Chapter 56: Chapter 56

Chapter 56:

Eileen paused, lost in thought, as the elevator reached Jonathan’s floor.

Benjamin held the door for Eileen, saying, “I can’t go with you.”

Eileen stepped out and told Benjamin, “Thank you.”

The doors shut as Benjamin watched her leave. Then he pressed the button for another floor, not leaving the hospital.

Through the ward’s ajar door, the voices within spilled out. Jonathan’s voice carried an edge, “No one can be let off easily after attacking me.”

“You sexually assaulted me first!” Bailee’s voice rose, defiant. “Sexual harassment is a serious charge, and I could take you to court.”

Unyielding, Jonathan said, “Proceed! It’s time we see whose actions carry the heavier weight.”

Silence engulfed the room momentarily. Bailee stood there, her fingers clenched in the fabric of her clothes, resolve etched in her posture. Kian was by the window, his hands nestled in his pockets, an observer to the scene.

Jonathan’s voice, laced with scorn, broke the stillness. “I’ve dealt with many women like you. If you please me, this whole issue will be forgotten.”

Jonathan rose, inhaling deeply near Bailee’s hair, a troubling pleasure evident in his demeanor.

Bailee instinctively stepped back and kept her distance from him. “No!”

“You’re pushing your luck,” Jonathan warned with annoyance. Turning to Kian, his displeasure evident, he declared, “Kian, it seems I’ll have to resolve this matter with you.”

gα ℓη σ ν𝒆 𝓁s․com holds great reads Kian responded calmly, “Mr. Mueller, I think you will be more interested in someone else.”

Bailee, lips pressed together nervously, said to Kian, “I can handle this. Just call the police.”

Jonathan, eyeing Bailee and then Kian, asked, “Who are you talking about?”

“It’s me,” Eileen said, stepping into the room.

Bailee tried to usher Eileen away. “This is my issue; I’ll deal with it,” she said.

She exerted herself to move Eileen out of the room.

Jonathan ran out to stop Bailee, yet his attention shifted to Eileen. “You’re Bryan’s assistant. Is Bailee related to you?”

“Yes.” Eileen turned to face Jonathan. “Mr. Mueller, being Bryan’s assistant shouldn’t alter how you treat me. Just consider me an ordinary person.”

Jonathan’s smile was chilling as he beckoned Eileen and Bailee into the ward. “Let’s talk this through, all of us together.”

“Eileen—” Bailee’s voice broke through her tears. “You can leave. I’ll handle this. I’m ready for whatever comes, even jail.”

Bailee’s understanding of the situation was limited. The stakes were higher than she could grasp.

Guiding Bailee inside, Jonathan was followed by Eileen, who received a look from Kian.

“With Ms. Curtis here, we can speak more openly. I hope Mr. Mueller won’t press too hard, considering Ms. Curtis’s presence,” Kian said.

Kian was clever. Eileen had managed to handle Ellis easily last time because that had been just a warning from Kian.

Yet, this time, Jonathan was a different kind of foe, with a grudge against Bryan that could complicate things further.

Eileen’s presence would only make matters worse. But she had to support Bailee.

Even though Jonathan was aware of Kian using him, he didn’t care. His vendetta against Bryan was his priority.

Pacing, Jonathan, Eileen masked her concern with a smile. “Here to address this issue on Bailee’s behalf.”

Jonathan’s eyes lingered on Bailee momentarily before settling on Eileen, sensing a different kind of allure from her.

His smile was swift. “I’m open to hearing your solution, as long as it meets my expectations.”

“Bailee and I are both ordinary people. If you’re displeased, I’m sure you know several ways to make that clear,” Eileen said.

Eileen’s concession seemed to inflate Jonathan’s ego. He replied, “Fine, stay and talk this through with me.”

Eileen guided Bailee out. Bailee’s cheeks were wet with tears. “Eileen, please, just leave,” she said.

“Don’t worry. There’s a way out of this,” Eileen reassured her. Comforting Bailee with a gentle touch, she urged, “Get a cab home. You don’t have to go to the Warren Group. Got this?”

Bailee’s despondent eyes found a spark of optimism. “You’re sure you can handle this? Is there really a plan?”

“Yes, head home. Leave it to me,” Eileen said, her nod firm and resolute.

With hesitant and lingering looks, Bailee departed.

Eileen watched until Bailee was safely on the elevator, then she pivoted back to the ward, deliberately overlooking Jonathan lounging there.

Her attention was on Kian, who was poised by the window. “Mr. Warren, may I have a word in private?”

“He’s the one who requested your presence,” Jonathan remarked, a note of displeasure in his tone. “Are you counting on his assistance now?”

Kian’s smile didn’t waver as he told Jonathan, “It’s late now, Mr. Mueller. I suggest you rest. Expect a solution by morning.”

Jonathan couldn’t afford to offend either Bryan or Kian. He could only grit his teeth and reluctantly give up the opportunity to make things difficult for Bryan.

He said, “Remember your promise. I expect results, or my patience will thin.”

Unmoved by the threat, Kian gestured to Eileen, a silent cue for her departure.

Exiting the room behind Kian, Eileen left Jonathan fuming in the background.

“Do you want me to do, Mr. Warren?” she inquired once they were alone.

“Your intelligence is apparent. No wonder Bryan values you,” Kian replied. “I would like you to resign.”

Eileen’s surprise was evident. “Are you asking me to leave Apex Group?”

Kian’s response was straightforward. “You can join the Warren Group if you’re willing.”

Silence fell as Eileen lost herself in thought, aware that Vivian might not want her to stay by Bryan’s side.

“Take three days to consider this. In the meantime, I’ll handle Jonathan,” Kian said, not forcing her to make the decision now.

The hospital halls echoed with silence, the night’s cold wind permeating the corridor, failing to disperse the gloom around Eileen.

She was no stranger to the power plays of the elite, but never before had she felt so cornered, so helpless.

In the past, Bryan had been her steadfast ally.

Now, she stood alone against the influence of the Warren family, knowing that Kian wouldn’t help her.

Stepping out into the night, Eileen’s eyes fell upon Bailee, who was poised for an emergency call, clutching her phone like a lifeline.

As Eileen approached, her voice tinged with urgency, Bailee was moments away from dialing for help.

“Get in the car first,” Eileen said.

Bailee settled in the passenger seat, concern etched on her features. “Did they make things difficult for you? What did Kian say to you?”

“He’s proposed I leave Apex Group,” Eileen started the engine and drove down the road.

Bailee suddenly became quiet. The warm light above her head shone on her face, revealing her guilt and uneasiness.

After a moment, she said, “Maybe it’s time for you to leave that company. You can have a fresh start.”

“Leaving Apex Group or not isn’t a decision I can make; I need Bryan’s approval to leave,” Eileen replied.

Eileen knew that Kian wanted her to do more than just submit her resignation letter. He wanted her to get Bryan’s approval.

Somehow, Eileen felt that Bryan wouldn’t agree to her resignation easily.

After a pause, she told Bailee, “You don’t need to go back to the Warren Group from now on. Find another job.”

Bailee agreed with a nod. “Okay.”

After dropping Bailee off, Eileen returned home alone. She found solace in solitude, lost in the night’s calm.

The light from her phone brightened her features as she looked at the screen.

A part of her longed to reach out to Bryan, to seek his help.

But that morning’s events loomed large. The disgust in Bryan’s eyes when he saw her take Vivian’s call was still evident in her mind.

She was standing her ground not only against Jonathan but also against Vivian. She believed Bryan would help her.

It seemed that there was nothing that could support her in staying by Bryan’s side.

In the shadowy hospital garden, Bryan melded into the darkness, his presence barely discernible except for the occasional glow of his cigarette.

Benjamin lingered nearby, wrestling with whether to interrupt the silence.

Eventually, Bryan’s voice cut through the night. “I’m not here to watch the scenery with you.”

Benjamin quickly responded. “I’ve come to discuss Eileen’s situation.”

Doubt crept into Benjamin’s mind regarding Bryan’s willingness to assist, but he was certain that only Bryan could help Eileen.

Taking the risk, Benjamin had stationed himself outside Vivian’s ward, waiting for a moment to approach Bryan in private.

After hearing what had happened from Benjamin, Bryan let his cigarette dwindle to its end.

The darkness couldn’t hide the stern look in his eyes.

Discarding the cigarette, Bryan pocketed his hand. “Tell me, which ward is Jonathan in?” he said.

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