Ch. 291..300
Chapter 291
No Way Out
Lucas's voice was warm and steady, trying to ease her nerves.
"I know this is hitting Stewart Group hard, but whatever it is-just say the word. I'll help you."
After hanging up, Summer tried calling Fraser again.
The mechanical voice on the other end was cold and indifferent.
"The number you have dialed is currently unavailable. Please try again later."
She tightened her grip on the phone.
Then she remembered-she had Mike's number, Fraser's assistant.
She found it and dialed again.
Busy signal.
No answer.
All the tension she'd been holding in all day started to crack.
Right then, the door to her office opened.
Julia stepped in, clearly in a rush.
"Summer, what the hell is going on online?"
"Who's that Philip guy? Why were you in a photo with him at some hotel?"
Summer stood up.
"Mom, it's a misunderstanding"
Julia looked at her, face full of worry.
"The whole city's talking about this, and your reputation is basically ruined-what are we going to do?"
"I'll handle it. I promise. You don't need to worry."
"What about Fraser? Shouldn't he be stepping in to explain things?"
“He's... on a business trip."
"A business trip! Now!"
After she finally talked Julia down and got her to leave, Summer went right back to managing the chaos.
No matter how hard the PR team worked to clarify things, the online heat kept growing-fueled by something bigger. It just kept climbing the charts, all the way to the top trending topics.
The company felt like it was caught in a firestorm.
Once she wrapped up work for the evening, Summer tried Fraser's number again.
Still no answer.
Then her phone on the desk started ringing.
Her eyes
lit
1. up.
But when she saw the name on the screen, a flicker of disappointment crossed
her face.
She picked up.
Yvette's furious voice burst through.
"Summer, I saw all that garbage online-was it Sienna?"
Summer twirled a pen between her fingers and answered casually.
"Yeah."
Yvette practically exploded.
"That bitch! She really went that far! If I ever see her again, I'll end her!"
"Are you okay? I'm coming back right now."
"You don't need to. You're filming-coming back won't help."
"I don't care. I need to be there for you!
Summer smiled faintly.
"Once I've dealt with this, you can stick to me all you want."
Yvette paused. "Where the hell is Fraser? Shouldn't he be the one shutting this down?"
She didn't know yet that the mastermind behind it all was Madam Graham.
"Don't worry. I'm already trying to reach him."
"Ms. Summer-bad news
Winston rushed into the office again.
Summer looked up from her files.
He was out of breath. "The former chairman's remaining shares-Jasper and the rest-got sold to a foreign consortium. That group teamed up with Stewart Group's senior board members. They say the scandal's too damaging. They want you to step down. If not, they'll block the company from continuing operations."
immer's brows furrowed sharply.
Haynes followed him in.
"Ms. Summer, we need to move forward with the press conference. This isn't just
an attack on the company anymore-they're targeting you."
Summer clenched her pen.
Fine. Get the media ready. We'll hold the press conference tomorrow.
Haynes hesitated.
"And your boyfriend... will he be attending?"
Summer looked down, eyelashes brushing her cheeks.
She hadn't been able to reach Fraser at all.
"No. I'll handle it alone."
Haynes looked worried.
Words alone wouldn't be enough. Not when the whole internet was already drowning her in hate.
But she still followed instructions and made the arrangements.
A little while later, Summer left her office and headed to the parking garage.
She
got into a black Maybach
Inside, Lucas sat waiting, his expression calm and kind.
"Mr. Lucas," she said softly.
He handed her a folder with audio recordings and a USB drive.
She accepted them carefully.
No Way Out
Lucas smiled, casual as ever. "Took a little effort, that's all."
The truth was, his team had combed every inch of the hotel.
The footage had, as expected, already been taken.
But after staking the place out for almost two days, they finally found a lead.
Chapter 292
Truth on the Record
A hotel staff member had secretly kept a backup copy.
Lucas had negotiated for hours before finally getting his hands on a partial surveillance clip.
"I also tried tracking down Philip," Lucas said. "But he's already fled overseas to ride out the backlash. Still, the video footage proves that I was present at the hotel, too. Once it's shown at the press conference, the rumors about you and Philip should fall
apart.
He paused before adding, "But now that the pregnancy's out in the open, people are going to want answers. You'll need to give them something."
Summer exhaled slowly. "Mr. Lucas, thank you."
Lucas studied her delicate face, noting the tiredness she couldn't quite hide. His hand lifted. almost instinctively, wanting to rest gently on her shoulder-to comfort her.
But Summer saw the movement from the corner of her eye and shifted away, just slightly.
Lucas's hand paused in mid-air for a beat before he silently withdrew it, the light in his dimming.
eyes
He smiled, brushing it off. "Don't worry. Tomorrow's press conference will go just fine."
"Thank you," Summer said again.
He gave her a teasing look. "If you say thank you one more time, I'm going to start charging interest."
Summer had told Julia she'd be working late to prepare for the press conference and wouldn't be coming home.
She didn't want to worry her mother.
But the real reason? She still hadn't been able to reach Fraser.
This place-Fraser's home-still carried the faint imprint of him. A scent, a warmth, the memory of his voice in these walls.
Summer sat curled up on the bed, arms around her knees, staring out the floor- to-ceiling window at the brilliant lights of the city below.
The
press conference was tomorrow.
And she still hadn't heard from him.
It wasn't the public pressure that scared her most-it was the quiet fear in her chest.
What if something had hannoued?
Truth on the Record
348 Pearls
Ever since that explosion at the Graham Group's overseas factory, she had
sensed it: someone out there was targeting them.
Her fingers brushed the sapphire bracelet on her wrist.
"Fraser," she whispered, "where are you?"
"You never did ask me what kind of wedding I want. When you come back... I'll tell you, okay?"
The apartment had never felt this big before.
In the silence, it felt like the night itself was swallowing her whole.
She tossed and turned for what felt like forever.
Finally, she couldn't take it anymore.
Summer kicked off the covers and padded barefoot to the closet.
She opened the door and pulled out one of his black dress shirts.
Back in bed, she curled around it.
It smelled clean-laundered and fresh-but the scent of him was long gone.
Sull holding it close, her breathing began to slow.
And eventually, she drifted to sleep.
The next morning.
The Stewart Group press conference was set to begin.
Media outlets from across Havenbrook had swarmed the event, cameras
flashing, microphones raised
Everyone was ready to feast on scandal.
Haynes and Lucas stood beside Summer in the backstage area.
Haynes, head of PR, had worked overtime to prepare for every possible outcome. She handed Summer a printed sheet of talking points.
"Ms. Summer, the press conference will be broadcast live. The questions might get aggressive. These are prepped responses-you can use them if needed."
Summer nodded and took the paper.
Truth on the Record
He lowered his voice. "Is he here?"
:
Summer tightened her grip on her phone and gave a small shake of her head.
"No. He won't be here today."
Lucas's eyes darkened with anger.
Where the hell was Fraser!
This press conference was a battlefield. And Summer was walking into it alone.
Lucas clenched his jaw.
He wanted to do more. Say more. Shield her from all of it.
But that man-he was nowhere to be found.
And he had the nerve to think he deserved her?
Still, Lucas forced a steady tone. "Don't worry. I'm right here with you."
Onstage. Haynes wrapped up her opening remarks.
The moment she finished, the reporters erupted.
Summer walked up calmly, her steps unhurried.
The crowd of journalists looked at her like a pack of wolves seeing blood.
The questions came hard and fast.
"Ms. Summer, are you actually pregnant? Who's the father?"
"Is it true you had an affair with Philip from Dale Group? Why did you get involved with a married man?"
"You're both high-level executives. Do you realize what kind of damage this has done to your companies? What are you going to do about it?"
"Aren't you worried about how Philip's wife must feel?"
Chapter 293
Press Conference
"What's she doing now?"
Julia followed Summer's footsteps to the window, pulling back the curtain.
She caught sight of Summer hurrying toward the yellow Lamborghini parked out front.
Inside the sports car, Fraser sat slouched behind the wheel.
Julia shook her head.
Girls grow up, and there's just no keeping them close anymore.
* Pearls
Hopefully, Fraser would really protect her daughter. Hopefully, that old witch in his family wouldn't get the chance to bully Summer.
Summer slowed to a stop a few feet from the car.
Up close, she could see him clearly.
He was still slouched in the driver's seat, his face flushed unnaturally red. His eyes were closed. lashes casting long shadows under the streetlights. His sharp features were as perfect as ever. completely still under the sweep of the wind.
The night chill was starting to cut through her sleeves. Leaves scraped the ground as wind blew through the trees, the whole street quiet except for the breeze.
She just stood there, staring at him, her expression.unreadable. Somewhere behind her eyes: guilt, heartache, and something too soft to name.
After a while, she let out a long breath.
And then she walked.
With every step, it felt like something inside her quietly gave way.
She was falling again.
Fraser opened his eyes when he heard the footsteps. He watched her walk toward him, dressed in white pajamas under a dark navy sweater that hung down to her thighs.
He smiled, slow and lazy.
The second she stepped close, he reached out and pulled her down onto his lap. "You really came?"
His voice was rough and low, tinged with a kind of smug joy.
Press Conference
8 Pearls
Fraser let out a soft laugh and buried his face against her neck, inhaling deep. "I'm all yours. Do whatever you want with me
Summer frowned.
How could he be this careless with his health?
His voice was barely above a whisper now, rough against her ear. "I missed you."
"We just saw each other this morning."
"It's nighttime now. Six hours apart. That's too long. Just move back in with me already. Come back to Ravenshire Boulevard, yeah?"
She didn't answer that. Instead, she reached up and touched his forehead.
Burning hot.
"You've got a fever. We're going to the hospital.”
Fraser didn't move. His head was still tucked against her neck.
"I'll live"
"Fraser."
She snapped at him.
Fraser finally looked up, his eyes half-lidded and unfocused... Fine. Call a doctor
to come to the house. But you're staying with me.
She glanced back at the house. Looked like she wasn't going to be sleeping there tonight after all.
Back at Ravenshire Boulevard, Summer refused to let him drive.
The engine in that car was insane, and it had been customized on top of that.
Way too fast, especially with him burning up and half-conscious.
Summer sat behind the wheel, both hands gripping it tight, her eyes glued to the road.
Fraser leaned back in the passenger seat, watching her with a lazy smirk.
"You driving like that makes me feel even less safe."
"Shut up and sit still."
She stomped on the gas.
The engine roared.
Press Conference
Summer swallowed. Her palms were sweating.
From beside her, Fraser drawled, "Hit it."
"Hit what!"
"Aren't you gonna run that red light? Why aren't you braking?"
Summer's eyes widened. She slammed her foot on the brake.
Forty minutes later, they arrived.
Summer climbed out of the car, legs trembling.
She turned and glared at the stupid yellow Lamborghini. This damn car was a death trap
"Idiot."
Fraser chuckled and ruffled her hair. "You're just not used to it. I'll teach you sometime."
"No thanks"
Inside the house, she pushed him straight toward the bedroom.
Now that the lights were on, she could finally see just how bad he looked.
Chapter 294
After the Storm
After saying her piece, Summer set down the mic and got up to leave.
Haynes was stunned at first, but quickly came to his senses and rushed to grab the mic she'd just put down.
"Everyone, as Ms. Summer just explained, her pregnancy is a private matter. She and her boyfriend are planning to get married. It has absolutely nothing to do with Philip. As for what Philip has done to Ms. Summer, our legal team will be issuing a formal statement later. That concludes today's press conference. Thank you all for coming!
The reporters all stood up in confusion.
What the hell?
That's it?
She basically said nothing. Half a statement is as good as none. It didn't clear anything up at all.
Lucas saw something was off with Summer and stood up, worried, ready to follow her out.
The reporters noticed and quickly swarmed around him.
Microphones shot up in his face.
"Mr. Lucas, can you tell us who Ms. Summer's boyfriend really is?"
"And was that hotel video staged by you two?"
Lucas was blocked before he could take a step.
"Everyone, please don't jump to conclusions. There's nothing going on between Summer and Philip. Soon, Stewart Group will be suing Dale Group. When that happens, the truth will come out-Summer is the real victim here."
Then someone in the crowd shouted out another question.
"Mr. Lucas, you're defending Summer so fiercely... are you her boyfriend? Are you the father of the baby?"
The room shifted. Reporters were catching the scent of a new headline.
"Mr. Lucas, please give us an answer.
Lucas paused for a moment.
He thought of Summer's fragile figure as she walked away and felt a sharp pain stab through his heart.
After the Storm
Then why can't I be the one to take care of her?
I can give her a better future.
Another reporter pressed, "So Mr. Lucas, are you the father of the baby?"
Lucas gave a small smile, but didn't answer.
Thank you all for your time today. When you leave, the Fu Group will be handing out red envelopes as a small token of appreciation. We hope you'll be kind with your words."
At that, every reporter in the room immediately understood.
They weren't new to the game. They now knew exactly how to write today's headlines.
Summer returned to her office and immediately called Julia.
The phone rang for a long time before it was finally answered.
"Mom, are you okay?" Summer asked anxiously.
Julia slowly opened her eyes, dazed, looking out the car window. Her voice was weak. "Why am I by the river?"
Summer had received a video earlier with two clips.
The first showed Julia unconscious in a car, parked dangerously close to the Havenbrook River. The next moment, the car looked like it was about to drive into the water.
The second was footage of Yvette hanging on wires.
julia slowly tried to piece things together.
“Right... I was on my way to the press conference to support you, but the driver took a weird route. I was about to say something, then I blacked out. When I woke up, I was already here."
Suddenly, she panicked.
"Did the press conference end already? Did you tell them Fraser is your
boyfriend? Did everyone find out you were being framed?"
Summer blinked back the sting in her eyes.
She had planned to say it.
And then everything went to hell.
She stayed silent. She didn't even have the strength to lie.
Julia connected the dots immediately
After the Storm
I'm going to make her pay!"
*B Pearls
Tears welled in Summer's eyes, her voice trembling. "Mom, please.... just go
home. That would help me more than anything right now."
Hearing the pain in Summer's voice, Julia's heart broke.
"Okay, okay. I'll go home right now. I won't cause any more trouble. Summer, don't cry. Please don't cry."
Summer then called Yvette.
It was Yvette's manager who picked up.
"Summer?
"Is Yvette okay?" Summer asked, sniffling.
"How'd you know something happened? She was doing a wire stunt and fell! This crew is unbelievable. If they'd pulled the rope just a second later, Yvette's leg would've been broken!"
"How is she now?"
"She's alright, thanks to the crew pulling just in time. She's resting now."
"Okay. Please take good care of her for me."
After hanging up. Summer bit her lip hard, her eyes burning red.
Helen!
I will never forgive you!
Just then, there was a knock at the office door.
Lucas walked in with long strides.
"Summer, what happened just now?"
Chapter 295
A Bitter Confession
Hearing his voice, Summer quickly forced her emotions back down, though her voice was still a little hoarse.
"Mr. Lucas, I'm in the middle of something right now. As for what you did for me at the conference... I'll thank you properly another day.
"You don't have to thank me. I wanted to do it."
Lucas walked straight up to her, his eyes fixed on her face.
With just one look, he could see the redness around her eyes.
His hands clenched into fists without even realizing it.
"Summer, he doesn't deserve your love."
He took a deep breath, as if making a firm decision.
press
"I know I said this before, but I have to say it again. I want to take care of you and the baby. Please give me a chance."
"Anytime you need me, I'll be there. If you're willing, we can get married today."
Summer was caught off guard by another confession from Lucas. She stood there, at a loss for words.
Suddenly, Lucas reached out, wanting to pull her into his arms.
I'm sorry."
Just before he could touch her, Summer stepped back.
Lucas stared at his empty hand in midair and couldn't hold back any longer.
"When you needed him most, he still didn't show up. Why can't you let him go?" Summer looked up at him.
"Mr. Lucas, even if I'm not with Fraser, that doesn't mean I'll just pick any man to be with. That wouldn't be fair to you."
"I don't care."
Lucas's gaze locked on her.
He could see right through her-how fragile she really was, even though she kept up a strong front around him.
Chapter 296
A Bitter Confession
A flicker of malice flashed across Helen's eyes. "Once it's born, taking it won't be a problem."
Karena nodded.
"You're right, ma'am. Brilliant as always.
Just then, a servant entered from the front hall and reported:
"Ma'am, Sienna is here."
Helen took a slow sip of tea and said calmly, "Let her in."
Sienna walked into the old Graham estate once more.
She wasn't nearly as nervous as she had been the first time.
She stepped forward and gave a slight bow. "Madam Graham."
Helen said. "You handled this matter well."
Then she looked over at Karena.
Karena understood instantly and brought out two large black suitcases, placing them on the table.
When opened, they revealed stacks upon stacks of red bills.
Sienna's lips curled into a proud smile.
Helen set down her teacup. "That's fifty million in cash."
Thank you, Madam Graham."
Sienna paused for a moment, then smiled thoughtfully.
"If Madam Graham is satisfied with my work... why don't we collaborate again?"
Just One Step Too Late
Helen raised an eyebrow.
A flicker of greed flashed in Sienna's eyes,
"Madam Graham, I truly have feelings for Fraser. If you don't mind me staying by his side, I promise I'll be loyal to you."
The very next second-bam!
Karena slammed the suitcase shut.
Sienna jumped, startled, and looked at Helen in confusion.
Helen's voice was sharp and commanding. "Who do you think you are, trying to bargain with.
me?"
Her tone carried an icy authority.
Sienna stiffened immediately.
"... I don't need a title...
Helen let out a cold laugh. "Don't overestimate yourself. If you keep dreaming like this, you won't even see a dime of that money."
Sienna shrank under Helen's glare, her voice trembling. "I... I understand. I won't push my luck. again."
Without another word, she rushed forward, grabbed the suitcases, and left.
The cabin door opened.
A tall figure stepped out.
Fraser, dressed in all black, descended the stairs slowly, the sound of his footsteps steady and low.
If one looked closely, they'd see his movements were a bit sluggish.
Mike followed behind him, his elbow wrapped in a white bandage, his face still showing signs of a fight.
"Mr. Graham, maybe you should go to the hospital first."
Fraser's voice was flat, unreadable. "No need."
Then he ordered, "Find out where Summer is right now."
Just One Step Too Late
They had just returned from a business trip in Oblistan, Ardonia.
They'd gone to handle a betrayal inside one of the Graham Group's subsidiaries.
On the first night, they walked right into a trap-Brandon's men had ambushed them.
Thankfully, Fraser had anticipated the move and stationed mercenaries in advance.
Otherwise, they might not have made it back alive.
*B Pearls
But Brandon held the advantage on his home turf, and he hadn't come lightly-he sent a lot of people.
Fraser didn't just suffer a bullet graze-he'd taken a serious knife wound as well.
He'd been unconscious in a hospital in Oblistan for an entire day and night.
When he woke up, he saw the news from Havenbrook.
And without hesitation, he discharged himself and boarded a flight, flying over ten hours just to come back.
He hadn't even dealt with the aftermath Brandon left behind.
His face was pale, his tone brooking no argument. "So my word doesn't mean anything now?"
Summer made her way to the underground garage.
She stopped beside her car, turning to the man who had followed her.
"Mr. Lucas, you should go. I still have things to take care of."
"I'll drive you," Lucas offered.
Summer shook her head. "That's not necessary."
"I'm just worried about you. At least for today, let me stay. I won't say anything to
make it harder for you."
Only now did Summer realize just how persistent he was.
But right now, all she wanted was to be alone.
"Really, it's fine. You being here... it makes me feel uncomfortable."
Just then, a sleek, extended edition Rolls-Royce pulled up nearby.
Lucas's
gaze shifted
past Summer, locking on someone behind her. He froze.
Summa noticed the change in hie avneoprion and turned to Inab
Just One Step Too Late
Fraser-clad in black, his sharp haircut highlighting the perfect angles of his face.
His deep-set eyes were locked onto her. He looked pale.
It had only been a few days.
He'd said, "Honey, wait for me.
But to Summer, it felt like an eternity had passed.
Fraser's tall frame moved steadily toward her, each step echoing with purpose.
"Summer."
Her eyes trembled, a wave of emotion rising in her chest, threatening to spill over.
She quickly bit her lip, holding back the tears.
As Fraser reached out his hand toward her-
Summer instinctively stepped back.
Right into Lucas,
From the outside, it looked like she was leaning into Lucas's arms.
Fraser saw the movement, and his eyes darkened, a pang of pain flashing
through them.
Lucas realized what was happening and immediately stepped forward, positioning himself between them.
"Fraser, you show up now? Don't you think it's a little too late?"
Fraser looked up at him, his gaze icy, devoid of warmth. He said just one word:
"Move."
Even Lucas, no stranger to intense standoff's, was caught off guard by the intensity in Fraser's
eyes.
That glare carried raw fury and the suffocating pressure of a man used to power.
Chapter 297
A Love That Cuts Deep
Summer clenched her fists tightly.
Her nails dug into her palms, and the pain helped clear her mind.
She turned to Lucas, her voice still hoarse. "Mr. Lucas, didn't you say you'd take
me home? Let's go."
Lucas answered gently, "Alright."
Summer pressed the car key and opened the door of her Mercedes.
But the next second-
Fraser stepped forward and forcefully shoved Lucas out of the way.
Bang!
The car door slammed shut behind her, loud and jarring.
Fraser's eyes were dark and intense, locked on Summer. The glint in them shifted like shards of ice floating beneath the surface. His voice carried a rare trace of pleading.
"Ride with me.
"Move."
Summer kept her head down, avoiding his gaze. The redness at the corner of her eyes flickered and vanished.
Fraser's chest tightened painfully, his expression shifting, Adam's apple bobbing as he tried to steady his voice.
"I can explain."
He barely got the words out before coughing harshly.
Lucas frowned and stepped forward again.
"That's enough, Fraser. Summer's already had a rough day. Don't push her any further."
Fraser glanced at him coldly
"She's my girlfriend. This isn't your place to speak."
Lucas had never met anyone so arrogant, so shameless.
Without thinking, he reached out and shoved Fraser hard by the shoulder.
A Love That Cuts Deep
draining from his checks.
From a distance, Mike watched in panic.
Mr. Graham had a knife wound on that shoulder. The stitches weren't even finished before he left the hospital-and now, with that shove, the injury had definitely reopened.
Good thing he was wearing black. Otherwise, the blood would be obvious by now.
Lucas spoke slowly, every word cutting clear. "Can you at least respect her?"
Fraser's hands were trembling from how tightly he was clenching them. The veins along his forearms bulged as he stared at Summer, voice low and rough.
"Summer.
She took a deep breath. "I need some space."
Then she turned to Lucas.
"Let's go."
A spark lit in Lucas's eyes. He quickly took the keys and got in the driver's seat.
The red Mercedes drove away without hesitation, passing Fraser like he didn't exist.
Fraser's gaze stayed fixed on the woman in the passenger seat.
She had her head down, her expression unreadable.
His chest ached, his breathing came fast and shallow, and veins throbbed visibly on his forehead.
And when the Mercedes finally disappeared from view-
He couldn't hold himself up anymore.
He collapsed to the ground.
Mike and the driver rushed forward.
Inside the Mercedes, they exited the underground garage.
At the next intersection, Summer spoke.
"Stop here."
Lucas hit the brakes and looked over. "What's wrong?"
A Love That Cuts Deep
"Mr. Lucas, I'm sorry. Please get out."
Hearing that and seeing the cold, distant look on her face-Lucas finally understood.
She had used him.
He gave a bitter smile.
So from start to finish, this woman had never given him a chance.
Not even the tiniest shred of hope.
He couldn't help but ask, "Do you really love him that much?" Summer's lashes trembled. A tear slipped silently down her cheek. "Yes. I love him."
The words landed like a blade, stabbing straight through his chest.
His hands clenched the steering wheel with white-knuckled force.
"If that's true, then... let me at least take you back."
Summer lifted her head, her voice calm.
"There's no need. I've made up my mind. I have more important things to do now. Love isn't everything."
To Lucas, Summer had always seemed like a delicate, soft-hearted woman beneath her beauty.
But now, he realized he was wrong.
1
She was strong. Fierce, even.
He got out of the car, standing on the curb.
She climbed into the driver's seat without once looking back.
The Mercedes pulled away again.
Lucas stood there, watching the taillights disappear.
He didn't move for a long time.
Back in the garage.
A Love That Cuts Deep.
"Mr. Graham, don't scare me like this! If you go down, what happens to the
millions of employees at Graham Group? What happens to me!"
"Shut up. You're too damn loud."
Fraser's eyes were closed, his brows furrowed tightly at the shouting in his ear.
Suddenly-tires screeched to a halt in the garage.
A luxury car skidded to a stop beside the Rolls-Royce.
Xavier jumped out of the driver's seat, medical kit in hand.
Chapter 298
The Final Decision
The next moment, Xavier climbed into the nearby Rolls-Royce.
He saw Fraser lying there, face pale as paper, not a trace of color on his lips.
A surge of fury erupted from Xavier's chest.
He felt like he was going to explode.
Still, he quickly opened the medical kit, pulling out a scalpel, bandages, and various antiseptics. His movements were fast and precise, all traces of his usual playful self gone. His expression was stern and focused.
Without hesitation, Xavier took the scalpel and cut open Fraser's black shirt.
A heavy stench of blood filled the air.
The knife wound on Fraser's shoulder was deep and jagged. Blood continued to drip from the reopened gash.
Xavier's brows locked together, but his hands moved steadily, rewrapping the wound.
Fraser never made a sound-not even a groan.
"You need to be hospitalized."
"Did
you hear me? The wound nearly goes all the way through your shoulder. It's already on the verge of infection! The stitches tore open-you need to get them redone immediately!"
Fraser kept his eyes closed, his voice flat. "Say another word, and get out."
"Fraser!"
Xavier rarely called him by name.
But this time, he was furious.
"Are you trying to die?"
"I saw the
press conference too. Once you're stable, talk to Summer and explain everything."
Fraser's eyes finally opened. A tear slipped into the corner of his mouth, his gaze bleak and lifeless.
"She's hurting. I don't want to leave her alone anymore."
Xavier let out a long sigh.
Chapter 298 The Final Decision
The president of Graham Group-powerful, proud, untouchable-could hav
wanted.
But he had fallen, completely and utterly, for just one.
any woman he
In the car, all Xavier could do was give him a basic patch-up. The injury was too serious to treat fully here.
Once he finished, Xavier packed up the medical kit and got out,
He turned to Mike.
"If anything happens with Mr. Graham's shoulder again, drag him to the hospital if you have to."
Mike glanced at the man inside, still and silent.
"I... I don't dare."
Xavier frowned and snapped, "What, are you gonna wait until his arm's useless before you grow a spine?"
Summer parked the car, got out, and told the security guard at the gate something before heading into the house.
Julia, sitting on the sofa, immediately stood when she heard footsteps.
Seeing Summer, her eyes welled up.
"You're home."
Leona, get dinner ready," she called out.
"Yes, ma'am,” Leona responded, bringing out dish after dish from the kitchen.
Julia looked Summer over from head to toe. Her complexion was clearly off.
Earlier that afternoon, Julia had come home and turned on the TV-she'd watched the entire press conference.
She'd been furious and heartbroken.
If she hadn't been in danger...
That conference would've cleared everything up.
Now, not only was everything still a mess, but rumors were swirling about
Summer and Lucas.
But once she'd calmed down, Julia had thought it through.
With the Graham family being so complicated and Fraser clande
The Final Decision
Still, she knew-for now, doing nothing was the best thing she could do for her daughter.
Julia let out a sigh.
"Summer. I'm
n sorry. This is all because of me."
Summer reeled her thoughts back in, not wanting Julia to blame herself.
"Mom, it's not your fault. Even if it wasn't you, they'd have found another way to target me."
Julia's face darkened with frustration.
"That old witch from the Graham family... I swear, if I had the chance, I'd kick her into a coffin myself! But we can't do anything. To her, our family's nothing but ants. She could crush us without lifting a finger."
Summer looked at her mother, then calmly laid out the plan she'd made on the way home.
"Mom, didn't you say you finalized the house in Oblistan last week? Go ahead
and move in over the next couple days. Once I've wrapped things up here, I'll come join you."
Julia's eyes widened in surprise.
Up until now, Summer had seemed hesitant. She thought her daughter had
changed her mind about leaving Havenbrook.
"You've decided to leave? You're sure?"
Summer gave a small nod, her expression steady.
Julia looked like she wanted to say something more, but just then, a maid entered and quietly reported:
"Ma'am, there's a Rolls-Royce parked at the front gate. It's been waiting there for about an hour."
Chapter 299
Where Were You
"A Rolls-Royce? Who is it?"
Julia's eyes widened as a thought struck her. "It couldn't be Fraser, could it?"
The next second, she shot to her feet.
"Where was he when that old witch from his family came after you? Where was
he during the press conference! And now he shows up for what?"
Summer grabbed Julia's hand, stopping her from rushing outside.
"Mom,'
Julia looked back in confusion.
A flicker of ice passed through Summer's gaze.
"The only things Helen cares about are Fraser and the Graham family's spotless reputation. If that's the case, then I'll make sure she loses everything."
"Summer... what do you mean?"
Summer stood, her expression hard and clear.
"I want you to go to Oblistan first. I'll join you after I've watched that woman fall with my own
eyes."
In the passenger seat, Mike glanced at the man in the back and hesitated before speaking.
"Mr. Graham, should I call Ms. Summer?"
"No."
"But waiting out here like this won't help. If she's not coming out, you might as well go to the hospital and-
Fraser opened his eyes and gave Mike a cold, sharp look.
Mike shut his mouth immediately.
Suddenly-
I see her. Ms. Summer's coming out."
Fraser turned his head quickly, eyes fixed on the woman stepping out of the house.
around her slender waist. Even at three months pregnant, her stomach was flat and barely noticeable.
Her softly curled hair spilled down over her chest like a waterfall, gently tousled by the breeze. She looked both radiant and heartbreakingly graceful.
Fraser ignored the pain in his shoulder and stepped out of the car.
Summer looked at him, leaning against the door.
Only then did she notice how pale he was-far more than usual.
Back in the parking garage, her emotions had been a mess.
She'd been angry at him.
She'd hoped, just once, to see a message pop up on her phone. A call. Anything.
She wasn't expecting him to appear at the press conference.
She just wanted to know he was there.
But right up to the moment she walked onstage, her phone stayed silent.
The press,
like a pack of wild wolves, had pounced on her with questions.
But it was Fraser's silence that made her heart tear apart.
That moment of disappointment had been louder than any shouting reporter.
The more she cared, the more it hurt.
And Summer was done feeling that kind of pain.
They stood like that for just a few seconds.
But it felt like an eternity.
The warm glow of the porch light stretched their shadows across the pavement.
Mike and the driver, understanding the moment, quietly walked several hundred feet away to give them space.
"Why did you come out?" Fraser's voice was low and rough, his lips curling into a weak smile-an attempt to ease the tension. But the effort tugged at his wound, and his brows twitched in pain.
Summer answered coolly, "Didn't you come to see me?"
Fraser took a slow step forward.
Chapter 299 Where Were You
"I didn't skip the press conference on purpose."
As soon as the words left his mouth-
Summer lowered her head and punched him in the chest.
Her voice trembled.
"You think saying it wasn't on purpose is enough?"
Her fist landed right over the stitches on his chest.
Fraser's already pale face turned ghostly.
But he didn't stop her.
He just stood there, letting her hit him.
"If this helps you feel better, hit me as much as you want."
He reached for her hand and pressed it against his chest again.
Again and again, her fists hit him-each one harder than the last.. Fraser's brows furrowed deeply, but his expression didn't change. Summer's vision blurred, her voice choking.
"I wanted to stand in front of the world and tell them the father of my baby is you- Fraser, the CEO of Graham Group. I wanted to say we're getting married! I wanted the people who mocked me to be jealous. But where were you?"
Fraser's eyes burned, the pain in his voice impossible to hide.
"Summer, it's my fault. I should've been there. I left you to face everything alone. I promised to protect you, and I failed."
Summer had said all that to punish him.
But now that he'd answered like this-
She didn't know why...
The tears came harder. One after another, they streamed down her cheeks.
Chapter 300
Moving In
Fraser watched her tears fall. He reached out and brushed his thumb gently against the drops sliding down her cheek. His hand trembled.
The warmth of her tears soaked into his chest, searing through him.
His heart twisted painfully.
He pulled her tightly into his arms.
"Don't cry. If you're upset, hit me. Say whatever you need to say-I'll do anything for alright?"
you,
After a while, Summer slowly lifted her head from his chest. Her eyes were red, but her voice was
calm.
"I got a video at the press conference. From your grandmother. She threatened me with my mom and Yvette. Told me I wasn't allowed to say anything about you. That's what hurt the most."
Fraser hadn't expected Helen would go that far.
To threaten the woman he loved?
How dare the
His brows drew together tightly. He wanted to speak, but it felt like a boulder was crushing his chest.
"Summer, I'm sorry. I didn't know..."
Summer stepped back and wiped her tears with the back of her hand.
"Helen never wanted me near you from the start. She thinks I'm not good enough for
Fraser's Adam's apple bobbed. His voice was strained. "I won't let you leave me." Summer looked up at him with clear, steady eyes.
There was no warmth in her gaze.
"Fraser, do you love me?"
Fraser held her hand tightly, his eyes dark as the ocean in a storm. "Yes." "How much?"
you.
Fraser stripped away every ounce of pride, his voice soft and bitter. "If I said I'd give you my life, would you believe me?"
Moving In
"Then will you marry me?"
"I've always been willing to marry you."
His voice was steady, each word clear and firm.
Summer looked away, avoiding the intensity of his
gaze.
She paused for a moment, then looked back up at him, calm once more.
"I want to live at your place. The Graham mansion."
Fraser's handsome face didn't reveal much. He looked down at her quietly, then nodded.
Okay
Helen was enjoying her tea in the living room.
Suddenly, several maids pushed carts full of boxes across the floor.
The carts were draped in luxurious women's clothing, all the latest designer styles-bright, colorful, dazzling like clouds at sunset.
Behind them came trays of sparkling jewelry and elegant household items.
Karena rushed forward, stopping them..
"What are you doing?"
The maids kept their heads down, answering in small voices.
"Mr. Fraser told us to put these in his dressing room."
Fraser was coming back?
Helen was stunned-and thrilled.
He hadn't lived at the mansion since lie was fifteen.
Even when she and the old man managed to get him back for dinner, he'd leave as soon as the
ical ended.
But something felt off to Karena.
"Why are all these women's clothes if he's moving back?"
One of the maids mumbled, "They're for Ms. Summer..."
Moving In
Helen stood up and hurled her teacup straight at the maid's head.
A painful welt swelled instantly.
"I'm sorry, ma'am, I'm sorry!" the maid cried.
"You useless trash!" Helen hissed, eyes sharp as ice. "Throw all of this out. Now!"
Suddenly-
"Try it, and see what happens."
A low voice rang through the room, calm and commanding.
Helen's head jerked up.
Fraser was walking in, step by step, with Summer on his arm.
"Grandson, you... why are you..."
She was so shocked her voice faltered.
Summer slid her hand into the crook of Fraser's elbow, leaning against him slightly.
But in her eyes, there was no gentleness-only a cold, hidden fire.
Seeing Helen frozen in disbelief, Summer's lips curved into a faint smile.
Fraser looked down, caught her movement, and without hesitation, slipped an arm around her waist, drawing her close to his side.
"Summer's pregnant," he said, his voice steady. "After my grandfather's 100-day memorial next month, we'll be holding the wedding."
The maids bowed their heads so low they nearly disappeared into their own chests. No one dared
move.
"You... what did you say!"
Thud!
Helen collapsed back into her seat, her whole body trembling.
She screamed, her voice sharp and furious.
"Fraser! Do you even care about me anymore!"
Fraser's eyes were ice-cold.
Hir face une emotionlace hic emila morrilare