?Chapter 86:


    Bryan escorted Vivian to the secluded living room reserved for his use alone, where none could venture without his permission.


    On the sofa, tears etched Vivian’s cheeks as she said, “Bryan, this isn’t fair. How am I less than her? My love for you is true, but her? It’s your wealth she’s after!”


    His expression tightened at her words. “You’re targeting the wrong person,” he said.


    Eileen reached the top of the staircase just in time to catch their words. A hopeful flutter began in her chest.


    Was Bryan actually taking her side against Vivian? A fleeting joy bubbled within, only to be quenched by his next utterance.


    “She’s merely a distraction,” Bryan said.


    The realization stung. Eileen pressed her lips together, questioning her decision toe here.


    Yet, in a twisted way, this rity was a balm, offering her peace in understanding her true standing.


    Eileen tightened her hold on the card as tears fell down her face.


    Without a sound, she retreated down the stairs.


    On the upper floor, Vivian and Bryan’s confrontation continued. Withposure regained, Vivian’s voice was softer. “Bryan, losing my cool was wrong, but it’s hard for me to watch you with another woman. Have you considered that if you end things with her and the money stops, she might turn vindictive? What if she—”


    She halted, her thoughts teetering on a precipice. She didn’t know if Bryan knew that Eileen was pregnant.


    ????t??st chαpt?rs in g??lnovels.c????


    She added, “What if she turns on thepany, or worse?”


    “She’s not a threat,” Bryan said, his words short and final. “You need to find a way to persuade my grandmother.”


    With that, he turned and went to his room, his exit speaking volumes without a word.


    Vivian, driven by a mixture of desperation and resolve, caught him in an embrace from behind. “Bryan, I’m not going anywhere. Take me. Your marital status doesn’t matter. I just want us to be together. Forget about Eileen.”


    Her hands awkwardly grappled with his shirt, her efforts to undo the buttons clumsy and futile, but Bryan quickly pulled her hands away with decisiveness.


    He faced her, his gaze cold.


    The ring of a phone cut through the tense silence—it was Bryan’s.


    With a swift motion, he answered, “Hello…”


    A brief exchange ensued, and then he turned to Vivian. “Kian is on the line, wondering if you need him to pick you up.”


    Vivian’s response was instant. “No! I don’t want to go.”


    With that, Vivian quickly excused herself to the downstairs guest room.


    Back on the call, Bryan’s advice was firm. “Kian, it’s best to end this deal soon. It’s not doing Vivian any favors.”


    “I know what I’m doing. Just give her more time,” Kian replied.


    Bryan, framed by the grand window with tempestuous winds swirling outside, warned, “Don’t get lost in wishful thinking.”


    Kian’s reply was barely audible. “Got it.”


    After the call, a stillness enveloped Bryan. Vivian’s tears and Kian’s request didn’t bother him.


    It was the memory of Eileen’s faint smile as she took the card earlier that lingered in his mind.


    He longed to strip away the pretense, to discover if money was her only joy.


    Vivian’s insinuations echoed in his mind, igniting a tight knot.


    The night’s rainfall had cleansed the air.


    Eileen, seemingly indifferent to beingbeled a mere tool, rose early.


    Bryan descended to find her in the courtyard with Ste, who was enjoying her morning coffee.


    He masked the chill in his gaze, greeting Ste with a customary nod.


    Seating himself next to Ste, he acknowledged Eileen’s greeting.


    He swiftly turned to Ste. “Birthday banquet—how do you n to manage it this year? I’ll have people prepare it in advance.”


    Setting aside her cup, Ste replied, “I’ll check with your father about your parents’ return. Full house calls for a grand affair; otherwise, a low-key celebration will do.”


    Then, as an afterthought, she queried, “When is Z finishing her studies?”


    Bryan’s gaze briefly tightened as he surveyed the servants bustling in the courtyard. “Soon,” he responded.


    “Your parents might return after Z’s graduation. For now, a modest birthday gathering for me will do,” Ste said, rising to her feet.


    After a moment of reflection, Bryan told Eileen, “You’ll see to my grandmother’s birthday arrangements. Keep it to our standard.”


    “I understand, Mr. Dawson,” Eileen replied, stealing a nce at him.


    The warmth of the sun did little to soften his cold presence.


    “Mrs. Dawson,” Vivian approached briskly, her demeanor untouched by the prior evening’s drama, and gently grasped Ste’s arm. “Your birthday deserves more than simplicity. My family anticipates the event. There are some things we should sit down and discuss properly.”


    Her eyes flicked to Bryan, subtly seeking his attention.


    Bryan’s attention shifted to Ste, waiting for her to say something. Eileen believed they wanted to discuss the matter regarding Bryan and Vivian at Ste’s birthday.


    “You’re right,” Ste said. “Eileen, draft invitations for a select number of our family’s friends. Emphasize attendance. Tell them there’ll be a significant announcement at the birthday gathering.”


    Vivian’s glee was unmistakable as she nced at Eileen. “What are you still waiting for? Didn’t you hear what Mrs. Dawson said?”


    Eileen held back the swell of emotions, responding with a voice that quivered ever so slightly, “Understood, Mrs. Dawson.”


    Vivian turned to Bryan, touching his shoulder lightly. “Would you help me choose a gift for your grandmotherter? I can’t seem to decide alone.”


    Bryan’s expression shifted subtly, and he replied with a gentle tone, “Alright.”


    Ste’s silence was telling, hinting at eptance.


    “I’ll head out now, seeing as you won’t go to the officeter, Mr. Dawson,” Eileen said. The difort was too much, and she was ready to leave this ce.


    Vivian, stepping in before Bryan could respond, said, “You’re free to go. Manage the internal meetings this morning on your own. Bryan won’t have the time to attend.”


    Eileen inhaled deeply, steadying herself. “Okay.”


    The car, stripped of the previous evening’s scent, held a reflective quietude.


    On the road, Eileen’s drive was swift, the scent of rain-soaked earth wafting in through the ajar window.


    With time to spare, she nned a detour to Springvale Lane for a change of attire. Strangely, as she put distance between herself and the Dawson Mansion, a tranquil serenity settled over her.


    Eileen found herself swamped with tasks as Bryan’s absence left her to tackle numerous official duties.


    Preparations for Ste’s birthday banquet also fell into her hands, an affair that had evolved from a simple family meal to an borate gathering with the Dawsons’ lifelong friends.


    Steter called, instructing Eileen to hand-deliver the invitations as a gesture of personal touch and respect.


    Among the invitees was the Meyer family, and when Eileen went to deliver the invitation, Jacob happened to be there.


    “Your personal delivery hints at an exceptional celebration for Ste this year,” Jacob said, epting the invitation.


    He passed it to Gwh, who couldn’t help but say, “Clearly. Now that Vivian is back, a wedding must be on the horizon, right?”


    Her gaze sought confirmation from Eileen.


    “I really couldn’t say,” Eileen replied, offering a smile. Without confirmation from Ste, it wasn’t her ce to specte.


    Jacob watched Eileen, her calm demeanor piquing his curiosity.


    “Pass my early congrattions to Ste,” Gwh seemed convinced of her own theory.


    Eileen offered a smile and made to depart, but Jacob followed her outside.


    He queried, “Does it trouble you, Eileen?”


    Eileen paused, offering him a courteous response. “Mr. Meyer, you are mistaken. There’s nothing for me to be upset about.”


    Jacob’s chuckle held a teasing edge. “You’re adopting Bryan’s ways, being this stubborn. I don’t believe you have no feelings for him.”


    Eileen remainedposed, her smile unwavering. “Busy day ahead, Mr. Meyer. I have many invitations to deliver; I’ll be leaving.”


    But Jacob’s next words halted her. “There’s something amiss about Vivian,” he said, barring her path with a casual lean against the wall.


    Surprised, Eileen asked, “What do you mean?”


    With a knowing smirk, Jacob said, “Just what I said. Persevere, Eileen. I think things will look up for you soon, perhaps with an unexpected twist.”


    With that, he moved aside. “Don’t let me keep you. See you at the celebration.”


    “Okay!” Eileen was left to ponder his words, suspecting he was merely stirring the pot with baseless theories.


    She made her rounds, handing out invitations. Curiosity was amon thread among the families that received the invitations. They all wondered about a potential announcement regarding Vivian and Bryan’s rtionship at Ste’s uing banquet.


    Eileen offered no concrete responses to their theories.


    For three days, she had been busy.


    Bryan, for his part, was seen frequently with Vivian. The reporters had taken a lot of photos of them together.


    Yet, the reporters’test strategy was tactful. They negotiated with the public rtions team of Bryan’spany, settling concerns financially, aware that any negative interference about the presumed nuptials would be distasteful.


    Among her myriad tasks, Eileen tended to thepany’s suggestion box—a routine for her each Saturday. This weekend, she found an envelope that drew her focus immediately.


    As she read the contents, her eyes widened with shock.


    .


    .


    .