Chapter 60: Chapter 60

Chapter 60:

Bryan’s hand gripped the doorknob. His eyes briefly betrayed irritation before he entered, maintaining his composure.

Drawing back his chair, the scrape against the floor was stark, but Bryan remained unperturbed, pouring a drink for Harlan.

“‘Shall we continue, Mr. Clarkson?” he said.

Putting away his phone, Harlan offered Eileen an amiable grin before resuming his conversation with Bryan.

Despite the age gap between them, Harlan and Bryan conversed with the ease of peers, their rapport brotherly and their exchange smooth.

Vivian’s voice was barely audible. “‘Shame on you!” she said as she settled back into her place.

The words reached only Eileen, who cast a brief glance towards Vivian but quickly refocused, realizing Harlan’s son had accepted her friend request.

Eileen’s mind blanked on his name, labeling him simply as “Clarkson” in her phone.

She introduced herself, but the boy didn’t reply. Eileen waited, but as the meal concluded, her message remained unanswered, casting doubt on the efficacy of Harlan’s hopes.

During the golf game, Harlan kept checking in with Eileen about the situation, but Eileen could only shake her head.

The day was unkind to Harlan. Bryan bested him repeatedly in golf. At day’s end, Harlan’s spirits had clearly sunk.

Afterward, Harlan bid farewell to them, and they all settled into their own cars.

Explore more on g Ɐ lnσ ν𝒆 ℓs․com Belt secured, Eileen glanced back at Bryan. “Mr. Dawson, would you prefer returning to the office or should I drop you off at home?”

“No need to return to the office.” Bryan reclined in his seat, seeking solace in a moment of quiet. “But take her home first,” he said.

Eileen understood he meant Vivian.

“‘Go to Waterfront Villas. I’ve moved out of my family’s house,” Vivian instructed without a hint of emotion.

“Okay,” Eileen replied. The navigation system guided them to Vivian’s destination. Eileen watched as Vivian exited the vehicle at Waterfront Villas. Then, she started the car again.

While driving, Eileen recalled the recent news about Vivian. “It seems Miss Warren’s troubles might be linked to Jonathan. At the hospital last night, I crossed paths with him in her ward,” she said.

Bryan remained silent, seemingly asleep, his calm face reflected in the mirror.

With no instruction from Bryan, Eileen took the initiative and headed straight for Springvale Lane.

Her intuition about the destination seemed to align with Bryan’s unspoken thoughts, and it appeared to please him. Arriving home, they slipped off their shoes in unison and stepped inside together.

A brief, awkward air settled between them. As Eileen rolled up her sleeves, she asked, “What are you in the mood for dinner?”

Bryan, draping his coat over the sofa, was loosening his cuffs to unwind when a knock interrupted the quiet.

Eileen moved, declaring, “I’ll get it.”

Bailee was on the doorstep, her arms full of food containers. Flashing a quick smile at Eileen, she bustled inside.

“I’ve made your favorite,” she began.

Huey followed, offering a grateful nod to Eileen. “Eileen, thanks to you, I can always enjoy delicious food as long as I drive her.”

He also walked into the house. Then, he nudged Bailee, who was standing still, and urged, “Move! Are you just standing there?”

Both of them suddenly froze as if they saw a ghost. Eileen quickly shut the door, the click echoing slightly as she entered.

Huey and Bailee were standing at the entrance of the dining room, looking at Bryan with shock. Bryan was in front of the open fridge, his hand still resting on its door.

With a light cough to clear the silence, Eileen retrieved Bryan’s coat from the sofa. “Bryan, thank you for dropping by. Since we’ve finished our talk, you can leave now,” she said.

The fridge’s light played across Bryan’s features, doing little to mask the stormy look that settled there. His gaze sharpened, meeting Eileen’s.

Offering a strained smile, Eileen extended his coat towards him, bridging the distance between them.

Bailee and Huey, cognizant of the tangled web surrounding Eileen, found the situation too complex for understanding.

Bryan accepted his coat, the scent of his recent indulgences briefly overwhelming Eileen as he walked past her.

“Where’s your food, Eileen?” he called, eyeing Bryan yet addressing Eileen. “I’m ready, and since Mr. Dawson’s here, let’s all eat together.”

Eileen was momentarily lost for words.

Huey didn’t really want Bryan to stay for dinner; he just wanted to use this chance to mock Bryan a bit. With a mischievous glint, he said, “Of course, someone like Mr. Dawson has refined tastes.”

Bryan caught the jest mid-sentence. He quickly interjected, “I’m far from picky. Your invitation is too generous to pass up. I’ll stay and join you.”

Huey’s expression was one of bemused shock.

Bailee and Eileen exchanged frustrated looks. Bryan’s presence promised a rather strained dinner.

Huey was at a loss, baffled that Bryan would actually join them for dinner. Was Bryan really unfazed by the awkwardness?

Amidst their silent communication, Bryan settled at the table, arranging his coat over the adjacent chair. “What’s the holdup? Don’t keep me waiting, or I might just stay the night,” he teased.

Eileen’s mouth twitched involuntarily. She paused by the chair next to Bryan, unsure.

Noticing her reluctance, Huey quickly claimed the seat beside Bryan.

Eileen sat down with Bailee, and Bailee arranged the dishes she had prepared.

While gathering cutlery for the group, Eileen extended a set toward Bryan. It was then that Huey said, “Mr. Dawson, care for a drink?”

“‘No alcohol,” Bailee interjected, her voice a mix of concern and reprimand. “You should remember your limits, Huey.”

Huey was not convinced. The scent of alcohol on Bryan led him to suspect that Bryan had already drunk.

Huey fancied his chances to outdrink a slightly inebriated Bryan, potentially showing Bryan the door thereafter, trying to teach Bryan a lesson.

“‘We’ll share a quick drink. Don’t worry,” Huey said.

Turning to Bryan, he inquired, “Your thoughts, Mr. Dawson?”

Bryan offered a slight, knowing smile to Eileen. Then, he replied to Huey, “I’m up for a drink if you are,” he said.

Eileen let out a weary sigh. But then, unexpectedly, Bryan rose, selected a bottle of red wine from the cabinet, and began to rinse wine glasses in the kitchen before setting them down on the table.

Bailee and Huey exchanged looks of astonishment.

Bryan caught their astonished looks and nonchalantly said, “No need to be shocked. It’s a small place. Easy to guess where things are kept.”

Under the table, Eileen kicked Bryan’s foot as a warning. “Time to eat before the food gets cold,” she said, wearing a smile.

After serving wine to Huey and Bryan, she got juice for herself and Bailee.

Huey, fixated on outdrinking Bryan, barely touched his food, frequently clinking glasses with him. But it wasn’t long before Huey was the one swaying.

He grabbed Bailee’s juice and gulped it down, then topped up her glass with wine.

“Bailee, join me and drink with Mr. Dawson,” he said.

Eileen frowned, not keen on Bailee drinking. It was clear to her that Huey’s plan to inebriate Bryan was backfiring.

The dining room light highlighted Bryan’s face, his expression unreadable yet composed.

He narrowed his eyes as he caught Eileen’s gaze.

Eileen understood that Bryan let Huey get drunk on purpose.

Yet, Eileen couldn’t fault him—it was Huey who had initiated the challenge.

Coaxed by Huey, Bailee cautiously sipped her wine, mindful of her modest alcohol tolerance.

Even so, a half glass proved ample.

Huey realized his plan to outdrink Bryan had come to nothing. Not willing to give up, he urged Eileen to join, only to be declined.

Eileen harbored no desire to witness a scenario where they all succumbed to alcohol.

In due course, Huey’s evening ended sprawled across the tabletop. Bailee, too, succumbed to slumber on the couch.

Eileen, her appetite waning amidst the unfolding drama, watched Bryan enjoy the meal with ease.

In a hushed tone borne of concern, Eileen said, “You should’ve steered clear of their antics. They are still young.”

A shadow crossed Bryan’s face as he looked at Huey, clad casually in denim and athletic wear, his fashionably chosen black hat now just another casualty of the night’s excesses.

Meanwhile, Bryan maintained his professional look, the rolled cuffs lending the only casual note to his attire, which added years to his appearance.

“You’re not so young yourself,” he said, an edge of irritation in his voice. Rising from the table, he paused to look at Bailee and Huey.

Eileen said, “They can stay here. Bailee in my bed, and Huey on the couch.”

She then handed the car keys to Bryan.

Bryan held the keys, lost in thought. Then, he went and hoisted Huey up with ease.

“You can leave him to me,” he declared to Eileen’s astonished gaze.

He managed to escort Huey out effortlessly.

Eileen tidied up. Post-shower, she gently roused Bailee and guided her upstairs for the night.

As Eileen settled into bed, she finally had the chance to look at her phone.

A notification from Benjamin awaited her, unnoticed until now.

His words were succinct: “I’ve helped you as much as I could. The favor is repaid.”

The words left Eileen momentarily frozen, her thoughts inevitably drifting to Jonathan’s ordeal.

With the Warren Group’s recent alliance with the Lothach Group, Benjamin, in his role as Kian’s assistant, would have access to privileged information or secrets about Jonathan’s company.

Could Benjamin have been the one who helped her with her problem with Jonathan? But she knew there were still risks of Jonathan retaliating.

After some contemplation, Eileen just responded, “Thank you.”

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