Chapter 231: Chapter 231

Chapter 231:

Lydia continued to smile. “Do you know how to respect your elders?”

“Mrs. Dawson, it seems you are quite familiar with these moral concepts,” Eileen responded, her voice steady. “How can you expect respect from others when you don’t show them any?” The smile vanished from Lydia’s face. She knew that Eileen had once been a special assistant and now served as a family tutor. Lydia had presumed that Eileen, after becoming accustomed to such humble roles, would not dare to stand up against her. She had thought Eileen would only feel embarrassed and frustrated when confronted with challenges. She had believed that if things got too difficult, Eileen would probably seek comfort in Bryan’s embrace, weeping.

Yet, Lydia had not anticipated Eileen’s articulate and assertive response.

“Is this the woman you want to marry?” Brandon set his fork down on the table with a thud, looking sternly at Bryan. “She clearly lacks manners!”

“And what might the manners of the Dawson family entail?” Eileen challenged. “Does it include elders insulting or belittling the younger ones at will?”

This time, Brandon did not allow Eileen the opportunity to continue. “You have no right to speak here,” he said.

Stella snorted coldly. “She has no right? I am your mother! How dare you show such disrespect in my presence?”

“Mom!” Brandon’s voice showed clear disapproval, but he tempered his demeanor. “You’ve cut ties with Bryan. His choice of a wife is no longer your concern!” Stella was clearly defending Eileen and Bryan. Bryan, silent throughout the confrontation, carefully removed the shell of Eileen’s favorite lobster. After some time, he gently placed a piece of lobster meat on her plate.

Turning to Stella with a smile, Lydia said, “Mom, Brandon doesn’t truly mean it. As the head of the Dawson family, if he disapproves of Eileen, she will not be embraced by our family or rest in our family cemetery.”

Check exclusive content gαℓησν𝒆ℓs․com This was likely why Brandon had dared to cut ties with Bryan. When Lydia brought that up, a coldness seemed to emanate from Bryan.

Bryan removed his disposable gloves and leaned back in his chair, his hands gripping the seat. His jaw was clenched tightly; he appeared to be holding back intense emotions.

“The atmosphere has become too tense,” Lydia remarked, placing her fork down. “Brandon, you’re here not to stir conflict but to heal the rift between you and your son.”

The room fell silent as Stella looked toward Brandon, anticipating his response. But since their arrival, the air between Bryan and Brandon had been icy, with neither saying a word to the other. If Brandon acknowledged his purpose was to mend their relationship now, it would mean that he was apologizing to Bryan. Unwilling to do that, Brandon simply snorted and averted his gaze, remaining silent.

“They are truly alike. Neither will back down when they argue,” Lydia said, turning to Zola and patting her shoulder reassuringly. “Today, we’re here to clarify our stance. We’re not forcing Bryan to marry Zola; he is free to choose his partner.”

As Eileen’s gaze rested on Zola’s face, Zola offered a nod. Lydia continued, “Family happiness comes first. My son will be returning soon. He has always liked Brandon, and I’ve hoped Brandon would set a good example for him.”

Lydia’s words seemed to boast of the close bond between Brandon and Travis Dawson. Lydia and Brandon’s son was hinting that Brandon was easing his relationship with Bryan to be a role model for Travis.

Lydia’s narrative made Eileen feel sympathy for Bryan. She turned her eyes to Bryan, who was smoking now. It was commonly said that he was a cold and formidable figure in business, known for his decisive actions. However, Eileen knew Bryan as compassionate and principled, his stern exterior masking a warm heart. She reached out, her fingers lightly tracing the pronounced veins on the back of his hand.

Bryan took a drag from his cigarette, allowing her to hold his hand. “Bryan, it’s been years since you and your father sat down for a heart-to-heart. As his son, maybe you should take the initiative to do something. When was the last time you called him ‘Dad’?” Lydia said to Bryan, nudging him toward making the first conciliatory move.

Stella remained silent, watching Bryan with a mix of anticipation and concern. After a long while, Bryan extinguished his cigarette on the table, the spark dying swiftly. It seemed as if the light had gone out in his eyes. He looked up, fixing his gaze on Brandon.

“He doesn’t deserve it,” he said.

Brandon reacted immediately, standing up, the dishes before him clattering sharply because of his action. “How dare you say that? How could I have such a disrespectful son?” His voice was thick with anger.

Yet, Bryan remained relaxed in his chair, a stark contrast to Brandon’s agitation. “Enough,” Lydia said, placing a hand on Brandon’s chest and guiding him to sit down again. “He’s your only son. Why lose your temper with him? Let’s eat. Remember, there’s a press conference later. Our family has been the talk of the town for too long. It’s time for you to do something.”

Eileen frowned at Lydia’s mention of Bryan as Brandon’s “only son.” This did not seem like a slip of the tongue. If Bryan was Brandon’s only son, what was Travis’s relationship with Brandon?

The table fell silent again. Brandon did not touch his food, while Lydia heaped servings onto Zola’s plate. Suddenly, Zola winced as juice accidentally splashed onto her clothes.

Lydia frowned, her tone cool. “You’re being so careless. Go change.”

“Okay, Mrs. Dawson.” Zola stood and headed upstairs. Zola’s room was on the third floor, a familiar space she had occupied before studying abroad. Since Zola came back this time, Stella had not asked her to stay in the house, so she resided elsewhere, though her belongings still filled the room.

After changing into a new dress, a figure appeared at the door of her cloakroom. “Miss Murray.”

“I’m here,” Zola replied without turning. “What’s up?”

“I overheard Stella and Eileen talking today,” the servant said. She was a woman in her thirties with a submissive demeanor. Zola finished adjusting her hair and faced the mirror. “What did they say?”

“They spoke of an agreement, marriage, and divorce. They kept their voices low and didn’t dare get too close; it seems they were unsure about telling Mr. Dawson the truth,” the servant replied.

As Zola adjusted her hair, she furrowed her brow in contemplation. She knew that Bryan’s marriage to his first wife was an arranged one, orchestrated by Stella. But what had prompted this sudden discussion in the past? Was Bryan’s first wife seeking financial compensation now? And had Stella been strategizing with Eileen to devise a plan?

Zola felt that the situation seemed more complex than a mere financial demand. If it were just about money, Stella and Eileen wouldn’t have been concerned. And there would be no need for them to hide the matter from Bryan.

“Doris, keep an eye on Stella and inform me of any developments,” Zola instructed.

Doris Seymour, the servant, nodded in agreement. “Okay, I will leave now.” She then cautiously opened the door, peering out to ensure the coast was clear before exiting stealthily.

Although Zola remained in the dark about the specifics of Stella and Eileen’s conversation, she now knew they were keeping secrets from Bryan.

After dinner, Brandon, Lydia, and Zola departed, leaving much of the sumptuous meal untouched. Since their arrival earlier, a coldness had surrounded Bryan, and he had spoken little.

Stella sighed. “Why can’t you just call him Dad? Your mother hasn’t even been laid to rest in our family’s cemetery yet.”

“She won’t be buried in there,” Bryan replied with finality. “That man doesn’t deserve to rest beside my mother.”

Stella opened her mouth to respond to that, but words failed her. After a moment, she said, “I’m tired. I’m going to take a nap. You should also get some rest. I’ve prepared a surprise for you in the cupboard next to your bed.” Then she winked at Eileen, adding, “I had Bryan’s room redone. I wanted you both to move back here right away, but he told me you needed to care for your mother. Perhaps you can stay here occasionally.”

“Thank you,” Eileen responded politely.

“He needs you by his side right now,” Stella whispered to her. With a thoughtful nod, Eileen followed Bryan up the grand staircase.

The crystal chandelier cast sparkling reflections of the sunlight streaming through the large French windows. Eileen squinted slightly, her eyes tracing Bryan’s tall figure before he stepped inside his room.

She hadn’t eaten much during the meal, feeling a lack of appetite amid the family’s secrets and tensions. She mulled over the fact that Bryan’s mother was not interred in the family cemetery, though she couldn’t determine whether it was Brandon or Bryan who was responsible for that decision. The rift between Brandon and Bryan seemed rooted in deep-seated conflicts, not just over Brandon’s disapproval of Bryan wanting to marry Eileen. Lydia’s remark about Bryan being Brandon’s “only son” also puzzled Eileen.

On the second floor, Bryan opened the door and stepped inside, but a second later, he hurried out, quickly shutting the door behind him.

“What’s wrong?” Eileen almost collided with him. His awkward demeanor prompted her to ask him that.

Bryan clutched the doorknob, hesitating before he said in a low voice, “Grandma just said she redid my room; everything there now has nothing to do with me.”

“What?” Eileen was puzzled. “In the room?”

Bryan’s expression was so troubled that Eileen half-wondered if Stella had filled the room with something as startling as a row of sex dolls. What had he seen inside that had left him so embarrassed and reluctant to share?

“You can go in and take a look,” Bryan said, opening the door again and gesturing for Eileen to enter.

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