?Chapter 227:


    “I’m here to say goodbye,” Z replied with a smile.


    Eileen paused for a moment, then put away her phone to look at Z. “Where are you headed, Miss Murray?”


    Raising an eyebrow, Z spoke with a hint of resignation in her voice, “Back to Onnd. Mr. and Mrs. Dawson have been calling me recently, asking me to return. There’s too much piling up at the office; I can’t linger here any longer.”


    “That’s probably for the best,” Bryan said, his tone indifferent. He showed no reluctance and made no attempt to persuade Z to stay.


    “Exactly. I’m not going to stick around and be a third wheel while you two unt your love every day. It’s about time I found a boyfriend of my own.” Zughed softly, covering her mouth with her hand, her demeanor still elegant. “I’ll be sure to speak well of you both to Mr. and Mrs. Dawson.”


    Bryan furrowed his brow at Z’s words. “There’s no need for that. I can manage my own affairs,” he stated tly.


    “But it would be great if they agree to let you two be together,” Z replied, undeterred by his cold response. “Don’t worry; I’ll bring it up casually. If they’re against it, I won’t push. After all, I know my ce in the Dawson family.”


    Though the meal was about Z’s departure, the atmosphere remained light and joyful. However, when the conversation turned to Milford, Z’s expression grew troubled. “Since we were kids, I haven’t really spent time with him. There’s ack of affection between us. I never imagined he’d resent me so deeply. Please, look after him for me from now on. When you go back to Onnd with him, I’ll make arrangements for him to attend a new school.”


    “Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of him,” Eileen assured her.


    Throughout the meal, Eileen spoke little, contributing only a few words when Milford was mentioned. Z boarded a flight back to Onnd, departing at midnight.


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    Her departure didn’t seem to affect Eileen and Bryan much; they continued their routine. Whenever Bryan finished work early, he would visit the educational agency. On days when they both ended work at a reasonable hour, they would take a stroll or catch a movie.


    Hand in hand, their figures leaning together drew envious nces from those around them. Phoebe, too, felt a twinge of envy. Sheined, “You two are inseparable every day. It seems like you’re still in the honeymoon phase. But where’s the passion? You two are like an old couple who have been together for fifty years.”


    “You know nothing,” Eileen retorted gently. Both Eileen and Bryan were naturally reserved, which meant their time together was marked by tranquility rather than conflict. They rarely argued, enjoying the peacefulness of each other’spany. However, if a rift formed between them, it would be hard to mend.


    As the high school entrance exam loomed, Eileen found herself overseeing three students poised to take the test, feeling more anxious than any of them. She spent a restless night before the exam, rising early to make breakfast for Milford. After ensuring he had everything he needed, she drove him to the testing center.


    Milford and Adalina were assigned to different exam rooms, prompting Eileen to create a group chat with them, Denzel, and Nadia. She reminded them to bring everything they needed and provided the locations of their exam rooms.


    The exams spanned three days, and results were due in roughly twenty days after the tests. During this time, Milford seemed unaffected, but the Vance and Myers families were on edge. Nadia bombarded Eileen with urgent questions in the chat, to which Eileen responded with calm reassurances.


    With her tutoring duties on pause, Eileen had more free time, asionally apanying Bryan to gatherings and assisting him with work. Bryan, however, was reluctant to let her lose sleep because of his workmitments. If his events rante, he insisted she stay home. Though he drank at these gatherings, he never failed to text or call her to say not to wait up for him.


    Just five minutes earlier, Eileen had hung up the call with Bryan when her phone rang again. An unfamiliar number shed on the screen, originating from Onnd. After a moment’s hesitation, Eileen slid her finger across the screen to answer the call.


    “Eileen, it’s me,” Ste’s cheerful tone filled the line. “I hope I’m not calling toote. Did I disturb you?”


    Eileen straightened up, her fingersbing through her long hair. “Not at all, Mrs. Dawson. What keeps you awake at this hour?”


    “Z just had dinner here and left a short while ago. She told me you and Bryan are quite taken with each other. I’m too thrilled to sleep just thinking about it!” The excitement in Ste’s voice was palpable. “If this goes on, you’ll give me a great-grandchild soon, right?”


    In the dimly lit room, with only a nightmp glowing softly, Ste’sughter was bright and clear in Eileen’s ear. Since Eileen and Bryan had returned to Wist Land, Ste had brought up the topic several times via WhatsApp, eager and hopeful.


    Eileen had managed to sidestep the topic before, but Ste’s determination was clear this time. “Mrs. Dawson, perhaps we should shelf this discussion forter. After all, Bryan and I aren’t even married yet,” Eileen said.


    Ste’s enthusiasm waned. “Is it just because you’re not married yet?”


    If this was the only issue, she was ready to show them something that could solve it. “It’s not that simple,” Eileen responded calmly. “Bryan and I need to take this one step at a time. Once we’re back in Onnd, we’ll get married. But first, I have to confess to him that I was the one who married him and then filed for divorce before. After that…”


    Eileen had a n in ce. She woulde clean, face the consequences, and hope for his forgiveness. Once Bryan processed the news and calmed down, they would get married and have a baby.


    “No!” Ste eximed immediately. “He cares about you deeply. Even if he’s upset, it won’t be the end of the world. But for me, it’s different. I’ve orchestrated everything. If he’s angry with me, he won’t care for me when I’m on my deathbed.”


    Upon hearing that, Eileen’s lips twitched. “Please, Eileen, do me this one favor. Don’t tell him that, okay?” Ste pleaded.


    Eileen massaged her forehead, a pang of guilt washing over her.


    Seeing Bryan’s genuine love for her deepened Eileen’s remorse each time.


    “Whether I bring it up or not, he’ll find out about it when we register our marriage,” Eileen said. The process to obtain a marriage certificate was different from that of arranging a remarriage.


    “Don’t worry. I’ll handle that,” Ste assured her confidently. With Ste’s promise, Eileen feltpelled to agree. Yet, unease lingered in her heart.


    “Once you both get back, you should stay at my ce. I’ve already prepared a bedroom for you,” Ste said, discussing ns for their return to Onnd.


    Their phone conversation dragged on for half an hour before concluding. As the day of their return to Onnd drew nearer, Eileen contemted the challenges awaiting her. Lying in bed, she gradually drifted off to sleep.


    She was awakened when Bryany down beside her. After showering, he carried the scent of shower gel. Feeling the mattress dip beside her, Eileen instinctively curled into Bryan’s embrace. He gently held her and kissed her forehead softly.


    “Did I disturb your sleep?” he asked.


    “I wasn’t in a deep sleep. I slept too much during the day,” Eileen replied. Her long hair draped over his arms, lightly tickling him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and gave him a kiss before asking, “How did the negotiation for your project go?”


    “It’s nearly finished. I should be able to rx after about a week,” Bryan said. The room was dimly lit, his eyes a deep shade in the darkness, her scent enveloping him. He added, “After the exam resultse out, Denzel and his family will go to Onnd.”


    At the mention of Onnd, Eileen’s eyes fluttered open, and she gazed up into Bryan’s eyes.


    “Bryan, would you be upset with me if you discovered I’d kept secrets and lied to you?” Eileen asked.


    Moonlight bathed her cheeks, and Bryan could see her serious expression.


    Bryan squinted slightly. “What have you been lying about, Eileen? You know I’m broke now.”


    “It’s something beyond my control. It’s not about the money,” Eileen retorted, jabbing his chest with her finger.


    Suddenly, Bryan grabbed her wrist and pinned her beneath him. She let out an involuntary groan. As he spoke, his voice was light butced with desire. “As long as you don’t lie to me about love, I’m willing to give my life to you.” Then, he kissed her.


    His actions underscored his deep trust and desire for her, shattering any lies between them. Eileen’s heart filled with warmth as she tried her best to satisfy him.


    Two weekster, the exam results were released. Brooks had missed passing by two points, but the Myers family managed to secure him a spot in a prestigious high school in Wist Land. Milford excelled, scoring twenty points above the necessary mark to enter a top high school in Onnd. Adalina exactly met the threshold for a top high school in Onnd, much to her parents’ joy.


    In the evening, Denzel organized a dinner at a local restaurant to express his gratitude to Eileen for tutoring Adalina. Additionally, it served as a farewell gathering since he and his family were going to Onnd the following day.


    June had arrived, and the heat in Wist Land was rising. Eileen, dressed in a light purple floral-patterned dress, let her hair cascade over her shoulders as she entered the restaurant, holding Bryan’s arm. Bryan, dressed in casual ck sportswear, exuded an easygoing vibe. The gleaming crystal chandelier above cast a warm glow on the pair.


    Milford trailed behind them, upied with the new cell phone Eileen had purchased for him, engaged in texting someone.


    Upon reaching their private room, Milford pocketed his phone and, catching Eileen’s subtle cue, greeted everyone warmly before sitting down next to Adalina. Sharing the same age made it easy for them to findmon ground, especially as both were excited about being admitted to their preferred high schools.


    The Vance couple, overflowing with gratitude toward Eileen, made several toasts before shifting their focus to business matters.


    Bryan advised Denzel, “Even though I’m in control of this project, once you’re in Onnd, you might want to operate the project in your name. Using my name could draw unwanted attention rather than aid our cause.” He proceeded to outline the market dynamics and strategic connections Denzel should foster or avoid in Onnd—a ce Bryan knew well.


    As they were discussing something critical, the door to the room swung open. Dora marched in, surveyed the room, and then made a beeline for Eileen.


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