Chapter 176: A Night of Restlessness
Harvey’s face burned with frustration. “Mom, don’t let her fool you! Just because she found herself a powerful boyfriend, does that mean you and Dad only see her now? Am I invisible to you? Even without outside help, I can make the Stewart family thrive on my own!”
Julia’s face darkened. “I don’t care about the company’s affairs, but from now on, you are not to bully Summer again.”
Fuming, Harvey stormed upstairs.
Julia sighed, helpless. “Summer, don’t mind him. The weather forecast says there’ll be a storm tonight. Why don’t you stay here?”
Summer shook her head. “No need.”
After she left, Zoey stepped forward to comfort Julia. “Madam, take it slow. Ms. Stewart has endured a lot in these three years.”
Summer returned to her apartment at Ravenshire Boulevard. She flicked on the lights, but the place was dark and silent. Lately, that man had been coming home late. Her eyes swept the pristine interior. The maids must have cleaned up earlier in the day. Perhaps they worried she wouldn’t be used to it; they always left by evening.
If she ignored everything else, she and Fraser really did seem like a normal cohabiting couple. She stepped forward and opened the fridge. Fresh vegetables, seasonal fruits, all neatly arranged. She grabbed some ingredients and headed into the kitchen.
Since breaking up with Trevor, she had not cooked. Not even for Fraser. Tonight, she made braised fish, stir-fried shrimp with broccoli, curry chicken cutlets, and minced meat with eggplant. But even as she set the dishes on the table, she did not start eating. She just waited.
From 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., the light drizzle outside turned into a raging downpour. Lightning flashed across the floor-to-ceiling windows, silver streaks slicing the sky, tearing the darkness apart. Summer stared blankly outside.
Maybe it was because she had grown up abandoned by Yolanda, left alone to fend for herself. Unlike other girls, she was not afraid of storms. But she did fear loneliness. Maybe because their three-month deadline was set, she found herself missing him. For whatever time they had left, she wanted to get along with Fraser.
Even if they parted ways, at least they could have good memories with no regrets. After a moment’s hesitation, she picked up her phone and sent him a message: “It’s thundering. I’m scared.”
7:47 PM
Chapter 176: A Night of Restlessness
The surgical doors opened, then closed, doctors moving in and out. Helen’s frown deepened. Then, urgent footsteps echoed down the hall. Fraser strode toward them, clad in a white dress shirt, a dark waistcoat, and a matching pocket square. His coat was draped over one arm; his long strides filled with purpose. Raindrops speckled his shirt. He must have rushed straight from a business engagement.
The moment she saw him, Helen clutched onto hope, hurrying forward with a choked voice. “My dear grandson, you’re finally here.”
Karena added, “Mr. Graham Sr. collapsed in the study this afternoon. The doctors say it’s a cerebral hemorrhage caused by high blood pressure.”
Tears welled in Helen’s eyes. “He already had surgery last year. I never thought it would happen again.”
Fraser’s expression darkened. Maximus’s health had been deteriorating over the years. His age was catching up to him, and the chronic cerebrovascular condition only worsened things. Guiding Helen to a chair, Fraser spoke calmly, “The world’s top neurosurgeons are here. Don’t worry too much.”
At that moment, the surgical doors swung open again. A doctor in a white coat stepped out. “Mr. Graham, we need your blood for a transfusion. Mr. Graham Sr.’s blood pressure is dangerously low, and the blood bank is short on supply.”
Fraser nodded, his dark eyes sweeping toward the maids. “Take care of my grandmother.”
Helen’s eyes were red. For all her wealth and power, for all the years she had commanded respect and authority, when it came to life and death, she was just another helpless old woman. “My dear grandson…”
Fraser casually tossed his coat to one of the maids. “Watch over Madam Graham.”
“Yes, Mr. Graham.”
Karena held onto the coat and murmured reassuringly, “Mr. Graham Sr. is strong. He’ll pull through. He has to. His 80th birthday is next year. And Mr. Graham is just donating blood. Don’t worry too much.”
Helen nodded, hoping she was right. A few moments later, a vibration buzzed from the pocket of Fraser’s discarded coat.