Chapter 397: Only a Tool

Summer picked up a baby onesie and asked Yvette, “What do you think of this one?”

Yvette wasn’t familiar with baby clothes, but the little bunnies on it were adorable. “It’s cute.”

Summer tossed the onesie into her shopping basket and kept browsing. Then she spotted an adorable little dress shirt, complete with a tiny gentleman’s bowtie.

“How about this one?”

Yvette glanced from the girl’s outfit Summer had picked up earlier to this one for a boy. Her curiosity got the best of her.

“So, do you think it’s a boy or a girl? You’re this far along—have you done a scan?”

A soft maternal glow lit up Summer’s face. She smiled warmly. “I haven’t checked. Fraser says he hopes it’s a girl.”

Yvette burst out laughing. “Summer, seriously—do you even realize how many times you’ve mentioned Fraser since we started shopping?”

“Did I?”

“Of course you did! Want me to count? You’re giving full-on, blisssed-out-wife energy right now.”

Summer’s cheeks flushed pink.

They paid and strolled out of the mall at a leisurely pace. Just ahead, the towering Graham Group building came into view.

Yvette teased, “They say Graham Group is a Havenbrook landmark. As the CEO’s wife, Summer, can’t you give me a little tour? Maybe do a surprise check-in while we’re at it?”

Summer had only ever been to Graham Group either to ask Fraser for help or when he brought her himself. Other than that, she hadn’t gone.

“Fraser’s probably busy. It’s not really the best time.”

“What do you mean? You’re Mrs. Graham now. Come on!”

Summer couldn’t win the argument and ended up getting dragged along by Yvette.

From the moment Yvette stepped into Graham Group’s lobby, she was floored by the sheer opulence. Everyone working there recognized Summer and greeted her with deep respect.

The two made their way easily to the executive elevator, which took them all the way to the top floor.

Something about this surprise visit made Summer uneasy. She turned to Yvette. “Maybe we should head back. We can come another time.”

Yvette, giddy with excitement, pulled her out of the elevator. “We’re already here! Just think of it as giving Fraser a surprise. Plus, I’ve always wanted to see what a billionaire CEO’s office looks like.”

When the secretarial staff saw Summer approach, they all stood up in unison and greeted her respectfully: “Good afternoon, Madam Graham.”

Summer waved them off. “Carry on. Don’t mind us.”

And just like that, the two of them stood at the office door. Summer raised her hand to knock. But from inside, voices drifted out.

“My dear nephew, I heard you gave that woman twenty percent of Graham Group’s shares. She must mean a great deal to you, hmm?”

A slow, cold laugh followed. Fraser’s deep voice was devoid of any emotion, just a dismissive scoff.

“Women are all the same. Her only value is in continuing the Graham bloodline. Once she delivers the next generation, she’ll have no more use.”

“Ha! Well said, Fraser! To do great things, one mustn’t be weighed down by petty emotions. Once that great-nephew of mine is born, I’ll make sure to send a generous gift as your uncle.”

Summer’s raised hand slowly lowered. Next to her, Yvette had heard every word. She froze, then started trembling with fury. Her chest heaved as she stepped forward, ready to burst through the door.

But Summer grabbed her wrist.

Yvette’s voice shook with rage. “Summer, let me go! What the hell did Fraser just say? What does he mean by that? What does he mean just for the bloodline?!”

Summer’s voice was calm. “Let’s go home.”

“No way! I don’t care if he’s Havenbrook royalty—how dare he say something like that?”

Each word from Summer was steady and deliberate. Seeing the pale look on her friend’s face, Yvette backed down in alarm.

Summer was far along. The baby could come any day now. She couldn’t afford any emotional shocks right now.

“Okay, okay, fine. Don’t get worked up. We’ll go back, just like you said.”

Yvette wanted nothing more than to slap herself. Why had she insisted on dragging Summer to Graham Group? If they hadn’t come, none of this would’ve happened. No—this wasn’t her fault.

How could Fraser say something so heartless? Did he really see Summer as nothing more than a baby machine?

Back at the Starlight Compound, Summer slowly made her way to the piano. She stood there, fingers brushing the black and white keys. A scattered, uneven melody began to emerge from her hands, one note at a time.