?Chapter 253:


    Ever since Bryan returned to Onnd, Z had stopped going to Apex Group. While Bryan’seback restored order to thepany, this left Brandon with a surplus of free time, igniting a smoldering unease in his restless heart.


    “Your so-called patience is just watching Bryan and Eileen bask in blissful togetherness?” Brandon questioned.


    Z stood in the living room, her docile demeanor a stark contrast to the arrogance she unted before others.


    “As far as I’m aware, Eileen and Bryan had a fight. Our window of opportunity has presented itself,” she replied.


    Lydia’s interest piqued upon hearing this. She popped a cherry into her mouth, nonchntly spitting out the pit before asking, “What opportunity?”


    “Bryan won’t tolerate any mistakes. If we meddle a bit, some matters will naturally fall into ce,” Z replied enigmatically, reluctant to divulge her connection with Kian to the Dawson couple.


    Brandon, his brow furrowed, tapped the table impatiently. “Enough with the vague talk; I want to see tangible action!”


    “Brandon,” Lydia tried to soothe him, cing a hand on his chest. “Don’t get riled up; leave this to us. You just cling to your shares, and I’ll ensure Bryan can’t wrest them away.”


    To avoid legal entanglements, things had to progress one calcted step at a time; Lydia was patient.


    Brandon scoffed, shooting Z a displeased nce before heading upstairs.


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    The grand living room was bathed in resplendent light, casting a radiant glow upon Z. Lydia’s piercing gaze made Z feel as though she was being scrutinized by a venomous snake.


    Although Brandon had always treated Z poorly, Lydia outwardly showed kindness toward her. But her kindness masked her true ruthlessness, a trait Z recognized all too well.


    “Z, I hear you’re quite close with Kian. What’s the deal? Do you harbor feelings for him?” Lydia asked.


    Lydia’s probing caught Z off guard, forcing her to reveal her ndestine bond with Kian.


    “He has feelings for me. After so many years apart, I didn’t anticipate he would reach out for me. I just wish to leverage his assistance to get rid of Eileen!” Z said truthfully.


    Lydia’s eyes remained skeptical. “I surmise you don’t genuinely harbor feelings for him. Why would you have inflicted such grave harm upon his sister?”


    This sent chills down Z’s spine as she stared at Lydia in astonishment.


    “Don’t forget that I raised you. The power you hold stems from me. What could you possibly hide from me?” Lydia stood up, approached Z, and lifted her shirt slightly with one finger. A vicious scar peeked through the waistband of Z’s pants.


    Lydia continued, “The Warren family wouldn’t want someone who can’t bear children like you. Even if they desired you, it would be futile. You have no intention of joining forces with Kian to escape my control. That would be great. But if you do…” She patted Z’s face twice with her hand. “The things you did to Vivian, I’ll tell every sordid detail to Kian. Would he love you more or despise you more after that?”


    Z flushed crimson as she stiffened in ce.


    She said, “Whether he hates me or not is irrelevant. I only care if I can get married to Bryan.”


    Z’s cold-blooded response pleased Lydia, a twisted smile ying upon her lips. “I admire your ruthlessness. But remember, don’t get emotionally involved, especially when ites to Bryan.”


    “Of course,” Z replied as her gaze met Lydia’s unflinchingly. Thoroughly satisfied, Lydia said, “Alright, then. I’ll leave this matter in your hands. I’ll be awaiting your good news.” With that, she turned and ascended the stairs.


    Z watched Lydia leave before returning to her room. After a moment’s contemtion, she retrieved her phone and dialed Kian’s number.


    Thete-night ringtone sent a jolt through Kian’s heart.


    Seeing the caller, he quickly answered, “Z…”


    “Kian, remember what I told you about Bryan and Eileen’s argument?” Her voice carried an enchanting lilt in the stillness of the night.


    Kian replied without hesitation, “Yeah, what about it?”


    “I just think this is a golden opportunity to separate them for good. Do you have any effective methods? It’s not very convenient for me to act directly,” Z said, expressing her predicament.


    Kian pondered for a moment before he replied, “Then leave this to me. However… it looks like Bryan’s not into Benita. If you split Bryan and Eileen up, you might just end up marrying him!”


    “That can’t happen,” Z responded decisively. “His feelings for me are not romantic, and he epted me so easily. Only by separating him from Eileen will he consider Benita, don’t you agree?”


    How could one easily ept another person when their heart was utterly devoted to someone else? This was something that Kian understood too well, having carried an unending me for Z over the years, never casting his gaze toward another woman due to the depth of his feelings for her.


    “You’re right. I’ll make the necessary arrangements,” Kian said, his head melting like wax at the velvet caress of Z’s voice through the phone’s speaker.


    However, with Bryan’s newfound power and his unwavering protection of Eileen, Kian’s resources were severely limited. Who would dare challenge Bryan now?


    The steel-gray clouds overhead prompted Eileen to don an extrayer of clothes as she ventured out, Ruby in tow for their stroll. The elevator descended a single floor before grinding to a halt. The smile on Bryan’s lips froze as he saw Ruby beside Eileen. This meant he wouldn’t be able to be alone with Eileen in the elevator now, and he couldn’t say anything before Ruby.


    “Sir, aren’t you getting in?” Eileen asked as she pressed the elevator button.


    He stepped in slowly, taking his ce behind Eileen, and offered Ruby a polite nod.


    Ruby returned the nod, her brow slightly furrowed.


    Once they reached the ground floor, they exited together.


    Eileen maintained a leisurely pace beside Ruby while Bryan reluctantly forged ahead, widening the gap between them with each step.


    Ruby spoke up, “That man looks familiar.”


    “Of course, you’ve seen him before,” Eileen replied, assuming Ruby had forgotten that she had seen Bryan’s picture once. It was understandable for the striking features of Bryan to leave an impression on Ruby.


    Ruby came to a halt, blinking a few times before questioning, “Where—where have I seen him?”


    Seeing Ruby’s evident confusion, Eileen couldn’t stifle an amused chuckle. “Forget it. Just let me take you to the park. Later, I’lle to pick you up. Don’t wander too far, go now, or you’ll bete for work.”


    Eileen took Ruby to the park, leaving Ruby to her solitary exercises before turning back toward her car.


    From a distance, she could see Bryan’s vehicle remained parked in the same spot, the window rolled halfway down, his well-defined hand resting casually outside.


    A cigarette was between his fingers, tendrils of smoke swirlingzily, unable to obscure the chiseled features of him.


    Eileen approached his car, maintaining a two-step distance. “Aren’t you going to work?” she asked.


    “Come here,” Bryan said, extinguishing the cigarette and tossing it into a nearby trash can before beckoning her over with a gesture.


    Hesitation flickered across Eileen’s face, but she obeyed, drawing nearer to the car door. “What is it? We’re outside, and it’s daytime. Don’t start anything,” she warned.


    A grin yed on Bryan’s face. “Since you don’t let me do anything at night, I can only do so during the day.” With that, he gripped her nape and leaned in, capturing her lips in an intense, searing kiss.


    Eileen’s feeble attempts to push him away proved futile. Only when she was left breathless and disoriented did he finally release her, her fresh lipstick now staining his lips, her own lips slightly swollen.


    “Drive to work,” Bryan said, his voice husky with desire. Eileen wiped her mouth, regaining herposure. “No, I can drive myself.”


    Since she had had her lipstick smudged just outside the car, what would happen if she got into his car now?


    Noting Eileen’s defensive stance, Bryan let out a chuckle. Eileen refused to give him another opportunity to mock her, turning to get into her car.


    She reapplied her lipstick, unhurried, not caring that Bryan’s presence still lingered nearby. After that, she drove off first, leaving him behind.


    Eileen was resolute in her decision not to be intimate with Bryan, and for the next three days, he didn’t so much asy a finger upon her.


    In September, the new school semester started.


    Back when Eileen had been in Wist Land, her routine had consisted of tutoring from Monday through Friday evenings to ensure uninterrupted weekends with Ruby.


    Now, adhering to a more standardized schedule, she provided one-on-one lessons to three students over the weekends while shouldering the responsibility of recording online courses from Monday to Friday.


    Along with some other tasks, she was extremely busy.


    But with Bailee’s leg injury healed and her return to work alleviating some of Eileen’s tasks, a glimmer of respite finally emerged.


    “Eileen, here’s an invitation to an educational symposium at a hotel in the Onnd suburbs,” Bailee said, handing Eileen the embossed envelope. “It’s organized by a seasoned professor aiming to share insights, and many students’ parents are expected to attend. Let’s also go together.”


    Such events were invaluable for expanding the educational institution’s visibility, so Eileen checked the date and time. The event was on Friday night. With some advance preparation, Eileen could make time to attend.


    “Okay, we’ll attend together,” she told Bailee.


    Bailee immediately set to work, organizing their schedules for theing days in preparation for Friday’s symposium. During these busy days, the Beckett family’s troubles dominated the headlines.


    They hadmitted the entirety of their funds to a single, ill-fated project; they were now teetering on the precipice of financial ruin.


    Families who had once cultivated amicable rtions with the Beckett family swiftly distanced themselves.


    The media hungrily sought expertmentary to dissect the Beckett family’s dire finances. Without an influx of capital within the week, bankruptcy seemed inevitable.


    Amidst the chaos, Phoebe approached Eileen, keen to discuss the unfolding drama while also sharing good news.


    “Jacob and Megan’s marriage is off. Jacob told his dad he wanted to be with me and ended up getting himself injured. He is in the hospital now,” Phoebe said.


    Eileen furrowed her brow. “Is that supposed to be good news? He’s injured! Which hospital is he in?”


    Phoebe seemed unbothered by Jacob’s condition, an air of nonchnce permeating her tone. “Of course that’s good news. Even though he’s injured now, he can be together with me.” Her attitude implied that she had really be a couple with Jacob.


    Eileen felt resigned. “Send me the hospital’s address. I’ll visit him tonight.”


    After obtaining Jacob’s hospital address, Eileen called Bryan, suggesting they visit Jacob together in the evening.


    Bryan had already sent gifts to Jacob via Raymond, assuming Eileen’s schedule was too hectic for a personal visit. However, now that Eileen was extending an invitation, Bryan certainly wouldn’t refuse her. “I’ll pick you up tonight,” he said.


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