Chapter 93: More Than Just a Thank You
Peyton held her burning cheek, the sting spreading like wildfire under her palm. This wretched woman… She actually dared to hit me!
Ever since Peyton returned to Havenbrook and became the woman Trevor cherished and held in the palm of his hand, no one had dared treat her like this. No one! She had an urge to lunge forward and slap back. But just as she took a step, the two towering bodyguards behind Diana shifted, their imposing frames blocking her path, and they stared at her fiercely, daring her to try.
Peyton’s courage crumbled. She took two steps back, her spine stiff, forcing herself to keep some shred of dignity. She lifted her chin, her voice brittle with defiance. “I never agreed to do this for you! Marc Gerber moving into the Smith Mall has nothing to do with me!”
Diana had come here for one reason only: to vent her rage. Wasting even a single extra word on this eyesore of an illegitimate daughter would be beneath her.
“You, worthless little wretch,” Diana spat coldly. “Your mother should’ve thrown you into the river the day you were born.” Then, without so much as a glance, she barked her next order. “What are you standing there for? Teach her a lesson.”
The two towering bodyguards moved at once, their muscular legs carrying them steadily toward Peyton. Seeing them approach, Peyton’s face drained of all color. She stumbled back, arms crossing tightly over her chest as though she could shield herself.
“What do you think you’re doing?! Diana, you can’t do this to me! I’m still… I’m still Bryson’s daughter!”
One of the bodyguards gave her a cold, expressionless look. “Sorry about this, Miss Peyton.” The apology was barely out of his mouth before his boot slammed into her stomach with brutal force.
“Ah!” The impact sent Peyton flying like a rag doll. She crashed hard against the wall with a sickening thud before crumpling to the ground. A bright splash of blood bloomed against the marble floor as it spilled from her lips.
Diana stood there watching, her gaze detached, cold as winter frost. She didn’t even bat an eye. This was the fate of anyone who dared to stand against her.
“Don’t let me see your face again,” she said, her voice laced with chilling finality. With that, she turned on her heel, her high heels clicking crisply as she climbed into the waiting Ressug-Resemog. Once seated, she pulled out her luxurious phone and made a call. Her tone shifted immediately from cold arrogance to respectful warmth. “Hello, this is Diana from the Smith Group. I was hoping to arrange a meeting with Madam Graham. Thank you for your time.”
Peyton burned with searing pain, every breath a knife to her ribs. Her fingers dug into her palm, her nails cutting deep as ice filled her gaze. If not for Summer, she thought through clenched teeth, Diana would have been begging me for mercy today.
“Summer, I’ll make you regret this.” Peyton fumbled for her phone as her hands shook violently. “Josh,” her voice was hoarse but filled with desperate determination. “Can you… help me one last time?”
In the coffee shop, Summer sat quietly in a corner, her head slightly lowered as she stirred the dark liquid in the porcelain cup before her. The black coffee swirled gently under the delicate touch of her slender fingers. Soft sunlight filtered through the tall glass windows, casting a warm, hazy glow over her porcelain-like profile. It was as if a sheer veil of light had settled on her skin, outlining the delicate contours of her face with ethereal softness. Her long, softly curled hair framed her features, and her bright, clear eyes, paired with lips like freshly fallen snow, gave her an air of serene elegance. The faint coolness of her presence drew more than a few lingering glances from those around her.
Just then, the door of the café was pushed open with a soft creak. Another woman stepped inside, her entrance graceful yet unhurried. Yvette wore a sleek, black gown dress that swept all the way to her ankles. A pair of oversized sunglasses covered nearly half her face, concealing most of her expression. She paused at the entrance, her gaze sweeping the café in a cursory glance before settling on the corner where Summer sat. Without hesitation, she made her way over.
Yvette sank casually into the chair opposite and tossed an exquisitely wrapped gift box onto the table. “The thing you wanted. I’ve got it for you at the auction in France. I just got off the plane, and you’re already dragging me out here. What’s the rush?”
Summer took the box with both hands, a gentle smile blooming on her face. “Thank you so much, darling.”
Yvette narrowed her eyes, watching Summer’s serene, almost radiant expression. There was a soft glimmer in Summer’s eyes, and when she smiled, her whole face seemed to light up. With a click of her tongue, Yvette leaned back. “Alright, spill it. Who’s the guy this time?”
Summer’s fingers paused just as she was about to open the box. “Giving someone a gift doesn’t mean I’m in love,” she replied. She had spotted this luxury watch in a magazine, and she thought it suited Fraser perfectly. Knowing it was going to be auctioned in France and that Yvette happened to be filming there, she had asked her to help bid for it.
Yvette snorted. “I don’t know about other people, but you? Please. Back when you were with that scumbag, I was basically your errand girl.”
Yvette picked up Summer’s coffee and took a casual sip. “I’m your best friend, not your love rival. Why are you acting all secretive?”
Summer gave a helpless smile. It wasn’t that she was hiding anything. Her relationship with Fraser was still uncertain. One moment they could be something more, and the next, it might all fall apart. There was no point in making a big deal out of it. But Yvette truly was her closest friend, and there was no reason to hide it from her.
“It’s Fraser,” Summer finally confessed in a quiet voice. The moment the name left her lips, Yvette nearly spat out the coffee she was sipping. She coughed once, her eyes widening in sheer disbelief. “You mean Fraser Graham?” she exclaimed. “You two are really together?!”
Summer gave a small nod. Yvette’s emotions swirled in an instant. She was genuinely happy for Summer, but deep down, there was a trace of concern she could not quite suppress.