?Chapter 976:


    Bryan said, “An important business partner of VQ Group is here tonight. I need to go and say hello.”


    Though Eileen was the face of VQ Group, she often let Bryan handle the intricacies of the business.


    Eileen released Bryan’s wrist and nodded. “Go ahead. I’ll be right here waiting.”


    She crossed her legs and reclined against the chair, her long hair cascading down, making her face appear even more delicate.


    “Raymond’s over there if you need anything,” Bryan said, pointing toward the man who always maintained a respectful distance from them.


    Raymond offered Eileen a somewhat ttering smile. After all, he had just made Bryan displeased by ident; he believed he needed to keep Eileen happy.


    Eileen waved at Raymond, signaling him to retrieve the birthday gift that Le had prepared.


    In less than five minutes, Raymond returned with a small but surprisingly heavy box. Handing it to Eileen, he couldn’t help but grumble, “What did your grandmother pick out? This thing weighs a ton.”


    “I have no idea. Grandma just said it was expensive,” Eileen replied, astonished by the weight as she took the box from him. “How can something so small be so heavy?” Was there a block of iron inside the box or something?


    Raymond scratched his head. “I’ve never seen anything valuable that weighs this much—not even gold.”


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    They had the conversation in hushed voices.


    Kam, passing by with a group of well-dresseddies, caught thest bit of their exchange. She slowed her pace, her eyes discreetly taking in the small box on the chair beside Eileen.


    A momentter, she averted her gaze, a polite smile on her lips as she excused herself from the conversation.


    “I’m sorry; my stomach isn’t feeling quite right. Please, go on ahead without me.”


    Thedies nodded understandingly, and as they moved on, Kam subtly signaled a nearby waitress with a knowing nce. A tall waitress swiftly approached Kam, bending to receive hushed instructions. She nced at Eileen, nodding her understanding.


    Eileen, meanwhile, debated carrying the surprisingly heavy gift to Bryan. Deciding against lugging it through the crowded yard, she opted to wait patiently. The bustling ss room obscured Bryan from view, and his voice was lost in the din of conversation.


    Suddenly, amotion erupted. The sound of shattering ss pierced the air, followed by pained cries. The crowd surged, first retreating, then rushing forward to assist the injured.


    “Mr. Dotson…”


    “No, it’s Mr. Dawson!”


    Simr voices rang out. In the confusion, Eileen couldn’t clearly make out whether they were saying “Dotson” or “Dawson.”


    Her heart racing, she stood and pushed through the crowd to get to the scene of the ident. The shifting crowd nearly toppled her, and she realized the danger of falling amidst the chaos. Just then, a strong arm encircled her waist, steadying her.


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