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,

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

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

relentless pursuit of hounds known for

security

underground parking lot with a stealth that belied their urgency. The elevator ride up was silent, a calm before the

Bryan stepped out, the air charged with excitement, and

Dawson, your thoughts

considered your wife’s

between Bryan 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.

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

commotion, emerged likely unprepared for the situation. Her eyes, red from crying, peeked out. However, in an instant, the door was pulled open from outside, sending her

pinpoint who had stepped on her or which camera tripod

her balance, she noticed Bryan had already made his way to Vivian, wrapping her protectively in his arms. His gaze, fierce with anger, was fixed on the photographers who didn’t stop taking

attempted to speak, but words failed her, at a loss for how to deal with the insistent crowd. Then, as if on

was carefully picked up by Bryan and escorted away. He shot Eileen a look and noticed her disheveled state. He narrowed his eyes as he declared, “You’re coming with

pressing the button for the floor and remaining quiet, her head bowed. With Kian handling the

returned slightly limping from the discomfort in her leg. She tried to

concern with a shake

The nurse said to Eileen, “Please come this way.

A few days of rest and I’ll

way. I’ll take her there,” he told the nurse, who then started to lead

pulling away when she heard the sound of someone exiting

family member?”

Eileen withdrew her hand. “How is

wound on her leg is deep. It requires a couple of stitches, but the patient is not cooperating. She insists on the company of Bryan Dawson,” the doctor explained, looking rather distressed. “We’ll need to heed her request,

glanced at Bryan, noticing the concern etched deep on his face. “You

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255