Chapter 89: Chapter 89

Chapter 89:

Judie bit her lip, the struggle in her gaze evident.

To Vivian, Judie was not useful anymore.

It seemed her only pleasure was to flaunt in front of Judie. After chatting for a while, Vivian asked the others to leave. This gave Judie a chance to speak with Vivian.

“Ms. Warren, what joyous news! It’s all over town—Mr. Dawson’s grandmother has forgiven you. Seems your wedding with Mr. Dawson is on the horizon!” Judie said.

Vivian beamed. “Bryan’s grandmother has forgiven me long ago. She just stalled because of the Dawson family’s reputation. After all, I had left Bryan before. But now, it’s all good.”

“That’s good to hear,” Judie responded with haste. “But what are you going to do with Eileen?”

Hearing Eileen’s name, Vivian’s grin held a triumph. “She’s nothing but Bryan’s toy. She certainly can’t remain by Bryan’s side, not on my watch! I don’t think I’ll even let her stay in Onaland.”

A thrill raced through Judie. “Incredible! Just two days ago, Eileen told me to resign by the end of this month. She’s got to be riled up, seeing how close I am to you.”

Judie just wanted to make Vivian angrier at Eileen.

Her crafty words hit their mark.

Vivian questioned, “What will happen if you stay? Can she actually do anything?”

“Ms. Warren, everyone’s bound to slip up at work, big or small. She could simply use that as a reason to fire you. It’s difficult to predict,” Judie replied.

Keep reading at gαlηovels․c〇m While Eileen had the power to fire someone in the company, Vivian, a secretary, wasn’t granted the authority to countermand such decisions.

Thus, securing Judie’s position within the firm was anything but easy for Vivian.

Vivian thought about seeking Bryan’s assistance, yet she doubted his willingness to help her.

The idea of pleading directly with Bryan had never crossed Judie’s mind. She just focused on winning Vivian’s favor, a strategy to fortify her own standing.

“Ms. Warren, did the thought ever cross your mind that Eileen might stir trouble at Mr. Dawson’s grandmother’s birthday bash, ruining your plans?” Judie asked.

The mere suggestion caused Vivian to stiffen. The precarious secret of the pregnancy, if unveiled by Eileen, threatened to shatter her carefully laid plans.

“She has to be out of Onaland before the birthday celebration,” Vivian said with a firm resolve.

Judie nodded in earnest agreement. “Absolutely! If her ties with Mr. Dawson come to light, she’ll have no choice but to leave the company and Onaland, too. Mr. Dawson will certainly cast her aside to preserve his own image.”

Judie’s words were convincing, and Vivian agreed with her.

Yet, Vivian was no fool, and the realization that Judie was manipulating her lingered at the back of her mind.

Grasping Judie’s hand, Vivian said, “You need to handle this. It’s not my place to step in. Should Bryan get wind of any meddling, it would only strain my relationship with him. As long as my relationship with him doesn’t change, I’ll have the power to protect you.”

Judie was caught off-guard, speechless.

Vivian continued, “Look, once Eileen is out of the picture, I’ll have a firm grip on things here. Keeping you inside the company? That’s the easy part. Promotions, raises—they’ll care about your husband’s job situation; we can fix that, too. Before you know it, you’ll both be enjoying your life in Onaland.”

Vivian’s words painted a future as bright as the midday sun, striking a chord with Judie’s deepest yearnings.

How could Judie refuse such an offer?

She agreed and quickly departed, but once the adrenaline faded, she realized that the situation was tricky.

If she failed and Eileen’s wrath was roused, she would be cornered without an exit.

Weighing her options, she reached for her phone and dialed Roderick.

“Roderick, there’s trouble brewing. Eileen and Mr. Dawson might be on the outs, and he’s set on marrying Ms. Warren,” she told Roderick.

“No wonder Eileen told me to brace for this early. She saw this storm coming. But there’s a silver lining. At the very least, it means she won’t be stuck in this mess anymore,” Roderick replied.

“And how is that a silver lining?” Judie gave a frustrated sigh. “Eileen’s pregnant! And now with Bryan leaving, where does that leave her? Not only will she be left with nothing, but she also needs to have an abortion. That’s so unfair! And once Ms. Warren is in charge, Eileen’s chances here will be gone.”

With each word from Judie, Roderick’s face grew darker. “That man is a jerk! I’ll call Eileen and ask her what she thinks.”

“What good will that do?” Judie challenged, her irritation clear. “She’s been wronged, with no parents to support her. You’re her brother. It’s on you to fight for her, not to question her about these matters. Listen, why don’t you take this to Mr. Dawson? He dreads a public spectacle. Demand some kind of payback for Eileen.”

“What are you suggesting?” Roderick shot back. “Facing Mr. Dawson could only spell disaster. And if it turns into a fiasco, Eileen’s chance to remain here is out the window!”

“Staying quiet won’t help her, either. Ms. Warren’s not about to let her stick around. If Eileen’s on her way out regardless, her reputation shouldn’t be a concern. I’ll get you into the company to talk to Mr. Dawson… Just steer clear of mentioning the pregnancy. We don’t want to mar her chances of finding someone in the future,” Judie said.

Judie’s words swirled in Roderick’s mind, leaving him conflicted, unable to settle on what to do next.

Judie added, “I’m doing this for Eileen’s best interest. She’s got too big of a heart, always putting others first. Can you really just watch and do nothing as her brother?”

“You’re making sense. As her only kin, it’s my duty to step up for her,” Roderick replied. Once the call ended, Roderick made his way directly to the Apex Group headquarters.

The office was a vista of grays and blacks, mirroring Bryan’s cool demeanor.

Behind his desk, he watched as Eileen delivered her report.

Before she could finish, he interjected, “Have you caught a cold?”

Her raspy voice, paired with a creased brow, betrayed her discomfort.

She set aside the paperwork. “Yeah. But it won’t interfere with my job.”

Bryan suggested, “If you’re not well, perhaps you should head home. I feel bad watching you like this. Get some rest; your salary will remain untouched.”

Eileen, taken aback, said, “I’m grateful for your leniency, Mr. Dawson. I’ll manage; no need for concern.”

Her resolve seemed to echo in Bryan’s mind. He wondered how long Eileen would stay by his side. Once the quarterly report was settled, Eileen asked, “Is there anything else you need from me, Mr. Dawson?”

Bryan retrieved some cold medicine from his desk and suggested, “Take one. Then have some rest in the lounge.”

Eileen hesitated, her expression uncertain. Resting in his private space was beyond consideration.

Bryan’s voice was firm. “Rest now. You need it.”

“But Ms. Warren is still outside. Wouldn’t that cause a misunderstanding or even upset her?” Eileen had wanted to ask this question countless times, and today, she finally did.

Understanding dawned on Bryan as he reclined in his seat and narrowed his eyes. “I’ll tell you after the birthday celebrations are over.”

Eileen conceded with a reluctant nod. “Alright, I’ll take the medicine. But I’ll forgo the rest.”

“Find some time, and we’ll have a talk in the future,” Bryan said, shifting the conversation away from his insistence on immediate rest.

The implication of a further talk hung in the air. What could he possibly mean, if not a reminder to keep a distance in the future?

Eileen’s lips quirked into a half-smile. “Should you wish to talk later, I’ll make myself available!”

She pondered whether he would desire her company once her true identity came to light.

Bryan’s gaze lingered on Eileen, deep with confusion. Despite the long look, the message behind her guarded expression remained a mystery to him.

“I should return to my work,” Eileen said, pivoting on her heel to leave.

Eileen had personally prepared the cold medicine for herself, yet somehow, the medicine he had given her tasted different.

Feeling dizzy, she allowed her head to rest on the desk’s cool surface for a brief respite.

An urgent call pierced the midday lull, signaling turmoil within the company. The afternoon’s agenda was abruptly advanced, erasing any hopes for a leisurely lunch break.

With weary eyes, Eileen gathered her documents and departed. As she did, Bryan came out of his office.

Without hesitation, she trailed after him.

The company’s executives, like a current, all gathered to go to the meeting. The congestion of lunchtime only heightened the sense of urgency.

In the sea of tailored suits, a figure clad in blue caught Eileen’s eye. That man was wearing a helmet and a mask.

His exposed eyes bore into Bryan, their familiarity unsettling to Eileen, though she dismissed the possibility.

The medicine’s haze left Eileen momentarily adrift until a familiar shout sliced through the fog.

“Bryan, you bastard! How dare you treat my sister so cruelly?”

Roderick, in a fit of rage, threw his takeout towards Bryan and bolted forward.

Eileen, jolted to alertness by her brother’s outcry, deflected the airborne takeout in his direction.

The soup drenched her instead, the burn turning the back of her hand a stark red, the pain etching into her features.

The onlookers all recoiled from the chaos, their faces etched with shock as Roderick closed in on Bryan.

Bryan’s gaze, icy and sharp, fell on Eileen’s injured hand before shifting to Roderick.

With a swift movement, Bryan kicked Roderick, who was sent sprawling.

Roderick’s grimace was brief. His determination was unshaken as he attempted to rise.

It wasn’t long before the crowd snapped to action, subduing Roderick and holding him firmly against the floor.

Pinned down yet undeterred, Roderick spat out accusations.

“Bryan Dawson, you hypocrite! My sister has worked for you for years, loyally at your side in the daylight and bending to your will at night. But when the moment suits you, you discard her like she’s nothing!”

.

.

.