Defying Fate: The Unstoppable Eileen novel Chapter 291

Terrence stood there, momentarily stunned by Eileen's lack of enthusiasm. With a touch of bewilderment in his voice, he asked, "Don't you find it romantic, Eileen?"

Eileen just stared blankly at him.

Romantic? Is it?

Terrence continued with a gentle smile, "Imagine a little haven, away from the hustle and bustle of the world – a quaint bridge over a babbling brook, a couple like something out of a fairytale; such a life exudes a serene and tranquil charm, doesn't it?"

Again, Eileen had no response.

Terrence, undeterred, went on, "You won’t need a mansion, just a cozy place for the two of you would be enough to call home. You don't need a fortune, just simple meals to sustain you. Waking up to the ocean and looking up to see the spring bloom, a small backyard could hold all the happiness for two."

Eileen's face twisted into an awkward grimace.

How many girly movies had her brother devoured to be spouting such nonsense?

In a hushed tone tinged with irritation, Eileen turned to her niece Isabel and asked, "How long has your dad been like this?"

Isabel, not quite getting Eileen's drift and busy with her food, responded with a puzzled, "Huh?"

Realizing she couldn't get the little girl to understand, Eileen stealthily approached Egbert Reed and whispered, "Has he seen a doctor about this?"

Egbert just pressed a hand to his temple, wincing slightly, and muttered, "Some people actually like that kind of life."

Eileen's eyes widened in disbelief, "Like you?"

Egbert simply replied, "Like him."

Eileen glanced back at her brother before saying, "Is this some kind of rich kid rebellion? To have a mansion but choose a cottage, to shun delicacies for plain home cooking? Fine, but remind him to keep these thoughts within family walls. If he says this stuff in public, he's asking for trouble."

Egbert said nothing, just sighed.

Finally, dinner was over.

While Eileen went to change Isabel's bandage, Egbert took the plates to the kitchen to wash up.

Terrence followed him to the doorway, sighing, "Sorry for not being much help."

Egbert, scrubbing the dishes with practiced ease, replied calmly, "No problem, you did help by keeping quiet towards the end."

Terrence frowned, "Do I know my sister so little? Her thoughts seem so different from most young women. Do you know what she likes?"

Egbert answered, "Used to be money."

Terrence was taken aback, "And now?"

"Still money," Egbert stated.

Confused, Terrence probed further, "What does she need all that money for?"

Egbert paused, thinking of the current state of "Apex Synergy Group," and then said, "According to her, she doesn't need to spend it, but she can't stand being without it."

Terrence was about to leave after dinner.

Isabel hid upstairs, not wanting to come down in case her father took her with him.

After Eileen called for her several times and Isabel stubbornly refused to come down, Eileen awkwardly told her brother, "Have Egbert drive you home."

At the suggestion, Egbert scrunched his brow in disapproval. Meanwhile, Terrence dismissed it with an easy smile, replying, "No need." He turned to Eileen, hesitated, but finally raised his hand toward her.

Eileen, fighting her reflex to twist the arm of a stranger reaching out to her, stood still.

Terrence's warm hand rested on top of her head as he said softly, "You were so small when you got lost, and now, in the blink of an eye, you've grown into a fine young lady."