Shrouded Affections Winning Back My CEO Wife

Chapter 45

Chapter 45:

Among the invitees was Stella, and she was the VIP guest.

Eileen caught sight of Bryan’s sour expression after he hung up the phone and knew Stella wouldn’t make it. “Is Stella back?” she inquired.

“Yeah,” Bryan said, exhaling deeply. “She returned a few days ago, under wraps. I only found out recently. But then she promptly left again. Mentioned something about needing to.”

Worry etched lines on Bryan’s forehead. Considering Stella’s age, all that traveling didn’t sit right with him. He was genuinely concerned.

Eileen pursed her lips, sensing Bryan’s worry that Stella might be avoiding Vivian. She remained silent for the rest of the ride.

In the quiet afternoon, Roderick headed home for a breather. But no matter how he mulled it over, he couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at his heart. Ever since he had known Eileen, she had exuded strength, like she could take on the world solo. Yet, seeing her with swollen eyes at the crack of dawn, skipping breakfast until ten… something must have happened.

Seeing Judie putting on makeup, he queried, “Where are you off to?”

“It’s a friend’s birthday today. I won’t be back for dinner. You’re on your own,” Judie replied, selecting the fanciest dress and shoes from the closet.

“Got it,” Roderick nodded. But he couldn’t resist asking, “Has Eileen been going through a rough patch lately?”

Judie paused, turning to face him. “What do you mean?”

“I delivered breakfast to her this morning, ordered by Mr. Dawson. Saw her with puffy eyes, like she’d been crying. Has she been bullied or something?” Roderick inquired.

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Bullied? But wasn’t it Vivian who got embarrassed yesterday? Judie pursed her lips. No wonder Eileen managed to keep Bryan by her side for so long. Perhaps she had vented to Bryan last night.

“She’s alright. Who in the entire company would dare to bully her?” Judie retorted before leaving.

Roderick pondered for a moment and believed Judie. After all, Eileen was the CEO’s assistant. Who would even dare to bully her?

Could it be Bryan, then?

Roderick furrowed his brow, pondering. Eileen’s relationship with Bryan wasn’t something to boast about. Bryan seemed to be taking advantage of Eileen in this equation, yet he had spent the night at her place. He had even ordered breakfast for her.

dinner deliveries, Roderick couldn’t quite figure it out. He set off to

and was ushered by the waiter to the private room reserved by the Warren family. The intricately patterned carpet was immaculately clean. A door across the room was slightly

a throng of people. Bryan’s entrance injected a new energy into the crowd. Sporting a white shirt without a tie, Bryan exuded

their attention to Vivian instead. “I knew it. Who else could snag Bryan for

so well-matched. I bet wedding bells are on the horizon. Though, Bryan’s still

Vivian waiting longer. You tied the knot with that woman just to save face. Vivian was young and naive back then. Now that she’s back, you can’t act so stubborn. We’re all grown-ups

and speculation. Despite the scrutiny, Vivian felt happy in her heart. Bryan appeared to brush off their remarks, standing stoically near Vivian. Every so often, he would cast a sidelong

interjected, breaking away from his family and guiding Bryan

halted by Kian. “Miss Curtis, we’ve got quite the crowd today, and I could use your help with serving. Could you lend

she glanced toward Bryan. Bryan met her gaze, his brow furrowing

Vivian’s birthday. You ought to give her a gift,” Kian said. “Didn’t want you to spend too much, so I took care of

eyebrow and accepted the gift box, his fingers drumming on it in contemplation. Kian added, “Nina’s been a bit under the weather lately, you know, the nine-to-five grind. Look

You care about Eileen, don’t you?”

slightly, his eyebrow raised. “This has nothing to do with her, and it’s none of your concern. I agreed to that one favor for you, but my condition is that Vivian doesn’t

that, he grabbed the gift box and gave Kian a pat on the shoulder before making

the birthday party. Just as

in conversation with two women of similar age. Rushing over, Judie exclaimed,

smile, waving her

Vivian. “Your birthday is a must-attend for me. Just got held

Her attire didn’t quite impress them. Since when had Vivian started

Why is she here?” Judie asked. She didn’t feel

shrugged nonchalantly. “She

“She’s just an assistant. What’s she doing at a private event

it be that Eileen had had a

Vivian’s cousin from

nodded, not

cousin from her aunt’s side. With her short hair

to Vivian’s wishes, given their families’ reliance on the Warrens. Being two years younger and not as quick-witted, Phoebe had found herself overshadowed by Megan, who enjoyed more favor from Vivian. This disparity had led Phoebe to hate such gatherings, silently

jealous that Bryan has such an attractive female assistant?” Megan probed, sensing Vivian’s

a beat to respond,

There’s no need for Miss Warren to feel jealous. Miss Warren has recently joined the company and assumed some of Eileen’s duties. Perhaps Eileen is apprehensive about her own position, trying to undermine Miss Warren, leveraging her seniority at

gently pulled Judie’s arm. “Don’t speak nonsense. It’s not Eileen’s fault,” she said, wearing a faint smile as if unperturbed by any perceived bullying from

to play the villain in all this. But if it could secure Vivian’s support for her at work, she was willing to