?Chapter 161:


    If they drove like this, they would be arrested for drunk driving. Jacob said without hesitation, “Then let’s stay here tonight. There are lots of rooms anyway.”


    “No,” Bryan quickly said, putting out his cigarette. At that moment, everyone’s attention turned to Bryan. But Bryan just frowned and offered no exnation.


    “Come on,” Jacob said in a low voice. “Bryan, your house is soundproof. What are you afraid of? We can sleep on the third floor if you want!”


    Bryan’s expression darkened. He said coldly, “Take a taxi back.”


    Jacob quickly searched his pockets and protested, “My father won’t even give me money for a taxi.”


    “I will pay for you,” Bryan said swiftly. He paused, thought for a moment, and pulled the two hundred dors from his pocket.


    As soon as Bryan had the money in his hand, Jacob snatched it. But before Jacob could put the money away, Bryan snatched it back. He stood up and hesitated. Looking reluctant, he turned to Eileen. “Do you have fifty dors?”


    “No,” Eileen replied. She had only two hundred dors in her bag, which she had given to him.


    “Then I’ll give you a hundred dors for it. Remember to give me the change tomorrow.” Bryan handed Jacob the hundred-dor bill and pocketed the remaining bill. His stern look made it clear he was serious. After all, it had not been easy for him to earn the two hundred dors. Now, giving Jacob a hundred made him visibly ufortable.


    Eileen lowered her head, her long hair hiding her face but not her suppressedughter. When Bryan walked to the living room, Jacob followed, berating Bryan for his stinginess. Eileen, still smiling, joined Phoebe in clearing the table.


    Phoebe, having just heard the story behind the two hundred dors from Eileen, was alsoughing. Jacob was the only one out of the loop.


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    “Can you wear a dress tomorrow?” Phoebe asked, ncing at Eileen’s neck. There were some marks there, but they weren’t very noticeable. However, a strapless dress was out of the question.


    Without looking up, Eileen responded, “I’ll just wear my business suit. It’s a business party, not an evening party.”


    She rarely wore dresses. When she did go to parties with Bryan, she mostly wore business attire, which made it easier to conduct business.


    “But you’re not Bryan’s assistant now,” Phoebe said after a moment’s thought. “Wist Land is different from Onnd. I’ve heard that at their business meetings, women dress up more, and the meetings are not as formal as you think.”


    Her implication was that such business gatherings were often for socializing. Resting against the cupboard, Eileen considered for a moment before replying, “I’ll think about it.”


    Truthfully, she was hesitant. Should she buy an evening dress? A decent one would cost at least one hundred thousand dors. Although she could afford it, she was reluctant to spend so much on a dress. After the table was cleaned up, the unhappy Jacob left with Phoebe.


    Jacob keptining about Bryan’s stinginess, saying to Eileen that it was right she chose not to be with Bryan. Eileen knew better than toment, especially since she needed to stay the night in Bryan’s ce. Her quality of sleep would hinge on Bryan’s mood. Fortunately, Bryan was in a good mood tonight. Though he slept in her room, he didn’t do anything to her.


    After a full day’s rest and an evening of overtime dealing with matters at the education agency, Eileen didn’t go to bed with Bryan until close to midnight. Bryan held Eileen in his arms, and Eileen shifted uneasily. Noticing that, Bryan assured her he wouldn’t force anything and held her more firmly.


    The White family’s banquet was set for three in the afternoon at the most opulent hotel in downtown Wist Land, which was an hour’s drive from Pianoforte Vis. Eileen and Bryan woke around ten. Stepping out of her room, Eileen discovered a ssically styled dress in the living room. She put the dress on.


    The dress’s high neckline subtly concealed the faint marks on her neck, and the light green fabricplemented her arms perfectly. The slit running up to her thighs seemed to elongate her legs. Her hair was styled up, entuating her delicate features and adding to her elegance. Bryan was always captivated whenever Eileen donned such ssic attire.


    Today, he matched her in a ck suit paired with a dark green tie, echoing the hues of her dress. Together, they looked like a perfect pair. As they exited the car at the venue, the assembled reporters were momentarily stunned. Arm in arm, Eileen bnced on five-centimeter heels, reaching just up to Bryan’s ears. They proceeded along the red carpet, gracefully escorted to the banquet hall by a waiter.


    Their poised figures captivated the onlookers until they vanished from view, leaving the reporters regretting their missed photo opportunities. The banquet hall, embellished with intricate door carvings, buzzed with activity. Rows of tablesden with wine and snacks lined the room. The elegantly dressed attendees turned their attention to Eileen and Bryan as they entered, sparking murmurs and exmations of admiration.


    “Is that Bryan Dawson? He looks so handsome!” some girls whispered, surprised. Surveying the scene, Eileen realized this gathering was unlike the business-focused parties she was ustomed to in Onnd. It felt more like a social extravaganza, a blooming garden of festivities she didn’t quite care for. Had she known it was like this, she would have reconsidered her attendance.


    Just then, Phoebe and Jacob emerged from the crowd. Phoebe, in a striking red dress and with short hair, approached with Jacob, who quickly whispered to Bryan, “Gilbert isn’t here yet. Maybe he’s too scared to show up.” This was a crucial moment; if Bryan proposed a business deal and Gilbert declined, it could cause a spectacle.


    “Let’s just find our seats first,” Bryan suggested with a quick scan of the room, dissatisfied that Eileen’s allure had attracted so many men’s attention. Jacob, who had arrived early, had already secured their seats. They all sat down.


    “Mr. Dawson, Ms. Curtis,” someone suddenly called out to them. Denzel approached. “Mr. Dawson, I knew you would be here today, but I didn’t expect…” He nced between Eileen and Bryan, a hint of surprise in his expression. Could the rumors his wife had mentioned about Eileen and Bryan being a couple be true? Denzel found it astonishing to see it confirmed with his own eyes.


    “Mr. Vance,” Eileen greeted, standing up and nodding politely. “How is Adalina feeling?” Since Eileen avoided the topic, Denzel didn’t ask anything about it.


    “She’s recovering well and should be able to attend tutoring sessions by Monday,” Denzel said.


    “That’s wonderful to hear,” Eileen responded with a warm smile, suddenly remembering she needed to visit the hospitalter, as today was Friday. After a brief chat about his daughter’s studies with Eileen, Denzel walked away.


    The party’s atmosphere buzzed along until a sudden stir at the stairway caught everyone’s attention. Bryan’s eyes flicked toward the neers. Although Eileen had never met Gilbert, she recognized him immediately, noting the familial resemnce he shared with his nephew Arthur. The two women apanying him must be Arthur’s mother and Gilbert’s wife, Margery White.


    The trio was quickly enveloped by a crowd, indicating they would be tied up for some time. Bryan, ever patient, twirled the liquid in his goblet with slender fingers, asionally sipping and leaning over to whisper to Eileen.


    “Arthur may resemble his uncle, but he has his father’s roguish ways. Gilbert, on the other hand, is known for his decency,” Bryan said. Eileen caught sight of Gilbert holding hands with Margery as they entered, a rare disy of affection that seemed notable for their age.


    Jacob remarked, “It looks like it’ll be at least an hour before we can speak with Gilbert.” He craned his neck, trying to get a better look at Gilbert, who was well-known in Wist Land and often the target of ttery.


    “He’lle over,” Bryan said calmly. Since Gilbert had shown up today, Bryan believed Gilbert must have figured out how to deal with him. As they waited, Eileen admired Bryan’s profile, the noble air he projected effortlessly captivating her.


    From across the room, Gilbert’s eyes met Bryan’s intermittently. He realized that Bryan had no intention toe to him. Gilbert had long admired how Bryan had steered Apex Group to prominence at such a young age.


    After a while, Gilbert announced to the crowd around him, “Excuse me. Mr. Dawson is over there. I’ll go say hello first.” The crowd parted, allowing Gilbert a clear path to Bryan, while whispers about Bryan’s recent altercation with Arthur circted among the onlookers.


    “The rumors are about that beautiful woman next to Bryan, right? No wonder Mr. ke is interested in her.”


    “But I think he had iting for making a move on Bryan’s woman.”


    “The thing is, with the ties between the White and ke families, the Whites ought to defend Arthur.”


    “Will Mr. White choose to cooperate with Bryan or not?” someone said, asking the question everyone was thinking about.


    The room fell silent as Gilbert approached Bryan. Setting down his ss, Bryan stood up and greeted Gilbert with a raised eyebrow and an outstretched hand. “Mr. White, I’ve heard much about you.”


    “Mr. Dawson, nice to meet you,” Gilbert responded, clearly affected by Bryan’smanding presence, and shook Bryan’s hand. After the handshake, Bryan quickly withdrew his hand.


    Eileen rose, gesturing for Gilbert to take the seat next to Bryan, but Bryan caught her wrist gently, guiding her back to her seat. He gestured to the seat across from them and said, “Mr. White, please, let’s sit and talk.”


    Even in his own domain, Gilbert found his usually dominant presence oddly diminished by Bryan’s assertiveness. Hadlee, observing Eileen, couldn’t help but admire her beauty. Yet, her admiration was tinged with disdain. She scoffed, “We won’t sit with a shameless woman!”


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