?Chapter 273:


    Z’s brow furrowed deeply. “I know I shouldn’t have gone after Eileen like that. There were times when I even thought about leaving with you. But you’re so incredible. How could I ask you to give up everything for me? I’m also furious that Bryan dragged you into this mess because of Eileen. That’s why I shouldn’t have done it. If Benita exposes me, Bryan might end up hating me, too.” Her expression still carried that serene determination to do what was best for everyone.


    Despite her confession of scheming against Eileen to protect Kian, she was honest about everything else. Kian was touched, his head muddled by her protectiveness, unable to distinguish truth from lies. He said, “Don’t worry. I’ll handle Benita. You shouldn’t do such things again. Bryan’s infatuated with Eileen. If he discovers it was you, escaping unscathed will be difficult.” He was already burdened by Bryan’s antics. What hope did Z, a woman of no significant background, really have?


    As he promised to deal with Benita, Z could almost see what was going to happen. A flicker of disdain crossed her eyes, but she quickly masked it by pulling Kian into an embrace, pressing her lips to his. “Kian, you’re too kind to me…”


    One from Z, and Kian felt the early morning vitality surge through him. One time was not enough for him. However, Z feigned difort, worried about Benita taking action. Kian, still full of desire, reluctantly got dressed.


    He left Z to rest at his ce as he set out to see Benita. Standing outside Benita’s apartment, he lit a cigarette, his mind racing. He was well aware of Benita’s character and what he needed to offer to enlist her assistance. If not for the anticipation of another intimate encounter with Benita, he would not have held back while in bed with Z earlier. His possessiveness toward Z surged uncontrobly at times.


    After smoking his cigarette, he tossed the butt, exited the car, and approached the door. When Benita saw Kian on the security screen, her spirits lifted instantly. Dressed only in ace camisole, she hurried downstairs to let him in, skipping her bra and leaving little to the imagination under the sheer fabric. Kian averted his eyes, visibly disgusted.


    “What’s the matter? Feeling shy?” Benita mocked, stepping back. “Since you’ve alreadye here, forget about leaving. Come in!”


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    With a grimace, Kian stepped into her apartment. Benita wrapped her arms around him from behind, her fingers wandering across his body, lingering at his belt before she started to unbuckle it and slide her hand further down. Kian swiftly caught her wrist to stop her.


    Benita asked, “Why the charade? You’re here to sleep with me, aren’t you? I have no patience for games.” She shook off his hand and continued, pressing her body against Kian’s back. She noticed his tension and whispered softly, “This must be wonderful,” pulling eagerly upstairs.


    “My room has everything you need. See, the bed is suspended, there’s ample space in the bathroom, and the carpet and sofa are so inviting. We could explore them right?” she suggested.


    Kian nced around the areas Benita mentioned. Her wildness was unmistakable. She was nothing like Z. Deep down, he felt a strong resistance but remained silent.


    “You understand why I’m here, right?” Kian said. Benita settled onto the sofa, her nightgown slipping to reveal her ckce underwear. Unbothered, she fixed a seductive look on Kian. “You came here for Z, didn’t you? I’m curious; why go through all this for her? Are you trying to help her marry Bryan? Or perhaps you’ve struck a deal with the cunning elders of the Dawson family?”


    She wouldn’t believe that Kian would undermine Bryan and Eileen simply because he had feelings for Z. After all, that made no sense.


    Kian suddenly felt a pang of heaviness. Helping Z marry Bryan wasn’t his intention. He had hoped Vivian would marry Bryan to free Z. But after Vivian’s ident, which had filled him with anger, he and Z had plotted together to end Bryan’s rtionship with Eileen out of revenge.


    Then, Bryan had singled him out, and Z had intervened to assist. But Kian didn’t have time to exin everything to Benita. “It’s none of your concern. Are you in, or should I go elsewhere?” he said.


    “I’m in.” Benita was determined not to lose this opportunity. She motioned him closer with a finger. “However, I’m not fond of serving men. I prefer to be the one served. You can start now.” She spread her legs, her intentions clear.


    In Benita’s presence, Kian felt like a novice, given his limited experience. He struggled to meet her demands, finding them somewhat embarrassing.


    Noticing his ineptitude, Benita took it upon herself to guide him. Once Kian experienced the thrill, he found it irresistible. However, tenderness was absent in Kian’s actions, and Benita felt utterly spent.


    In a daze, she caught Kian’s raspy cry. “Z!” She suddenly realized something. A man uttering another woman’s name during such moments only signified one thing, which she understood all too well. Did Kian have feelings for Z?


    A spark of intrigue lit Benita’s eyes as she considered the intricate web of their rtionships. What was truly happening here?


    Benita did indeed shoulder the me for everything, keeping her words guarded. She publicly dered that she had been misled by Denise, unaware of the true rtionship between Denise and Eileen.


    Her approach was direct; she acknowledged her errors and extended a heartfelt apology to Eileen via social media.


    Eileen, upon reading Benita’s apology, remained emotionally unaffected. But the behaviors of Ste and Bryan profoundly moved her.


    At dawn, Ste arrived, disturbing Eileen’s sleep. Bryan answered the door, and when he informed Eileen it was Ste, Eileen got out of bed, her body aching.


    “I figured you two would still be in bed. I brought breakfast, soe and eat,” Ste said, gesturing for them to freshen up.


    Eileen quickly slipped into a high-necked blouse. The previous night, Bryan had been overly enthusiastic, leaving marks on her body. There was even one behind her ear that she couldn’t conceal. She let her hair down to help cover it.


    Once Bryan and Eileen were freshened up, they joined Ste at the dining table. Ste exhaled deeply. “Eileen, it pains me to see you treated so unfairly. You sacrificed so much for the Dawson family’s image.”


    She had never wanted Eileen to dredge up the past to deal with this matter. In fact, she had even been ready to tolerate that mother-daughter duo sponging off her family indefinitely.


    “Eileen, you don’t need to say that. I know the sort of people they are. I clung to a hope that they might show some decency, which only gave them the opportunity to take advantage of us,” Eileen said,menting her previous leniency.


    After a pause, she continued, “I need to quash their hopes now, or we’ll be besieged by problems.”


    Ste felt for Eileen. She noticed Eileen’s unkempt hair and reached out to tuck a strand behind her ear, only to quickly pull it back upon seeing the mark. Eileen was taken aback. Had Ste not moved her hair, she might have forgotten about the mark.


    Ste said, “Well, regarding your wedding, I’m a bit overwhelmed. I had ns to sort things out with the hotel this morning, but now my mind is still a mess. Perhaps you should handle it.”


    Ste diverted the conversation, relieved that their wedding was on track now. A dy of another year might have made it impossible for her to manage.


    Bryan finished his milk, taking his time with thest sip, then said, “Alright, I’ll stop by the hotel and head to thepany from there.” He nced at Eileen, who appeared visibly fatigued, and said, “I’ll update you on any decisions made at the hotel. The final call is yours. You should rest at home today.”


    Ste seemed displeased. “Why can’t you control yourself for months? Keeping her homebound like this? Eileen organizing a wedding just doesn’t have the same attention to detail as a woman.”


    A wedding was a milestone event; some aspects required Eileen’s personal involvement. Embarrassed, Eileen looked down. “Alright, I’ll remember that,” Bryan responded calmly, ustomed to Ste’s critiques. He got up to change his clothes.


    When he emerged, he was impably dressed in a sharp suit. Despite the previous night, he showed no signs of fatigue.


    As Bryan was about to step out, he paused and turned back toward the dining room. “Grandma, are you heading out? I can give you a ride.”


    “I’m not leaving!” Ste retorted sharply. “It’s not like I’m going to eat her up. If you need to leave, just go. Why drag me along?”


    “She is exhausted and needs to rest,” Bryan said earnestly.


    Eileen almost choked on his words. She quickly said, “I’m not exhausted; I still have work to take care ofter. Since Ste is already here, it makes sense for her to stay a little longer.”


    “I’ll stay a bit longer then,” Ste agreed, giving Bryan a pointed look.


    With no other option, Bryan left.


    Before leaving, he sent Eileen a message, reminding her to get enough rest. He was nning to sleep with her tonight, and this nightly ritual would persist until she was pregnant. Eileen’s mouth twitched as she read his message. Every single night? If every night was going to be like thest, she doubted she could handle it.


    “Did that rascal tell you to kick me out?” Ste inquired, her toneced with suspicion.


    Eileen shook her head firmly.


    Ste didn’t believe her.


    “Ste, truly he didn’t. And I’ve got great news for you,” Eileen paused, her voice dropping to a whisper. “He has agreed to start trying for a baby now.”


    “Oh my!” Ste gasped, her joy palpable. “That rascal! He told me he had ns and that you two would get everything ready after the wedding. I just didn’t think he’d agree this quickly.”


    Although it was just two months earlier, for Ste, the news couldn’t be more thrilling.


    She had refrained from pressuring themtely because Bryan hadmitted to having a baby post-wedding.


    “Perhaps I let my emotions show too muchst night because of my past, and I confessed my deep wish for a child. He agreed right there and then,” Eileen said, still feeling touched.


    “He must really love you!” Ste eximed, feeling a sense of satisfaction watching the couple she had helped unite progress to this new phase.


    Eileen didn’t deny it, simply nodding in agreement. “So, I need to be honest with him. I can’t keep hiding that I was officially married for six years. Do you understand?”


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