Chapter 193
Bryan remained still, the veins in his hands standing out as he tried to suppress his desire. Eileen’s gestures ignited a passion in him that was nearly overwhelming. She had yet to make her next move.
“Let’s head inside,” Bryan murmured, his voice rough as he intercepted her hands that roamed aimlessly over his chest. Despite her attempts, Eileen hadn’t managed to undo a single button on his shirt.
Bryan got out of the car and adjusted his clothes, which barely masked his arousal. Luckily, they were alone. He walked over to the passenger side, lifted Eileen effortlessly, and carried her quickly into the apartment.
The apartment looked almost the same as when Eileen had left, though minor details hinted that it hadn’t been empty. Bryan set Eileen down on the cabinet in the foyer, her legs encircling his waist.
Caught up in the nostalgia of the setting, Eileen’s attention briefly drifted.
“Let go,” Bryan instructed, gently tapping her legs that clung to him. Her legs always stirred his deepest desires yet often restrained him at crucial moments.
Eileen frowned; she withdrew her legs and delivered a slight kick to his groin, putting some space between them.
Bryan grimaced and leaned against the opposite wall, still struggling with his shirt buttons.
Eileen hopped off the cabinet. “I need to go to the bathroom,” she announced.
Bryan paused for a moment, noticing the light sweat on her forehead. “Are you alright?” he asked.
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Eileen made her way to the bathroom. “Last night, Phoebe and I grabbed some street food and…”
It was probably the mix of seafood, cold beer, and the morning’s cool air that had triggered her discomfort. She had initially dismissed it as a trivial upset stomach, yet she found herself confined to the bathroom for most of the morning.
It wasn’t until her stomach finally settled that Eileen could leave the bathroom, her legs trembling from weakness. Feeling a bit embarrassed, she worried she might have an unpleasant odor. However, she hadn’t gotten the chance to mention it before Bryan quickly carried her off to the hospital.
Bryan’s prompt actions allowed no room for her to protest.
“She’s suffering from acute gastroenteritis,” the doctor explained. “Stay hydrated, and it should be fine. Avoid uncooked and spicy food, and make sure to take these medications for a few days.”
With that, the doctor handed Bryan a prescription.
Bryan found a spot for Eileen in the waiting area of the hospital lobby. “Stay put here. The bathroom is just on your left, and you’ve got tissues in your coat pocket. I’ll be right back with your medication.”
He took care of everything with a deep frown and worried eyes.
Still feeling a bit weak, Eileen let him take the lead.
She had been waiting less than ten minutes when she bumped into an unexpectedly familiar face.
Stella was seated in a wheelchair. She seemed older than when Eileen had last seen her a year ago but appeared cheerful. She was dressed warmly with a blanket over her legs, and Jarred was standing behind her. Both of them were surprised to see Eileen.
Stella’s look of surprise soon turned into a subtle, pleased expression.
“Just got the meds,” Bryan said, approaching with his focus on the medicine in his hand, oblivious to the presence of Stella and Jarred.
“Wait…” Eileen began in a low voice, but before she could say anything more, Bryan had already given her the medicine and was lifting her up again.
He started to walk away but halted abruptly.
Eileen murmured, “Put me down.”
With a frown, Bryan complied and stood before her, blocking Stella’s scrutiny.
“Are you two together now?” Stella asked bluntly.
Her tone wasn’t angry but definitely not cheerful.
Eileen’s first impulse was to deny it, especially since Stella’s presence here suggested she was not well. This was hardly the moment to cause her stress.
“That’s correct,” Bryan replied. “Grandma, I’m capable of making my own decisions.”
Stella didn’t seem displeased. “Let’s go back to my ward. I want to have a word with both of you.”
Jarred swiftly wheeled Stella toward the elevator, offering Eileen a smile. “I never expected to see you again, Miss Curtis,” he said.
“It’s nice to see you again, Jarred,” Eileen replied, returning the smile.
As they walked, Bryan clasped Eileen’s hand and whispered, “You don’t need to respond. If Grandma makes any harsh comments, just ignore them.”
Bryan looked worried, his grip tightening, probably concerned about Eileen managing any potential difficulties on her own.
“I understand. Don’t worry; I don’t think Stella will be harsh with me,” Eileen reassured him, sensing that Stella wasn’t going to make things difficult.
Inside the cramped elevator, their images reflected off the polished walls. Despite his stern appearance, Bryan’s grip on Eileen’s hand was secure, his presence reassuring.
They reached Stella’s spacious private ward on the top floor. Various personal items and clothes drying on the balcony showed that Stella had been there for a while.
Stella made an effort to stand, seemingly eager to shift to her bed.
Eileen released Bryan’s hand and moved to help Stella, prompting Jarred to withdraw the hand he had extended to assist.
Bryan followed Eileen and did the same. Together, they helped Stella settle onto the bed.
“Is today the day Jacob is getting engaged?” Stella asked Jarred as she got comfortable.
Jarred quickly nodded. “Yes, the ceremony begins at three, which is about an hour from now. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have personally invited Mr. Dawson.”
“I’ll call Jacob…” Bryan said as he took out his phone, evidently planning not to attend.
Stella gave a dismissive snort. “You think you can afford not to show up? If you upset the Meyer family, who will support you then?” The Meyers had insisted on Bryan’s presence as a sign of their backing amidst the Dawson family’s internal struggles. Bryan’s absence would surely be seen as disrespectful.
“You should attend,” Eileen said to Bryan. “Don’t worry about your Grandma; I’ll look after her.”
Bryan paused, his expression serious as he held his phone.
Eileen turned to Stella with a smile. “Mrs. Dawson, I’ll see him off and be right back.”
“Go ahead,” Stella responded, focusing her attention on adjusting her blanket. She appeared unconcerned about the possibility of Eileen leaving with Bryan.
Eileen led Bryan out of the ward and accompanied him to the elevator. “I’ll remember your advice and not let her words affect me. But you need to trust me and listen to me as well.”
She would heed his advice. If Stella were to say something rude, she wouldn’t take it to heart. But she believed he needed to allow her some time to get along with Stella. Perhaps the situation wasn’t as terrible as he had imagined.
Bryan pondered for a moment before saying, “The engagement celebration might extend into the night. If you prefer not to wait for me at the hospital, you can take a taxi home and wait for me there.”
This was his way of agreeing.
As the elevator doors slid open, Eileen gently pushed him inside. “Understood,” she replied. The doors soon closed, obscuring them from each other’s view.
Eileen inhaled deeply and made her way back to Stella’s ward. Jarred had left, and Stella was seated on the bed. She gestured toward a chair next to her. “Take a seat.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Dawson,” Eileen replied, sitting down. She rested her hands on her lap, feeling slightly nervous yet keeping her composure.
“How long have you two been together?” Stella inquired, looking at Eileen.
“Over a month,” Eileen responded truthfully.
“Bryan has been in Wist Land for only about four months. You two are moving fast,” Stella said. “Do you realize what this implies?”
Stunned by the question, Eileen looked at Stella in confusion.
“It means Bryan was there for you.” Stella noted Eileen’s confusion and appeared slightly displeased. “After you left Onaland, he pushed to shift the new project to Wist Land. Despite resistance from all of Apex Group’s shareholders, I supported him.”
It was clear why Stella had intervened.
“Mrs. Dawson, you…” Eileen was stunned, feeling at a loss for words.
Stella’s expression softened as she smiled. “I knew you two would eventually be together. But Bryan detests being controlled. The more I oppose him, the more determined he becomes.”
She had known Eileen was the woman Bryan had married years earlier but had kept silent. Bryan and Eileen being together now was a welcome surprise for Stella.
Eileen couldn’t help but smile, realizing Bryan’s concerns had been unnecessary. But why hadn’t Stella discussed this directly with Bryan?
“Our family dynamics are complex. My involvement to support you two could complicate things for you,” Stella explained, noting Eileen’s puzzled look. “Do you remember our previous agreement?”
Eileen nodded in response. “Yes.”
When Stella had orchestrated their marriage, she had set strict terms to prevent Eileen from aiming for the Dawson family fortune.
“For now, let’s set aside that marriage agreement. Let’s discuss the arrangement concerning you having a child with Bryan,” Stella said.
Eileen was taken aback. Suddenly, memories flooded back to her. She recalled that there had indeed been such a stipulation. If she had a child with Bryan, Stella had promised her two hundred million dollars.
The staggering sum had shocked her at the time, but she had only sought the money to save Ruby’s life, not to trade her dignity or her body. Thus, she had completely forgotten about it, only remembering it now since Stella brought it up.
“The terms of this agreement remain active,” Stella declared. “If Bryan fathers a child, it could solidify his claim to the Dawson family’s wealth. I know it’s forward of me to address this matter with you privately, but I have no alternative. Bryan would never consent to this arrangement, so I must broach it with you in secret.”
The stakes of having a child were immense, potentially deciding Bryan’s right to the Dawson fortune, which made the prospect of Eileen’s pregnancy perilous. Should this become public knowledge… it was clear that Bryan would oppose such a plan.
At that moment, Eileen felt as if she were teetering on the brink of a vast chasm.
“Look, I’m aware that money doesn’t sway you. If it did, given all the opportunities, you’d likely be pregnant already. The two hundred million is simply a gesture of my gratitude. Ultimately, the decision is yours to make. I won’t meddle. Just think it over,” Stella said, noting Eileen’s quiet contemplation and appearing despondent.