?Chapter 78:


    Ste dismissed the room with a flick of her wrist. “I understand now. Since you’re outsiders, I shall handle the matter with my grandson myself.”


    Vivian stood mute, thoughts a whirlwind.


    Beside her, Kian was also left speechless by Ste’s words.


    Eileen struggled to mask her amusement. The timing was off, yet the irony of Ste’s rebuke was not lost on her.


    Ste’s words felt like a tangible strike to both Vivian and Kian.


    Ste turned to Eileen. “How dare you, Eileen? How dare you investigate the person I have chosen?” Ste’s anger was palpable, her p against the wood echoing in the room.


    Her shout left Eileen visibly shaken.


    “me me, not her,” Bryan interjected with calm authority. “She did that under mymand.”


    He moved with purpose, positioning himself as a barrier to protect Eileen.


    Vivian’s and Kian’s focus remained fixed on Ste, not noticing Bryan’s move.


    Ste, perceptive as ever, nced at Bryan and Eileen with a meaningful look.


    “I won’t let you ruin Bryan,” Ste said.


    “Why?” Vivian’s confusion spilled out unrestrained. “If he doesn’t love his wife, why shouldn’t he want to do that for…?”


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    Ste cut Vivian off with a dismissive gesture. “What’s love got to do with it? Sometimes love does more damage than good. Stay married, and he’s the devoted husband. Get a divorce, and he’ll be the viin in the public’s eyes.”


    As Ste made her case, Eileen gathered the strewn papers on the floor, bundled them into the Kraft paper bag, and set them neatly on the table.


    The next second, Ste took the Kraft paper bag and reached out her hand to the butler.


    The butler, momentarily taken aback, eventually produced a lighter.


    With a flick, a me came to life, nibbling at the corner of the bag. The me grew, the smoke curling up before the fire fully caught.


    In an instant, the bag was discarded onto the floor, where it singed a tile a sickly yellow and reduced the contents to ash.


    Everyone in the room watched, fixated on the fiery demise of the documents, a wave of relief washed over Eileen.


    She stole a nce at Bryan. Shadows yed across his face, his eyes betraying a storm of unease.


    “Seems you’ve been back for quite some time, Vivian,” Ste said, her demeanor light.


    Vivian, caught off guard, nodded. “Indeed, I returned the day before your trip to the mountain. I dropped by the next day, not knowing you had left.”


    Ste’s smile wavered. “I ventured up the mountain only after learning of your return. I didn’t expect you to visit me. After all, we are neither kin nor friends, wouldn’t you agree?”


    The battle of wits left Vivian a shade of red, her embarrassment clear as day.


    Though her pride stung, Vivian held her tongue, her face a mask of forcedposure.


    Kian quickly intervened, saying, “Vivian often visits you before she goes abroad. It’s only fitting that Vivian would pay her respects aftering back.”


    Ste eyed Kian, her tone light yet piercing. “You’re not getting any younger, Kian. Perhaps it’s time to entertain the thought of marriage. Even my wayward grandson is married. Shouldn’t you consider marriage as well?”


    With the conversation ebbing, Bryan returned to his desk, his thoughts deep. Eileen approached, her voice hushed. “Mr. Dawson, shall I prepare another document regarding your wife?”


    Observing Bryan turn on hisptop calmly, Eileen noted the pensive pinch in his brow.


    After a while, he finally spoke. “Forget it.”


    He was well aware of Ste’s temperament. Too much pressure, and she might snap.


    “Alright. Then I’ll head back to work,” Eileen replied.


    With a casual gesture, Bryan acknowledged her, and she made her exit. He watched her leave, and it was after she left the office that he finally averted his gaze.


    He just sat there, lost in the echo of Ste’s biting remarks to Vivian and Kian. Theptop screen was a sea of documents, but his thoughts intermittently wandered to Eileen.


    He couldn’t shake the sense that circumstances were spiraling beyond his grasp. And most importantly, he felt he couldn’t control his heart.


    Returning to her office felt surreal to Eileen. She sank into her chair, the weight of the earlier events grounding her slowly.


    The thought crossed her mind: her information—was it all just embers now?


    Those papers had disintegrated into nothingness. Bryan, Vivian, and Kian didn’t see anything.


    A fleeting sense of joy passed through her, swiftly chased by a surge of concern.


    Now, she faced the ongoing challenge of interacting with Bryan and Vivian, with the added unpredictability of Ste.


    Ste’s moods were mercurial, leaving everyone guessing her next move.


    Years had passed since Ste orchestrated Eileen’s union with Bryan, vanishing afterward as if she had slipped off the edge of the world, leaving no word behind.


    Ste didn’t care about what happened in Eileen’s marriage with Bryan as long as they didn’t divorce.


    To her, it seemed Bryan’s spouse was merely a piece in a familial game of chess.


    Now, she stood against their separation, fearing the ridicule it might bring upon the Dawson family, that the marriage would dissolve into disgrace.


    Amidst the Warren and Dawson family strife, Eileen felt stuck in between.


    She felt like one misstep could be her undoing.


    A voice broke her reverie. “Miss Curtis.” Ka’s arrival with documents in hand, announced by a polite tap at the door, drew Eileen’s focus back to the task at hand.


    Time psed, and soon Bryan’s voice came through the internal line, requesting Eileen to make a reservation at a restaurant. He nned to have a meal with the Warren family.


    Eileen booked a private room in the most luxurious restaurant in Onnd. The room was big enough to amodate more than a dozen, even though there would be only seven or eight people attending.


    As the midday sun climbed, Eileen paused in thought before heading to Bryan’s office.


    She entered, announcing, “Mr. Dawson, the reservation at Laitis is all set. Should I apany you to the lunch?”


    In the office, Bryan was busy at his desk alone. Kian and Vivian were chatting with Ste on the sofa.


    Judging from her expression, Vivian was much happier now. It seemed that she had probably made Ste satisfied. That was likely why they would want to have lunch with both families present.


    Bryan’s response was sinct. “There’s no need.”


    But Ste interjected promptly, “Oh, why not? It’s on us to extend hospitality to the Warren family. Eileen’spany would be helpful.”


    Bryan’s brow creased in contemtion as if he were thinking about how to refuse.


    Eileen quickly said, “Of course, I’lle along. When do we leave? Should I bring the car now?”


    Seeing that Eileen knew her ce, Vivian was pleased. “We depart immediately. My family awaits at noon.” Eileen nodded and left to fetch the car.


    She chauffeured Ste and Bryan, while Vivian rode with Kian.


    The butler had made his way back to the Dawson Mansion.


    In the car, silence reigned. Without Kian and Vivian’s light-hearted banter, Ste’s smile faded.


    Bryan, statuesque beside her, gazed out at the passing scenery.


    Ste broke the quiet. “Vivian’s grown more astute, it seems.”


    Bryan caught her reflection. His profile was etched with indifference.


    He responded coolly, “Is that so? Then your grudge against her should have disappeared, right?”


    Ste replied, “It’s you who bore the brunt, the one who faced mockery. If your affections outweigh your pride, what more is there for me to say?”


    Her tone was gentle, yet beneath ity a clear frustration.


    Eileen mulled over the depth of Bryan’s feelings. It seemed to her he harbored a profound love for Vivian.


    For six years, he had shelved his pride, holding out hope for a reunion. His intentions to divorce and reignite their past as soon as Vivian returned spoke volumes.


    Bryan remained silent after Ste’sment, leaningnguidly against the car, a subtle lift of his head betraying a furrowed brow.


    Ste didn’t say anything more. When they reached their destination, Eileen was quick to assist Ste out of the car, her actions smooth and practiced.


    “Allow me to offer my assistance,” Bryan said, stepping out and offering a supportive hand to Ste.


    Ste, however, recoiled from his touch, instead seizing Eileen’s hand. “The valet will handle the parking. I require your aid,” she instructed firmly.


    Without hesitation, Eileen entrusted the keys to the valet and returned to Ste’s side, taking her arm to guide her inside the restaurant.


    Kian, maintaining a presence at Ste’s other side, made another attempt to assist her. This time, Ste epted, leaning on both Eileen and Bryan for support as they entered.


    The VIP box on the first floor was aglow with sunlight as the doors swung open, casting a warm glow over the entire room.


    Sunbeams danced off the ss, spotlighting the Warren family, who seemed uplifted, perhaps in anticipation of Ste’s arrival.


    Wees were exchanged with smiles as they took Ste’s arms, guiding her to the table amidst cheerful conversation.


    “You can grab a bite by yourself outside. Just stay nearby,” Bryan said to Eileen casually, one hand in his pocket.


    “I understood,” Eileen nodded and stepped away, only to be called by Ste. “Eileen, fetch the menu for Mrs. Warren.”


    Turning on her heel, Eileenplied. “Okay.”


    She beckoned the waiter at the entrance and presented the menu to Debby Warren with both hands.


    Debby, however, said, “Give that to Vivian. Let her decide what to order.”


    Eileen obliged, extending the menu to Vivian, who was seated intimately close to Bryan.


    Kian, sitting beside Vivian, watched Eileen navigate her duties.


    Vivian said, “Mrs. Dawson has always enjoyed the goose liver here. We should order this.”


    Ste brushed off the suggestion, growing weary of it. “My preferences have changed. Choose whatever pleases you. After all, we’re all here for you.”


    The table fell silent, the weight of Ste’s words hanging in the air as each person absorbed the significance of the gathering.


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