?Chapter 306:


    Josue’s confusion was palpable. Then, he realized that his phone’s sh had probably just gone off.


    “I was just taking a selfie,” he exined calmly.


    Wayne looked like he was about to speak, but Eileen stopped him with a quick nce.


    shlights didn’t usually go off during selfies, but what was the point of arguing about it? If Josue was willing to engage in a serious discussion about the project, then it didn’t matter.


    Eileen slid the project proposal across the table to Josue.


    Eileen didn’t fully understand the project herself. Wayne provided aprehensive introduction while she deftly handled a few tricky questions.


    Meanwhile, Bryan received the photo of Eileen. He didn’t notice anything unusual. The image only showed her upper body wrapped in a thick down jacket, which gave her a bulkier appearance.


    The private room was softly lit with a purple glow, which highlighted her rosy cheeks and gentle features.


    Wayne’s exnation captured Josue’s interest.


    “I’m tied up today. Have my secretary set up a meeting for tomorrow at the office,” Josue said, rising from his seat while casually loosening his suit jacket.


    His gaze then shifted to Eileen. “Make sure you’re there!”


    Ovee with excitement, Wayne nearly knocked over the table in his rush to stand.


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    Eileen quickly steadied it, her movements calm and controlled. She then confirmed the meeting time with Josue.


    Wayne had expected disappointment, but now he reveled in this unexpected progress.


    Eileen hadn’t anticipated such a smooth development either. She returned homete that night, only to endure a lengthy lecture from Ruby before finally retreating to her room.


    She didn’t want to sleep.


    Meanwhile, back home, the afternoon sun cast long shadows over the room. Julio eagerly awaited Eileen’s updates on the new project.


    When she recounted the events, his face lit up with satisfaction.


    “Eileen, you’re my lucky charm,” he said with a grin. “Securing Fregustm Caraup and stabilizing it so quickly exceeded my expectations.”


    With multiple sessful projects under his belt, Juliomanded respect within thepany, his authority unchallenged by Ferguson Group’s senior management.


    “There’s no need to be overly grateful. Our rtionship is purely business — we discuss mutual interests. I’ve gained something valuable too,” Eileen replied coolly.


    Her interactions with Julio were always transactional, focused solely on mutual benefits.


    Julio’s initial enthusiasm dimmed, but he understood Eileen’s perspective. Once bitten, twice shy. While he wasn’t aware of the exact challenges she had faced within the Dawson family, he knew enough to recognize that she had grown cautious.


    “I have some promising news for you as well,” he added, his voice carrying a hint of intrigue. “I reached out to Benjamin like you suggested, and he seems willing to assist. However, he’s deeply entrenched at Warren Group, so leaving won’t be easy for him.”


    Benjamin had long yearned to break free from Kian’s control but had yet to find the right opportunity.


    Eileen had noticed this for a while now.


    “Recently, Kian has been preupied with investigating his sister’s illness, passing many of thepany’s duties to Benjamin,” Julio added thoughtfully. “It seems something significant has happened.”


    Julio struggled to understand the full scope of it, but he knew one thing for sure — the tides were shifting.


    There were swirling rumors about Megan earlier, causing quite a stir at Warren Group. Now, a major investor had swooped in, acquiring a substantial stake and weakening Kian’s grip.


    On top of that, Kian’s focus on Zi’s situation had drawn him away from managing thepany effectively. If this new shareholder voiced discontent, Warren Group could face a change in leadership.


    Eileen carefully dissected the situation, watching with detached concern as Kian’s decisions pushed Warren Group closer to instability.


    Vivian’s personal affairs held little interest for her.


    “If you want Benjamin to leave soon, offer him an appealing role,” Eileen advised calmly. “While Warren Group remains stable, he’s unlikely to leave. But with its current instability, his departure would be more understandable. Just don’t count on inheriting Warren Group’s projects down the line. If you want Benjamin, be prepared to make a significantpromise.”


    Eileen had a clear understanding of Benjamin’s predicament. Switching jobs now andter fighting for Warren Group’s projects could cast suspicion on him for leaking confidential information.


    It would inevitably tarnish Benjamin’s professional reputation.


    Julio would have to forfeit any future projects from Warren Group if he wanted to secure Benjamin. It was the only way to safeguard his credibility and ensure a firmmitment from him.


    Aware of this challenge but unfamiliar with Benjamin’s personal inclinations, Julio had been uncertain about how to proceed.


    After consulting Eileen for advice, he concluded the video call and immediately dialed Benjamin, addressing the matter head-on.


    Benjamin thought for a moment before asking, “Julio, is Eileen the person guiding you from behind the scenes?”


    “Of course she is,” Julio replied without hesitation. “There’s no one who understands me better than her.”


    Benjamin knew his own vulnerabilities well. He always kept a safety close by.


    “Then I’m in,” Benjamin replied without a hint of doubt.


    Julio ended the call and turned toward the window, where sunlight poured in, painting the room with a hopeful glow.


    Suddenly, an anonymous email alert caught his attention.


    Opening it, Julio’s expression shifted. Inside were Apex Group’s confidential documents for the next six months — signed project proposals and bids, all bearing Bryan’s distinctive signature.


    They were undoubtedly real.


    With these documents in hand, Julio could effortlessly secure Apex Group’s projects for the next half-year. However, the sender’s identity puzzled him.


    Before he could dwell on it, the office door swung open.


    Dalores stepped in, dressed in a janitor’s uniform, and swiftly locked the door behind her.


    Julio narrowed his eyes as she approached.


    “Why are you avoiding me, Julio?” Dalores confronted him, her voice tinged with frustration as she locked eyes with him.


    Julio’s gaze turned cold, his hand clenching tightly, though his expression remained calm andposed.


    “What makes you think I’m avoiding you? Our paths have simply moved in different directions,” he replied tly.


    “I don’t believe that,” Dalores shot back, her face set with determination. “You promised that once I graduated, I could join you in your ventures, that you’d be there to support me forever!”


    Have you really taken that to heart?” Julie stood slowly and lit a cigarette.


    His maturity andposure overshadowed Dalore’s youthful earnestness, highlighting their stark contrast in age.


    He cast a formidable shadow over her, towering like a predator, while she stood before him as fragile and defenseless as a startled rabbit,


    I never repeated those words after we had sex, did I? You knew they were just lies to get you into bed,” he said, his voice tinged with arrogance.


    Dalores had to raise her gaze to meet his, her eyes betraying a mixture of hurt and disbelief.


    As she mustered the courage to confront him, she felt the weight of his hurtful words cut deeper than ever.


    I believed you. You said it, so I trusted you meant it. [If you don’t keep your word, I’ll bully you forever,” she said.


    “You’re just after my money, aren’t you?” i’ Julio blew out a ring of smoke, crushing the cigarette. “How much do you want? Name your price and it’s yours. I don’t want any trouble, take the money and go.”


    Dalores turned her head away, “I don’t want your money.


    “I just want to be with you.”


    Julio’s frown deepened, his eyebrows knitting together as he red at her. Her unwavering stance only added to his frustration.


    He felt a heavy pressure on his chest, making every breath difficult.


    After a tense silence, he let out a mockingugh. “Nice try. Now that I’ve got the Freguson Group back, you want to be my will? I told you, it’s not your role, so if you keep that lip, don’t me me for treating you like nothing.”


    He walked over to her, grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the lounge.


    She stumbled onto the bed, her eyes wide with shock and fear as he towered over her. He left the door slightly ajar.


    His knuckles stood out as he began to strip off his clothes, ripping open his shirt impatiently and then unbuckling his bell.


    His muscr frame was revealed, making her cheeks flush with embarrassment and her ears burn.


    The previous encounter had been a mistake, one she hadn’t been fully aware of,


    But this Lime, she was fully aware, and his anger was evident.


    As her clothes were torn, she shouted, “/ulio! This isn’t who you are. You think this will make me leave? What is wrong with you?”


    “What’s wrong now?” Julio’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “If you’re offering me your body, why shouldn’t I take it?


    You felt greatst time. You should be grateful that I still want you. ‘i


    Dalures had an innocent face that contrasted sharply with her mature figure,


    Julio’s hand, almost twice as big as hers, couldn’t cradle her breast.


    Her body was addictive, making him want more. His actions were both deliberate and wild, causing her pain < with his toughness.


    Dalores begged, her voice firm but breaking into sobs,


    "Julio, stop. Just let me go now."


    "Do you regret it, Julio?" Fingers clenched her chin, his eyes scanned her tear streaked face, the pain in his heart evident. "Toote. You wanted to be in my bed, didn''t you? Begging won''t change anything.


    You''d be thinking about how to please, OK?


    He switched effortlessly between gentle charm and fierce ferocity.


    Beneath his gold-rimmed sses, his eyes flickered with a hint of red, reflecting both unbridled emotion and hidden pampering.


    Dalores winced, whimpering softly with her eyes closed, oblivious to the conflict in his gaze, only feeling the sting of his actions.


    The narrowness of the room and his unyielding farce led him to call a private doctor to attend to her injuries afterwards,


    Aware of her difort, he had called a doctor who was visibly shocked: "Why did you do that? Didn''t you think about being gentle? How old is she? She''s not a minor, right?"


    "She''s not," Julio said, standing by the window and rolling up his sleeves, ncing at hisshes, then adding, "She''s more captivating than most. I lost myposure for a moment. Even if she agreed, it''s only fair to tend to her injuries out of kindness, don''t you think? After all, I may need her again."


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