Chapter 329: Chapter 329

Chapter 329:

Jacob hadn’t told Bryan that Eileen would be here.

In fact, he had resorted to fabrications to lure Bryan here.

“I know a secret about Eileen. Interested?” he had said to Bryan.

This had piqued Bryan’s curiosity, drawing him to Jacob’s place. However, upon Bryan’s arrival, Jacob didn’t get straight to the point. Instead, he led Bryan to a secluded garden atop the building.

There, Jacob spread out some women’s photos, handling them like a deck of cards. “Pick one you like from these women, and I’ll reveal Eileen’s secret.”

Bryan narrowed his eyes slightly, emitting a dangerous aura.

He settled into a swing chair, the overhead foliage casting shadows on him. His presence was imposing, causing Jacob’s legs to tremble slightly.

“Hey, don’t act like this. If I just told you everything without conditions, that wouldn’t be fair, right?” Jacob said.

Bryan snorted and replied, “Okay.”

Jacob, well-prepared, handed Bryan the photos and activated the projector, which displayed the women’s photos alongside detailed information about them.

“This one is quite attractive. She’s the eldest in her family, and her parents are still together,” Jacob said, pointing at a photo.

After a pause, he continued, “And how about this one? Her face might be average, but she’s got an impressive figure!”

g Ɐ lnσ ν𝓮 ℓs․com, your storytelling home He was presenting the options like a seasoned salesman.

As they were discussing, Jacob noticed the two people entering and grew more enthusiastic.

“There are plenty of fish in the sea. There’s no need to fixate on Eileen. With so many choices here, pick one, and I’ll assist you in winning her over,” Jacob boasted, patting his chest confidently.

Before Jacob could finish, Bryan nonchalantly selected a photo. “This one,” he declared.

“Really?” Jacob was taken aback and peered at the photo Bryan had chosen. “Then you must tell me why she caught your eye,” he said with a smile, flinging the photos onto the table.

“She has a good figure, comes from a great family, and has a good temper,” Bryan replied.

Jacob was skeptical of Bryan’s quick assessment. How could Bryan judge a woman’s temper before even meeting her?

Not giving Jacob any more chances to tease him, Bryan said sternly, “Enough talk. Just tell me the secret.”

“Alright,” Jacob replied. He leaned in and whispered into Bryan’s ear, “Eileen is here.”

As the words left Jacob’s mouth, Bryan immediately turned to see Eileen standing at the entrance to the garden.

The summer breeze teased her short hair, and a faint smile played across her face.

In an instant, Bryan spun around and kicked Jacob, furious at his antics.

With agility like a cheetah, Bryan chased Jacob, causing Jacob to panic and run.

Jacob cried out, “Eileen, save me! How is it my fault he’s chasing a woman?”

He was still trying to escalate the situation, In fact, he was testing Eileen’s reaction to Bryan, but Eileen wasn’t fooled by the act.

She stood by the entrance, speaking to Phoebe, who approached slowly. “Don’t come closer yet. You might get hurt,” Eileen warned.

Phoebe said, “I heard Jacob’s cries for help. What’s all this fuss about?”

“Honey, save me!” Jacob pleaded, carefully keeping his distance from Phoebe to avoid any risk to her pregnancy.

This hesitation allowed Bryan to seize him, resulting in a well-deserved beating.

“This is my house!” Phoebe, witnessing the scene, didn’t dare intervene. Realizing her words earlier were futile, she added, “Eileen’s gone downstairs, probably upset. Bryan, why are you still here hitting Jacob?”

Bryan paused to deliver a few more kicks to Jacob before looking up. Indeed, Eileen had already left.

After composing himself, Bryan let Jacob go and headed downstairs.

Eileen hadn’t left Phoebe’s place. Phoebe, craving the spicy food from West Land, wanted to have spicy dishes for dinner.

With Jacob proving unhelpful and Phoebe pregnant, Eileen stepped in to handle the kitchen preparations herself.

Donning an apron, she was busy with various tasks as strands of her short hair occasionally slipped over her face.

She then recognized the approaching footsteps.

“Jacob tricked me,” Bryan confessed, taking a box of ingredients and stealing glances at her.

Eileen’s expression was tense. “No need to explain,” she replied.

Bryan, feeling disheartened, gripped the box too tightly, and its contents tumbled to the floor.

Eileen looked down briefly before turning her gaze to look at him.

“Leave. I’ll handle this myself,” Bryan said, his tone sour.

He stooped to clean up the mess.

Eileen stopped what she was doing and left the kitchen. She watched him from the dining room doorway, waiting for Phoebe and Jacob to join her.

But their arrival was delayed. Jacob was upstairs trying to persuade Phoebe.

“Honey, Bryan’s my best friend, and he has been through a lot. If he can’t win Eileen over, I’d feel guilty. I’m just trying to help him,” Jacob said.

Phoebe was firm in her response. “I’ve never had many friends, and Eileen is the best one I’ve ever had. Mess this up, and I swear I’ll make your life hell.”

Jacob lowered his head. “I won’t overdo it, I promise. Just trying to give them a little push.”

“You were almost in trouble for doing that just now!” Phoebe cautioned him. “Please, don’t make a fool of yourself in front of those two.”

It was clear to her that Eileen wasn’t deceived by their antics, rendering any manipulative efforts pointless.

“I don’t care,” Jacob muttered. He then handed Phoebe a bottle of cocktail. “Tonight, you need to get Eileen to loosen up with this drink. They say people tell the truth when they’re drunk.”

“Fine,” Phoebe replied, taking the bottle with frustration. “I’ll drink with her, and if I end up drinking too much, I might just go into labor right on the spot.”

Jacob hurried after Phoebe, attempting to calm her. “This drink is strong. You might really end up giving birth if you’re not careful.”

Phoebe was so angry that she had a headache. “That’s ridiculous! Since I’m pregnant, why would I drink anyway?”

Confused, Jacob responded, “So you won’t drink? But why did you say you would drink with Eileen just now?”

“Get lost! You’re an idiot!” Phoebe snapped, slapping him.

They were on the stairs, and Jacob didn’t dare to dodge. “I’m curious if the drink might make Eileen reveal her true feelings. Perhaps it could even bring Bryan and her back together.”

Phoebe paused, lost in thought.

The possibility of Eileen revealing her true feelings intrigued her.

If Eileen did end up back with Bryan, wouldn’t that prove she still loved him?

Half an hour later, they all gathered at the dining table, a bottle of exotic liquor placed before Eileen.

“Try this, Eileen. It’s imported and really good,” Phoebe said.

“No, thanks,” Eileen replied, pushing the bottle aside. “I need to drive later.”

Jacob nudged Phoebe, who then attempted a softer approach. “It’s mild. Just sip it to lighten the mood.”

As she spoke, Phoebe opened the bottle, filled a glass, and handed it to Eileen.

Bryan, sipping water, watched the exchange and then glanced at Jacob, who subtly gestured for him to watch the unfolding scene.

If Eileen had half a glass, she would feel the effects.

Yet, Eileen took only a sip and didn’t go for another.

Despite this, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes became glassy.

Jacob, unsatisfied, said, “Let’s have a toast, Eileen.”

“Don’t,” Eileen replied sharply, instantly seeing through Jacob’s intentions.

Attempting to trick her? She wasn’t fooled.

“Don’t be like this,” Jacob said, setting down his glass with a pout. “You’re too cautious, Eileen. I actually invited you two here because someone wanted to reconnect with you both through me.”

Upon hearing Jacob’s words, both Eileen and Bryan turned to look at him.

The circle of people aware of their association with Jacob was small.

Immediately, Eileen thought of Zola and Kian.

“It was Zola,” Jacob said. “She contacted me a few days ago.”

“When was this?” Phoebe asked, her expression clouding with concern. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t intend to help Zola, but since we’re all here, it seems worth mentioning,” Jacob explained.

He added that Zola had hinted at Brandon having additional strategies up his sleeve.

Eileen glanced at Bryan, noticing his composed demeanor, his hand resting on the table’s edge, his gaze calm.

He seemed to have already known something.

“Just ignore her,” Bryan said.

“It appears Bryan is also well-prepared,” Jacob replied, half in jest, nudging a glass toward Eileen. “Let’s toast to that.”

Eileen met Jacob’s gaze with a pointed look that prompted him to abandon his attempt to persuade her to drink.

“Do as you please. I can’t stop you anyway,” Phoebe whispered.

The dinner concluded shortly afterward, marked by Jacob’s apparent agenda.

Phoebe had hoped Eileen would stay longer, but aware of her responsibilities at home, particularly her baby, Eileen promptly decided to leave.

Bryan, too, made his exit, claiming Eileen’s car keys with the excuse that she shouldn’t drive after having a drink. He insisted on driving her himself.

Slightly disoriented from the alcohol, Eileen didn’t protest and settled into the passenger seat, buckling up.

Assuming Bryan knew her address, she didn’t provide directions. Yet, as they neared her apartment, she requested he stop a block early, not wanting him to escort her to her place.

“What’s the issue?” Bryan inquired, pulling over. “Don’t you want to spend more time with me?” he asked, looking at her intently.

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