Chapter 572
Ruby nodded. “I know. I wanted to tell you the same thing. Short-term pain is better than long-term suffering. It’s not good for you and Gabriela to keep drifting. This path is bound to be hard!”
“Don’t worry. I’ll stick to my decision no matter the challenges,” Eileen replied.
Over the past few months, Eileen had kept her struggles and pressures to herself. One thought had remained constant in her mind: finding Bryan would lead to a happy ending.
If she had failed to find him, the search itself would have become the purpose of her life. Even then, she could have led a fulfilling life with Gabriela.
After briefly explaining the situation to Ruby, Eileen headed to the Freguson Group and then the EB Group. She was fully in charge of EB Group, and although the top executives were not pleased with her decision to invest all the funds in the small village, they were powerless to stop her.
However, managing the Freguson Group had proven more challenging. Julio and Benjamin had not interfered, but Eileen faced significant pressure from other executives and shareholders.
Upon Eileen’s arrival at the company, Benjamin approached her. After observing her for a while, his expression shifted to one of disappointment.
When Benjamin first heard of Bryan’s troubles, he had seen it as an opportunity. He had hoped that, once Eileen moved past her grief, he might have a chance with her. But now, seeing her, he realized the truth: whether Bryan was alive or not, he stood no chance. As long as Bryan existed, Benjamin was irrelevant to Eileen.
With a resigned smile, Benjamin commented, “Finding him really reinvigorated you. Is building a resort there a way to honor where he was rescued?”
Eileen’s eyes flickered with disappointment. “Something unexpected happened. He can’t come back, so I must go there.”
Benjamin didn’t press further and shifted the conversation to business.
“Julio and I can manage the executives, but explaining the situation to the shareholders is tough,” Benjamin said as he sat down.
“So, the shareholders want you to go to Bayside City?” Eileen quickly pinpointed the critical issue. “If you don’t support this project, they will withdraw the funding?”
Julio, who had a good relationship with her, had already approved the funding. But if Eileen failed to convince the shareholders, it would mean losing the opportunity, effectively conceding defeat.
However, her relationship with Julio wouldn’t be jeopardized. This was also a strategy to maintain her bond with both Julio and Benjamin.
Benjamin smiled and said, “When it comes to business, I won’t tiptoe around your feelings, so don’t try to sway me with sentiment.”
Eileen smiled and extended her hand. “I’ll see you in Bayside City. Staying there to wait for Bryan is my wish, but I assure you, the project is truly worthwhile.”
“Okay, see you there.” Benjamin shook her hand, holding her gaze for a few seconds before releasing it. He turned and walked away.
Within a day, after settling the company’s matters, Eileen boarded a plane to Bayside City with Gabriela. This trip felt different from the last. Eileen wasn’t as anxious.