Chapter 175

**Summer's POV**

I caught Leo studying my reaction, his gaze sharp and assessing. I shot him a pleading look, and he immediately cleared his throat, rapping his knuckles sharply on the table.

"Ms. Bell," he said sternly, "discussing the CEO's personal matters during work hours is highly inappropriate. This kind of idle gossip has no place at Stark Group."

Heather's face immediately flushed. "I-I didn't mean-"

"It's nearly time to return to work," Leo continued,checking his watch."Let's finish up here. The Manhattan West Side project won't complete itself.

As Heather gathered her things, thoroughly chastised, I mouthed a quick "thank you" to Leo. I couldn't help wondering-who exactly was Elle Sinclair? And why would Brandon's mother push this strange arrangement? The thought of some beautiful woman pursuing Brandon made my chest tighten uncomfortably.

*Am I actually jealous?* The realization hit me with surprising force. *I've never been the jealous type before...*

By late afternoon, my phone vibrated with a text from Brandon.

*Dinner tonight at 8. I'll drive. Meet me in the parking garage.*

As I set my phone down, Heather approached my desk.

"Summer," she began hesitantly, "do you have any plans tonight?"

"Hmm?" I looked up. "What's up?"

"Nothing important," she assured me. "It's just, you've been at Stark Group for a while now, but we've never really hung out outside of work. I was wondering if you'd like to grab dinner together?"

"Tonight?" I asked, already calculating how to decline politely.

"Yeah," she nodded eagerly. "Are you free?"

"I'm really sorry, but I can't tonight," I said, genuinely regretful. "I already have plans with family. Could we do it another time?"

Disappointment flashed across her face. "Oh... that's okay."

"Is everything alright?" I asked, noticing her crestfallen expression.

Heather sighed. "It's just... you know I'm not getting any younger,right?My parents have been pushing me about marriage non-stop. My mom set me up on this blind date tonight, and I really didn't want to go alone. It feels so awkward!"

"Oh, Heather," I sympathized. "Parents always think they know best. But maybe give it a chance? If you don't like him, you can always make an excuse and leave early."

"I guess," she conceded glumly."It's just nerve-wracking going alone."

"I'm really sorry I can't joinyou," I said. "If you'd asked earlier, I might have been able to rearrange things."

"No, it's fine," Heather straightened up. "You go ahead. I should start getting ready anyway."

"Good luck tonight," I called after her. "Let me know how it goes!"

At exactly 6:30. I headed for the parking garage. As I approached the executive section, I heard voices that made me freeze mid-step.

"Brandon, I didn't drive here today. Could you give me a ride home?"

The voice was high-pitched and sweet-sickeningly so-with a deliberate breathy quality that immediately set my teeth on edge. I quickly ducked behind a concrete pillar, peering around to see a stunningly beautiful blonde woman standing beside Brandon's car.

When Brandon didn't immediately respond, she continued, "Brandon?Why aren't you saying anything? I came with Jane this morning, and now I don't have a car. I'm not very familiar with New York yet. Please, just drive me home?"

"Call Jane yourself," Brandon replied, his voice flat and cold. "Have her send a car for you."

"Brandon!" Elle gasped, sounding shocked. "How can you be so cruel? I'm your sister! I'm a guest of the Stark family. Jane specifically asked you to take care of me. You can't treat me like this!"

"Elle," Brandon's voice carried a dangerous edge, "I'll warn you one last time. I don't care if you work at Stark Group, but if you're expecting anything from me personally, you'll be disappointed. Stay away from me.or you'll find I can be much less accommodating than I've been so far."

My phone suddenly pinged with a text, the sound echoing in the garage.

*Where are you?* Brandon had written.

"Who's there?" Elle calledI out sharply. "Show yourself!"

Before I could decide what to do, Brandon lowered his car window.

"Elle!" he called.

"Yes, Brandon?" she answered immediately, her voice instantly returning to its sugary sweetness.

"I just remembered I left an important document in my office," he said smoothly. "Could you go up and get it for me?"

Elle's face lit up. "Of course! I'd be happy to help. Don't go anywhere!"

"I'll be right here," Brandon assured her.

The moment Elle disappeared into the elevator, I darted out and slid into the passenger seat.

"Drive," I whispered urgently. "Before she comes back!"

Brandon's lips curved into an amused smile as he started the engine."Scared?"

"I am not!" I protested, quickly buckling my seatbelt. "I just don't feel like dealing with...that."

"You're the one who should be explaining things," I said,crossing my arms. "Who exactly is Elle Sinclair, and why is she acting like you're her property?"

"I thought with our relationship, you'd understand the situation,"Brandon replied cryptically.

"Understand what? I don't understand anything!" I exclaimed. "All I know is that during lunch, everyone was talking about how Stark Group's CEO has this beautiful, capable new secretary who's apparently head over heels for him."

Brandon's eyes lit up with undisguised amusement. "Summer, are you jealous?"

"What? Jealous? Me?" I sputteredindignantly. "I've never been jealous a day in my life!"

"Is that so?" he askedclearly not believing me.

I glared at him, but he merely continued driving, that infuriating half-smile still playing on his lips.

"She's Elle Sinclair," he finally explained. "My maternal uncle's adopted daughter. And she is close to my mother."

"Adopted?" I echoed, surprised. "Not biological daughter? Your uncle doesn't have his children?"

"He does," Brandon confirmed.

"Then why..." I trailed off, trying to understand.

"She's the daughter of my uncle's first love," Brandon clarified. "No blood relation to the Sinclairs or Starks."

"Wait, seriously?" I couldn't keep the shock from my voice. "She has no blood relationship to your uncle at all? He must really care about his frst love! But doesn't his family object to this arrangement?"

"It's complicated," Brandon said, his expression darkening slightly."The Sinclair family does object, but they know their objections won't change anything. Elle has been with my mother and uncle since she was little.They dote on her."

"So Elle is at Stark Group because your mother arranged it?" I pieced

together. "With the goal of getting her close to you,making you fall for her,and eventually marrying her? But even if you're not blood relatives,you're still... what? Step-cousins? That's not something you can just ignore.Does this uncle of yours really approve of this?"

Brandon glanced at me, his expression softening. "Summer, sometimes you don't need to be quite so clever."

I gave him a weak smile. "I don't mean anything by it. I'm just worried your mother might dislike me because of Elle."

Brandon could clearly see what was going through my mind. He shook his head,squeezing my hand. "You don't need to worry about any of that.I married you, and I'll take responsibility for that decision. These things aren't your concern. I'm the one who married you, I'm the one who'll spend my life with you-not them."

I nodded, "Bt how long is Elle going to stay? If she refuses to leave,that could be really awkward."

"You sure you aren't jealous right now?"

"Of course not!" I denied, "I'm just concerned. You saw how she was acting toward you..."

"Don't worry," Brandon reassured me, patting the back of my hand. "I won't let her stay too long."