Summer’s POV
When I pulled up in front of a cozy storefront with ‘SCARLETT’S alive the door, Lyanna’s confusion was evident.
“Mrs. Stark, are you sure this is the right place?” she asked, frowning “This isn’t Fifth Avenue.”
I turned to her with my brightest smile. “Oh, Ms. York, I’m afraid youve been away too long. That street has been completely redesigned. The restaurant you mentioned doesn’t exist anymore.”
‘But-
“I can’t blame you for not knowing,” I continued, my voice dripping with artificial sweetness. New York changes so quickly. But of course, you wouldn’t know that since you’ve been in Mexico all‘ this time.”
I saw her stiffen at the mention of Mexico. So Brandon had told me the truth about where she’d been.
“This is my friend’s coffee shop,” I explained. “The atmosphere is lovely. I think you’ll like it.”
Lyanna studied the facade. “A coffee shop? Mrs. Stark, I didn’t know you were interested in coffee.
“I know a thing or two,” I replied modestly. “Both my grandfathers taught me to appreciate coffee and tea. Especially Professor Thompson.”
For a fraction of a second, I caught genuine surprise in her eyes. She hadn’t known about my connection to Professor Thompson.
Score one for me.
Inside, Scarlett was at the counter when she spotted us. Her face lit up, then froze in obvious shock when her gaze landed on
Lyanna.
“Scarlett!” I called out. “It’s been forever!”
Scarlett’s eyebrows shot up as she looked between us. “Summer, it’s been ages! And this is… your sister?”
“Scarlett, this is my colleague Lyanna York. She just started at Stark Group yesterday. Ms. York isn’t too familiar with New York anymore, so I thought I’d show her around.”
“Do you have a private room available?” I asked.
“For you? Always,” Scarlett replied, though I could see the questions in her eyes. “This way, ladies.”
As we followed her, Scarlett couldn’t help adding, “If I didn’t know Summer so well, I’d honestly think you two were sisters. The resemblance is uncanny!”
“Is it?” I replied innocently. “I thought the same thing when I first met Ms. York! If I didn’t know my mom only had Victoria and me, I’d seriously wonder if we were related somehow!”
The comment hung in the air, loaded with implications only I fully understood. Since learning I wasn’t Richard and Elizabeth’s biological daughter, the question of my true parentage had haunted me. Now, faced with someone who could be my twin… I couldn’t help but wonder if our resemblance was more than coincidence.
Scarlett led us to a private room, then asked me to check out some new coffee beans she’d received.
1/3
Chapter 341
Once we were safely out of eafshot, Scarlett grabbed my arm. “What the hell, Summer? Who is that woman and why does she look exactly like you?”
I pulled my arm free. ‘One question at a time, Scarlett.”
“So who is she?” Scarlett pressed.
I took a deep breath. “Lyanna York. Brandon’s ex–fiancée.”
Scarlett’s jaw dropped. “Ex–what? Are you serious?” Her eyes widened with concern. “Summer, this isn’t normal. Does it not bother you that your husband’s ex looks exactly like you?”
“Of course it bothers me,” I adimitted. “But Brandon told me to trust him.”
“And you’re just… okay with that? There’s not a single part of you that’s worried?”
“How could I not be?” I said, keeping my voice low. “But what am I supposed to do? Brandon and I are already married. If he really married me just because I reminded him of Lyanna, then now that she’s back, he could easily divorce me and be with her. But he hasn’t.”
I believed what I was saying, but deep down, I wasn’t worried about Brandon as much as I was concerned about the Stark family. William Stark had made it clear he didn’t approve of me, and bringing Lyanna back was obviously his attempt to drive a wedge between us.
Scarlett’s eyes narrowed. “He hasn’t left you yet, fine. But why is she working at Stark Group? William Stark’s doing?”
I nodded reluctantly.
“That manipulative old man!” Scarlett scoffed. “Even I’m getting angry, and I’m usually pretty chill. And here you are, casually bringing her to my coffee shop? What’s your angle?”
“Know your enemy,” I replied simply. “She sought me out today. If I had refused, I’d look insecure. I’m Brandon’s wife now–why should I fear her?”
Scarlett grinned. “Look at you, finally growing a backbone.”
“She’s not even a real rival,” I said with more confidence than I felt.
When we returned to the private room, Lyanna was expertly brewing coffee at the small preparation station. Her movements were precise and practiced, revealing years of training.
‘Mrs. Stark, please try this,” she said, offering me a cup. “Brandon always loved my coffee.”
I accepted it with a smile. “The aroma is lovely. Ms. York, you haye quite the skill.”
Lyanna dipped her head modestly. “My family arranged for professional baristas to teach me from a young age. I’m reasonably proficient, but far from the best.”
“Interesting,” I replied “My grandfather Professor Thompson always says, ‘Don’t strive to be the best–strive to be better than the best.”
Lyanna stiffened. “Your grandfather?”
“Yes, my grandfather Jonathan Thompson from Columbia Business School,” I confirmed. “He was Brandon’s mentor. Since you and
2/3
Chapter 341.
Brandon are so close, I assumed you’d know him.”
Her face paled slightly. “No, I… I don’t.”
“Really? I suppose that makes sense,” I mused. “Brandon skipped several grades. When he was in college, you and I must have been about the same age–still, in elementary school, right?”
Lyanna’s smile became strained. “I suppose so. I was… in Washington then.”
“That explains it,” I nodded. “Brandon was my grandfather’s star pup. Grandfather always said Brandon was brilliant–even upperclassmen couldn’t match his intellect.”
I began preparing my own coffee. “I learned this craft from my grandfather. Brandon’s tasting classes were also taught by him. Have you ever tried Brandon’s coffee, Ms. York?”
“No,” she admitted, looking increasingly uncomfortable.
I smiled, sensing victory. “I haye. His technique is nearly identical to mine–we had the same teacher, after all. Would you like to try some of mine?”
As I prepared the coffee, I couldn’t resist driving my point home. “My grandfather always said different beans and water temperatures produce entirely different flavors. The equipment and extraction methods matter tremendously. When two elements come together, they must be compatible–that compatibility is essential.”
Thanded her the finished cup, my message clear. “Please, Ms. York, try it.”
Our eyes met as she accepted the cup, and in that moment, we both understood: this was just the opening move in our game.
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