Love Began with the First Meeting novel Chapter 144

"Let me tell you something..." Shirley leaned over the table dramatically towards Molly and said in a hushed voice," That demon has always been so clever ever since he was a young boy. He always took care of things on his own and never asked for anyone's help. And what's more... he likes to stay with his sister, but not me because he thinks I'm too silly. Hmph! So, yeah! I don't like him either!"

Molly's jaw dropped in amazement at how seriously Shirley said all that. She could actually picture how unhappy Shirley's face would look because of Brian's attitude. "But he is your son. Why would you say such a thing?" asked Molly.

"Yes, he is my son. That's exactly why it makes me angry every time he does it," Shirley said and sighed. "But I have to admit that he is too clever for his own good. Let me tell you a story about him. When he was about five years old, he could already outsmart his father...um, my husband, the man with the poker face you saw this morning," she joked. "Brian once secretly transferred some of his father's assets to his own account and competed against him for an auction item. He made a lot of money that day by fooling his father."

Molly listened to Shirley with keen interest, her eyes wide, as if she was being told an unbelievable story.

"But, to tell the truth, back during his childhood, Brian was a very lovely boy. I don't know why he has become the way he is now, aggressive and ill-tempered. He is no longer the pleasant kid I used to know,"

Shirley said with a worried look. Richie was a responsible man. All those years ago, when Richie had found out that he owed Shirley a lot and that he had to marry her, he had shouldered his responsibility and had kept his promise through the years. He was the only man who had helped Shirley move forward and see a brighter future.

But unlike Richie, Brian had grown up in a very cruel environment. Shirley wondered whether that was the reason for Brian's cold behavior.

Molly stayed silent. It was hard for her to imagine a five-year-old boy wearing an arrogant face. That sort of child was never to be seen in her circle of society.

**

In the mountain villa

with a tinge of displeasure painted across his cold face, Brian fixed his sharp eyes on Eric, who was mixing drinks like a professional bartender at the villa's private bar.

Eric was a playful man. He had inherited Frank's genes and his hobbies, which included his craze for experimenting with drinks and also his love for car racing. But he was not as crazy as Frank was in his youth.

Eric's phone rang in the distance, but he didn't bother answering it. He was focused on the cocktail he was concocting. Eric gracefully transferred the drinks into two cocktail glasses and handed one of them to Brian. He walked over to the desk and grabbed his phone to check the missed call number. His expression changed immediately.

Eric called back and the call connected almost immediately.

"Mr. Eric Long, I am afraid that Miss Yan's condition is not good right now." The voice at the other end belonged to one of Eric's men from the Shadow Organization.

"Well?" Eric furrowed his brows at the unpleasant news. He glanced at Brian, who was sipping his drink while looking at the dark sky outside. He said," Tell me more about the situation."

"Miss Yan's eye surgery was unsuccessful again. Even though the attending physician was Felix, the most famous oculist in the world, the result of the retina repairing was not satisfactory," the man on the other end said. After a pause, he went on to report," Moreover, her condition has been worsening since the surgery. Miss Yan is heading towards total blindness."

"Why is that happening in spite of being looked at by the best oculist in the world?" Eric hissed, as the worry in his voice became more evident. He asked in a stern voice," Is it becoming worse because of the surgery or is there some other reason for it?"

"Felix had warned Miss Yan of the risks regarding the operation before he performed it. But it was Miss Yan who had insisted on the surgery," The person on the other end tried to sound calm. "Felix has mentioned that the only way to cure Miss Yan's eyes is to transplant in the most suitable retinas. There are no other options left now."

Eric's face completely darkened and he said in a cold voice," I'd already given the order to find suitable retinas for her. Why haven't you found any yet?"

"We've found some donors who match Miss Yan's type. However, after tests were conducted on them, some of the retinas were eliminated because they did not match perfectly and only two pairs had remained. But unfortunately, Miss Yan's body rejected them too."

"That is strange. Why did that happen?" Eric's brows sank deeper in confusion and concern.

"Felix said that her condition was uncertain at the moment to draw any conclusion, and that he needed to study the case further. I've discussed this in length with Felix and he said that he had great interest in Miss Yan's case. So he is willing to stay and study more about her case." The man concluded his report successfully.

"Okay!" After giving some more brief instructions to his men, Eric hung up. He shifted his gaze to Brian, who was still sitting by the window. Eric asked him," Brian, don't you want to know who I was talking about on the phone?"

"I don't care. It has nothing to do with me," Brian said indifferently. He walked away from the window and put his glass down on the bar table and commented," The drink is kind of sour today."

Eric scoffed as Brian was about to leave. He said," You've turned sour today because of your jealousy. And that is why your drink seems sour too."

Brian stopped and turned around to cast a sharp glance at him and asked," Eric, I am curious. Would it be possible that if I fall in love with Molly, then you will simultaneously fall in love with her too?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Eric evaded a direct answer, but he said casually," Who knows? Brian, I told you, didn't I? Little Molly is a very interesting girl."

A thin smile tugged at the corners of Brian's lips. With his hands shoved into his pockets, he squinted at Eric and said slowly," Alright, you can take it that I am in love with her."

Not the slightest trace of emotion was indicated in Brian's steady voice. Eric was a little surprised to hear Brian admit it so straightforwardly. He casually rested his arms on the bar counter and looked at Brian. He smiled back at his cousin and said," Brian, you've devoted a lot for Becky's sake already."

Brian didn't respond to that. He just said," I am going to the Grand Night Casino. Help yourself here."

"What about Auntie Shirley? Aren't you going to look for her?" Eric straightened up and asked.