Chapter 33: Chapter 33

Chapter 33:

Bryan lowered his gaze slightly, watching the dance of smoke twirling off his fingertips in silence. Vivian offered a gentle smile, saying, “She’s your companion. Your concern is expected in such a bind. Just compensate her for the mental distress later. Don’t let it weigh on you; your plate’s full with other things.”

A crease formed on Bryan’s forehead as he lifted his cigarette, inhaled, and then snuffed it out in a nearby trash can. “Head back to the hotel on your own. I’ve got issues to tackle.” He spoke briskly, cutting off any chance for Vivian to question his departure. He strode away, an unspoken chill in his steps that cleared his path.

Vivian bit her lip, watching him until he was out of sight. She noticed Eileen making her way back to her room and decided to follow her.

Eileen had shifted from her wheelchair to her bed by the time Vivian stepped in. She offered a weary smile that couldn’t hide the fatigue in her eyes. “You’ve given us quite the fright,” Vivian said as she approached.

Eileen believed they had been taken to the hospital by an ambulance. The hospital must have contacted Bryan; that was why Vivian and Bryan were here. Memories of the phone call fluttered in Eileen’s mind, her lashes quivering. “I appreciate your concern, Miss Warren.”

“As long as you’re okay,” Vivian said as she settled into the chair next to Eileen’s bed. She retrieved a card from her purse and offered it to Eileen. “You’re on Bryan’s team, so let’s make this right. There’s a hundred thousand in this card. It’s yours.”

Eileen knitted her brows together in a frown. Could this be Bryan’s idea? The amount was generous, no doubt. It stirred something within Eileen, but she gently refused the card. “Your kindness is enough, Miss Warren. The fault was mine alone. Rest is all I’ll need.”

Yet Vivian was insistent, pressing the card into Eileen’s hand. “Bryan’s always been a man to treat his subordinates well. If you don’t want the money, what do you want?”

Eileen’s breath hitched as she picked up on the subtle hint in Vivian’s tone. Their gazes locked, and in the midst of their silent communication, Eileen thought she could detect the stir of concealed emotions behind Vivian’s calm facade.

gαℓησν𝒆𝓁s․com makes every story special The question from yesterday about the hotel’s location suddenly took on a new meaning for Eileen. It wasn’t about a simple delivery from a friend; it was Vivian’s ruse to come here to surprise Bryan.

Eileen thought of her belongings in Bryan’s suite. Was this a silent warning from Vivian? Eileen pondered the hidden message.

The inevitable exposure of her identity loomed over her. Even though her heart ached thinking about Bryan, it was better than living in constant fear. Eileen chose silence, her composure unruffled. Handing back the card with steady hands, she met Vivian’s gaze evenly. “Miss Warren, should you wish to offer compensation, kindly have Mr. Dawson factor it into my salary for the coming month.”

Vivian’s expression barely shifted. “Understood. I’ll speak to Bryan. He’ll ensure you receive something extra!” Vivian’s voice took on a firmer tone, her words dropping like stones in still water. “I will be heading back to Onaland later today. It looks like you’ll be staying here a bit longer. Why not take a week to rest?”

Her suggestion held the weight of an unspoken order, less of a proposal and more of a directive. A full day would be enough for the effects of the medication to dissipate. Eileen didn’t need a week of rest.

Eileen mulled Vivian’s words over, thinking Vivian might be suspecting something. There were advantages to laying low for a while and using this chance to take care of Huey. She gave a small nod in agreement. “Fine, I’ll take the week off. Do let Mr. Dawson know, Miss Warren.”

Vivian rose to her feet, offering a brief farewell wave. “Look after yourself. I’m on my way out.” Eileen offered a weak smile in return, and once alone, she retrieved her phone from the cabinet.

Her screen lit up only to reveal no personal messages. Not a single word from Bryan, not even a token expression of sympathy. He had probably only asked Vivian to check on her on his behalf. Letting out a long sigh, Eileen laid her phone aside and settled back against the pillows, the medicine’s remnants coaxing her into slumber.

At the Titan, a lively murmur filled the private room where a cadre of men raised their glasses in a chorus of toasts. Marcus, seated beside his uncle Theodore Ferguson, partook in the mingling. Then the door suddenly swung open. Bryan’s imposing presence seized the attention of all. His sharp and frosty gaze bore into Marcus, making him feel a chill wrap around him in the frigid grip of Bryan’s stare.

Theodore, with half a century in the business industry, recognized the intent in Bryan’s entrance without a word. “Marcus, what are you waiting for? Dawson needs a place to sit!” commanded Theodore.

Jolted back to reality, Marcus hurriedly vacated a seat. Bryan moved towards him, his piercing gaze never leaving Marcus. Without taking the offered seat, Bryan watched as Marcus fumbled, hastily cleaning the chair with his hands. Looking up at Bryan, Marcus mustered a strained smile.

“Mr. Dawson, please have a seat.”

With a nonchalant flick of his foot, Bryan angled the chair to his liking and settled into it, accepting a cigarette from Theodore.

“Are you here for the eighty million, Mr. Dawson?” inquired Theodore, extending a lighter towards Bryan. “I was just made aware of the situation by Marcus. Rest assured, you’ll get the money. We’ll sort out the contract details shortly.”

Bryan drew in a long breath of smoke, forming it into rings as he exhaled leisurely. He simply nodded. The tension eased from Theodore’s shoulders at Bryan’s reaction, and he turned to introduce Bryan to the others.

“Gentlemen, this is Mr. Dawson, CEO of Apex Group. His reputation precedes him; I’m sure you’ve all heard of him before.”

In the room, seasoned professionals from the corporate sphere were familiar with Bryan’s reputation. They toasted in his honor, their voices tinged with admiration.

“We know of you, Mr. Dawson. Your youth is surprising!” one remarked.

“It’s a privilege, Mr. Dawson. I work for Quasar…” another began.

Bryan surveyed the room with a frosty gaze, declining the drink Marcus offered. “My apologies, but I’m here for business talks today,” he said coldly.

Marcus felt a chill as Bryan ignored his gesture, pondering if Bryan’s visit had something to do with Eileen. But he believed Eileen was just an assistant; surely Bryan wouldn’t discuss her with an audience present.

Comforted slightly by this logic, Marcus moved to set the glass before Bryan, only to find it snatched from his grasp. In an instant, Bryan drenched Marcus with the drink inside the glass, droplets tracing a path down Marcus’s cheek.

As Bryan rose, the chair screeched in protest. A swift kick sent Marcus tumbling to the floor. Clutching his abdomen in agony, Marcus squinted at the looming figure of Bryan. The room fell to a hush, Marcus’s discomfort the only sound.

Bryan’s foot descended on Marcus’s hand with a force that whitened Marcus’s knuckles. His face was a mask of continued agony.

“Is this the hand that touched her?” Bryan’s tone was cold, his words falling like weights.

Marcus, struck by disbelief, realized with a heavy heart that Bryan had come for retribution on behalf of Eileen. An uneasy hush enveloped the onlookers. They bore witness to the scene, their minds racing with questions about Marcus’s plight, yet none found the courage to intercede.

Theodore rose with haste, his hand reaching for Bryan’s arm. “Mr. Dawson, please. What’s the purpose of this? I admit Marcus erred, but Eileen is merely an assistant. This isn’t—”

Bryan interrupted, his response cutting through the tension. He wrenched his arm free from Theodore’s grasp, his piercing stare never leaving Marcus. “How dare you lay hands on my woman?” he said.

Theodore paused, his expression changing as he understood something. His gaze held a silent message for Marcus, who remained motionless under the weight of Bryan’s shoe, unable to do more than shift and kneel in a feeble attempt to display his subservience.

“Mr. Dawson, it escaped my knowledge that Eileen was under your protection. Had I been aware, I wouldn’t have crossed the line, no matter the circumstance!” Marcus pleaded. His voice was thick with desperation, his eyes marred by the unsightliness of his bleeding.

But Bryan’s thoughts were consumed by the distress Eileen must have endured. In a surge of rage, Bryan withdrew his foot only to deliver a punishing blow to Marcus’s abdomen.

“Mr. Dawson, I admit I was wrong! I’m so sorry!” Marcus’s protest was a mix of pain and entreaty, his defense shattered, leaving him at the mercy of Bryan’s wrath.

Theodore intervened cautiously, knowing well the risk of inflaming Bryan further. “He is of my kin. For my sake, perhaps we can move past this incident. Our future dealings remain, and we’re prepared to offer more favorable terms…”

Bryan halted his assault and turned, his attention now fully on Theodore. Theodore harbored a glimmer of hope that his assurances had swayed Bryan. “Believe me, I won’t take a single penny off our future cooperation!” he added.

Bryan’s response was definitive, sealing the fate of their partnership. “Apex Group will sever ties with Fulcrum Group from now on.”

Bryan had discerned Theodore’s involvement in Eileen’s incident. Straightening his tie, Bryan spared a final glance at Marcus, who had blood seeping from his mouth. Bryan left with an icy huff, indifferent to the reaction of those left in the room.

Abandoned by both pride and alliance, Theodore could do nothing but disperse the assembly in his ire. At the hotel, Bryan walked in to find Vivian packing.

“You’ve returned. It’s time for us to head to the airport,” Vivian said. Her actions extended to packing his belongings as well.

She looked at Bryan and said, “I went to see Eileen before coming back. She’s worried about her boyfriend’s injury, so she wants to stay and take care of him for a few days. I agreed to her request. You wouldn’t mind, right?” Rising, she approached Bryan with a look of concern. “Her boyfriend was injured protecting her. Surely we can afford to let Eileen take a leave for a few days. Wouldn’t you agree?”

His expression shifted subtly as he turned to pack his things. “A few extra days of rest won’t hurt,” he said.

Vivian attempted to assist, but Bryan maneuvered out of reach, leaving her gesture hanging suspended and unanswered. Vivian quickly composed herself and said, “Eileen’s intent on taking half a month’s leave to care for her boyfriend. It took some convincing from me to get her to settle for a week. After all, you have a packed schedule, and her absence will be felt.”

Huey’s hand injury was minor. Recovery was expected in at most a week’s time—yet, Eileen wanted to look after him for half a month? Why?

Bryan pondered this. With a frown, he finished packing and snapped his suitcase shut. As he strode to the door, he realized Vivian hadn’t followed him. He paused, looking over his shoulder. “Vivian, aren’t you coming?”

Vivian’s reply was swift as she seized her own suitcase. “Certainly. Eileen remains with her boyfriend while we set off on our journey.”

In the quiet of the hospital, Eileen had surrendered to a deep sleep, only to awaken later to find Huey’s presence by her side. There was plenty of food on the table next to her bed.

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