Chapter 50: Chapter 50

Chapter 50:

Benjamin followed them silently. He reached out to offer his help a few times but retracted his hand each time, choosing to keep his distance.

Once Eileen got Bailee into the car and closed the door, she turned to see Benjamin standing beside her. Taking a deep breath, she said, “Do you remember the favor you owe me from our school days?”

“Yeah,” Benjamin replied.

Pointing at the heavily intoxicated Bailee inside the car, Eileen continued, “Even if you can’t help her with work arrangements, please protect her when necessary.”

It was Kian who had arranged for Bailee to negotiate the cooperation. If Benjamin were to help Bailee, it could mean conflicting with his own boss. Benjamin furrowed his brow at the thought.

“I’m not asking you to directly do something. Just giving me a heads-up would be enough,” Eileen clarified, understanding that Benjamin prioritized his professional duties and would not jeopardize his standing with Kian over a personal favor.

She had given Benjamin an out, leaving him little room to refuse. “Alright,” he replied.

As Eileen drove, Benjamin lingered, watching her car disappear into the night. He exhaled deeply and was about to turn away when he spotted Kian’s car parked nearby. He quickly approached and greeted Kian.

“So, how did it go?” Kian asked as he got out of the car and leaned against it. The colorful lights from the bar illuminated his face.

Benjamin nodded, replying, “The contract has been signed. Seeing Eileen there, the other party didn’t dare to make things difficult.”

The look in Kian’s eyes became colder. “She really is capable, having been taught by Bryan. But it’s not important; this is merely a warning.”

Every story starts at g Ɐ ln σ ν𝒆 𝓁s, com He then turned his gaze to Benjamin and inquired, “Did she say anything to you?”

“Not,” Benjamin responded, maintaining a neutral expression.

Kian’s brow creased slightly as he asked another question, “Do you have a girlfriend?”

Benjamin shook his head.

“Then how about Eileen?” Kian asked, his tone light and teasing.

“Not interested.” Benjamin paused for a few seconds, his thoughts returning to the certificate he had seen in Eileen’s bag at graduation.

“Alright, you can go home now.” Kian’s expression darkened suddenly. He turned, got into the car, and drove away.

The exhaust fumes from the car wafted towards Benjamin’s face. He finally relaxed when Kian was no longer visible.

After a while, he frowned and muttered to himself, “I should probably stay with Eileen.”

Eileen took Bailee back to Springvale Lane. Despite her drunken state, Bailee was docile and lying still on the bed.

Eileen fetched a towel to wipe the alcohol smell from Bailee’s body and then went upstairs to grab a clean quilt for her.

Once Bailee was settled, Eileen remembered to send a message to Bryan. “Bailee is drunk because of work. She’s staying at my place right now.”

After sending the message, she fell asleep.

Meanwhile, Bryan’s night at work was fraught with issues. A mistake by Vivian had disrupted the meeting, keeping Bryan occupied until late.

After the work was done, he turned off his computer, retrieved his coat from the back of his chair, and said to Vivian, “I’ll take you home.”

But Vivian hesitated and then suggested, “I’m so hungry. It’s late. How about we grab dinner together before going to your place… Is that okay?”

“If you’re hungry, we can go out to eat.”

Before Bryan could finish his words, his phone rang on the desk, its screen lighting up with a WhatsApp notification showing Eileen’s profile picture. Before Vivian could glance at the message, Bryan covered the phone with his hand.

After glancing at the message, he slipped the phone into his pocket.

Vivian didn’t see the message’s contents clearly; she only saw the words “my place.” She assumed Eileen had deliberately manipulated the situation to lure Bryan to her place.

Jealousy surged through Vivian. Watching Bryan walk before her, she clenched her teeth in frustration. In her mind, Bryan was likely still upset with her and was using Eileen to provoke her.

Determined, Vivian resolved not to let Eileen get the upper hand, not for a second.

When Vivian stepped out of Bryan’s car, her expression was somber. As she watched his car pull away, she turned and saw Kian approaching slowly. Overwhelmed, she immediately burst into tears.

She ran to Kian, embraced him tightly, and began to cry. Bailee managed to wake up earlier than Eileen and began to prepare breakfast.

By the time Eileen came downstairs, Bailee had already packed a lunchbox for her. “Eating out all the time isn’t good for you. I took the opportunity to make this for you,” Bailee said, smiling as she cleaned up the kitchen.

Eileen approached her holding a new set of clothes. “I bought these a few days ago but haven’t had the chance to wear them. Go take a shower and put these on for work.”

“Okay!” Bailee said cheerfully. After cleaning the kitchen, she went to change. Fifteen minutes later, she adjusted her waistband and emerged. “Eileen, you’re too slim. This outfit feels a bit small on me,” she commented.

Eileen responded, “Just make do with it for now.”

Bailee sat down at the dining table. The quiet of the dining room was only broken by the sound of their eating.

Eileen finished her meal first and looked at Bailee intently. “Don’t you have anything you want to say to me?” she asked.

Bailee stopped eating and looked at Eileen. “Eileen, don’t overthink things. Isn’t it common for business gatherings to involve drinking?”

“Do you remember how you ended up in my place?” Eileen asked.

Bailee thought for a moment and replied, “Didn’t the waiter call you to pick me up?” She had anticipated the nature of that business gathering, so she had preemptively given a waiter Eileen’s number, instructing him to call Eileen immediately if she became drunk.

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