Chapter 83: Chapter 83

Chapter 83:

Hearing that, Vivian halted and lifted her gaze towards Eileen.

At the sound of the comment, Eileen turned, her gaze meeting Vivian’s.

“She’s merely an assistant. Her rank hardly measures up to Bryan’s,” Vivian remarked, easing her frown into a smile as she faced Stella.

A flicker of discontent crossed Stella’s kind features, but she kept her attention on Eileen and Bryan, undeterred.

“Why worry about rank? If someone aids Bryan through his struggles, they’re commendable,” Stella said, her tone even.

Eileen approached Bryan, the urge to smile tugging at her, yet her gaze collided with the depth of Bryan’s dark eyes.

She quickly composed herself and said, “Mr. Dawson, it’s time we got going.”

Bryan nodded. “Start the documents and take them with you.” As Bryan adjusted his sleeves, Eileen bent to her task, sensing the continued conversation between Vivian and Stella, likely laden with flattery.

“Indeed. Bryan’s schedule is packed. It’s a wonder Eileen manages to assist him. Though, shouldn’t you be guiding him as well? He’s always swamped with work. When do you plan on becoming a great-grandmother? It’s about time some plans were made,” Vivian said to Stella.

Vivian hinted that she wanted Bryan to divorce his wife and marry her soon. That way, they could have a baby with Bryan to fulfill Stella’s wish.

Stella, however, didn’t agree with Vivian. “Such decisions can’t be hurried. Bryan will have a family with his wife on their own terms. They’re married, after all. Why fuss about children this soon? I’ll wait for when he’s ready, and the legacy deserves no less respect.”

Stella had a hunch Vivian was fishing for her stance. Enough was enough; Vivian’s insinuations had to stop.

Gal n o v el s . com is your destination for fiction But even after Stella finished her words, Vivian’s grin lingered, her head nodding as she clasped Stella’s arm.

“You’re right. I thought so too.”

Eileen’s packing slowed momentarily. Could Vivian’s sly comments be jabs at her?

She dismissed the thought, scoffing at the ridiculousness of the gossip.

With the documents in order, Eileen gave Bryan a confirming look. “Mr. Dawson, everything’s set.”

“Then let’s go,” Bryan replied. He rose, collected his coat, and sauntered past his desk.

Approaching Stella, his voice dropped to a tender whisper. “Grandma, I’ll return shortly. Should you need rest, the lounge awaits.”

Stella responded with a casual flick of her wrist, her eyes steady on her task. “Go.”

Eileen and Bryan exited the office.

Secluded in the elevator’s embrace, Eileen inhaled deeply.

As the doors converged, the space seemed to shrink. She tilted her head upward, finding herself caught in an unexpected embrace.

Bryan’s hand found a resting place between her shoulder blades and the cool surface of the lift. His lips landed on her cheeks and her ears, his eyes filled with desire.

In that confined space, Bryan found himself yearning for closeness, their foreheads meeting as his breath came in short bursts.

“Eileen, I,” he called out.

Eileen’s lips formed a tight line, a warm flush spreading to her ears as she whispered a reply.

Yet, Bryan craved more than whispers. His hand drew her closer by the waist. “Look at me,” he said gently.

The elevator made its swift descent to the deserted underground lot, its doors opening to a gust that scattered the tension.

Eileen’s gaze met his, eyes wide and shimmering, leaving Bryan utterly enchanted.

There was something about Eileen, a pull Bryan couldn’t quite pinpoint—unseen but deeply felt.

Earlier, as she had sorted through paperwork, the sun had graced her features, casting a warm glow over her fair complexion.

He couldn’t help but feel disarmed, impatient to escape the confines of the office.

With gentle strength, he lifted her, carrying her close as he walked towards the car.

Eileen cooperated, the car door clicking open under her touch.

As she nestled into the seat, Bryan leaned in, his hands threading through her hair with urgency as he planted fervent kisses.

A soft protest escaped her as she pressed against him, tilting her head aside. “Someone’s coming,” she said.

As the echo of footsteps approached, Bryan got into the car, pulling the door shut with a decisive thud as he brought her close onto his lap.

They spotted a security guard, flashlight in hand, inspecting the shadows and mumbling to himself.

Eileen nestled her head against Bryan’s shoulder, murmuring, “I’m going to be late.”

Bryan leaned back, revealing the contour of his neck to Eileen, his gaze reflecting a storm of emotions tempered by control.

Eileen’s emotions steadied, synchronized with the rhythm of his heart.

In a fleeting gesture, she kissed his Adam’s apple, then gracefully moved to the driver’s seat.

Bryan had a resigned smile, still suppressing the restlessness she had provoked.

The cooperation that Bryan personally handled was mostly a formality to show respect to the other company’s boss.

Eileen watched Bryan, every deliberate gesture infused with a quiet strength that never failed to draw her in.

The intensity that charged the air around him had settled. With the meeting finished, they went back.

Bryan told Eileen his plans in the car. “Tonight, you’ll join me in escorting my grandmother to the Dawson Mansion, and afterwards, we’ll go to your place.”

Eileen’s response came with a softness touched by joy, a subtle smile gracing her expression. “Okay.”

Bryan’s gaze turned cold as he saw the smile touching Eileen’s lips. He wondered if she had ever felt happy because of him.

Their arrival at the company was punctuated by the abrupt ring of Eileen’s phone—Karla was calling.

With a tap, the speakerphone came alive, Karla’s voice tinged with urgency. “Eileen, the document you gave me this morning—it’s been leaked!”

The word escaped her lips, her pulse quickening. The leaked document was critical, slated for discussion tomorrow morning.

Most importantly, someone inside the company had leaked the information.

“I’m on my way,” Eileen said. Call ended, she parked the car and told Bryan, “Mr. Dawson, we’re facing a grave issue. It might require your attention.”

They exited the car, Bryan’s movements precise as he prepared to face the crisis.

Together, they ascended to the executive floor. There, in the sanctum of Bryan’s office, stood Karla, her posture subdued under Stella’s watchful eye.

As the door creaked, Karla spun around, her gaze pleading when she looked at Eileen.

Inside the office, Vivian said, “Dawson, despite my short tenure, I know the employees well. Karla’s been with Apex Group for years. She won’t betray the company.”

Vivian paid little heed to Eileen’s arrival, her attention momentarily diverted by Bryan’s entrance before resuming her insinuations. “Karla, tell us—who else had access to that document?”

“The planning case was handled by the team below. Then, Eileen and I reviewed it together. The leaked version reflects our revisions. No one else has seen it,” Karla quickly replied.

Vivian’s reaction was loaded with implications as she turned to Eileen. “So, the leak comes down to you or Eileen.”

Eileen furrowed her brows, meeting Vivian’s eager gaze.

She didn’t know if Vivian was behind this, but she understood that Vivian wouldn’t miss the chance to undermine her.

After all, Vivian considered her a bigger threat than Bryan’s wife.

Glancing at Bryan by the window, cigarette in hand, Eileen noticed his calm demeanor. The breeze drifted through the room, carrying with it the faint scent of smoke.

Eileen stood by Karla’s side, drawing a deep breath. “Karla and I finalized the file. We should take some blame for the leak, and I’m prepared to face the consequences. But our priority now is uncovering the mole who betrayed us.”

“Agreed,” Stella replied promptly. “Then get to the bottom of it.”

Vivian quickly said, “Mrs. Dawson, the one who leaked the information might be her. We can’t let her investigate this—”

“You’re just a secretary. Keep quiet until Bryan has his say,” Stella interjected.

Vivian was momentarily at a loss for words.

All turned to Bryan as he extinguished his cigarette, his features veiled by wisps of smoke.

With a nod, he uttered two words that cut through the tension, “Go ahead.”

Karla released a relieved breath, meeting Eileen’s gaze.

“Eileen, could someone have accessed your office?” she asked.

Eileen responded without raising her eyes. “There are cameras in my office. Go and retrieve the planning case and the kraft paper bag with the seal. Also, bring Jenna in.”

Karla nodded, darting out and returning within minutes, accompanied by Jenna and the opened kraft paper bag.

Handing over the items to Eileen, Jenna explained, “I opened it for the final check, only to discover our competitor had already posted the planning case on their website.”

Their competitor hadn’t intended to steal it. They had simply made it public, rendering it useless for Bryan’s company.

Eileen studied the documents and the bag thoughtfully before turning to Jenna. “Do you have anything to add?”

“Yes,” Jenna replied promptly. “Since I handed the file to Karla, I’ve been by her side the entire time. I can vouch that the leak didn’t originate from her.”

Vivian said with a smile, “Doesn’t that mean Eileen leaked the information? Mrs. Dawson, you might not know Eileen’s full story. Her family is struggling with a sick mother, desperate for money. It’s possible she saw this as a way to help. Though it’s a sad situation, her actions are still reprehensible!”

.

.

.