?Chapter 346:


    Bryan’s eyes fixed on Eileen with intensity, reminiscent of Gabri’s expectant gaze when she needed coaxing to sleep. Her resolve softened, and rather than slinging her handbag over her shoulder, she sat next to the hospital bed, cing her hands on his shoulders.


    He lifted his right hand to grasp her wrist, as if he knew what wasing next, and bowed his head to receive her kiss. Their lips met; his left hand brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, then trailed down to her shoulder, finally resting at her waist.


    His breathing grew rapid and heavy; after all, it was his head that had been injured, not his lower body.


    As she attempted to pull back, the intensity in his eyes darkened. He raised himself slightly from the bed to deepen their kiss. He pulled her into his arms, kissing her passionately as if trying topensate for their time apart.


    “Stop—” Her voice was a whisper, barely audible as she tried to evade his fervent kisses.


    Resting his head against her neck and breathing heavily, he asked, “After I’m discharged, we can continue this at my ce?”


    “Let’s not make ns just yet. Wait until you’re discharged. How about I surprise you?” She noticed the veins on his neck tensing and gently pressed one with her finger.


    Suddenly, he seized her wrist firmly. “If you don’t want to do it here, then stop touching me.” His voice was hoarse, filled with suppressed desire.


    After a moment, he spoke again, his voice deeper. “Surprise me. Last time, you mentioned that once you were settled at Freguson Group, you’d tell me something. What’s it?”


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    “It’s the surprise. You’ll find out when it’s time.”


    Eileen gently pushed on his shoulders to create some distance between them and stood up from the bed to adjust her disheveled clothes.


    Julio’s engagement party started at four in the afternoon, and Eileen returned home after lunch. She showered and changed into fresh clothes before visiting Gabri at Josue’s.


    Gabri, nestled in her chair, brightened at the sight and sound of Eileen, waving her arms and kicking her legs joyfully.


    Within a minute, however, her eyebrows furrowed, her lips puckered, and tears welled up, streaming down freely.


    Eileen was startled, thinking she might have frightened the girl.


    Josue quickly came over, gently pushed Eileen aside, and picked up Gabri tofort her.


    “Gabri, it’s okay. I’m here, don’t be scared.”


    But Gabri’s cries grew even more heart-wrenching, her tears streaming down as her eyes darted around.


    After watching Josue struggle to soothe Gabri, Eileen tentatively suggested, “She might be looking for me, don’t you think?”


    “How could that be? She was probably just scared by you,” Josue asserted confidently. “My mom says babies don’t really recognize people until they’re five or six months old. She’s only four months old; how could she know who you are? You didn’t breastfeed.” His tone was filled with skepticism.


    Unable to stand Gabri’s distress any longer, Eileen approached and took the baby girl from his arms.


    Josue hesitated, but relented under Eileen’s firm gaze.


    Once in Eileen’s arms, Gabri clutched at the buttons on her clothes, and her crying slowly eased.


    Seeing the glistening tears on Gabri’s cheeks, Josue passed Eileen some tissues. His voice softened with concern as he helped wipe the baby’s tears away.


    For thest few days, various people had taken turns trying to calm Gabri, though they often ended up with her in tears. At night, the person who could hold Gabri without her crying was tasked with putting her to bed.


    Cradling Gabri gently, Eileen’s expression softened as she looked at the baby’s chubby cheeks. She showered her with tender kisses, seemingly unable to stop.


    Eventually, Gabri drifted off to sleep in her arms. Ruby arrived to take the sleeping child, and then Eileen and Josue got ready to head to the engagement party.


    Eileen selected a ck off-the-shoulder dress and styled her hair. Wearing five-centimeter heels, she arrived at the venue with Josue. However, they did not walk in together.


    At the entrance of the banquet hall, Benjamin awaited Eileen. His face lit up upon seeing her, but the sparkle in his eyes quickly faded.


    “Mr. Dawson… is he recovering well?” he asked.


    “He needs plenty of rest, but his life isn’t in danger,” Eileen replied with a smile. “Thank you for asking.”


    After a brief pause, Benjamin seemed to realize something. “Of course, we’re partners after all. I heard from Mr. Ferguson that you’re nning a move on the Ferguson Group. Have youe prepared today?”


    Eileen arched her eyebrows slightly, pulled out her phone to check the time, and remarked, “Dalores mentioned that she would send over the items I need.”


    She hadn’t wanted Dalores toe today and had nned to meet at thepany to pick the items up. However, Dalores insisted on bringing them directly to the engagement party.


    Eileen was aware that Dalores had the intention of using the pretext of delivering something to witness Julio’s engagement party.


    “Wait for her. You can enter first if you’d like,” Eileen added.


    Benjamin looked towards the banquet hall and eventually stated, “I’ll wait with you.”


    The hall was already filled with many attendees, and entering would mean continuousworking. Having risen from two assistants to corporate executives, both of them would draw significant attention. Benjamin preferred to enjoy some quiet.


    Just as they stepped outside the hotel, they noticed Dalores exiting a taxi and hurrying up the steps.


    “Ms. Curtis, here are the items you requested,” she handed over a file and a sh drive to Eileen.


    “You didn’t face any trouble, did you?” Eileen casually browsed through the file, which contained the Ferguson Group’s financial records for the previous decade. Everypany harbored financial secrets unknown to outsiders, and the Ferguson Group was no different. This information was bound to be disclosed by Julio, although he intended to wait until the Ferguson Group had fully stabilized.


    Dalores, visibly emotional, replied, “I followed your instructions exactly. The financial manager waspletely intimidated by me.”


    “Alright, thank you,” said Eileen, noticing Dalores peeking into the hotel. She continued, “He’s getting engaged today, and it’s quite crowded inside. Without an invitation, you won’t be allowed in. It’s best to head back.”


    The engagement event today could not afford any disruptions, and Dalores might pose a risk if present.


    Eileen was unable to bring her inside.


    “Understood,” Dalores responded, her eyes dimming as she turned and descended the steps.


    Eileen and Benjamin reentered the hotel and walked towards the engagement hall.


    Dalores had reached the roadside and was about to hail a taxi when she paused and looked back towards the hotel, her lips pressed together.


    After a moment, she approached the security guard at the entrance and said, “That’s my boss who just stepped out. She forgot something and sent me to fetch it. Can you let me in? I won’t be long.”


    The security guard, who had witnessed the earlier meeting between Eileen and Dalores, hesitated briefly before responding, “Then hurry.”


    Dalores, concealing her identity with a mask, sessfully slipped inside and headed directly toward Julio’s banquet hall.


    Inside the banquet hall, most guests were from the businessmunity, all dressed sharply in formal attire. The engagement event had amercial feel to it, which neither Julio nor Mabel seemed to mind. They mingled with guests, arm in arm.


    Julio introduced Eileen and Benjamin to Mabel.


    “These are my most trusted partners, Eileen Curtis and Benjamin Nash.”


    Holding her wine ss lightly, Mabel nced at Eileen and then turned her attention to Benjamin. She smiled and greeted them, “Ms. Curtis, Mr. Nash, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”


    Eileen replied with a formal smile and clinked sses with her, “Wishing you a joyful engagement.”


    “A joyful engagement,” echoed Benjamin, tapping his ss against Julio’s.


    After a sip of red wine, Julio turned to Mabel and said, “I need a moment to speak with Ms. Curtis alone. Mr. Nash can introduce you to the senior management of the group.”


    Mabel swiftly let go of Julio’s arm and, with a quick pivot, positioned herself next to Benjamin, casually linking her arm through his.


    Benjamin tensed up, instinctively trying to pull his arm away, but Mabel drew him deeper into the crowd.


    Eileen’s expression darkened slightly as she followed Julio from the banquet hall to a secluded smoking area around the corner.


    “Is everything in order?” Julio nced at the file she was holding, which seemed out of ce with her evening dress.


    However, Julio, one of the few privy to the truth, understood its significance.


    “Everything’s set. Today, we break through Kaysen’s mental barriers, and by tomorrow, this information will be with the investigative authorities. Kaysen is looking at a minimum of five years in prison—consider it my engagement gift to you,” Eileen said with a smile to Julio.


    Julio couldn’t help but smile. “You think sending my father to jail is a fitting engagement gift? You’re quite the saint at a bargain.”


    “Actually, I think you’re rushing into this engagement,” Eileen remarked, feeling a sense of responsibility.


    An engagement during the stable times of the Freguson Group would undoubtedly have been smoother. But Eileen acknowledged her role in the current chaos. Once the Freguson Group’s ounts were scrutinized, many partners would be investigated, likely leading to severed contracts.


    This would present another hurdle for Freguson’s growth. However, Eileen’s extensivework meant that recovery was feasible, though it would require significant time and humility to rebuild alliances.


    In her view, Julio was using the engagement as a panacea for all his troubles. With the backing of the Harrison family, the Freguson Group could manage to save face even amidst difficulties.


    “As for Mabel, she isn’t the ideal choice for a wife,” Eileen thought. Although arranged marriages oftencked a genuine emotional bond, many daughters from wealthy families were still considered ideal wife material.


    Eileen had done her research on Mabel, discovering that she had had boyfriends. In elite circles, Mabel wasparable to Benita, though Mabel was more capricious, while Benita was more indiscriminate, with her rtionships always in flux.


    “Since it’s an arranged marriage, personal traits don’t matter much; family background suffices,” Julio remarked.


    Upon hearing this, Eileen chose to remain silent, and they both made their way back to the engagement.


    That day, both Kaysen and Berkley were present, looking rather somber. Indeed, once Julio officially married Mabel, it would signify the loss of their influence. Unable to confront Eileen directly, they had instead harmed Bryan. Now, Kaysen was anxious about the possible revenge Bryan might seek once he recovered.


    After conspiring with Berkley at home, they shamelessly showed up at Julio’s engagement, hoping to disrupt the celebration, or at the very least, cause some turmoil.


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