Chapter 363
Summer’s POV
I stood frozen in Brandon’s protective embrace.
Richard helped Elizabeth to her feet, his face pale with fear. He glanced nervously between his wife and Brandon.
“That um… Stark, I mean, Brandon…” Richard stammered, clearly trying to defuse the situation.
Brandon’s icy gaze swept over to Richard, silencing him instantly. I felt Brandon’s arm tighten around my waist, his body radiating controlled fury.
The elevator doors opened, and Sean strolled out, taking in the scene with raised eyebrows.
“Well, well,” Sean said his casual tone contrasting sharply with the tension. “I step away for five minutes and all hell breaks loose.” He walked toward us, hands in his pockets, looking completely unfazed. “This is quite the family reunion, isn’t it? You’ve barely been gone, brother, and your wife’s already being bullied!”
Elizabeth cowered behind Richard as Sean approached, his smile not reaching his eyes.
“It was an accident,” Elizabeth whispered, her voice trembling. “I didn’t mean to-*
Victoria stepped forward, her face pale. “You don’t understand. Summer is trying to-”
“I understand perfectly,” Sean interrupted. “I understand that you two put a frail elderly man in my operating room because you were harassing him about money. And now you’re attacking his granddaughter in a hospital corridor.”
Elizabeth crawled toward Richard, seeking protection. “Richard, Richard, tell him I didn’t mean it!” she pleaded.
“Summer,” Richard said tentatively. “Please, can we all just calm down and focus on your grandfather’s condition?”
I stepped away from Brandon, my voice steady despite my racing heart. “They may have put my grandfather in that operating room but I won’t let them get away with it.” I turned to Jenkins, who had been watching silently from the side. “You were there. What exactly happened before my grandfather collapsed?”
“Miss Victoria was indeed visiting Mr. Taylor this evening,” Jenkins confirmed, his voice calm but firm. “There was a heated discussion about the company shares. I heard Miss Victoria demanding that Mr. Taylor convince Summer to return her shares to the
family.”
Elizabeth’s face drained of color. “You’re lying! Parker, you’ve always favored Summer!”
Just then, the operating room doors swung open. A doctor in surgical scrubs approached Sean, his expression grave.
“Dr. Sullivan,” the surgeon said quietly. .
How is Mr. Taylor?” Sean asked, his playful demeanor completely gone.
The surgeon shook his head. “Mr. Taylor suffered a massive myocardial infarction. We did everything we could, but he didn’t make it. I’m sorry, he’s gone,
The world seemed to stop spinning. I felt my knees buckle, and Brandon’s strong arms caught me before I hit the floor.
What did he say?” I whispered, staring at Sean. ‘Sean, what did he mean?”
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Chapter 363
Sean’s face softened with gengine sympathy. “Summer…”
“No,” I gasped, clutching Brandon’s arm. “That can’t be right. Brandon, what did Sean say? Brandon, Grandpa is still being treated, right? He’s going to be okay, ist he?”
Brandon’s arms tightened around me, his voice gentle but firm. “Summer, you need to calm down and listen to me.”
“No, no, no, I shook my head frantically. “This isn’t happening. Grandpa can’t be gone. He was fine yesterday! We talked on the phone, he was laughing, he was…”
“Summer, Brandon said, turning me to face him. “Summer, your grandfather has passed away. You have to face this reality, okay?”
I stared into Brandon’s eyes, searching for any sign that this was all some horrible mistake. But his expression was solemn, his eyes filled with concern and sadness.
“But why, Brandon? My voice cracked as tears began streaming down my face. “Why did he suddenly die? Why, why?”
Brandon pulled me against his chest as I broke down completely. Through my tears, I heard Elizabeth’s wailing and Victoria’s sobs, but they sounded distant, as if coming from another world.
Brandon led me to my grandfather’s hospital room, where they had moved his body. I stood in the doorway, my eyes fixed on the still form on the bed. He looked peaceful, as if he were merely sleeping, but the absence of the steady rise and fall of his chest told the devastating truth.
I approached slowly, my vision blurred with tears. The doctors were completing final procedures, checking machines and filling out
forms.
The door burst open behind me, and Elizabeth stormed in, her face tear–streaked but her eyes burning with rage. Richard followed
close behind.
“You!” Elizabeth screamed, lunging toward me. “You cursed child! How dare you show your face here after wha
Brandon stepped between us, grabbing Elizabeth’s wrist as she raised her hand.
u’ve done!*
“Mrs. Taylor,” Brandon’s voice was low and dangerous. “I’ve shown restraint out of respect for your father, but this does not mean I will continue to tolerate your behavior.”
Elizabeth yanked her hand free. “Brandon Stark, who do you think you are? This is a family matter!” She turned to me, her voice rising to a shriek. “Summer, you’ve brought nothing but bad luck to this family since the day you were born!”
“I just wanted to see Grandpa one last time,” I whispered, my voice breaking.
“I know what you’re really after!” Elizabeth sneered. “You and your husband are just waiting to get your hands on the Taylor fortune, aren’t you?” She turned to the medical staff. “We’re taking my father’s body now. Get the paperwork ready.”
Richard signed the necessary forms while Elizabeth glared at me. I stood rooted to the spot, watching as they prepared to take my grandfather away.
“Can I just… can I have one more minute with him?” I pleaded.
“No!” Elizabeth snapped. “You’ve done enough damage. Get out!”
I stood in the doorway, watching helplessly as they wheeled my grandfather’s body out of the room,
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As they disappeared down the corridor, the full weight of my loss crashed down on me. My grandfather–my protector, my champion, the only person who had ever truly loved me unconditionally–was gone forever.
I collapsed against the wall, so wracking my body. Brandon stood beside me, his presence solid and comforting, but even he couldn’t fill the gaping hole that had just opened in my heart.
“He’s gone, Brandon,” I cried. “Grandpa’s gone. What am I going to do without him?”
Brandon wrapped his arms around me, holding me close as I sobbed uncontrollably. I cried until my throat was raw and my eyes burned. And finally, exhausted beyond measure, I cried myself to sleep in Brandon’s arms.
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