Chapter 109: The Unwelcome Truth

Summer let out a self-mocking laugh. He’s in the Ameros. In previous years, you spent your birthday alone. Tonight, there’s a whole crowd here for you. What more do you want?

Suddenly, the door to their room was pushed open. Julia, dressed in a one-shouldered cheongsam and draped in a pearl shawl, walked in arm-in-arm with Jasper, who was dressed in a formal suit.

Julia asked, “Summer, the banquet has begun. Why hasn’t Trevor arrived yet?”

Summer stood up from the sofa as they entered. “Trevor is not coming today.”

Julia frowned. Recently, news of Summer and Trevor breaking up had spread throughout high society. In such a small circle of elites, gossip tended to be distorted. Some said that Summer had lost to Peyton. Others claimed that Summer was playing hard to get with Trevor and did not know her own worth. Julia had been humiliated in front of the other nobles. Yesterday, when she went to the spa and ran into Scarlett, she eagerly approached him to exchange a few pleasantries. But Scarlett had looked at her with disdain, as if she were a fly. Julia was so angry that she almost spat blood. Today, she had counted on Trevor’s presence. She had even arranged for Summer and Trevor to dance the opening waltz together, hoping to dispel the recent news. But now, if he didn’t show up, wouldn’t it embarrass the Stewart family?

“Why isn’t Trevor coming? Today is your 24th birthday, an important occasion. As your fiancé, how could he not come? I’ll call him right now.”

With that, she took out her phone and was about to dial. Summer stepped forward from the sofa and pressed down on her phone. Coldly, she said, “He and I have nothing to do with each other. Why should I invite him?”

Jasper, who was standing nearby, also spoke in a stern tone. “Summer, your mother has gone all out for your birthday today. Everyone outside is a valued guest of the Stewart family.”

The implication was clear. This wasn’t just Summer’s birthday; it was the birthday of the Stewart family’s daughter. If the Stewart family’s daughter’s fiancé didn’t show up, the gossip would only get worse.

Summer looked at her silent phone. “I said I’d bring my boyfriend, but unfortunately, he’s on a business trip.”

Julia scoffed. “A business trip? There’s been no news of any business trips from the Larson Group’s executive office this week.”

Summer felt a wave of irritation. “Where Trevor is has nothing to do with me. He’s not my boyfriend.”

Julia was shocked. “Your boyfriend isn’t Trevor? Then who is it? Everyone in our circle knows that you’re engaged to the Larson family. Who would dare to go out with you?”

Jasper frowned. “Summer, I’ve already told you that your marriage is tied to the future of the Stewart Group. If you don’t find a partner who can bring greater benefits to the Stewart family, this matter is not up for discussion.”

Summer fell silent. Seeing her like this, Julia couldn’t contain his anger. “Summer, you really have no respect for your parents. How could you act like this on such an important occasion?”

After a moment, Summer’s clear voice rang out in the room. “Fraser.”

Jasper’s eyes widened. “What did you say?”

Summer stared at them, enunciating each word. “I said my boyfriend is Fraser Graham.”

Julia finally processed the words, her lips trembling slightly. “The Graham family… Mr. Graham?”

“Do you really expect me to believe that? Just because the Graham Group invested 1 billion in the Stewart Group, you think Mr. Graham is interested in you?”

“The century-old legacy of the Graham family is even more impressive than that of the Larson family. They have over tens of billions of overseas assets. How could someone like that be interested in a small family like ours?”

Summer turned away, her grip on the phone tightening until her knuckles turned white. “Believe what you want.”

“Jasper, look at her. How did I end up with a daughter who lies so easily?”

Jasper tried to calm Julia down before turning to Summer. “Of course, I’d be happy if Mr. Graham was interested in you. But as your mother said, our Stewart family hasn’t reached that level yet. Whether you’ve broken up or not, we can’t let the Stewart family lose face today.”

Summer scoffed. “So my feelings are just for your reputation?”

“What noble family in high society isn’t like that? Do you think you’re still that ‘Summer, the daughter of Yolanda from the back alleys’?” Julia said.

The moment these words were spoken, the room fell into an icy silence. Summer’s eyelashes trembled.