Chapter 329 Chapter 329 You can learn to trust me.
Chapter 329 Chapter 329 You can learn to trust me.
Early the next morning, Eileen Stevens woke up and had breakfast, enjoying the peacefulness of her home. Finlay Stevens had been out late the night before and stayed at a hotel, while Davina Evans was at the hospital with Yesenia Stevens for a check-up, and they hadn’t returned yet.
Eileen felt quite content. After the chaotic night of screams, Anne Ross's popularity had surged thanks to her collaboration with Calvin Brooks and the backlash from Yesenia Stevens. Once Anne finished filming her scenes for "The Favored Consort," Eileen planned to take her to shoot a commercial and then discuss potential variety show appearances.
After breakfast, Niles Hawke called Eileen, saying he needed to see her and asked her to step outside. Eileen changed her clothes and went downstairs, hopping into the car waiting at the corner. "What's up?" she asked.
Niles chuckled lightly. "I have a gift for you."
Seeing Niles in such a good mood made Eileen smile as well. "What about Hyrum? His medication is pretty effective. Did you catch the live stream of the scream night?"
Niles nodded while driving. "I did. Hiram reported that Yesenia Stevens has lost a significant amount of her business resources, and her commercial value has dropped quite a bit. She won't be causing any trouble anytime soon."
"Hyrum... was taken by Lynx Black. You don't need to worry about him."
Eileen asked curiously, "Are Lynx Black and Hyrum really brothers? I never heard you mention that before."
Niles offered a brief explanation. "They share the same father but have different mothers. The Black Family situation is a bit complicated. Hyrum is unstable but a medical genius; his talent is on par with Lynx Black."
Eileen wasn't too interested in digging deeper into the Black Family matters. They arrived at the secret base, and Eileen was taken aback. "The gift is here?"
Niles took her wrist and pushed open the door. Eileen froze in place.
Morning light streamed through the large floor-to-ceiling windows, and the decor of the room had completely transformed.
The simple twin bed had been replaced with a massive double bed, adorned with bedding in Eileen Stevens' favorite shades of white and pink.
In the corner near the wall, a small open kitchen had been set up, with a bar counter beside a fridge, right next to a wine cabinet, where highball glasses sparkled under the light.
The largest countertop had also been remodeled, with tables and chairs matching Niles Hawke's office style, and the messy wires were neatly organized.
What was once a simple and lonely flat had transformed overnight into a lively home.
Eileen Stevens stared in disbelief and asked, "You... had someone renovate this place?"
Niles Hawke nodded. "You said you liked this secret hideout, so I thought I’d make it more comfortable for you."
He pulled Eileen inside, opened a cabinet, and said, "Your snacks are all here, and I bought some more so you won't run out."
He walked over to the side and added, "A few changes of clothes are here too, all brand new."
The wall by the bed had a built-in safe. He said, "And this—your original safe hasn’t been touched; I just moved it here and made it a hidden door, so it’s not easily found."
Eileen Stevens looked around the transformed room, opened her mouth, and after a long pause, finally asked, "Why? Didn’t you... dislike me hiding these things? Why help me with all this?"
Niles Hawke gently ruffled her hair and replied, "I don’t dislike this place. I just thought that maybe this way, you could learn to trust me."
"Trust?" Eileen pondered the word.
Niles nodded. "Yeah, if you feel safe here, then stay. No one knows about this place except for us."
He spoke softly, "Eileen, your secrets are always safe with me. You can relax."
Eileen's heart skipped a beat, as if that tightly closed door had been gently nudged open by Niles Hawke.
But he didn't barge in; instead, he gently offered a rose to Eileen Stevens, making her want to swing the door wide open to welcome him.
She tilted her head, glancing at the desk and computer beside her, and asked, "What's that?"
Niles Hawke looked a bit awkward as he replied, "That's mine."
Eileen blinked. "Yours?"
"Yeah," Niles nodded. "Sometimes, I like to work here too."
Seeing the slight unease on his otherwise cool face, Eileen couldn't help but chuckle softly.
After checking out the gift Niles had given her, the two headed to the hospital to find Lynx Black.
Niles said, "We owe it to Lynx Black's medical skills that this situation turned out okay. Otherwise, I really don't know what would have happened..."
He hesitated, leaving his sentence unfinished.
But Eileen understood. She gently squeezed Niles's hand and said, "Then let's take him out for dinner?"
Niles nodded. "Yeah."
Since they were bringing Lynx Black, it was inevitable that Hyrum and Hiram Hawke would join them as well.
While they were eating, Eileen learned that after all of Hyrum's things were moved to Lynx Black's lab, he had basically moved in there, living and eating at the lab.
Eileen laughed and said, "Doesn't that mean you guys have made up?"
Lynx Black snorted, "Who made up with him? He's a total nuisance."
He asked, "Eileen Stevens, how's that situation with Myrtle Stevens being pregnant that you wanted me to check on?"
Eileen Stevens shook her head. "Nothing much. She seems to be taking good care of herself and being very cautious."
Lynx Black frowned and said, "Then it might just be a normal pregnancy. You and your sister were too hard on her, which is why you're so worried."
Just then, Eileen's phone rang.
She glanced at her WeChat, rolled her eyes, and said, "Speak of the devil, and he shall appear."
"What’s up?" Niles Hawke asked.
Eileen pushed her phone toward Niles and said, "I promised Aunt Lu I’d go hiking with her, and Caelan Cooper is here to pick me up."
Niles furrowed his brow. "I'll go with you."
Eileen immediately shook her head. "No, I don't want the Stevens family to know you're with me. That would be a real headache."
She took a few deep breaths to calm herself. "It's fine. It's just a hike. I'm mainly there to keep Aunt Lu company. What could Caelan Cooper possibly do, push me off the mountain?"
Niles didn’t press the issue and simply nodded. "Be careful. Call me if you need anything."
"Okay."
Since the weather was nice that day, Caelan Cooper thought it would be a good idea to go hiking and contacted Eileen.
Eileen went home to change into a sporty outfit with a white and pink color scheme, tying her long hair into a neat ponytail, looking youthful and vibrant.
Although they were going hiking, it was winter in the coastal city, so Caelan chose a small hill that was perfect for a relaxing outing.
Eileen Stevens drove to the agreed meeting spot, but there wasn't a single person in sight.
After waiting for a while without seeing anyone, she was about to pull out her phone to call and check the situation when she noticed a car approaching from a distance.
The vehicle stopped in front of her, and Caelan Cooper was the first to get out, helping Myrtle Stevens down from the passenger seat.
Myrtle, holding her lower back, still had a flat stomach, yet she managed to strike a pose as if she were five months pregnant. With a smile, she said, "Sister, it's been a long time!"