?Chapter 256:


    Eileen bit Bryan’s shoulder, seemingly releasing her frustration. Bryan emitted a muffled groan, the veins on his neck popping as a yful thought came to his mind.


    He toyed with her, dangling her just before she could climb.


    “Are you doing this on purpose?” Eileen clenched her teeth in irritation and warned, “I’ll count to three, and if you don’t stop doing this, I’m putting on my pants and walking out!” Her voice was whiny, and though itcked real threat, her annoyance was evident. Finally, Bryan gave in.


    The room remained dim and charged with desire until the early morning light came in through the window.


    Eileen was lying on her stomach, her dark hair fanned out, her slender form contrasting with her fair skin.


    Bryan, feeling content, draped a light nket over her, his dark eyes brimming with deep affection.


    Ten minutester, Eileen’s rm went off. Noticing her deep sleep and the fatigue etched on her delicate face, Bryan turned.


    He thought for a moment, then got dressed and sent a message to Milford, asking him to tell Bailee that Eileen was handling some work at home.


    Eileen always nned her schedule beforehand to remind herself of the next day’s tasks.


    Her tasks included grading a few students’ assignments and preparing some online course materials.


    Bryan looked at Eileen’s previous course materials and, in under thirty minutes, he recorded the uing lesson as she had nned.


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    Bryan’s productivity was exceptionally high. Not only did he finish Eileen’s tasks while she rested, but he also attended to some work matters for Apex Group.


    By noon, Eileen was awakened by the sound of typing. She opened her eyes, saw Bryan working on hisptop by the window, and slightly furrowed her brow. “I’m hungry.”


    Upon hearing this, Bryan immediately closed hisptop and brought her the soup he had made, setting it on the bedside table.


    He then assisted her into a nightgown, helped her into the bathroom to freshen up, and brushed her long hair, moving around efficiently.


    After eating, Eileen remembered the work she needed to do. She believed she would have to work till the night to finish her tasks today.


    Yet, to her astonishment, Bryan hadpleted it for her. He had even done a bit of the work she had scheduled for the following day, sorting out some issues for Apex Group. “I needed to clear them today so that I can go with you to the educational seminar tomorrow,” Bryan said, continuing his work, exining why he hadn’t helped her finish her tasks for tomorrow.


    “Then carry on with your work. I’m going to join my mother for a walk downstairs,” Eileen said as she changed. After a moment, she added, “On Saturday, I’ll introduce you to her.”


    The room was bright with sunlight streaming in through the window. Bryan was sitting by the window, dressed in casual clothes.


    His expression had been serious, focusing on his work. But when he heard Eileen’s words, he paused.


    He stood and approached Eileen, gently pulling her wrist to sit beside her on the bed.


    “What does your mother like?” Bryan asked, indicating he wanted to prepare a gift thoughtfully. Eileen’s heart warmed at his concern, and she said earnestly, “She’s easy-going. Don’t worry too much; any thoughtful gift will do to show courtesy.”


    Eileen’s advice only gave Bryan a wider range of gift options. “There’s no need to rush; tomorrow’s only Friday, and Saturday is the day after. You’ve got two days to think about it. I’m leaving now.” Eileen left the decision with Bryan and went upstairs.


    After she departed, Bryan sat in contemtion for a long time, then called Raymond.


    “What’s appropriate as a gift when meeting someone’s mother for the first time? Make a list for me,” he said to Raymond.


    Raymond hesitated for a while before replying, “I’ve never been in a rtionship or visited a potential mother-inw, so I’m not sure what to bring. Perhaps… you could ask your grandmother about this?”


    Bryan’s meticulous nning suggested that this matter was rted to Eileen.


    “You’re not helping.” With that, Bryan ended the call. He thought for a moment before calling Ste…


    By Friday evening, a light drizzle had begun, covering the city in a misty rain.


    Just after four o’clock, Bryan’s car pulled up in front of the educational institution. Bailee and Eileen quickly got in. “Mr. Dawson…” Bailee, who hadn’t interacted much with Bryan before, was noticeably nervous.


    Bryan, not much for small talk, simply greeted her and said nothing else.


    His greeting felt distant, prompting Eileen to shift the topic. “Let him concentrate on driving; the roads are slick. Let’s go over the seminar material for tonight.”


    The trip was intended not just for listening but also for engaging in discussions on educational topics.


    It would definitely draw the interest of attending parents, offering a great opportunity to establish their reputation. After traveling for about an hour, the rain grew stronger. Bryan, a skilled driver, safely reached the venue with ten minutes to spare before the seminar.


    He pulled up at the hotel entrance, saying, “You two go in. I’ll join you after I park.”


    A bellhop approached with an umbre, and a few cool dropletsnded on Eileen’s wrist.


    Eileen hurried out of the car and dashed into the hotel with Bailee, the rain slightly dampening a part of her outfit in the process.


    It wasn’t a big deal, as Eileen and Bailee were dressed in dark uniforms. They entered the seminar room together. Unlike typical banquet halls, this venue resembled a university lecture room, with chairs neatly aligned and almost all upied. Eileen and Bailee found seats in a corner and took out theirptops to get ready for note-taking.


    The presenter, an elderly professor in his eighties with a full head of white hair, was still vigorous and passionately shared his extensive experience in education.


    From their seats at the back, the highest point in the room, Eileen looked down and recognized two familiar faces.


    It was Kian and Benjamin, observing the professor’s lecture intently.


    When it was time for discussions, some parents jumped at the chance to learn more about effective parenting.


    Others from the educationalmunity took the opportunity to share their insights, hoping to catch some attention.


    “Eileen, aren’t you going to speak?” Bailee asked. The seminar was almost over, and Eileen hadn’t made a move to speak. Bailee nudged Eileen gently.


    “I got a bit distracted,” Eileen replied, then raised her hand. Soon, the professor invited her to speak.


    Though rtively new to the field, she excelled at swiftly and urately providing tailored solutions for different student needs.


    Her brief, five-minute speech caught the attention of many, prompting those in the front rows to turn around.


    Then, Bailee noticed Kian sitting in the front.


    She paused for a few seconds, her expression growing dark as sheined in a low voice, “Why is he here? He can’t possibly be looking to hire a tutor for his sister.”


    “If his sister could receive tutoring, he’d be thrilled,” Eileen replied.


    The hospital hadn’t been able to help; how could a tutor make a difference?


    Despite her words, Eileen sensed something wasn’t quite right. As the seminar wrapped up, Eileen swiftly gathered her belongings, using her location close to the exit to leave the hall quickly with Bailee.


    Outside, they spotted Bryan at the corridor’s end, where a gentle night breeze drifted in through a partly open window.


    As they approached, Bryan stepped out and approached them. “I’ve secured two rooms on the top floor. With the rain intensifying, it’s unlikely we can make it back tonight.” A section of the mountain road was at risk of copsing during heavy rains.


    Those attending the seminar found themselves staying at the hotel due to the weather, and Bryan had been too upied securing amodations to meet Eileen immediately after parking.


    By now, it was toote for many to find a room, including Kian. Eileen, hands in pockets, noted that Kian was among those booking rooms. Had he already left?


    Bryan’s expression tightened, and after a pause, he said, “Kian is investing in a new extracurricr educational institution.”


    Kian’s presence here made sense, given his new business focus in the education sector. But his new focus implied he wasing for Eileen.


    “He’s annoying,” Bailee didn’t hold back. “Like a parasite, once attached, it won’te off.”


    “Right, talk about this in our room,” Eileen said.


    With the seminar crowd still dispersing, Eileen gestured to Bailee to dy their discussion to avoid unnecessary trouble. Bryan had arranged luxurious suites on the top floor, which were both elegant and cozy, with thick carpets that silenced their footsteps.


    “Here’s the room key.” Bryan reached into his pocket and offered the key card to Bailee.


    Eileen was quicker than Bailee, snatching the key card with narrowed eyes. “Alright, please order two dinners for uster; we’re heading to our room.”


    Bryan’s hand paused in the air, his detached gaze following Eileen and Bailee as they entered their suite.


    After a while, he withdrew his hand and walked into the suite across from theirs.


    “Eileen, you didn’t have to share a suite with me,” Bailee chuckled as she recalled Eileen’s dark expression when Eileen grabbed the key card from him.


    Eileen had already taken off her coat. “You go freshen up first; I need to let Milford know I won’t make it back tonight and also let him tell Mom about this.”


    Ruby was slowly getting back some independence, though her movements remained slow. Milford had be more manageable after shedding some of his rebellious streak.


    Eileen counted on him to take care of Ruby.


    Milford was quick to respond, even offering to cook for Ruby. Eileen, wary of potential mishaps or kitchen disasters, politely declined.


    With everything settled, a shout came from the bathroom.


    “Eileen, there are no towels here!” Bailee eximed.


    “What?” Eileen furrowed her brows. She looked around and found no towels. “Don’t worry. They must have just forgotten to put them here. I’ll go find someone.”


    Leaving her coat behind, Eileen stepped out into the hallway, which was deserted. With the sudden influx of guests, the hotel staff was likely stretched thin, so Eileen decided to head downstairs.


    However, upon reaching the elevator, Eileen saw a woman dressed like a hotel employee emerge from the elevator wearing a mask and a hat. “Hello, can I help you with anything?” the woman asked.


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