LoveDrug

Chapter 21: Blocked at Every Turn

The next morning, Summer searched her office for the Global Project investment report. She spent the entire morning looking for it, but it was nowhere to be found.

Her original plan was to take the report to Fraser, explain everything in a purely business manner, and see if he was interested in investing. If that didn’t work, she would swallow her pride and use the favor he had promised her. After all, Fraser had agreed to it himself.

But now, the report was gone. She clearly remembered leaving it on her desk; she had even worked late into the night to finish it.

“Quinn, has anyone been in my office these past two days?”

Quinn hesitated at the doorway, looking a little guilty. “Ms. Stewart, no one has been in your office.”

Summer narrowed her eyes, staring at her in silence for a few seconds. Quinn’s scalp tingled under her gaze, but she didn’t dare say anything. She wasn’t the one who had taken the report, but she knew who had.

That day, when Summer wasn’t around, Quinn had wanted to stop it. But before she could do anything, she got a call from Margaret. Margaret had warned her that if she spoke a word about it, she wouldn’t last another day at the Stewart Group.

Quinn was just a fresh graduate. She had no desire to get caught up in a wealthy family’s power struggle. She just wanted to keep her job and get paid. So now, she had no choice but to stay quiet and pretend she didn’t know anything.

Summer knew there was no way the report had simply disappeared. But seeing that Quinn wasn’t going to talk, she didn’t press the issue.

“Alright, you can go.”

It didn’t matter. The entire report was in her head. She grabbed her car keys and handbag and headed to the parking garage.

As she drove to the Graham Group, she found herself annoyed. She had already met Fraser twice—how had she forgotten to get his contact information? Even if she never needed to use it, it was always good to have. She was so stupid. Now she had to drive all the way to the Graham Group and wait for him.

Half an hour later, she arrived. Walking up to the front desk, she greeted the receptionist politely. “Hello, could you help me get in touch with Mr. Graham?”

The receptionist had dealt with plenty of people trying to meet the CEO. She asked the standard question, “And you are?”

“I’m Summer Stewart, from the Stewart Group.”

The receptionist immediately reacted. The Stewart family’s daughter? Another one? She gave Summer a quick once-over. This one was definitely better looking than the last, but it didn’t matter. The executive office had already sent word—no meetings with any Stewart family daughters, no exceptions.

Flashing a professional smile, the receptionist responded, “Our CEO isn’t in.”

“Can I make an appointment?” Summer asked. “Or could you let him know I came by when he returns?”

The receptionist’s expression didn’t change. “We don’t take appointments. If we did, our CEO wouldn’t have time for anything else.”

Summer glanced at the grand, heavily guarded Graham Group building. Forcing her way in wasn’t an option. But if she couldn’t see Fraser, how was she supposed to secure the investment?

She made one last attempt. “Can you please make an exception? This is extremely urgent.”

The receptionist didn’t even blink. “I’m sorry, Ms. Stewart.”

No matter what Summer said, she remained stone-faced, refusing to acknowledge her any further. Summer left the Graham Group feeling frustrated. But at the moment, there was nothing she could do.

Just then, her phone rang. It was Jasper. She picked up.

“Summer, where are you? I was looking for you, but your assistant said you went out.”

“I’m securing investment.”

“Any results?”

“Still in progress.”

Jasper sighed in disappointment. She had Trevor as a fiancé, yet she insisted on finding the money herself. Did she think securing five hundred million dollars was that easy?

Fortunately, Jasper had received a call today from the Larson Group’s senior assistant, Andrew. Andrew had hinted that the Larson Group was willing to provide the funds—on one condition: Summer had to go meet with Mr. Larson in person. Andrew had no other choice.

For the past few days, Trevor had been in a terrible mood, and the entire office was walking on eggshells. Normally, Trevor’s face was cold and unreadable, but now, his temper was barely contained. During a meeting earlier, one of the employees had miscalculated a single number and was immediately reduced to tears by his scolding.

Andrew had worked under Trevor for years. He knew exactly what was going on. Trevor was waiting for Summer to give in, but she hadn’t made a single move. So, Andrew had quietly tipped Jasper off—letting him be the one to pressure Summer.

“The Larson Group reached out,” Jasper said. “They want you to come by.”

Summer stood outside the towering Graham Group building, looking up. “I’ll handle it myself.”