Chapter 78: Chapter 78

Chapter 78:

Stella dismissed the room with a flick of her wrist. “I understand now. Since you’re outsiders, I shall handle the matter with my grandson myself.”

Vivian stood mute, thoughts a whirlwind.

Beside her, Kian was also left speechless by Stella’s words.

Eileen struggled to mask her amusement. The timing was off, yet the irony of Stella’s rebuke was not lost on her.

Stella’s words felt like a tangible strike to both Vivian and Kian.

Stella turned to Eileen. “How dare you, Eileen? How dare you investigate the person I have chosen?” Stella’s anger was palpable, her slap against the wood echoing in the room.

Her shout left Eileen visibly shaken.

“Blame me, not her,” Bryan interjected with calm authority. “She did that under my command.”

He moved with purpose, positioning himself as a barrier to protect Eileen.

Vivian’s and Kian’s focus remained fixed on Stella, not noticing Bryan’s move.

Stella, perceptive as ever, glanced at Bryan and Eileen with a meaningful look.

“I won’t let you ruin Bryan,” Stella said.

“Why?” Vivian’s confusion spilled out unrestrained. “If he doesn’t love his wife, why shouldn’t he want to do that for…?”

Ŀ∆ŧэ$τ çнαρτєя$ íπ galnoνeℓs.com Stella cut Vivian off with a dismissive gesture. “What’s love got to do with it? Sometimes love does more damage than good. Stay married, and he’s the devoted husband. Get a divorce, and he’ll become the villain in the public’s eyes.”

As Stella made her case, Eileen gathered the strewn papers on the floor, bundled them into the Kraft paper bag, and set them neatly on the table.

The next second, Stella took the Kraft paper bag and reached out her hand to the butler.

The butler, momentarily taken aback, eventually produced a lighter.

With a flick, a flame came to life, nibbling at the corner of the bag. The flame grew, the smoke curling up before the fire fully caught.

In an instant, the bag was discarded onto the floor, where it singed a tile a sickly yellow and reduced the contents to ash.

Everyone in the room watched, fixated on the fiery demise of the documents, a wave of relief washed over Eileen.

She stole a glance at Bryan. Shadows played across his face, his eyes betraying a storm of unease.

“Seems you’ve been back for quite some time, Vivian,” Stella said, her demeanor light.

Vivian, caught off guard, nodded. “Indeed, I returned the day before your trip to the mountain. I dropped by the next day, not knowing you had left.”

Stella’s smile wavered. “I ventured up the mountain only after learning of your return. I didn’t expect you to visit me. After all, we are neither kin nor friends, wouldn’t you agree?”

The battle of wits left Vivian a shade of red, her embarrassment clear as day.

Though her pride stung, Vivian held her tongue, her face a mask of forced composure.

Kian quickly intervened, saying, “Vivian often visits you before she goes abroad. It’s only fitting that Vivian would pay her respects after coming back.”

Stella eyed Kian, her tone light yet piercing. “You’re not getting any younger, Kian. Perhaps it’s time to entertain the thought of marriage. Even my wayward grandson is married. Shouldn’t you consider marriage as well?”

With the conversation ebbing, Bryan returned to his desk, his thoughts deep. Eileen approached, her voice hushed. “Mr. Dawson, shall I prepare another document regarding your wife?”

Observing Bryan turn on his laptop calmly, Eileen noted the pensive pinch in his brow.

After a while, he finally spoke. “Forget it.”

He was well aware of Stella’s temperament. Too much pressure, and she might snap.

“Alright. Then I’ll head back to work,” Eileen replied.

With a casual gesture, Bryan acknowledged her, and she made her exit. He watched her leave, and it was after she left the office that he finally averted his gaze.

He just sat there, lost in the echo of Stella’s biting remarks to Vivian and Kian. The laptop screen was a sea of documents, but his thoughts intermittently wandered to Eileen.

He couldn’t shake the sense that circumstances were spiraling beyond his grasp. And most importantly, he felt he couldn’t control his heart.

Returning to her office felt surreal to Eileen. She sank into her chair, the weight of the earlier events grounding her slowly.

The thought crossed her mind: her information—was it all just embers now?

Those papers had disintegrated into nothingness. Bryan, Vivian, and Kian didn’t see anything.

A fleeting sense of joy passed through her, swiftly chased by a surge of concern.

Now, she faced the ongoing challenge of interacting with Bryan and Vivian, with the added unpredictability of Stella.

Stella’s moods were mercurial, leaving everyone guessing her next move.

Years had passed since Stella orchestrated Eileen’s union with Bryan, vanishing afterward as if she had slipped off the edge of the world, leaving no word behind.

Stella didn’t care about what happened in Eileen’s marriage with Bryan as long as they didn’t divorce.

To her, it seemed Bryan’s spouse was merely a piece in a familial game of chess.

Now, she stood against their separation, fearing the ridicule it might bring upon the Dawson family, that the marriage would dissolve into disgrace.

Amidst the Warren and Dawson family strife, Eileen felt stuck in between.

She felt like one misstep could be her undoing.

A voice broke her reverie. “Miss Curtis.” Karla’s arrival with documents in hand, announced by a polite tap at the door, drew Eileen’s focus back to the task at hand.

Time elapsed, and soon Bryan’s voice came through the internal line, requesting Eileen to make a reservation at a restaurant. He planned to have a meal with the Warren family.

Eileen booked a private room in the most luxurious restaurant in Onaland. The room was big enough to accommodate more than a dozen, even though there would be only seven or eight people attending.

As the midday sun climbed, Eileen paused in thought before heading to Bryan’s office.

She entered, announcing, “Mr. Dawson, the reservation at Laitis is all set. Should I accompany you to the lunch?”

In the office, Bryan was busy at his desk alone. Kian and Vivian were chatting with Stella on the sofa.

Judging from her expression, Vivian was much happier now. It seemed that she had probably made Stella satisfied. That was likely why they would want to have lunch with both families present.

Bryan’s response was succinct. “There’s no need.”

But Stella interjected promptly, “Oh, why not? It’s on us to extend hospitality to the Warren family. Eileen’s company would be helpful.”

Bryan’s brow creased in contemplation as if he were thinking about how to refuse.

Eileen quickly said, “Of course, I’ll come along. When do we leave? Should I bring the car now?”

Seeing that Eileen knew her place, Vivian was pleased. “We depart immediately. My family awaits at noon.” Eileen nodded and left to fetch the car.

She chauffeured Stella and Bryan, while Vivian rode with Kian.

The butler had made his way back to the Dawson Mansion.

In the car, silence reigned. Without Kian and Vivian’s light-hearted banter, Stella’s smile faded.

Bryan, statuesque beside her, gazed out at the passing scenery.

Stella broke the quiet. “Vivian’s grown more astute, it seems.”

Bryan caught her reflection. His profile was etched with indifference.

He responded coolly, “Is that so? Then your grudge against her should have disappeared, right?”

Stella replied, “It’s you who bore the brunt, the one who faced mockery. If your affections outweigh your pride, what more is there for me to say?”

Her tone was gentle, yet beneath it lay a clear frustration.

Eileen mulled over the depth of Bryan’s feelings. It seemed to her he harbored a profound love for Vivian.

For six years, he had shelved his pride, holding out hope for a reunion. His intentions to divorce and reignite their past as soon as Vivian returned spoke volumes.

Bryan remained silent after Stella’s comment, leaning languidly against the car, a subtle lift of his head betraying a furrowed brow.

Stella didn’t say anything more. When they reached their destination, Eileen was quick to assist Stella out of the car, her actions smooth and practiced.

“Allow me to offer my assistance,” Bryan said, stepping out and offering a supportive hand to Stella.

Stella, however, recoiled from his touch, instead seizing Eileen’s hand. “The valet will handle the parking. I require your aid,” she instructed firmly.

Without hesitation, Eileen entrusted the keys to the valet and returned to Stella’s side, taking her arm to guide her inside the restaurant.

Kian, maintaining a presence at Stella’s other side, made another attempt to assist her. This time, Stella accepted, leaning on both Eileen and Bryan for support as they entered.

The VIP box on the first floor was aglow with sunlight as the doors swung open, casting a warm glow over the entire room.

Sunbeams danced off the glass, spotlighting the Warren family, who seemed uplifted, perhaps in anticipation of Stella’s arrival.

Welcomes were exchanged with smiles as they took Stella’s arms, guiding her to the table amidst cheerful conversation.

“You can grab a bite by yourself outside. Just stay nearby,” Bryan said to Eileen casually, one hand in his pocket.

“I understood,” Eileen nodded and stepped away, only to be called by Stella. “Eileen, fetch the menu for Mrs. Warren.”

Turning on her heel, Eileen complied. “Okay.”

She beckoned the waiter at the entrance and presented the menu to Debby Warren with both hands.

Debby, however, said, “Give that to Vivian. Let her decide what to order.”

Eileen obliged, extending the menu to Vivian, who was seated intimately close to Bryan.

Kian, sitting beside Vivian, watched Eileen navigate her duties.

Vivian said, “Mrs. Dawson has always enjoyed the goose liver here. We should order this.”

Stella brushed off the suggestion, growing weary of it. “My preferences have changed. Choose whatever pleases you. After all, we’re all here for you.”

The table fell silent, the weight of Stella’s words hanging in the air as each person absorbed the significance of the gathering.

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