Chapter 164: The Weight of Scars

Summer looked at the greedy face of this so-called father and remembered the story of his rise in the Stewart family. Jasper had once been a nobody, a poor young man who had married into the Chapman family for their connections and start-up capital. Within a few years of the Stewart Group’s rise, the Chapman family business had faltered. What Jasper called a “merger” was actually a ruthless takeover that stole away his wife’s family fortune. A textbook social climber. A heartless man. Any last shred of filial piety Summer might have felt evaporated today.

Jasper’s eyebrows rose in anger. “You unfilial daughter, do you still recognize me as your father! I’m telling you, Summer, as long as I’m your father, you should do as I say,”

“Just because I left Stewart Group doesn’t mean I have no thoughts about you guys.”

After saying that, she ignored Jasper’s cursing voice behind her and left.

Summer drove on the road. A red light came on at a corner street intersection. A little girl of about five tripped over a stone and began to cry. Her mother immediately scooped her up and cooed soothing words as they passed in front of Summer’s windshield. The scene stabbed something deep in Summer’s chest.

When I was that age, walking with my adoptive mother, Yolanda, I’d fallen once, too. Yolanda had turned around, frowned at her skinned knees, and then walked on without looking back. Summer remembered standing alone as car horns honked when the light turned green. The terror of almost being hit, the sting of abandonment sharper than the gravel in her palms. In all my childhood, Yolanda had never held my hand. Never hugged me. Only pinched my arms and thighs when I was displeased.

That’s why returning to the Stewart family had felt like salvation, until I saw Julia showering Margaret with the affection I’d never received. Even now, as Julia tried to make amends, the wounds refused to heal.

Summer blinked the moisture from her eyes just as the light turned green. Summer pressed her foot on the gas. The car drove off. On the way, her phone rang. Sienna’s voice came through urgently.

“Summer! I was supposed to crash the GloryPath Construction CEO’s party tonight to pitch our design firm, but my dad needs emergency surgery. Can you go in my place?”

“Of course. How serious is—”

“Just a minor procedure, but I can’t leave. Merry will meet with you with the details; the future of Aspira Design may depend on it.”

Summer made a U-turn and headed for the Sonata Bar.

Even among the elite establishments, the Sonata Bar stood out. Its steps were carved from white jade, its walls adorned with priceless murals worth millions. The parking lot glittered with limited-edition supercars, while the women even used the entry ticket as capital to show off. But this is a member’s club, so no one else can get in.

Chapter 164: The Weight of Scars

Summer laughed. “Is it that serious?”

Merry nodded. “Really, you don’t see the ten-million-dollar luxury cars and stars here, and those girls who go in are all more stars.”

“Oh. Summer, how do we get in?”

Summer flashed the membership card Sienna had somehow procured. “Stay close to—”

Beyond the velvet ropes, the interior was even more opulent than rumors had suggested. Crystal chandeliers cast diamonds of light across marble floors where tycoons and heirs circulated with practiced ease.

After going in, Merry eyed a waiter carrying golden goblets. “Is that… actual solid gold? And is that famous actor over there?”