Chapter 248

**Brandon's POV**

Sean dramatically held up three fingers, eyes wide with exaggerated suffering. "Three days! I haven't had a proper meal in three whole days!"

"I've been stuck at Manhattan General doing back-to-back surgeries," he continued, gesturing wildly. "Just got off the operating table this morning.Too exhausted to even eat. Went straight home, crashed until now, then came straight here."

He clutched his chest, giving Summer his best wounded puppy look. "You have no idea how much we doctors suffer! How desperately we need care and affection!"

To complete his act, he pretended to wipe away nonexistent tears.

Summer rolled her eyes and handed him a napkin. "Dr. Sean,your performance is way over the top. The acting is soobvious!"

Sean immediately dropped the act, his sorrowful expression vanishing."Come on, can't you show a little sympathy? Shouldn't a normal person feel sorry for me? Maybe comfort me a little?"

Summer's eyebrows shot up. "You? Need *my* comfort?" She pointed at him, then herself, before turning to me with a questioning look.

I narrowed my eyes at Sean. The message was clear.

Sean's laughter turned nervous. "No, no! Absolutely not! That is obviously reserved for Brandon!" He raised both hands in surrender. "Seriously, you two are something else. I'm here to help you guys out, you know!"

Summer looked confused. "Help us? With what? Weren't you just here to mooch a free meal?"

"Summer!" Sean clutched his chest in mock pain. "That hurts! If I just wanted food,couldn't I have gone to any restaurant on Madison Avenue?Why would I come all the way over here?"

He leaned in with a melodramatic whisper. "If Brandon hadn't twisted my arm, do you think I'd willingly come play third wheel?"

I shook my head, cutting him off. "Don't listen to his bullshit." Turning to Summer,I kept my tone gentle. "June, why don't you clear the dishes?Sean and I need to talk."

Summer nodded. "Sure. You guys can use the living room. Sorry the apartment doesn't have a study."

Sean softened his expression. "Don't worry about it. I was just kidding around." He stood up, energized after the meal. "Let's go, Brandon."

The moment we were out of Summer's earshot, Sean's demeanor shifted completely. Gone was the joking, carefree doctor-in his place sat one of Wall Street's most formidable players.

"So what's the real reason you called me here?" he asked directly, pulling out a cigarette but just toying with it. "There were people watching downstairs when I arrived. What's going on?"

"Sinclair's people," I replied simply.

Sean's eyes widened. "The Sinclairs? Shit, your mother is serious about this?"

He leaned back. "I mean, Elle isn't even Jeffrey's biological daughter, but he'

s going all out for her? Especially considering..."

He shrugged. "What's your plan? Those rumors you spread about you and Victoria seemed to work well-diverted attention. But your people are still in place, which means your mother's side isn't backing down, huh?"

I nodded. "Mmm."

"Elle had her people withdraw surveillance a few days ago," I explained,"but they've suddenly returned. I suspect Jeffrey Sinclair has stepped in personally. He's not easily fooled."

Sean studied me, understanding dawning on his face. "So you called me here to let them continue thinking there's something between me and Summer?" He gave me a pointed look. "You know, Brandon, that's not exactly playing fair."

I allowed myself a small smile. "How is it unfair?"

"Because you always use me as your shield," Sean complained. "Why not Edward? Why can't you ask him for help?"

I frowned. "He's Grace's husband."

"Wrong," Sean corrected with a derisive snort. "Ex-husband. They've been divorced for three years now."

My lips tightened. The room suddenly felt colder.

After a moment, Sean sighed. "Fine. I'm already here, and I've already eaten your food. What exactly do you need me to do? But you know this kind of deception can't work long-term. Your uncle is sharp-he'll see through it eventually."

"We don't need to keep it up for long," I said firmly. "Three months, max."

"In those three months. I'll deal with the Elle problem once and for all,and send Jane Sinclair back to Washington. I can't bring Summer home until that's handled."

"Alright, three months it is," Sean agreed. "But remember, if my family finds out about this charade, they'll start pushing me into arranged marriages again. So make it quick." He flicked the unlit cigarette into the trash can.

Sean wandered to the window and peered down. "Your uncle is really persistent, watching all night like this." He turned back to me. "I'm actually wondering-with all that surveillance,how did you manage to get up here?"

I raised an eyebrow, amused. "Care to guess?"

"I couldn't care less," Sean retorted, checking his watch. "Do I need to stay here all night? You know I'm busy, and besides, you and Summer probably want your privacy..."

"No rush," I interrupted, reaching into my coat pocket. I tossed him a key.

Sean caught it, eyeing it with confusion. "What's this for?"

"Starting today, you're living across the hall," I sad matter-of-factly,standing to open the door. "It's getting late. After you."

Sean's eye twitched as he pointed across the hallway. "Wait... Brandon.you're joking, right? Tell me you're joking."

"Do I look like I'm joking?" I mimicked his innocent smile, pushing him toward the door. "Everything's set up. All youI need to do is move in."

"Hey, Brandon," Sean protested, "this is something you should have discussed with me first! This place is too far from Manhattan General.You know my work schedule-"

I continued pushing him across the hall. "I'm discussing it with you now.aren't I? Plus, you'll get free breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. What's not to like?"

I glanced around the apartment. "I'm concerned Summer might be in danger, and I can't be here all the time. Your current role makes you the perfect candidate."

After surveying the apartment, Sean finally nodded in resignation. "Fine.For the free meals, I'll agree temporarily. But this isn't a long-term solution. What exactly are you planning?"

"You don't need to concern yourself with that," I told him firmly. "Just show up here daily, that's all."

"You're a sly bastard, using me as your shield," Sean remarked, but there was reluctant respect in his voice. "Your uncle must be quite the opponent.

" He pocketed the key. "Alright, it's late. I'll get familiar with the place."

I returned to my apartment-to Summer, She was standing by the door,clearly having heard at least part of our conversation.

"Why are you standing here?" I asked softly.

Her brow was furrowed with concern. "Are you really making Dr.Sean move in across the hall? Isn't that too much trouble for him? I can manage on my own,really. There's no need to inconvenience him with all this coming and going!"

I could tell she'd overheard enough to be worried, but not enough to understand the full situation. That was for the best.

"It's fine," I assured her, guiding her back inside. "He has to go home every day anyway. Doesn't matter where 'home'is."

I closed the door behind us. "Besides, Sean is the only one who can handle this particular task."