Shrouded Affections Winning Back My CEO Wife

Chapter 8

Chapter 8:

Eileen grabbed Bryan’s phone and deleted the number he had been dialing. Roderick’s surprise at seeing a stranger in Eileen’s home was evident. When he realized the man was Bryan, his eyes widened.

Judie had told him that Bryan’s loved one had returned, making Eileen’s relationship with Bryan unstable. Yet, the scene before him painted a different picture. Rising quickly, Roderick reached out to Bryan with a flattering grin. “You’re Mr. Dawson, right? I’m Roderick, Eileen’s younger brother. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Bryan paused, eyeing Roderick’s hand without any move to return the gesture. Eileen, caught in an awkward moment, felt sorry for her brother, who seemed unaware of the faux pas. Pulling his hand back, Roderick didn’t miss a beat. “Mr. Dawson, I can’t thank you enough for looking after my sister. As her brother, it means the world to me.”

“Cut it out; we’re already late,” Eileen cut him off, urging him with a look. Roderick, with a nod and a respectful bow, moved toward the door, dropping a hint as he walked. “Eileen, about that house in a good school district, I’ve only got fifty thousand saved. I’m counting on you now.”

Eileen’s stare turned icy as Roderick’s smile faded. He left without another word. Hopping on his delivery tricycle, Roderick rang Judie, bubbling with news. “All’s going according to plan. And guess who I bumped into at Eileen’s place? Bryan Dawson, her boss. He’s at her place early in the morning. It’s clear she’s in a solid spot with him. That house in the school district is as good as ours!”

Judie’s silence lingered before she queried, “Has Eileen agreed to the house purchase?”

“Well, not yet, but…”

Before Roderick could finish, Judie interjected, “What? Sisters making moves with Mr. Dawson and keeping us in the dark? She’ll never buy that house. Are you blind?”

Roderick, at a loss for words, could only ask, “Should we…?”

“Time she learned a lesson. With the rumors about Vivian, Eileen must be nervous…” Judie mumbled a lot, but Roderick didn’t follow. He decided to leave the plan to her.

Back at the house, Eileen felt Bryan’s gaze intensify, his silence weighing heavily. “Is this needed? The money?” he asked.

Eileen, who had kept her mother’s sickness from Bryan to avoid any unwarranted associations, now faced his scrutiny. She didn’t want him to think she was doing this solely to give money to her brother. Bryan took her silence for agreement, his disappointment evident. “You have ten minutes. We need to leave soon.”

With that, he left first.

Eileen rushed to clean the kitchen; there was no time for her to think about Bryan’s view of her. Once the ten minutes passed, she got in the car and drove off, Bryan’s presence a silent force beside her.

On the way, Bryan’s phone suddenly rang. He answered swiftly. Vivian’s voice, though unclear, was unmistakable to Eileen.

Hanging up, Bryan directed, “Let’s head to Riverside

sensing his frustration, made a quick detour. “Mr. Dawson, is

family’s residence, so Kian sent Vivian to the Riverside Estate. But

known for preying on the vulnerable. They dared to confront Bryan directly, choosing

Estate was no high-end haven. It was respectable enough, yet the security left

with a stealth that belied their urgency. The elevator ride up was silent, a calm before the storm. Outside Vivian’s apartment, a gaggle

out, the air charged with excitement, and reporters closed in with questions sharp enough to

your thoughts on

considered

and the probing microphones, the crowd’s pressure pushing her against him. She found it puzzling that the reporters seemed more thrilled than she was. After all, she

what you’re doing might just cross the line into illegal territory. I’m asking you kindly to leave.” Eileen raised her voice, yet her plea was lost in the noise, drowned out by their relentless questioning of Bryan. The sound of

for the situation. Her eyes, red from crying, peeked out. However, in an

shove from behind and suddenly found herself amidst the reporters, unable to pinpoint who had stepped on her or which camera tripod had collided with her.

noticed Bryan had already made his way to Vivian, wrapping her protectively in his arms. His gaze, fierce

with the insistent crowd. Then, as if on cue, Kian appeared with bodyguards,

away. He shot Eileen a look and noticed her disheveled state. He narrowed his eyes as he declared, “You’re coming with us to

the button for the floor and remaining quiet, her head bowed. With Kian handling the reporters, it was just

at the hospital, Vivian was whisked away for examination, leaving Bryan in the waiting area. Eileen, having paid the bills, returned slightly limping from the discomfort in her leg. She tried to mask it, but Bryan

his concern with a shake of her head. “Oh,

ensure her legs got checked. The nurse said to Eileen,

no need. A few days of rest and I’ll be as

way. I’ll take her there,” he told the nurse,

Eileen’s wrist. Eileen was on the verge of pulling away when she heard the sound

Warren’s family member?” the doctor

and Eileen withdrew her hand. “How is Vivian?”

insists on the

Bryan, noticing the concern etched deep on his face. “You should go in,” she