?Chapter 76:


    Eileen, overwhelmed with panic, struggled to mask her emotions.


    She found herself speechless.


    Despite three years of marriage, she had never once considered asking Bryan for financial support.


    However, practically, all the money she had used for Ruby’s treatment and purchasing cars and houses hade from Bryan.


    Who would buy the idea that she hadn’t intentionally approached Bryan?


    Eileen said, “Mr. Dawson, given that she never sought anything from you, I assume you were satisfied with the arrangement. Once we’re back in Onnd, I’ll draft a divorce agreement. What are your thoughts?”


    She couldn’t conceal it any longer. She couldn’t admit to him that, as his special assistant, she couldn’t even uncover the identity of his wife.


    Sending the divorce papers was her plea for him not toplicate matters.


    Bryan, for some inexplicable reason, was agitated. Adjusting his tie, he gazed at her. “Fine. Give her twenty million dors, just like before.”


    Twenty million was a considerable sum, which moved Eileen.


    If she left Bryan, she would receive twenty million dors upfront. At least for the next two years, she wouldn’t have to worry about Ruby’s medical expenses.


    Though her mouth was filled with dessert now, she couldn’t taste its sweetness.


    As the afternoon banquet concluded, Maney led Bryan and the others to go horseback riding.


    Behind Rose Manory a vast expanse of green grass, where several white horses roamed freely.


    Bryan, d in a navy blue riding suit that entuated his broad shoulders and slender waist, wore a ck helmet and white gloves.


    His tall figure towered slightly over Maney.


    Kristi couldn’t help but say, “Eileen, you’re truly lucky to be with such a man.”


    Eileen instinctively smiled and replied, “Yes, I consider myself fortunate.”


    Even though her involvement with Bryan had started unintentionally, without him, she would have faced challenging circumstances over the past few years.


    “How did you two get together? Who made the move?” Kristi asked curiously.


    Kristi always had the impression that Bryan wouldn’t be the one to pursue a rtionship first, but she hadn’t thought that Eileen would make the first move either.


    After a moment of contemtion, Eileen replied, “Circumstances brought us together, and both of us have been rather passive in this situation.”


    Kristi didn’t quite grasp Eileen’s meaning and simply blinked in response.


    Eileen added, “You could say we got married before we fell in love.”


    She tucked her hair behind her ears, her gaze reflecting the sparklingke nearby.


    Eileen’s beauty didn’t escape Bryan’s asional nces as he rode his horse not far away.


    Noticing this, Kristi couldn’t help but cover her mouth and chuckle. “I’ve heard of many arranged marriages. They don’t always lead to happy endings, but you and Bryan are fortunate because you genuinely love each other.”


    “Fortunate. Love.”


    These wonderful words and Kristi’s genuine praise made Eileen feel like she was living in a dream.


    Eileen basked in the satisfaction of this dream and simply nodded, “Yes, I consider myself very fortunate.”


    “It’s dull with nothing to do. How about we y a game?” Kristi took out two dice and ced them in front of Eileen.


    Eileen frowned and admitted, “I don’t know how to y with dice.”


    Understanding, Kristi enthusiastically exined the rules. It was a simple game: whoever rolled the higher number would win, and the winner could make a request.


    Eileen won the first round.


    She said, “Mrs. Hamilton, I hope that the coboration between Mr. Hamilton and Apex Group remains strong, no matter what happens in the future.”


    The Rose Wine Manor possessed a notable portion of the wine market, and Apex Group had ced great significance on their coboration.


    If she and Bryan were to part ways, ording to Maney’s rules, their coboration would undoubtedly be affected.


    Eileen’s words left Kristi momentarily stunned. “Why did you say that? Has something happened between you and Bryan?” she asked.


    Eileen chuckled and shook her head, “Nothing has happened, but who knows what the future holds?”


    Kristi looked at Eileen with a hint of confusion, detecting a trace of sadness in Eileen’s eyes, albeit subtle.


    Although it was just a small game, Kristi agreed as she had said before.


    As they yed more rounds, Eileen found herself at a disadvantage. Kristi had made several requests, all rted to Bryan.


    Kristi’s lively spirit kept them entertained until evening. As the sun began to set, the men leisurely rode their horses back.


    Bryan approached their resting spot, holding the reins in hand, and handed his horse over to a servant before removing his gloves.


    Eileen approached, and Bryan’s arm was gently held by her. She leaned closer for a kiss.


    A soft kissnded on Bryan’s cheek, apanied by a delicate fragrance.


    A smile filled Bryan’s eyes.


    “We yed dice, and I lost,” Eileen said, her cheeks still flushed from her bold move to kiss him.


    Bryan handed the gloves to a servant before turning to pull Eileen into his arms.


    Unconcerned with the onlookers, he nted a kiss on her glossy lips. “This is called punishment. You only made a basic effort earlier,” he said.


    “That’s right!” Kristi interjected with a smile, approaching them and linking arms with Maney. She yfully scolded Eileen, “Eileen, you were trying to brush me off earlier!”


    Maney looked at Kristi affectionately, unable to contain hisughter at her cute face.


    Eileen felt resigned. She had just been too shy.


    After their lively conversation andughter, the servants arrived to guide them to dinner at a nearby restaurant. Kristi was enamored with the delicious cuisine and insisted on inviting the local chefs.


    She introduced Eileen to a variety of dishes Eileen had never tasted before.


    “Eileen, it seems you’re not familiar with the local cuisine here. Do you cook at home often?” Kristi asked. Thinking of her bad cooking skills, Eileen smiled awkwardly and nced at Bryan.


    Bryan calmly remarked, “Her cooking is quite good.”


    Good?


    Eileen felt a pang of guilt upon hearing this and focused on her meal without lifting her head.


    Bryan continued, “I’ll have her cook for you another day.”


    “Really?” Kristi’s interest piqued. “How about tomorrow morning? Aren’t you leaving in the afternoon?”


    Bryan gazed at Eileen, his expression thoughtful.


    Suddenly, he felt a tug on his clothes. Looking down, he saw Eileen’s hand tightly grasping the corner of his clothing.


    Clearly, Eileen wanted Bryan to drop this topic.


    Bryan chuckled. “Maybe another time.”


    “Right, she’s not really up for cooking now. Next time we’re in Onnd, you can cook for us!” Kristi replied, considerate about Eileen’s pregnancy.


    Eileen breathed a sigh of relief and shot Bryan a re, who still wore a smile. She didn’t exchange words with him when they retired to their rooms in the evening.


    Standing by the French window, Bryan approached her, his hands resting on her slender waist.


    Resting his chin on her head, he inhaled her hair’s scent.


    “My cooking isn’t good at all,” Eileen suddenly said.


    “Indeed. Perhaps you should learn to cook when we go back so you can cook for Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton next time,” Bryan replied, his voice deep.


    Eileen stepped on his foot slightly. “Is this some form of retaliation against me?”


    “Of course not.” Bryan remained unperturbed. “I’ll teach you how to cook once we’re back.”


    He would teach her how to cook?


    Lost in thought, Eileen pictured Bryan bustling about in the kitchen. It felt surreal, like a dream.


    But how would he have the chance to teach her to cook if he intended to send her a divorce agreement upon their return?


    “Okay,” Eileen said, taking a deep breath and inhaling his pleasant scent. Turning around, she wrapped her arms around his waist.


    Pressing her cheek against his chest, she listened to his steady heartbeat, feeling the bitterness rise within her.


    “Let’s go to bed now. I’m tired,” she whispered.


    After lying down, Eileen held Bryan tightly, her slender arms enveloping him.


    At first, Bryan was taken aback, his body tensing slightly despite their numerous intimate encounters.


    After some time, he recognized that this was her true self. His heart softened, and he embraced her tenderly.


    At Onnd’s airport, Eileen donned a light green windbreaker, her hair tied back in a bun, reverting to her usual cold demeanor.


    She followed behind Bryan, who strode ahead with a powerful and icy aura.


    After they left the airport and boarded thepany’s car, Eileen sat beside Bryan.


    As the car started moving, Bryan said, “I’m heading to thepany to handle some business. You go and investigate that matter.”


    He was referring to the investigation concerning his wife.


    “Understood,” Eileen replied, her hands unconsciously tightening, gazing out at the passing scenery.


    After Bryan entered the Apex Group’s office building, Eileen returned home and found her resume on theputer.


    She updated personal information, printed it out, and ced it in her file bag.


    Though her resume was only a few pages, she felt it was heavy.


    She also put the divorce agreement she had drafted in her file bag, indicating her eptance of the twenty million dors from Bryan.


    With Bryan upied with heavy work at Apex Group and working overtime in the office, Eileen went to the hospital to settle the money she owed fromst time.


    During her visit, she conversed with Ruby, who urged her to marry Huey promptly.


    Eileen replied, “Mom, Huey is still young. I believe it’s wise to spend more time with him and really get to know him before considering marriage.”


    “I apologize, Eileen. I’m just concerned about you. I won’t mention it again; I won’t rush you into marriage,” Ruby reassured her. She mentioned that she didn’t have much time left, so she asked Eileen to make a n for herself.


    Eileen had originally intended to stay overnight with Ruby, but Ruby insisted that Eileen go home and rest, expressing concern that the hospital wouldn’t provide Eileen with proper rest.


    After Eileen left, Ruby went to see Emilio.


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