Chapter 357
Brandon’s POV
The Thompson residence stood proud and elegant in the Upper East Side, its classic architecture a testament to old New York money and academic prestige. I arrived precisely at seven, James Wilson following a step behind me as we approached the entrance. Parker, the elderly butler who’d served the Thompson family for decades, opened the door before I could even ring the bell.
“Mr. Stark,” Parker greeted with a formal bow. “Professor Thompson expecting you.”
I nodded curtly as James shifted the packages in his arms atare anque from Christie’s and a bottle of 1982 Chateau Lafite. When Parker reached to take them, I raised my hand.
“He’s my assistant, not a delivery boy,” I said coolly. “He’ll carry them himself.”
Parker’s expression remained professionally neutral. “Of course, sir. The Professor is in his study. J still have a special dish to prepare, so perhaps you’d like to join him while I finish in the kitchen?”
The house had always felt more like a library than a home–walls lined with books, the scent of aged paper perraeating every room. Parker knocked gently on the study door before announcing me.
Jonathan Thompson sat in his leather armchair, staring pensively at a half–finished chess
“Brandon,” he said, his eyes lighting up. His smile faltered slightly as he looked past me. “Summer didn’t join you tonight?”
“She is at the Stark family residence. What we are about to talk about tonight isn’t something I want Summer to know about yet,” I replied, sitting in the chair opposite his.
Thompson’s eyebrows rose slightly. “How is she? Her health, I mean.
“She’s well,” I replied, studying his face. “But I should be asking about you, Professor. You’re looking tired.”
He waved away my concern. “I’m an old academic, Brandon. As long as you’re taking care of my precious granddaughter, you needn’t worry about me.”
“You’re not just Summer’s grandfather,” I reminded him. “You were my most respected professor at Columbia. Your well–being
matters to me.”
Thompson’s eyes softened. “Always the diplomat when you want to be. So unlike the ruthless CEO the financial world knows.” He gestured toward the chess set. “What brings you here tonight?”
I leaned forward, my gaze direct. “Professor, I need to know if Summer has experienced some kind of trauma in her past. Or if she’s forgotten something… significant.”
The change in Thompson’s expression was subtle but unmistakable flicker of alarm quickly masked. “How did you figure it out?” he asked quietly.
“That’s not important,” I replied. “What matters is understanding what happened to her.”
Thompson sighed deeply. “I suppose now that she’s carrying your child, you deserve to know.” He paused, his eyes gro It happened when Summer was fifteen. You were studying abroad at the time.”
istant.
‘One day, Summer didn’t come home from school,” Thompson continued, his voice heavy. “The Taylor household was in chaos. We searched everywhere. The next morning, Manhattan General Hospital called. Summer had been found by the East River, half- submerged in water. The person who found her thought she was dead.
1/2
Chapter 357.
My hands tightened imperceptibly on the armrests.
“When we arrived at the hospital, she was unconscious. Bruised all over. Thompson’s voice cracked. ‘No one knew what had happened. She was in a coma for three days.”
“And when she woke up?: I prompted, keeping my voice even despite the rage building inside me.
“She had no memory of what happened,” Thompson said. “The doctors said it was her mind’s way of protecting itself. We told her she’d been very ill.”
“So Summer doesn’t know any of this?”
Thompson shook his head filmly. “No, George and I made it very clear to everyone that she was never to know.”
Chapter Comments
LIKE
POST COMMENT NOW
<SHARE
