Chapter 42: Chapter 42

Chapter 42:

Vivian’s questions struck Eileen directly, yet she didn’t seem overwhelmed. With a slight smile, she responded with ease, “Warren, your kindness was intended for the identity of Dawson’s assistant, not for me. And as Bryan’s assistant, I have done all within my power to assist you. Even if I am not the one who has been intimate with Bryan, as his assistant, it is not my place to divulge his secrets. I owe you no apology. After all, you are not Bryan’s wife.”

In the car, Eileen’s voice rang with clarity and conviction. She held the steering wheel with one hand, turning slightly to face Vivian.

Vivian paused, taking a moment to grasp the implications of Eileen’s words. “You’re distorting the facts! I didn’t—” she began.

“If I were not Bryan’s assistant, would you have considered befriending me?” Eileen cut in before Vivian could finish.

Vivian was taken aback. She glared at Eileen, her teeth clenched in anger. “Do you even deserve to be my friend? I belong to the Warren family! And you? Eileen, you’d do well to keep your distance from Bryan if you understand your place.”

“If Bryan really matters so much to you, why approach me instead of confronting him directly?” Eileen replied, taking a deep breath and rolling down the car window halfway to ease the tension.

The underground parking lot was cold, causing Eileen to wrap her coat more tightly around herself. “You come to me because you know you can’t sway Bryan’s decision. Not even you, with all the prestige of the Warren family, can do that. So, what makes you think I can?”

Eileen’s tone made it unclear whether she was being sarcastic or self-critical. A fleeting sadness appeared in her eyes. She genuinely didn’t understand Bryan’s intentions. Was his interest in her purely physical? She questioned whether she was unfit to be his wife, thus maintaining their secretive bond. Did he plan to conceal her indefinitely?

Vivian said, “I never imagined you’d resort to such cunning tactics. Are you attempting to drive a wedge between Bryan and me by telling me to confront him? You’re shameless! Have you ever scrutinized yourself in the mirror to assess your worthiness for Bryan? Are you aware of the stature of the Dawson family?”

Stay tuned galnov𝔢𝓵𝓼.co𝓂 After a pause, she continued, “Do you presume superiority merely because you’ve been his assistant for a short time? Spare me the absurdities. It’s no wonder you were left adrift after your parents’ separation. If you fail to recognize your station, I’ll make you understand your place in Bryan’s heart!”

Vivian cast a scornful glance at Eileen, exited the vehicle, and hastily entered the elevator, fuming. Raised amidst privilege, she had always been surrounded by the finest life had to offer, doted on by her parents and brother, exuding an inherent grace.

Vivian’s leaving image remained in Eileen’s thoughts, persistent and haunting. Resting in the car, Eileen reclined her head against the seat, staring into the darkness of the parking lot. When her parents got divorced, the way they looked at her was like they were looking at trash. If not for Ruby’s intervention, she would have been destroyed by those looks.

Even now, the memory caused her heart to ache profoundly. What fault was hers in her parents’ divorce? And what had she done wrong now, caught in the dilemma between Bryan and Vivian?

A wave of bitterness overtook Eileen. She inhaled deeply, fighting to alleviate the burden weighing on her heart.

Elsewhere, Bryan checked his watch in a secluded area. Half an hour had passed since Vivian’s arrival, yet Eileen was nowhere in sight. Annoyance flickered in him. At that moment, Vivian offered him a glass of vodka. He inquired, “Where’s Eileen?”

“She was in her car when I last saw her. Claimed she had some matters to attend to, likely conversing with her boyfriend over the phone,” Vivian answered, her previous vehemence replaced with a radiant smile as if the confrontation in the parking garage had never occurred.

Bryan set the glass on the table, a crease forming between his brows as he stood up. He moved towards the door with determination.

“Bryan…” Vivian rose hastily and followed, her voice trailing off. Her call captured the attention of Kian and Jacob, who paused their game to watch Bryan stride across the room.

Bryan had almost reached the door, his hand nearly grasping the handle, when it swung open. Standing outside was Eileen, her emotions buried deep, her demeanor as calm as ever. In her clear eyes was the reflection of Bryan, his handsome features marked by an aloof expression.

After a brief pause, she inquired, “Mr. Dawson, do you need anything from me?”

Bryan pulled his hand back, gliding it into his pocket, his observation of her discomfort evident, yet he chose to remain silent. Turning, he returned to the sofa and settled into its inviting cushions with ease. “No. Just come and sit here,” he said, gesturing to the adjacent sofa.

Eileen closed the door gently behind her and took the offered seat. Although she had been part of Bryan’s private gatherings many times, a sense of unease washed over her today. The room’s opulence was on full display, from the glittering array of drinks on the table to the marble floors and crystal chandeliers above.

As his driver, Eileen’s place was waiting in the car, yet she found herself beside him more and more often, partaking in the hospitality offered. The juice here had become a favored treat for her since she had tried it for the first time. Its presence on the table had become a comforting constant since then. Today was no different, with her preferred drink positioned directly before her.

Vivian extended a cocktail towards Eileen. Looking up, Eileen met her gaze, which, though smiling, hinted at underlying sharpness. “Eileen, I realize now that I misunderstood you earlier. Please accept my apology. Being new here, there are many things I’m still learning. Let’s not hold any grudges,” Vivian said. Eileen now believed Vivian’s performance was so convincing that she could easily have a stellar career in acting.

Eileen didn’t expose Vivian. With a smile, she responded, “Miss Warren, there’s no need for such formality. I’m merely an assistant carrying out my duties. There’s no need for apologies. After all, any overtime I work gets compensated by Mr. Dawson. Should there be any errors, they’ll affect Mr. Dawson, not me.”

Accepting the glass from Vivian, she then placed it back on the table, adding, “I apologize, but I need to drive later. I can’t indulge in alcohol.”

Bryan observed the exchange, lounging with one leg over the other, a cigarette dangling from his lips. The smoke veiled his sharp features, yet his keen gaze lingered on Eileen. He watched her silently, raising an eyebrow but offering no comment.

Kian set aside his phone, approached Vivian, playfully ruffled her hair, and remarked, “Why are you apologizing to her? Bryan’s the one whom you should be apologizing to. You’ve inadvertently caused him trouble.”

He guided Vivian to sit next to him, handed her a glass of wine, and shifted the conversation to a lighter tone.

Jacob approached Eileen with wine in hand, pulling up a chair to join her. “How’s your boyfriend doing? He hasn’t been online gaming lately.”

“He’s injured his hand. He needs a few days to heal,” Eileen explained.

“That explains it. I was puzzled why such an avid gamer was absent. I feared he’d lost interest,” Jacob said.

Noticing Eileen’s glances toward Bryan and the Warren siblings, Jacob shifted the topic. “Do you have any hobbies?” he inquired.

Eileen’s eyes briefly met Bryan’s before she looked away. After a moment’s thought, she answered, “Work. Earning a living.”

Jacob chuckled, “That’s rather mundane. Much like Bryan, always engrossed in work. Despite being heirs, Kian and I find ample leisure time. Bryan, however, only joins us when called upon, never of his own accord. Do you think something might spur him into action?”

Eileen remained silent, her expression unfazed.

Jacob asked directly, “Is Vivian giving you a hard time?”

Eileen shifted subtly, avoiding a glance as she observed the colorful drinks sprawled across the table.

Jacob continued, “She’s quite transparent; I can sense it. She learned about your relationship with Bryan, right? She’s intelligent, aware that antagonizing Bryan isn’t wise, so she targets you instead. And Kian—I’ve had reservations about him for a while. He overly indulges his sister, which isn’t doing her any favors. Just a note of caution—unless you’re certain Bryan will support you, it’s best not to offend Vivian.”

Jacob’s gaze lingered on Eileen. He couldn’t help but add, “I’ve known you for quite some time, and it’s hard to watch you caught up in this. Help me encourage your boyfriend to spend more time gaming with us, and if you face any troubles in the future, I’ll offer my help.”

A small smile tugged at Eileen’s lips. Among Bryan’s acquaintances, she found Jacob to be the most approachable. She harbored a sense of fondness for him, though she was aware their friendship had its limits. It was clear Jacob enjoyed gaming, often seeking to connect with Huey over it.

“Mr. Meyer, you’re joking, surely. If gaming is what you’re after, reaching out to Huey directly would be your best bet. He’s always up for a game,” Eileen said.

“You might not be aware, but your boyfriend has blocked me. Before doing so, he called me a scumbag,” Jacob said. Eileen was taken aback by this revelation.

Jacob continued, “I’ve tried adding him again, but got no response. Fortunately, he hasn’t deleted me in the game, so I can still keep tabs on his gaming activity.”

A nagging sense of unease took hold of Eileen, though she couldn’t pinpoint the cause. “I’ll speak to him about it later,” she said.

Jacob’s eyes lit up with anticipation. “Please do. Tell him I’m willing to invest in his gaming ventures! He ought to show some respect to me. Had it been anyone else who blocked me…” He trailed off, mimicking a throat-slitting motion, which drew a smile from Eileen.

Presenting Eileen with a cocktail, Jacob said, “Here, take this cocktail. Don’t worry about your ride home. My driver will ensure you get back safely.”

Eileen paused before taking the drink, feeling a bit down and hoping the drink would lift her spirits. Her ability to handle alcohol proved sneakier than she had anticipated. After finishing the two glasses of wine Jacob offered, she began to feel the effects, with a part of her eager for more.

Recognizing the potential for things to escalate, Jacob intervened to prevent Eileen from drinking more and called Bryan over, saying, “I had no idea her tolerance was so low! She’s starting to feel the effects after just a couple of glasses!”

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