?Chapter 239:


    Benita Ferguson nced at Eileen before she reached out, tracing her hand from Kian’s chest to his abdomen. She was unfazed by the number of people around them or Kian’s evident embarrassment. “Mr. Warren, don’t forget that you promised to sleep with me once I finish doing this for you,” she said.


    When Kian noticed Z approaching, he quickly stopped Benita’s hand and whispered, “Keep this between us. Get the thing done first.”


    Benita didn’t mind at all that Kian was cold to her. She withdrew her hand and flipped her long hair. As she noticed Z walking over, she scoffed and muttered, “Parasite.” Then, she turned and disappeared into the crowd.


    Bryan emerged from the crowd and spotted Eileen, her eyes lighting up. She swiftly approached Eileen and said, “Ms. Curtis, you’ve finally arrived!”


    “Mrs. Vance.” Just after greeting Ryan, Eileen was led into the crowd as Ryan said, “Mr. Dawson is now the center of attention among so manydies!”


    “It’s not as dramatic as you make it sound.” Eileen raised an eyebrow and whispered curiously, “Why are there so many women here?”


    Ryan and Eileen knew each other well because Eileen had been tutoring Adalina. Therefore, Ryan talked to Eileen without pretension.


    Ryanined, “The event is less a business meeting and more like blind dating for Mr. Dawson. These women are all here for him.”


    Bryan had always been a ma for women; in fact, Eileen knew all too well. During her time in the Apex Group, she had seen many female employees fawn over Bryan. Yet, the extent of it today was unexpected.


    Bryan was dressed in a sharp ck suit, his short hair and angr featuresplemented by his deep eyes and defined chin. The cigarette between his fingers slowly burned, the rising smoke lending him a mysterious allure.


    . brings magic to life


    Before Eileen could approach Bryan, another figure walked to him. With a flirtatious nce, Benita approached Bryan, a cigarette dangling from her lips. She leaned closer to Bryan and lit her cigarette with the me of his. “What’s happening here?”


    “Oh my God! She…”


    Everyone around was taken aback, their reactions a mix of shock, jealousy, and surprise. Benita’s actions weren’t intended as a friendly gesture; they were a tant attempt to seduce Bryan. Such behavior was unthinkable for ady of high society. Only Benita had the audacity to do that.


    Bryan had been smiling and conversing with someone, but his smile swiftly vanished in response to Benita’s forwardness. He stared at Benita and threw his cigarette onto the floor, stomping on it hard enough to shatter it into pieces.


    “You haven’t finished your cigarette yet. It’s such a waste to throw it away,” Benita said, intrigued. Bryan seemed even more manly in her eyes when he was upset.


    “It’s gotten dirty,” Bryan responded coldly, his voice biting against the harsh winter wind. “Stay away from me.”


    His eyes clearly conveyed his disgust, and hismand carried to the others nearby. The onlookers chuckled, but Benita appeared unfazed. “I can’t stay away. This project involves cooperation with the Ferguson family, and I represent the Ferguson family in the negotiations.” This project discussion had initially been handled by Denzel, who hadn’t yet told Bryan this.


    “Miss Ferguson,” Denzel said, concerned that Benita might upset Bryan, “you represent the Ferguson family, and I’ll handle negotiations with your family. Shall we step aside for a discussion?”


    “You’re just a man in your forties. If you have nothing better to do, perhaps it’s time to consider retirement instead of wandering around me,” Benita said sharply. There was a hint of vulgarity in her words.


    Ryan was irritated by Benita’s harshness. She let go of Eileen and took Denzel’s arm, saying, “Men peak in their forties, yet women whock self-respect are truly the most pitiful.” The atmosphere became a little awkward. Benita stood somewhat isted, but she was seemingly indifferent to the others’ reactions.


    Observing quietly, Eileen suddenly recognized who Benita was. Twenty years ago, the Ferguson family had dominated Onnd’s business scene, but since the passing of Benita’s grandfather, the family’s influence had waned.


    However, Benita’s grandfather had provided help to many of today’s leading business figures. So, even though the Ferguson family was struggling, they maintained strong ties with many influential figures. Benita, the only woman from three generations of the Ferguson family, was notably spoiled.


    “I don’t like to talk to people who are ugly and old,” Benita scoffed. Then she turned to nce at Bryan.


    Ryan, visibly upset, turned to Eileen and urged, “Ms. Curtis, what are you waiting for? Come over here!”


    Benita, eyeing Bryan like a predator eyeing its prey, caused Ryan’s voice to draw attention to Eileen, who stood out in the crowd.


    Eileen’s dress outlined her figure gracefully, enhancing her elegant posture. The high neckline entuated her neck beautifully. Her legs, though mostly hidden by her dress, were long and slender.


    At that moment, Bryan looked at her through the heavy smoke around him. Several of his shirt buttons were undone, perhaps due to his earlier irritation, giving him a slightly wild look.


    Eileen approached Bryan with a soft demeanor that was quite different from his rough look. Theyplemented each other perfectly.


    Bryan gently grasped Eileen’s slender waist and looked at her with tender eyes. “You came a littlete,” Eileen said, disregarding Benita’s stare. Her voice was soft.


    Despite hearing her voice every day, Bryan still felt his heart flutter. He smiled and said, “Alright.”


    “I need to head out now. See youter at work.” Benita crushed her cigarette and tossed it into the bin. As she turned to leave, a wave of her strong perfume washed over, masking the lingering scent of smoke.


    Eileen’s arrival captured much attention. Most eyes shifted from Bryan to her. The onlookers were struck by her beauty, and the women were curious about the woman who had captured Bryan’s affection. Their eyes wereced with envy as they stared at Eileen.


    Bryan noticed their unfriendly gazes, particrly when he leaned to whisper to Eileen. He took her hand and signaled to Denzel to continue the discussion with his associates. Then he led Eileen to a quiet spot in the corner.


    “Are you hungry? There’s a lounge upstairs with a private room set aside for us. Just let the waiter know what you’d like,” he said.


    Eileen sped his arm and gently shook her head. “I’m not hungry yet. Maybe you can cook for me after we go back.” Bryan’s tall stature shielded her from most onlookers. Noticing Eileen wore no makeup, Bryan slightly regretted having her attend the event. He believed he had made her a target.


    “Stay by my side,” he said, holding her hand and looking around, his eyes narrowing, signaling to the onlookers. This deterred some of the more timid guests from doing something.


    Still, a few persistent ones lingered. Benita was among them, fearless and ustomed to always getting what she wanted.


    “Ferguson, do you know Megan?” she inquired, approaching Benita unnoticed.


    Benita said frankly, “Some of.” After all, if she managed to make Bryan and Eileen break up, she would be able to sleep with Kian. She had liked Kian for quite some time, and his good looks made her determined to win him.


    “Then why did you walk away just now?” Megan asked. She knew that Benita was the daughter of the Ferguson family. She believed Benita should be able to put Eileen in an embarrassing situation easily, and with Benita’s identity, Bryan couldn’t do anything to her.


    Benita cast a disdainful nce at Megan. She was fully aware of Vivian’s situation. Apparently, Megan had been making things difficult for Eileen with Vivian before. But Megan’s role had been trivial, barely worth acknowledging.


    “Attacking a nobody like Eileen would only tarnish my reputation, especially in front of such a crowd,” Benita said.


    Megan was taken aback, reflecting on the times she and Vivian had harassed Eileen personally. In Benita’s eyes, those actions were clearly demeaning.


    Feeling a bit ashamed, Megan touched her nose and fell silent. Benita continued, “I have plenty of ways to handle her, but I don’t have people that I can use.” She sighed and pretended to feel sorry for missing a good opportunity to teach Eileen a lesson.


    Megan paused for a moment, then hurried after Benita as she started to walk away, saying, “Miss Ferguson, if you’re nning on doing something, let me know! I might be able to help!”


    Whenever there was an opportunity to make things difficult for Eileen, she was always ready to step in. She wasn’t out to get revenge for Vivian; she simply wanted to vent her frustration.


    Jacob was in West Land. Megan’s engagement to Jacob had turned her into aughingstock, ridiculed for being left behind. She believed this was all Eileen’s doing. Eileen must have taught Phoebe how to seduce men; otherwise, how could Phoebe have enchanted Jacob sopletely?


    “It’s not a big issue. If you’re willing to assist, follow me,” Benita smirked, folded her arms, and led Megan upstairs.


    Not too far away, standing beside Kian, Z leaned closer to him and whispered, “If my memory serves me right, Benita has a thing for you. Why is she suddenly interested in Bryan?” Benita had been a ssmate of both her and Bryan. During their school days, she had pursued Kian with passion, though Kian only had eyes for Z.


    This time, Kian had carefully negotiated an agreement with Benita. She hadmitted to aiding him in driving a wedge between Eileen and Bryan. After all, she had the backing of an influential family and could withstand Bryan’s tough methods.


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