Shrouded Affections Winning Back My CEO Wife

Chapter 264 Chapter 264: Following Kian's gaze, the reporters finally caught sight of Bryan and Eileen at the scene. Dressed in a black tailored suit that accentuated his great figure, Bryan regarded the crowd with a cool detachment. Beside him, Eileen was clad in a sky-blue windbreaker, her hair cascading over her shoulders. Together, they appeared to be a perfect couple.

Despite Kian's abrupt mention, Bryan remained composed. He opened his mouth and calmly stated, “The photos merely captured them on the sbed. There was no video evidence. It's likely that nothing untoward occurred." His explanation was offered, yet it seemed to clarify nothing.

"It was early morning. They had likely finished whatever they were doing. Naturally, no videos were captured." "Exactly. That's hardly convincing, Mr. Dawson." Whispers spread among the reporters, their emotions fueling a boldness they hadn't shown before Bryan. Subsequently, the two reporters who had retorted felt a twinge of regret. Observing Bryan's face with trepidation, they feared his wrath might lead to punitive measures against their outlets.

In contrast, Bryan merely shrugged nonchalantly, his gaze shifting back to Kian. "There's nothing more I can do. They simply aren't convinced," he said.

Kian's frtensed visibly, his agitation apparent. "You-" Rather than offer specific clarifications, Bryan's remarks only served to intensify the scandal, subtly confirming the reporters' suspicions.

It dawned on Kian that Bryan was not afraid of his previous threat. He speculated if Bryan doubted his resolve to do something to Eileen.

Kian said, "Eileen and my assistant, Benjamin, spent a night together in a lodge close to our hotel that very day. Bryan, do you believe nothing happened between them?" Kian's declaration stirred a wave of commotion among the journalists.

Explore fresh tales at g aln ov el s;They pondered whether Eileen had been unfaithful. Subtly observing the intertwined hands of Bryan and Eileen, they could discern the profound love shared between them. They wondered if Bryan didn't mind it.

Eileen's brows furrowed as she eyed Benjamin, who stood quietly behind Kian. Though he was silent, his lack of defense suggested his tacit agreement.

Eileen was poised to clarify the situation when Bryan spoke up, "Is that so? Then tell us the specifics. Nthe lodge. Specify the exact tand place," Bryan said.

Kian scoffed, "There's only one lodge near the hotel. Everyone-if you doubt me, feel free to check." Bryan guided Eileen from the corner, pulled a chair for her, and gestured for her to sit. He then seated himself beside her.

The reporters were puzzled by Bryan's actions. Bryan turned his cold gaze upon them and declared, "Why are you just standing there? I will not believe this is true unless you present concrete evidence. Why not dispatch someone to check with the owner of the lodge?" His words were laden with scorn, directed at Kian, making Kian feel humiliated.

The reporters hastily got in touch with their colleagues to investigate the nearby hotel. By a stroke of luck, several reporters were already at the hotel seeking new leads, placing them in close proximity to the site.

The weather was good, which allowed them to reach the lodge Kian had mentioned in under twenty minutes. To their surprise, they found only ruins, with workers and excavators still cleaning the site.

"Wasn't there supposed to be a lodge?" a reporter inquired urgently.

A worker, pointing towards a woman seated desolately in the corner, replied, "We're just hired for the job here. She's the owner; she might be able to answer your questions." The reporters swiftly surrounded the woman, who slowly emerged from her state of shock and grief.

"Excuse me, ma'am. Was this place operating as a lodge previously?" "Are you the owner? What prompted the demolition?" "And when did the demolition begin?" The woman cast a cautious look in a particular direction before nodding with resolve. "Yes, I own the place. The lodge wasn't performing well financially. I ceased operations last week and was preparing to relocate." The demolition had taken place last week. Yet, Kian had claimed that Eileen and Benjamin had stayed there just two days ago. Clearly, he was telling a lie.

“Did a man and a woman check into your establishment two days ago?” asked a reporter, not ready to let the matter go.

The woman responded, "Like I said, I closed the business last week. It was impossible to host anyone days ago. But a man approachedtwo days ago, askingto falsely claim that he and a woman had stayed overnight here. I refused. With the place already demolished, how could I comply?" The reporter documented her statement, then turned away to transmit the aurecording to a colleague at the press conference.

The reporters were desperate for a scoop. In their haste to depart, they didn't notice that after they left, the woman dashed out, approached a car, and tapped on the window. The window rolled down, and Raymond handed the woman a check. "This covers your business losses. The extra amount is hush money. Leave Onaland and do not return." The woman was still in a daze. Memories of being forcibly removed from her lodge while dining the previous evening haunted her. Dozens of vehicles had lined the road, and scores of workers had invaded her property, stripping away all the decorations within two hours.

Later, two bulldozers had razed her beloved lodge. A sharp ache gripped her heart. The lodge had been a charming establishment, more appealing than the usual hotels, generating substantial annual revenue. Though the check compensated her financially, the loss was still profoundly felt.

"What are you staring at?" Noticing her pensive look at the check, Raymond added, "You accepted money from the Warren family, which was unwise. Consider yourself fortunate that money can resolve this issue." Had Kian not sought to damage Eileen's reputation with the incident at the lodge, Bryan would not have spared the owner's life and allowed her a chance to rectify her actions through her testimony.

The woman quickly stowed the check. "I understand. I won't cback to Onaland again.” Once the owner's recorded statement reached the reporter at the press conference, the reporter broadcast it openly at the scene.

"That's not possible!" Overcwith anger, Kian hurled a water bottle at the reporter's phone, shattering it. Bryan leaned back in his chair calmly.

"Everyone has heard it, but you deny the truth. What is the purpose of this press conference then? To deceive us?" Faced with undeniable evidence, Kian found himself unable to retort.

He realized the reporters would no longer trust his statements. They had all the material needed for their subsequent articles.

Eileen was visibly nervous. Sweat had formed on her neck, and her palms were damp, one firmly clasped by Bryan throughout. She believed that he must have noticed.

After a while, Bryan let go of her hand, took out a handkerchief, and gently wiped her fingers. "Your efforts to be here today will not go unrewarded. I have swonderful news for you." After drying Eileen's palm, Bryan grasped her hand. Feeling his touch, Eileen suddenly noticed a ring on her ring finger.

Her eyes widened as she met Bryan's gaze, which radiated deep affection. Slowly rising to his feet, Bryan allowed her hand to rest in his palm and held it up, showcasing the diamond ring to all.

"We are getting married," he announced.

The announcement immediately electrified the crowd of reporters. Microphones surged towards them. "When is the wedding?" "Will the press be invited to the ceremony?" "How long have you two been together?" A flurry of questions ensued, overwhelming Eileen.

The announcement was so unexpected that she remained stunned, unable to process it immediately. Bryan extended his warm embrace around her waist gently. She looked up in surprise, her lips parting in astonishment. He then leaned in to kiss her, and instinctively, she placed her hand on his chest, gripping a shirt button tightly. The reporters erupted in excitement, rapidly capturing the kiss.

Bryan and Eileen becthe focal point of the press conference, overshadowing Kian, who hadn't been able to clarify anything.

Bryan swiftly exited with Eileen, without divulging more details to the media.

With their departure, the reporters all left.

The conference hall quickly emptied, leaving behind a disarray of chairs.

Kian clenched his teeth in frustration and, after a tense moment, swept everything from the table to the floor in a fit of rage.

Nearby, Benjamin stood silently with his head bowed.

The Dawson couple and the Warren couple were also present. They were too stunned by the day's events to react immediately.

As reality set in and the reporters dispersed, the Warren family realized realized they had faced a signifidant setback. They could hardly contain their anger nor address the Dawson couple cordially, so they stormed off.

"Mrs. Warren..." Lydia called out to stop Dobby, but to no avail. She then turned to Brandon, bugging at his alm "Brandon, we can't afford to offend the Warren family under the current circumstances." Brandon, however, shrugged off her hand dismissively. "You're still thinking about the Warren family? Didn't you listen to Bryan? Marrying Eileen=" The alliance with the Warren family was a recent strategy by Brandon to consolidate power and counter Bryan's influence within the Dawson family.

If all had gone as planned, the Warrens would have supported Brandon in any internal disputes in the future. But now, Bryan's unexpected move had thrown everything into disarray.

Frustrated, Brandon walked away, and Lydia, unable to remain composed, quickly followed him.

Behind them, Zola stood rigid as all the color left her face. She clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms, yet she seemed oblivious to the pain. She was still shocked by the announcement that Bryan had made. He and Eileen were getting married? When Zola looked at the angry Kian on the stage, she was overwhelmed by disgust.

Perhaps her intense stare was too much for Kian to ignore. Kian suddenly dashed toward her and enveloped her in a tight embrace.