Chapter 84: Chapter 84

Chapter 84:

Upon hearing that, Eileen felt guilty. She couldn’t bring herself to look at Stella.

She feared that the mention of her sick mother would make Stella think of Bryan’s wife.

Vivian noticed Eileen’s expression. “Eileen, you’ve been with us long enough. Bryan has been fair to you, hasn’t he? We get where you’re coming from, but betraying the company? That’s a real disappointment.”

Jenna chimed in with a nod. “When Eileen became Mr. Dawson’s assistant, I thought it was too sudden. She isn’t fit for the position.”

Karla tightened her grip on Eileen’s wrist, whispering, “Eileen, come on. You need to speak up here.”

Her trust in Eileen was solid, unwavering.

With a newfound warmth blooming inside, Eileen couldn’t help but let a smile escape. She gestured to the document on the table. “I instructed Jenna to give this to Karla, so Jenna also had access to the document.”

“But you had sealed it before you gave it to me!” Jenna’s retort was swift. “You could just ask Karla. When Karla got hold of the paper bag, wasn’t the seal untouched?”

All eyes turned to Karla, waiting.

Karla paused, then gave a slow nod. “Right, the paper bag was unopened at that time.”

“Eileen, don’t think about pinning this on me,” Jenna said, her confidence unshaken.

Vivian was clearly pleased by the suspicion cast on Eileen. She rose to her and turned to Bryan. “Bryan, look.”

More chapters available at gαℓησνℯℓs․com A stern gaze from Stella stopped her mid-sentence, and she bowed her head to catch Stella’s frown.

Stella’s voice cut through, sharp as ever. “Are we going to go over this again? Why are you overstepping so much as only a secretary?”

Vivian’s cheeks lost color as she sank back into her chair.

Ignoring her, Eileen spoke up. “Mr. Dawson, I have evidence that the planning case has been tampered with.” She pulled out her phone with deliberate calm.

She flipped through her phone, stopped on a few photos, and handed her phone to Bryan. “I always snap a picture of the seal and the bag’s code. But the paper bag now is not the one I sealed before.”

Jenna must have opened the bag before and put the document into another bag with a new seal.

Jenna’s face lost all color.

Karla, relieved, turned to Jenna. “What did you do?”

“I’m innocent!” Jenna’s denial was fierce. “Mr. Dawson, Eileen’s spinning stories. She probably took a picture of a random sealed paper bag to pin the blame on me!”

Eileen stood firm before Bryan. “A quick look into the trash bins at the secretary’s desk should clear things up. That kraft paper bag Jenna had opened was likely still around, not yet disposed of. Or maybe Jenna hadn’t even thought to get rid of the evidence.”

Vivian frowned. Had Eileen turned the tables? Yet, she held her tongue, remembering Stella’s remark.

Bryan looked at Eileen, his gaze narrowing as he handed back her phone. Their fingers brushed briefly, and she drew back her hand at once.

“Sort this out. Follow the rules,” Bryan said.

The air was thick with the unspoken consequences of a broken confidentiality agreement. If word got out, Jenna’s career as a secretary would be completely ruined.

“Please, Mr. Dawson, I’m begging you; give me another chance!” Jenna’s plea was desperate as she rushed to Bryan’s side, nearly knocking into Eileen.

Eileen was caught off balance and almost stumbled, but Bryan’s hand was there to steady her.

Once stable, she quickly composed herself and said, “Thank you, Mr. Dawson.”

Then, Jenna’s confession spilled out in a rush. “Mr. Dawson, jealousy got the better of me. Eileen swooped into the Apex Group and snagged the assistant role so fast. Had it not been for her, that could’ve been me! I messed up. Could you maybe give me another shot?”

Her plea hung in the air, met by Bryan’s cold response.

“Even without her, you wouldn’t get the position.”

Jenna’s lips parted, but no words came out.

“Wrap up her matters by the end of today,” Bryan instructed, sinking into his chair, clearly signaling the end of the discussion.

Karla pulled Jenna out of the office, and Eileen followed them out.

Eileen took action without delay, drafting a dismissal for Jenna and notifying HR. Then, she posted a carefully worded statement about the incident on the company’s website.

The clock struck seven, a full hour beyond quitting time, when Eileen finished up.

She had barely stepped back into her office when Bryan’s voice crackled through the intercom. “Get the car ready. We need to send my grandmother back to Dawson Mansion.”

Moving swiftly, Eileen collected her things and descended to the parking garage. She drove the car to the company’s entrance, unexpectedly seeing Vivian there.

Bryan stood nearby, observing as Vivian chatted with Stella with a smile.

Eileen, after parking, opened the car door. Vivian helped Stella get into the car and got inside herself.

Vivian’s voice carried a note of nostalgia. “Mrs. Dawson, it’s been ages since I had the Dawson signature dish. Is the chef still the same after all these years?”

Her glance slid towards Eileen, a silent brag in her eyes.

The setup suggested a cozy evening ahead at the mansion, presumably with Bryan joining.

Eileen turned to look at Bryan. “Mr. Dawson, are you getting in?”

Bryan flicked away the remains of his cigarette and put it out.

Circling to the passenger side, he slipped into the car as Eileen closed the door. Then, Eileen got into the car to drive.

The descending sun set the sky ablaze, its light dancing across Eileen’s face. But the beauty was short-lived as dark clouds gathered, promising a storm. Nightfall came quickly after the clouds rolled in.

Light drizzle started, prompting Eileen to turn on the headlights.

In the window, Eileen saw Bryan’s face mirrored briefly before the rain veiled it.

The windshield wipers kept a steady rhythm, the rain dictating a slower pace. What was usually a forty-minute drive turned into an odyssey lasting over an hour.

The car glided into the Dawson Mansion’s garage. Jarred, the butler, was quick to help, his smile a welcome as he opened the door. Vivian got out first.

With a collective effort, Jarred and Vivian assisted Stella out of the car. Stella extended an invitation. “Seems I’ll be doing more than dining tonight. This rain isn’t letting up anytime soon. You’ll probably need to stay here.”

Jarred said, “It’s a downpour out there. These roads get tricky with the rain, and landslides are a real threat.”

Vivian’s delight was palpable. “Then I’ll have to stay here tonight. I hope that’s okay with you, Mrs. Dawson.”

“Don’t worry about it. Let’s get inside,” Stella replied as she moved through the garage door into the villa.

Eileen lingered by the door, watching the rain cascade down, a small frown creasing her forehead.

“I should head back now, Mr. Dawson.” Her voice was soft and unassuming as she made to leave.

Unlike Vivian, Eileen didn’t see the Dawson Mansion as a place for her to stay.

Bryan’s voice halted her. “No need to rush off. Join us for dinner.”

Stella and Vivian, who was already at the door, paused, casting a look back at the duo still in the garage.

With a frown, Stella said, “Bryan, you sometimes forget your…”

Hearing that, Eileen’s spirits dipped, her lips tightening.

Vivian’s eyes sparkled with a touch of triumph, her gaze on Eileen filled with condescension, as if silently decreeing Eileen unworthy of crossing the Dawson threshold.

Stella’s voice was sharp, “Didn’t Jarred warn us? It’s pouring out there. Why would you have Eileen risk the landslides?”

She shook her head, her disapproval clear. “Vivian is my guest, and it’s my call to make for her to stay. Bryan, you figure out what to do with Eileen.”

With that, she pulled the bewildered Vivian inside, muttering, “Isn’t he impolite? How unlucky of Eileen to be by his side!”

Eileen remained silent, unable to contain her smile.

Bryan’s voice broke through her reverie. “Do you think you’re unlucky?”

Eileen shook her head, dismissing the notion instantly.

Being here with Bryan wasn’t a misfortune at all.

Bryan’s face was somber. “Head out once we’ve eaten, assuming the rain lets up.”

After all, it was not convenient for them to sleep together here.

With a voice soft and faint, Eileen agreed, following Bryan into the mansion.

She had been here many times before but had only been to the living room.

Crystal chandeliers cascaded down from the villa’s high ceilings, their light bathing the space in brilliance.

Around her, each seemingly nonchalant piece was an artifact of value, and the rugs beneath her feet muffled her steps, their plushness a silent luxury.

Bryan seemed oblivious to the grandeur, a stark contrast to Eileen, who moved with cautious reverence in the opulent setting.

She matched his steps as they navigated through the villa.

As the clock struck eight-thirty, Stella ushered them into the dining room, Eileen’s discomfort masking her face with a mask of composure.

Bryan claimed a spot next to Stella. Vivian settled on Stella’s other side, which left Eileen briefly adrift in the choreography of seating.

Vivian motioned to the chair next to her. “Eileen, you can sit here.”

“Thank you, Miss Warren.” Eileen’s response was polite, her movements sure as she moved to sit beside Vivian.

She remained silent, resting her hands on her lap while her gaze lingered on the plate before her.

As the servants presented a parade of dishes vibrant with color and rich with scent, the table transformed into a display akin to that of a gourmet establishment.

Vivian’s preferred dish found its way to her with a subtle gesture of favor.

With the table set, Stella initiated the meal, saying, “Let’s eat; no need to hold back. In this house, we’re all family!”

“Yes,” Eileen agreed with a quick nod.

Vivian offered serving to Eileen. “Take your time, Eileen. Is this your first time at the Dawson dining table? The chef’s talents are a highlight here. Be sure to indulge. After tonight, these flavors might just be a memory for you.”

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