?Chapter 58:


    A gust of cold wind swept through the corridor, cutting to Eileen’s core.


    Sheposed herself and continued on her path, only to collide with an unexpected figure.


    Before she could utter an apology, the man’s fierce demeanor halted her words. “Eileen!”


    Surprised to encounter Jonathan, who was now not in his hospital attire, Eileen wondered if he had been discharged already.


    “Mr. Mueller, why are you—” she began.


    But Jonathan cut her off with a heated re. “Save it, Eileen. You never cease to amaze!”


    Noticing the evident sarcasm in his tone, Eileen was momentarily lost for words.


    Jonathan’s anger was palpable as he said, “I’ll let you off this time, but don’t think you’ll live in peace after this! Remember, you won’t find peace after meddling in Kian’s and Bryan’s affairs.”


    A sly grin then broke through his scowl, as if a new scheme had dawned on him. “You’re all tangled up inplications. I’ll make sure to add a few knots of my own. Kian will see I’m not someone he could use as a pawn.”


    With that, Jonathan briskly moved past Eileen and disappeared into the elevator.


    Eileen turned, catching thest glimpse of Jonathan’s retreating figure in the elevator, his anger evident.


    Even after the doors clicked shut, Eileen remained motionless, Jonathan’s words echoing in her mind.


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    “I’ll let you off this time…”


    He had chosen not to retaliate against Bailee this time?


    Lost in thought, the sudden noise of a door disrupted the silence, drawing Eileen’s gaze. It was Bryan exiting the ward.


    In his hand, he held a beer, taking a sip with an ease that seemed at odds with the hospital setting.


    Their eyes met, locking in a wordless exchange.


    After a while, Eileen approached. “Why are you drinking in the hospital, Mr. Dawson?”


    Bryan responded with a nonchnt lift of his eyebrow. “Is there a rule against it?” He took another swig, clearly indifferent to the hospital’s usual decorum.


    He looked a little annoyed. Eileen spected it might be because he was concerned about Vivian’s prolonged hospital stay.


    She suddenly didn’t know what to say now.


    Bryan’s inquiry broke the silence. “What brings you here?” He stood by the window, a silhouette against the backdrop of the night sky.


    With a hesitant voice, Eileen finally spoke. “I’m here to remind you about the senior executives’ meeting at nine tomorrow, which can be postponed or canceled.”


    It seemed Bryan had to go to thepany tomorrow.


    Bryan’s gaze fell upon her, noting the unease she couldn’t quite mask.


    “Anything else?” he asked.


    Eileen shook her head. “No, that’s all,” she responded. Since Jonathan’s matter had been settled, there was no need for her to mention it in front of Bryan.


    Bryan’s eyes seemed to cloud over, probing for something unspoken. “Are you certain?”


    Eileen had been feeling aggrieved, so she almost lost control of her emotions upon hearing him.


    Sheposed herself and gave a nod, not wanting to betray her turmoil.


    The silence hung heavy between them, her bowed head not enough to shield her from the weight of Bryan’s gaze.


    Announcing her departure, she turned and wearily made her way to the elevator. She didn’t feel relieved until the elevator door closed.


    Unbeknownst to her, as soon as the elevator door closed, Bryan quickly walked over and pressed the button to summon the elevator.


    On the road, Eileen’s drive was brisk, the night breeze ying with her hair through the window’s narrow opening.


    Reaching Springvale, she stepped out into the calm of her neighborhood. But the tranquility was pierced by the sudden ze of headlights from a car arriving nearby.


    Shielding her eyes, she glimpsed a figure emerging from the car, moving quickly in her direction.


    Caught off guard, she found herself swept up in an unexpected embrace.


    With swift movements, Bryan punched in the passcode to her door’s lock, whisking her into the dimly lit house in a whirl.


    nting a kiss on her forehead, he then trailed his lips down her cheeks, causing her skin to flush red.


    The faint scent of tobo and alcohol from his breath instantly surrounded Eileen. Leaning against the wall, she sped her hands around his sturdy waist. He kissed her passionately, though he intended to consume her entirely. Yet, amidst his fierce movements, there was a hint of tenderness that drew her in.


    It all began suddenly, yet Eileen found herself unable to resist him. The curtains hung half-open, inviting the moonlight inside. The ambiance was just right for romance. Bryan seemed eager, not even waiting to go upstairs to the bedroom. His touches were fervent.


    cing her on the cab by the door, he unbuttoned her shirt with his slightly chilled fingers, revealing her delicate, alluring corbone. Numerous hickeys adorned her fair skin.


    Bryan’s phone suddenly rang in his pocket. Despite the interruption, he continued kissing her lips as he retrieved it.


    Vivian’s name shed on the screen. Without a second thought, he turned his phone off and set it aside. Then, he shifted his focus back to Eileen, carrying her to the sofa.


    Handling her gently, as if she were fragile porcin, he whispered her name in her ear, “Eileen…”


    The night stretched on, and it wasn’t until the early light of dawn spilled into the room that they allowed sleep to im them. Their slumber was brief, interrupted by Eileen’s rm clock. Despite the short sleep, they felt both physically and mentally satisfied.


    Refreshed and in high spirits, they faced the new day.


    Propped up on one elbow, Bryan watched with satisfaction as Eileen got out of bed.


    “I’ll fetch you some clothes. How about noodles for breakfast? Would that be alright?” Eileen asked.


    She felt a bit guilty about preparing this for Bryan, considering Huey had told her that her cooking was terrible.


    Bryan frowned slightly. Then, his expression softened, his response gentle. “That sounds good.”


    Eileen misread Bryan’s initial expression for discontent, yet he surprised her with his assent.


    She slipped away to dress for the day, choosing her professional attire and taking out a suit Bryan had left in her ce before.


    Tidying up the room, she busied herself with the house and prepared noodles for them both.


    Bryan woke up soon, his gaze affectionately fixed on her. His appetite was apparent, the noodles disappearing quickly, though he had a slight frown on his face.


    Eileen, observing this, said, “I will try to improve my cooking.”


    “You don’t need to do that,” Bryan reassured her, polishing off his portion before attending to the dishes.


    Seeing this, Eileen also finished hers quickly. Then, they headed to the Apex Group, managing to arrive just as the meeting was about to begin.


    The senior leaders were all present, a sense of tension palpable in the air. A newspapery on the table, its headlines casting a shadow over the room.


    At the heart of the story were Bryan and Vivian, captured in photographs that chronicled his vigil by her hospital bedside.


    Past rumors had swirled about a rekindled romance between Vivian and Bryan, suggesting his estrangement from his enigmatic wife.


    But now, the media delved deeper, charting Vivian’s steps since her return. It exposed her daily meetings with Bryan and her taking on the role of Bryan’s secretary. usations of her undignified pursuit of his attention sshed across the page.


    In the photos of Bryan apanying Vivian at the hospital, Bryan’s demeanor conveyed disinterest, looking as if he were unwilling to be there.


    Spections ran wild in the press. People believed perhaps Bryan’s affectionsy elsewhere, with the wife who remained a mystery.


    The narrative was shifting, casting Vivian as a homewrecker, making her face public scrutiny for her actions.


    The rumors had spread like wildfire, but they didn’t have much impact on Bryan—Vivian was the one who took the brunt of this revtion.


    In the meeting room, under the weight of Bryan’s somber expression, hush fell. The meetingmenced at Eileen’s signal.


    Eileen observed Bryan covertly, noting his frustration as he adjusted his tie, a ripple in his usualposure.


    She couldn’t help but feel he was inwardly contending with the chaos, his concern for Vivian evident.


    The meeting was expected to take two hours, but Eileen managed to shorten it to an hour and a half.


    Walking out of the meeting room, Eileen approached Bryan, her voice soft. “Do you need me to prepare the car now to go to the hospital?”


    “No. Focus on your own tasks here. There’s no need for you to think about anything else,” Bryan said.


    His firm directive left Eileen momentarily taken aback as she watched him retreat to his office. With a contemtive frown, she returned to her desk to continue her day.


    Vivian was absent from the office today, so Eileen prepared Bryan’s coffee and delivered it to him.


    “‘Mr. Dawson, there’s a lunch appointment, and the client is hoping for a round of golf afterward,” Eileen informed Bryan.


    Bryan nced up from his work. He took the coffee from her and took a sip, raising an eyebrow slightly.


    Before Eileen could continue, the door swung open. Kian entered, a stern look recing his usual smile, with Vivian beside him, visibly distressed.


    “‘Bryan, the public needs to hear from you on this matter,” Kian urged.


    Silence from Bryan might lend credence to the allegations against Vivian. Any defense he offered could shift the narrative. If he coulde out and say that he had no feelings for his wife and had been in love with Vivian all along, Vivian would face less scrutiny.


    Eileen knew that Bryan’s response could change the tide of public opinion.


    Bryan countered the concern with measuredposure. “‘If my grandmother learned that I did such a thing without her permission, it would worsen her health condition,” he stated, locking eyes firmly with Kian, clenching his jaw, but didn’t break his stern look.


    “‘Eileen, please escort Vivian from here. I must speak with Bryan in private,” Kian said.


    Bryan nodded at Eileen. “Go.”


    “Miss Warren,e with me, please.” Eileen ushered Vivian from the office.


    The moment they left Bryan’s office, Vivian’s frustration manifested in a push that sent Eileen off bnce.


    Vivian’s voice wasden with usation as Eileen steadied herself. “Was Bryan at your cest night? You’re the one who has been sleeping with him! Why should I bear the brunt of this when nothing has happened between Bryan and—”


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