?Chapter 266:


    Judie was unfazed by the usations being hurled at her. Her mind was upied with the news that Eileen was about to marry Bryan. Instead of responding, she hung up the call and opened the news. Just ten minutes ago, an announcement stating Bryan was about to get married to Eileen hade out, apanied by a photo of Bryan kissing Eileen. Although only Eileen’s side profile was visible in the photo, Judie recognized her immediately. Prominently disyed on Eileen’s hand, pressed against Bryan’s chest, was arge diamond ring.


    Judie believed the ring must be extremely valuable. She swiftly captured a screenshot of the article and sent it to Denise Moran, Eileen’s biological mother. Then, she quickly called Denise. “You can clear your gambling debts now. Check out the news I just sent you. Eileen is engaged to Bryan. She’s your daughter, and you’ll be rted to the wealthy Dawson family.”


    Filled with thoughts of unending wealth, Judie, who had previously cast Denise out, now wanted to bring her back. She quickly purchased a ticket to Onnd.


    The recently constructed buildings in Onnd were designed to include spacious apartments. Though not standalone vis, the prime location made them highly desirable. The view from the buildings provided a stunning overlook of Onnd’s entirendscape. The buildings had received much attention before Eileen’s departure.


    Eileen had been on a business trip with Bryan in a nearby city, lounging on his hotel bed, when she had seen the promotional material. She had nced at the promotional leaflet for just a couple of seconds. Bryan had noticed this and asked, “You like this?” Unable to outright say that she liked it, she had replied that she had just been looking at it casually.


    But she hadn’t expected that Bryan could see through her. Bryan had remembered this. Once the buildings werepleted seven months ago, he had secured the finest apartment avable. Spanning over five hundred square meters, the apartment’syout was breathtaking. The interior was simply decorated, and furniture was yet to be arranged. Standing in the center of therge living room, Eileen felt a bit lost.


    “Why did you bring me here?” she asked.


    “It’s our new home,” Bryan replied. Seeing Eileen stand by the floor-to-ceiling windows, still lost in thought, Bryan gestured to her and said, “Come here.”


    Around three in the afternoon, the sun streamed into the room. The intense midday sunlight had softened into a warm, reddish glow that spilled through the window. Eileen and Bryan could see the bustling city outside through the windows. Arge area of clouds glowed brilliantly in the sunlight as if painted across the sky, creating a breathtaking view. Resting against Bryan’s chest, Eileen basked in the sun’s warmth.


    “Why is the apartment so empty?” she asked. She thought it would be morefortable if there was a sofa.


    “I want to wait for your decision. Later, the designer will reach out to discuss the style of the decor with you,” Bryan replied.


    Bryan remembered Eileenining about his vi’s decor before. But Eileen had forgotten about it; still, she felt moved when she heard he wanted to leave the choice to her. “Alright, Mr. Dawson. I’m looking forward to a joyful marriage.” Eileen stood directly across from him and extended her hand for a handshake.


    Bryan couldn’t resist a smile as he took her hand and yfully tapped her forehead. “Come on, I’ll take you on a tour of the apartment.”


    The wedding was only two months away, making it crucial to order the furniture promptly. Eileen was particrly concerned about how the children’s room would be set up. This time, Bryan wasn’t as hesitant as he used to be about discussing children. He seriously engaged in the nning.


    “We should carefully n the children’s room and use imported materials. After all, we’re in no rush to have children,” Bryan said.


    Unexpectedly, they spent the entire afternoon together in therge and empty apartment. On their way home, Eileen received a call from Ste, who wanted to invite Ruby and Bailee to lunch the next day. They were still going to talk about Eileen’s marriage.


    “Your mother can’t move around easily anymore. During thest visit, you ended up cooking, which made me feel guilty, so I’ve booked a nearby restaurant this time,” Ste was thoughtful.


    Once home, Eileen ryed Ste’s words to Ruby.


    “Eileen! You should handle the bill.” Ruby found it unreasonable to let Ste manage such things while she did nothing.


    Everything proceeded without a problem. Eileen was in an exceptionally good mood. After wrapping up her work in the morning, she got a call from Bryan around noon.


    “I’ve finished up here; I’ming to pick you up,” Bryan said.


    “No, thanks,” Eileen replied firmly. “Just head straight to the hotel. It’s actually farther if youe to get me; I’ll drive there myself.”


    Bryan didn’t push further. It seemed more practical for them to head to the destination separately to save time. He ended the call, grabbed his coat, and left his office. Just as he stepped out, he saw Z, who was approaching with a lunch box.


    “Bryan, I brought lunch for you,” she said.


    “I have ns for lunch already,” Bryan declined directly.


    Z’s hold on the lunch box tightened, and her smile faded slightly. “Where are you headed? I just saw your assistant leaving for lunch; he was supposed to apany you.”


    Bryan had already put on his suit. “Grandma arranged a meeting with Eileen’s mother to discuss the wedding. My assistant doesn’t need to be involved in my personal matters. You can have lunch on your own. I need to leave now.” He walked past Z and stepped into the elevator. Just before the doors closed, Z followed him in.


    “Are you really going to marry Eileen? Aren’t you concerned about your parents’ disapproval?” she asked.


    Bryan looked ahead and responded, “There’s nothing to worry about. I can protect my woman.”


    Z was rendered speechless. She could only think about the moment Bryan had kissed Eileen in front of all the reporters. Eileen’s bright smile had made everyone envious. But what about her?


    She had been left dealing with Kian’s advances, forcibly held down on a sofa. The elevator doors opened, and Bryan stepped out swiftly.


    “Bryan!” Z called out, her voice steady. “I’m in a rtionship with Kian now.”


    Upon hearing this, Bryan turned to look at her. Z felt her heart stop for a second. His reaction… He didn’t want her to be with Kian, did he? He still cared about her, right?


    She took a couple of steps forward. She was about to say something when Bryan spoke up.


    “You’re free to choose whoever you want to be with. I won’t interfere. But you need to know that Kian and I are at odds now. I won’t show any mercy because of all the past, and if you act foolishly, I’ll disregard the family ties we’ve shared over thest twenty years.”


    He only cared about the family ties between him and Eileen. But that meant nothingpared to his love for Eileen. He would show no leniency if Z sided with the wrong person.


    After saying that, he turned and left, his expression stern. Z watched him leave. She left the Apex Group in a daze, overhearing the hushed chatter of some employees at the entrance.


    “I heard from Mr. Dawson’s assistant that Mr. Dawson and Eileen are at the Titan Hotel nning their wedding.”


    “Oh my God! I’m so jealous. When Eileen was here, she seemed sopetent. No wonder Mr. Dawson likes her!”


    The chatter snapped Z back to harsh reality. She realized she had made a rash decision. She had impulsively tried to gauge Bryan’s feelings by telling him that she was together with Kian.


    But she had overlooked the fact that Bryan and Eileen were at odds. Would Bryan now consider her an enemy?


    “Mom, look at this ce; it’s huge!” Judie, holding Denise’s arm, led Denise toward the entrance of the Apex Group.


    “Did Eileen work here as a special assistant before? Is that bitch really that capable?” Denise was astounded.


    For someone who had never been to arge city or seen such towering buildings, she was naturally shocked by the sight. Judie held a deep contempt for Denise. She thought Denise was incredibly ignorant.


    “Eileen used to work here. This ce will belong to her soon. If we secure Eileen’s engagement gifts, we’ll be rich!”


    Denise’s eyes lit up. She grabbed Judie, eager to rush into the building.


    Fortunately, Judie knew better and quickly stopped her. “There are bodyguards at the door. We can’t just walk in! Besides, we don’t have Eileen’s contact details. We have to wait here until she or Mr. Dawson shows up.”


    “It’s soplicated.” Denise frowned and expressed her concern, saying, “Roderick is still with those people. They gave us only a week. If we don’t find Eileen or Mr. Dawson soon, Roderick will be in danger!”


    “Don’t worry. Mr. Dawsones here daily. It won’t take a week. We can intercept him in three days, tops,” Judie said confidently.


    Standing nearby, Z heard their conversation. Keenly aware of the mention of “Eileen,” Z couldn’t help but watch them intently.


    She looked into Eileen’s background before and discovered that Ruby wasn’t Eileen’s biological mother. Eileen’s biological mother had divorced her father and left with her brother when Eileen was young. She had learned that when Eileen had been a special assistant in the Apex Group, she had arranged for her brother’s wife to work here.


    From Judie’s conversation with Denise, Z deduced that they were Eileen’s biological mother and sister-inw. “Are you here for Eileen?” Z approached and blocked their path as they tried to leave.


    Judie hesitated, then nodded. “Yes, we’re here for Eileen. Do you know where she is?”


    With a faint smile, Z pulled out a card from her purse. “She and Bryan are at the Titan Hotel. Here’s a VIP card for the hotel; you can use this to get in and find her. Her family and the Dawson family are discussing her marriage there.”


    The blue VIP card, adorned with gold dust, shimmered in the sunlight. Judie had seen a Titan Hotel VIP card before and recognized it immediately.


    She swiftly took the card, thanked Z, and hurried off with Denise. “We can still make it in time for the meal there. The food is excellent, and as Eileen’s mother, you should be there to discuss her marriage!”


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