Shrouded Affections Winning Back My CEO Wife

Chapter 43 Chapter 43: Bryan slipped away from the Warren siblings and made his way to see the two vacant glasses. He caught Jacob's eye. "How many of these drinks can you take?” he inquired.

Jacob was at a loss for words. He had focused on the taste of the drinks, forgetting about the alcohol's strong effects. "Mr. Dawson, may I have another?" Eileen's gaze drifted, her cheeks rosy and her lips glistening, betraying her tipsy state. She looked charming.

Her mind was hazy with drink, yet she still knew Bryan was her boss, so she asked for his permission to drink. Bryan's throat tightened as he eased Eileen to her feet. Her balance wavered, and she leaned into him for support. It was a challenge to keep her upright.

"It's tto stop. Lettake you home," Bryan told Eileen.

"Bryan," Vivian interrupted as she approached with an icy stare towards Eileen, who paid her no mind. "You've been drinking as well. Are you sure you're fit to drive her home? Maybe she should stay at the hotel nearby." "My driver will escort you two," Jacob interjected, pulling out his phone. Under Vivian's scorching gaze, he hastened to add, "It's the least I can do since I am the one who got her drunk." As Jacob held the door open, Bryan supported Eileen's unsteady form and guided her out. Eileen leaned heavily on him, her steps uncertain. Navigating through the hallway proved a struggle as Eileen's balance faltered. Bryan carried her into his arms and marched forward.

Jacob hustled behind them and summoned the elevator. "Bryan, that was epic. Watching that expression on Vivian's face was priceless. But you might consider stepping in. Eileen shouldn't have to face Vivian's bullying." He continued babbling, clearly worried about the aftermath of Vivian's ire. A mix of unreadable emotions flickered across Bryan's face. He peeked down at Eileen, who was drunk and dizzy, and let out a laugh. Jacob sure knew how to stir up trouble for him.

The first the and Eileen had sex was in a hotel, and it was because they had drunk too much. Since then, Eileen had never gotten drunk; she always had a sense of propriety. But today she had slipped. Bryan believed he knew why.

Read exclusive updates galnovalsDownstairs, Jacob's driver was ready. Bryan and a drowsy Eileen nestled into the back seat. Jacob approached and rapped on the car window. The driver obliged, lowering the window.

"After you've dropped them off, fetch a cab to retrieve me. No need to linger. And raise the partition," Jacob said, then flashed a grin at Bryan.

Bryan sat quietly, fingers intertwined with Eileen's. She was nestled against the seat, her fixed gaze intense. As the partition went up, the car merged with the city's flow. The interior fell silent, Eileen's stare compelling Bryan's attention.

Bryan looked at her, giving her nose a playful tweak. "Think you'll go this heavy on the drinks next time?" "Ouch!" Eileen grimaced and rubbed her nose. "Why did you do that? Are you joining in on the bullying, too?" Bryan's eyes darkened upon hearing that. "Who's been bullying you?" "Isn't it obvious?" Eileen's eyes brimmed with tears. "Your beloved said sharsh words to me. She calledshameless and said I didn't deserve your time. How could she say that to me? She isn't your wife. If she's got an issue with you, why take it out on me?" Eileen straightened, her hands veiling her face, muffling her soft cries. The pain she had held back seemed to break through her defenses now. Bryan witnessed her breakdown, an ache blooming in his chest.

He was at a loss, unsure how to ease her sorrow. The alcohol unveiled Eileen's sadness-the ache of her parents' parting from long ago and Vivian's cold shunning flooded her thoughts. In her sober moments, she could ward off such feelings. Her resilience was her armor. Yet, inebriation had stripped her defenses, leaving her vulnerable. She knew that to Bryan, she was merely someone to share a bed with, and that deepened her grief.

"You have her already. Don't complicate my life further. You've prepped her to be an adept assistant, skilled in the intricacies of bids. Perhaps it's tforto resign. There's no need forto be a burden to you both," Eileen said between sobs.

Bryan arched an eyebrow, his eyes turning cold. When had he groomed Vivian as an assistant? With a side lean, he extended his arm to draw Eileen closer. She settled against him, her elbows resting against his chest. Her hands fell from her tear-streaked face, revealing a look of confusion.

Bryan asked, "You're thinking of resigning?" He barely concealed the sharpness in his tone.

Eileen's response was a swift shake of her head.

"Good." Bryan's smile was a ghost of warmth as he smoothed her disheveled locks and caressed her cheek. The calluses on his fingers added a whisper of sensation.

Eileen guided his hand to her waist and repositioned herself on his lap, tilting into his embrace. The heavy scent of alcohol hung between them.

"Bryan, are you going to leavebehind?" Eileen asked. Her question mirrored the abandonment she had known as a child.

The pain in her voice was tangible, piercing through Bryan's composure. His reply was soft but firm. "If you behave and listen tofrom now on, I won't leave you." "I will," Eileen replied quickly, her arms looping around his neck as she sought his lips. In her view, her affection was the only lure she held for Bryan-she was blind to any other allure she might possess.

Eileen's attire was disheveled, revealing more than intended due to undone buttons. Bryan couldn't help but notice. A rush of desire stirred within him, his gaze intense with anticipation.

"You'll need to do more," he murmured, gently guiding her.

Eileen's kisses were hesitant, her movements unskilled in her inebriated state. With every breath laced with the scent of alcohol, her eyes a misty veil of half-awareness, she drew him in.

Bryan's breath hitched, the yearning evident. But they were still in the car, and the partition did little to muffle the world beyond. In the moment, Bryan was content to savor the raw honesty of Eileen's affections, unpolished as they were.

As the kiss waned, Eileen's hands wandered awkwardly over his attire, blurred as she fiddled with a stubborn button, her efforts futile. Bryan felt a twinge of frustration mixed with desire. He quelled his impatience, deciding to wait until they reached Eileen's place.

He had instructed the driver to head to Springvale Lane, a mere minutes away. From the driver's seat, muffled sounds from the backseat occasionally reached the driver's ears. The driver quickly understood what was happening.

Accelerating, the car arrived at its destination in a brisk fifteen minutes. The driver swiftly exited the vehicle, offering through the window, "Mr. Dawson, I'll leave now. Enjoy your evening!" There was no pause for a reply. The driver left promptly after that.

Eileen's emotions had spun from distress to an earnest attempt to lift Bryan's spirits. She had fumbled with the buttons, successfully freeing two, one with Bryan's assistance. As she hesitated at the next fastening, she felt her seating change, startling her.

Bryan fought against his desires. "Tto head home," he said.

Confusion laced Eileen's thoughts, her mind clouded. A single word was all it took for Bryan's restraint to snap. He swore under his breath, his hands moving to her collar, abruptly tearing open her shirt.

Buttons skittered across the interior, and Eileen felt a sudden chill. Seeking solace, she instinctively pressed closer to Bryan for warmth.

Eileen's skirt had crept up to her waist as she settled onto him. Herbare legs caught Bryan's eye-striking and enticing: Bryan found the newness of the car's backseat thrilling, an unknown territory that brought a different rush.

Eileen's inebriation only intensified the thrill. The vehicle boasted a lofty chassis and superior shock absorption, providing ample room for them. The car was parked in the yard, shielded from prying eyes. The distance from the nearby apartments gave them a bubble of privacy.

Yet, as the first hints of dawn threatened, Bryan was aware they needed more seclusion. He escorted Eileen inside the house, eager to avoid ascending the stairs.

Meanwhile, Jacob was faring poorly. After bidding farewell to Bryan and Eileen, he faced repeated defeat at Kian's hands in their online battle.

When the driver returned to fetch him, Vivian warned him, "After all these years, you know where your loyalties should lie. Eileen's role is clear. She's merely an assistant. Don't be short-sighted," she said.

With a grin, Jacob replied, "Your point escapes me." Waving farewell, Jacob exited the gaming lounge, his muffled chuckles fading as the door shut. Vivian exhaled deeply and sank onto the couch.

"It's getting late. You should head back and rest,” Kian advised as he "You m helped Vivian to her feed birthday is tomorrow; Mom and Dad have picked out a place to celebrate it. You need to be rested so you can shine tomorrow." Walking out with Kian, Vivian voiced her concern, "Do you think Bryan will show up?" Kian assured her with a touch of intrigue, "Absolutely. I'd be stunned if he missed it. He might even have a surprise waiting for you." Hope sparked in Vivian's eyes, though it quickly dimmed, clouded by images of Bryan with Eileen.

In the car, Kian's gaze fell upon Vivian's troubled look, his thoughts trailing to Eileen. "Stay on as Bryan's assistant you've got to be proactive. It's wise to expand your business savvy. Use this job to build a rapport with him. I can handle the rest," Kian said to Vivian. Vivian acknowledged his words with a heavy nod. Kian offered a comforting pat on her head. But then, he seemed to think of something, his eyes darkening.