Summer Thorne had been busy running around for days, so Friday seemed to arrive in a flash.
Although her dinner with Timothy York was a big deal, Summer Thorne still spent the morning visiting two banks. She was debating whether to visit a third when she suddenly received a call.
After hanging up, Summer Thorne headed straight for Sudor.
The Carrington family's old residence in Sudor was perennially shrouded in lush, dense greenery. Inside, the temperature and humidity were kept constant, making it perfectly comfortable, yet it felt as cold and empty as ever.
Summer Thorne entered, went straight to the second floor, and knocked on a door. Inside, she saw Brandon Crawford taking medicine with the help of a home nurse.
She hadn't seen him in nearly half a year, and Brandon Crawford was so emaciated he was almost unrecognizable. He struggled to force a smile when he saw her.
"Dad." Summer Thorne's heart clenched. She walked over to him. "When did you get back? Why didn't you let me know beforehand?"
Six months ago, Brandon Crawford had been diagnosed with brain cancer and sent abroad for treatment by Mason Crawford.
Summer Thorne hadn't seen Brandon Crawford since, and Mason Crawford had completely taken over the family business, becoming the undisputed head of the Carrington Group.
"The day before yesterday," Brandon Crawford said, his voice coarse and hoarse. "I was exhausted right after the flight, so I rested for two days before letting you know…"
Brandon Crawford was only fifty years old. Before his illness, he had been the dynamic chairman of the Carrington Group, yet in just six short months, he had been reduced to this.
A pang of sadness shot through Summer Thorne, but she forced a smile. "It's good that you're back. It's much more comfortable at home than anywhere else. I'm sure you'll get better soon."
Brandon Crawford smiled and nodded, then added, "I've heard all about what's happening with your family..."
He was still ill, and Summer Thorne didn't want to discuss these matters right away. But she couldn't bring herself to tell him to stay out of it.
'Right now, I have to seize any help I can get, no matter how small.'
"Don't worry," Brandon Crawford said. "Even though I've stepped down from the Carrington Group, I still have old friends, and I still have some influence... Mason is being foolish. Don't hold it against him..."
For a moment, Summer Thorne was speechless.
Brandon Crawford had handpicked her as his daughter-in-law. His greatest hope had always been that she could get his prodigal son, Mason, to settle down, so the two of them could live a happy life together.
He and Mason had never gotten along, so he had always pinned his hopes on Summer Thorne. However...
Summer Thorne was bound to disappoint him.
"Dad, I can forgive him for refusing to help when my family's life was on the line, but at this point, I have to save myself," Summer Thorne said softly. "It's over between us."
Brandon Crawford immediately grew anxious. "With me here, the Sutton Family will be fine... Don't you trust me?"
"Dad…"
Just as Summer Thorne was about to speak, footsteps sounded outside. A moment later, Eve, who had served the Carrington Family for years, appeared at the door. "Sir, you have a visitor. They're already in the house."
At this, Brandon Crawford tried to sit up straight. Summer Thorne quickly grabbed another pillow to prop him up before turning to go greet the guest.
She had just stepped out of the room when the visitors reached the top of the stairs.
Summer Thorne froze.
Mr. York was over eighty but still hale and hearty, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's.
And behind him, the tall, upright figure... who else could it be but Timothy York?
Their eyes met, and she froze for a heartbeat. Timothy York's gaze was as deep as the ocean, his expression unreadable.
Summer Thorne quickly looked away and stepped forward to greet him. "Mr. York."
Mr. York's gaze swept over her briefly. His stern face remained impassive as he gave a slight nod. Having never met her and apparently not caring who she was, he led Timothy York straight toward Brandon Crawford's room.
Summer Thorne stepped aside as Timothy York brushed past her.
The two men entered the room one after the other. Summer Thorne turned and went downstairs to help Eve prepare tea.
When she returned upstairs with a tray of tea, she overheard Brandon Crawford's words of praise—
"...Truly an outstanding young man. Mr. York, with a successor like him for the York Group, you can finally rest easy."
"You're too kind."
Timothy York's voice was calm and detached, as always.
Summer Thorne brought the tea in and served it to the two guests.
Timothy York reached out to take the cup.
As their fingers brushed, his long and slender, a memory of that hand from the feverish night in the hotel room flashed through Summer Thorne's mind. Her heart fluttered, and she instinctively tried to pull her hand back.
But a moment later, his firm grip on the other side of the cup stopped her.
Timothy York took the cup from her and brought it to his lips for a sip.
He set the cup down, then looked up at her, his gaze still deep and unreadable. "Thank you," he said simply.
Summer Thorne gave a slight smile in response.
Brandon Crawford smiled. "This is my daughter-in-law, Summer Thorne. Mr. York, I don't believe you've met... She's a wonderful girl."
Only then did Mr. York properly size up Summer Thorne. After a faint nod, he asked, "How has Mason been lately?"
Summer Thorne fell silent for a few seconds before replying, "He's doing well, I suppose."
Hearing this, Mr. York glanced sideways at her, his expression turning sharp. He was clearly not satisfied with her answer.
Brandon Crawford sighed softly. "That unworthy son... let's not talk about him. Have you two met?"
The question was directed at Timothy York.
Summer Thorne quietly retreated to the window and opened it a crack. She heard Timothy York reply, "As it happens, we haven't had the chance to meet."
Brandon Crawford gave a helpless smile. "He has a bad temper—cold and stubborn. If you run into him someday, I hope you'll be patient with him..."
"You're being too modest," Timothy York said. "I've only just returned to the country. When we do meet, I'm sure there will be much I can learn from him."
Brandon Crawford sighed with a hint of resignation, then suddenly remembered something. He called out to Summer Thorne, "Look at me, I forgot to introduce you two. This is Mr. York's grandson. You should call him—"
"I know," Summer Thorne quickly cut in. "We met at the York Group's gala."
"Oh? That's good..." Brandon Crawford nodded, then said to Mr. York, "The younger generation doesn't socialize much these days. I worry they'll soon stop recognizing their own relatives..."
Timothy York sat on Mr. York's left, his back to Summer Thorne. He listened to the two older men talk, his posture composed, betraying no emotion.
Summer Thorne glanced at him for only a moment before quickly looking away.
'Mr. York and Brandon Crawford had no idea they hadn't just met at the gala.'
'They certainly had no idea that she had a dinner date with him tonight...'