?Chapter 114:


    “Don’t worry about the money. I’ll figure something out. When you return, choose the right time to resign and find another job that suits you better,” Ruby instructed.


    As she wiped Bailee’s tears away, tears of her own began to fall. “From now on, you and your sister need to support each other.”


    The way Ruby spoke, as if she were making arrangements for after she was gone, left Bailee feeling unsettled. “Mom, why are you saying this all of a sudden? What’s going on?”


    Ruby realized she had be too emotional. She quickly wiped her tears and managed to smile. “It’s nothing. I just got a bit carried away today; it’s your birthday. Why don’t you take the day off? I’ll take you out for a meal.”


    “Okay,” Bailee agreed, and she immediately messaged Huey to request the day off, which he granted without hesitation.


    Knowing Eileen was busy at work, Ruby and Bailee decided not to bother her. However, Ruby hadn’t forgotten about Eileen and nned a surprise for her with Bailee. They decided to go to Springvale Lane in the evening.


    By six o’clock, they were at Springvale Lane, but even by eight, there was still no sign of Eileen. Concerned, Bailee tried calling Eileen, but the call was abruptly disconnected after less than two seconds. Then, she received a text from Eileen:


    “I’m still tied up at work for another hour. I know today’s your birthday. Are you at the hospital? I’ll head there after work; I’ve got a cake for you.”


    Eileen hadn’t forgotten Bailee’s birthday.


    Bailee showed Eileen’s message to Ruby. Ruby said, “It’s sote, and she’s still at work. Let’s not bother her tonight. She can enjoy the cake herself, and we can meet another day. Take me back to the hospital.”


    All the magic begins at g?lnσν???s


    Following her mother’s advice, Bailee texted Eileen, mentioning that Ruby was tired and wanted to rest, telling Eileen not toe to the hospital.


    Bailee then hailed a taxi at themunity gate and headed straight to the hospital with Ruby. Near the entrance, an SUV had been parked for hours. As soon as Bailee’s taxi approached, the person inside the SUV made a call.


    “Miss Warren, we’ve been monitoring Eileen’s residence for quite some time without any sight of Mr. Dawson or Eileen. However, I just saw Eileen’s sister, Bailee, with an older woman who appears to be Eileen’s ill stepmother.”


    Vivian quickly replied, “Find out which hospital they go to and try to determine Eileen’s stepmother’s ward.”


    Since the incident at Vicin Mall, Vivian had not seen Bryan. Her attempts to contact Bryan—calls and messages—remained unanswered. Left with no other option, she had resorted to having someone watch Eileen’s residence, convinced that Eileen and Bryan were together, though shecked concrete proof.


    After ending the call, Vivian tossed her phone onto the bed. As she turned, she startled to see Kian standing there.


    She quickly stood up, nervously clutching the hem of her clothes. “Kian, why didn’t you make any noise when you entered my room?” she asked.


    “What have you done?”


    Kian could instantly tell that Vivian was scheming something.


    Vivian bit her lip, her eyes quickly welling up with tears. “Kian, I can’t find Bryan. He must not want me anymore.”


    As she began to cry, Kian’s expression softened, and his stern demeanor faded. “Sit down and tell me everything. Remember, I’m here for you no matter what.”


    Vivian recounted the events at the mall. With each word, she grew more upset. “What do you think Bryan meant by his actions? Has he fallen for Eileen? Why else would he help her? Is he ignoring me now to spend all his time with her? I had people watching Eileen’s house and Oak Vis for days, but neither of them showed up. Where could they possibly be?”


    Kian squinted, a knowing smile crossing his face. “I underestimated Eileen. And Bryan… He’s protecting her. Now do you see why I told you to leave her alone and just stick by Bryan’s side?”


    Realizing the gravity of the situation, Vivian panicked. “What should I do now?” she asked.


    Vivian felt deep regret. She used to see Bryan every day, but days had passed without hearing his voice. Anxious and flustered, she began pacing the room as conflicting thoughts raced through her mind. “It can’t go on like this; Bryan can’t treat me this way. He still cares for me. He’s just upset because I left him years ago. I shouldn’t have left…”


    “Vivian!” Kian’s expression shifted as he rose. He fetched some medicine and water from the bedside table and offered them to her. “Calm down and take your medicine.”


    “I don’t want to! I don’t need it anymore. Bryan’s back, and he’s all the medicine I need. He’ll stay by my side!” Vivian eximed, batting the medicine out of Kian’s hand. She retreated until her back was against the wall.


    Concern clouded Kian’s face as he retrieved the medicine. In a gentle tone, he said, “You need to stabilize your emotions with this medicine before you see Bryan, or you might frighten him.”


    “Will I really scare Bryan? Will he leave if he’s frightened?” Vivian asked, touching her face in distress. “Then I’ll take the medicine. Just tell Bryan not to meet…”


    Clearly on edge, she snatched the medicine from Kian and swallowed it dry. Shortly after taking it, her body rxed, and she fell into sleep.


    Kian left her room deep in thought. He descended the stairs, grabbed his coat, and drove off. While in the car, he called Jacob, inviting him to meet at the club.


    Jacob agreed readily. Upon arriving at the private room, he realized that Bryan was absent and only Kian was present.


    “Where is Bryan?” Jacob asked, pausing briefly before casually taking a seat.


    Kian poured wine into an empty ss and pushed it across to Jacob. “I didn’t invite him. Couldn’t get through to him on the phone. He’s probably tied up,” he exined.


    Jacob, looking somewhat awkward, nced at the wine. “It’s a bit dull just the two of us for drinks. Maybe we should meet up another day?”


    With that, he stood up, reached for his coat, and prepared to leave.


    “Don’t rush off,” Kian said calmly, effectively halting Jacob.


    Jacob watched as Kian pulled out a cigarette and offered it to him. After a brief hesitation, he epted the cigarette, lit it, and inhaled deeply. “What do you need from me?” he asked.


    With a sigh, Kian pped him on the shoulder. “I’m just curious why you opposed Vivian being with Bryan. They had a good thing going. I know Vivian can be a bit spoiled and headstrong, but she’s not a bad person.”


    If Vivian had been more ruthless and clever, Eileen’s situation would likely have been much grimmer. However, Vivian had only ever gained an advantage when Kian stepped in, clearly demonstrating herck of savvy.


    Jacob was well aware of this. He said, “Was their rtionship ever actually good?”


    “Vivian has been smitten with Bryan since high school. They made it official in college and stayed together for four years. Growing up together only strengthened their bond,” Kian said.


    Jacob scoffed. “I’m telling you, if it weren’t for Eileen, and Vivian hadn’t left back then, Vivian and Bryan might have actually gotten married. Bryan needed a wife to dodge the marriage his parents arranged for him. Remember how they tried to set him up with Z?”


    At the mention of Z, a shadow passed over Kian’s face. He raised his ss and clinked it with Jacob’s. “That makes sense.”


    Reflecting on the past, Jacob sighed deeply. Though he was merely a spectator to these events, he had watched everything unfold into the present situation.


    He drained his ss in one go, but Kian was quick to refill it. “So you’re saying that Bryan truly had feelings for her back then? He wanted to avoid marrying Z?” Kian asked.


    Jacob nodded immediately but then hesitated, unsure whether he liked Vivian or not, but avoiding Z was definitely part of it. Still, he wasn’t heartless. Whether or not he had feelings for her, he was ready tomit. But then Vivian chose to leave.


    Jacob repeatedly circled back to Vivian’s departure, indicating how much it bothered him.


    After a brief pause, Kian raised his ss again, and they both drank.


    Throughout their conversation, Kian skillfully guided Jacob through nostalgic moments, prompting Jacob to drink often.


    An hour into their conversation, Jacob’s face was flushed as he sat on the floor, clinging to Kian’s knees and grinning broadly. “I remember you had a thing for Z back then, but she’s been abroad for over a decade. Do you still remember what she looks like?”


    “I don’t,” Kian replied coolly, looking down at the intoxicated Jacob. “We’ve reminisced about a lot tonight. Too bad Bryan isn’t here. Where do you think he could be?”


    Jacob hupped, his cheeks rosy and eyes barely open. “Where’s Bryan? Where could he be? Call him over!”


    He jostled Kian’s leg, yfully shouting to summon Bryan.


    Kian steadied him. “I don’t know where Bryan is; it’s like he’s vanished. I can’t see him or reach him. Eileen’s gone missing, too.”


    Jacob squinted, struggling to keep his eyes open. Then his expression turned sly. “I know where they are…”


    As the cold wind howled and snowkes drifted from the sky, nketing the roads in white, Eileen exited the Vicin Mall.


    She spotted Bryan by the roadside, unmistakable in his ck overcoat and trousers against the snowy backdrop. His features were sharply defined, his expression cool but softening instantly when he caught sight of her. With a gentle smile, he walked toward her, sheltering her from the snow with his ck umbre.


    Eileen, d in a red down jacket, her silhouette slender, had snowkes on her long hair. Bryan reached out, lightly flicking them away, leaving no trace.


    “Are you cold?” he asked, his voice aforting presence above her.


    Eileen nodded and looked at his extended hand, palm up. “Come here,” Bryan invited, motioning for her to ce her hand in his.


    This interaction, almost a daily ritual now, felt familiar to Eileen. She naturally ced her hand in his, letting him wrap their hands together inside the pocket of his coat.


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