head, immediately regretting the movement as nausea swept through me. “They… the tea…”
“I know.” His voice carried a dangerous edge I’ll never heard before.
Footsteps thundered in the hallway multiple sets, getting closer. Brandon’s arms tightened around me as footsteps thundered in the hallway. Without a word, he lifted me and moved swiftly toward the balcony doors. The world spun sickeningly with each step, but his grip was steady and sure.
Just as we slipped through the French doors, the bedroom door burs: open with a crash.
“Summer!” Victoria’s voice, hitting that perfect note of sisterly concern. “Oh my god, Alexander, look! Is that… Charles Windsor
Brandon pressed us against the wall beside the balcony doors, his body shielding mine from view. Through my drug hazed mind, I
could hear the chaos unfolding in my bedroom.
“What happened here?” Alexander’s voice, trying for authoritative but landing somewhere around panicked. “Victoria, get your
parents. Now!”
The cool night air helped clear my head slightly, but every muscle in my body felt like lead.
“Brandon,” I whispered, my voice barely a breath. “I feel…”
“Shh.” His finger pressed against my lips, the touch sending electricity through my drug–addled system. His other arm tightened around my waist, supporting my weight as my legs threatened to give out.
The voices from the bedroom grew more agitated:
“What do you mean, he was just lying there?” Richard’s voice, sharp with barely controlled panic.
“I heard noises,” Victoria explained, her voice trembling with perfectly orchestrated distress. “When Summer didn’t answer, I got worried and had Alexander break down the door, and we found him like this!”
“Where is she?” Elizabeth’s voice carried an edge of hysteria. “That ungrateful girl… I mean, where could she have gone?”
“Search the room,” Richard commanded. “She has to be here somewhere,”
Footsteps moved around the bedroom. I could hear them checking the closet, under the bed, even the bathroom. Each sound seemed to echo in my spinning head.
“Nothing in the bathroom,” Alexander reported. “But all her things are still here. She couldn’t have gone far.”
“Check everywhere!” Elizabeth’s voice cracked with barely controlled fury. “That ungrateful child couldn’t just disappear!”
Richard finally declared. “She must have run. Elizabeth, call security Have them search the grounds. And get someone up here to help Mr. Windsor – quietly!”
We stood frozen as footsteps approached the balcony doors. Brandon’s body pressed me further into the shadows, though I couldn’t have made a sound if I’d tried. The drug was hitting me harder now, making everything blur at the edges.
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Chapter 26: Windsor’s Trap
“Wait, Alexander called out. What about the balcony?”
My heart nearly stopped as his shadow fell across the glass doors. But he only glanced outside briefly, not bothering to step through. Nothing out here either. Just those roses Victoria had planted.”
Finally, the bedroom door closed, leaving us in blessed silence. Brandon’s hand moved to my forehead, checking my with clinical precision.
“You’re burning up, he murmured, his voice tight with controlled anger. “We need to get you out of here.”
I tried to focus on his face, but it kept splitting into doubles. “Can’t. can’t walk…”
“I know. His arms tightened around me, steady and sure. “I got you.
y temperature
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