Chapter 98: A Heartfelt Confession
“The Marloux brand has entered Stewart Mall, and I’ve been promoted to director, so I wanted to thank you,” Summer said with appreciation.
Fraser’s eyes dimmed slightly. He’d hoped she was falling for his charm. Apparently, he was overthinking it. This wasn’t his style; since when did Fraser need to beg for someone’s affection?
He shifted, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into his embrace, resting his head on her hair. “Ms. Stewart, you’re impressive.”
The man’s embrace was warm and secure, his cool, woody scent enveloping her. Summer thought, Just for tonight, I’ll allow myself to indulge.
She nestled in his arms, her head against his chest. Listening to his steady, powerful heartbeat, it seemed to resonate in her own heart.
Suddenly, she felt the urge to share something she’d never told anyone. “Fraser, I wasn’t always this ambitious. I’m sure you’ve heard, I was only brought back to the Stewart family a few years ago. My foster mother…wasn’t kind to me. I thought returning would heal all my grievances.”
A bitter smile flickered across Summer’s face, quickly vanishing. “But the Stewart family had no place for me anymore. So…I had to carve out my own space.”
The arms around her waist tightened. Summer spoke simply, but Fraser heard the determination and sorrow in her voice. His voice tightened. “Ms. Stewart, would you like to find your place with me?” With that, he took her hand and placed it over his heart, gazing down at her intently.
Summer glanced at him and patted his chest. “A man’s heart is like glass. If I enter, I’ll just get cut by the shards.”
“Is that so?” Fraser’s gaze darkened, his phoenix eyes narrowing. “How would you know if you don’t try?”
Summer’s heart skipped a beat. “Sigh, you’re interrupting me. Someone like you, born into a top-tier family with everything at your fingertips, how could you understand my situation?”
Fraser had been given the best education and resources from birth, but also the coldest family environment. Such a gilded cage produced heirs who were ruthless, cold-hearted, and merciless. If not for that little girl from his childhood, he might have become even more arrogant, perhaps even heartless.
Suddenly, Summer heard Fraser’s low, seductive voice: “Sleep with me once, and I’ll give you the entire Stewart Group. How about that?”
Summer was stunned. He said it as casually as offering a piece of jewelry. She knew it was a trivial matter for him, but her heart softened. Expecting her to shy away, Fraser was surprised when Summer wrapped her arms around his neck, pulled him down, and kissed him fiercely. For the first time, she took the initiative.
Havenbrook hosted a prestigious financial summit, attended by the city’s most powerful corporations, with Larson Group and Graham Group at the forefront. Trevor was surrounded by executives, all eager to flatter him. He knew Fraser would be there, so he’d come prepared. He wore a perfectly tailored suit and a pocket square matching his shirt. From head to toe, he exuded commanding nobility.
Surrounded by the summit’s chairman and a group of experts, he strolled in with a casual yet domineering presence. Trevor’s dark eyes flashed with venom at the sight of him. That phone call had made him feel utterly humiliated.
Trevor thought to himself, Summer knew Graham Group was my biggest rival, yet she’d deliberately gotten involved with Fraser to spite me. And Fraser, by pursuing Summer, was clearly provoking me. I could tolerate business rivalries, but not when it came to my woman.
Trevor’s fists clenched at his sides. It had been a long time since he’d fought, but if not for the summit, he’d challenge Fraser to a duel right there.
The executives who had been fawning over Trevor now drifted toward Fraser. In business, loyalty was fleeting; everyone followed the money. Previously, Larson Group had dominated the financial sector, but lately, Graham Group had been snatching their projects.