?Chapter 79:


    Standing next to Vivian, Eileen found herself stealing nces at Bryan.


    His rxed posture contrasted with the cool detachment in his eyes, a cigarette casually held between his fingers.


    At Ste’sment, he raised an eyebrow, took a drag, and then snuffed out the cigarette, tossing it into the trash.


    Vivian cast a quick, timid look at Bryan and then quickly looked away. “I’ll pick something Bryan likes,” she murmured, her voice barely audible over the din of the gathering.


    Eileen, her ears ringing and thoughts swirling, didn’t hear what Vivian had said.


    She busied herself with the menu, taking orders and ensuring the waiter was prompt in serving the table. After that, she surveyed the upants around the circr table before settling into a corner near Bryan, ready for any directions he might give.


    Debby said, “Mrs. Dawson, please, at your age, you shouldn’t be bustling about. It would be best for you to stay home. Considering Bryan’s parents live abroad all year, you do have the responsibility of overseeing the Dawson family’s affairs.”


    Holding Ste’s hand, she smiled as if cueing Ste to address the topic of Bryan divorcing his wife and marrying Vivian.


    Ste, looking over at Bryan, scoffed, “Your point is valid. Without me overseeing things, Bryan might lose his way.”


    It seemed she was missing the subtle cues Debby was trying to convey about hastening Vivian’s eptance into the Dawson family.


    Despite Debby’s efforts, Ste skillfully changed the subject each time it veered too close to that sensitive topic.


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    Eileen remained on her feet throughout the meal.


    “Eileen,e and pour coffee for Mrs. Warren,” Ste called out suddenly.


    Eileen quickly approached Bryan, taking the coffee pot nearby.


    Their eyes met briefly, causing her to swiftly look away as she moved to Debby’s side to pour the coffee. She then served Fergus and Kian.


    Debby noted, “It seems Bryan is quite fond of this assistant of his. She’s always by his side.”


    Hearing this, Eileen paused while pouring Kian’s coffee, spilling a few drops. She quickly wiped the mess with a tissue. “Sorry.”


    Ste frowned at the mishap. “Really careless. If you upset our guests, it could cost you,” she cautioned.


    “Yes, Mrs. Dawson,” Eileen responded quickly, cing the coffee pot down and stepping back.


    Ste turned to Debby and exined, “She’s a senior special assistant. Her duties are extensive, and she’s on call day and night. Her sry reflects that. Honestly, her reliability is what I value most. She is always ountable for her errors, and if you’re dissatisfied, you have every right to reprimand her. She wouldn’t dare respond with insolence. That’s a virtue in my book. We’ve had no issues with her over the years. She has been nothing butpliant…”


    Her tone was strict as she discussed Eileen, yet she acknowledged her contributions. In fact, she portrayed Eileen as a valuable member of her team.


    Debby looked over at Eileen, who stood quietly in the corner, with aplex expression.


    The irony was not lost on her—Vivian, from the esteemed Warren family, seemed less appreciated than Eileen, the diligent assistant, in Ste’s eyes.


    Throughout the meal, the members of the Warren family found themselves puzzled, trying to grasp Ste’s underlying motives.


    Eileen felt drained. The intricate conversations at dinner were more taxing than any physical task. As the evening wrapped up, she went to bring the car, unlocking the car doors with a familiar beep.


    Suddenly, she noticed Benjamin standing by the vehicle.


    “You’re here, too,” she greeted him, appreciative of his past help.


    Benjamin nodded, pointing at another car parked across from them. “Dinner’s over? I’ll head over there now.”


    “Yes, it’s finished,” Eileen replied. She hesitated for a moment before adding, “Last time… Thank you for your help. Without it, Jonathan wouldn’t have let me off so easily.”


    Benjamin’s expression flickered with confusion, but he quickly smiled. “I didn’t do much. Just hope you’re not upset with me for stepping in.”


    His involvement had been limited to passing on a message to Bryan. The decisions that followed were Bryan’s alone.


    Eileen shook her head. “Of course not. You helped out, and I’m grateful for that.”


    Her gratitude was sincere. Without Benjamin’s intervention, she might have been ensnared by Jonathan’s ploys.


    Benjamin felt uneasy as he caught the sincerity in Eileen’s eyes, sparking twinges of guilt. He averted his gaze and stepped back. “You should head back now. I’m off to pick up Mrs. Warren.”


    “Alright,” Eileen responded. She got into her car, rolled down the window to nod at Benjamin, and then drove away.


    Watching her leave, Benjamin’s brows furrowed as he climbed into his own car.


    Eileen’s next task was to drop off Ste at the Dawson Mansion before apanying Bryan to thepany.


    Debby, standing by the car, made small talk with Ste, her demeanor suggesting she had more to discuss.


    She seemed to address the topic of Vivian and Bryan’s rtionship but hesitated, aware of the potential repercussions. With a reluctant wavering, she finally said goodbye to Ste.


    The car blended into traffic, making its way to the Dawson Mansion. The butler was already outside, directing the vehicle through the gates.


    The mansion itself was a testament to modern architecture, set on a vast property.


    The driveway was split between manicuredwns and the tranquil expanse of ake, where the breeze created ripples that reflected the blue sky and clouds above. Birds glided over this picturesque scene.


    Having worked for Bryan for years, Eileen was no stranger to the Dawson Mansion. Each visit underscored the stark contrast in their social standings.


    Her own humble living quarters paled inparison to even the homes of the Dawson family’s staff.


    Upon reaching the vi, she parked, and the butler quickly approached to open the door and help Ste out.


    Eileen stepped out of the car, positioning herself beside Bryan and giving Ste a respectful nod.


    “If you dare to assign Eileen any further investigations, I will have no choice but to dismiss her,” Ste dered firmly as she climbed the steps, her voice strong despite her age.


    Bryan’s expression darkened. “Grandma, what about that woman? What you are doing is wasting her time.”


    As Ste reached the doorway, she spun around, took off a bracelet from her wrist, and flung it at Bryan. “You scoundrel, are you trying to provoke me?”


    The bracelet, a sh of silver in the air, hurtled towards Bryan. Eileen instinctively moved to protect him, but he quickly stepped in front of her to intercept it.


    The bracelet struck his forehead with a sharp ng and dropped to the ground.


    Ste’s anger had given the throw considerable force, and a mark was quickly forming on Bryan’s forehead, starting to bleed.


    Eileen looked at Bryan with concern. Bryan shook his head slightly to reassure her.


    Ste’s voice, stillden with anger, echoed. “The entire Dawson family is under my control. Can’t I keep you in line? Eileen, listen well. From now on, you are to follow mymands. If he attempts any maneuvers behind my back, you must step in, or you risk being dismissed!”


    Eileen stood in shocked silence as Ste was led into the house by the butler.


    Realizing she was still holding onto Bryan’s arm, she quickly let go and turned her attention to the bleeding wound, her mind racing with the gravity of Ste’s words.


    “Are you alright?” she asked Bryan, concerned.


    Bryan shook his head and instinctively touched the wound, grimacing at the pain. “Let’s head back to the office,” he said.


    He then opened the passenger door, retrieved two tissues, and pressed them against the cut.


    By the time Eileen got back into the car, Bryan had managed a rough patch-up of his wound, his expression returning to its usual stoic coldness.


    The car rolled out of the Dawson Mansion, gliding smoothly along the road.


    Breaking the silence, Bryan nced at Eileen. “Grandma seems to have taken a liking to you!”


    Eileen was surprised by hisment. Remembering Ste’s words about her earlier, she replied, “She values my efficiency and dependability, not me as a person.”


    “Now, she’s monitoring you, and you are monitoring me,” Bryan remarked, his voice carrying a mix of sarcasm and resignation.


    Eileen hesitated, offering, “Mr. Dawson, if you still want to go forward with the investigation, I’m here to help.”


    Bryan turned to her, his shadowed expression filled with concern. “What can you really do? Go against my grandmother’s wishes and risk your job?”


    His words caught Eileen off guard, leaving her without a response.


    Eileen knew that if Bryan really asked her to keep investigating, she couldn’t refuse him. After all, she was under Bryan’smand, not Ste’s. The idea that Ste could truly oversee Bryan seemed more a formality than a practical reality.


    “I can’t shield you from my grandmother,” Bryan said after a long silence, his forehead creasing with the weight of the situation as he reflected on Ste’s vehement reaction.


    At his words, a brief chuckle almost escaped Eileen. She turned to gaze out the window but inadvertently caught Bryan’s reflection looking back at her.


    “Is it funny?” Bryan asked.


    Quickly, Eileen stifled her smile and shook her head. “Not at all,” she responded, refocusing her attention on the road as she continued to drive carefully.


    Upon reaching the Apex Group headquarters, Eileen headed straight to the pantry to grab a first aid kit before making her way to Bryan’s office.


    Bryan was already seated at his desk when she entered.


    Pausing momentarily as she held the first aid kit, Bryan quickly understood her.


    “To the sofa,” he directed, standing up and walking around the desk to take the kit from her.


    Eileenplied, following him to the sofa and watching as he opened the kit and pulled out a cotton swab and iodine. Then, he turned his gaze to her.


    Eileen was momentarily taken aback. The first aid kity open before her, and the cotton swab was already dabbed with iodine. There was not much for her to do; Bryan could clearly tend to the wound himself.


    Nevertheless, she took the swab and moved closer, positioning herself to better reach the wound as she leaned over Bryan.


    Her breath lightly brushed his head as she worked, and from his angle, he could see just the edge of her shirt cor.


    There was only a button undone; all Bryan could see was her corbone.


    The subtle scent of her skin enveloped him, distracting him momentarily.


    In a low voice, he asked, “Is it over?”


    “Almost,” Eileen responded, setting aside the used swab and picking up a bandage. “Try to keep it dry for the next few days. It should heal faster.”


    Bryan’s voice was hoarse, his question more personal this time. “I’m referring to your period. Is it over?”


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