Amelie felt a mix of extreme embarrassment and anger after being scolded. "What nonsense are you talking about? I don't know you at all, and no one seduced you!"Gossip started spreading among the onlookers. Frustrated, Amelie stomped her feet and shouted, "Show me the evidence! Otherwise, I will sue you for slander!"Brendan spoke up unexpectedly at that moment as the man and the woman exchanged glances. "I have the evidence."Amelie and Logan looked at Brendan in disbelief. He retrieved his phone from his pocket and played a recording."Ammy, it seems your charm didn't work this time. Didn't you assure me that you could win him over? Looks like you failed."Right from the start, I fell in love with your girlfriend. She's beautiful, pure, and has a hint of allure... I'm head over heels for her!"Of course, my girlfriend is equally stunning, so you won't lose out on this deal. By the way, your girlfriend is pregnant, right? I noticed she's quite slim, but her belly has grown a bi
Brendan spoke slowly, his words directed at Amelie. "Amelie, your public slander has tarnished my reputation and caused trouble for the Brighthall Group. Tomorrow afternoon, I will be sending you a lawyer's letter. Prepare yourself for the lawsuit. Additionally..."His gaze shifted to Logan.Still reeling from the pain, Logan couldn't help but shiver under Brendan's intense stare."Officer, considering Logan's ability to hurl obscene insults at my wife, one has to wonder if he has a history of targeting women undetected. I request a thorough investigation to ensure that no women have been deceived or harmed."This was why Brendan had waited for the arrival of the police. The officer, visibly disgusted, responded with righteousness, "Of course. Their actions constitute illegal crimes. We will take them to the police station for further investigation. Rest assured. We won't go easy on them."The other police officers detained Logan and Amelie, leading them away to the waiting police
"Well, it's clean," Deirdre replied with a flush on her face. She wriggled free and submerged herself in the hot spring.Brendan followed suit, but he pulled her into his embrace, sitting her on his lap. "Deirdre, I dislike it when other women touch me," he said.Deirdre nodded, understanding that Brendan had always been like this. However, there was a certain tolerance when it came to Charlene, although there was still a distance between them."I washed for a long time, and my skin turned red, but I can still feel the disgusting scent of that woman lingering on the places she touched," Brendan added.Brendan tightened his arms around her, drew her closer, and their skin pressed tightly together. The scorching heat spread throughout their bodies, creating a tingling, numbing sensation."So, help me, Deirdre," Brendan whispered in her ear.Stimulated, Deirdre bit her lower lip, trying to suppress her emotions."How can I help you?" she asked."Replace her scent with yours." Br
"You're the cause of this place." Brendan softly nibbled on her earlobe. "I am the cause?" Deirdre looked up in astonishment, not understanding.It wasn't until Brendan held her hand and led it underwater that Deirdre was scalded, causing her face to blush uncontrollably.Brendan tightened his embrace around her and said in a low voice, "You're the culprit to this. Shouldn't you be the one to resolve it?"Deirdre didn't answer. Brendan gradually pulled her closer, so close that their skin pressed against each other. The two were burning with intense heat and intertwining emotions. And she gave in.Deirdre was nearly deprived of oxygen due to the heat of the hot spring, and she was then placed on the bed.All she knew was that in the end, Brendan wrapped her in his coat and laid her on the sofa, calling a staff member to change the bedding.Deirdre felt even more unable to raise her head. Thus, she curled up on the sofa, pretending to be asleep. And in the midst of pretending, s
"Deirdre, is it unfair for you to always stay by my side? With your meticulous nature, I believe you can shine and excel anywhere. It seems that I have concealed your brilliance," Brendan said, his gaze drifting into the distance."If it were someone else, they would have showcased your talents and abilities. But I am inherently selfish, wishing to keep you hidden," he murmured.Brendan added, "Without me, perhaps you can live a better life."Upon hearing his words, Deirdre paused for a moment, then firmly grasped his large hand and calmly replied, "Brendan, many times when I consider leaving, I am not held back. By choosing to stay, I have shown that this current life is what I want. You don't have to shoulder the responsibility and burden yourself. After truly getting to know you, I have never regretted my decision."Her voice was soft, tranquil, and indifferent, resembling a spring breeze that carried sunshine and fragrance, calming the unrest and restlessness within his heart.
Brendan carefully embraced Deirdre and rested.The next day, nearing noon, Deirdre still hadn't woken up.The rain continued to pour, and the raging wind rustled the leaves. It was noon, yet the lighting was even darker than at dusk.Brendan's unease grew inexplicably. This storm couldn't have come at a worse time.Taking advantage of Deirdre's continued sleep, he put on a jacket and went outside. On his way to the dining hall, he heard a guest causing a commotion.As he passed by, the guest, with a flushed face, grumbled, "What kind of place is this? I can't go back just because of a storm? What about my million-dollar project? Can your resort afford the damages? Find a solution for me right away! I want to return to the Northern City!""We sincerely apologize, sir. We are not intentionally preventing you from leaving. However, due to the sudden storm, two large trees were uprooted and have blocked the only exit. Additionally, the heavy rain has caused several landslides, making
Brendan's heart skipped a beat, and he anxiously asked, "Why do you look so pale?"Deirdre touched her face and shook her head. "I don't know. Maybe it's because I slept too long without eating."Furrowing his brow, Brendan handed her a spoon. "Have a little bit, just to fill your stomach."Deirdre nodded and began eating the porridge.Outside, the wind grew stronger, causing everything in the courtyard to rustle.Deirdre turned her head and glanced outside, her eyes weary as they drooped. "How long will this storm last?""I don't know, but at most three days," Brendan replied, closing the curtains to avoid the unsettling sight of the howling wind."If you feel too confined in the room, I can take you to the entertainment facilities on the third floor of the central hall. There are various activities there," he suggested.Weakly, Deirdre shook her head. "Forget it. I just want to sleep."She had only eaten half of the chicken soup before losing her appetite and returning to li
"But what?" Brendan furrowed his brows, prompting the staff member to continue."The resort's medical staff is insufficient. With the sudden drop in temperature and the storm, many people have fallen ill. The current doctors are attending to the patients in line, so if it's your turn, it may be in the late hours of the night. I don't know if you can wait—""I absolutely can't wait!" Brendan's face turned icy, his voice resolute. "I can't wait for even a moment! Call the doctor immediately. I'll pay ten times the price, on the condition that the doctor arrives right away! Otherwise, none of the staff here will be able to escape the consequences if something happens to my wife."The staff member naturally understood Brendan's status and the consequences he could bring upon them. She immediately used the internal intercom to summon the resort manager and bring the doctor.After the doctor arrived, he examined Deirdre. "It's a combination of a cold and gastroenteritis. We'll need to co
"Where is she?"Brendan stared at him, utterly surprised. Sean's voice trembled a bit, but his eyes held a clear and hopeful gaze.Brendan finally calmed down and looked behind him. "There, that's your mother."This was the first time Sean had spoken. Deirdre felt her mind buzzing. When she snapped back to reality, she extended her hand. "Sean, come here."Sean's eyes held gentle amazement. He was intelligent—perhaps he had sensed it on the way there. Thus, his feelings were a blend of happiness and satisfaction.He felt joy that Deirdre was going to be his mother.Being a kid, he took a few steps but couldn't stop his tears, holding onto Deirdre firmly.Deirdre suppressed her own urge to cry and crouched down, wiping away his tears. "Do you... hate mom for not being there and not recognizing you?"Sean shook his head frantically. "As long as you're here… That's enough…"Deirdre hugged him tightly, and Brendan approached, wrapping them both in his embrace.When they brought S
"I was too young back then, still sulking with my father," Brendan replied after recalling his childhood.Arthur chuckled. "Kids will be kids, after all. Besides, your father was an excellent businessman, and you've followed in his footsteps. I've heard about your impressive success with the business in Neve. You're truly talented. With the Parkers under your control, I can finally relax." Brendan thought it was just praise from an elder. He was about to give a humble response when he got surprised by the rest of the statement. This made him freeze in place."The Parkers?" Deirdre was equally surprised."What's wrong?" Arthur beamed. "Don't you both already have children? Although you've divorced, your relationship is still strong. Don't tell me there's no thought of remarriage?""Remarriage? It's not the right time yet." Deirdre blushed from the teasing."It'll come eventually. If that's the case, then you are both part of the Parkers now. You're my only daughter, and he's my s
Beneath the envelope lay the evidence. Deirdre stared at it for a long time, with Brendan by her side, offering silent support.The next day, they boarded a plane back to Southedge. Within three days, news of the top political figure's downfall due to corruption spread like wildfire throughout Southedge, even captivating the interest of other cities.Upon learning the full story in his study, Arthur's aging face was stained with tears of regret. "If only I had known sooner... I wouldn't have let your mother leave like that."Deirdre lowered her gaze and handed the letter to Arthur. "My mother explains in the letter that her departure was a voluntary sacrifice to protect everyone. She never blamed you."Arthur gazed at the letter, struggling to find the right words.Deirdre left silently, shutting the door.-Ryker was also brought to the police station. Under Sterling's methods, he confessed to the murders. Emily faced the same outcome.All of them waited for their trials.-
The distance from Southedge to Village Alnwick was immense, yet Brendan displayed unwavering resolve."Then let's depart today," he said.As Deirdre bid farewell to Arthur, an unexpected glimmer of sadness flickered in his eyes. "Visiting your mother's grave, huh? Okay, go ahead. Take care of yourself, don't overexert.""Yes," Deirdre replied. Faced with Arthur's hesitant gaze, she felt compelled to add, "Dad, I'll be back."Arthur met Deirdre's gaze, hope rekindling in his eyes.Deirdre softly sighed. "You're my father, my family. Of course, I'll return." "Really? You mean it?" Arthur's excitement made his hands tremble slightly. He held onto Deirdre as if wanting to convey something, but all that emerged was a murmur, "Then please return early... Come back as soon as you can...""Sure. I have a friend coming over later today. Take care of him. Oh, and my boyfriend is here, too. Don't worry about the specifics. I'll explain everything upon my return."As she stepped out, Bren
"Brendan Brighthall?" Ryker wiped away his own nosebleed. "How did you manage to come from Neve? Didn't I ask Emily to keep an eye on you? That useless fool who can't even accomplish simple tasks.""Choosing to control minds with drugs all along, you should have anticipated this outcome." Brendan acted roughly. As he got up, he took the key from Ryker and placed Ryker on a chair.Deirdre clenched Brendan's sleeve tightly. Sensing her tension, Brendan embraced her to calm her down."It's okay. I'm sorry for coming back so late, making you go through this.""It's not your fault. Your timely arrival saved me from further trouble. It's my own foolishness... I let him find something to use against me," Deirdre said, shaking her head weakly.Brendan frowned, cupping Deirdre's face. "He wasn't someone easily deceived, to begin with. You've done well. I'm the one who brought you into this danger, which is unforgivable."Brendan's dark eyes were filled with intense emotions. He had arrive
Deirdre hugged Ryker, resting her head on his chest as he patted her back. "By the way, you're not curious about where I went after I left early this morning?"Deirdre realized the hidden meaning behind Ryker's words, retreated from Ryker's embrace little by little, and looked at him.Ryker's eyes, as enigmatic as ever, held a clarity that seemed to pierce through everything. "I went to the hospital."He didn't wait for Deirdre to respond. "Because I was curious why I was so sleepy last night for no reason. Any ordinary person might chalk it up to exhaustion. But I know my body too well. You drugged me."Deirdre felt a sudden chill running down her spine.Ryker took a step forward casually, but his eyes were full of killing intent. "I underestimated you, Deirdre. Your acting skills are far more impressive than I imagined. You nearly had me fooled. You deserve an Oscar. What a pity that you're now in my hands."Deirdre retreated abruptly, but she found a cold wall barring her esca
Deirdre was momentarily stunned as she watched Arthur search around the study. Eventually, he uncovered a rusty key from a drawer.Arthur raised the key. "Is this what your mother desired?"Deirdre's mind raced, thoughts swirling. "Is this from my mother?"A hint of disappointment shadowed Arthur's eyes as he nodded. "This is the only thing she left me before she departed. She didn't explain why. She just made me promise to keep this key and never search for her."Although I agreed, the thought of it weighed heavily on me. So, I hid the key in a corner of the drawer instead of treating it like any other possession. In hindsight, I shouldn't have made that promise. I shouldn't have let her go alone."Deirdre's voice wavered, confusion evident. But as realization dawned, her heart raced. "Can you give me the key?"Arthur earnestly nodded, his expression solemn. "This belongs to your mother. I'm willing to give it to you whenever you're ready. To be honest, I'm relieved to pass it o
The butler nodded and guided Deirdre to the study's door. Gathering her emotions, she pushed it open.Arthur's attention was on some documents, but the door's creak made him look up. He met Deirdre's gaze, causing a subtle flicker of surprise and uncertainty in his eyes."Deirdre..." He set aside the file. "Did you just wake up? Hungry? I'll have the kitchen prepare something."Deirdre shook her head, closing the door gently."Not hungry. I came to talk.""Everything okay?" Concern colored Arthur's expression. Though he seemed worried she might leave, he tried to hide it. "Go ahead. I'm with you."Deirdre found his reaction slightly amusing. "I'm not leaving."A spark returned to Arthur's eyes. "Then what's up?"As Deirdre grew more serious, she said, "I came to Southedge not just for a visit. I want to know if my mother left something with you before she passed. Something significant.""Left something?" Arthur was puzzled. "She left several things. Which one do you mean?"De
Brendan's eyes held a hint of pity as he spoke hesitantly. "Your mother took that item away."He gently touched Deirdre's face. "That man kidnapped your mother years ago. I don't know what happened during that time. Maybe he hurt your mother and wanted to keep her forcibly. Eventually, your mother found a chance to escape back to your father with the man's item."She left suddenly while pregnant with you, not out of hatred for your father, but to protect you. Now, that person is unsure if your mother or Arthur has the item. Thus, he aimed to kidnap both you and your father, taking his time to retrieve them."Deirdre's mind was overwhelmed, flooded with information that threatened to drown her. This unexpected revelation left her in disbelief.'My mother left my father because of me? And the mastermind behind Ryker is responsible for my mother's kidnapping?'"So that item holds significant importance for this person, enough to bring him down, right?" Deirdre forced herself to calm