The Secret Wife of a Billionaire 273
Summer’s POV
The morning next day, I found myself white–knuckling the steering wheel as I checked my rearview mirror for the fifth time. The sleek black Audi had been trailing me since I merged onto the freeway, maintaining a constant distance–close enough to keep tabs but far enough to avoid suspicion. Amateur hour.
My phone rang through the car’s Bluetooth. Brandon’s name flashed on the dashboard.
“Hey,” I answered, trying to sound casual.
“There’s someone following you,” Brandon said without preamble, his voice tight.
“Yeah, no shit, Black Audi, tinted windows, been on my tail since I hit the expressway.” I checked the mirror again. “They’re not even being subtle about it.”
“I see them,” Brandon replied. There was a pause. “I’m not being followed.”
“Well, lucky you,” I muttered.
Another pause. “This is going to be difficult for a while,” he finally said, his tone softening slightly. “I’m sorry.”
swallowed hard. “It’s fine. We’ll deal with it and move on. Once it’s over, we can go back to normal.” I forced brightness into my
voice.
“I’ll handle it as quickly as possible,” Brandon promised. “Summer, until this is resolved… you can’t come back to the Hamptons.”
Even though I’d been half–expecting it, the words still landed like a punch to the gut.
“Right. Of course,” I managed, struggling to keep my voice steady. “That makes sense.”
“Summer?” Brandon’s voice softened further. “Are you upset?”
“No! No, I’m not upset,” I insisted, perhaps a bit too forcefully. “I’ll just head to my Manhattan apartment after work today. It’s still there, and I can get it set up tonight. It’s fine, really. Brandon…”
“Yes?”
I hesitated, suddenly feeling ridiculous. “Nothing. Just…I’ll miss your
His voice dropped to that intimate register that never failed to send shivers down my spine. “Be patient. This won’t last forever. Then you can come home.”
“I know,” I whispered.
C
After hanging up, I gave myself a mental shake. Get it together, Summer. This isn’t the end of the world.
As I approached Stark Group headquarters, I couldn’t help analyzing the situation. Elle’s obsession with Brandon was bad enough, but the entire Sinclair family backing her meant there was something bigger at play. They wanted something from Brandon, and they were apparently willing to use any means necessary to get it.
The moment I stepped into the Stark Group lobby, I could feel the eyes on me. The typical morning bustle seemed to pause as heads
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turned in my direction, conversations dropping to whispers as I passed,
I kept my chin up, striding toward the elevator banks with purpose. Behind me, I could hear fragments of conversation, voices not quite quiet enough.
“Is that her? The one who danced with Brandon Stark at the party?
“Yeah, that’s her. Not much to look at, is she?”
“I know, right? Even the receptionist is prettier.”
I clenched my jaw, pretending not to hear.
“I heard she got parachuted in from nowhere. Apparently, she knows James Wilson.”
“Please. She’s probably his side piece or something.”
“Shut up! You can’t say stuff like that! Wilson is Brandon’s right–hand man. If he heard you-”
“Oh come on, it’s not that serious.”
“I know her–she’s from Projects. Word is she’s got something going on with Leo Schmidt too.”
That was it. I’d had enough.
I turned on my heel, marching straight toward the group of women huddled by the coffee station. They froze like deer in headlights as I approached.
“Good morning, ladies,” I said pleasantly, though my smile didn’t reach my eyes. “I couldn’t help overhearing your… fascinating
conversation.”
They exchanged panicked glances, none of them quite meeting my gaze.
“Look, we’re all colleagues here, and I get that gossip happens,” I continued, keeping my voice even. “But it’s not even 9 AM, and you’re already spreading rumors about me–right in front of my face. That’s not just unprofessional, it’s downright rude.”
One woman with a severe bob cut found her courage. “Everyone knows you only got into Stark Group through the backdoor. We’re just wondering how you climbed the ladder so fast.”
I laughed, the sound sharp and humorless. “So let me get this straight. You think I slept my way to my position? Like that’s the only way a woman could succeed here?” I used air quotes, watching their faces flush. “That says a lot more about how you view professional women than it does about. me.”
“How I got my job is my business. I didn’t steal or cheat, and my personal relationships are none of your concern.” My voice grew colder. And James Wilson? Leo Schmidt? You think they’re men you can casually gossip about without consequences?”
The woman opened her mouth again, but a new
voice interrupted.
“You have something to prove coming after me? Everyone knows you used questionable methods to get into Stark Group. And how else would you rise so quickly?”
*I tilted my head, studying her. “So because I’ve advanced quickly, you assume I used ‘questionable methods“? Does that mean you think I’m attractive enough to use those methods successfully?” I let that sink in. “We’re all women here, yet you’re the ones
that’s how little you think of yourselves, that’s your problem. reducing a female colleague to nothing but her looks and sexuality.
Don’t project it onto me.
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I straightened my shoulders. I’m the first to admit I got lucky landing a job at Stark Group. But beyond that? That’s my hard work, not whatever salacious scenario you’ve cooked up. We’re at one of the top companies in New York. You’re all clearly talented to be here—don’t waste that by being petty gossips.”
Slow clapping cut through the tension. I turned to see Leo Schmidtanding nearby, an amused expression on his usually impassive
face.
‘Director?” I said, surprised.
“What an entertaining show first thing in the morning,” he commented, his lips quirking upward. He turned to the group of women. “It’s working hours, ladies. Stark Group doesn’t pay you to stand around spreading rumors. Don’t you have somewhere to be?”
The women scattered like startled birds, muttering apologies as they hurried away.
I exhaled slowly. “Thanks for the backup, Leo.”
“No need to thank me. I was also one of the subjects of their inappropriate conversation,” he replied, guiding me toward the elevator. “Did their comments bother you?”
“Not really, said, straightening my blazer. “It’s just inappropriate during work hours, especially right in the open like that.”
“Indeed. Leo’s expression was unreadable as we stepped into the elevator. “Come on, we have projects waiting. Unless your two–day break made you forget everything?”
I couldn’t help smiling at his dry humor. “As if! I actually worked through my time off–drafted some new proposals. I’ll show you when we get to the office.”
As the elevator climbed, I found myself reflecting on Elle Sinclair. Based on her behavior, I was dealing with someone dangerously obsessive–the kind of person who wouldn’t stop until she got what she wanted.
And apparently, what she wanted was Brandon.
I’d have to be extremely careful going forward. Being in the spotlight at Stark Group was uncomfortable enough; adding a vindictive, powerful woman with family backing to the mix made everything exponentially more complicated.
But I wasn’t about to back down. Elle Sinclair might have the Sinclair name and resources behind her, but I had something she never would–Brandon’s trust. That was worth fighting for, no matter what obstacles the Sinclairs threw in our path.
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