Chapter 80: Chapter 80

Chapter 80:

Eileen stood rooted to the spot, Bryan’s words leaving her speechless.

When she glanced down, his face was so near that his nose was nearly touching her chin.

Her own reflection danced in the depths of his eyes, a blush creeping across her cheeks. With a gulp, she steadied herself.

Bryan coaxed her chin downward with a gentle touch, his breath warm on her skin. Their lips brushed in a tender prelude.

“Is it over or not?” he asked again, the words thick with anticipation.

Eileen said, her voice barely above a whisper, “It’s… not over yet.”

Without warning, Bryan’s lips claimed hers in a fervent kiss. He wrapped his arms around her, inviting her onto his lap.

Her hands found sanctuary on his shoulders, her pulse racing.

His touch was a soft flame through the fabric of her shirt, sending shivers down her spine.

Lost in the moment, Eileen was startled into clarity by the sight of charred paper in a nearby bin.

“We’re still at work,” she said, pulling back from his advance and resting against his shoulder.

Bryan reclined, his head finding support. As Eileen faced him again, his throat moved rhythmically, catching her attention.

Eileen’s fingers traced a path to his throat, the playful gesture ensnaring him in a web of desire.

Mᴏʀᴇ ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇs ɪɴ ɢᴀʟɴᴏᴠᴇʟs.ᴄᴏᴍ Bryan’s restraint wavered under her caress, the touch at his throat nearly making him unable to control himself.

But Eileen was just doing it thinking that his Adam’s apple was attractive. As Bryan’s breath hitched, she withdrew her hand, halting the dance of their close encounter.

Rising, she adjusted her attire and said, “The injury has been tended to. Shall I go back to work now?”

Bryan’s response was a nod, giving away nothing of his flustered state.

Eileen took the first aid kit and left the office.

Upon leaving, she found Vivian perched at her station, an earlier absence filled.

Vivian’s brow furrowed in suspicion at Eileen’s appearance from Bryan’s office.

“Why were you in his office just now? It’s lunchtime, isn’t it?” Vivian asked.

With an arched brow, Eileen gestured to the first aid kit in her grasp. “Mr. Dawson’s wound needed attention. His grandmother hit him with her bracelet.”

Vivian’s expression shifted from accusation to concern. “And you let Stella do that to him? Why didn’t you stop her?”

Vivian’s words carried a tinge of blame, making it seem like she believed Bryan had been hit because of Eileen.

“There’s no need for me to spell out the reasons for Mr. Dawson’s predicament. Such things are not within my power to prevent. If you think you’re capable of stopping such things, then maybe you should’ve stepped in, Miss Warren,” Eileen countered, her words not meant to sting, only to speak the plain truth.

Vivian’s frown deepened into a crease of disapproval. “Do you pause to consider your prospects before speaking to me in such a way? Bryan and I will tie the knot eventually, and there—”

Before Vivian could finish her words, Eileen interjected, “Your warnings are a record stuck on repeat. I’ve heard it all, from you and your brother both. Let’s drop the act until the wedding, shall we?”

The color drained from Vivian’s face, her eyes throwing daggers.

Eileen simply moved past her and left.

What did it matter to her if Vivian and Bryan got married?

It wouldn’t change her circumstances.

Besides, Bryan’s absence of affection was already a bitter pill for her. She didn’t need the added sourness of Vivian’s barbs.

Vivian, seething at her desk, mumbled to herself, “How dare she speak to me in that way? Is it because she’s pregnant, or is it because Stella dislikes me?” Her voice was but a whisper in the office. “Changing Stella’s opinion about me can wait. There are more pressing matters to attend to, like dealing with Eileen’s pregnancy.”

Vivian reached for her phone, diving into a conversation with Judie. Their last exchange was still fresh, with Vivian talking about how Eileen had become out of favor.

Vivian tapped out a message, seeking confirmation. “Judie, you’ve said before that Eileen’s stepmother is fighting cancer and that the costs are steep. Is it true?”

The reply from Judie was swift. “Eileen’s been pouring her funds into her stepmother’s care, leaving little for me and Roderick.”

Vivian prodded further, “What is her stepmother’s name? And what is the name of the hospital where her stepmother’s being treated?”

Kian might have known about this information, but he had cautioned Vivian against hasty moves concerning Eileen, so she couldn’t ask him.

Judie, however, was a dead end. She had no information about Eileen’s stepmother.

With a bit of thought, Vivian decided to reach out to Benjamin, hoping for a subtler approach regarding Eileen’s mother’s condition.

Benjamin, being cautious, provided only vague details about Ruby’s illness, keeping her name and the hospital she was in under wraps.

Upon ending the call, Benjamin’s mind raced with the possibility of Vivian stirring up strife. He pondered deeply before taking a discreet step.

Deciding on a course of action, he sent an anonymous text to Eileen.

“Vivian is digging for details about your stepmother’s hospital.”

Meanwhile, Eileen was bathed in the soft glow of the afternoon sun, which made her feel a bit sleepy.

But then, her eyes widened as the text jolted her to alertness.

She wasted no time and dialed Emilio’s number.

“Dr. White, it’s crucial that my mother’s information remains under wraps. Please instruct the nurses to keep her identity away from prying eyes,” she said to Emilio.

Emilio paused, the request setting off alarm bells. “That would be hard. Your mother is well-known around here by now. Can you tell me what’s going on?”

“It’s complicated. More than anything, I want her to have peace in the hospital,” Eileen replied.

Emilio was empathetic but realistic. “Given the length of her stay, hiding her ward would be tricky. Perhaps transferring her to a VIP ward would work. There, privacy is the gold standard.”

In that case, if someone went there and inquired about Ruby, they would be informed that Ruby had been discharged.

Yet the cost of a VIP ward was steep, and Eileen’s resolve wavered in the face of the expense.

At that moment, a realization dawned on Emilio. He said, “Concerned about expenses? I forgot to mention the cost of your mother’s treatment has reverted to the trial phase rates.”

Eileen couldn’t mask her astonishment.

It seemed unlikely for Kian to show such leniency. Someone must have been behind this. Eileen said, “Dr. White, could you possibly investigate who’s helping us with that? Also, help me arrange for my mother’s transfer to a VIP ward.”

“I’ll see what I can uncover about your silent supporter. As for the transfer, I’ll need your signature to start the process. You’ll have to come here,” Emilio replied.

“Understood, I’m on my way,” Eileen responded before ending the call.

She rose with purpose, heading for Bryan’s office and brushing past Vivian’s icy stare without a second glance.

Facing Bryan across his desk, she kept her voice steady. “I need to leave for a few hours—family emergency at the hospital.”

Bryan paused, considering, before nodding. “Go ahead. And remember, if you need assistance, I’m here.”

The offer hung in the air.

Eileen fell silent. She didn’t understand why Bryan would offer to help her.

She eventually smiled and replied, “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you.”

After getting Bryan’s permission, Eileen departed the office and went to the hospital, making a call to Bailee en route to enlist her help.

The process of moving Ruby to a VIP ward was straightforward, yet the secrecy around the move added layers of complexity. Eileen had to get Ruby discharged first and then get her admitted to a VIP ward. Alone, Eileen couldn’t juggle the logistics of the transfer and the packing of Ruby’s belongings.

Thankfully, Bailee was on board, leaving her own tasks to lend a hand. To Eileen’s surprise, Huey had come with Bailee.

Ruby was taken aback when she saw all three of them come to visit her. “What happened? Is everything alright?” she asked.

Eileen, focused on the goal of securing a better space for Ruby, brushed off the underlying worry. “No need to worry, I’m just arranging a room for you. We need a space that’s more suitable.”

With a nod to Bailee, the packing commenced. Eileen added, “We need to make this quick. If questions arise, the answer is simple—she’s already discharged.”

After issuing the caution twice, Eileen sought out Emilio to finalize the necessary paperwork.

Huey stayed to help with the packing, shuttling boxes to his vehicle. The destination was the separate VIP building, where privacy and comfort awaited.

Alone with Bailee, Ruby’s confusion was palpable.

“What’s going on, Bailee? Why the sudden move to a VIP ward? Has Eileen run into trouble?”

Bailee’s response was laced with uncertainty. “I’m in the dark as much as you are. Eileen called me out of the blue, just telling me to help you pack.”

Ruby’s face creased with concern. “It’s odd, isn’t it? Something’s not right. Whom has Eileen offended? You’re in the know about that, aren’t you? Don’t keep me in the dark. Eileen shouldn’t have to shoulder everything.”

The recent rollback in medicine costs, followed by this abrupt ward change, signaled to Ruby that Eileen was facing a crisis.

Bailee paused her packing. She suspected the Warrens were stirring the pot once more but hesitated to burden Ruby with her theories.

Ruby, perceptive, pressed for answers. “Bailee, I need you to spill the beans, or I’ll get angry now!”

Bailee, feeling cornered, cobbled together an explanation. “There’s a bit of a mix-up involving Eileen’s boss. Seems his girlfriend misunderstood Eileen’s relationship with her boss. But Eileen’s capable. She’ll handle it.”

In her account, Bailee steered clear of the deeper, more turbulent currents of Eileen’s life, particularly Eileen’s complicated ties with Bryan.

She feared sharing the full scope of Eileen’s predicaments might push Ruby to despair.

Little did she know, her carefully picked words were already planting seeds of worry in Ruby’s mind.

Ruby was left pondering the breadth of Eileen’s burdens. How could Eileen’s position cover the exorbitant medical costs? And what could possibly lead Eileen’s boss’s girlfriend to doubt the nature of Eileen’s relationship with her boss?

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