?Chapter 288:


    Tears gathered in Ste’s eyes as she looked at Eileen.


    Eileen was momentarily in a daze. She subconsciously withdrew her hand and suddenly thought Ste looked a little strange.


    A sense of foreboding gripped her. She pressed her lips together and cast her gaze downward, her brow furrowing tightly. The memory of the documents she had just signed flickered through her mind.


    “Eileen, I’m relieved that you’ve agreed to have a child for Bryan now. I’ve waited seven years for this day, and I’m finally on the verge of realizing this dream. Indeed, a billion dors is a substantial sum. Most people don’t earn a hundred million in their lifetimes. But it is worth it.” Ste suddenly spoke, her tonecking the usual warmth. Eileen was puzzled. Why did Ste mention the billion dors?


    Wasn’t the agreement for two hundred million? And wasn’t the contract already invalid?


    Ste continued, “It’s logical to increase the amount from two hundred million to a billion dors, given the risks involved with your health. This could be life-threatening. I’m offering you this money to ensure you stay on track after the baby arrives. Don’t aspire for what rightfully belongs to you!”


    Looking up, Eileen noticed a tall figure in the dining hall.


    Bryan’s handsome face was marked by an expression of coldness. He frowned; he had heard everything Ste had said.


    Eileen abruptly stood up and shook her head at Bryan. Before she could speak, he made Ste look up. “What do you think you’re doing? Are you thinking of reneging on the agreement? You just signed it. I won’t offer more than one billion dors. Don’t even think about it!” Ste rose to her feet, her eyes zing with anger and her voice even more intense.


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    She acted as if Eileen were the one being unreasonable.


    “Can someone please exin to me what’s going on?” Bryan asked, looking at Eileen’s confused face.


    Anger surged within him as he approached and mmed a sealed bag onto the table.


    The bag was transparent; Eileen could see the documents inside.


    “The Dawson family’s situation has evolved, necessitating an increase in the pregnancy fee from two hundred million dors to one billion dors. I assure you, once I have safely delivered Bryan’s child, I will not pursue any further wealth from the Dawson family,” Bryan said.


    He also held a copy of the marriage certificate he had with Eileen. And there was a photo of them when they got married.


    Bryan had been looking at the photo before arriving. Eileen looked young and shy in the picture.


    Eileen turned out to be the woman he had married seven years ago.


    She had kept this secret from him for so long!


    He could understand her reasons for keeping it a secret; perhaps she didn’t know how to bring it up.


    But what about this agreement about the billion dors?


    He did his utmost to keep his emotions under control. His neck veins stood out prominently, and his body shook visibly.


    “Bryan, are you okay?” Ste seemed to notice him only then. She turned and saw him heading quickly toward Eileen. She promptly positioned herself in front of Eileen. Ste said, “Calm down. Please try to understand; this is all for you. It’s unrted to Eileen. Since we are already at this point, just let me realize my dream. My only intention is for you to have a child.”


    Before she could finish her sentence, Bryan reached around her and pulled Eileen out.


    He held Eileen’s wrist firmly, his eyes filled with anger. “You’re the only one I trust. You need to exin this to me!” he said.


    Eileen felt trapped. She was convinced that Bryan would believe her if she told him Ste had deceived her into signing the agreement.


    She also believed Ste was well aware of Bryan’s deep affection and care for her, confident that no misunderstanding would undermine their rtionship. But what was in the soup she had drunk earlier? She lost her voice when trying to speak.


    Eileen’s tears flowed freely, obscuring Bryan’s face from her view. Despite his evident anger, her tears seemed ineffectual.


    “Bryan, aren’t you aware of the situation? You only have seven days until you get married. Nothing should interfere with that. Plus, you’ve been together so long. She might already be pregnant,” Ste continued to sidestep the main issue, focusing instead on less significant details.


    Bryan was indifferent to that. What truly mattered to him was that this was all a lie!


    Eileen was a tool Ste had procured to bear a child.


    Her willingness to marry him and have children was driven not by love but by money.


    “Say something!” Bryan’s voice was a deep rumble as he confronted her. “You are indeed the woman Ste brought to marry me seven years ago. I me myself for not realizing it sooner. If you’re struggling to find a way to exin, I can understand that, but you must tell me if she coerced you into signing this. Tell me you didn’t marry me for a billion dors or just to have a child. Just say that, and I’ll believe you!”


    “Bryan, can you be more rational?” Through gritted teeth, Ste further added fuel to the situation. “If you keep this up, she might demand even more!”


    Eileen clenched her teeth, struggling to speak, but her attempts were futile.


    “You have only one chance to exin, Eileen!” Bryan’s voice escted as he gripped her more tightly, causing her difort. He insisted that she look at him and answer directly.


    However, when forced to raise her head, Eileen remained silent.


    She could see the hope fading from Bryan’s eyes.


    Suddenly, Bryan let go of her shoulder and leaned against the cupboard, his eyes slightly lowered, concealing his emotions.


    Eileen reached out to grasp his hand, but he swiftly moved away.


    His face clearly disyed hatred and disgust. “The wedding in seven days is off. Don’t let me see you again,” he said.


    Eileen’s heart skipped a beat as she seized his arm and shook her head. Mouth open, she gestured toward Ste. Bryan’s gaze was icy, utterly indifferent to her desperate look.


    “What? Are you upset that you won’t be getting a billion dors?” Bryan grabbed her wrist in anger and dered, “Even if I need someone to carry my child, it won’t be you. You don’t deserve a billion dors!”


    Then, he turned and walked away with a mix of resolve and despair.


    His car sped off, vanishing in moments.


    The dining hall was enveloped in silence now. Eileen could hear her own heart thundering.


    Her gaze shifted slightly and settled on Ste’s face. Ste looked down, avoiding Eileen’s eyes, and stumbled, almost falling. Jarred rushed to steady her.


    Eileen observed as Jarred helped Ste to a chair and then pulled a vial of clear liquid from his pocket, handing it to Eileen.


    “Miss Curtis, this is the antidote. Don’t worry; this is all harmless to your body,” he said.


    Eileen epted it and drank the colorless, tasteless liquid, which did nothing to soothe the distress of her exertions to speak earlier.


    Jarred continued, “I hope you can understand Mrs. Dawson. She holds you in high regard and has no other choice. She must prioritize the Dawson family and her grandson. You…”


    “I’m just a casualty in your battle, aren’t I?” Eileen’s voice was as cold as ice.


    Ste bowed her head with tears beginning to form in her eyes.


    Jarred said, “Miss Curtis, Mrs. Dawson will make it right.


    I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive her.”


    “I understand her, but I can’t forgive her.” In Eileen’s mind, she reyed the transformation of hope into despair in Bryan’s eyes.


    He had hoped for just a single word from her, yet she couldn’t deliver it.


    Eileen turned and began to walk away.


    Suddenly, Ste grasped Eileen’s wrist. Eileen stopped and faced her. Ste shook her head and pleaded, “Please stay away from Bryan. Brandon has—”


    “I don’t want to hear the truth,” Eileen interjected. “No matter how dire orplex your reasons, I can’t forgive you.”


    She shrugged off Ste’s hand, her eyes clouding with sorrow.


    The weight of the situation was suffocating, making it harder for her to draw breath.


    Despite the midday sun shining down, she felt no warmth.


    She hadn’t been able to see the wedding preparations yet. What did the wedding photo look like? Was the wedding dress beautiful?


    Was her smile sweet in the photo? Did Bryan radiate love for her?


    If she were to exin now, would he believe her?


    It seemed toote. Even though he had said those words out of anger and disappointment before, his stinging words still echoed in her ears, lingering painfully. Eileen arrived at two in the afternoon. With Milford still at school, she headed straight to her room, sat down on the floor, and didn’t even bother to change her shoes. As sunlight bathed her, she fixed her gaze on a spot on the floor, deep in thought.


    Even after seven years, she vividly remembered the day she and Bryan got their marriage certificate. He was dressed in a gray suit.


    He was so aloof that day, hardly ncing at her. If he had only looked at her or remembered her name, perhaps none of what followed would have urred. When she had shown up at Apex Group, he would have dismissed her immediately. Their rtionship would have ended right there.


    They would never have seen each other again.


    As darkness fell, Eileen curled up on the carpet, hugging her legs to her chest. The chill seeped through her, but she remained motionless.


    Reporters had been keenly tracking the uing wedding on December 6th, continually checking in with the hotel for updates. But then, it was revealed by the hotel that the wedding had been called off.


    The news broke, sending Bailee and Ruby into a state of panic. It had been two days since Eileen had disappeared. Bailee rushed downstairs, only to discover a real estate agent showing the apartment to potential buyers.


    “Where is the woman who used to live here?” Bailee asked the agent.


    The real estate agent was a bit confused and replied, “You mean Mr. Dawson? He sold the apartment.”


    After stating this, the agent briskly moved away from Bailee and continued showing the apartment to the prospective buyers.


    Bailee returned upstairs and walked into the apartment across from hers. She noticed Eileen’s slippers by the entrance, seemingly untouched for so long that it seemed that Eileen hadn’t been there for a while.


    Feeling a surge of anxiety, Bailee instinctively dialed Huey’s number.


    However, she forgot that they were still fighting; Huey promptly hung up the call.


    Unaware of what had transpired between Eileen and Bryan and hesitant to involve the police without more information, Bailee quickly called Phoebe.


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