Chapter 204: Chapter 204

Chapter 204:

Bryan leaned back on the sofa, his tone cold as ice. “You and I had no relationship to speak of a year ago.”

It had been a year since Vivian’s outburst at the hospital, which led to Bryan terminating his agreement with Kian. That decision had caused Vivian’s condition to worsen upon discovering the truth. Since that incident, Kian had not reached out to Bryan again. Now, Kian’s words felt like hollow threats.

“Okay, I see. I hope you won’t regret your actions today,” Kian replied, anger flashing across his face, a mix of shock and indignation at Bryan’s merciless stance.

With that, Kian stormed out, leaving the room in tense silence. The others stood up, wanting to say something, but none followed him out.

Bryan remained seated, seemingly unaffected by the confrontation.

“Bryan, Kian is right. He can help you—” Zola began, but Bryan interjected sharply, “Help me with what? To repair my relationship with my father, or to fight him decisively? The core of the issue isn’t here. Don’t be naive.”

He gestured for Eileen to sit down and turned his gaze to Jacob. “Didn’t you ask us to mediate? You can continue your argument with Phoebe now.”

The room fell quiet, the tension thickening the air.

Jacob broke the silence by slamming his foot on the coffee table, fury lighting up his face. “Phoebe Burton, this isn’t over! Just two hundred and fifty dollars? Who do you think you’re fooling? Today, I’ll settle this by sleeping with you. I’m offering you two hundred and fifty-one dollars!” he shouted, rolling up his sleeves and charging toward Phoebe.

She swiftly dodged and fled, and the chase ensued amidst the room’s scattered furniture.

Latest releases on g@ℓησv𝑒ℓs․com Eileen felt Bryan’s hand on her waist and turned to find him watching the commotion between Phoebe and Jacob with a playful grin. The dim light in the room cast soft shadows over him, his black shirt partially unbuttoned, adding to his allure.

As Eileen nestled closer into his hold, he tightened his grip slightly, his eyes lingering on her face, a mixture of amusement and admiration dancing in his gaze.

After that, their attention shifted to Jacob, who triumphantly hoisted Phoebe onto his shoulder as if claiming victory. “I’m off to spend some money. Two hundred and fifty-one dollars!” he announced with a grin.

Phoebe smacked his back hard, scoffing, “Two hundred and fifty-one dollars for only three minutes? Such a waste!”

Jacob scowled, lightly tapping her back as he retorted, “Nonsense!”

With that, he marched out of the room, still carrying Phoebe.

Zola rose from her seat, slipping her hand into her pocket. “I might as well leave, too. You couples have been parading your affection all evening. Bryan, give me a ride home.”

Bryan and Eileen stood up together, his arm firmly around her waist. Zola trailed behind them, her eyes sharp, observing their every move.

Eileen decided to remove Bryan’s arm and hold his hand instead. Zola watched this shift with keen interest, her eyes narrowing.

During the ride, Eileen opted to sit in the backseat alongside Zola. Zola kept the conversation going with Bryan, who replied sporadically, his attention split.

Eileen sensed that Zola had something to say to her, but the right moment seemed to elude Zola.

When they arrived, Zola waved goodbye from the sidewalk, saying to Eileen, “Let’s catch up on WhatsApp later.”

Eileen, slightly taken aback, agreed, “Okay.”

As the car took a U-turn and slowly disappeared from Zola’s view, her attention shifted to an ordinary car parked outside the villa near the security booth. She recalled that it had been trailing them earlier. With a furrowed brow, she wrapped her coat tighter around her and approached the vehicle.

Despite the tinted windows, Zola could make out a woman struggling with the ignition inside.

As Zola tapped on the window, the woman inside looked up, panic washing over her face, before quickly ducking down to attempt starting the car again.

“Get out, or I’ll call the police,” Zola stated icily.

“No, please!” June hastily exited and leaned against the car, her lips tightly pressed together. “Why call the police? I’m not doing anything wrong. My car just won’t start.”

Standing taller, Zola fixed June with a stern look. “Why were you following us?”

June shook her head, vehemently denying the accusation. “I wasn’t following you!”

Zola crossed her arms, her tone skeptical. “Then why are you here? Don’t say you live here. It doesn’t add up.”

June frowned at Zola’s scornful remark, biting her lip in a mix of shame and frustration.

“If you don’t come clean, I’m calling the police right now.” Zola’s hand moved towards her phone, but June swiftly grasped her wrist.

Zola’s cold gaze fell on June’s hand gripping her wrist. June quickly withdrew her hand, feeling embarrassed. “I just need to speak with Eileen. She’s been ignoring my calls and messages,” June explained, desperation evident in her voice.

With the looming court date and the threat of damning evidence, June’s urgency was palpable.

Hearing that, Zola softened slightly. “You were looking for Eileen? Tell me what’s going on. Perhaps I can help.”

Hope flickered in June’s eyes as she began to recount her troubles. “Eileen is suing me…” She detailed the events leading up to her current predicament, tears streaming down her face. “I really don’t know what to do right now, and my mother is gravely ill.”

Zola, still standing tall, regarded June with a scornful look. “There’s no way I can help you with that. The evidence against you is irrefutable, and there’s no way around it unless you plan to resort to unethical means to threaten Eileen into dropping the lawsuit. You’re on your own. I won’t do anything to harm Eileen.”

With that, she turned her back, her hands buried deep in her pockets, and strode into the community.

June’s eyes followed Zola’s retreating figure, emotions swirling between anxiety and anger. Zola had said she could help her—how could she just walk away like that?

As Zola’s words echoed in her mind, something suddenly dawned on June, and her furrowed brows relaxed.

Back at home, Eileen confronted Bryan forcefully, her hands gripping his collar as she pinned him against the wall.

“Bryan, why didn’t you tell me about the rift with your family?” Eileen asked, concern knitting her brows together.

Previously, Brandon had only made things difficult for Bryan within the Dawson family. Now, with public declarations of their estrangement, everything had changed.

Bryan’s heartbeat resonated against Eileen’s touch as he wrapped his arms around her waist. “You don’t care about me enough to ask,” he retorted, mirroring her tone from the night before.

Eileen frowned and tightened her grip, her expression firm. “Enough teasing. What are your plans now?”

“I’m solely invested in the project in Wist Land. When it ends, I’ll have no income. Supporting you, or even myself, will be impossible,” Bryan replied, his tone sounding somewhat pitiful, though he maintained his composure.

As he spoke, his embrace tightened, drawing her closer. Eileen sensed the sincerity in his words. The current project had launched successfully and was on track. But for future projects, if Brandon continued to create obstacles, they would definitely struggle to proceed.

“Then I’ll support you moving forward,” Eileen assured him confidently.

With a light chuckle, Bryan responded, “Well, I guess it’s settled. You’re in charge from now on.”

“Alright. Aren’t you going to the company tomorrow?” Eileen attempted to shift in his embrace but found herself unable to move. Suddenly, she realized their position was quite awkward; she was perched on Bryan’s lap, her feet barely touching the floor.

Bryan adjusted their positions, lifting her gently. “I’ll drive you to the educational agency tomorrow morning.”

“No, thanks. I’d rather drive myself. It’s more convenient,” Eileen replied, having grown accustomed to handling things on her own recently.

Bryan arched an eyebrow. “Soon, that might not be so convenient. Driving could become difficult with your weak legs.”

Eileen was momentarily at a loss for words.

Outside, the night cloaked the city in a haze, the darkness punctuated by the glow of orange streetlights until dawn approached.

As morning broke, sunlight streamed through the car windows.

Once Eileen finished her breakfast, the car arrived at the educational agency. Eileen opened the door and stepped out, her legs wobbling slightly, nearly causing her to stumble.

Bryan quickly offered his hand for support, a slight smile playing on his lips as he caught her stern look. “Be careful next time.”

It was ambiguous whether his comment was a reminder for her to be cautious or a note to himself.

Eileen shut the car door, turned, and walked toward the educational agency, her legs trembling subtly as she moved.

Eileen hadn’t checked her phone until she settled at her office desk. There, she noticed a WhatsApp message from Zola, sent the previous night, inviting her to meet at a coffee shop near the educational agency at eight in the morning.

Realizing it was already half-past eight, Eileen quickly responded, “I’m sorry, Miss Murray. I just saw your message. Are you still at the coffee shop?”

Zola replied promptly, “It’s alright. I’m still here. You can come now.”

Eileen surveyed the pile of unfinished documents related to the surge in online course registrations. Despite the workload, she decided to meet Zola since she was already waiting.

She left the office, exchanging brief greetings with colleagues and handling minor tasks en route, then crossed the street to the coffee shop. From outside, she could see Zola bathed in sunlight by the window, her makeup flawless and her attire chic.

As Eileen entered, Zola greeted her with a wave and a warm smile.

Eileen returned the smile, approached Zola, and sat down.

“Waiter,” Zola called out, signaling to order Eileen a cup of coffee.

“No, thank you, Miss Murray. I have a lot on my plate today, so I’ll skip the coffee. Did you ask me to come here to discuss the issue about Milford?” Eileen asked directly.

“No,” Zola replied, a playful grin on her face. “What? Do you dislike me and not want to talk?”

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