Ryker stepped forward and leaned very close to Deirdre as if they were only separated by a railing. "Tell me first, what is the password?"Deirdre raised her head. Soon afterward, she lowered her body, opened the lid of the meal container, and began eating as if no one was around her. She needed adequate nutrition to sustain herself. Ryker did not rush her but waited for her patiently. When Deirdre was finally done eating, she wiped her mouth clean and said, "Ryker, you're an intelligent man. However, I'm not a fool either. How can I be sure you'll free me after I tell you the password?"My only trump card is the password. I'll share it with you after you let me out."Ryker was not surprised by her remark, but he found it amusing. "Ms. McKinnon, I understand your intention but don't forget about your current situation."I'm the only person who can help you, and your only option is to count on my help. Otherwise, you will be trapped in this boundless darkness until death."
"Why are you asking me to persuade Brendan to free Deirdre?" Emily looked at Ryker, her eyes filled with vigilance and displeasure. "Isn't it a good thing for us that the woman is imprisoned? Or do you feel pity for her? Can't you stand the thought of her being kept in a dark basement?"Ryker smirked and placed the newly-lit cigarette between his lips, giving Emily a meaningful look. "There's another reason, of course.""I don't believe that," Emily said, getting up and jabbing her hand at Ryker's chest. She spoke in a displeased tone, "Don't think I don't know what kind of person you are. I won't help without a proper reason."She was about to leave, but Ryker pulled her into his arms, seeking an intimate connection.After a while, Emily was breathing heavily.Ryker asked her, "What kind of person do you think I am? Since I have you, why would I be attracted to someone like her? Do you really think you're no match for Deirdre?"Emily felt offended. "How can that be possible!"R
Brendan sighed and rubbed his temples, unable to hide his disappointment. "It has been a long time since we last saw each other. You seem to be very busy," he said, masking his dejection.Emily smiled with pride, making excuses to reject Brendan's offers to meet up. She preferred to focus on her career in medical aesthetics rather than waste her time and effort on an incapable man."You know that my new company is growing, and I have to handle matters at Collins Pharmaceuticals. So, I don't have time for anything else," Emily replied softly. "Brendan, I want to work hard on my own to prove that I am worthy of being with you, not just someone who relies on your support, as others have suggested.""You're not someone who relies on me," Brendan said firmly. "It's only natural for me to help you because that's what we do in a relationship."Tears welled up in Emily's eyes. "But I can sense that many people around you have their opinions about me.""Who?" Brendan asked."Forget it," E
It was a mix of good and bad news for Emily.The positive side was that Brendan had lost interest in Deirdre, but the negative side was that he was breaking free from Emily's control.If this continued, the consequences would be unimaginable.Emily tried to remain calm. "Brendan, what if I tell you that I don't want anything from you, but I simply want you to release Ms. McKinnon?"Brendan looked up in surprise, and for a brief moment, Emily saw a wild glint in his dark eyes. But it disappeared as quickly as it came, as if it were just her imagination.He responded reassuringly, "Releasing Deirdre would only lead to more trouble. A woman like her surely has ulterior motives. She must stay where she is for the sake of our future and the company's."Emily frowned. "Wouldn't you do it even if I begged you?"Brendan sighed and made a conscious effort to calm himself. He looked at Emily with his usual gentle gaze. "Don't force me, Emily."Emily clenched her fists tightly. It seemed
After ending the call, Frances approached from a distance. "I'll escort you, Ms. Collins."Emily nodded gracefully but suddenly came to a halt."What's wrong, Ms. Collins?" Frances inquired.Emily glanced behind her. "Where is the basement?""It's beneath the storeroom.""Take me there." Emily's red lips curled into a smirk. Proudly, she added, "It's been a while since I last saw Ms. McKinnon. I do miss her, so I might as well take this opportunity to meet her and catch up."Emily and Deirdre were enemies, so there was nothing to catch up on, but Emily's intentions were clear.Frances immediately grasped Emily's plan but didn't try to dissuade her. Instead, she enthusiastically led Emily to the storeroom.-Deirdre closed her eyes and leaned against the bed to rest when she heard a commotion from upstairs.Her eyes shot open. 'What time is it? Wasn't dinner just delivered? Did I fall asleep during my nap and wake up the next morning?'Deirdre's heart ached as she raised her
Yet, Emily did not expect that…"Emily, there should be a limit even to madness. How can you start dreaming when it is still early in the day?"The mocking look in Deirdre's eyes was unmistakable. "I know you met with Brendan. If you're incapable, you can leave in defeat like the coward you are. Yet, here you are, boasting."Emily's face turned pale instantly, overcome with both embarrassment and anger. "What did you say?""Am I wrong?" Deirdre, despite her disheveled state, held her chin high. "You're here to convince Brendan to release me, right? But you're flaunting your abilities, which means you've failed. Otherwise, I wouldn't still be here."Emily's gaze revealed her embarrassment. She hadn't expected Deirdre to be so perceptive, despite being held captive and appearing close to death.Emily clenched her teeth and remembered something, immediately sneering. "You're right about my failure. However, don't you find it even more pathetic, Deirdre?"Even when I begged Brendan
"Can't we change dates?" Brendan asked.Emily's voice carried a hint of disappointment. "Bren, I understand your concerns, but the fortune teller said that the 5th of next month is the only auspicious day for our wedding. If we miss it, we'll have to wait another two or three months. We only get married once in a lifetime, so I don't want to miss the opportunity to have a blessed wedding day."Brendan massaged his temples, his eyes showing signs of inner struggle. But in the next moment, he relented. "Alright."He no longer hesitated."Even if it coincides with her expected due date, our wedding is more important," Emily said, pleasantly surprised yet bashful. "Bren, you're so considerate. Let's go try on our wedding attire today while we have free time. If we delay it any longer, we might not make it in time.""Okay."Their voices faded, as if they had already left.-Deirdre lay on the bed, feeling warm yet suffocated. Despite her swollen abdomen, she couldn't shake off the c
The next morning, there was a commotion outside.Brendan got dressed, picked up Emily, and they headed to the wedding site together. This time, the wedding was being broadcast live by the media. It seemed like Frances had intentionally left the storeroom door open, as the sound from the TV echoed loudly. Even Deirdre, who was in the basement, could hear it clearly.Curled up, Deirdre listened to the media's well wishes for Brendan and Emily's marriage. Suddenly, she felt something was wrong. When she touched her stomach, her face turned pale with shock.Her water broke. Trembling, she made her way to the door. With each step, her stomach pain intensified. She didn't realize when her water had broken, but it had gone unnoticed at first."Frances! Frances!" Deirdre called out, enduring the intense pain. She held onto the railing, her body tensing from the agony."Frances!"The TV volume was loud, and Frances sat with her legs crossed, snacking on peanuts. No one knew whether she co