Chapter 443
is a tuxurious hotel, Bumiru Taylor wiped out of the showar only to be grantert by a chftino phone call
On the other and Mark Larson out by the willow his gaze sharp and dangerous âDid you take my wards for granted headed fusjon baced with a threat that was hard to
Choosing Summer in the first place was a calitated move by Mark. She seemed alone and easy to manipulate, net particularly bright in his estimation. But he knew if she ever stepped out of line, he wouldnât hesitate to cut her loose
Gripping her phone tightly, Summer was taken aback by how quickly Mark had caught wind of the incident, but she was prepared. âDid I do something wrong again?â she feigned ignorance, trying to sound as innocent as possible.
Markâs voice was heavy with accusation. âYou drugged Jane at the party!â
There were few lines that Summer could cross that would truly provoke Mark, but this was one of them.
âWhat? Someone drugged Ms. Webster? Summer acted shocked, as if the news was completely new to her. âThatâs impossible. How could anyone dare at such an event⦠Wait, what kind of drug? Is Ms. Webster okay?â
Mark was not easily fooled. âWas it not you?â
âOf course not,â Summer shot back, her sincerity sounding a bit too rehearsed.
âYou just warned me tonight. Even if I wanted to, I wouldnât dare⦠And where would I even get such drugs?â
Yet, Mark had done his homework. âIâve checked the CCTV footage from the banquet hall. You had the waiter deliver that juice to her.â
âBut you must have seen, I never touched that glass!â Summer argued, banking on a moment of blindness in the surveillance.
During a quick turn, she had slipped the substance into the drink, a move hidden from the cameras by her body.
As Mark pondered, Summer pressed on, trying to soften her tone. âI just knew for her and thought, as a future âlady of the manor,â I should look out for her.â
Markâs tone darkened. âDonât meddle in things that donât concern you!â
you cared
âI wonât do it again,â Summer promised, her voice meek, but inside she was smirking at the situation.
To her, it seemed Jane was the real victim here, caught in the web of a manâs
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Chapter 443
possessiveness. If Jane had left with Mark that night, he would probably be thanking Summer instead of threatening her.
Changing the subject, Mark hit a nerve. âI heard youâre joining the reality show that Becky is a regular on?â
Caught offâguard, Summer blinked and then lied smoothly. âYes, I was invited by Aria. She probably wants to curry favor with Bella Taylor..â
The door suddenly opened. Ivy stood there, having caught the tail end of Summerâs conversation. The mention of Bella seemed to unsettle her.
Bella had been nothing but generous to Summer, who in return seemed to lack genuine affection.
Summer feigned surprise, then quickly masked her annoyance, turning to Ivy with a sweet smile. âOh, Ivy, is something the matter? Does mom need me?â
âNo.â Ivyâs voice was tense, revealing her struggle to keep calm. âYour mom warmed up some milk for you. Iâll leave it here.â
âThanks.â
Once she was alone again, Summerâs demeanor shifted, her voice now laced with panic. âWhat if Ivy heard me calling Bella Taylor?â
ย
Markâs response was cold, a mocking laugh through the phone. âAnd you canât handle that?â
Summer, pretending to be flustered, assured him, âI⦠I will handle it!â
But inside, she was calm. She knew how to play Bella, who felt guilty for being absent in her âdaughterâsâ life. As long as she manipulated that guilt, she could explain away almost anything.
Hanging up, Summer allowed herself a triumphant smile. She wondered how Jane was handling the aftermath and how Mark would react if Jane had indeed spent the night with Bryant. The thought made her smile wider, reveling in the chaos she had orchestrated.