Chapter 304: Chapter 304

Chapter 304:

Without thinking, Bryan could easily imagine how Zola behaved in front of Brandon and Lydia. Zola felt a chill in her heart as she said, “If I had ever gone against Brandon, would I still be alive today?”

“If you’re uncomfortable helping Bryan, I won’t push you. But expecting us to understand, sympathize, or even thank you while you have your own agenda is a bit hypocritical,” Stella said. “You want to marry Bryan? You’re in love with him? There’s nothing wrong with that, but your mistake is pretending to be a victim to hide your selfish intentions, knowing he doesn’t love you. True love doesn’t expect anything in return.”

“Expect nothing in return?” Zola chuckled as if she had heard a joke. “Is it wrong to pursue the person I love?”

“Then is it wrong for Bryan to dislike someone he doesn’t love?” Stella muttered bluntly.

Zola was struck silent.

The dining room smelled good because of the delicious food on the table, and the faint scent of smoke drifted from Bryan’s cigarette. Sarcasm hung heavy in the air, accompanied by the growing mockery and disgust written all over Bryan’s face. All of this made Zola feel as if her heart was being sliced by a knife.

“You’re right,” she finally admitted. “But in rich families, people don’t always get to call their own shots. If you want to save Apex Group and take down Brandon, I’m the only one who can help.”

The ash on Bryan’s cigarette had piled up, and when he flicked it into the trash, it missed and landed on the floor instead. Slipping one hand into his pocket, Bryan got up, the chair letting out a loud creak.

“I’ll say it again: I’m done with Apex Group. If Brandon’s got what it takes, he can handle it himself,” he said.

gαℓησv𝒆ℓs․com hosts exclusive updates With that, he turned and left, his posture relaxed.

“Bryan, is it worth going through all this for a woman?”

Zola stood up abruptly, blocking his way. “Without Eileen, won’t you even look out for the Dawson family? What about Stella?”

“I don’t need him,” Stella quickly said. “I won’t be around much longer anyway, and I refuse to be a burden.”

“What about me?” Zola asked, feeling heartbroken once again. “I’ve stayed here for so many years with the Dawson family. I’ve endured everything for you!”

“Nobody forced you to stay.” Bryan dodged her touch, disgust dripping from his words.

Zola had been part of the Dawson family for close to two decades, intimately acquainted with every nook and cranny of the Dawson Mansion. But now, every corner felt unfamiliar, tainted by Bryan’s contempt.

It was inconceivable. She had given her all to Bryan. How had it all turned so sour?

“Fine, Bryan, mark my words! You’ll regret this day! And I’ll be waiting for the day you come crawling back!” With that, Zola stormed off, her bold proclamation reverberating through the sprawling villa.

Bryan remained unfazed until his phone chimed. His gaze fell upon the screen, his pupils dilating at the straightforward message: Leaving the country tomorrow.

Stella approached him, her tone cautious. “I know you blame me, but are you really not going to fight for Apex Group?”

Bryan answered with silence. Stella’s eyes widened as they caught the message on his phone. “She’s leaving? Is she unable to get over it?”

Bryan pocketed his phone, standing tall beneath the glow of the crystal chandelier. His eyes hinted at his disappointment. After a long pause, he uttered, “She’ll return.”

Then, he walked slowly.

In the empty villa, the table was piled with uneaten food. Stella trembled, almost as if she were going to stumble.

Jarred rushed to her side, offering support. “Please take a seat. The doctor said not to worry too much.”

“What am I even hoping for?” Stella’s eyes brimmed with tears. “Bryan holds me responsible, even if he doesn’t voice it. If my own grandson harbors resentment toward me, how much more would Eileen, who has no familial ties and has endured so much, hold against me? Tell me… What did she imply in the message she sent?”

“Miss Curtis hasn’t thrown a wrench in your plans, regardless. Whether she cooperates or calls it quits, Bryan will comply with your wishes,” Jarred reassured her.

Tears streamed down Stella’s cheeks as she stifled her regret.

The early spring night was brisk, with the wind whistling through the towering skyscrapers. Under the streetlamp, Bryan’s exhales of smoke were swiftly whisked away by the wind.

He looked at the bright window and saw the outline of a woman moving around inside. It was late; she was probably packing.

It would only take a minute for him to go upstairs. Knocking on the door, he could see her. He couldn’t recall how long it had been since their last meeting or how many days and nights he had longed for her.

Her image often crowded his mind. Though it was deeply ingrained in his heart, it felt far away.

Eventually, unable to resist any longer, he retrieved his phone and dialed the familiar number.

The phone rang for what felt like an eternity before she picked it up. Her voice, perhaps affected by the frigid weather, carried a frosty edge that didn’t escape his notice.

“What do you want?” she asked.

“I’m outside,” Bryan replied, his voice carried by the wind, sounding distant.

Eileen tightened her grip on the phone, her fingertips paling. The window acted as a barrier between them.

She drew a deep breath before uttering the words in haste, “I won’t meet you. Goodbye.”

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she ended the call, the dimly lit screen reflecting her bloodshot eyes.

She stood motionless for what felt like an eternity, her eyes fixated on the window, before eventually drawing the curtains shut.

Just then, her belly fluttered with two gentle kicks from within.

She tenderly caressed her abdomen.

“You want to see him?” she whispered. “You heartless little one, I’ve carried you for so long. Don’t you understand how painful it is for me to see him? It’s not safe. We can’t meet. Mommy needs to keep you safe, okay?”

Eileen then packed the last two pieces of clothing and switched off the light.

The fading light left Bryan in darkness.

The entire world seemed to plunge into darkness all of a sudden.

After smoking the last cigarette from his pocket, he leaned against the lamppost for what felt like an eternity. The chilly night breeze sent shivers down his spine.

A few shadowy figures caught his attention out of the corner of his eye. Bryan stubbed out his cigarette on the ground, then turned and got into his car.

The engine’s roar pierced the silence of the night as he hastily drove away from the neighborhood.

He drove for an indeterminate amount of time before suddenly slamming on the brakes, causing the minivan that had been tailing him to stop abruptly, narrowly avoiding crashing into the roadside barrier.

Bryan hopped out of the car, grabbed a baseball bat from the trunk, and yanked a guy out of the van, smacking his arm with it.

“Ouch, Mr. Dawson, please have mercy! We’re just following orders!” one of the men pleaded as Bryan opened the back door, revealing several burly men huddled together in fear.

“Following orders? From who?” Bryan pressed the bat against the man’s head, his tone serious.

A single blow could send the man to his maker. Terrified, the man broke into a cold sweat.

“It was Brandon Dawson who instructed us to do this. He wanted us to keep an eye on you.”

“I hate being spied on.” Bryan’s lips curled. He aimed the bat at the man’s chest. “You’re with me, or you’re done for.”

The driver lay on the ground, holding his hurt arm and howling, his cries echoing through the night.

The burly men, stunned into silence, saw Bryan under the streetlights, looking like a grim reaper.

“We’ll listen to you,” the leader said, with the others nodding along quickly.

Bryan tossed the bat into the van. “I want to see results in thirty minutes.”

The leader hesitated, unsure. “Not sure where Brandon lives…”

“I’ll lead the way,” Bryan said before getting back into his car. They helped their injured driver into the backseat and followed Bryan.

Outside Brandon’s villa, the guards didn’t stand a chance against the tough guys, getting taken down quickly.

The bright moonlight created shadows on Bryan’s serious face as he leaned against his car, smoking another cigarette he had grabbed from the car. The smoke eased his craving but didn’t calm his rage.

Inside the villa, there were sounds of a man’s screams and a woman’s sobs. It lasted only about six minutes before the men came out, the bat stained with blood. The leader returned the bat to Bryan.

“Mr. Dawson, it’s finished.”

“Go away!” Bryan had no desire to listen to Brandon’s wailing. He told the men to get rid of the bat and then drove off.

Just before Eileen powered off her phone at the airport, she caught a glimpse of a breaking news report.

There had been a break-in at Brandon’s place, resulting in severe injuries that landed him in the hospital. News outlets speculated that one of his eyes could be permanently damaged.

Reporters had stationed themselves outside the Apex Group office, eagerly awaiting Bryan’s response.

On camera, Bryan’s bloodshot eyes and icy demeanor were unmistakable.

“Mr. Dawson, how do you feel about your father’s condition?”

“Do you have any idea who might be responsible?”

Bryan paused, then said casually, “You’re too focused on watching others. It’s only natural for your own vision to suffer, isn’t it?” With a blend of sarcasm and warning, he marched confidently into the building.

Despite the rumors of his downfall, the short video clip couldn’t conceal the aura of dominance Bryan exuded.

Eileen turned her phone to airplane mode, finished the baggage check-in with Ruby, and boarded the plane as Bailee watched them with reluctance.

Flying over countless mountains and rivers, Eileen and Ruby arrived in the capital of Yefroyland twelve hours later.

The local branch of Freguson Group wasn’t particularly robust but held promising growth opportunities.

Freguson Group had made substantial investments, and the local manager refrained from entangling himself in the company’s internal conflicts, instead acknowledging the Group’s appointment letter and extending a warm welcome to individuals deemed capable.

However, when he laid eyes on Eileen, a pregnant woman, he was taken aback, his expression tinged with skepticism as he evaluated her.

Eileen nodded politely and offered her hand. “Yes, I’m delighted to be part of the team.”

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