?Chapter 92:
Eileen endured a full day tethered to IV drips and medication, with Bailee constantly urging her to stay hydrated.
The medication likely lulled her into sleep for the better part of the day.
The following morning, she slipped into the professional outfit Bailee had selected for her.
That was when the realization hit her—she was heading to the banquet to meet Bryan, destined once more to confront his icy stare and dismissive nces.
“Eileen, your clothes seem looser,” Bailee remarked, pulling at the skirt’s hem, now spacious enough to slide an arm through.
Eileen spun around, fetched a safety pin from her bag, and quickly secured her skirt. “It’s fine; I’ll adjust it. You two have neglected your work for two days to be here. You can head back to work now. If you’re still worried,e back and check on me this evening.”
She exited the hospital ward, her lipstick lending her a hint of robustness despite her frailty.
The bandage wrapped around her hand contrasted sharply with her otherwise polished demeanor.
The venue for Ste’s birthday celebration was a hotel owned by Apex, which had beenpletely reserved for the event.
A plush red carpet unfurled from the entrance, extending all the way to the curb, greeting the arriving guests.
The guest list was short, yet itprised exclusively influential figures.
The banquet was scheduled to start at ten in the morning, and Eileen made her entrance an hour early.
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As she stepped out of the taxi, she walked the red carpet to the entrance, where the staff promptly weed her. “Morning, Ms. Curtis!”
Eileen acknowledged them with a nod, feeling a twinge of…
Of unease, and proceeded inside. “There,” she expected.
Ste had already taken her ce.
The grand hall was alive with festive decorations, all tailored to Ste’s taste and orchestrated by Eileen herself.
Ste upied the central chair, with Bryan beside her, his back to the entrance, lounging in his seat with a casual lean.
He seemed engrossed in something Ste was saying, his head slightly bowed.
“Eileen, are you no longer interested in your job? You’ve even arrivedter than Bryan,” Ste’s voice carried a note of clear dissatisfaction as she observed Eileen’s arrival.
Eileen noticed Bryan’s frame tense momentarily before he rxed again.
Approaching his side, she offered a slight nod to Ste, saying, “I apologize for thete arrival.”
Ste noticed the bandages on Eileen’s hand, her expression tightening. “Injured? That exins the leave request.”
Eileen hesitated, wondering if Bryan had shared that information with Ste or if Ste had pieced it together herself.
Since Bryan remained silent, Eileen didn’t rify about that. “Yes, I needed some time to recover after I got scalded.”
Ste responded firmly, “No heavy lifting for you today. You can stay since you’ve already made it here.” She then cast a meaningful look at Bryan.
He didn’t move, his head slightly lowered, maintaining an air of cool detachment, his brows faintly creased.
Witnessing this, Eileen felt a twinge of guilt.
Ste’s expression turned into a frown as she nudged Bryan lightly. “Go, take Eileen to the entrance to wait.”
With a flex of his brow, Bryan, one hand casually tucked into his pocket, made his way out.
Eileen acknowledged Ste with a nod and quickly followed Bryan.
At the entrance of the banquet hall, the double wooden doors boasted intricate carvings, each nked by towering vases.
Bryan leaned against the wall, a lit cigarette dangling from his lips, expertly blowing smoke rings into the air.
“Your grandmother asked me to help out today, Mr. Dawson. I’m aware I’m on suspension, and I won’t be at thepany tomorrow,” Eileen stated, keeping her distance, her eyes lowered.
“You didn’t expect my grandmother to ask you toe here, right?” Bryan’s voice carried a hint of challenge.
That was probably why she had sent that message about him. Then again, the message had been intended for Jacob’s eyes. She likely hadn’t anticipated that he would see it.
Bryan was just surprised that Eileen would be that bold in private.
Eileen, confused, lifted her gaze to meet Bryan’s, trying to decipher his cryptic words.
However, Bryan chose not to borate. He continued to smoke, the swirling smoke veiling his features and adding an air of mystery.
Eileen could almost feel the icy aura that surrounded him as the smoke danced in the air.
As guests began to arrive, Eileenposed herself, standing slightly behind Bryan, her smile in ce.
Bryan greeted the arriving guests with his characteristic poise.
Some guests even offered him early congrattions, to which he responded with polite gratitude, though his face remained impassive, showing no hint of joy.
Jacob and his parents were among thest to arrive. Jacob raised his eyebrows at Eileen as he entered, a silent acknowledgment of her presence.
Thest toe was the Warren family.
Fergus and his wife arrived in coordinating dark red attire, their expressions radiating happiness.
Vivian, dressed in a delicate pink with a ck bow adorning her hair, looked every bit the princess.
Her face momentarily darkened at the sight of Eileen, but she quickly recovered her cheerful demeanor.
With all attendees ounted for, Bryan ushered the Warren family inside.
Eileen trailed behind, noting that Vivian and Kian had slowed their pace to match hers.
“It’s good that you’re here, Eileen. I want you to witness firsthand as Mrs. Dawson acknowledges me. Tomorrow, I’ll make sure your suspension turns into a termination. You’ll be kicked out of the Apex Group,” Vivian whispered, her voice sweet but her words venomous.
She wore a triumphant smile, evidently feeling she had finally outmaneuvered Eileen, releasing much of her pent-up animosity.
This time, Eileen chose not to respond. Her gaze shifted to Bryan ahead, who seemed to catch the tense atmosphere and paused.
Adjusting his suit with a casual flick of his fingers, Bryan looked back at Eileen. “Go check on the kitchen preparations,” he instructed calmly.
“Yes,” Eileen replied, then turned to fulfill the task.
After ensuring everything in the kitchen was running smoothly, Eileen made her way back to the hall.
There, a crowd had gathered around Ste, all presenting their birthday gifts.
Eileen positioned herself slightly behind Bryan, noticing a cluster of young people around him.
Megan, following closely behind Vivian, delivered a series of biting remarks before shooting a re at Eileen.
Next to her stood Phoebe, her short hair framing her face.
She offered Eileen a smile while casting a quick nce toward Jacob.
Jacob caught her look, giving a soft snort and turning his gaze away, hinting at some unspoken tension between them. Eileen, standing quietly behind Bryan, could only specte about their strained interaction.
Suddenly, an elder said, “Mrs. Dawson, it’s nearly lunchtime. You mentioned some big news you wanted to share. It’s time.”
The crowd’s attention quickly shifted to Bryan and Vivian.
Feeling the weight of the moment, Eileen’s gaze dropped even lower. For the elders, the prospect of Ewan and Vivian uniting was a cause for celebration, but for Eileen, it was a distressing spectacle.
Megan nudged Vivian forward, who, despite blushing, shot a frustrated look at Megan before reaching out to grasp Bryan’s sleeve—a gesture fueled by her overwhelming joy.
Ste, observing this, smiled warmly and gestured invitingly toward Vivian.
Believing she was stepping forward to join Ste, Vivian cast a shy nce at Bryan.
“Mrs. Dawson,” Vivian called out.
“Hi, Vivian!” Ste’s voice carried a warm tone, a pleasant first in their interactions.
The hall buzzed with festivity as people extended their joyful gazes to Vivian’s parents.
Debby, filled with anticipation for this moment, cast a look at Bryan and said, “Actually, Vivian is quite well-behaved, though a bit stubborn. But no matter her stubbornness, she wouldn’t intentionally hurt anyone.”
Her words hinted at past grievances, seemingly using Bryan of his impulsive decision to marry someone else.
If not for that, they wouldn’t have had to wait for this moment for so long.
Bryan’s expression remained unreadable, his eyes downcast, concealing any underlying emotions.
Eileen observed his perfect profile, its sharp lines softened by the golden sunlight, imbuing him with an aura of aloofness and nobility.
His distant yet maic presence was striking.
A man like him, naturally, would draw admiration and love. It was no surprise that Vivian had returned after a six-year absence, still evidently captivated by him.
“Of course, girls tend to be more attentive than boys,” Ste remarked, gently pulling Vivian closer by the hand and patting it affectionately. “Bryan knows nothing and can be quite temperamental, not like you.”
Vivian’s cheeks flushed with a mix of shyness and delight. “Mrs. Dawson, I may not be as perfect as you describe, but I promise that once I be part of the Dawson family, I’ll take very good care of you.”
“That’s what I’ve been waiting to hear,” Ste responded with a chuckle. She then reached into her bag and pulled out a bracelet, presenting it to Vivian. “This bracelet—”
“I know!” Vivian interjected eagerly. “This is the Dawson family heirloom bracelet, right? I remember when I used to visit the Dawson Mansion; you mentioned several times that there’s an heirloom jade bracelet reserved for Bryan’s future wife.”
Ste had once intended to give it to Vivian, who back then had felt too young to ept such a significant gift.
Yet, regardless of the passage of time, it seemed destined to find its way to Vivian.
Vivian lifted her gaze, casting a nce at Eileen, whose expression remained enigmatic. Eileen’s indifferent gaze fixed on the bracelet in Ste’s hand, seemingly detached.
Vivian, unable to contain her excitement, softly snorted as she took the bracelet from Ste’s hand and slipped it onto her wrist.
Under the lights, the bracelet shimmered, its rity and value unmistakable.
“Vivian,” Debby spoke up, her tone hinting at reprimand yet soft. “Mrs. Dawson hasn’t ever told you to wear it. Why have you put it on already?”
“I—Mom—” Vivian protested, yfully stomping her foot.
However, Ste dismissed the concern with a wave of her hand. “It’s okay. It’s rare that she likes something this much. But this bracelet isn’t the one meant for you.”
Vivian paused, a look of confusion crossing her face. “This is not the heirloom bracelet of the Dawson family?”
“It’s indeed an heirloom, but one traditionally passed to a granddaughter-inw. This one is meant for a different family member.”
Vivian lifted her gaze, casting a nce at Eileen, whose expression remained enigmatic. Eileen’s indifferent gaze fixed on the bracelet in Ste’s hand, seemingly detached.
Vivian, unable to contain her excitement, softly snorted as she took the bracelet from Ste’s hand and slipped it onto her wrist.
Under the lights, the bracelet shimmered, its rity and value unmistakable.
“I, Vivian,” Debby spoke up, her tone hinting at reprimand yet soft. “Mrs. Dawson hasn’t ever told you to wear it. Why have you put it on already?”
“I—Mom—” Vivian protested, yfully stomping her foot.
However, Ste dismissed the concern with a wave of her hand. “It’s okay. It’s rare that she likes something this much. But this bracelet isn’t the one meant for you.”
Vivian paused, a look of confusion crossing her face. “This is not the heirloom bracelet of the Dawson family?”
“It’s indeed an heirloom, but one traditionally passed to a granddaughter-inw. This one is meant for a granddaughter,” Ste exined, gently taking Vivian’s hand in hers.
After a pause, she continued, “You see, our Dawson family has historically passed down through the male line, and we’ve only had sons. This granddaughter’s bracelet hasn’t found its heir until today. I am very fond of Vivian, so I want to consider her as my own granddaughter from now on. This makes Vivian, in a way, a member of the Dawson family, and I intend to treat her as such. I’ve even instructed ourwyer to prepare a contract that grants Vivian a share of the Dawson family’s dividends and stocks. Do you all agree?”
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