Chapter 148: Unwelcome Encounters
Summer pushed back the covers and got out of bed. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a warm glow over the blue-and-white bedding, still carrying a faint, sweet scent. It was her first time here, and she hadn’t even had a chance to look around yesterday.
She took in her surroundings. The bedroom was massive—nearly 1,000 square feet, bigger than her entire living room. Decorated in luxurious warm whites, it seamlessly connected to a spacious walk-in closet that stretched along the entire wall. Inside, racks of limited-edition designer dresses filled the space. Summer pulled one out and checked the tag—it was this season’s collection. A rough estimate of the price? She wouldn’t even know where to start.
Her shirt and skirt from yesterday had been ruined. She grabbed a nude-colored blouse and a pair of jeans from the closet and slipped them on. No surprise—they fit perfectly. Standing in front of the full-length mirror, she took a moment to look at herself. Her fair skin was smooth and radiant. Dressed in a sleek, professional outfit, the dazzling sapphire necklace at her collarbone added the perfect finishing touch. For a split second, the thought flashed through her mind: I look like I’m being kept. She shook her head, brushing the thought away.
Pushing open the bedroom door, she stepped out. In the living room, a woman stood near the dining table. She wore a light blue dress with a cream-colored trench coat draped over her shoulders. Her sleek black hair was pulled into a high ponytail, framing her elegant and refined features.
Mia stepped forward and placed a thermos on the marble dining table, her sharp gaze sweeping over Summer from head to toe. Summer’s long, wavy hair cascaded down her back. Her delicate features—bright, almond-shaped eyes, arched brows, and soft pink lips—made her the kind of beauty that was impossible to forget. Today, she wore a nude blouse tucked neatly into her jeans, accentuating her slim waist and giving her a polished, effortless look.
Mia had always considered herself beautiful. But the woman standing in front of her had something different—an effortless elegance and undeniable charm. So, this was her—the woman Fraser had introduced as his girlfriend. The same woman who had taken issue with her sitting next to him on a private jet. Mia’s chest tightened slightly at the thought. No wonder Helen felt threatened.
To her, Fraser was in a league of his own—powerful, untouchable. No one was worthy of him. Forcing a look of surprise onto her face, Mia spoke. “Who are you? And what are you doing in Fraser’s house?”
Her voice had a familiar ring to it—light, smooth, with a touch of sweetness. Summer felt like she had heard it somewhere before, but for now, she just couldn’t place it. Summer’s guard went up. “Maybe you should be asking Fraser why I’m here.”
“Oh, I see. I wasn’t aware there was someone else here. I just stopped by to bring Fraser some homemade soup.”
Something about this woman put Summer on edge. “And who exactly are you?”
In all the time she had known Fraser, she had never seen another woman around him. Was she the fiancée everyone had been talking about?
Mia’s expression remained warm, effortlessly composed. “I grew up with the Grahams. You could say Fraser and I are childhood friends—we’ve always been close.”
At her words, Summer looked down, having no interest in continuing the conversation. “If you’re looking for him, you can call him yourself. I was just leaving.”
Calling Fraser was out of the question. Mia only ever came here under Helen’s orders—always in secret. Even the security code to the house had been given to her by Helen. And truthfully, this wasn’t the first time she had helped Helen get rid of a woman trying to latch onto Fraser for wealth and status. She had plenty of experience.
Still, she ignored Summer’s coldness and tilted her head, feigning curiosity. “Miss, are you Fraser’s mistress?”
The words were sharp and intentional. A quiet insult wrapped in feigned innocence. Summer pressed her lips together but said nothing. Truthfully, even she wasn’t sure how to define her relationship with Fraser.
Mia let out a light laugh, her voice soft but cutting. “Oh, don’t take it the wrong way. It’s just that Fraser already has a fiancée—one the Graham family actually acknowledges. And since he’s never mentioned you before, I just assumed you were like the others… insignificant, just a mistress.”
The words cut deep, like a dagger straight to the heart. A sharp, painful sting spread through Summer’s chest, but she forced herself to remain calm. Her voice was ice-cold. “Miss, I don’t think I need you to define my relationship with him. And frankly, it’s none of your business.”
With that, she turned on her heel and walked out without another word. Mia watched her leave, the corner of her lips curling into a mocking smirk. Not so tough after all.