Chapter 106: Chapter 106

Chapter 106:

“What’s wrong?” Bryan’s intense gaze met Eileen’s as if asking.

“Aren’t you interested in making money?”

Even though Eileen had grown accustomed to Bryan’s sarcastic looks and tones, each instance still caused her heart to ache.

She replied in a hushed tone, “Nothing. I’ll go shopping tomorrow.”

Bryan shrugged off his coat and loosened his tie. He explained, “I had a work meeting nearby. It’s late, so I figured I’d crash here for the night. Nothing more.”

“Okay,” Eileen replied, stepping closer to Bryan to remove his tie. He could feel her cool fingers graze his chest through his shirt.

After that, Eileen said, “I’ll prepare a bath for you.” She draped the tie over the sofa before heading upstairs.

Her bedroom boasted an attached bathroom, spacious and equipped with a sizable tub.

Filling the tub with clear, warm water, she ensured everything was okay before leaving Bryan to his privacy.

Bryan had claimed he was here only for sleep, and indeed, it was just that. He lay on the bed, his chest bare, holding her close with his sturdy arms.

Throughout the night, he held her in that embrace without shifting once.

Eileen dared not move, fearing any gesture might be misinterpreted as an attempt to seduce, inviting his potential mockery in return.

Her body remained tense, and she wasn’t able to fall asleep until late into the night. Exhaustion overpowered her, and she drifted into sleep.

Discover more content at galnov𝒆𝓵𝓼.c𝓸m At five in the morning, Bryan’s phone abruptly broke the silence of the room with its ringing.

Bryan swiftly reached for it, dismissing the call decisively. It was from Vivian.

Frowning, he muted the phone and put it aside.

Upon turning back, he noticed Eileen, her brow slightly furrowed, had shifted in his embrace, her nose against his chest.

Her warm breath gently caressed his skin, stirring a primal urge within him.

But he chose to endure the discomfort.

It was unusual to see her sleeping so deeply, her delicate skin exposed. Perhaps due to recent fatigue, a small pimple had appeared on her chin.

Her long, curly eyelashes fluttered softly, framing her petite nose and cherry-red lips.

Bryan closed his eyes, daring not to gaze upon her further, lest he succumb to his inner desires.

Meanwhile, Vivian, whose call had been abruptly cut off, stood at the gate of Oak Villas. Noticing Bryan’s absence, a sense of unease washed over her.

The call being cut off left her feeling unhinged, and without clear thought, she instructed her driver, “Take me to Eileen’s place!”

The driver complied, navigating the short journey to Springvale Lane in just over ten minutes. The proximity of Eileen and Bryan’s residences darkened Vivian’s expression.

Arriving at Eileen’s door, Vivian pounded on it insistently. “Eileen! Get out! You’re shameless! Did you manipulate Bryan into staying the night again?”

Her harsh words reverberated in the early morning air, drawing curious glances from neighbors who peered through their windows.

Observing this, the driver interjected, “Mr. Dawson’s car isn’t here.”

Vivian paused, noting the absence of Bryan’s car. Grinding her teeth, she resumed her knocking. “So what? Come out! Are you cowering inside, afraid to face me?”

Met with silence, Vivian’s frustration erupted into a storm of punches and kicks on the door.

The chaotic scene drew the attention of a neighbor who, unable to tolerate the disturbance, intervened, saying, “Stop it! Eileen came back last night. I watched her leave yesterday morning with a suitcase, like she was off on a business trip.”

Eileen’s business travels had been frequent. The neighbor had observed her departure with luggage yesterday morning and assumed she was embarking on another trip.

Vivian’s mind raced; Eileen hadn’t come back last night? So, there was still a chance Eileen could have been with Bryan!

Vivian’s heart sank. Unable to find answers, she instructed the driver to take her to Apex Group.

After hours of waiting, Bryan finally arrived at the company.

But as soon as he saw Vivian, he said, “I have several morning meetings; you should go.”

“Where did you sleep last night?” Vivian asked directly. “Did you go to see Eileen again?”

Bryan’s face darkened. He cast a cold glance at Vivian, causing her to pause, her words caught in her throat.

With a slight curve of his lips, Bryan replied, “Is that why you called me at five in the morning?”

“No,” Vivian quickly said. “I just couldn’t sleep. I wanted to see you so that we could have breakfast together.”

“Well, you’ve seen me now. Go back,” Bryan replied.

Taking his seat in the office chair, Bryan called Raymond over to prepare for the meeting.

His coldness left Vivian bewildered. She felt that Bryan’s feelings for her had changed since her return.

He was no longer tolerant of her temper as he had been in the past. Did he still love her?

Distraught with this question looming over her, Vivian returned home and locked herself in her room, refusing to eat.

Concerned, Vivian’s parents fretted over the possibility of her making impulsive decisions in her distressed state.

The news of Vivian locking herself in her room spread to both the Beckett and Warren families.

In the afternoon, Megan went to the Warren family’s house. To Vivian’s parents’ surprise, Vivian welcomed Megan into her room when Megan knocked on the door.

Megan was hopeful; if she could uplift Vivian’s spirits, her parents would surely be pleased.

“What’s wrong, Vivian?” Megan gasped as she entered the room, seeing Vivian with disheveled hair and tear-stained cheeks.

It was a stark contrast to the usually glamorous Vivian she knew.

Seating herself beside Vivian, Megan listened as Vivian poured out her worries. “Do you think Bryan doesn’t love me anymore?”

Megan didn’t know much about Bryan, but she knew how to reassure her friend.

“Who else could he possibly love if not you? The media is always buzzing about your dinners and shopping trips together. He wouldn’t do that if he didn’t love you,” Megan said.

Vivian grasped Megan’s hand, seeking comfort. “Yes, you’re right. He loves me.” But then doubt crept in. “But during our time together, he hardly speaks to me. Does that mean he doesn’t care about me?”

Megan noticed Vivian’s trembling hands and cautious gaze, prompting a furrow of concern. She sensed something amiss but decided to focus on comforting her friend.

“He’s always been reserved,” Megan reassured. “Sure, he may not be the most talkative, but he hardly engages in conversation with other women. Doesn’t that speak volumes about your place in his heart?”

Vivian’s expression brightened with a glimmer of hope. “You’re right! He still loves me just like before!”

“Vivian, did you really lock yourself in your room and cause so much worry for your parents over this small issue?” Megan raised an eyebrow.

Glancing towards the door, Vivian whispered, “Bryan’s grandmother doesn’t approve of me. My parents even urged me to end things with Bryan. I know who to confide in. Thankfully, you’re here.”

She could have turned to Kian, but the thought of facing his scolding deterred her.

“Vivian, your mother is genuinely worried about you,” Megan urged. “Come, get freshened up, and let’s go shopping. Doll yourself up more and Bryan every day. He won’t be able to resist you.”

Megan hoisted Vivian up, determined to coax her out of the room. If she could help Vivian regain her spirits and persuade her to go shopping, it would be a significant accomplishment.

Vivian replied, “Alright, go buy some new clothes and pick up some gifts for Bryan. He’ll be delighted!”

After a change of clothes, Vivian and Megan walked outside. The Warren couple, pleased to see Vivian in better spirits, nodded happily and even praised Megan when they were on the phone with Megan’s parents.

As Vivian and Megan settled into the car, Megan asked, “Vivian, where should we go shopping? I heard there’s a new mall nearby…”

“Let’s head to Vicin Mall,” Vivian blurted out.

Megan was taken aback. Vicin Mall was quite a distance away, but she didn’t dare object since Vivian seemed determined.

Eileen felt a bit drained; she hadn’t even eaten lunch. She decided to take a short break in the warehouse during lunchtime.

By two in the afternoon, she donned her coat, adjusted her askew name tag, and stepped out.

Aniya and Essie were busy attending to their regular customers. When they noticed Eileen emerging, they snapped into alert mode.

“Mrs. Deleon, I recall you favor the coffee from the top floor here. I’ll have my colleague fetch you a cup,” Aniya offered promptly.

She then turned to Eileen and instructed, “Eileen, go upstairs and fetch a cup of coffee for Mrs. Deleon.”

Despite the availability of coffee and desserts in the shop for customer entertainment, the staff always strived to meet any additional requests. It was standard practice, so Aniya’s request was not out of the ordinary.

After tidying her long hair, Eileen smiled at them and headed upstairs to buy coffee.

It was noon, and the elevator was empty. Eileen rode up, the glass walls allowing her to watch the floors gradually rise. Unbeknownst to her, Vivian and Megan were in the elevator descending next to her.

“Vivian!” Megan nudged Vivian, pointing discreetly. “Isn’t that Eileen?”

Vivian quickly glanced over and caught a fleeting side profile, but even in that brief moment, she unmistakably recognized Eileen.

“What is she doing here?” Megan asked. “I guess being a special assistant is easy, shopping during work hours…”

“She got fired,” Vivian quickly interjected. “Now, she’s working here.”

Vivian anxiously tried to keep track of which floor Eileen would exit, but she couldn’t spot her.

“How did she end up working here?” Megan was surprised. “I bet Apex Group couldn’t tolerate her. What company would want an assistant who slept with her boss? But she is here…”

Megan’s words grated on Vivian’s nerves, and she interjected sharply, “Shut up! Instead of gossiping, find out where she actually works!”

Megan fell silent. As the elevator doors opened, Vivian discovered that the other elevator stopped at the top floor.

“Top floor? Is she working there?”

“It can’t be,” Megan said. “You just reminded me. She is wearing a uniform from the formal wear shop on the eighth floor!”

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