Chapter 248 - The Tension: Rights And Role
While the two men are clashing gazes, Hailey is aware of what is going on. She wasn't that naive girl back then who had no idea even men were killing each other in front of her.
She could sense the tension between Vincent and Bryan, which made her worry. Although everything about her and Bryan is long over, still he's one of her favorite people in the world. She doesn't want him, and Vincent would have conflicts because of her.
Of course, she knew they could not avoid these circumstances from happening. But in this situation, she has to take Vincent's side.
"Bryan…" Before she could let out her speech, Vincent made his comeback.
"Mr. Anderson, Hailey is pregnant. I hope you understand what it means. Her preferences in food change and one of them is the salad you offered to her."
Bryan has no plan to back down. But after hearing this from Vincent's mouth and seeing Hailee nodded at him, he cannot refute it.
"I would feel sick if I ate avocado and tomatoes," said Hailey to him.
Bryan's shoulder dropped to his sides, bewilderment lingering on his face as he cannot accept that he was losing her completely. Of course, after what happened in the past, he is the last person she would side with.
It isn't true. He thought. And it was painful to believe, but he has to embrace the reality.
"Okay," he said afterward and didn't argue anymore but lowered his gaze to hide the hurt in his eyes.
He truly is. Vince Shen was utterly stripping off his role in her life as he took all the opportunity to remind him he has no rights toward Hailee anymore, now that she has someone she called her lover.
And the truth hurts. She doesn't need him anymore but another man.
In the next half-hour, they're eating; the table is filled with silence. No one from Bryan and Vincent attempted to speak toward each other when they ended up ridiculing each other in front of Hailee.
Although Vincent has many things, he wanted to speak with Bryan; this is not the perfect time and the right place. Actually, he has no plan to fight him. He just showed him the truth that Hailey was his now, and no other man has the right toward her.
Bryan is just the beginning. Everyone must know the boundaries they should mind from here on.
It is one of his fights, and he has no plan to become inferior, just so the knights would like him. He can be their friend, but he knew who he shouldn't.
In secret, Vince closed his eyes. He only deals with a few of them. How come if the rest he has to face?
He already won Pitt over…. Well, not fully yet. Tom and Keith have their woman, so he has no problem with them. But how about the rest of the knights? He is talking about the executives.
They seem reluctant to welcome him, but only Bryan, who is warm to him.
Last time at his presentation, they tried to grill him in hell. Now that he recalls that. But now, he and Bryan were not on good terms. He knew it wasn't right as it would affect their relationship as co-workers. But Hailee is a different case.
Vincent sighs inwardly. He actually hates this feeling. It seemed like he's becoming and thinking like Liam Huo. So full of jealousy.
*
Everything has been set up. Both Tim and Pitt and joins Bryan and Vincent in the monitoring room.
When Tim arrived, he handed a folder to Vincent. Bryan was curious about what is it, but he asked nothing.
Meanwhile, Hailee is eating a black forest cake. She picked up her phone, type on her phone, and sent the message to the phone number she knew belongs to Eva.
"Bryan, I can't see you tonight. Can we meet now instead?"
"Where are you?"
Instantly, Eva replied to her. Hailey has this amusing smile across her face reading the message.
"In our favorite steakhouse, here on South Bay Avenue."
"Okay. I'll be there."
Hailey shook her head. If this is Bryan, at least he'll use an endearment to his messages. This is how Eva failed to hide her identity.
Since it will take Eva like fifteen minutes to arrive, Bryan came to talk to her.
"Hail, can I at least know even just your initial plan? Why do you want to meet and talk to Eva?"
Hailey smiled at him, and she failed to hide the sadness in her eyes. But it is apparent to the reality that his illusion must end soon because all the emotion Hailee has to him is just pity, nothing more.
"Mainly, I want to discuss her pregnancy. I could feel that child is not yours, and I would not let her tie you to a responsibility that is not supposed yours. It's enough, Bryan. I want you to find happiness and peaceful life without tension because of Eva."
"As they've always quoted, it's easier said than done." Bryan breathes out.
"Maybe one day, Bryan," she quoted.
"I didn't know when that day would come." he smiled bitterly. He could perfectly feel the weight in her heart.
There is silence that passes between them and Bryan, who breaks it first.
"Regarding your query to Eva. I know it's not my child. Eva and I had never had sex again after that night. I could never touch her again, but disgust was boiling deep within me. However, I can't entirely blame her. It's my fault too. I made her insecure over you, and she has the right to feel that because I can't love her the way I love you."
"I think you must not bring up this, Bryan." She cut off whatever he wanted to tell her furthermore.
However, Bryan is determined to explain his side.
"I know I became a coward back then. I felt guilty, and I was depressed because I disappointed myself. It's not only you who was disappointed in me. I hated myself for making that mistake. Above all, to miss the chance that you'll be mine and I can court you to love me as your husband and not just a marriage of convenience for both of us."
"Bryan..."
"About Eva's pregnancy... She tried to trick me months ago. She told me that Liam's men chased her. She was hiding in Florida, and by then, she's trying to get me drunk so she could take advantage. I pretended I passed out. But I'm awake. I know she tried to make love with me, but I didn't drink what she gave me, but I pretended I did."
"Now, this is her plan. To trick me, she's pregnant. I am wondering who's the guy because I would be glad to give her to him and make him responsible for it."
Hailey remains her mouth sealed. She couldn't reveal yet the information she learned from Vince.
"Boss, Miss Eva has arrived."
One of Bryan's men reported.
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