Chapter 977
She found herself pressed against a familiar chest, the comforting scent telling her exactly who it was. Looking up, she met Bryan’s deep, concerned eyes.
“That wasn’t you?” Eileen said, her voice trembling with relief as she clutched his shirt, her fingertips turning white from the grip.
Bryan’s grip tightened around her waist as he responded, “Didn’t I tell you to wait for me where you were?” A touch of grievance flickered in Eileen’s eyes as she pouted.
She had rushed over because she had feared it was him who had been hurt.
“If something did happen to me, rushing over wouldn’t change a thing,” Bryan said, guiding Eileen back to their seats. “Given the situation, you would have only ended up getting hurt yourself.”
“Am I wrong to worry?” Eileen shot back, glancing toward the man who had been injured.
The injured man, appearing to be in his fifties, had a few superficial scratches on his body, from which only a couple of drops of blood had fallen.
Not wanting to spoil the celebratory mood, the man declined a hospital visit and even apologized for causing the glass to break.
As the birthday party gradually returned to its festive atmosphere, something clicked in Eileen’s mind. She turned and picked up the birthday gift from the seat beside her.
“Let’s go ahead and deliver the gift,” she said.
“Alright,” Bryan agreed, taking the small box from her.
Eileen felt a bit strange. When she had picked up the box, it had seemed much lighter than she had expected, even though Bryan had taken it from her the next second. Bryan even carried it effortlessly with just two fingers.
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“Isn’t it heavy?” Eileen asked, a note of surprise in her voice.
With one hand tucked casually in his pocket, Bryan shook his head.
“Not at all.”
As they chatted, the two made their way over to Terrell Byrd.
Presenting birthday gifts was usually the domain of the ladies, and when they arrived, they found Kamila and her circle already engaged in the tradition, offering their gifts while Terrell’s only daughter, Bernice Byrd, greeted them.
Bernice, around the same age as Dottie and familiar with her, turned to Eileen.
“You are from the Vazquez family, right? You look just like your mother.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Byrd.” Eileen nodded slightly, her eyes catching a glimpse of Bryan extending the gift box.
Bernice accepted the box with practiced grace.
Eileen frowned. Something was off. The box, small as it was, felt different. It used to be heavy, but now, it was not. Bernice placed it effortlessly on the table in front of Terrell.
“Dad, look, someone from the Vazquez family is here,” Bernice whispered to Terrell.
Pushing aside the oddity of the gift box, Eileen nodded at Terrell, her expression composed.
“Mr. Byrd, I wish you health and longevity.”