?Chapter 293:


    “If you manage to find a suitable best man, I’d dly stand as your bridesmaid,” Eileen said.


    Eileen and Phoebe shared a unique bond; otherwise, Eileen might not have considered attending.


    With the wedding approaching swiftly, finding a best man was proving to be quite a challenge. Phoebe sighed and reassured Eileen, “I’m so grateful you’ll be there. I’ll ask Bryan to try to find a bridesmaid himself. Don’t worry about it too much. If he can’t find one, you can attend as my family.”


    The idea of Bryan and Eileen showing up at Phoebe and Jacob’s wedding caught everyone’s attention.


    Eileen and Bryan’s own wedding had been canceled, so seeing them together would certainly draw eyes. If they each brought someone else with them, that would create a peculiar scene.


    “I’ll do my best,” Eileen replied, knowing it would be tough to find someone willing to step into such a situation with her.


    It had been nearly two weeks since Eileen and Bryan’s argument, and they hadn’t seen each other since their encounter at the Dawson Mansion.


    Brandon and Lydia were keeping a close watch on both of them.


    “They’re expected at the wedding tomorrow. We’ll learn their current situation then,” Lydia said casually as she watered the nts.


    Z, standing nearby, added, “They were supposed to be the bridesmaid and groomsman, but their names aren’t listed anymore. It says ‘to be determined’ for those. It’s a clear sign they might not show up.”


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    This meant that Eileen and Bryan might have to find someone else to apany them to the wedding.


    Lydia paused her watering and suddenly smiled. “So, why wait? Isn’t this the perfect chance for you?”


    Z couldn’t deny she was eager to take advantage of the opportunity. She had always fantasized about being seen together with Bryan publicly.


    But after the ordeal at the hospitalst time, she knew she couldn’t provoke Bryan now. She would have to bide her time.


    “Now that we’ve finally got rid of Eileen, you should do something. But you can’t, what a waste!” Lydia’s frustration echoed as she threw the watering can, the sound ringing sharply in the air.


    “Go talk to Ste. Get her to ask Bryan to go to the wedding with you. It’ll make it easier to keep an eye on Bryan and Eileen if you’re by his side,” Brandon suggested, pushing the problem to Ste.


    With little choice, Z replied, “Okay, I’ll go find Ste now.”


    She turned and headed straight for the Dawson Mansion. It was a sunny afternoon when Z arrived. Ste was lounging in the garden, soaking in the sunlight. She looked up briefly as Z approached, then closed her eyes.


    Z said, “The Meyer family’s wedding is tomorrow. Bryan was supposed to be the best man, but now he’s listed as ‘to be determined.’ If he can’t find a suitable bridesmaid, it’ll be embarrassing—”


    Ste interjected impatiently, “Cut the chatter. You want to go to the wedding with Bryan, don’t you? Why didn’t I realize you were so scheming before? Now all you do is make up excuses!”


    Z felt exposed by Ste’s directness, squirming under her gaze.


    She said, “I just think he needs a suitable bridesmaid of good standing for the wedding.”


    “Then I’ll worry about that. You can leave now.” Ste dismissed her, clearly annoyed with Z’s approach. Everyone could see through her facade now, but she continued to feign innocence.


    “Did I do something wrong?” Z tried hard to hold her tears back. “You pity Eileen for being manipted by the Dawson family, but what about me? I’ve been with the Dawsons since I was young. Their cruelty ruined my entire life, leaving me unable to be a mother. Can’t you feel sorry for me too?”


    Ste, unfazed by Z’s tears, felt a surge of annoyance. She said, “Z, I tried to spare you some dignity, but if you don’t want that, there’s nothing more I can do. I’ll call Bryan right now to make you give up.” She retrieved her phone and dialed Bryan’s number.


    After a few rings, Bryan answered with a distant and indifferent tone. “Grandma, what is going on?”


    “Are you still set to be the best man at the Meyer family’s wedding? Can you bring Z along?” Ste asked directly.


    Bryan’s response cut through with its stark simplicity. “I’d rather bring a dog than take her with me. Don’t bother finding someone else for me.”


    He left the sentence hanging, but the implication was unmistakable as he abruptly ended the call.


    “He believes Eileen and I schemed against him. He feels betrayed by my actions. If only he knew Eileen was innocent, his disdain for me would be even greater.” Ste didn’t seem to be surprised by Bryan’s attitude. “I won’t meddle in his affairs any longer. Tell Brandon that if he can’t handle his own son, everyone will see him as weak.”


    With a sigh, Ste rose from her chair and made her way back to her room.


    The sunlight bathed Z’s figure, yet she felt a chilling emptiness inside.


    Did Bryan truly regard her as less than a dog?


    The tant humiliation gnawed at her, but she swallowed her anguish. Turning away, she returned to her car, where tears streamed down her cheeks unchecked.


    How could Bryan treat her like this? What had she done wrong? Was it a mistake for her to love him?


    She drove to Kian’s house, tears streaming down her swollen eyes.


    The Warren family’s situation had begun to stabilize after the initial wave of capital withdrawal from shareholders.


    A significant investor had stepped in, restoring operations.


    Kian had tried reaching out to Z several times, but she kept avoiding him with various excuses.


    Now, seeing Ze to him and in such distress like this, Kian’s heart immediately went out to her.


    “Z, what happened?” he asked gently.


    “Ever since Bryan broke up with Eileen, he’s been taking it out on me. Ste even tried to manipte me into marrying Bryan, deceiving his parents. She wanted me to go to the Meyer family’s wedding with Bryan, but he refused, saying he’d rather take a dog. What did I do wrong? Is this my fate? I have to endure this humiliation?” Z’s words poured out amidst tears, twisting the truth of everything.


    As her tears continued to fall, Kian felt for her.


    He wiped her tears gently andforted her, saying, “Don’t cry. Bryan’s behavior is despicable. He shouldn’t vent his anger at Eileen on you. Ste’s actions are equally unjust. How could she force you into such a position with Bryan? It’s not right.”


    The Dawsons were known for their scheming ways, and without a powerful background, Z was utterly vulnerable.


    The more Kian thought about it, the more determined he became. “Z, don’t cry. I’ll help you teach a lesson to Bryan. Trust me,” he said.


    “No!” Z’s voice rang out, her fingers tightening around Kian’s wrist. “The Warren family just got back on track. Please, don’t stir things up with Bryan—I can handle this.”


    Her words resonated deeply with Kian, but he couldn’t stand to witness her suffering any longer. “Then I’ll teach the one who is supposed to take Bryan’s anger a lesson and seek justice for you, Z. I refuse to let them bully you again. I’m gaining power. A top-tier foreign venture capital firm has invested in me. With their backing, I’ll stand fearless against the Dawsons.”


    Hearing this, Z felt a surge of joy. Kian was still useful to her, and the prospect of aeback seemed promising. But as she processed these thoughts, her gaze changed.


    Imbued with a mix of emotions, she realized that Kian, who had known intimacy, having been sexually involved with Benita, now faced the woman he loved right in his embrace. It was only natural for him to lust for her.


    When Z cried, she nestled in his arms. The gentle sensation of her body stirred a restlessness within him. Z felt a pang of unease. Since Kian had been intimate with Benita, he had tried to reach out to Z multiple times, only to be rebuffed.


    She had rushed here today, almost as if willingly walking into his arms.


    But now, faced with the current situation and Kian’s readiness to confront Eileen on her behalf, she feltpelled to give him something in return.


    A passionate scene unfolded in Kian’s apartment. Drawing on techniques learned from Benita, Kian sought to arouse Z, who felt a mixture of difort and immersion at first.


    In the end, Z rationalized that it didn’t matter. After all, Bryan had slept with Eileen; her loyalty to Bryan seemed irrelevant now.


    Achieving her goals was paramount; whether it was sleeping with Kian once or multiple times didn’t seem to make a difference.


    Her fervent response filled Kian with ecstasy.


    Their intimate encountersted from noon till night.


    Z finally fainted from exhaustion. Kian rose from the bed and made his way to the study to strategize what he was going to do at tomorrow’s wedding.


    Upon reflection, he decided not to entrust the n to Benjamin.


    Julio also attended Phoebe’s wedding.


    Eileen, adorned in a flowing light purple dress, went into the hotel alongside Bailee. Avoiding the bustling crowd, she wanted to find Phoebe in her dressing room upstairs. “Eileen, you can head upstairs first. I’ll wait for Huey here,” Bailee said with a hint of embarrassment.


    Curious nces from passersby didn’t escape Eileen’s notice. Pulling Bailee into a secluded corner, she inquired, “Hasn’t he arrived yet?”


    “No, stuck in traffic,” Bailee replied with a smile. “He is always cutting it close. I’ve reminded him countless times.”


    “We’re down to just three bridesmaids. I won’t be able to be one, and I don’t know if the Dawson family can find a recement. You and Huey are the only reliable anchors. Tell him to hurry,” Eileen said, reflecting on Phoebe’s recent praise for Bailee and Huey’s unwavering support.


    Bailee nodded and continued trying to reach Huey.


    After that quarrel, they had a few more conflicts. When Eileen had an ident, Bailee had called Huey, but he hadn’t picked up, leaving her feeling abandoned. Huey hadter tried to contact her after seeing the news, but she had been too overwhelmed to answer.


    Since then, Huey hadn’t contacted her again. Nearly ten days had passed. Two days ago, she had just remembered that Huey was supposed to be the best man while she served as bridesmaid at this wedding.


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