"If it is a lie, won't it be easily exposed?" Deirdre smiled and pointed to her eyes. "Miss Collins is here to treat my eyes. She is highly skillful and claims that she will let me see again soon. That is why she is here."Ophelia furrowed her eyebrows tightly. "What's going on with them chatting and laughing then?"Deirdre's gaze dimmed momentarily, but she smiled and said, "It's very normal that they are talking to each other. Brendan can't just be cold to Miss Collins. After all, they will still need to discuss treatment methods together."Ophelia's lips moved. In the end, she heaved a sigh and said, "Alright then. You're going to make up excuses to exonerate Brendan no matter what I say anyway. However, I will still need to remind you as your mother. Don't be overconfident with Brendan's feelings for you."Deirdre felt her heart sink abruptly upon hearing her mother's final sentence. She followed Ophelia downstairs afterward, and Emily's laughter came to a stop. "You're awa
Emily left, and Brendan picked up his jacket, draping it across his arm. He rubbed Deirdre's hair while he was at it."Wait for me."Deirdre nodded. Her gaze dimmed when she gazed after Brendan's departing silhouette. Emily's trick of constantly seeking out opportunities to be with Brendan with just the two of them was obvious to everyone.She trusted Brendan but wondered whether Brendan would truly not be attracted to such an outstanding woman as time passed.-After meeting Ryker Wight, the three of them took their seats in Delicioso. Brendan was on guard throughout the whole process and kept a safe distance from Emily all the time. He chose to only discuss Deirdre's condition. Emily was serious and attentive, which slightly changed his perception of her. He did not find her as annoying as before. "As long as Emily stays close to Miss McKinnon to help her with the treatment, the blood clot in her brain will surely improve by taking the prescription medicines on schedule
"Now I know why an It Girl like you never got into any relationship. Few guys can compare to our handsome Mr. Brighthall over here," Ryker remarked before frowning a little. "But, uh, he's taken. They are even expecting a kid. Are you sure you want to get in between them like that?"Emily found the phrase "get in between" an affront to her ears. "He might have a woman and a kid, but that doesn't mean they're lovey-dovey with each other or something, right? If they love each other that much, then why aren't they married yet? Face it. He's only interested in the child."Besides, even married couples get divorced all the time. I wouldn't think they are somehow an exception to the rule."Ryker had little opinion on the method Emily would stoop to, but he did have some other things to add. "Listen, Emily. Treat this as advice from a friend. You're an exceptional woman, but he's just not into you. Honestly, he might love his partner way more than you're willing to entertain."Emily had h
As Mrs. Engel laid the food on the table, Deirdre beckoned to her. "Come on, eat with us.""M-Me?" Mrs. Engel was apprehensive. "I, uh, don't think that's appropriate! Domestic workers like me don't eat with their employers on the same table like that, Mrs. Brighthall. I'll just have my meal in the kitchen…""Oh, it's nothing. Brendan cares about these rules because it's part of his upbringing, but we don't. Since he's not here with us today, just join us at the table. Makes cleaning up easier, too.""Exactly!" Ophelia chimed in. "You're not some servant or domestic worker to us. You're family. And family eats together, so join us already! Where are your fork and knife?"Mrs. Engel's eyes reddened. "T-Thank you."Mrs. Engel and Ophelia chatted after dinner while Deirdre rose the stairs and went into her room. She had not slept well last night and needed an early rest. Unfortunately, even as she lay on her bed, her eyelids too heavy to even be opened, she could not sleep. Her bra
"Isn't Mr. Brighthall there at the mansion?""No, he's not here, and I can't reach his phone either. I don't know what happened!"Sam leaped up from bed and put his coat over himself. "Alright, Miss McKinnon, calm down, okay? The last time he called me, he told me he was going to eat with Miss Collins. It's late now, but they could still be eating together somewhere. I'll look for him immediately and tell you the moment I find him.""Okay. Thanks, Sam."Deirdre ended the call, her heart on a grill. She did not mind Brendan not coming home, but to do that without any news or even answering her call? That was just fuel for her worries, especially since she had no idea what had happened on his end!What if those people had laid their hands on him!?Deirdre sank into the couch, determined to wait for his return. Consternation shadowed Mrs. Engel as she watched until finally, she suggested softly, "Mrs. Brighthall, I really think you should go back to your room and sleep. You're pregn
Ophelia's blood boiled while Deirdre looked on, apologetic. "I'm sorry, Mom! I just… couldn't help but feel a little worried, okay? Brendan has never not answered my call or not left me a message somewhere before, so…""Worried?" Ophelia snickered. Mrs. Engel knew what that meant. She swooped in immediately. "Wait, Mrs. McKinnon! We need to wait until Mr. Brighthall is back so they can settle it themselves!""What's there to settle, huh? Especially after what he did! Who does he take my daughter for!?" Ophelia's voice shook with fury. "I can't believe you, Simone. You're acting like he's your master you must defend just because he pays you? Think about it! Ask yourself honestly. Is it fair to sweep this under the carpet instead of letting Dee know!?"Mrs. Engel was flustered. "No, Mrs. McKinnon, that's not what I'm doing here! He pays me, but it doesn't mean I don't know who's the one looking out for me the most. I only answered his call for a housekeeper because I wanted to care
"Oh really? Then how did Deirdre go blind?"Mrs. Engel froze. Deirdre's lips turned pale as though someone had run a knife through her chest.Ophelia was right. Brendan had always been a cold man. Others had the luxury of remaining ignorant of it, but she was his victim. She should have that carved in the crevices of her brain, yet she had allowed herself to forget all of the pain and agony she had gone through over the years. She had forgotten about the things he had done to her.He was being nice to her now, but was it for her or for the child he fathered?Her faith in him was shaking. A thought—one that should not have come to form—dawned on her. If she had not gotten knocked up, would he still treasure her so lovingly and gently? Would he love her?It was true. Brendan had changed a lot since Emily showed up. He hugged and touched her less. Maybe all he ever cared about was his offspring, while the mother? The mother had always been nothing more but a dispensable placeholder f
"Sorry. I wanted to send you home, but the mansion is so far away from Delicioso, and it was really late at night. As such, I thought of letting you rest in a hotel instead.""It's alright. It's not all your fault."Brendan immediately called Sam, who answered him at the first second. "Finally! You're finally on your phone!" he cried out frantically. "I saw what happened on the Internet," said Brendan. "Come to the hotel and settle the surveillance camera footage. PR work is in need."Sam gave a hum of affirmation before adding, "Oh, and sir? Miss McKinnon called in the wee hours. The scandal happened so quickly and got viral so soon that I've been busy coordinating censoring work and getting a sense of what happened, so I haven't told her anything yet. You should get back to the mansion and… Well, you have to explain it to her."Brendan's heart stopped for a second. He hung up the call and immediately raced to the elevator, leaving his suit behind in his room. "Wait, Mr. Brigh