?Chapter 204:


    Bryan leaned back on the sofa, his tone cold as ice. “You and I had no rtionship to speak of a year ago.”


    It had been a year since Vivian’s outburst at the hospital, which led to Bryan terminating his agreement with Kian. That decision had caused Vivian’s condition to worsen upon discovering the truth. Since that incident, Kian had not reached out to Bryan again. Now, Kian’s words felt like hollow threats.


    “Okay, I see. I hope you won’t regret your actions today,” Kian replied, anger shing across his face, a mix of shock and indignation at Bryan’s merciless stance.


    With that, Kian stormed out, leaving the room in tense silence. The others stood up, wanting to say something, but none followed him out.


    Bryan remained seated, seemingly unaffected by the confrontation.


    “Bryan, Kian is right. He can help you—” Z began, but Bryan interjected sharply, “Help me with what? To repair my rtionship with my father, or to fight him decisively? The core of the issue isn’t here. Don’t be naive.”


    He gestured for Eileen to sit down and turned his gaze to Jacob. “Didn’t you ask us to mediate? You can continue your argument with Phoebe now.”


    The room fell quiet, the tension thickening the air.


    Jacob broke the silence by mming his foot on the coffee table, fury lighting up his face. “Phoebe Burton, this isn’t over! Just two hundred and fifty dors? Who do you think you’re fooling? Today, I’ll settle this by sleeping with you. I’m offering you two hundred and fifty-one dors!” he shouted, rolling up his sleeves and charging toward Phoebe.


    She swiftly dodged and fled, and the chase ensued amidst the room’s scattered furniture.


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    Eileen felt Bryan’s hand on her waist and turned to find him watching themotion between Phoebe and Jacob with a yful grin. The dim light in the room cast soft shadows over him, his ck shirt partially unbuttoned, adding to his allure.


    As Eileen nestled closer into his hold, he tightened his grip slightly, his eyes lingering on her face, a mixture of amusement and admiration dancing in his gaze.


    After that, their attention shifted to Jacob, who triumphantly hoisted Phoebe onto his shoulder as if iming victory. “I’m off to spend some money. Two hundred and fifty-one dors!” he announced with a grin.


    Phoebe smacked his back hard, scoffing, “Two hundred and fifty-one dors for only three minutes? Such a waste!”


    Jacob scowled, lightly tapping her back as he retorted, “Nonsense!”


    With that, he marched out of the room, still carrying Phoebe.


    Z rose from her seat, slipping her hand into her pocket. “I might as well leave, too. You couples have been parading your affection all evening. Bryan, give me a ride home.”


    Bryan and Eileen stood up together, his arm firmly around her waist. Z trailed behind them, her eyes sharp, observing their every move.


    Eileen decided to remove Bryan’s arm and hold his hand instead. Z watched this shift with keen interest, her eyes narrowing.


    During the ride, Eileen opted to sit in the backseat alongside Z. Z kept the conversation going with Bryan, who replied sporadically, his attention split.


    Eileen sensed that Z had something to say to her, but the right moment seemed to elude Z.


    When they arrived, Z waved goodbye from the sidewalk, saying to Eileen, “Let’s catch up on WhatsAppter.”


    Eileen, slightly taken aback, agreed, “Okay.”


    As the car took a U-turn and slowly disappeared from Z’s view, her attention shifted to an ordinary car parked outside the vi near the security booth. She recalled that it had been trailing them earlier. With a furrowed brow, she wrapped her coat tighter around her and approached the vehicle.


    Despite the tinted windows, Z could make out a woman struggling with the ignition inside.


    As Z tapped on the window, the woman inside looked up, panic washing over her face, before quickly ducking down to attempt starting the car again.


    “Get out, or I’ll call the police,” Z stated icily.


    “No, please!” June hastily exited and leaned against the car, her lips tightly pressed together. “Why call the police? I’m not doing anything wrong. My car just won’t start.”


    Standing taller, Z fixed June with a stern look. “Why were you following us?”


    June shook her head, vehemently denying the usation. “I wasn’t following you!”


    Z crossed her arms, her tone skeptical. “Then why are you here? Don’t say you live here. It doesn’t add up.”


    June frowned at Z’s scornful remark, biting her lip in a mix of shame and frustration.


    “If you don’te clean, I’m calling the police right now.” Z’s hand moved towards her phone, but June swiftly grasped her wrist.


    Z’s cold gaze fell on June’s hand gripping her wrist. June quickly withdrew her hand, feeling embarrassed. “I just need to speak with Eileen. She’s been ignoring my calls and messages,” June exined, desperation evident in her voice.


    With the looming court date and the threat of damning evidence, June’s urgency was palpable.


    Hearing that, Z softened slightly. “You were looking for Eileen? Tell me what’s going on. Perhaps I can help.”


    Hope flickered in June’s eyes as she began to recount her troubles. “Eileen is suing me…” She detailed the events leading up to her current predicament, tears streaming down her face. “I really don’t know what to do right now, and my mother is gravely ill.”


    Z, still standing tall, regarded June with a scornful look. “There’s no way I can help you with that. The evidence against you is irrefutable, and there’s no way around it unless you n to resort to hical means to threaten Eileen into dropping thewsuit. You’re on your own. I won’t do anything to harm Eileen.”


    With that, she turned her back, her hands buried deep in her pockets, and strode into themunity.


    June’s eyes followed Z’s retreating figure, emotions swirling between anxiety and anger. Z had said she could help her—how could she just walk away like that?


    As Z’s words echoed in her mind, something suddenly dawned on June, and her furrowed brows rxed.


    Back at home, Eileen confronted Bryan forcefully, her hands gripping his cor as she pinned him against the wall.


    “Bryan, why didn’t you tell me about the rift with your family?” Eileen asked, concern knitting her brows together.


    Previously, Brandon had only made things difficult for Bryan within the Dawson family. Now, with public derations of their estrangement, everything had changed.


    Bryan’s heartbeat resonated against Eileen’s touch as he wrapped his arms around her waist. “You don’t care about me enough to ask,” he retorted, mirroring her tone from the night before.


    Eileen frowned and tightened her grip, her expression firm. “Enough teasing. What are your ns now?”


    “I’m solely invested in the project in Wist Land. When it ends, I’ll have no ie. Supporting you, or even myself, will be impossible,” Bryan replied, his tone sounding somewhat pitiful, though he maintained hisposure.


    As he spoke, his embrace tightened, drawing her closer. Eileen sensed the sincerity in his words. The current project hadunched sessfully and was on track. But for future projects, if Brandon continued to create obstacles, they would definitely struggle to proceed.


    “Then I’ll support you moving forward,” Eileen assured him confidently.


    With a light chuckle, Bryan responded, “Well, I guess it’s settled. You’re in charge from now on.”


    “Alright. Aren’t you going to thepany tomorrow?” Eileen attempted to shift in his embrace but found herself unable to move. Suddenly, she realized their position was quite awkward; she was perched on Bryan’sp, her feet barely touching the floor.


    Bryan adjusted their positions, lifting her gently. “I’ll drive you to the educational agency tomorrow morning.”


    “No, thanks. I’d rather drive myself. It’s more convenient,” Eileen replied, having grown ustomed to handling things on her own recently.


    Bryan arched an eyebrow. “Soon, that might not be so convenient. Driving could be difficult with your weak legs.”


    Eileen was momentarily at a loss for words.


    Outside, the night cloaked the city in a haze, the darkness punctuated by the glow of orange streetlights until dawn approached.


    As morning broke, sunlight streamed through the car windows.


    Once Eileen finished her breakfast, the car arrived at the educational agency. Eileen opened the door and stepped out, her legs wobbling slightly, nearly causing her to stumble.


    Bryan quickly offered his hand for support, a slight smile ying on his lips as he caught her stern look. “Be careful next time.”


    It was ambiguous whether hisment was a reminder for her to be cautious or a note to himself.


    Eileen shut the car door, turned, and walked toward the educational agency, her legs trembling subtly as she moved.


    Eileen hadn’t checked her phone until she settled at her office desk. There, she noticed a WhatsApp message from Z, sent the previous night, inviting her to meet at a coffee shop near the educational agency at eight in the morning.


    Realizing it was already half-past eight, Eileen quickly responded, “I’m sorry, Miss Murray. I just saw your message. Are you still at the coffee shop?”


    Z replied promptly, “It’s alright. I’m still here. You cane now.”


    Eileen surveyed the pile of unfinished documents rted to the surge in online course registrations. Despite the workload, she decided to meet Z since she was already waiting.


    She left the office, exchanging brief greetings with colleagues and handling minor tasks en route, then crossed the street to the coffee shop. From outside, she could see Z bathed in sunlight by the window, her makeup wless and her attire chic.


    As Eileen entered, Z greeted her with a wave and a warm smile.


    Eileen returned the smile, approached Z, and sat down.


    “Waiter,” Z called out, signaling to order Eileen a cup of coffee.


    “No, thank you, Miss Murray. I have a lot on my te today, so I’ll skip the coffee. Did you ask me toe here to discuss the issue about Milford?” Eileen asked directly.


    “No,” Z replied, a yful grin on her face. “What? Do you dislike me and not want to talk?”


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