?Chapter 53:


    From his vantage point, Bryan could only make out that Eileen was very close to Huey, their proximity suggesting an embrace. He stood there with a cigarette between his lips, the smoke curling upwards, yet his vision remained clear.


    Bryan watched as Huey’s car drove off. He saw Eileen walk into the house wearing Huey’s coat. Just as Eileen reached to sp the door, arge hand stopped it. Stunned, she watched Bryan push the door open and flick his cigarette butt outside.


    Bryan walked up to her, cradled the back of her head, and pressed his lips firmly against hers.


    The taste of his cigarette mingled with the lingering sweetness of the dessert she had just eaten. Bryan pulled at Huey’s coat, causing it to fall to the floor. He then lifted Eileen up, stepped over the coat, and carried her into the bathroom. He turned on the heating and the shower, letting warm water cascade over them both. Eileen, still cold, was pressed against Bryan’s warm, burning chest, the sensation like a sh of ice and fire.


    “Eileen… Eileen…” Bryan murmured softly. A single conviction filled his mind: Eileen could only belong to him. Later, as they made love, Eileen felt warm, though her head remained foggy. That night, she fell into a deep sleep, her breathing soft in his ear.


    Bryan’s eyes gleamed in the darkness. After ensuring she wasfortably covered with a nket, he walked downstairs. Dressed only in suit pants, his upper body bare, he settled into the sofa. He lit a cigarette, the glow briefly illuminating his features in the dim room.


    Eileen was lost in a dream where her parents were still together, and she and Roderick were both thriving in college. Despite all the challenges, her spirit was indomitable, and her life felt joyous. Her dream was shattered by the shrill ring of a phone. With a frown, Eileen reached out and pressed the answer button. “Hello?” Her voice was rife with grogginess, betraying her drowsy state.


    After a brief silence, a harsh voice erupted from the other end, “Eileen! Why are you answering Bryan’s phone? Where is he? Were you two togetherst night? Answer me!”


    A wave of anxiety washed over Eileen. Before she could respond, the phone was snatched from her grasp. She looked up to see Bryan standing beside the bed. He stared into her eyes, his lips pressed together, showing that he wasn’t in a good mood.


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    Though the phone’s conversation was indistinct to Eileen, Bryan’s dark expression was unmistakable. The next moment, Bryan ended the call, turned to her with a cold gaze, and said sharply, “Eileen, I know your ce! Don’t overstep!”


    With those words, he spun around and stormed downstairs. The sound of the door mming seemed to echo through the apartment. Eileen’s heart sank. He had misunderstood her. She always knew her ce. The chill in his gaze and the bite of his words felt like daggers to her heart.


    Meanwhile, at the hospital, when Bryan reached the hospital, Vivian was still in the emergency room. The corridor was filled with Debby’s cries and venomous usations directed at Bryan. Fergus stood by, holding Debby back from lunging at Bryan.


    “Where’s your assistant? Why didn’t shee? She’s too scared to show up after seducing you, isn’t she? If you dare to protect her, I won’t let you marry Vivian!” Debby shouted.


    As Bryan stood by the emergency room door, he remained stoic. Debby’s words prompted him to turn and face her, his expression unreadable yetposed. “This has got nothing to do with Eileen,” he said.


    Bryan’s dismissal infuriated Debby further. Just then, the doors to the operating room swung open. Debby dashed toward the doctor. “Doctor, is my daughter alright?”


    The doctor, removing his mask and wiping sweat from his brow, replied, “Mrs. Warren, please be assured. The intervention was timely, and Miss Warren is not in danger. She just developed a lung infection after falling into the waterst night. She’s currently weak; she will need some time to recover.”


    Relief washed over Debby as she watched Vivian being wheeled out on a stretcher by the nurses. She followed them to the VIP ward. Meanwhile, Fergus went to discuss Vivian’s follow-up treatment with the doctor, leaving Bryan and Kian alone outside the emergency room.


    The two made their way to the rooftop. Kian offered a cigarette to Bryan and remarked, “I never expected Vivian to try to take her own life.” He described the sudden shift in Vivian’s demeanor, how she had gone from joyously calling Bryan to overwhelming gloom. Before he could intervene, she had sliced her wrist with a fruit knife.


    The bed had been drenched in blood, instilling a deep sense of fear in him. He added, “My parents are incredibly worried about her. Handling this situation might be quite difficult for you.”


    Bryan took a drag of his cigarette, exhaling a long plume of smoke. “This situation has nothing to do with Eileen. I’m going to stay here to look after Vivian and help stabilize her.”


    Narrowing his eyes, Kian noticed a figure approaching. He smirked and questioned, “What are you implying? Are you serious about wanting to be with Eileen?”


    Bryan’s expression darkened, and he scoffed dismissively. “No. She’s just a toy for me.”


    At the entrance to the rooftop, Eileen caught word of this exchange. She turned pale as she processed his words. Her fingers, tightly clutching a fruit basket, turned white from the strain. His harsh words this morning paled inparison. After Bryan left, Eileen took a moment to gather herself. She had wanted to exin that she hadn’t intentionally answered the phone, but she was soon stunned by the news of Vivian’s attempted suicide.


    Within minutes, the news spread rapidly. The mediaunched baseless usations against Bryan, though the exact cause remained murky. Eileen knew the incident was linked to her identally answering the phone, which weighed heavily on her conscience. She felt a responsibility toe to the hospital.


    Benjamin, observing from a short distance, saw Eileen shivering in the wind and said, “You can’t handle Mr. Warren’s tactics.” Eileen was indifferent to whether Kian had arranged for her to overhear Bryan deliberately. After all, it was Bryan who had spoken those words.


    “Please ry this to Mr. Warren. I’ll leave now,” Eileen said, handing the fruit basket to Benjamin. Without waiting for a response, she turned and headed downstairs. Benjamin exchanged a nce with Kian, who gave a subtle nod. Benjamin then followed Eileen down.


    In the elevator, despite feeling awful, Eileen maintained an eerie calm. She asked Benjamin, “How is Bailee’s resignation proceeding?”


    “She can’t resign. She’s tied to a three-month internship contract with thepany. Unless thepany fires her, breaking the contract would cost her ten times the agreed damages,” Benjamin replied. Watching the resolve on Eileen’s face, Benjamin added, “Mr. Warren has really left you no options.”


    “I never had any options, so I fear nothing,” Eileen replied with a cold smile. As the elevator doors opened, Eileen stepped out with a defiant and resolute air. The doors closed slowly behind her. Benjamin, leaning against the wall, paused before finally pressing the button to return upstairs.


    At the Apex Group, the entire staff was reeling from the news of Vivian’s suicide attempt. The sight of Eileen arriving at thepany stirred their curiosity even more.


    “Eileen, did Miss Warren really attempt suicide? Why did she do it? Is it true that it’s rted to Mr. Dawson? Was she trying to force him into…?”


    As Eileen stepped out of the elevator, she was surrounded by several secretaries. With a distant look in her eyes, she replied, “Please, go back to your work.” Recognizing her tone and demeanor, the crowd reluctantly dispersed, their curiosity heightened by the confirmation that Vivian had indeed attempted suicide, though they dared not press further.


    The day was hectic, with everyone buried in their tasks. While Bryan typically oversaw critical decisions, today Eileen handled nearly everything. She had not even taken a break to eat from morning until evening. During a rare moment of downtime, she managed to respond to two messages from Bailee.


    Bailee was shocked by the news of Vivian’s attempt and texted Eileen for details. Eileen, struggling to find the right words, replied briefly that she was involved in the situation somehow and promised to discuss it in detailter.


    “I’lle see you after work,” Bailee replied, her concern deepening upon learning of Eileen’s involvement. Eileen set her phone aside and plunged back into her work, not leaving the office until ten o’clock that night. Before finishing up, she took a moment to adjust Bryan’s schedule for theing days.


    She had expected Bailee to be waiting for a while, but as she pulled up to her house, she was surprised to see Bailee arriving at the same time in a taxi. Bailee exited the car and followed Eileen into the house.


    Having stopped to pick up food on her way here, Bailee said, “I got off work prettyte and thought you might not have anything to eat, so I brought some food.” Eileen rolled up her sleeves to clear the table, then went into the kitchen to fetch some tes before sitting down to eat.


    Unable to hold back her curiosity any longer, Bailee eagerly asked Eileen to recount the events in detail. Eileen shared everything she knew.


    “You didn’t intentionally answer his phone. How could you have if he hadn’t stayed over? This is not your fault!” Bailee said. After only a few bites, Eileen had lost her appetite. She sat down on the carpet, hugging her legs, her figure mostly hidden by the cascade of her long hair.


    “Still, I feel partly responsible for Vivian’s attempt, but I don’t believe she needs anypensation from me,” Eileen said.


    She considered that perhaps after this incident, Bryan would be thoroughly tired of her and end their rtionship. That, in her mind, would be the bestpensation for Vivian. She rested her head against her knees, her eyshes casting shadows over her tearful eyes.


    Bailee set down her fork, moved closer to Eileen, and wrapped her arms around her in aforting hug. “Why don’t you also resign? Stay away from Bryan, or he might hurt you even more.”


    Eileen pondered Bailee’s words carefully and then slowly shook her head. “I have nothing left to lose now. Eventually, Bryan and I will part ways. But if I can stick it out a bit, I might secure more money. Otherwise, I’ll end up with nothing.”


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