Chapter 399: No Room for Tenderness
This new hotel towered eighty-eight stories high and boasted every amenity imaginable—leisure, entertainment, fine dining. It was a full-service luxury experience. The cuisine, in particular, had stirred a buzz. It had been hailed as a groundbreaking addition to Havenbrook’s food scene and had quickly become a must-visit destination.
After wrapping up the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Yvette invited Summer to meet up for a bite and a chat. By the time the event ended, Summer had just arrived. The two strolled through the hotel, heading toward the restaurant.
Suddenly, two tall, broad-shouldered Black bodyguards appeared in the hallway, blocking their path. “Mrs. Graham,” one of them said politely, “our boss would like a word with you.”
Yvette immediately stepped in front of Summer, tense and wary. “Who’s your boss? And why does he want to see Summer?”
The bodyguards, both close to two meters tall, didn’t even glance at Yvette. Their eyes were fixed on Summer. “Our boss is Mr. Fraser’s second uncle. He’s in a private room on the 77th floor. Mr. Fraser is also present, so you don’t need to worry, Mrs. Graham.”
With that, Yvette and Summer were “escorted” to the 77th floor. The bodyguards pushed open the heavy double doors of the private suite. A wave of cigar smoke and booze rolled out, thick and suffocating.
In the center of the room sat an oval-shaped gaming table. A roulette wheel spun rapidly at its heart. Standing behind it was a woman in a tight red qipao, acting as the dealer. Around the table, well-dressed men watched with crossed arms. At the far end of the table, Brandon and Fraser sat facing each other. It was clearly a private casino suite.
When Brandon saw Summer enter, he tossed his cards on the table and let out a loud, guttural laugh. The scar under his left eye twisted with his grin, giving him a savage edge. “Fraser,” he drawled, “my guys saw your lovely wife walk into the hotel, so I thought I’d invite her up for a little fun. You’re not gonna be stingy about it, are you?”
Summer stiffened and immediately spotted Fraser lounging on a black leather sofa nearby. Their eyes met across the room. She saw a flash of surprise in his gaze, followed by a deep, tense frown. His voice was low, cold, and laced with irritation. “You’re pregnant. Why aren’t you at home resting?”
The others in the room exchanged knowing looks. So this Mrs. Graham wasn’t as favored as the rumors claimed. Brandon narrowed his eyes, gaze sharp and filled with malice as it flicked between Fraser and Summer. A slow, sinister smile tugged at his lips.
A woman’s soft, sugary voice rang out—Marilyn. “Sir, that’s no way to speak to a lady. Looks like she’s pregnant. You should be gentler.”
Fraser let out a lazy chuckle, his chiseled jawline giving him a dangerous charm. “Is that so? Am I being too harsh with you then?”
Marilyn giggled. “Mr. Fraser, you’re terrible.”
Yvette’s fists clenched. Watching Fraser flirt with another woman in front of Summer—while she was pregnant—made her want to scream. “Fraser, how could you say that in front of her? She’s carrying your child!”
Summer gently held Yvette back and glanced at Fraser. His expression was unreadable. She bit her lip. “Alright. I’ll head home.”
Brandon rose from the sofa, grabbed a glass of strong liquor from the table, and casually blocked her path. “Leaving already? Not even a toast for your dear uncle? That’s not very polite.” He held the glass out toward her, lips curled into a mockingly polite smile. “I’m a man who values manners. Just one drink and a proper greeting, and I’ll have someone take you home.”
Summer didn’t take the glass. Brandon’s eyes turned sharp, his voice low and threatening. “What, you too good for me now?”
Fraser’s face turned stone cold, the veins in his hand bulging as he gripped his phone tightly. His voice, however, remained calm. “What, you’re trying to mess with the Graham bloodline now?”
Brandon stared back at him, the tension in the room rising. His own expression twisted into something almost bloodthirsty.
Just then, Summer smiled politely and spoke, calm and clear. “Sir, I’m pregnant. I really can’t drink. It’s not out of disrespect—I simply can’t. I hope you’ll understand.”
Brandon’s expression finally eased. He slapped his forehead lightly, as if only just remembering. “Ah, my bad. I’m getting forgetful in my old age. Didn’t notice you were expecting. Don’t take it personally.”
Fraser glanced at Summer and said flatly. “Leave. Now.”
Without another word, Summer took Yvette’s hand and quickly walked out of the room.