Chapter 138: Chapter 138

Chapter 138:

Ruby’s hand twitched again at the sound of Eileen’s voice. Immediately, the machine beside Ruby emitted a pair of beeps.

Bailee promptly reached for the emergency button, summoning a swift response from a team of doctors who flooded into the room.

Despite Austen’s absence, Austen’s assistant, Jaden Calderon, stayed in the hospital today.

Familiar with Ruby’s condition, Jaden, after examining Ruby, delivered encouraging news with a smile: “This is a promising sign. Your mother has responded to your words!”

Eileen and Bailee couldn’t contain their joy, tears welling in their eyes as they looked at Ruby with hope.

“Continue talking to her. Let us know of any developments,” Jaden advised before hurrying off to inform Austen of the positive progress.

Eileen and Bailee spent the entire afternoon by Ruby’s side, conversing with her and holding her hand, not stopping until late into the night.

The following day unfolded similarly.

Despite Ruby’s lack of further progress, Eileen and Bailee remained happy.

In the evening, Eileen received an unexpected call from Emmett.

“Ms. Curtis, I’m in a bit of a predicament. Could you lend me a hand?” Emmett asked.

“Of course,” Eileen replied, standing up and moving to the window to answer the phone in a hushed tone.

Discover stories now galnovℯℓs.cøm Emmett hesitated for a moment before admitting, “The parents of a few students I tutor have been contacting me incessantly. Despite my best efforts, the students’ exam results continue to disappoint. I can’t shake the feeling that I’m approaching this the wrong way, and I’m at a loss for how to help them improve.”

As the night wore on, the neon lights outside flickered to life, casting a soft glow in the hospital.

Eileen’s slender figure was outlined against the window as she furrowed her brow and asked, “Have you adjusted your teaching methods based on their feedback and focused on addressing their weaknesses?”

“Yes, but I can’t seem to figure out why their grades aren’t getting better. Maybe my teaching isn’t effective. Ms. Curtis, could you spare some time on weekends to coach me? I need guidance on how to explain concepts better to my students,” Emmett said anxiously.

However, with a glance at Ruby, Eileen firmly declined, “I’m unavailable on weekends.”

On the other end of the line, Emmett fell into silence.

“If you’re willing, I can wrap up my tutoring sessions by around nine o’clock Monday to Friday and then meet with you. Let’s make it concise. One week should be sufficient. And I’ll compensate you for the additional time,” Eileen suggested, knowing it was the best she could offer.

Emmett readily agreed, stating, “Absolutely, and there’s no need for overtime pay. I truly appreciate your assistance.”

“Then let’s get started right away. Beginning tonight, you can wait for me at the agency after your shift. I’ll arrive. It’s understandable. Now, tell me the situation about your students,” Eileen replied, placing her bag on a nearby chair before taking a seat across from Emmett.

Emmett gathered the examination papers of several of his students, sat down, and asked, “Ms. Curtis, are you married?”

After a moment’s pause, Eileen shook her head and replied, “Then do you have a boyfriend?” Emmett looked at Eileen, his curiosity evident.

He believed that someone as attractive as Eileen must have a boyfriend.

Eileen shook her head again, answering, “No. Why do you ask?”

Emmett’s expression momentarily registered surprise before he composed himself, smiling. “Nothing. I just worry about you working late into the night. If you had a boyfriend, they might get jealous. But since you don’t, I suppose it’s not an issue.”

Bryan’s image briefly flashed through Eileen’s mind, leaving a tinge of bitterness in her expression.

“Let’s focus on our work,” she said.

Eileen delved into the examination papers, dissecting strengths and weaknesses while addressing issues within Emmett’s teaching methods.

Two hours flew by swiftly. Emmett said with an awkward smile, “Ms. Curtis, thank you for being patient enough to offer me guidance.”

“If you’re committed to learning, I’m committed to teaching,” Eileen replied sincerely.

Emmett’s dedication had inspired Eileen to give her all.

“That’s all for today,” Eileen said as she packed up her things. “Your phone rang several times. I assume your family is concerned. You should head home now.”

As Emmett and Eileen descended the stairs together, they were met with a downpour outside.

“Ms. Curtis, let me walk you to your car,” Emmett said, offering his coat to shield them both from the rain.

In that instant, Eileen found herself standing too close to Emmett.

Instinctively, Eileen hesitated, but Emmett persisted, wrapping his arms around her as he sheltered them under the coat.

“Let’s go,” Emmett said, gently prodding Eileen forward, encouraging her to head towards her car.

Eileen hastened her steps, but after a few paces, she noticed a Mercedes-Benz G-Class parked behind her vehicle and stopped.

In the dimly lit car, a man’s silhouette became visible in the passenger seat, his gaze sharp as it fixed on her.

As Eileen abruptly stopped, Emmett, unable to halt in time, drew nearer to her.

Raymond emerged from the car with an umbrella, moving to the passenger side to open the door for Bryan.

Bryan stepped out and approached Eileen with Raymond. Observing Emmett and Eileen’s closeness, sharing a coat in the rain, Raymond remained silent, his head bowed.

Eileen’s mind raced, struggling to find words, momentarily stunned.

Emmett suddenly called.

Eileen turned to see happiness spread across Emmett’s features.

Did Emmett and Bryan know each other?

Bryan simply nodded to Emmett, his gaze falling on Eileen.

Through the misty rain, their eyes met, their expressions obscured.

But Eileen could feel the sharpness and indifference emanating from Bryan’s gaze.

Emmett, taken aback but glad to see Bryan, asked, “Bryan, what brings you here?”

Raymond explained, “Ms. Curtis is tutoring Milford.”

Emmett’s surprise deepened at the revelation. He glanced at Eileen, lowering his head, and asked, “Is that true? I’ve heard you took on a challenging student, but I didn’t know it was Milford. Handling Milford must be quite the challenge, Ms. Curtis.”

“It’s all part of the job,” Eileen replied lightly.

Bryan showed no signs of leaving, and Eileen remained rooted in place.

Bryan said, “It’s getting late. You should head back.”

His words were directed at Emmett.

“Alright,” Emmett replied, pausing for a moment before realizing Bryan was here for Eileen.

Emmett draped his coat over Eileen, noticing her pale face.

“Don’t worry about Bryan. Despite his cold exterior, he’s a decent guy,” Emmett assured Eileen before turning to Bryan, “Bryan, don’t be too harsh on Ms. Curtis.”

Under the shelter of the black umbrella, Bryan’s face darkened.

Startled, Eileen attempted to remove Emmett’s coat, but Emmett’s firm hand on her shoulder stopped her.

“It’s cold. Better keep it on,” Emmett said before hurrying to his car in swift strides.

The rain had dampened Eileen’s long hair, forming a glistening sheen.

Running her fingers through her hair, Eileen felt the weight of the coat on her shoulder. Unsure whether to remove it, she lowered her gaze, her lips pressed together.

A strange unease settled in her heart, growing stronger as a shadow loomed over her.

It was Bryan, approaching her with an umbrella in hand. His gaze, seemingly indifferent, met hers as he said, “Stay away from Emmett.”

His words were cold, laced with mockery, and his eyes bore into hers with chilling intensity.

The simple yet chilling words gripped Eileen’s heart.

“What do you mean?” Eileen asked, a mix of stubbornness and disdain for Bryan’s attitude in her gaze.

“I mean exactly what I said,” Bryan replied, his tone cold.

“Don’t play dumb.”

Since Eileen had been his employee for years, he doubted she genuinely didn’t understand his implication.

Eileen felt her complexion drain as she wondered if Bryan suspected her of having a close relationship with Emmett.

She averted her eyes and said, “Mr. Dawson, I’m no longer your employee. Even if I were, you wouldn’t have the right to interfere in my personal life.”

Bryan’s lips curled into a cold smile as he suddenly seized Eileen’s wrist. Eileen stumbled and looked at Bryan with anger in her eyes.

“I didn’t expect such defiance from you,” Bryan said, tightening his grip on Eileen’s wrist, causing her to wince in pain.

Gritting her teeth, Eileen said, “Let go of me. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave now.”

“What’s the hurry?” Bryan raised an eyebrow. “You spent quite a while upstairs with Emmett. Can’t you spare some time for me in public?”

His gaze darkened as he glanced at Emmett’s coat on Eileen.

Clearly, he had misunderstood Eileen and Emmett’s relationship.

But Eileen had no intention of explaining herself to Bryan.

With anger simmering inside her, Eileen forced a sarcastic smile. “Why don’t you mind your own business, Mr. Dawson? I just don’t want to be around you!”

The unexpected encounter with Bryan had shattered Eileen’s composure.

Eileen unleashed the emotions she had suppressed for too long.

.

.

.