Chapter 243: Chapter 243

Chapter 243:

Bailee couldn’t take it any longer. She pulled Eileen to the cobblestone road. Standing protectively in front of Eileen, she fought back with her words.

After hearing what Bailee had said, Brandon’s face contorted with rage. “You have no shame!”

“What about you? You set traps to ensnare us here and bully us! You’re shameless! If you want to do something, go find Bryan yourself. Don’t harass us here!” Bailee seized Eileen’s wrist, urging, “Let’s get out of here!”

But she forgot they were on other people’s turf. Two imposing bodyguards obstructed their path, while several others emerged from the villa. Clearly, they wouldn’t let Eileen and Bailee leave.

“The Dawson family has encountered someone despicable! I’m here to teach this shameless woman a lesson!” Blythe exclaimed.

She was still angry about Eileen’s earlier remark. Not having a son had been her deepest regret. At that moment, she felt a primal urge to throttle Eileen.

She signaled to the burly bodyguards beside her and said, “These intruders have dared to defile my home with their foul mouths. Beat them up and toss them out afterward!”

Bailee’s expression shifted. Regret surged within her as she glanced at Eileen.

“Damn it, Eileen, I’ll hold them off. You make a break for it!” she said.

Furrowing her brows, Eileen turned to Brandon and Lydia, who wore smug grins. She said, “You’ve slithered in to stir up trouble behind Bryan’s back because you lack the spine to face him head-on. But if he learns this, you’ll regret your decision!”

Find more books at gⱯlnσν𝓮ls․com Brandon’s face flushed crimson with fury. He was rendered speechless by Eileen’s boldness.

Lydia patted Brandon’s chest. “Don’t worry. She’s the one who has upset Blythe. We’re not to blame.”

“Why the hesitation? Beat them up now!” Blythe was itching to get her revenge.

A bodyguard’s punch swept toward them, prompting Eileen to instinctively bend over to shield Bailee.

However, before they could fully brace themselves, the bodyguard delivered a ruthless kick to Bailee’s leg, causing her to wince in agony.

“Stop!” A loud voice pierced through the chaos, drawing everyone’s attention. Turning to the source, they beheld a sea of approaching bodyguards, with Bryan’s imposing figure standing out among them.

Bryan’s face was cold. His eyes fell on Eileen as he approached. The sight of the disheveled Eileen and Bailee made his heart sink.

As a swarm of bodyguards surged forward, aiming to apprehend those targeting Eileen, Bryan swiftly reached Eileen’s side. He clasped her arm firmly, his eyes scanning her for any signs of injury.

Meanwhile, Raymond rushed to Bailee’s aid, ensuring she hadn’t sustained any serious injuries in the altercation.

“Call the police. These individuals are guilty of assault, and we have evidence to prove it,” Bryan’s words rang out, sealing the fate of the Harrison family. If word got out, it would undoubtedly tarnish the reputation of the Harrison family.

Even if they managed to evade legal consequences this time, their social standing would suffer a severe blow.

Blythe’s attempt to intervene was swiftly curtailed by her husband, who recognized the gravity of the situation. He said to Bryan, “Mr. Dawson, let’s not escalate this. Think about the repercussions, especially with your father present. Do you want him to be implicated as well?”

Bryan’s response was cold and firm, shocking everyone. “Those who harm her will be held accountable.”

His attention swiftly returned to Eileen, his touch gentle as he asked, “Are you injured?”

Eileen held his hand and replied, “No, you arrived just in time. But why did you come here?”

“Benita is Benita’s aunt. I was concerned about you,” Bryan explained. He had been afraid that Blythe might harm Eileen, but he hadn’t anticipated Brandon’s and Lydia’s presence. His eyes emanated a deep-seated revulsion and animosity toward Brandon and Lydia.

Eileen gently clasped his large hand, her eyes reflecting a profound sense of sorrow. Bryan didn’t hide his outright disdain for Brandon before outsiders; it was clear to Eileen that he hated Brandon to the bone.

However, Eileen knew that escalating the situation could lead to widespread ridicule for the Dawson family. As she grappled with her conflicting emotions, the wail of police sirens pierced the air, drawing closer with each passing moment. Several police cars screeched to a halt outside the gates of the Harrison family’s estate.

Raymond led the police inside and told them the whole story, exaggerating some details. Despite the Harrison family’s influence, the police showed no leniency because of Bryan. The Harrison couple, Brandon, and Lydia were promptly escorted to the police station.

Although Benita hadn’t gotten involved, she accompanied Blythe to the station. Bailee’s leg injury, sustained during the altercation, was examined by hospital staff, who determined the severity of the assault.

Word of the incident spread like wildfire, and reporters swarmed outside the police station, eager for any tidbit of information. The air was thick with rumors as the reporters saw that Brandon and Bryan were in conflict.

“The two are at each other’s throats because of Eileen!” Detailed and often exaggerated accounts of the feud flooded social conversations. Within just two hours, the rampant rumors had affected Apex Group’s stock.

Eileen and Bryan stepped out of the police station after two hours.

They were barely a few steps out when they were intercepted by Brandon, who was seething with anger. “You bastard! Are you pleased with yourself now?” Brandon hissed, his words dripping with venom. “Look at what your little drama has done—Apex Group’s stock price has plummeted!”

Concern pierced the evening air as reporters hustled to capture the confrontation. Bryan’s expression remained cold and detached, barely acknowledging the chaos around him.

His voice was calm but filled with a fiery resolve as he faced Brandon. “If you dare to harm her again, I’ll take down Apex Group!”

Brandon’s face flushed with rage, rising to meet Bryan’s challenge. “Don’t you dare!”

“Mr. Brandon Dawson! Mr. Bryan Dawson!” Just then, the tension was momentarily broken by the arrival of the Dawson family’s butler. He emerged from a nearby door. “The family is waiting for you at home.”

Lydia gently took hold of Brandon’s arm, her voice soothing. “Don’t make a fool of yourself. Let’s go back; she must have something important to discuss. Let’s go.” With that, she guided Brandon toward the car, and they departed.

The butler then turned to Bryan and Eileen. “Miss Curtis, your presence is also requested.”

Clearly, Stella would not sit idly by after learning about the matter. Eileen interlaced her fingers with Bryan’s. With a supportive squeeze, she looked at his resolute face.

“Let’s not keep your grandmother waiting,” she said.

“Okay.” As his expression softened, Bryan opened the passenger door for Eileen before circling the vehicle to glide into the driver’s seat. Together, they left the chaotic scene behind, heading toward the Dawson Mansion.

Upon their arrival, Eileen and Bryan found that Brandon and Lydia were already there. Contrary to what they had expected, the atmosphere in the living room was surprisingly light.

Stella, with a warm smile lighting up her face, was saying something. She stood as Eileen and Bryan entered, her demeanor welcoming. “Now that we’re all here, let’s enjoy dinner together.” Eileen turned and saw the lavish spread on the table. Before she could react, she was gently guided toward the dining room by Stella, who said, “You know, Eileen, you really should visit me more often. Bryan rarely visits me, that little rascal.”

“I will, Mrs. Dawson,” Eileen quickly replied, nodding. With a contented smile, Stella ushered everyone to their seats, choosing to overlook the tension.

“I held back last time because Zola was here and she isn’t family. But tonight, it’s just us, and there are things that need to be addressed,” Stella said.

Her tone was serious as she took off her cane—an uncommon sight that everyone recognized as a prelude to serious matters.

Eileen was aware, through conversations with Bryan, that the cane Stella was holding belonged to Bryan’s grandfather. Stella continued, “Bryan needs to settle down and get married. Brandon, since you’ve expressed a desire to stay out of this, I expect you to honor that. Tomorrow, start arranging the wedding. I’ll have someone find an auspicious day, and Bryan and Eileen can get married then.”

Brandon immediately interjected. Lydia also chimed in. “After today’s debacle, how can you just let them get married like this? What would that make Brandon and me?”

The atmosphere turned tense.

Bryan reclined in his chair, his response cutting through the tension. “You two are disgraceful.”

Brandon responded with a sneer, his disdain palpable. “Do you think I’m powerless? Without my consent, Eileen can’t be officially recognized in our family records, nor will she be allowed to be buried in our family burial site in the future!”

“Don’t try to threaten me; that means nothing to me.” Bryan remained unfazed.

Stella, on the other hand, valued family traditions deeply. She shot Bryan a sharp look of disapproval and quickly redirected her frustration toward Brandon. “Will you shut up and listen for once?” she snapped.

Brandon, visibly seething, turned his head away.

Stella continued, “I’ve watched Bryan grow from a boy into the man he is today. His mother was taken from him too early, and he’s never been close to Lydia. That’s why I’ve taken it upon myself to ensure his happiness by arranging this marriage. If you oppose this, you’ll have to go through me!”

Her declaration left Brandon without an argument; the finality of her position was clear.

After a tense silence, Brandon abruptly stood up. “I won’t agree to this! If you go through with this, consider my ties with the Dawson family cut!” With that, he stormed out.

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