?Chapter 271:


    “Eileen, what’s happening? When did this mother of yours suddenly appear?” Phoebe asked.


    Phoebe couldn’t hold back her curiosity after Jacob had filled her in and rushed to Eileen’s ce. Phoebe was aware that Ruby was Eileen’s stepmother, but Eileen had never talked about her biological mother. Phoebe had always assumed she was dead.


    Eileen had just gotten home when Phoebe dragged her into the car. They didn’t drive off; they simply sat parked in front of the building to have a conversation.


    “I didn’t think she’d evere looking for me, so I never brought her up,” Eileen exined, her voice steady. The cool night breeze came through the slightly open window. “How did you hear about it?” she asked Phoebe.


    Phoebe collected her thoughts before responding. “Jacob’s mom heard it from someone else. Apparently, it all started with Karen Kennedy. She’s notorious for spreading gossip in high society. It seems she couldn’t keep it to herself…”


    Eileen recalled that the woman Benita had been with earlier had been referred to as Mrs. Kennedy by Benita.


    “Just take your biological mother to court. She’ll learn her lesson! She’s been saying that the Dawson family can ept a poor daughter-inw but not a poor mother-inw. She has told everyone that the Dawson family is forcing you to cut ties with her… It’s ridiculous,” Phoebe said.


    Gossip was the favorite pastime in high society, especially concerning a well-known family like the Dawson family. News traveled fast, and within hours, everyone heard about the matter. Phoebe heard from her mom that Karen embarrassed Ste publicly, causing quite a scene. Ste was fuming, Phoebe said.


    She doubted the Dawson family would ever behave like that, but with the rumor circting, they needed to address it. Eileen’s expression grew troubled, her eyes reflecting a storm of emotions.


    “Don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s not your fault. me your mother. What was she thinking, speaking like that publicly? Though perhaps she didn’t expect the trouble it would cause the Dawson family.” Phoebe attempted to reassure Eileen, seeing her distressed look.


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    Eileen’s gaze hardened with resolve. She said, “No, she did that deliberately. And I suspect Benita might be involved.”


    She didn’t buy that Benita and Karen had just been passing by coincidentally.


    “Look, that’s Bryan’s car. He’s just arrived!” Phoebe suddenly eximed, spotting a familiar vehicle. She instinctively reached for the door handle. Eileen quickly stopped her. “Don’t!”


    As Bryan’s headlights dimmed, Eileen and Phoebe watched him exit the car and hurry into the building. “Why are you avoiding him?” Phoebe asked, bewildered, after Bryan had disappeared from sight. Eileen let go of Phoebe’s hand, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. She shook her head slowly; she wasn’t sure why herself. It had just been an instinctive reaction.


    “Don’t me yourself for this. This isn’t your fault. Maybe Bryan has a way to fix this,” Phoebe said gently.


    Eileen reclined in her seat, her thoughts swirling. It wasn’t her fault, but it involved her. She couldn’t drag Bryan into this. She needed to sort it out on her own.


    She knew she couldn’t keep her feelings hidden from Bryan. If she showed any distress, Bryan would intervene, and that would just reinforce the rumor that the Dawson family couldn’t stand Denise.


    Just then, her phone rang. It was from one of the bodyguards Bryan had detailed to her.


    “Miss Curtis, those two women were at a budget motel earlier. When we tried to approach them, they were picked up by a luxury car and taken to an apartment in the suburbs. We couldn’t follow them inside, and we don’t know who picked them up.”


    “Got it. You can stop following them now,” Eileen instructed, ending the call and running her fingers through her hair.


    Her expression hardened with determination. “Let’s go. I need you to take me to a ce,” she told Phoebe.


    “Sure!” Phoebe fired up the car, not bothering to ask for the destination.


    The darkness of the house weighed on Bryan’s heart. He had noticed Eileen’s car parked outside the building, but she wasn’t here.


    He flicked on the light and sank into the couch, thinking she might be upstairs and woulde down shortly.


    After a restless half-hour wait, he called Eileen.


    The phone was answered after just two rings, and Eileen’s voice was steady. “Are you home? I’m outside now.”


    “Where are you?” Bryan asked as he grabbed his coat and made for the door.


    From Eileen’s end, Phoebe’s voice was light, saying, “Mr. Dawson, I’ve taken your woman out for the evening. She’s with me, so no worries.”


    “Phoebe?” Bryan frowned. “Where are you two?”


    “That’s not for you to worry about. She’s in good hands,” Phoebe answered, her tone yful before she ended the call. Usually, Bryan would be concerned if Eileen was out with someone, but given the current situation, he couldn’t help feeling uneasy.


    The silence of the empty house amplified his worry. He called Jacob. “Did Phoebe take Eileen? Why didn’t you keep an eye on her?”


    “Damn!” Jacob eximed, annoyed. “How is that my fault? Phoebe left in a hurry to see Eileen as soon as she heard about your family’s trouble. I was left behind at the hospital. She cares more about Eileen than about me!” Jacob might have kept his irritation to himself if Bryan hadn’t called.


    But Bryan’s inquiry sparked his frustration. Jacob then asked, “What’s with the rumors swirling about your family? Is Eileen’s mother really causing trouble?”


    “You should focus on getting well, not spreading gossip,” Bryan retorted, ending the call abruptly. He didn’t have time to exin everything to Jacob.


    His mind was solely on Eileen. Although he knew she was safe, he believed she must be deeply affected by the rumor about the Dawson family.


    He immediately called Raymond, instructing him to locate Eileen and Phoebe. He then sent a text to Eileen, letting her know he was waiting for her toe home.


    As Eileen stepped out of the car, she received Bryan’s message.


    Phoebe peeked at Eileen’s phone, chuckling. “I didn’t know Mr. Dawson was such a romantic.”


    “He’s probably just worried since he rushed back from his meeting,” Eileen said, putting her phone away without responding.


    She hoped Bryan would head to bed early without her, but she knew she wouldn’t sleep until she was home. Looking at the imposing building before her, she turned to Phoebe and asked, “Which floor is thew firm?”


    “The top floor,” Phoebe answered. As they stepped into the elevator, Phoebe pressed the button for the top floor. “Don’t worry; thiswyer is the best in the business.”


    Eileen nodded, her hands in her pockets. “Isn’t it a bit harsh to pull him out at night just for this?”


    “It’s not like you’re not paying him,” Phoebe replied. “Besides, you know thiswyer.”


    “I know him?” Surprise shed across Eileen’s face. “What’s his name?”


    Phoebe nudged her shoulder. “Don’t ask too many questions. If your mom’s situation involves Benita, he’s definitely the one who can handle her.”


    Hearing this, Eileen grew even more curious.


    The elevator doors slid open to a dim corridor, lit only by emergency signs.


    Phoebe linked arms with Eileen, leading her toward the only part of the ce with lights on.


    They approached the sign that read “Julio Law Firm.” The reception area was softly lit, and beyond it, an inner office shone brightly, where a man in a suit was visible through the ss.


    Without knocking, Phoebe pushed open the door. “Julio, we’ve arrived!”


    Thewyer turned, his demeanor calm, the light glinting off his gold-rimmed sses.


    He wore a white shirt and a light gray vest, looking every bit the refined gentleman.


    “Julio Ferguson?” Eileen called, sounding uncertain. Julio set aside the papers he was reviewing, adjusted his sses, and offered a smile. “I’m surprised you still recognize me.”


    Eileen was taken aback, her mouth open, the words failing her. Julio had been well-known in Eileen’s school. He was a grade above her and known as a top achiever. He had pursued a degree in financial management, apparently to manage the family business after graduation.


    Why was he working as awyer now? Changing careers like that must have taken significant effort and courage.


    “Let’s save the catch-up forter. Right now, we need to address the issues with your mother,” Julio said, his eyes twinkling with a trace of joy.


    Seated by Phoebe’s guidance, Eileen listened as Phoebe whispered, “Shocking, right? I was too. He was hesitant to take the case at first, but when I mentioned your name, he agreed right away. He also said he used to go to the same school as you.”


    Eileen and Julio had crossed paths in the student council during their school days.


    To Eileen, Julio was more a celebrity than a friend; she had collected his photos like many others but never thought their acquaintance would extend beyond school. But Julio had a point; it waste, and there was no time for reminiscing.


    “My biological parents divorced when I was very young. It was a bitter separation…” Eileen began.


    At that time, Eileen and her family had resided in a small town on the outskirts of town. The divorce had be a local scandal, drawing attention from the entiremunity.


    The custody battle for Eileen’s younger brother, Roderick, had been intense, and the locals had felt sorry for Eileen. Following the divorce, Eileen had never seen Denise again.


    With Denise’s sudden reappearance now, legally, Eileen was only required to provide minimal monthly support. There were no remaining familial ties.


    Eileen exined her rtionship with Denise while Julio attentively noted down relevant details for legal evaluation.


    Denise had another son, which meant Eileen was not obliged to provide housing or care for Denise, only basic financial support.


    In thewyer’s letter, Julio, representing Eileen, sent a formal caution to Denise.


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