?Chapter 328:


    Eileen felt Bryan’s growing dislike for Z had turned into outright hatred.


    “After the ident involving Vivian, Kian suggested I marry Vivian to provide her with afortable life,” Benjamin said with a forced smile. “It seems they always treat us like we’re just pawns.”


    When Vivian had been in good health, she would oftenmand Benjamin with a cold attitude.


    Kian had not said anything about it. Indeed, when Benjamin had begun working at thepany and started helping Vivian with certain duties quietly, Kian had even warned him.


    “Let go of any silly ideas you have. Vivian is the Warren family’s daughter. Don’t get any ideas. If I find you with any inappropriate thoughts, I won’t hesitate to take action,” Kian had said.


    At that time, Benjamin had thought the situation was ridiculously funny. He had only helped because he feared Vivian’sints, not because of any real fondness for her.


    The elevator doors opened. Looking at Benjamin’s somber face, Eileen couldn’t help butugh.


    “My previous words still stand,” Benjamin said, removing his hand from his pocket. “We are suitable for each other.”


    “I have something I can’t tell you right now,” Eileen hesitated, then met his gaze with a serious expression. “But soon, you’ll see why we’re not meant to be. I’m not the right one for you.”


    She had been with Bryan for many years, and now, with a child involved, she felt even less deserving of Benjamin’s love.


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    Benjamin understood she was rejecting him and didn’t insist further. “Then here’s to working well together in the future,” he said.


    “Sure,” Eileen replied with a smile and then exited the building.


    Once Eileen arrived home, she nned to talk with Bailee about the new secretary and review the resume.


    “Has Bailee not returned yet?” She removed her shoes in the entryway and noticed only Milford doing his homework next to Gabri’s baby carriage.


    Milford looked up and pointed upstairs, “She’s upstairs. She actually came back early and has been in her room since.”


    “Really?” Eileen looked up the staircase as she took down her bag. Just as she was about to go upstairs, Ruby pulled her aside.


    With her hands still wet from washing, Ruby quickly let go of Eileen and wiped her hands on her clothes. She looked worried. “Eileen, something’s not right with Bailee. Could you please talk to her? She won’t talk to me about it!”


    “Don’t worry. She’s probably just exhausted from the job fair,” Eileen reassured Ruby. “You meet all kinds of people there.”


    “I think it’s more than that. You should go and ask her,” Ruby urged, nudging Eileen toward the stairs. “Try to get her toe down for dinner.”


    Eileen nodded, understanding Ruby’s concern. “Alright. Mom, you start making dinner. I’ll take care of this.”


    Eileen, with a te of fruit in hand, walked up the stairs and gently knocked on Bailee’s door.


    “I don’t want to have dinner tonight,” Bailee said, sounding disheartened.


    “It’s not about dinner. We need to discuss the hiring,” Eileen said.


    After a few moments, Bailee opened the door.


    The room was dark, making it hard for Eileen to see Bailee’s face clearly. “Do you mind if I turn on the light?” Eileen asked.


    “I’ll do it,” Bailee said, reaching for the switch. She didn’t look back as she moved to sit by the French window, her head down.


    Eileen set the fruit te on the table before Bailee and immediately noticed her red, swollen eyes.


    “Is this about Huey?” Eileen asked.


    As soon as Huey’s name came up, Bailee’s tears started to flow. “Today, I met Huey’s mother. She was arranging a blind date for him.”


    Eileen paused for a while before saying, “She doesn’t support your rtionship with Huey? Huey told you she was fine with it just to keep you from being upset, didn’t he?”


    “Yes.” Bailee nodded slightly, her voice a faint whisper. “Was it out of kindness that he lied? How could he not tell me the truth about this? I’ve already told Mom about it. She still believes she is supposed to meet Huey’s parents soon.”


    Previously, when Huey had angrily denied his rtionship with Bailee to Winona, Ruby had be very upset.


    If Bailee told Ruby about Huey’s lie this time, Ruby would likely see Huey as immature and unreliable.


    “I’ll speak to Mom. But you need to deal with the situation with Huey yourself. You know how he can be after all this time.” Eileen handed Bailee a slice of watermelon. “But I want to know why his mother disapproves of your rtionship.”


    Bailee epted the watermelon, her head lowered as she ate. “Perhaps I’m just not the type of woman she envisions as a daughter-inw.”


    “That’s absurd,” Eileen quickly dismissed the thought.


    “You’re beautiful and intelligent. Who wouldn’t want you as their daughter-inw?”


    Bailee hesitated, not wanting to mention that the real issue involved Eileen. “She just doesn’t approve of us being together, and honestly, I don’t want to delve into why. Eileen, could you talk to Mom for me? I’ll deal with Huey and his mother.”


    “Alright, let’s drop this topic for now,” Eileen replied. “You told me you were going to sign the contract tomorrow. Show me that person’s resume.”


    “Oh, right,” Bailee replied, standing up suddenly. “I left the resume behind. My mind’s been elsewhere today.”


    She had forgotten the resume at the education agency.


    “Don’t stress about it, I trust your judgment,” Eileen reassured Bailee as she stood up. “Join us for dinner.”


    “Okay.” Bailee picked up the fruit te and exited the room with Eileen. “The person’s name is Dalores Sampson. She’s quite beautiful and has recently graduated from college.”


    “Dalores Sampson?”


    The name rang a bell in Eileen’s mind, invoking a vague sense of recognition, though she couldn’t quite ce it.


    “Once she signs the contract with me tomorrow, she can start on Monday, right?” Bailee asked.


    “Yes, arrange for her to start at Freguson Group the day after tomorrow,” Eileen replied.


    Eileen took a moment to talk to Ruby, citing Bailee’s packed schedule as a reason to dy any meeting with the Baker family.


    She avoided mentioning Huey explicitly, but Ruby’s expression showed she understood what was going on.


    The next day, news that Bryan was stepping down from Apex Group spread quickly.


    Eileen couldn’t look away from the headlines, overwhelmed by the situation.


    She knew that Bryan owned several high-value properties worth tens of millions, and that the Dawson Mansion was worth a fortune.


    Yet,pared to Apex Group’s multi-billion-dor empire, those assets were mere trifles.


    Phoebe was just as puzzled and called Eileen, clearly confused. “What is Bryan thinking? Is he just going to sit on his remaining properties and do nothing?”


    Before, Eileen would have confidently said that Bryan wouldn’t make such a choice, but she found herself at a loss for words, questioning if she had ever truly understood Bryan.


    “Eileen,e to my ce for lunch today. I’m pregnant, and it’s hard for me to go out,” Phoebe suddenly suggested.


    It was the weekend, and Eileen had no ns. Yet, she looked over at her daughter, who was still asleep, and said, “Thanks for the invitation, but I think I’ll spend the day with Gabri.”


    “You don’t need to stay glued to her side!” Bailee and Milford had lingered outside the door for quite a while. It was a rare urrence for both of them to be free from their usual duties.


    They had gotten up early, waiting for Eileen and Gabri to wake up.


    Eileen rubbed her forehead and looked at the door. “You two,e in.”


    Bailee opened the door and walked in, with Milford following closely.


    But they both stopped when they noticed Gabri was still sleeping.


    “Eileen, if you need to go out, just go. I’m here to take care of Gabri,” Bailee said, on the verge of hurrying over to urge Eileen to rise.


    Eileen, resting her chin on her hand, replied, “You’re her aunt, and Milford’s her uncle, but I’m her mother. It’s rare for me to have a weekend off, and I want to be with her.”


    Milford said earnestly, “But you’ve been back for a while now. How often have you seen Phoebe? This might be a good chance for you two to catch up before she has her baby. There will be less time to do so once she bes a mother. Besides, it’s just lunch. You cane right back after.”


    On the other end of the line, Phoebe chuckled. “That makes sense. I’ve always known Milford is smart. Okay, it’s settled.”


    Before Eileen had a chance to respond, Phoebe hung up.


    Eileen sat up straight. Before she could utter a word, Milford quickly said, “Don’t be angry! I’ve actually got some good news for you today.”


    “If it’s not really good news, I won’t have lunch with Phoebe,” Eileen replied immediately.


    Milford looked proud. “The school said I can advance a grade. I’ve finished the high school curriculum in just one year. Ready to take the SAT now?”


    “Really?” Eileen’s eyes opened wide in astonishment.


    She had been too caught up in her matters to pay close attention to Milford’s academic progress over thest year.


    She was aware he was intelligent.


    Yet, she had not expected him to achieve such remarkable academic sess.


    He truly was a prodigy!


    “Remember what we agreed?” Eileen teased. “You owe me a cut when you start making money.”


    Milford felt resigned. “Why don’t you take advantage of this? Maybe let me work for you for a few years?”


    With his capabilities, he was sure tond a high-paying job after graduation. He would be an asset to any business.


    “If I let you work too hard and you end up not marrying anyone, I’ll be the one to me.” Eileenughed heartily. What Milford had said was indeed fantastic news. Just then, Gabri woke up, yawning and stretching.


    After persuading Eileen to head out early, Bailee and Milford didn’t take over the baby’s care. They allowed Eileen to finish the morning activities of washing and dressing the baby, and then, they all went downstairs for breakfast together.


    By ten o’clock in the morning, overwhelmed by the relentless messages from Phoebe and with Bailee and Milford eagerly wanting to spend time with Gabri, Eileen headed to Phoebe’s house.


    On her way to Phoebe’s ce, she stopped to buy some baby items for Phoebe. When she reached Phoebe’s home and parked at the front door, she spotted Bryan’s car.


    Bryan was also there. This rified why Phoebe had been so persistent about hering.


    Eileen frowned upon realizing this.


    Phoebe, noticing Eileen from the window, stood up and came out to greet her. “It’s all because of Jacob. I just wanted to talk about Bryan’s issue with you. But as soon as Jacob knew you wereing, he called Bryan over, thinking it was better for you to discuss everything directly with Bryan.”


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