Summer’s POV
The silence hung between us like a heavy curtain as William Stark stared me down, his eyes narrowing with each macaron 1 ate. I wasn’t backing down though something told me that showing weakness to this man was the worst possible move.
“So,” William finally broke the silence, his voice dripping with disdain, “you think pregnancy gives you the right to disrupt my grandson’s business?”
I dabbed the corner of my mouth with a napkin, taking my sweet time before answering. “I’m not disrupting anything, Chairman. I’m simply waiting for my husband.”
His jaw tightened at the word “husband,” and I could practically see him counting to ten in his head.
“Young lady,” he said, leaning forward on his cane, “I don’t know what game you’re playing, but this marriage-*
“Isn’t a game to me,” I cut him off, my voice firm but not confrontational. “And I have a name. It’s Summer. Summer Stark now, actually.”
He scoffed. You may have gotten Brandon to put a ring on your finger, but don’t think for a second that makes you part of this family.
shrugged, reaching for the teapot. “More tea, Mr. Stark?”
His nostrils flared at my casual dismissal of his hostility. “You haven’t answered my question. What are you doing here during
business hours?”
“I’ve taken some time off work,” I said, deliberately dragging out my words.
“Time off?” His eyebrows shot up. “To do what? Lounge around Brandon’s office eating sweets?”
“Actually,” I replied, setting down my cup, “I’ll take quite a long leave of absence.”
“How long?” he demanded.
I smiled slightly. “Oh, about ten months.”
William’s eyes narrowed, then widened as the implication hit him. “Ten… ten months?”
“I am,” I confirmed, unable to keep a hint of pride from my voice. “Dr. Sean confirmed it. We’re having twins.”
The transformation on William’s face was fascinating to watch. First came shock, then a flash of genuine delight that softened his severe features. For a brief moment, I glimpsed the loving grandfather beneath the stern patriarch.
Then, just as quickly, his expression darkened again.
“Hmph, he grunted. “Lyanna gave Brandon a son too, you know. That didn’t change anything.”
The mention of Brandon’s ex stung, but I kept my expression neutral “I’m not trying to change anything, Chairman. I’m ju news about your future great–grandchildren.”
…ing
William studied me intently, his fingers tightening around his cane. prospect of Stark heirs was something he couldn’t dismiss.
could tell he was conflicted–he clearly didn’t like me, but the
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Chapter 356
Dr. Sullivan examined you? On asked abruptly.
“Yes,” I nodded. “He’s been monitoring the pregnancy closely.”
This seemed to satisfy him somewhat. “At least Brandon had the sense to involve Sean.”
1 bit back a retort. The old man was calculating what my pregnancy meant for his precious dynasty, and I refused to let it bother
- me.
“You know,” William said, his voice taking on a speculative tone, “Brandon could always adopt Timothy. The boy already calls him Daddy.”
I felt a flash of anger. “Timothy has a mother, and her name is Lyanna York. He doesn’t need Brandon to adopt him.”
“The Stark name would give the boy advantages-
“The boy has a name,
interrupted, my patience wearing thin. “And he has a mother who loves him. Brandon isn’t going to disrupt
that family just to please your dynastic ambitions.”
William’s eyes widened at my bluntness. I stood up and walked to the tea service, pouring him a fresh cup.
“Here,” I said, offering it to him. “The tea is getting cold.”
He accepted it reluctantly, taking a cautious sip. His eyebrows rose slightly in surprise.
“You…” he paused, studying me over the rim of his cup. “You make decent tea. Where did you learn this?”
“My grandfather,” I replied simply.
“And who might that be?” he asked with thinly veiled condescension
“Jonathan Thompson.”
William froze mid–sip, a flicker of recognition passing across his face. He set down his cup slowly, his expression calculating.
“Thompson,” he repeated, as if testing the name. “Never heard of him. Just another nameless academic, I suppose.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you for the compliment, Sir!”
“Excuse me?” he sputtered, nearly choking on his tea.
“Well, you called my grandfather a ‘nameless academic,” I explained innocently. “Given your standards, that’s practically a glowing endorsement.”
William opened his mouth to retort when the door swung open, and Brandon strode in. His eyes moved from me to his grandfather, instantly assessing the situation.
“Summer,” he said, crossing the room to sit beside me. He took my hand in his, a gesture that wasn’t lost on William. “I didn‘ expect to see you here.”
I was getting bored at home,” I explained. “And I’ve been having a lovely chat with your grandfather.”
Brandon’s eyes narrowed slightly as he glanced at William. “Is that so?”
“She’s pregnant,” William announced bluntly, watching Brandon’s reaction.
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Brandon’s face remained impassive, but his grip on my hand tightened slightly, “I’m aware.
“Twins,” William added.
“Yes, Grandfather. I’m aware of that too.”
William huffed. “And you let her come to the office in her condition
“Let me?” I interjected. “Brandon doesn’t ‘let me‘ do things. We make decisions together.”
Brandon’s lips twitched with amusement. “Summer is perfectly capable of deciding where she wants to be.”
“Well, she shouldn’t be here,” William declared. “She should be resting.”
“I feel fine,” I protested. “I want to keep working for as long as I can
William slammed his cane against the floor. “Absolutely not! Pregnancy is a delicaté condition. From today, you’re not to set foot in any office.”
I blinked in surprise at his vehemence. Brandon, however, seemed to be fighting a smile.
“For once,” Brandon said, “we agree on something, Grandfather.”
“What?” I turned to him, betrayed. “Brandon, I’m perfectly healthy. Dr. Sean said—”
“Sean is a friend first, doctor second,” William cut in. “Of course he’d tell you what you want to hear.”
“Grandfather’s right, Summer,” Brandon said, his tone gentler than William’s but equally firm. “With twins, you need to be extra careful.”
I looked between the two men, realizing I was outnumbered.
William tapped his cane decisively. “From tomorrow, you two will move back to the Stark family residence.”
“What?” Brandon and I exclaimed simultaneously.
“You heard me,” William said. “The Hamptons is too isolated. At the family home, there will be staff to attend to her needs.”
I looked at Brandon, expecting him to object. Instead, he seemed to be considering the idea.
“I’ll bring her home after work,” Brandon told his grandfather.
“Good! William declared, looking smugly satisfied. He headed for the door, then paused. “Don’t think this means I approve of you, young lady. But those babies are Starks, and Starks take care of their own.”
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