Chapter 75: I Need to Be With Her

Summer’s phone chimed with a message. She glanced at the screen. It was from her assistant, Quinn, informing her that the Stewart Group had received the investment from the Graham Group. A faint smile curved Summer’s lips. She cupped his face, leaned in, and placed a light kiss on his cheek, as if offering a reward. “Thank you.”

Peyton emerged from the operating room. As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Josh standing beside her, his gaze warm and gentle. Josh, barely able to contain his excitement, said, “Peyton, the surgery was a success. From now on, you’re a normal, healthy person.”

She was dressed in a hospital gown, her face still carrying the fragile air of someone who had just woken up. Yet, with her long hair cascading down her back, she still looked delicate and pitiable. She attempted to sit up. “Where’s Trevor?”

Josh steadied her, his hand brushing over her hair. “He came to see you during the surgery. Once he heard it was successful, he had to leave for something urgent. I’ll let him know you’re awake.”

“No, Josh, I’ll call him myself.” Josh reached out to stop her, but it was too late. Peyton had already dialed. The phone rang for a long time before it finally connected. Her soft voice trembled. “Trevor…”

A man’s cool, detached voice came through the receiver. “You’re awake.”

“Why aren’t you here? I thought you’d be the first person I’d see…” Her voice wavered, fragile and pleading, the kind of voice that could make a man’s heart ache with sympathy.

Trevor lifted his gaze from a stack of documents. “Congratulations. The surgery was a success.”

Peyton’s intuition immediately told her something was wrong. Before, even if she had just a fever, Trevor would stay by her side all night. Yet now, after something as monumental as a heart transplant, he had simply left once the operation was over. She hesitated before cautiously asking, “Trevor, will you still visit me like before?”

Trevor didn’t answer. Instead, he said, “You’re healthy now. You can be independent. And I need to be with Summer.” Tears streamed down Peyton’s face. A sob escaped her lips.

Trevor remained silent, listening. After a long pause, he finally said, “Peyton, you should focus on resting. I hope you can start a new life.” Then, the call ended. Peyton’s grip tightened around the phone before she flung it across the room. Her eyes, wide with fury, had lost all traces of vulnerability. “Josh, you knew, didn’t you?”

Josh stood beside her, his voice gentle with consolation. “Peyton, you still have me. If you’re willing, I’ll take care of you.”

“I don’t want you!” Peyton’s gaze turned icy, her voice cold as steel. “I won’t just let Trevor go.”

For so long, she had lived with an inferiority complex, believing her weak body made her unworthy of someone as perfect as Trevor. She had clung to him through his pity, relying on his compassion to keep him by her side. But now, she was whole. She was just as healthy as Summer. And she wasn’t any less beautiful, perhaps even more gentle, more considerate than Summer. Trevor had simply been momentarily blinded by Summer. Peyton believed that once she reentered his life, he would realize that she was the one truly meant for him.

Summer returned to the office and pushed open the door. Inside, Jasper sat on the couch, waiting for her. “Dad, what brings you here?”

Jasper looked up from his newspaper, watching as she walked in. He hadn’t expected Summer’s visit to the Graham Group to secure the remaining 500 million dollar investment so quickly. In the past, he had felt little attachment to this daughter. Whether she existed or not had never truly mattered to him. What he valued was someone who could bring him results, someone who could serve the interests of the Stewart Group.

A rare, approving smile appeared on Jasper’s face. “Summer, you handled this well.”

Summer, of course, knew her ever-cunning dad wouldn’t come just to praise her. “Just say what you came for. I have shares now, so this was my responsibility.”

Jasper’s smile deepened. As expected from my daughter. Decisive, pragmatic, always prioritizing interests above all else. “I want to ask, what’s your relationship with Fraser?”

The first time, the Graham Group had insisted Summer personally sign the contract. The second time, it was only after her visit that the funds were secured.