Shrouded Affections Winning Back My CEO Wife

Chapter 69

Chapter 69:

“Mr. Dawson, please come in.” As Harlan made his way up from the ground floor, he spotted Bryan by the railing. Quickening his pace, Harlan approached Bryan with a friendly smile.

Bryan snuffed out his cigarette and tossed it into the ashtray. He then slipped his hands into his pocket and turned to leave, ignoring Harlan’s friendly gesture. Harlan momentarily felt a flush of embarrassment, bewildered by Bryan’s dismissive action. Although rumors painted Bryan as distant, Harlan had always found him polite. However, Bryan seemed different today.

Regardless of Bryan’s changed attitude, Harlan approached him with an unwavering smile, needing to seek his help. Upon entering the room, Harlan noticed another individual there—Jacob.

“Mr. Meyer,” Harlan was surprised. Jacob, enjoying a sip of his coffee, looked up and greeted, “Mr. Clarkson, it’s been a while. I was just about to discuss something with Bryan. Would it be alright for me to join you both for lunch?”

Without missing a beat, Harlan responded, “Of course. I’m delighted you could join us. Waiter, hand the menus to Mr. Meyer and Mr. Dawson.”

“Really?” Bryan sat down. He looked Harlan in the eye and said, “Mr. Clarkson, it appears you’re not lacking funds. We won’t be formal with you then.”

As Bryan finished speaking, he felt a gentle tug on his arm. Turning, he saw Jacob shaking his head in disapproval. Bryan frowned as he pulled his hands out of his pocket and took the menu from the waiter. Without a second thought, he ordered the priciest dishes on the menu.

“And another bottle of your finest wine,” he added after ordering the dishes. Harlan was slightly taken aback. Although he could afford the meal, he felt something was off with Bryan tonight. A nagging suspicion lingered in his mind. Could Bryan have discovered that Eileen was tutoring his son? If Bryan opposed the tutoring arrangement with Eileen, what should he do?

Harlan believed he needed to ensure Bryan was pleased tonight. He quickly mustered a smile. Jacob said, “I’ll pass on ordering; what Bryan has ordered is more than enough.”

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The waiter took the menu and headed downstairs, soon returning to serve the dishes. Harlan chatted with both Bryan and Jacob warmly. Bryan ate his food with elegance, yet he remained silent throughout. Harlan felt a growing unease, unable to voice his thoughts.

“Why did you ask me to meet you tonight?” Bryan suddenly asked, his question directed at Jacob.

Between mouthfuls, Jacob answered, “I have a matter to discuss with you. But I think there’s a reason Mr. Clarkson invited you to dine tonight. Perhaps you two should talk first, and I’ll bring up my points later.”

Harlan paused, setting down his fork and wiping his mouth with a napkin. “Actually, my reason for being here today concerns one particular person,” he said.

At this, Bryan stopped eating and placed his fork down with a definitive clink. Leaning forward, he pulled out two tissues from the box, spat his food into them, and tossed them into the trash can. Then, turning his full attention to Harlan, he asked, “Tell me then, is it?”

a cautious look,

his smile twisting into a frosty sneer

had no other choice but to seek Ms. Curtis’ help. My son is particular about whom he listens to, and he only listens to Ms.

added, “Since Miss Warren is currently your secretary,

responsibilities, Eileen would have more time to focus on tutoring his son. But what Harlan had said sounded different to Bryan. To Bryan,

a chill seemed to emanate from Bryan. He fixed

stare, Harlan shivered. He looked to Jacob for support, confused. “What’s the matter?

dismissively. “You didn’t say anything wrong. Eileen is dispensable to

a chill passed through the room. Bryan’s glare made Jacob recoil slightly, realizing his provocation

shifted his focus away from Jacob, calmly unbuttoning his sleeves and rolling them up. “Mr. Clarkson, you

Observing Bryan’s palpable irritation, Jacob quickly

sensed that Jacob might be trying

from any aggressive actions. He reclined in his chair, his formidable presence underscored by a stiff posture as his cold gaze remained

certainly use the extra income as long as it doesn’t conflict with her primary duties. We might not think twice about a small amount of money, but for someone like Ms. Curtis, two hundred thousand dollars a month is significant. She’s really in need of the money. That said, I am concerned about her health, which is why I invited you to dinner tonight. I wanted to discuss possibly reducing her

He crossed his legs and placed his foot on the chair beside him, leaning closer to Harlan to say, “Eileen is currently

of the person you’re mentioning. However, given our roles, it might not be appropriate for us to interrupt their meeting. To avoid

downstairs radiated warmth as Ruby and

reminiscing about Eileen’s and Huey’s contrasting personalities: one full

glancing over at Huey and Eileen, her lips pressed together in

I once was. In the future, when they get married and start a family, they’ll have to rely on you, Mrs.

responded quickly, squeezing Ruby’s hand reassuringly. “I think we should start planning

agree. Let’s choose a suitable date…”

feel anxious. She glanced at Huey. It seemed he was overwhelmed and at a loss for

from discussing this further. “‘Mom, Mrs. Baker, I think Huey and I should

over at Eileen and then turned to Winona, dismissing her daughter’s concerns. “‘Eileen has always been the cautious type. She doesn’t really

in agreement, eager to continue. “Let’s keep

point, Huey could no longer contain his discomfort. “Mom, could you please consider my feelings before making any plans?” He stood up decisively and walked over to Winona. “My relationship with Eileen hasn’t reached

the arm, signaling it was time to

guard by Huey’s sudden move, nearly stumbling, and Eileen quickly reached out

want to hurt me?” Winona exclaimed, delivering a sharp