Chapter 303
“Summer isn’t Richard and Elizabeth’s biological daughter, that much I’ve confirmed, Edward replied. ‘It validates your earlier suspicion. She isn’t a Taylor by Mood.”
I already suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed still sent a jolt through me. “What else?”
“Here’s where it gets odd,” Edward continued. “George Taylor and Professor Thompson both show extraordinary affection for her. Not the kind you’d expect for a random adopted child.”
“So Richard and Elizabeth taking her in was deliberate, 1 fummarized. Not some charitable impulse.
“Bingo,” Edward confirmed. “Look, you might be better off asking George Taylor or Professor Thompson directly. They’d know more than anything I can dig up in databases.”
He paused, then added, “Oh, and one more thing. Your esteemed professor–Summer’s grandfather Thompson? He has some fascinating connections to the Turner family in Philadelphia.”
My interest sharpened. “What kind of connections?”
“Still piecing that together,” Edward admitted. “But it’s not casual. I’ll keep digging.”
I ended the call and looked up to find Sean watching me with undisguised curiosity.
“The Philadelphia Turners,” I said, watching his reaction carefully.
Sean’s easy demeanor instantly tensed. “Why the hell are you looking at me like that? It’s creeping me out.”
“Your cousin is a Turner,” I reminded him.
Sean shifted uncomfortably. “Yeah, and?”
A connection was forming in my mind–Thompson, Turner, Summer’s unknown parentage. There was a pattern here, just beyond my
grasp.
Sean suddenly straightened. “Wait a minute. A few Turners somehow left the family and change their names many yeas ago. You see, my cousin Jesse Turner, he is also a Sullivan. What if Professor Thompson is actually Professor Turner?” He looked at me with dawning realization. “You don’t think…she’s connected to the Turners somehow?”
My mind was racing through possibilities. If Professor Thompson were originally a Turner, it would explain certain anomalies. And if Elizabeth had raised Summer to leverage connections to both families… it was starting to make sense.
“Man, Summer’s family situation is more twisted than a fucking pretzel, Sean observed. “But hey, if she’s got Turner blood, that makes your marriage even more convenient, right? One more power alliance for the mighty Stark empire.”
I fixed him with a cold stare. “Ever if she had no family connections whatsoever, I’d make sure she took her rightful place in the Stark family. My wife doesn’t need anyone’s backing but mine
Sean raised his hands in surrender. “Easy, tiger. I know you’re the big bad wolf of Wall Street. No need to remind me.”
I fell silent, considering my next move carefully. After a long pause, asked, “What kind of drug could cause immediate psychological instability?”
Sean dropped his cigarette, burning his fingers. “Jesus! Fuck!” He shook his hand, then stared at me with genuine shock. “Are you serious?”
1/2
09:59 Sat, May Tu
Chapter 303
“Do I look like I’m joking?” I asked coldly.
Sean studied me for a long moment.
I didn’t respond directly. My priority had always been clear–ensuring Summer could take her place in the Stark family without any complications or distractions. The Sinclairs had been a thorn in my side for too long.
“You’ve changed, you know that?” Sean said quietly. “When you first got with Summer, I thought it was just because she reminded you of-
I’ve always known exactly what I want,” I cut him off, my voice hard and final. “From the very beginning until now, it’s only been her. No one else.”
I crushed the unlit cigarette in my hand and tossed it into the trash. Rising to my feet, I looked down at Sean.
“Give the details to James,” I instructed. “He’ll know what to do.”
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