Chapter 22

Summer's POV

James cleared his throat. "Mr. Stark is a valued client, Miss Taylor. The store adjusted the price as a courtesy."

"James," Brandon’s voice was like a steel blade, silencing his assistant instantly. I realized Brandon had likely covered the majority of the cost himself.

"Mr. Stark, I can't accept—"

"Get in the car," he said, his long stride purposeful.

Fast forward to the day of Grandpa's birthday. I drove toward the Taylor mansion, my stomach in knots. The driveway was a sea of luxury cars—the Manhattan elite had arrived in force.

As I walked up the path, I heard voices behind a hedge. It was my parents.

"That ungrateful girl better not cause any trouble," my mother’s voice dripped with venom. "After everything we've done for her..."

"Lower your voice," my father warned. "We need Father’s approval for Victoria and Alexander's marriage. If Summer makes a scene..."

"Summer should be grateful anyone wanted to marry her at all!" Mother scoffed. "Victoria is doing her a favor by taking Alexander off her hands. She’s much better suited to the Stark family's expectations."

The blood drained from my face. My own mother saw me as a "burden" and my sister as a "solution."

Then my phone buzzed. It was my father. I answered, keeping my voice neutral.

"Summer, where are you?" His fake warmth was nauseating. "We're family. Come home and don't make your grandfather sad."

"I'll be there," I said coldly. "For Grandpa."

I hung up, my hands shaking. They weren't just celebrating a birthday; they were planning to manipulate my grandfather into endorsing the betrayal that ruined my engagement. They wanted to present Victoria and Alexander as the "perfect couple" while keeping me in the shadows.

Straightening my dress, I took a deep breath. I wasn't the broken girl they remembered. I walked toward the grand entrance with a new-found resolve. This party was going to be the reckoning they didn't see coming.