Shrouded Affections Winning Back My CEO Wife

Chapter 86

Chapter 86:

Bryan escorted Vivian to the secluded living room reserved for his use alone, where none could venture without his permission.

On the sofa, tears etched Vivian’s cheeks as she said, “Bryan, this isn’t fair. How am I less than her? My love for you is true, but her? It’s your wealth she’s after!”

His expression tightened at her words. “You’re targeting the wrong person,” he said.

Eileen reached the top of the staircase just in time to catch their words. A hopeful flutter began in her chest.

Was Bryan actually taking her side against Vivian? A fleeting joy bubbled within, only to be quenched by his next utterance.

“She’s merely a distraction,” Bryan said.

The realization stung. Eileen pressed her lips together, questioning her decision to come here.

Yet, in a twisted way, this clarity was a balm, offering her peace in understanding her true standing.

Eileen tightened her hold on the card as tears fell down her face.

Without a sound, she retreated down the stairs.

On the upper floor, Vivian and Bryan’s confrontation continued. With composure regained, Vivian’s voice was softer. “Bryan, losing my cool was wrong, but it’s hard for me to watch you with another woman. Have you considered that if you end things with her and the money stops, she might turn vindictive? What if she—”

She halted, her thoughts teetering on a precipice. She didn’t know if Bryan knew that Eileen was pregnant.

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She added, “What if she turns on the company, or worse?”

“She’s not a threat,” Bryan said, his words short and final. “You need to find a way to persuade my grandmother.”

With that, he turned and went to his room, his exit speaking volumes without a word.

Vivian, driven by a mixture of desperation and resolve, caught him in an embrace from behind. “Bryan, I’m not going anywhere. Take me. Your marital status doesn’t matter. I just want us to be together. Forget about Eileen.”

Her hands awkwardly grappled with his shirt, her efforts to undo the buttons clumsy and futile, but Bryan quickly pulled her hands away with decisiveness.

He faced her, his gaze cold.

The ring of a phone cut through the tense silence—it was Bryan’s.

With a swift motion, he answered, “Hello…”

A brief exchange ensued, and then he turned to Vivian. “Kian is on the line, wondering if you need him to pick you up.”

was instant. “No! I don’t

Vivian quickly excused herself to the

on the call, Bryan’s advice was firm. “Kian, it’s best to end this

Just give her more time,”

grand window with tempestuous winds swirling outside, warned, “Don’t get

barely

Vivian’s tears and Kian’s request didn’t

as she took the card earlier

to discover if money was her only

echoed in his mind, igniting

night’s rainfall had cleansed

labeled a

the courtyard with

the chill in his gaze, greeting

to Stella, he acknowledged

to Stella. “Birthday banquet—how do you plan to manage it this

her cup, Stella replied, “I’ll check with your father about your parents’ return. Full

an afterthought, she queried, “When is Zola finishing her

surveyed the servants bustling in the courtyard. “Soon,” he

parents might return after Zola’s graduation. For now, a modest birthday gathering for

reflection, Bryan told Eileen, “You’ll see to my

Dawson,” Eileen replied,

did little to soften his cold

“Your birthday deserves more than simplicity. My family anticipates the event. There are some things we should sit down and

eyes flicked to Bryan, subtly seeking his

to say something. Eileen believed they wanted to discuss the matter regarding Bryan and Vivian

invitations for a select number of our family’s friends. Emphasize attendance. Tell them there’ll be a significant announcement at

at Eileen. “What are

a

help me choose a gift

subtly, and he replied with

was telling,

out now, seeing as you won’t go to the office later, Mr. Dawson,” Eileen said. The

in before Bryan could respond, said, “You’re free to go. Manage the internal meetings this morning on your

inhaled deeply,

stripped of the previous evening’s scent, held a reflective

road, Eileen’s drive was swift, the scent of rain-soaked earth wafting

she planned a detour to Springvale Lane for a change of attire. Strangely, as she put distance between herself and the Dawson Mansion, a tranquil serenity settled

tasks as Bryan’s absence left her to tackle

affair that had evolved from a simple family meal

to hand-deliver the invitations

the Meyer family, and when Eileen went to