masked by her dense lashes. "That's a ques

rk, though I doubt that. Even though his wife was chosen by his

y time here, I've never seen Mr. Dawson seek out that informa

face, her mind grappling with the id

ps Mr. Dawson is waiting for the right moment, needing

That's valid. Yet persuading Stella might

egan to wane as she felt a s

Bryan doesn't need the adde

ropelled her to his side. "What happened? Did you do someth

an assured her, though his atten

sting his hands

frequently. If she steps out of boun

ze, her demeanor s

ome pick you up this afternoon. You'll go home and l

flitting with thoughts, she requested,

l jab, asked, "Tire

won't understand. You can le

s. Composure had returned to her more swiftly than she had anticipated, her resolve fi

red to Eileen with her phone, signaling

d, offering a warm smile bef

ian had vanished as swiftly as they had erupted,

f urgent tasks, her presence in Bryan's office fr

an's penetrating gaze often met he

gage, focusing instead on her

ning between her and Bryan. And soon,

from Vivian br

yan tonight at the D.V Club. Could

railed by the rumors, had clea

e could decide on what to do, she

520, 7 P.M. Th

th, Eileen texted bac

the door, a measured double tap. Bryan's v

there's been a change for this eveni

g the approach of the evening. "We

ritical," Eil

"Hand over the paperwork.

prepared concerning the urgent matter

rom the underground parking lot. Bryan joined her as she d

t, a beacon of opulence. It wasn't foreign to either of th

silence enveloping them as Eileen pres

nadvertently closer Bryan, his

Bryan stepping forward with an air of familiarity, his gaze ca

swallowed in darkness. Bryan's silhouette hesitated as

soft glow of candles encircling Vivian, resplende

met Bryan's less than pleased

into view. They were Vivian's schoolmates as well. Eileen's

ok directed at Eileen, who stood motionl

unimpressed demeanor, attention

etween Bryan and Eileen. "This was my doing," she said, her eyes on his.

tare, managed to keep her composure, de

joy for Bryan, with Vivian orchest

finally spoke. "Mr. Dawson, the fault is

yan's hand. "Please, no blame should fall

st hint of a smile, a gesture that seemed more diplomatic th

"Come on, you enjoy the attention, right?" His levity cut through the

d Vivian as friends closed in, drawn by the fe

oticed the strained cheer in Bryan's facade

. Crossing Vivian could do nothing but harm to her, c

ctful proximity to Bryan, her gaze occasion

to the space beside Bryan, a cigarette in hand. Lighting it for

ievous quirk of his brow, Jacob remarked, "Bryan,

ly met Eileen's downturned face. "What do you me

's because your charm is wearing thin?" Jacob's tone was light but probin

ow to keep a

nd questioning, met h

in your wealth than anything else." Patting Bryan's back, a seemingly jovial sugge

, his joke souring. "Easy, just a thought. You know what they say about mixing business with pleasure. I

ood up and retur

nd while his arm found comfort on the armrest. There was an e

flection danced

ed, and he couldn't deny her allu

's. A moment passed before she approached him, her

"The press will swarm us soon. Dawson Mansion and Oak Villas are