Chapter 103: Chapter 103

Chapter 103:

“Benjamin talked about the usual gatherings you have with Mr. Warren and seemed interested in engaging me more in conversation. I declined, and after that, he didn’t pursue it further,” Raymond replied.

Raymond couldn’t shake off his curiosity about Benjamin’s probing.

It was clear to him that Benjamin’s questions were merely scratching the surface, lacking any real depth or attempts to charm or gain favor.

He didn’t understand why.

Bryan pondered this, his expression shifting subtly. “Apart from matters concerning Eileen, feel free to disclose anything to him.”

“Understood,” Raymond replied quickly.

Jacob grinned, patiently waiting for their conversation to end.

He wanted to talk more but noticed Bryan had closed his eyes, signaling his disinterest.

Jacob clicked his tongue, wisely opting to stay silent. He turned his gaze to the nighttime scenery, choosing to enjoy the view.

The streets were deserted, with only sporadic traffic and the occasional bus carrying a handful of passengers.

Suddenly, Jacob spotted Eileen sitting on one of the buses by the window.

Her long locks flowed down her back, illuminated by the bright bus interior, accentuating her delicate features, which bore the weight of evident fatigue.

Jacob stole a quick glance at Bryan, who seemed to be sleeping.

Explore magic at gⱯlnσν𝓮𝓁s．c𝗈𝗺 “Pull over at the next bus stop,” Jacob softly instructed, tapping Raymond’s shoulder.

Assuming Jacob wanted to get off, Raymond stopped the car in front of the bus stop after the traffic light.

“I’ll be right back,” Jacob said before exiting the car and striding toward the approaching bus.

Raymond watched Jacob in the rearview mirror as Jacob approached the bus, wondering what he was up to. Meanwhile, Bryan appeared genuinely asleep in the back.

As the bus stopped, Jacob stepped onto the platform and called out, “Eileen!”

Surprised, Eileen looked up and asked, “Mr. Meyer, what are you doing here?”

Was he actually planning to take the bus?

“Get off,” Jacob gestured to her.

With the driver and two other passengers waiting, Eileen swiftly grabbed her bag, apologized to the driver, and followed Jacob off the bus.

“Come, we’ll give you a ride home,” Jacob said, opening the car door for her and then taking the passenger seat himself.

Eileen immediately spotted the sleek Apex Group business car, and she was certain that Jacob’s “we” included Bryan.

Approaching the car, she saw Bryan seated inside, his eyes slightly open, sweeping a glance over her.

Seated and already fastening his seat belt, Jacob exclaimed, “It’s late; no time to waste. Hop in!”

Eileen nodded at Bryan before climbing into the car, which smoothly pulled away onto the empty road.

Jacob quickly adjusted the navigation to Springvale Lane before turning back to Eileen. “Where do you work now?”

Brushing off Bryan’s warning gaze, he continued to inquire about Eileen’s current job situation.

“At Vicin Mall,” Eileen replied openly. Jacob had always treated her like a friend, so she felt no need to hide anything.

Surprised, Jacob exclaimed, “Vicin Mall? That’s quite a distance. Do you take the bus every day? What’s your position? Are you a deputy director or manager? Didn’t they provide you with a car?”

Clearly, Jacob had overestimated Eileen’s significance to Bryan.

Eileen instinctively cast a glance at Bryan, who sat with his head tilted against the car window, pinching the bridge of his nose, his expression inscrutable.

He appeared as if he hadn’t heard any of the conversation.

“I work as an employee in the special occasion gown department,” Eileen replied, a touch of bitterness creeping into her tone.

It was clear that Bryan was perturbed by the “blackmail” incident. That was probably why he had transferred her there.

“What?” Jacob’s eyes widened in shock.

He fell into a thoughtful silence, turning away and occasionally shaking his head in disbelief.

When the car came to a halt at Springvale Lane, Eileen stepped out and noticed Bryan still sitting with his eyes closed.

Trying not to disturb Bryan’s rest, she only said to Jacob, “Thank you, Mr. Meyer.”

With that, she turned around and left.

Inside the car, Bryan’s dark eyes suddenly snapped open, and through the windows, he watched Eileen walk into the residential area.

Confusion clouded his mind. Wasn’t this his car? Why did Eileen thank Jacob?

Raymond was prepared to start the engine, but Jacob stopped him.

Turning to Bryan, Jacob asked, “Are you getting out?”

“Fuck off!” Bryan snapped irritably.

Jacob burst into laughter, signaling Raymond to start driving.

He couldn’t resist saying, “Someone has no mercy. Demoting Eileen to the lowest position! Taking the bus during rush hour, Eileen’s vulnerable to all sorts of creeps. With her looks, who knows what she might encounter?”

“Shut up!” Bryan’s voice dripped with irritation.

But Jacob wasn’t deterred. “But she brought it upon herself, didn’t she? Trying to blackmail you and all. You’re probably keeping her around just to make her suffer, aren’t you? I could offer some suggestions on how to make her life even more miserable. Perhaps hand her over to Vivian or your grandmother; they would surely make her life a living hell…”

Jacob’s words hit a nerve, and Bryan’s face darkened.

Meanwhile, Raymond, behind the wheel, was startled. Should he really be privy to this conversation? He hadn’t started working for Bryan for long, yet here they were discussing such sensitive matters without a thought for his presence.

The car stopped in front of Oak Villas, and Raymond promptly stepped out to open the door.

However, Bryan remained seated, his dark eyes fixed intensely on Jacob, his thoughts a mystery.

Feeling the weight of Bryan’s stare, Jacob couldn’t help but ask, “Bryan, you’re not going to make me walk home from your place, are you?”

Jacob’s phone was dead, and to hail a taxi, he would have to walk several miles.

“It depends on your behavior,” Bryan replied, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

Realizing there was more to this, Jacob asked, “Alright, what’s the deal? Just spit it out.”

Bryan only raised an eyebrow.

After a moment, Jacob sighed and patted the seat. “Okay, I get it. Let your driver give me a lift, and I’ll manage everything for you tomorrow.”

“Take Mr. Meyer home,” Bryan instructed, shutting the car door before strolling away, his demeanor both casual and dignified.

As Raymond returned to the driver’s seat, he set the navigation for Jacob’s home. During the drive, Jacob grumbled, “This cab fare is damn expensive!”

At nine o’clock, Aniya and Essie strolled into the store and found Eileen diligently organizing the clothes, dressed in her staff uniform.

Though the uniform was a simple rose pink, it looked positively radiant on Eileen.

Her flawless complexion and delicate features gave her an ethereal quality as if she had stepped out of a painting.

Aniya and Essie exchanged glances before approaching Eileen.

“Eileen, don’t just stand there; go mop the floor,” Aniya instructed.

“I’ve already mopped it!” Eileen replied, pointing to a spot that was still drying. “I finished mopping just a few minutes ago.”

Aniya was taken aback.

“Then go to the back,” Essie started.

Wearing a smile, Eileen quickly interjected, “The dresses reserved by customers in the back have all been ironed and hung up. You can check which customer each dress belongs to.”

Eileen had prepared herself for this, rising at five in the morning, catching the bus at six, and arriving at the store by eight.

Learning from her previous experience, she had completed the tasks necessary for the day.

Essie and Aniya checked the back and were astonished to see the dresses neatly hung on mannequins, perfectly ironed.

“We underestimated her!” Essie sneered. “Was she just putting on an act last week? She’s not someone we can easily control.”

Looking at Eileen, who was now ready to greet customers, both Essie’s and Aniya’s eyes held caution.

Aniya crossed her arms. “Can the two of us handle one person? We’ll just create problems for her. Let’s go.”

Aniya and Essie exited the backroom together, positioning themselves beside Eileen at the entrance.

“Eileen, I haven’t had breakfast; go buy me something,” Aniya said.

Essie quickly added, “And I’m feeling too sleepy from waking up early; get me a cup of coffee.”

They had an array of tasks and demands ready to keep Eileen busy, just like they had done the previous week whenever Eileen had a free moment.

This time, however, Eileen firmly refused them. “Buying breakfast and coffee is not within the scope of my duties. Of course, if you really want them, do that yourself. I won’t report you.”

With that, she brushed past them and positioned herself on the other side of the entrance.

Standing tall and composed, her clear eyes scanned every passing customer, a subtle smile gracing her lips, exuding professionalism.

Essie and Aniya were taken aback by Eileen’s refusal, but before they could say anything more, the store manager, Charlie, approached, forcing them to remain silent.

Observing the situation, Charlie was impressed by how quickly Eileen had turned the tables.

“Eileen, come here for a second,” Charlie called, handing Eileen some documents. “We’re moving to another position in two months, and although you’ve been waiting as an intern, your qualifications make you eligible to compete for the store manager role. Here are some materials related to the store; they’ll give you an edge in the competition.”

The documents contained crucial details about the competition’s prerequisites and insights into store operations.

Eileen accepted them and thanked Charlie.

She then retreated to the back to stow away the materials in her locker before resuming her position outside.

Charlie found it somewhat unexpected that Eileen didn’t use her working hours to review the materials.

She assumed that Eileen, like Essie and Aniya, believed that greeting more customers and earning higher commissions would boost her chances of becoming the store manager. Charlie couldn’t help but shake her head in pity at the misconception.

Meanwhile, at the entrance of the Vicin Mall, Vivian emerged with her arms folded as she surveyed the vast expanse of the mall. She turned to the person beside her and asked, “Are you certain Eileen works here?”

“Yes, Miss Warren, I followed her from her home and saw her enter the mall. However, the mall wasn’t at the limit, so I’m not sure which department she is in,” the driver replied.

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