Defying Fate: The Unstoppable Eileen novel Chapter 316

Eileen stood there, dumbfounded.

"What the...?" she muttered to herself, her eyes wide with astonishment.

But to everyone else in the room, it seemed like not a big deal.

Blake and Chad marched down the stairs, their smiles wide as they greeted her, "Hey, you made it."

Scrambling for words, Eileen managed, "Hey, Blake, Chad."

At that moment, Chad slung an arm around Carlson's neck, introducing him, "This is your brother, Carlson."

Eileen turned to look at Carlson in the middle. In contrast to Blake's cool composure and Chad's commanding presence, not to mention Terrence's scholarly vibe, Carlson was the epitome of rugged charm.

His skin was tanned from years in the field, his posture arrow-straight, eyes like piercing stars. Just standing there, he radiated a sense of security that was palpable.

He was the spitting image of a soldier.

Eileen gazed up at Carlson and felt a familiar pang in her heart. She was reminded of Derek. He possessed the same commanding presence, and whenever she stood beside him, she felt like she was in the safest place in the world.

Carlson gently shrugged off Chad's hand and approached Eileen. He looked down at the petite girl before him and softly patted her head.

Looking up, Eileen tried to read the rare smile on Carlson's face. It was stiff like he wasn't used to smiling, but he managed, "You've grown so much."

A sudden lump formed in Eileen's throat, the resemblance to Derek overwhelming her for a moment. She fidgeted with her fingers before taking a deep breath and saying, "Hey, Carlson."

His smile softened, and he nodded, dropping his hand back to his side, "Good girl."

From the kitchen, the housekeeper called out, "Mrs. Roberts, shall we serve the meal now?"

Rosalind quickly responded, "Yes, let's eat. Eileen must be starving. Come, everyone, dinner's ready."

Soon, everyone was seated at the table. Eileen glanced across the table at Egbert, feeling a desire to be closer to him. She playfully remarked, "Can Egbert even reach the dishes from over there?"

Rosalind was taken aback, looking between Eileen and Egbert on the other side of the table. Frowning slightly, she asked, "Egbert, are you having trouble serving yourself?"

Egbert was silent for a moment, about to reply when suddenly everyone's eyes were on him.

Blake removed his glasses and set them aside. Carlson was toying with his fork as if it were a weapon. Chad leaned back in his chair, his knuckles cracking ominously. Sonia was holding a steaming cup of coffee. Flossie had pulled a bottle of hot sauce closer to her.

The younger relatives were also restless, watching intently.

Egbert let out a weary sigh, "I can manage."

Immediately, the tension at the table dissipated, replaced by a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

Eileen just shook her head, bemused.

After lunch, Sawyer tugged at Egbert's sleeve. Egbert looked at him, and Sawyer sighed reassuringly, "Egbert, count your blessings. At least you get to sit at the table. Derek has to eat in his study."

Egbert just stared, wondering if that was supposed to be comforting.

Post-lunch, Karin took Eileen to the tranquility of the garden.

Away from the crowd, Eileen relaxed, hugging Karin, "You always get me."

Karin's shy smile lit up her face, "Tea, Eileen?"

"Sounds perfect," Eileen said with a smile.