3/3
The Billionaire’s Sudden Bride
Chapter 94
Summer’s POV
The antiseptic smell of Manhattan General hit me the moment I stepped off the elevator. I clutched my bag tighter, bracing myself for the inevitable confrontation.
Elizabeth’s voice reached me before I saw her, echoing down the hall
“This is bullshit! You can’t keep family from seeing their own father She was gesturing wildly at a nurse who looked completely over it. “Do you have any idea who we are?”
Richard sat nearby, scrolling through his phone with that tight–lipped expression I knew too well. Victoria huddled in a corner chair, hiding behind massive sunglasses and a scarf, clearly terrified of being recognized by anyone.
“Mom, seriously, chill out,” Victoria hissed. “Everyone’s staring.”
“Chill out? They’re blocking us from seeing your grandfather! What am I supposed to do?”
I took a deep breath and stepped forward. Elizabeth spotted me immediately.
“What the hell are you doing here?” She stormed toward me, finger jabbing in my direction. “Haven’t you done enough damage?”
1 sidestepped her smoothly. “I’m here to see Grandpa.”
“Like hell you are!” Elizabeth grabbed my wrist. “Nobody’s going in until we figure out this shares situation. What did you say to him, huh?”
I looked down at her hand, then back up to meet her eyes. “Let. Go.
How ironic, I thought. Columbia professor’s daughter with zero class.
“You manipulated him!” she hissed.
I didn’t respond, just fixed her with a cold, steady gaze. Something in my expression made her suddenly go pale.
“Those eyes…” she whispered, almost to herself. “Just like her…”
Her grip loosened, and I pulled free. A nurse approached with a relieved smile.
“Are you Summer Taylor?” she asked eagerly.
“Yeah, that’s me.”
“Oh thank god! Mr. Taylor’s been asking for you since he woke up. This way, please.”
As I followed her, I could feel Elizabeth’s glare drilling into my back.
Grandpa looked smaller against the white sheets, but his eyes lit up when he saw me.
“Summer!” He tried to sit up straighter.
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Chapter 94
“Grandpa!” I rushed over, tear springing to my eyes. I’m so sorry 1 Masn’t here sooner.”
He reached for my hand. “Don’t be ridiculous, kiddo. You’re here now
I squeezed his fingers. “How are you feeling?”
“Way better,” he assured me, though strain showed in his face. “Nothing major.”
His gaze drifted toward the door. “They’re all out there, aren’t they?
I nodded, “Yeah. They want to see you too,
“I bet they do,” he said wryly. “Especially now that they know about the shares.”
“About that… Mom confronted you, didn’t she? Is that what caused. I couldn’t finish.
Grandpa sighed. ‘It was gonna happen eventually. Just didn’t expect this old body to give out on me.” He patted my hand. “Look, I gave you those shares because I wanted to. I know they’ll give you grief, but you need to understand something
His expression grew serious. “I’m not gonna be around forever. Without those shares, Capital Corp would end up in outside hands. You were always the one who got what family legacy really means.”
My fingers stiffened in his grip, guilt washing over me.
Grandpa noticed immediately. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s not that I don’t want them,” I said hesitantly, “Grandpa, I need to tell you something, but please don’t freak out.”
“Shoot. I can handle it.”
I took a deep breath. “Grandpa, I transferred the shares.”
“You what?” The shock in his voice made me wince.
“I transferred the Capital Corp shares,” I repeated more firmly.
He stared at me, his expression shifting from surprise to curiosity. “Why, Summer? That’s not like you.”
“Grandpa, I got married.”
“You…” His eyes widened. “Married? When? To who?”
“It’s not what you think,” I hurried to explain. “It has nothing to do with Alexander. It’s someone good, someone who actually cares about me. Someone you’ve met.”
“Have I?” Grandpa studied my face. “You look… different. Happier.”
I couldn’t help smiling. “It’s Brandon Stark.”
“Brandon Stark? Recognition dawned. “The young man who gave me that chess set?”
I nodded, feeling my cheeks warm. “Yeah, that’s him.”
I remember him well,” Grandpa said thoughtfully. “Stood out from the crowd. Sharp as a tack.” His eyes narrowed. “So he wasn’t at my party just for business… he came because of you?”
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Chapter 94
“Yeah. And he helped me that night when…” I trailed off, not wanting to upset him with details.
Understanding flashed in his eyes. “I see. And the shares? You gave them to him?”
“But Grandpa, I didn’t just give them away,” I explained quickly. “Brandon gave me shafes in Stark Entertainment Group in exchange.”
“Stark Entertainment Group?” His eyebrows shot up. “That’s quite a trade.”
Grandpa was silent for a moment, then chuckled softly.
“Well, well,” he said, patting my hand. “My Summer’s landed on her feet, hasn’t she? Brandon Stark…” He shook his head. ‘I couldn’t have picked better myself.”
“So you’re not mad about the shares?”
“Mad? Why would I be mad? I gave them to you to secure your future.” He studied my face. “He’s treating you right, isn’t he?”
“Better than I ever thought possible,” I admitted softly.
Grandpa nodded, satisfied. “Good. You deserve that.”
“When do I get to meet this husband of yours properly?” he asked, suddenly energized.
“As soon as you’re better,” I promised. “I want to introduce you formally.”
“I’m perfectly fine now!” he protested.
“Grandpa, take it easy! Brandon isn’t going anywhere.”
“Fine,” he relented with a dramatic sigh. “But soon. I’ve got questions for that young man.”
“He’ll be ready,” I assured him, grinning.
“What about your parents? Do they know?”
I shook my head. “No. Only you. I’d like to keep it that way for now.
“Smart move,” Grandpa agreed. “This is your life. You don’t need their drama.”
If Richard and Elizabeth knew I married Brandon Stark, they’d be kissing up to him in a heartbeat. No thanks.
“What about the Stark family?” Grandpa asked.
“That’ll happen when the time’s right,” I said.
My phone buzzed. I smiled seeing “Bran” on the display.
“Excuse me, Grandpa. I should take this.”
Grandpa waved dismissively. “Go ahead.”
“Hey, Bran,” I answered, smiling.
“Say that again.” Brandon’s deep voice sent a shiver down my spine.
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Chapter 94
“Say what?” I asked, confused.
Then it hit me, “Oh! I felt my face heat up as I turned away from Grandpa. “No way!”
“You called me that yesterday,” Brandon reminded me, amusement clear in his tone.
“Stop it,” I whispered. “I’m with my grandfather. He’s awake!”
“Good. How is he?”
“The doctors say he’ll be fine with rest,” I replied. “Oh, and I told him about us.”
I glanced at Grandpa, who was watching me with knowing eyes. “Grandpa, want to talk to Brandon?”
He shook his head. “Not now. You two go ahead.”
I adjusted his blanket before turning back to the phone. “When Grandpa’s better, I want to formally introduce you.”
“Looking forward to it,” Brandon replied, his voice softening in that way that was just for me.
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