Chapter 817
Eileen raised an eyebrow, waiting patiently for the banquet to conclude. As the guests began to bid their farewells, she finally spotted Dolores and Julio together.
It was a sight to see them in the same space; though there were so many people between them, the connection between them remained palpable.
Noticing Julio’s bandaged hand, Eileen frowned. Seizing the opportunity to speak with him when she was seeing him off, she asked in a hushed tone, “What happened to your hand?”
“It’s nothing.” Julio’s eyes darted briefly toward Dolores before quickly refocusing on Eileen. “Looks like you’re planning to stay in Alverton for a long time.”
“Aren’t you?” Eileen shot back.
“Are you staying for the project or for Dolores?”
Julio’s expression twisted into a scornful sneer, and he snapped impatiently, “You’re reading too much into the situation. Without the child, she’s just a stranger to me.”
“A stranger who made you lose control and smash a car window?” Eileen’s words pierced through Julio’s facade.
“I don’t want to meddle in your affairs, but I must remind you that some actions can’t be undone once taken. Be cautious and reflect on what you truly desire, lest you suffer lifelong remorse.”
The surrounding noise faded into the background as Eileen’s soft-spoken words struck Julio’s heart, leaving a lasting impact.
Julio snorted in derision. “You think I actually want her? That I’d spend the rest of my life regretting my actions because of her?”
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“Then cut ties with her completely,” Eileen said. “Why do you persist in fixating on her every time you see her? If you don’t want her, cut ties with her decisively. Don’t remain entangled. I’d lose all respect for you.”
No sooner had Eileen finished speaking than a reprimanding voice cut through the air from a nearby corner.
Kinsey slipped into the car and drove off, leaving Dolores behind. She chased after the car for a few futile steps. Julio’s instincts compelled him to rush to Dolores’ side, but Eileen’s sudden intervention halted him.
“What are you doing?” Eileen asked, her voice firm. “I have plenty of drivers at my disposal. No need for you to play the hero here.”
Julio halted abruptly and turned toward Eileen. Eileen lifted an eyebrow and said,
“Didn’t you claim she’s nothing to you without the baby? It’s high time you cut ties with her completely. You’ve got to stand by your word.”
As she spoke, Eileen made her way toward Dolores. Julio watched Eileen guide Dolores into the Vazquez Mansion, their figures soon vanishing from sight. He then turned away. He gripped the door handle with his bandaged hand, the pressure of his turmoil visible only in the tension of his grip. Lowering his head to hide the inner struggle, he opened the door and slid into the car.
After bidding farewell to the last of the guests, Eileen and Dolores turned to say goodbye to Leyla.
“Grandma, it’s late. I need to get back to the city. I’ll arrange a limo to bring you there another day,” Eileen said.
Now that her identity was no longer a secret, Gianna and Conroy couldn’t stop her from taking her grandmother to the city.