?Chapter 1451:


    Dalores shifted ufortably, shaking her head. “I’ve never yed this card game before.”


    “We’ll guide you through it,” Phoebe assured her, gesturing to an empty seat.


    Eileen talked with Dalores about Emerson, learning about how well he had recovered, his hair now fully regrown.


    The child had no other rtives in the Ferguson family besides Julio and Dalores.


    Recently, Julio had taken a significant step by bringing Dalores back to the Ferguson family, formally introducing both her and Emerson. He had even changed Emerson’s surname to Ferguson.


    To Dalores’ surprise, Julio had also added her name to the Ferguson family tree.


    Though they hadn’t legally married yet, this gesture moved Dalores.


    “It’s clear as day—Julio’s showing his dedication to both Emerson and you,” Phoebe remarked,ying down her cards with a flourish. “Straight.”


    Eileen passed, while Dalores stared at her cards uncertainly. “Really?” Dalores asked.


    “Do you want to pass?” Phoebe said. “Just say ‘pass’ if you do.”


    “Well,” Dalores said, “Since Julio has proven himself as Emerson’s father if Emerson needs one, I wouldn’t pass on that opportunity.”


    “What?” Phoebe’s face shifted in confusion. “I meant the cards!”


    “Oh… Pass,” Dalores mumbled, her cheeks zing. Eileen buried her face in the pillows, shoulders shaking withughter.


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    “Then I win,” Phoebe dered, spreading her cards before turning to Eileen. “What’s so amusing? She’s holding Four-of-a-Kind!”


    Eileen nced at Dalores’ cards—four eights stared back at her. Comparing them to Phoebe’s hand, she couldn’t help but tease, “Dalores, you’re brilliant at crafting lesson ns, but cards clearly aren’t your forte.”


    Even after several rounds, Dalores struggled to grasp the game’s basics. Phoebe said while shuffling, “She seems more focused on matters of the heart than cards.”


    Dalores’ face flushed an even deeper shade of red.


    Seeing Dalores’ difort, Eileen smoothly changed topics. “Has that girl from the Meyer family returned?”


    “Yes,” Phoebe replied. “Now that her nned marriage to the Deleon family has fallen through, she’sbeled as a divorced woman. Those wealthy families won’t consider her now, so she’s free to be with the one she likes—”


    Before she could finish speaking, the door burst open as a crowd spilled into the room.


    The group of people brandishing their ring shlights made it impossible for Eileen to open her eyes.


    From the rush of footsteps, it was clear that arge crowd had barged in swiftly. Instinctively, Eileen shielded her lower abdomen with both hands, about to rise and slip away, when a familiar scent suddenly enveloped her.


    In an instant, Bryan vaulted over the headboard, positioning himself like an immovable wall between Eileen and the intruders. Even with the shlights blinding him, he stood firm, a protective barrier, offering Eileenplete protection.


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