?Chapter 325:


    Eileen knew that the Dawson family was in turmoil, as was the Ferguson family.


    Bryan had approached her, making it inevitable that she would be a target for the Ferguson family.


    While others in the business world might worry about a potentialeback, Kaysen would not.


    Kaysen had nothing to fear. If Bryan got close to her, he would be aligning himself with Julio’s faction, and Kaysen would definitely cause trouble for Bryan.


    Eileen knew Bryan must also be aware of this, yet he still…


    For a moment, Eileen struggled to put the feeling in her heart into words.


    “After this drink, we’ll have another,” Bryan said, pointing to his ss with a wicked smile. “I’ll listen to you.”


    His words were full of ambiguity.


    As they sat close together, Eileen could smell his fresh and pleasant scent.


    Her lips were slightly pursed, her eyes following the clear veins on the back of his hand, trailing up his forearm.


    “Ferguson Group and Apex Group are sworn enemies. The rtionship between Ms. Curtis and Mr. Dawson… is it really?”


    Finally, someone couldn’t resist questioning.


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    “Just because we sit together doesn’t mean we have a good rtionship,” Eileen said, stopping Bryan as he was about to speak.


    She ced her hand on the back of his under the table.


    Bryan turned his head to gaze at her intently. Eileen’s short hair was neatly tucked behind her ears, her profile seemingly sculpted to perfection.


    When she grew serious, her clear eyes glinted sharply, and her lips moved to silence the other person’s words.


    “And you guys just had a drink with him. Does that mean your rtionship with him is close?” Eileen said.


    “Ms. Curtis, you’re quite confrontational. We were just casually mentioning it,” someone interjected.


    Eileen scoffed, her tone cutting. “We’re all adults here. I know your thoughts. If you dislike me or Kaysen, there’s no need to conceal it. Prove yourselves through your work. Picking at trivial matters here—it’s pathetic.”


    Her words left the people in the room red-faced and embarrassed.


    It had to be admitted—her approach to handling things matched Bryan’s.


    Who would dare speak sarcastically now? If they had objections, they should let their performance speak and cut out these unnecessaryplications.


    This meal rattled these men, forcing them to acknowledge that Eileen was not to be messed with.


    Eileen didn’t eat much because Bryan sat with his body turned to the side, his legs bent under his ck trousers, his foot resting on Eileen’s chair.


    His wristy on the back of the chair, his clean, slender fingers nearly brushing Eileen’s shoulder.


    He almost gave the impression of holding Eileen in his arms.


    “The Walsh Group’s project is moving forward smoothly, so the responsibility for thepany will rest with you two. I need to shift my focus to the Ferguson family now,” Julio whispered to Eileen and Benjamin, who were seated on either side of him.


    Julio’s voice had reached Bryan’s ears.


    Julio didn’t mind Bryan hearing him; he simply smiled at Bryan.


    Bryan remained impassive, showing no interest in the Ferguson family’s affairs.


    “Good luck,” Eileen said in a professional tone. Then she added, “You’re not going to let anyone harm you, right? Maybe you should decide what to do with your shares after you die, in advance.”


    Her straightforwardment caused Julio to frown slightly.


    Benjamin chuckled and said to Julio, “Eileen has a point. We could be seen asrades who fought alongside you. If something were to happen to you and your shares reverted to the Ferguson family, wouldn’t that be regrettable? Why not prepare a will in advance? If anything happens to you, transfer all your shares to us.”


    Julio gritted his teeth. “You’re not helping me build an empire; you’re trying to bury me.”


    “We wouldn’t dare,” Eileen joked with a smile. “But seriously, be careful.”


    She and Benjamin were only Julio’s partners, unable to back him up if the Ferguson family decided to harm him.


    Bryan found her words caring for Julio particrly painful to hear. He frowned slightly, his eyes lowering.


    After dinner concluded, Julio allowed Eileen to leave first, knowing Bryan would certainly apany her. He nodded to Bryan and said, “Mr. Dawson, until next time.”


    “Until next time,” Bryan replied, slipping a hand into his pocket and casually draping his jacket over his shoulders. He followed Eileen outside at a leisurely pace.


    The summer heat was stifling; even the night offered no relief, tousling Eileen’s short hair. She brushed it behind her ear and asked Bryan, “Where’s your car?”


    “Raymond dropped me off,” Bryan exined, taking a couple of steps down. “But he has left.”


    Eileen was left speechless, feeling resigned.


    Thinking of what Phoebe had said, Eileen fell silent briefly, her heart sinking. “I’ll drive you,” she offered, breaking the silence. “We can talk on the way.”


    “What’s there to talk about?” Bryan took another step down. His voice was light as he continued, “If you want to cut ties with me, let’s not discuss it!”


    Eileen was on the verge of tears. She was afraid that Bryan would pressure her into reconciling, but unexpectedly, Bryan was afraid she might cut ties with himpletely.


    “Get in the car,” Eileen said softly, searching her bag for the keys before getting into the car.


    Bryan eventually got into the car. He thought to himself that if she insisted on talking about it, he would just jump out of the car.


    But what if she didn’t? Bryan longed to spend more time with her.


    Inside the car, the subtle scent of Eileen’s perfume mixed with the hint of tobo and leather, creating an unexpectedly pleasant blend.


    But the tension between them was palpable. Eileen focused on driving. “Do you live far?”


    “West Vis,” Bryan answered.


    He tilted his head under the neon lights, his lips pressed together, his heart fluttering at her slightest movement.


    Eileen had driven there countless times and had never felt it was so near, but today, for some reason, she arrived quickly.


    The car stopped in front of West Vis, and Bryan turned to gaze at Eileen, a suppressed intensity in his eyes.


    “Let’s talk,” Eileen said. She didn’t want to feel weird every time she saw him.


    Bryan unbuckled his seatbelt and opened the door smoothly. “Go rest. We can talk another time,” he said, stepping out of the car.


    The door closed behind Bryan as he strode into the apartmentplex.


    “Wait!” Eileen also stepped out, leaning against the car door.


    Bryan suddenly stopped, turned around, and walked back toward her. He reached out, running his hand through her hair, then leaned in to kiss her passionately.


    Eileen was forced to lift her head. She was pressed against the car, his kiss dominating and intense.


    Bryan deepened the kiss, seeking a response from her.


    But Eileen remained passive, neither rejecting nor responding to him.


    Their noses brushed against each other, and Bryan’s eyes were slightly open as he gazed into her clear ones for a few seconds.


    He then released her, burying his head in her shoulder.


    “Let’s not discuss anything now. Our rtionship isn’t suitable for mere friendship, but it’s also not suitable for being strangers,” Bryan said.


    “What do you believe is suitable for us then?” Eileen asked, her voice strained as she fought to hold back tears. She tilted her head slightly, the moonlight revealing the glisten of tears in her eyes.


    What were they suitable for? Two people who loved each other intensely—if they couldn’t be together, then it was better to never see each other again, to beplete strangers.


    Saying they were enemies wasn’t quite urate, but their rtionship wasn’t much better than that.


    “Are you giving up on Apex Group?” Eileen asked. “Now that your grandmother has made her intentions clear, why are you still in despair? Why not concentrate on Apex Group and protect the Dawson family?”


    “Without you, Apex Group means nothing to me. And why do I need the Dawson family?” Bryan gripped Eileen’s waist tightly, wanting to fuse her into his very being.


    Eileen med Bryan for his decision to cancel the wedding, and she also med Ste for her actions.


    Eileen and Bryan stood there. Bryan knew he couldn’t take any action that might cause Eileen more hurt.


    He let go of Eileen, lifted his head, and kissed her on the cheek, the corner of her eye, and finally on her forehead.


    “Take care on the road. I’ll wait for you,” he said.


    Eileen watched Bryan enter West Vis, lingering for a moment before returning to her car.


    Starting the engine, she drove off, the car gliding through the darkened streets.


    Stepping back wasn’t easy, and moving forward felt wrong. Caught between two tough decisions, Eileen felt immense pain in her heart.


    At the job fair,


    Many fresh college graduates arrived over the weekend, each wearing a naive smile and filled with nervous anticipation for their future.


    Bailee stood with a small sign, quietly observing the applicants from a corner.


    She had distributed business cards advertising the General Manager’s secretary position.


    While some people epted her cards, they likely dismissed her due to the absence of apany logo, not seeming particrly interested. They only promised to consider reaching outter.


    That basically meant there was no hope at all.


    This wasn’t Bailee’s first time here; she even recognized several familiar faces.


    As the day wore on, she prepared to leave in disappointment.


    Suddenly, a young girl ran up to Bailee, looking as adorable as a porcin doll with an enviable figure.


    “Hello, are you hiring a General Manager’s secretary?” The girl’s hopeful dark eyes met Bailee’s.


    Bailee nodded, smiling warmly as she handed over a business card. “Hello, the General Manager is my sister. As long as you are diligent and honest, working with her will offer good prospects.”


    The girl handed Bailee her resume. “Please take a look,” she said.


    “Dres Sampson, twenty-three years old, graduated from a prestigious university…” Bailee was somewhat surprised. “With your qualifications, why haven’t you applied to a bigpany?”


    Even though the Ferguson Group was currently in the spotlight, Bailee hadn’t mentioned that she was hiring for thepany, and the girl hadn’t inquired about it either.


    Dres smiled shyly as she exined, “I’ve applied to a few and worked for a few days, but it didn’t feel right.”


    “The bosses were allscivious. Some were openly handsy, while others spent the day leering at me. Unable to risk offending them, I had to resign.”


    That was why she sought a smallerpany. Hearing that the boss was a woman made her even more satisfied with this position.


    She said, “I take my work very seriously. Even though I’m a recent graduate, I am well-versed in workce etiquette. I prioritize loyalty and am prepared to sign a confidentiality agreement.”


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