Chapter 203: The Deal Before Goodbye

The Graham family estate was still grand—classic, historic, and untouched by time. The second you walked in, you felt like you had to be on your best behavior.

In the living room, Maximus and Helen sat in the primary seats—fine Oblistan-made sofas—calmly drinking tea. Led in by the butler, Summer walked in and took a seat across from them.

Helen’s wrinkled face showed no emotion. Her presence was commanding, and her sharp eyes swept over Summer. Her voice was low and firm. “Ms. Stewart. It’s been a while.”

Summer’s lashes flicked slightly. She had been forced to come here today, escorted by bodyguards.

“The situation at Graham Group—I’m not sure if Fraser told you—but it was Brandon. He planned the whole thing. It’s not catastrophic yet, but it’s serious. And it’s just the beginning. The reason we asked you here today is simple. While Fraser’s under pressure, what do you actually have to offer? What can you bring to the table to help Graham Group? The Lynstone Group in Oblistan is a different story. That family is actually on our level.”

Summer’s expression turned stiff. The words stung more than she expected.

Helen looked at her with contempt, then suddenly snapped, “You and your mother are barely hanging on in the Stewart family. You can’t offer anything. Worse, you’re dragging him down. Do you even realize that?”

Summer knew everything Helen said was true. Her own life was a disaster. And, for the first time, she truly saw it—she was dragging him down.

She tightened her grip and looked Helen in the eye. Her voice was steady. “The 30 percent stake in Stewart Group you promised me—does that still stand? I want it now.”

Helen raised an eyebrow, speaking slowly. “So you’ve finally made up your mind?”

That 30 percent of Stewart Group stock had been promised to Summer before, but it wasn’t official until it was finalized through a lawyer. Summer already owned 30 percent of Stewart Group on her own. If she added Helen’s 30 percent, she would become the largest shareholder in the company. That would give her the power to kick Jasper and his family out for good. And Summer knew exactly what that meant.

She gave a quiet nod. Her heart clenched, and a wave of numbness spread through her body. She knew what she was about to lose.

Helen had someone call the lawyer to bring the paperwork. She looked at Summer with a faint smile. “Ms. Stewart, I’ll give you this—you must have something, getting Fraser that attached. But, like I told you before, you’ll never have a place in the Graham family. Still, compared to walking away from him with nothing, at least you were smart enough to take the deal.”

The lawyer arrived. All three of them sat down and finalized the deal. Summer’s hand was trembling as she signed, but she didn’t stop.

Helen took a sip of tea and asked calmly, “Ms. Stewart, how do you really feel about Fraser?”

Summer had already made her decision. There was no turning back. She was never going to be accepted by this family. So, whether or not she loved him, it didn’t matter anymore.

“I don’t love him.”

In the car, she stared at the share transfer agreement on the seat beside her and gave a quiet, bitter laugh. Her phone rang. It was Yvette calling.

“Summer, did you ever get the truth from Fraser?”

Summer’s voice was light. “No.”

Yvette was surprised. After seeing how quickly Summer ran off to find Fraser that day, she figured the two of them were seriously involved. That’s why she’d given them space and waited a few days before calling.

“Why not?”

“It doesn’t matter anymore.”

“What do you mean it doesn’t matter? What if he really does love you?”

Summer lowered her gaze. “Even if he loves me, there’s no future for us. His family would never accept someone like me. What’s he going to do, give up Graham Group for me? Please. He’s better off with someone from his own circle.”

Yvette had warned Summer not to get too attached from the start. She’d always been worried about families like the Grahams—wealthy and powerful. And, in the end, she’d been right.

Summer looked down at the signed transfer, then gave a dry, self-mocking laugh. “If I’ve got to walk away, I might as well walk away with a payout. It doesn’t feel like a loss to me.”

Summer drove straight to Stewart Group. Because of her former position there, no one stopped her. She made her way up to Jasper’s office without delay. Without knocking, Summer pushed the door open.