Chapter 325
Brandon’s POV
“You ungrateful boy!” William’s face contorted with rage as he struggled to his feet, leaning heavily on his cane. After everything I’ve done for you–everything I’ve built–this is how you repay me?”
I stared at my grandfather, this once–towering figure of Wall Street now reduced to an angry old man. The room felt smaller somehow, the air heavy with decades of unspoken resentments and expectations.
“I’ve given you everything,” he continued, voice shaking. “Made you the heir to an empire! And you throw it back in my face for some… some nobody?”
“Are you finished?” I asked quietly, my calm tone a stark contrast to his fury.
William’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Don’t you dare take that tone with me. I can strip you of everything–your position, your inheritance, your name.”
“Go ahead.“,
My simple response seemed to catch him off guard. He blinked, momentarily speechless.
“I don’t need the Stark name to succeed,” I continued, looking down at the man who had once seemed so formidable. “I never have.”
William slammed his cane against the hardwood floor, the crack echoing through the silent room. “The Stark family will never accept her. Never! Do you understand me? That woman will never be acknowledged by this family!”
I froze for just a moment, something cold and sharp twisting in my chest. Then I straightened my back, shoulders squared.
“I don’t recall asking for your acceptance,” I replied coldly. “Summer is my wife. Whether you acknowledge her or not changes nothing.”
Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked toward the door, feeling the weight of four pairs of eyes on my back.
“If you walk out that door,” William called after me, “don’t bother coming back!”
I didn’t break stride, didn’t even look back as I pulled the heavy oak door shut behind me.
“Brandon, wait!”
I was halfway to my car when Sarah’s voice called out from the mansion. She hurried down the steps, her face pinched with worry as she caught up to me.
“What the hell was that?” she demanded, positioning herself between me and my car door. “How could you spea Grandfather that way?”
I stared at her impassively. “Move aside, Sarah.”
“No.” She crossed her arms, a hint of our shared stubborn streak showing through. “You can’t just drop a bomb like that and walk away. Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”
I told the truth. Nothing more.”
1/3
Chapter 325.
“Father called me back specifically for this meeting,” she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. “But I didn’t say anything about what you told me before, I swear.”
“I know.”
Her eyes searched mine. Is this really worth it? You’re throwing away everything your birthright, your future–for her? For
Summer?”
“My company is worth billions,” I replied flatly. “My position in the market is secure. Tell me exactly what I’m losing here, Sarah.”
She hesitated. “Family support. Connections. A woman who could actually help you-”
“Help me?” I cut her off with a cold laugh. “Only weak men need women to advance their careers.”
Sarah flinched as if I’d slapped her.
“Let me be perfectly clear,” I continued. “If you stand with me, I welcome it. If you stand with the family, I won’t hold it against you. But I’ll walk this path alone if necessary, and I won’t interfere in your affairs any longer.”
The color drained from her face. “We’re family,” she whispered. “Why are you doing this to us?”
“Tell Grandfather I don’t care about being his heir,” I said, gently moving her aside. “If he wants to replace me, he’s welcome to try.”
Her expression turned fearful. “Brandon, you can’t mean that. Only you can-”
“Then he has a problem, doesn’t he?” I opened the car door. “Goodbye, Sarah.”
As I drove away, I caught a glimpse of her in my rearview mirror, standing alone on the vast driveway, suddenly looking very small against the looming Stark mansion.
The moment I left the Stark estate, I could feel the pressure building behind my eyes–not tears, but pure, focused rage. My knuckles turned white against the steering wheel as I drove, mind racing with contingency plans.
My phone rang. Gavin. I considered ignoring it but decided against it
“How’s Meave?” he asked without preamble.
“She’s at the Hamptons estate,” I replied curtly. “June is with her.”
There was a pause. “Brandon, what you said today was extreme. You know Grandfather means well. He doesn’t know Summer, that’s all. He’s just concerned.”
“Is that why you’re calling?”
Gavin sighed audibly. “Tell me honestly–is there any connection between Summer and Lyanna York?”
My jaw clenched involuntarily. “This again? No. There isn’t.”
“Look, we both know why William and your father were so set on Lyanna back then. What happened three years ago… it changed everything. They’ll never accept Lyanna now. I just need to know if you’re using Summer as some kind of replacement.”
“You’re testing my patience, Gavin.”
2/3
Chapter 325.
“Just answer me,
Brandon. Is Summer a substitute for Lyanna?”
“No.” My voice was ice. “I’ve only ever wanted June. There’s never been anyone else.”
“Alright,” Gavin relented. “Just making sure your feelings for Summer have nothing to do with Lyanna.”
“Are we done here?” I asked coldly. “Or would you like to continue questioning my judgment?
“I’m on your side, Brandon, Gavin reminded me softly before hanging up.
I immediately dialed James Wilson.
“Sir?”
“Where’s my wife?” I’demanded.
“I’ve escorted Mrs. Stark and Mrs. Meave back to the Hamptons estate as instructed,” he reported efficiently. “We were followed by what appears to be Stark family security for most of the journey.”
I nodded, unsurprised. “They’ll be looking into Summer’s background soon. Make the necessary alterations to her records.”
“Already in progress, sir.”
“And Lyanna York–any updates?”
James hesitated. “Our last intelligence placed her in Mexico, sir. Still with the same companion.”
“That’s not good enough,” I said sharply. “I need concrete information, James. Not speculation.”
“Understood, sir. I’ll intensify our efforts immediately.”
As I ended the call, my thoughts returned to Summer. I’d known this day would come eventually–the day when my family discovered our marriage and tried to tear it apart. What I hadn’t anticipated was how utterly unmoved I’d feel by their threats.
Chapter Comments
LIKE
POST COMMENT NOW
<SHARE
