ctoria’s POV
The Tayler mansion’s marble floors echoed with the sharp click of my heels as I stormed through the grand entrance. My hands trembled with barely contained rage as Brandon Stark’s dismissive words played on repeat in my mind. The humiliation barned through my veins like acid, making my breath come in short, angry asps.
How dare he? How DARE he treat me like I’m nothing?
1, Victoria Taylor – Hollywood’s rising star, society’s darling, the one everyone wanted to be or be with. What made Summer so special? She was nothing but a pathetic little corporate drone at Fortune Corp, and yet somehow she’d caught Brandon Stark’s
attention?
The Italian crystal vase made a satisfying crash as it shattered agattist the wall, sending prismatic shards skittering across the floot. Not enough. The antique clock followed. Each explosion of breaking pottery sent a jolt of bitter satisfaction through my body.
“Miss Victoria!” Betty, our newest maid, scurried after me with a dustpan, her mousy features pinched with concern. “Please be careful with the antiques! You might hurt yourself!”
I caught her reflection in one of the gilded mirrors – was that a hint of a smirk playing at her lips? The sight made something snap
inside me.
You think this is funny?” I whirled on her, my voice rising to a shriek. “You’re laughing at me, aren’t you?”
“No, Miss Victoria, I would never—”
My hand shot out, tangling in her brown hair. The sharp gasp of pain as I yanked brought a cruel smile to my face. “Don’t lie to me! I saw you smirking! You think it’s hilarious that Summer got what I wanted, don’t you?”
Betty crumpled to the floor, tears streaming down her face. “Please, Miss Victoria! I wasn’t laughing, I swear!*
“Wasn’t laughing?” I tightened my grip, satisfaction coursing through me as she whimpered. “You think you can lie to my face? You’re just like all the others, aren’t you? Always taking her side-
“Victoria!”
Grandpa George’s commanding voice cut through my rage like a knife. He stood in the doorway, leaning heavily on his cane, his weathered face tight with disapproval. Mom appeared behind him, her perfectly manicured hand coming to rest on his shoulder.
“Father,” Mom’s voice carried that particular note of maternal concern she’d perfected over the years. “Victoria’s clearly upset. Something must have happened…”
“Mom… I let my voice crack, tears filling my eyes on command.
“Look at what she’s done to the house!” Grandpa gestured at the destruction around us, his voice sharp with anger. “Is this how we raised you? To throw tantrums like a spoiled child when things don’t go your way?”
“Father,” Mom’s voice took on a reproachful tone. “Victoria’s a successful actress now. If she’s this upset, someone must have really hurt her feelings…”
“Hurther feelings?” Grandpa’s laugh held no humor. “She’s been Hollywood’s darling since her first role. The whole world bends over backward to please her. Who could possibly hurt precious Victoria?”
The bitterness in his tone made my blood boil. “You’re just angry because I’m not your precious Summer!”
1/3
“Victoria!” Dad’s sharp voice made me flinch. I hadn’t even noticed m arriving.
“What?” I met his gaze defiantly. “Am I wrong? Grandpa’s always favored her. Summer can do no wrong in his eyes!”
“Enough!” Dad’s face had gone an interesting shade of red, “Go to your room. Now.”
“What happened, darling?” Mom asked me later.
My eyes gleamed. This was exactly the opening I needed. “It’s all because of Summer.”
“Summer?” Mom’s voice rose sharply, immediate displeasure
you?”
coloring her tone.
“What did she do this time? Did she cause trouble for
I let my eyes water slightly, the perfect picture of a wronged daughter. “I saw these shoes today – you know the ones from Paris Fashion Week? The ones my favorite actress wore? They finally had them in Manhattan, but…” I let my voice crack slightly.. “Summer and this man just… they humiliated me, Mom!”
“A man?” Mom’s attention sharpened instantly, her eyes narrowing. “Summer was with a man? Are you sure about this?”
“Yes,” I confirmed. “And you know she’s still playing innocent with Alexander! How could she do this to me? She knows how I feel about him, and yet here she is, going around with other men!”
“That little viper!” Mom’s grip on my hand tightened painfully. “Has anyone else heard about this?”
“No, I haven’t told anyone,” I said quickly.
“Good. Don’t breathe a word of this to anyone not even Alexander. Do you understand?”
–
I frowned slightly. “But why? Mom, if Summer’s seeing someone behind Alexander’s back…”
“No, Victoria.” Mom’s voice turned sharp. “Have you forgotten about Charles Windsor?”
The name sent a jolt through me. Suddenly, I remembered the birthday party, watching Mom carefully prepare that special tea with double the usual dose. We’d had Summer right where we wanted her, and yet somehow she’d slipped away.
A slow smile spread across my face as understanding dawned. “Mom… is this about the video Dad received?”
Mom’s eyes glittered dangerously. “Charles has always preferred… innocent girls. The fact that Summer’s running around with other men needs to stay our little secret. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Perfectly.” I couldn’t help the vicious satisfaction blooming in my chest. “Don’t worry, Mom. I won’t say a word to anyone.”
“Good girl.” Mom patted my hand. “Now, let Mommy handle everything. We’ll make sure Summer learns her place soon enough.”
Later that night, I crept down the hallway toward Dad’s study, drawn by the sound of raised voices. The thick mahogany door didn’t quite muffle their argument.
cant risk it, Elizabeth!” Dad’s voice carried clearly through the door. “Father already knows about what happened at his birthday party. If we try anything else-
“What choice do we have?” Mom’s voice held an edge of hysteria. “Capital Corp needs that investment! Two hundred million dollars,
2/3
Chapter 68
Richard. Where else are we going to get that kind of money?”
But Summer-
“She’s lived off our charity long enough!” Mom’s voice turned sharp. It’s time she did something for this family!”
“You’re insane,” Dad’s voice dropped lower, forcing me to press closer to the door. “We’re never discussing this again. Do you ward everyone to know?”
“What does it matter?” Mom’s bitter laugh made me flinch. This has nothing to do with you anyway. We shouldn’t have taken her back when-”
“Elizabeth!” Dad’s voice cracked like a whip. “Never speak of this again. Do you understand? Never!”
I sagged against the wall, my mind spinning. The way Mom talked about Summer, the secrets, Dad’s reaction… The implications made my head hurt.
“Good grief, I need to think!” Dad’s exhausted voice interrupted my thoughts. “We need to find a way to get Summer to come home.”
“Think about what?” Mom’s voice turned sharp. “Don’t forget about the Windsors…”
“Enough!” Dad’s tone brooked no argument. “I know you don’t like her. Do you think I do? Father isn’t blind – he knows exactly what we’re trying to do.”
I pulled away from the door, a slow smile spreading across my face as pieces clicked into place. Whatever secrets they were hiding about Summer’s past, one thing was clear – she wasn’t what everyone thought she was. And that… well, that just made everything so much more interesting. What I need now is just patience.
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