Chapter 10

Summer’s face instantly flushed a deep red, the color spreading from her neck all the way to the tips of her ears. That faint pink hue on her earlobes was particularly striking, subtly drawing his gaze. “Summer, why are you blushing?” Leaning in slowly, a teasing smile on his lips, Alexander murmured close to her ear. His voice was thick with amusement as he lightly brushed her lobe, clearly enjoying her reaction. He hadn’t found the silver needle she’d tried to hide, and his exploration had veered somewhere else entirely. Instead of stopping, Alexander let his well-defined fingers continue their slow journey across her skin. Everywhere he touched felt like sparks, slowly igniting a fire that spread through her entire body. No, this can’t go on.She could already feel the same dangerous tension from last night building again—and she wasn’t about to let that scene replay itself. Unless…? An idea flashed in Summer’s mind. Her eyes gleamed with mischief as she looked up. “Big brother, I don’t have any treasure hidden. But guess what? I think I found yours.” Her eyes shone like still water, and she gave him an innocent little smile—as though she had no idea what she was doing. Meanwhile, her soft hand had already slipped down to his belt. “Big brother, what’s this hard thing? Is it candy? Or gold?” She blinked those wide, clueless eyes up at him, perfectly playing the innocent—like she genuinely didn’t understand. Alexander’s mind short-circuited. Nothing tested his self-control more than this act of hers—the too-innocent-to-be-true routine. It was subtle, sly, and utterly lethal. She kept fidgeting with his belt, her hands restless and curious—tempting, teasing, like forbidden fruit dangling right before him. And from his angle, he had a perfect view of her neckline, the delicate curve reminding him vividly of last night—those moments that refused to leave his mind. He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing, his eyes darkening. He couldn’t take it anymore. Leaning in again, his voice deeper and rougher, he asked,“Summer, are you trying to seduce me?” “Huh? What does ‘seduce’ mean, big brother?” Still playing the wide-eyed fool, Summer looked up at him, bright-eyed and confused, as though she truly didn’t understand. The way she gazed at him made him feel like he’d been zapped by a live wire. His logic? Pretty much gone up in smoke by now. He was dangerously close to losing control. “It’s fine. We’ve got time,”he murmured, his lips brushing her ear.“Didn’t you hear what Grandpa said? Starting tonight, you’re moving to the island with me. After that… I’ll teach you everything.” He followed his words with a warm breath near her ear, then—clearly not satisfied—nipped her earlobe firmly this time, enough to make her flinch with a soft whimper. She pouted, her lips pink and glistening, eyes filled with a wounded sweetness—a look that could wreck a man without even trying. Unfortunately, despite her perfectly executed act, it didn’t work this time. Alexander actually… let her go. Straightening his clothes, he turned his back to her, forcing his breathing back under control. Today wasn’t the day to uncover whether his little fool was pretending or not. But that was okay. He had time. He could play the long game. What he didn’t see was—the moment he turned away—the starry brightness in Summer’s eyes dimmed into something colder. Now she was sure: Alexander Barron didn’t love her. To him, she was just a plaything. Or worse, a stand-in for that girl he once called Nina. Still, Summer Knight wasn’t giving up. No—she was going to make that man’s world revolve around her, and only her. … Back in the banquet hall, Isabella Knight stared in the direction Summer and Alexander had gone. Her eyes burned with fury, her usually fair and delicate face twisted almost beyond recognition. She couldn’t take it anymore. Storming out into the hallway, she began shrieking uncontrollably like a woman possessed. In that filthy gray maid’s dress, she looked nothing like the refined socialite she pretended to be—more like an unhinged servant having a breakdown. “God! Which blind staff member just ran into me?!” In her frantic state, Isabella bumped into the same socialite she’d earlier snatched a shawl from. The woman caught a whiff of her and recoiled in disgust, covering her nose. “Ew, what is that smell?!” When she recognized her, the girl and her friend burst into mocking laughter. “I thought she was just some clueless servant. Turns out it’s City Q’s beloved belle, Isabella Knight!” “Word is, the moment she found out the ex-fiancé she dumped for her idiot sister now runs the Barron Empire, she puked—and face-planted right into it!” “There’s footage everywhere online. Guys, go like and share—comedy gold!” People all around pulled out their phones, watching the videos and howling with laughter. Isabella quickly checked her phone—only to find the internet flooded with clips of her humiliation. She was so angry she looked like she’d been turned to stone. The worst part? All of this was supposed to be her trap for Summer. It had backfired spectacularly. Now everyone was staring, judging, whispering. Even the women who used to flatter her shamelessly weren’t holding back their glee, looking at her like she was a pathetic joke. She wanted to scream, to fight back—but she couldn’t. Shoulders trembling, she curled into herself like a shamed creature desperate to crawl into a sewer. “Mr. Barron says toss this disgusting woman out!” Suddenly, Ethan Hart, Alexander’s assistant, appeared. At his signal, two burly guards grabbed the mentally broken Isabella and unceremoniously dumped her outside the hotel. By the time Margaret Blake found her daughter, she was slumped on the pavement, too weak to stand. But the moment Isabella saw her, she lunged forward and clung to her mother’s sleeve like a lifeline, crying helplessly. “Sob… Mom, you have to help me! I changed my mind—I want to marry Alexander Barron. I want to be the lady of the Barron Empire!” “That was always supposed to be my spot! I won’t let Summer humiliate me like this!” “If I marry Alexander, half the Barron fortune will be ours. I’ll give you your share, okay? Please, Mom, I’m begging you!” Seeing her daughter sobbing so pitifully, Margaret’s heart softened. The more she thought about it, the more she couldn’t stand the idea of Summer ending up with Alexander—as if that would mean Claire Ford was getting the last laugh from beyond the grave. Gritting her teeth, Margaret made a silent vow: no matter what, Isabella would marry Alexander Barron. That way, they’d get their hands on half the Barron Empire and never have to worry about money—or that bastard Charles—again. It took only a moment’s thought before a cunning plan began brewing in Margaret’s mind. Summer Knight? She wouldn’t even see it coming.