?Chapter 301:


    Eileen’s loose down jacket hid her slightly swollen belly, yet she couldn’t shake the fear of being discovered. She clenched her hands inside her pockets and turned to walk in another direction before Bryan could catch up.


    Bryan paused, his hold on the shopping cart briefly loosening as he watched her walk away, his gaze intense. He pressed his lips together, and a brief sh of coldness reced theplexity in his eyes.


    Bailee and Ruby snapped out of their daze and hurried to follow Eileen. They hadn’t expected Eileen to encounter Bryan, especially since she had been avoiding going out for some time. They trailed behind in silence, unsure of what to say.


    They didn’t approach Eileen until she became lost in thought and stood still for a long time.


    “Eileen, do you like this one?” Ruby followed her gaze to a baby carriage.


    “No, Mom. I suddenly have a craving for your home cooking. Let’s pick up some ingredients and head back so that you can make me a meal,” Eileen replied.


    Eileen seldom expressed a desire for something specific, so Ruby quickly agreed to buy the ingredients for a home-cooked meal.


    At the checkout, the cashier scanned the items Bryan had chosen. Raymond rushed over to collect the purchases and handle the payment.


    “Mr. Dawson, Julio’s sudden attempt to take over the Freguson Group has stirred quite a bit of public spection. Someone could be behind him. The media has been dissecting the Freguson family’s situation and seems to think Julio might very well be ourpetitor.” Raymond had foreseen the possible challenges, so he immediately briefed Bryan.


    He added, “The individual backing Julio is quite mysterious, known for their merciless approach and deep business acumen. We should not take them lightly. Mr. Dawson, do you intend to regain control of the business project from Z?”


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    If Bryan didn’t reim the project, the Apex Group stood a high chance of losing it.


    After Raymond’s statement, there was silence for a while. Raymond nced sideways and noticed Bryan had paused at the rest area near the supermarket’s exit.


    In the corner of the rest area was a designated smoking zone. Bryan lit a cigarette, slipped a hand into his pocket, and casually watched the checkout area.


    “Mr. Dawson?” Raymond was beginning to think Bryan was losing his mind. Sometimes, Bryan would logically weigh the advantages and disadvantages. However, at other times, his judgment seemed wed. For instance, why choose now to take a smoke break?


    Raymond approached Bryan and repeated his concerns.


    As Bryan exhaled smoke, he replied nonchntly, “Let Z keep the project. She will be the one to face the consequences of any failures. What’s there to worry about?”


    “But you have to think about the Apex Group! It’s more than just business; our reputation is at stake. How dare the Freguson Group attempt to snatch our most lucrative project?” Raymond pressed his point with urgency.


    In response, Bryan scoffed. “Is our reputation that valuable? Everyone knows Brandon manages Apex Group through Z now. If he loses the project, the disgrace is his alone. As for Apex Group, it doesn’t concern me. Someone might ce thepany above everything else.”


    “But there’s a way to avoid all this,” Raymond said, hoping to persuade Bryan, but he was unsessful.


    Suddenly, Raymond noticed Eileen. She was walking arm-in-arm with Bailee and Ruby, heading toward the parking lot.


    He seemed to realize something. “So, you’re beening to this supermarket every day, pretending to shop, just hoping to bump into Eileen?”


    He muttered this to himself in a low voice, fearful of being overheard by Bryan. Bryan, however, wasn’t paying attention to him at all. He watched Eileen until she vanished into the underground exit.


    Bryan then discarded his cigarette and watched it extinguish for a moment. After a long while, he left the supermarket.


    The business world was changing, and Julio’s story was bound to dominate the headlines for some time. When a business analyst was interviewed by the media, he suggested that someone must be supporting Julio in secret.


    Many investigated Julio’s circle, analyzing everyone from his personal life to his professional contacts from his days as awyer. Yet, they were unable to determine who had the influence to be advising Julio so effectively.


    The puzzle was eventually buried when the Freguson Group got involved in the new project.


    Eileen, who knew Bryan well, understood his views on business strategies and ideas. She reviewed the details of the project and crafted a strategy from Bryan’s perspective. She then forwarded the n to Julio, who found it wless. They spent several evenings on video calls, meticulously refining the strategy, which prepared Julio well for the discussions on coboration.


    The project was open forpetitive bidding, drawing attention from numerous media outlets and business moguls. Julio arrived early, nked by two bodyguards, but they were halted at the entrance of the venue.


    Upon entering, Julio’s gaze immediately met Kaysen’s across the room. A brief, intense spark red between them. Julio took his seat with a nonchnt demeanor, awaiting themencement of the bidding. Kaysen leaned slightly and instructed his subordinate, “Follow the n. I’m confident we can draw our backer.”


    “Yes, sir,” his subordinate replied, signaling subtly to someone.


    Ten minutester, there was still half an hour until the bidding began. Julio decided to review the n on hisptop. However, when he reached for hisputer, he discovered it was missing.


    A sense of foreboding washed over him, and his expression darkened. He cast a suspicious nce at Kaysen.


    Kaysen offered a smug smile and then turned his attention away.


    It wasmon knowledge that the Freguson Group intended to bid. Without the ability to present his n readily, Julio’s chance to lead the Freguson Group effectively would be jeopardized. Frustrated, Julio exited to a private spot and called his team.


    “Perhaps this time you’ll need to take a risk” Julio said, suspecting one of Kaysen’s motives was to hinder his ability to bid. The main goal seemed to be to force Eileen to appear.


    On the other end of the line, Eileen remained silent.


    They were so close. Securing this project would mean they wouldn’t have to worry about the Freguson Group for a long time. However, showing up posed the risk of her identity being revealed. She didn’t fully trust anyone to keep her coboration with Julio a secret.


    “You don’t have toe inside. Just drop theptop off in the parking lot. I’ll leave the car key on the right rear tire. After you ce theptop in the car, text me. I’lle down to get it,” Julio said.


    This was the only solution Julio could think of.


    Eileen stayed silent, and Julio added softly, “It’s alright. I won’t hold it against you if you decide not toe. The fault is mine.”


    “Are the representatives from Apex Group there?” Eileen inquired.


    Julio nced from the second-floor balcony to the hall below. In the front row, Bryan sat with aposed and distinguished air, alongside Z, who was smartly dressed. It could have been Z’s first time participating in such a grand auction, and she appeared slightly nervous.


    Bryan, seated beside her, reclined casually in his chair.


    “Yes, Dawson and Z are present,” Julio said to Eileen. “I’ll be there in half an hour. Stall for some time and wait for my message,” Eileen said.


    After hanging up, Eileen grabbed herptop and headed downstairs, driving to the bidding venue. The festive season of Christmas had passed. Early spring brought warmth but also gusty winds that stirred the branches. Sunlight filtered through the swaying branches, casting moving shadows alongside the swiftly passing cars.


    Eileen parked outside the hotel and descended to the basement level via the elevator.


    Finding Julio’s car, she retrieved the key from the tire, ced herputer bag inside, and quickly left the area. Despite her swift movements, just as she approached the elevator, she heard fast-paced footsteps from the corridor on her right.


    She discreetly hid by the door, peering through a crack to watch a group of people heading towards Julio’s car.


    Seizing a moment, she turned and headed back upstairs. Once on the first floor, she slipped out a door into a crowded area to blend in, waiting for a chance to leave unnoticed.


    Yet, outside the hotel, several individuals scrutinized everyoneing and going.


    Eileen entered the elevator silently, tucked into a corner by a group of people, intentionally keeping a low profile. But she sensed members of the Freguson family were also in the elevator. Thus, she nonchntly followed a group out of the elevator. But this group of people all entered a private room, leaving her conspicuously alone in the hallway.


    Intermittent footsteps echoed through the corridor, and Eileen realized the Freguson family’s security was thorough, systematically checking each level. She couldn’t conceal herself now!


    Clutching the phone tightly in her pocket, she hesitated over whether to make a call when the door beside her swung open unexpectedly.


    A hand swiftly pulled her into the dark room, pressing her firmly against the porch cab. The next second, Bryan’s kiss descended upon her, his familiar scent enveloping her. Gently and urgently, he lifted her chin with his fingers. His hand gripped her waist lightly, trapping her between his chest and the cab, leaving no way to escape. His breath grew heavy and urgent as he traced kisses along her lips, chin, and neck, leaving a few marks.


    Eileen was startled by the sudden kiss, and when she regained her senses, he was kissing her passionately on the lips. Finally being released, Eileen gasped and pushed him away, her hands on his shoulders.


    “Who’s in there?” a gruff voice called from outside.


    Bryan had hastily pulled Eileen inside, leaving the door slightly ajar. It was likely that those outside had seen her being pulled in. Bryan resumed kissing Eileen and began to peel off her thick down jacket. She stopped resisting when she spotted a hotel staff uniform nearby.


    “If you don’t open the door, we’reing in!” The people outside were cautious, not wanting to offend the wrong individual. Despite their threat, there was no response from inside. Just as they were about to kick the door open, it swung open abruptly. Light from the corridor flooded the room. Bryan was holding Eileen’s hands above her head.


    Eileen’s face was nestled in his arms, hidden. He held the door open with his free hand, his lips still wet.


    Two hickeys were visible on Eileen’s neck, making it clear what had just happened.


    “What’s wrong?” Bryan looked at the people outside with evident annoyance. “Are you guys looking for trouble or what?”


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