?Chapter 316:


    The surname was settled—Curtis.


    However, the baby’s first name had still not been decided, even three days after leaving the hospital for the postnatal care center. They hadn’t chosen a name yet.


    Faleen was in no rush; she wanted to take her time to find the perfect name. In contrast, Josue was anxious, presenting Eileen with a new list of potential names daily.


    His house was littered with papers scribbled with names.


    As Bryan stepped into the room, Josue immediately lunged to scoop up a paper from the floor, clutching it against his chest as if it were a precious gem.


    “What brings you here so unexpectedly?” Josue asked.


    “Business,” Bryan replied curtly, scanning the room but unable to make out the contents on the papers that Josue guarded so closely.


    He settled onto the sofa, arching an eyebrow. “There’s a meeting tomorrow you need to attend.”


    Josue didn’t hesitate to refuse. “I can’t. I need to visit my goddaughter in the hospital. She doesn’t have a father. She needs all the fatherly support I can give her to grow up well.”


    “Are you sure?” Bryan replied. “Aren’t you worried she might be affected by your bad influence?”


    Josue was familiar with Bryan’s biting remarks and knew he couldn’t out-argue him about attending the meeting, but submitting without a fight would be humiliating.


    He then nonchntly said, “Fine, then think of a name for her. No, ten names. Do that, and I’ll attend the meeting.”


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    Bryan, unfazed by the minor challenge, readily agreed.


    Yet, when he thought of the baby he had met the day before, he found himself unexpectedly tongue-tied, struggling to think of any names.


    Casually, he inquired, “What is her…?”


    “Surname…” Josue hesitated. Curtis was the agreed surname, but what if Bryan connected that to Eileen?


    Josue almost let the word slip. He stopped himself and quickly said, “Payne. She’ll have my surname.”


    Bryan cast him a look, aware that Josue was lying, but he didn’t care.


    He mulled it over briefly before writing a name on the document.


    “Athena.”


    After that, his mind drew a nk. His only wish was for the little girl to forge her own path in life.


    “Only this one name?” Josue asked, with a hint of scorn.


    Bryan set the pen down and replied, “Just this one. Besides, your opinion isn’t relevant here. Why do you care so much?”


    Eileen reached for a cigarette, but Josue was quick to intervene. “I can’t visit my goddaughter smelling like your secondhand smoke. Either quit smoking now or leave.”


    “And what about the meeting tomorrow?” Bryan queried, the unlit cigarette dangling from his lips.


    “I said if you propose ten names, I’ll attend. Less than that, I won’t—”


    But before Josue could finish, a “click” echoed as Bryan flicked on his lighter.


    The me neared the cigarette, his gaze carrying a veiled threat.


    “I’ll be there!” Josue conceded, his teeth clenched.


    Bryan snuffed out the lit cigarette and waited to light his cigarette until he was outside.


    In haste, Josue brought a list of names to the care center, leaving the choice to Eileen.


    Eileen quickly skimmed through the names.


    “Josue, did you bring a list of all your ex-girlfriends?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.


    “That’s ridiculous!” Josue responded instantly, his tone dismissive. “How could those women ever measure up to my goddaughter?”


    However, the names on the list stirred an indescribable feeling within Eileen.


    It seemed that Josue’s thoughts were still tethered to these women.


    She tried not to be too critical, especially considering Josue’s dedication—he had been bringing her several lists daily.


    His efforts were earnest, but not exactly fruitful.


    “None of these suit her?” Josue sighed, ncing at the little girl in the baby carriage, who seemed a touch more charming than she had a few days ago.


    Eileen shook her head.


    Josue slumped onto the couch, deep in thought for a while, before finally suggesting another name. “What about Athena?”


    “Athena?” Eileen looked intrigued.


    Josue wrote the name down on a piece of paper and passed it over to Eileen.


    The name conjured images of strength and independence, making Eileen chuckle. “How did youe up with this name all of a sudden?” she asked.


    Josue faltered, at a loss for words.


    He didn’t know how Bryan hade up with this name.


    All he knew was that the names he had agonized over for days paled inparison to the one Bryan had effortlessly proposed in mere minutes.


    “I just used my brain. So, are you going to name the baby Athena?” Josue asked.


    Eileen, now up and about, stood straighter and wheeled the baby carriage closer, her fingers tenderly caressing the baby’s cheek.


    “Alright, Athena it is then,” she said.


    In Eileen’s view, Josue had also yed a part in choosing the name.


    His chest swelled with pride, and he turned to share the news with Rylie and Ruby.


    “This name is great. Once we’re back home, we’ll get the baby officially registered.” Ruby beamed, thrilled that Eileen was pleased with the name.


    The baby finally had a name now.


    Rylie promptly inquired, “When are you nning on returning home?”


    “Soon, after Eileen’s recovery period is over,” Ruby replied.


    Just then, Josue interjected, “You heading back? Did you travel all this way to a foreignnd just to have a baby?”


    They hade here for three months, and they would return a month after the baby was born.


    “That’s one way to describe it,” Eileen remarked. She then expressed her gratitude, saying, “I’m so thankful for all your help during this period. Your kindness to Athena will always have a ce in my heart.”


    Rylie waved off the thanks. “Don’t mention it. I don’t have much to do here, and I’ll follow Athena back.”


    Josue, looking lost in thought, finally spoke up. “I’ve requested a transfer back home. I’m going to be close to Athena.”


    Eileen was deeply moved by their unified affection for the baby.


    Suddenly, Josue said, “I think she needs a nickname.”


    He felt a bit unfair knowing that the formal name of the baby had been chosen by Bryan.


    After some thought, he dered firmly, “Gabri.”


    Eileen was momentarily lost for words.


    “You’ve traveled thousands of miles abroad to have this child, and I want to give this nickname to her. This isn’t up for discussion. Athena sounds too mature…” Josue stood his ground and began convincing the three women to embrace the nickname.


    Surprisingly, Josue’s choice resonated with Eileen. She turned to Eileen with a hopeful look. “What do you think?”


    “I think the nickname is good,” Eileen replied, not wanting to dampen Josue’s enthusiastic effort.


    Josue, Rylie, and Ruby gathered around the baby carriage, each taking turns to call the baby by her new name.


    Eileen moved to the window, soaking in the sunlight, and reflected on how much Rylie and Josue’s visit had filled her thoughts.


    The hustle of the ward left her little space to mull over her feelings.


    Perhaps it was Athena’s resemnce to Bryan, or maybe his recent presence here, that had made her think of Bryan constantly these days.


    In her slumbers, she often envisioned him cradling Athena, basking in the glow of fatherhood.


    Although his smile in her dreams didn’t shine as brightly as Josue’s did in reality, his joy seemed just as profound.


    Suddenly, a surge of emotion swept away all semnce of reason.


    Bryan had sent Eileen a text, expressing his desire to meet.


    Eileen had learned from Julio that the Apex Group was facing bleak prospects. Z had made a public vow to secure the Waléh family’s project.


    Z had been in close talks with Lnd, nearly finalizing a deal.


    However, securing the contract would only herald further troubles for the Apex Group. Even with the project as a cover, the future looked grim.


    And if they couldn’t secure the contract, the Apex Group’s only route was a dire one.


    Amidst these tumultuous times, Bryan hade here, and Eileen found herself repeatedly reading his simple message on her phone.


    “Eileen, I really want to see you.”


    She couldn’t make up her mind for a long time.


    In Onnd,


    To win Lnd over, Z had booked the entire restaurant.


    Her grip on her purse tightened, betraying her anxiety.


    The door swung open abruptly, and in walked Lnd, d in a suit, a smile gracing his face as he made his way toward her.


    As he took his seat, his big belly grazed the edge of the table, almost tipping over the cup.


    Z acted swiftly to steady the cup, yet some water still spilled, trailing down the table and soaking into her clothes.


    Given it was summer, her thin clothes clung to her skin, clearly outlining her ckce bra.


    “I’m terribly sorry, Miss Murray. That was unintentional,” Lnd said.


    Apologies, all too familiaring from Lnd—his go-to sentence being “I’m sorry,” followed by “I didn’t mean to.”


    Z considered heading to the restroom to freshen up, but Lnd stopped her.


    “No need to worry about the chill. It actually feels cooler when you’re a bit wet. Besides, we have business matters to discuss, don’t we?”


    Business matters?


    A spark of interest flickered in Z’s eyes. Was Lnd finally ready to discuss the project?


    “Alright, I’ll stay then.” Z resettled in her chair, offered Lnd a smile, and began, “Mr. Walsh, regarding the…”


    “Come and sit over here,” Lnd suggested, patting the seat beside him.


    Z was a good distance away, too far for him to reach her.


    Z hesitated briefly. Then, with a smile, she slid into the seat next to him.


    As soon as she sat down, Lnd’s hand found its way to her thigh.


    Her legs were bare, a choice typical of the season, and Lnd’s rough, calloused hand moving across her skin was repulsive.


    “Just checking if your legs got wet from that spilled water,” Lnd said.


    His excuse left Z with no way to vent her growing frustration.


    This kind of exchange had be a routine every time they met. Z quietly pushed Lnd’s hand away.


    “Mr. Walsh, can we be straightforward? How do I secure the Walsh family’s project?” Z asked.


    Lnd, visibly startled by her directness, hesitated. It appeared Z had made up her mind about this.


    Yet, with Kian holding his reins tight, Lnd felt restrained from making any bold moves.


    Lost in his thoughts, he was startled again when something caressed his leg. Looking down, he saw Z’s foot, d in a high heel, stroking his calf.


    Confusion washed over him. Kian had insisted Z wouldn’t relent, yet here she was, intentionally seducing him.


    Maybe she was now?


    Still, Lnd dared not respond. Swiftly avoiding further contact, he stood up. “I need to use the restroom.”


    He attempted to call Kian as he left, but after dialing twice, he still couldn’t get through.


    Meanwhile, Z, acting nonchnt, reached behind to grab her purse and subtly adjusted her position.


    A red light blinked discreetly, targeting the seat Lnd had just vacated…


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