Shrouded Affections Winning Back My CEO Wife

Chapter 22

Chapter 22:

Jacob added Eileen to the lively group chat, where Huey was quick to send a message.

“Eileen, stick with me, and I'll protect you tonight. We'll take them on together!”

Casting a sidelong look at Bryan, Eileen noted everyone's preoccupation with their conversations. She was about

to dwell on their earlier conversation when Jacob teased, “You've got guts for someone so young. Let's put your

skills to the test tonight!”

Vivian replied, “No teasing; Eileen’s boyfriend just wants to protect her in the game. He doesn’t care if he'll lose

or win.”

Kian threw in a playful barb. “Do | hear wedding bells? I'd better start saving for a grand gift for your marriage.”

Huey’s response was prompt. “A wedding would surely call for a celebration with all of you, but it’s up to Eileen.”

The chatter didn’t sit well with Eileen, prompting her to discreetly mute the conversation. After the last note was

sung at karaoke, Jacob, buzzing with energy, ushered Eileen toward Bryan's suite.

They navigated through the space—bathroom to the left, a generous living room ahead, and bedrooms to the

right. However, the room felt less spacious with a full gathering convened around the coffee table.

When the clock struck, the gaming session began. Bryan and Kian, with Vivian in tow, formed one team, while

Eileen allied with Huey.

Vivian, though not a gaming ace, definitely showed more prowess than Eileen, who quickly becthe team’s

underperformer, faltering in the initial practice round.

Huey’s encouragement filtered through Jacob's phone, which was on speaker. “Eileen, put on your headphones

and jump on the voice chat. Don’t worry; I've got your back.”

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That warm-up defeat sparked a competitive blaze in Huey. A player known as Ax had bested him swiftly—Huey

was taken aback by the player's sharp gaming instincts. Determined to redeem himself in the eyes of his team

and not let Eileen down, Huey silently pledged to up his game.

As Eileen made to retrieve her headphones, Bryan intercepted her with a pair of Bluetooth earpieces. “Use

these. No need to go and grab your own earphones.”

Eileen accepted the device, pairing it with her phone and slipping one earpiece in her ear to join the voice chat,

Huey’s voice now a private channel in her ear. They dove into another round, with Eileen following Huey’s lead

on strategy.

Jacob, too, donned headphones, a tactical move to ensure their gplan stayed within the team.

Eileen’s character, with the enchanting ability to beca nimble deer, was designed to aid her allies. By the

fourth level, she had the power to sync with her team, becoming an extension of their will. Huey, wielding the

strength to deal significant blows, assisted her in acquiring gear, including shields to fortify their defense.

In this round, Huey took the lead with caution. The score was even, with both teams having claimed three

eliminations, ramping up the tension. In this dance, they remained shadows to each other until Vivian's avatar

strayed into their view.

“Now’s our chance,” Huey said with excitement. “Eileen, flank from the left and scout the bush, and I'll strike the

final blow.”

Eileen’s breath hitched, a testament to the moment's gravity. She adhered to Huey’s plan, and their trap

ensnared Vivian effortlessly. Eileen heard Vivian's call for aid. “Bryan, | need backup!”

Vivian's plea was cut short as her character met its demise. Huey’s victorious cry rang out, a brief burst of joy,

before a new threat loomed—a stealthy adversary with a blade appeared and killed Huey’s avatar in a swift,

ruthless move.

“Eileen, run now!” Huey urged, his voice urgent.

Heeding the call, Eileen maneuvered her character to safety. Meanwhile, Vivian said to Bryan, “Give them chase.

Avenge me!”

Vanishing from the enemy's view, Eileen followed Huey’s directive. “Stay hidden in the left brush and wait for

backup.”

Jacob's avatar was swift to respond, but Bryan was quicker, circling the bushes before shifting his focus.

Glancing at Bryan, Eileen caught the gleam in his eyes, a sly grin playing on his face. A wave of anxiety washed

over her—his knowing look suggested he was aware of her hiding spot.

“Trust me. Stick with my lead. Our team’s got the upper hand now,” Huey said confidently.

Huey was relentless, taking down Kian and Vivian repeatedly. Yet Bryan remained his elusive bane, always one

step ahead, much to Huey’s bafflement.

Huey’s suspicions arose as he scrutinized Bryan's gaming ID. It felt familiar, but he couldn't remember where he

had seen it.

Jacob, swept up in the thrill, had palpable enthusiasm even without a personal stake in the fray.

The match stretched on, a dance of strategy and skill. Bryan's choice to strike Huey rather than focus on the

game's objectives gave the team more tbefore they finally lost.

Jacob let out a long sigh, casting a blank look toward Bryan and voicing his frustration to Huey. “Good, but as the

founder of the game, you didn’t match my expectations. The last tBryan played with us, we were

demolished. Your participation only made the situation a little better.”

Huey paused, a hint of disbelief in his voice. “Wait. ‘Ax’? That's Bryan's main account, right? What was his

previous ID?”

“Apex,” Jacob said. “A nthat should ring a bell.”

Before Eileen could process this revelation, Huey’s voice broke through the earpiece with a jolt of energy. “No

way! He's Apex, the legend himself? The man’s a gaming titan! And I'm supposed to beat him? This is wild!

Remember how he skyrocketed this game’s popularity with his insane skills? His records still stand! | have to

meet him in person!”

Eileen’s head was pounding from Huey’s fervor. She swiftly removed the earpiece, seeking respite. Her gaze

drifted to Bryan, who sat back casually, a sly smile playing on his lips.

Eileen spotted a similar Bluetooth earpiece in his ear. It turned out he had been privy to Huey’s strategy all

along!

Jacob removed his headphones and, with a chuckle, activated the speaker. “Why not talk to your hero? He can

hear you now.”

Huey’s voice suddenly ceased, leaving the room engulfed in silence.

“Vivian, caught off guard, said, “You guys logged off."”

Bowing her head, Eileen noticed the absence of Huey’s online presence. Then, her phone buzzed with his

message.

“My mom's confiscated my phone. Pass a message to my hero, will you? I'll treat him to dinner when you're all

back in Portland!”

Eileen’s lips curled into a soft smile at the underlying admiration in Huey’s words. She relayed to the room,

“Huey had something cup and had to go offline.”

Jacob exhaled deeply, a reminiscent smile on his face. “Playing this gbringsback to the old days. You

know, Eileen, | think your boyfriend owes Bryan a favor since Bryan is the one who made the gpopular.”

Bryan glanced at Eileen and said, “Let's not get carried away. I'm not familiar with Huey after all. But Eileen

could return the favor tofor Huey.”

To Eileen, Bryan's words held layers. Jacob then genuinely commended Huey’s skill, acknowledging his ability as

the game's founder.

a5 , q q

Vivian's attention drifted from the

gto something else, the night

deepening around fief) she reached

far, EN a’yawn hidden in her voice.

uw ) .

The hour's late, and weariness calls.

, : . »

Let's call it a night, Bryan.” The

content is on novelenglish.net! Read

the latest chapter there!

Q , a ]

Eileen's gaze fell, her lips pressed into

Q . )

a line. She dimmed her phone's glow,

signaling her nenpggeRIOe

, A 5

pan sands 6'Vi ian halted her.

" SL

eeling worn out? Head off to bed

) f ) .

then. It's been ages since I've dived

into this game. The rest of us will

» .

play another round.” The content is

on novelenglish.net! Read the latest

chapter there!

Bryan's focus turned to Eileen. “Are you sleepy?” he asked.

Suddenly, Eileen becthe center of attention, a flush of surprise coloring her cheeks.

“You should head to bed as well. You're too weak in the game; the three of us will play without you,” Bryan said,

his voice laced with a subtle jab.

His gaze landed on the telltale shadows beneath her eyes, a silent acknowledgment of her sleepless night and

the disruption he had caused in her rest this afternoon.

Eileen mustered a weary grin and rose. “I'll go rest now. You guys should go to bed early. Try not to make a habit

of these late nights,” she suggested, her tone light.

Vivian, seizing the chance, quickly said, “Eileen’s right. Bryan, aren't you tired now? Maybe you should get some

rest.”

Eileen caught Bryan's eyes, his look one of annoyance. She laughed it off awkwardly and left, indifferent to their

decision to play on or retire.

A suspicion nagged at her that Bryan might be purposefully distancing himself from Vivian, but she left the

thought unexplored.

Weighed down by exhaustion, Eileen surrendered to sleep after a shower. Her wet hair, a careless oversight, left

her pillow damp.

A sharp headache punished her

neglect as she stirred late, the ioe

dancing rough-a SfatRed window

ahd Bat ng the room in gentle light.

After rubbing her forehead for a

while, she reached for her phone. The

content is on novelenglish.net! Read

the latest chapter there!

Bryan's text awaited her:

“| stayed up last night. I'll be resting today. Feel free to spend your day as you wish. Wait fortonight.”