Summer’s POV
Victoria glided forward with practiced grace, her perfect smile firmly in place. “You must be very busy, Mr. Stark. That day at the party, there were so many people you probably don’t remember me Let me introduce myself: I’m Victoria Taylor, daughter of the Taylor family and Alexander Stark’s fiancée. She emphasized each le like she was reading from a particularly impressive resume,
Brandon’s dark eyes swept over her with deliberate slowness and let go of my hand, his expression unreadable as he studied her. His lips curved into a slight smile that held no warmth. “The Taylor family… I remember. He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. “But Alexander Stark? Who might that be?”
I watched Victoria’s perfect smile freeze for just a fraction of a second. The temperature in the store seemed to drop several degrees. The awkwardness was palpable. God, he’s really going to pretend he doesn’t know who Alexander is, I thought, watching my sister’s composure crack just slightly around the edges.
“Miss Taylor is looking at shoes?”
Victoria recovered quickly, but I could see the tension in her shoulders as she forced a light laugh. “Oh, I’m just here shopping with
friends! Are you here to shop as well, Mr. Stark?”
If Brandon noticed the strain in her voice, he gave no sign. Instead, his gaze found mine with unerring accuracy. It took me a
moment to realize he was addressing me. “Are you asking me, Mr. Stark?”
“Who else?” The amusement in his tone made my pulse skip despite myself.
I caught Victoria’s expression darkening from the corner of my eye. “Yes, just looking for some flats.”
The saleswoman who’d been hovering nearby practically materialized at my elbow. “What size would you like, miss?”
“Seven, please.” I kept my voice steady despite how my heart raced under Brandon’s intense scrutiny.
“Mr. Stark, are you shopping too?” I asked, desperate to break the charged silence that had fallen.
His lips curved into that dangerous half–smile. “Summer Taylor remembers me?”
“How could I forget?” The words came out softer than intended. “You made my grandfather so happy that day, playing chess with
him.”
“George Taylor is a respected elder.” His dark eyes held mine with an intensity that made my skin prickle. “His opinion matters greatly. That pen was a good gift too. You have a good taste, Miss Taylor.”
Before I could respond, Anna stepped forward with the kind of confidence that came from years of elite finishing schools. “Mr. Stark, I’m Anna Watson, Joe Watson’s Sister.”
Brandon barely spared her a glance, just a slight nod before his attention returned to me. Anna’s perfect smile froze, uncertainty flickering across her features as Brandon continued to ignore her. She and Sophie exchanged glances – they’d been captivated by Brandon’s striking appearance at first, drawn in by his obvious wealth and power. But now they were learning the hard way that Brandon Stark played by his own rules.
I found myself raising an eyebrow, unsure whether to smile or not. Brandon was complimenting me, sure, but wasn’t he really just showing off his own power? The way he’d orchestrated this whole scene… I hadn’t expected him to actually stick around and play this game with Victoria.
I’d be lying if I said it didn’t feel good though, I admitted to myself. Being treated like this by Brandon Stark, having him so
obviously choose me over everyone else – what woman wouldn’t enjoy that kind of attention?
1/2
Chapter 60
Victoria’s face was a study in barely contained rage. I could practically read her thoughts: Why Summer? What makes her so special that Brandon Stark would remember her? Her perfect composure cracked further as she watched our interaction. We both met him for the first time at Grandpa’s party, but he barely noticed me then why is he paying attention to Summer now?
Miss, your flats are ready!” The saleswoman’s voice cut through the tension. “Size seven would you like to try them on?
“Mr. Stark, I should…” I gestured vaguely toward the fitting area.
He nodded slightly. Go ahead.”
Victoria seized her chance the moment I moved away. “Mr. Stark, what do you think of these heels? They’re quite-
“Box these up.” Brandon cut her off smoothly, gesturing to a pair of elegant heels. “Size seven.”
My heart did a complicated flip. Is he…
“Miss Taylor, would you do me a favor?” His deep voice carried that gentle authority that never failed to make my pulse race.
“Of course, as long as Mr. Stark doesn’t mind!” The words tumbled out before I could stop them.
Victoria’s voice turned sharp. “Hey! Box up those heels for me – I wear a seven too, no need to try them on!”
The saleswoman shifted uncomfortably. “I’m sorry, miss, but we only have one pair in that size.”
“Mr. Stark hasn’t purchased them, right? Now I’m going to buy them Victoria’s perfect composure cracked slightly. “Here’s my card What are you waiting for?”
“I apologize, miss, but Mr. Stark doesn’t need to pay with a card. The shoes are his.”
Victoria’s face twisted with fury. “Do you know who I am? Do you want to stay in business in Manhattan? I could have this store shut down with one phone call!”
The silence that fell was deafening. Victoria stood there, chest heaving, her usual poise completely shattered. Anna and Sophie exchanged worried glances, clearly unsure how to handle this new development.
Brandon’s expression hadn’t changed, but something in his bearing made the temperature in the room drop several degrees. The saleswoman straightened her spine, years of professional training evident in her polite but firm tone: “I apologize, miss, but the shoes belong to Mr. Stark.”
