?Chapter 331:


    “Roderick, I think the situation between Eileen and Mr. Dawson is quiteplex. Now that she’s back, we should visit her. I’ll take a day off, and you should take leave too. We can have a meal together. Alright, don’t worry, I won’t invite your mother!” Judie’s voice softened as she tried to convince Roderick.


    On the other end of the line, Roderick was preupied with work and hadn’t kept up with the news online. Eileen had told him she was back, but he hadn’t shared the news with Judie or Denise.


    “You make a good point. I’ll reach out to my sister to set up a meeting,” Roderick replied to Judie.


    Recalling that Judie had contributed five hundred thousand to help settle Denise’s debt, Roderick felt ufortable, as if he might seem ungrateful.


    After the call ended, Judie chuckled, amused by a thought.


    Ruby soon came across the news online. Even though Bryan’s image was obscured, she recognized him. She was visibly upset the entire afternoon.


    In therge apartment, Bailee and Milford sat on the carpet, watching Gabri as shey on her back, yfully kicking her plump legs. With the mood so heavy, Milford and Bailee remained quiet.


    Every so often, Gabri would coo or babble, her voice the only sound filling the room.


    Eileen descended the stairs and headed directly to the kitchen, stealing a nce at Ruby’s expression.


    “Mom, where is Rylie?” Eileen inquired.


    “She’s been busy with gatherings with wealthydies, ying cards, and preparing for Josue’s matchmaking events,” Ruby replied, continuing her kitchen tasks without looking up.


    Eileen turned to retrieve two cans of seasoning from the refrigerator.


    “Mom, have you seen the news?” she asked directly.


    “Are you upset?”


    Eileen’s straightforwardness forced Ruby to be upfront. She set down what she was holding and faced Eileen.


    “I know you still have feelings for him. You’ve been through so much together, those emotions run deep. But the Dawson family has hurt you too much. I can’t get over that. You can’t control your heart, and I can’t hold back my anger.”


    Indeed, Eileen’s heart was beyond her control. Seeing Bryan would trigger a flood of old memories. She felt a mix of relief at Bryan’s restraint and growing anxiety about the potential consequences of them meeting again.


    If he truly desired to rekindle something, she knew she wouldn’t be able to resist.


    “Mom, I know you’re worried about me. My rtionship with Bryan isn’t easily resolved, especially now with Gabri involved. But I assure you, any decision I make from now on will protect both Gabri and me from harm,” Eileen said.


    Whether that meant separating permanently or mending things, Eileen wasn’t sure.


    After a long silence, Ruby sighed. “I’ve been so caught up with issues thesest few days. You’ve always been strong-willed, but I just hope you don’t end up being hurt again. Whatever you decide, I’ll support you.”


    Hearing this, Eileen looked towards the living room where Bailee was yfully interacting with Gabri. “What’s going on with Bailee?” she asked.


    “Do you still want to keep it from me?” Ruby red at her. “What’s happening between her and Huey?”


    Ruby was aware that Bailee had been upset that day, clearly because of Huey, but she was clueless about the details. She gently patted Eileen’s arm and urged, “Tell me.”


    Eileen turned her gaze hesitantly. She knew that revealing the truth would only increase Ruby’s displeasure towards Huey. “Bailee doesn’t want me to say anything. If you really want to know, maybe you should ask her directly.”


    Right after she spoke, Ruby snorted and said, “Everyone keeping secrets.”


    “We’re adults now. We can manage our own problems. We know you’re concerned, but we’d rather you not worry about us. If she isn’t ready to talk, just give her time.” Eileen chuckled, wrapping her arm around Ruby’s and resting her head on Ruby’s shoulder.


    “You’reughing now, but you’ll know how it feels when Gabri grows up and starts keeping things from you.” Ruby’s voice softened as she saw Eileenugh.


    However, Ruby’s words quickly dimmed Eileen’s smile.


    Being a mother herself, Eileen realized she would be in the same situation with her own daughter in the future.


    After a pause, she said, “Then I’ll just act like I don’t know anything. I trust Gabri will be able to handle things on her own.”


    The thought of Gabri growing up and hiding things made her feel slightly anxious.


    In the evening, seizing a moment when Ruby wasn’t paying attention, Eileen asked Bailee about the situation with Huey.


    “After that phone call, he just vanished. I think his mom might have pushed him into dating someone else. Maybe he wants to break up with me.” Bailee shrugged, trying to appear unaffected.


    She had sent several messages to Huey without receiving any replies, and his phone had been turned off when she tried calling.


    Eileen didn’t know what to do about it, but she trusted that Huey wasn’t the type of person to just disappear without exnation.


    She said, “Whether his mother pressured him to end things or pushed him into dating someone else, I believe he would have let you know.”


    Eileen believed Huey might keep certain things from Bailee to avoid upsetting her, but he typically kept her informed about his activities.


    Bailee paused for a moment, then suggested, “Maybe he’s at a closed training session at the studio, preparing for apetition.”


    “You’re not getting any younger. Time is valuable. If things aren’t right, you should find him and sort this out.”


    Eileen patted Bailee’s shoulder. “It’s not wise to put this off for too long, for both of you. Plus, Mom will be worried.”


    “I understand,” Bailee responded. Then, she added, “The new secretary will meet you tomorrow morning. I’ll have her wait in the coffee shop near Freguson Group. I’m concerned she might not be able to get in directly.”


    After all, Eileen had hired the secretary directly, bypassing thepany’s HR department.


    “Understood. You’ve got a busy day, so rest early,” Eileen advised. “I’m going to put Gabri to bed now.”


    She carried Gabri upstairs, changed her diaper, and tucked her into a cozy sleep sack. The nearly three-month-old looked beautiful with herrger sparkling eyes and soft, rosy cheeks. Her tiny hands and feet fluttered about, asionally finding their way to her mouth.


    Every night, watching Gabri y with her fists was the best part of Eileen’s day.


    Suddenly, the phone rang, startling Gabri. Eileen quickly grabbed the phone from the nightstand and answered it without checking who was calling.


    “You picked up fast.” Bryan’s voice sounded slightly surprised as he blew out a smoke ring, a smile dancing on his lips.


    “Why are you calling sote?” Eileen asked, her eyes on Gabri, who had calmed down and resumed ying. Eileen let out a relieved sigh andy on the bed.


    Just as shey down, Gabri made a sound.


    This was the first time she had spoken.


    Eileen didn’t have time to savor the moment. She swiftly covered the phone’s microphone and pressed her lips together as she watched her daughter.


    “What was that noise?” Bryan still heard it. “Where are you?”


    “I’m at home; it’s just the TV! I’m getting ready for bed,” Eileen responded. “What’s the reason for your call?”


    “I want to know how you’re nning to deal with the news that’s been circting online,” Bryan replied.


    He wasn’t bothered by thebels the media had given him, but he was concerned about any potential trouble it might cause Eileen.


    In the soft light of her room, Eileen ran her fingers through her short hair. She took a deep breath. “I don’t intend to do anything about it. The press has been praising me, and it benefits my public image. If you’re not okay with it, I can have Freguson Group’s PR team manage it.”


    “Really?” Bryan retorted. “Do you think I can’t handle some news?”


    Was she assuming he had called to ask her to quash the news?


    “Have you be stupid after our kiss?” Bryan teased, chuckling lightly.


    Eileen felt resigned.


    “Anything else? If not, I’m going to hang up,” she said.


    “Just wanted to tell you I miss you,” Bryan replied sincerely.


    His earnestness struck a chord in Eileen, and suddenly, Gabri’s antics lost their charm. Eileen silently listened.


    Eileen listened to the sounds on Bryan’s end. She could faintly hear him smoking. It waste, and knowing Eileen had work the next day, Bryan didn’t keep her on the phone any longer.


    “Get some sleep,” he said.


    “Okay,” Eileen replied. She ended the call and set the phone aside. Lying on the bed, she watched Gabri, who was now tired.


    “Mammy will make you some milk now; just be good,” Eileen said, trying to keep her emotions in check. She stood up to prepare the milk.


    After her milk, the baby quickly drifted off to sleep, but Eileen remained wide awake.


    The following morning, Eileen was visibly tired, with dark circles under her eyes that she tried to mask with makeup. She went directly to the coffee shop near Freguson Group. She was supposed to meet the new secretary there at nine but arrived early, at eight-thirty.


    At eight-forty, a young woman in overalls entered, clutching a file and scanning the room. Her eyes met Eileen’s, and both were briefly stunned.


    Dalores pursed her lips and walked over to a table by the floor-to-ceiling windows. She and Eileen had met once before, during a dinner Eileen had with Julio. Although it had been a brief meeting, they both remembered it distinctly. Dalores remembered Eileen because she had been dining with Julio.


    For Eileen, Dalores stood out due to her impressive figure and youthful appearance. Now, Eileen realized that the new secretary Bailee had chosen for her was Dalores.


    She had once heard Dalores’ name mentioned by Julio but hadn’t thought much of it at the time. Now, seeing Dalores in person, the memory resurfaced.


    Eileen furrowed her brow. Had she not trusted Bailee’s judgment, she might have suspected that Dalores had sought her out deliberately, knowing she worked at Freguson Group.


    After a brief pause, Eileen stood and walked toward Dalores.


    “Don’te closer,” Dalores said sharply as Eileen approached. “We hardly know each other. I no longer have any connection to Julio, so there’s no reason for us to talk. Today is my first day at work, and seeing you is unfortunate enough. I’d prefer not to speak to you.”


    Eileen was taken aback.


    So, Dalores truly had severed ties with Julio.


    Dalores had a history with Julio, but that had ended. Now, Eileen had identally hired her to work at Freguson Group.


    What aplicated situation.


    Eileen ced a document in front of Dalores. “I’m your boss, Eileen Curtis,” she said.


    Dalores looked at the employment contract and gasped in surprise.


    .


    .


    .