"Ms. McKinnon, it's me."Shock shadowed Deirdre's features. She had been waiting for this. "Sam! What did you find out from Mrs. Engel's side? Any leads?"Sam was audibly excited. "Yes! I've got it! Mrs. Engel's eldest son had been abducted a month ago and released with threat, so his company faced a serious crisis at that time. It was then that someone suddenly provided monetary aid and saved her son's company from being destroyed."My investigation showed that none of it was coincidental. It was premeditated! And now, Mrs. Engel's son tells me he's willing to work with us to unmask Emily for who she really is!""That's great!"Deirdre was overjoyed. Emily's plan was not as foolproof as she touted it to be, after all! "Where are you now?""In the city where Mr. Mark Engel lives, though I'm technically buying a return ticket back to Neve. I'll be bringing Mark along with me for a confrontation with Emily."Part of Deirdre was concerned. "Do we have enough iron-clad evidence that
Food was also a great way to bring back the zest and passion in their relationship, especially after both of them had let it cool off on the side for this long.Ophelia was quite surprised to see Deirdre working hard in the kitchen. "Uh, shouldn't I help?""It's fine." Deirdre smiled, wiping little beads of sweat off her face. "I can do these. It's blurry, but it's good enough for me."Realization and understanding shadowed Ophelia's smile. "You hardly cook these days, so… what's up? Got motivated by some celebrity cook on the TV, or are you doing this only for a special someone?"Deirdre's cheeks warmed up a little. "Mom!""I know, I know. My daughter finally learned to put some effort into maintaining a relationship! As a mother who is very in the know, I won't interfere with this very special moment, so I am going to eat out."Deirdre was surprised. "Huh? But where? You don't have to!""I'm going to eat at a nice restaurant, sweetie. I won't stick around to see the two of you
Emboldened, Deirdre banished her hesitance and set her fork down. "Yes. I want to talk about something.""I'm all ears." Brendan took a sip of the soup and looked at her as tenderly as ever. "Can't say I'm not at all curious about this whole thing. It must be pretty big since you went to lengths to ask me to come home early."To his knowledge, Deirdre was never the type to take the first step in anything."Remember what I told you the last time? That Mrs. Engel is innocent?" The tenderness in Brendan's face gelled into something mechanical. His eyes cooled—they were now more placid than tender and perhaps even a little annoyed. He frowned. "Must you harp on this forever, Dee? It's all in the past now. Emily herself left us."Deirdre clenched her hands under the table. She cast her eyes down, but her tone remained serious. "Yes. It's all in the past. I could never mention it again if I didn't want to, but just because it happened doesn't mean it was nothing, was it? "I'm going t
"Where's Mark Engel now?"Deirdre was overjoyed. "He's on his way here! Sam located him and is bringing him to Neve. They should be here by tomorrow!"Brendan grazed the tablecloth back and forth. "Once he's with us, I'll confront Emily personally. She needs to explain this. If it really was her doing, then the people backing her must be very powerful too. I won't let her get away with this!"That was especially since his investigations had revealed no sign of outside manipulation. Deirdre clenched her hands to stop herself from being too excited. "And what about Shea and Mrs. Engel?""I'll compensate them for misjudging them. Shea will return to you, too."Deirdre smiled from ear to ear. Good, good! This way, Emily could never come back again! She knew it—she knew that her determination would pay off!The next morning, Sam called and told them they had both arrived at the station.Deirdre quickly informed Brendan, who ordered Sam to bring the man straight to their villa. Then
Brendan's glare was cold and piercing. "You claimed not to know Mark Engel, yet your company clearly dealt business with his before. Why? "You gave his company $450,000 a while ago, too! Are you going to tell me that this is all a fraud?"Consternation shadowed Emily's face. "Wait, Mr. Brighthall! I don't know what's happening at all! I might be in charge of Collins Pharmaceuticals, but I'm still considered wet around my ears. The board of directors was the one who made decisions on the company's behalf, so… I don't know where this $450,000 came from!"You have to let me make a call, okay? Give me time to make heads and tails of it!"She immediately tried to call on her phone.Deirdre stayed on her couch, unmoved. She was almost interested in watching how Emily was going to continue her pretense. While she was relaxed, however, Mark suddenly stepped forward and slapped the phone out of Emily's hand. "Don't muddy the water with some calls, missy! Your company transferred $450,00
Emily asked, "When was it finalized?""Half a year ago, but the transaction only happened last month after they went through all the procedures. What's the matter?"Emily assured her that everything was fine and immediately turned her gaze across the room.Instantly, Deirdre's face turned pale.Had they already planned this half a year ago? Could it be that Emily had another trick up her sleeve? No... Half a year ago, Emily hadn't even come to Neve yet!Deirdre asked, "Where is the contract? I can't just simply take your words as fact. I need to see it in black and white!""I will ask my assistant to send the contract," Emily said with confidence. "After all, no one can accept being slandered like this."Deirdre's eyes had a complicated look as she gazed at Mark. At the same time, Sam was also puzzled by her reaction. At present, Emily did not seem the least bit guilty. In fact, she even looked confident… Was Sam mistaken in his investigation?In any case, they had no choice bu
At that moment, icy disappointment overwhelmed and suffocated Deirdre.Sam eagerly explained to Brendan, "Sir! That's not the case! When I investigated back then, it was evident that Mark's company was being targeted! Then—""Shut up!" Brendan's arms tightened, and his veins twitched. As he looked at Deirdre and Sam, endless disappointment filled his eyes."Sam, go to the meditation room. You're grounded. Don't take even half a step out of the meditation room without my permission! You went to another city without my permission, caused such a stir, and even helped our enemies! Resign from the company. I will think about where to send you later!"'Helped our enemies?' Deirdre opened her eyes suddenly, with devastation filling her heart. He believed it? He believed she had spent $100,000 to bribe Mark to act out this scene?"Sir!" Sam said anxiously, "All of this is my fault. I didn't investigate clearly, which gave Mark a chance to scheme all these! But I can swear that the $100,00
Brendan's originally softened brows and eyes turned bone-chillingly icy again. Of course, he knew what Sam felt toward Deirdre, but he thought that Sam had learned to restrain himself. When Emily reminded him, he realized how out of bounds Sam was acting."Sam, I warned you before to remember your identity. Deirdre is my woman! If what happened today occurs again, don't even think about setting foot in Neve from now on!"Sam was so shocked that his entire face turned pale."Sir!" He hurriedly explained, "It's not what you think! I have no such feelings toward Ms. McKinnon! Today—"Emily interrupted him. "No such feelings? If you had no such feelings, would you have secretly gone to another city to ask Mark to come over behind Mr. Brighthall's back?"Hearing this, Sam clenched his fists tightly, and Brendan didn't bother to listen any longer."Get out!"Seeing Brendan's cold face and barely contained fury, Sam had to hold back from saying the words he was about to blurt out.He