Brendan displayed an uncanny familiarity with the pathways as if he owned the entire resort.In the blink of an eye, they went from the midway point of the mountain to where a modified Maybach was parked.Brendan lowered his head. "Can you give me a hand?" he asked.Deirdre pursed her lips but helped him into the car anyway, for the sake of the child. She couldn't help but notice the faint medicinal scent on his body, which mingled with the smell of the hot springs.Brendan continued, oblivious to her curiosity. "I've already called the driver. He'll be here shortly. You can get in the car, too."As Deirdre settled into the car, she couldn't resist asking, "Are you feeling... unwell?"Brendan's gaze pierced hers with a sharpness that seemed to probe into her soul.Deirdre patted the seat beside her, only then realizing how narrow the car was."You're concerned about me?" Brendan asked, his eyes narrowing in surprise.Deirdre blushed. "You're overthinking things. It's just that
"Alright, get in the car."The assistant went to open the door to the driver's seat, and Ryker followed him. As the door swung open, Ryker's gaze kept shifting toward Brendan.After the door closed, Ryker stepped back and smiled. "Mr. Brighthall, take care. I'm afraid I haven't been a good host this time. Next time you plan to visit, please let me know beforehand. We'll prepare everything for you, Mr. Brighthall."Brendan nodded slightly, and the car swiftly pulled away.The people behind Ryker didn't seem pleased, judging by their expressions."Mr. Wight, are you really going to let him off the hook? Isn't it suspicious that Ms. McKinnon vanished right after he left the room? I'm nearly certain she hides somewhere in the car!""Where's the evidence?" Ryker narrowed his eyes and watched the car go away.The group exchanged glances, but Ryker actually smiled."Brendan, oh Brendan, Deirdre is your Achilles' heel after all... After acting dumb for so many years, you finally lost y
Brendan's face turned paler as the car swerved off course. Deirdre looked around and realized they were heading toward her neighborhood."Brendan, what's happening?" Deirdre felt confused. "You said you'd take me to get the child. Why are we back here?"The car stopped by Deirdre's house, and Brendan's voice turned cold. "I can't take you to see him right now."Deirdre clenched her teeth upon hearing this. "You liar!"Brendan's expression remained unchanged. "I won't let you see the child unless you listen. Once you agree not to meet Ryker, I'll arrange a meeting."Deirdre's anger flared. "Is blackmail the only way you handle things?"Brendan rubbed his forehead impatiently. "Just get out!"Deirdre angrily slammed the door and stormed out. Brendan took a brief moment, then softly instructed, "Drive."The assistant started the car, and surprisingly, the opposite door swiftly swung open.A four-year-old stepped out, wearing pajamas. His eyes gleamed with clarity, and his face li
Deirdre's face showed a mix of feelings, but more important things needed attention."Let's head to the bedroom first," Sterling agreed, understanding the seriousness.Inside the bedroom, Sterling wasted no time firing questions. "How did you escape? Are you okay? Why did Ryker want you there?"Deirdre felt both amused and exasperated, "You're asking a lot, Sterry. It's hard to know where to begin."Rubbing his forehead, Sterling admitted, "I'm really concerned for you."Deirdre nodded. "No need to worry. I got out safely. Brendan showed up and got me out.""Brendan?" Sterling looked shocked. "Why was he there? And why did he rescue you?""He happened to be there, probably for the hot spring's therapeutic effects. He saved me because he thought Ryker was dangerous."Sterling's expression turned complicated. "But aren't they allies? Would he truly betray Ryker for you?"Deirdre shook her head, "I'm not sure. Brendan trusts Emily, not Ryker. He's suspicious of him. But now's not
Sterling frowned, his gaze fixed on Deirdre. "Analyzing the pastry won't change much. Can you really pretend to like him and stay with him?"Taking a deep breath, Deirdre replied, "Brendan's mother died because of this incident, and he was manipulated by others. I can't stay idle. The enemy is in the dark, and we are in the open. If I don't take the risk, do I have to wait another four years?"Seeing Deirdre's determination, Sterling sighed, battling his own thoughts."Alright," he conceded. "Give me two days, and I'll uncover the truth."Deirdre's face lit up with gratitude, and she revealed a faint smile. "Thank you. I won't let this opportunity slip away."Sterling hurried to the lab, and Deirdre returned to her room, cooling off under a shower. While she was lost in thought, her phone suddenly rang. Her heart raced as she answered, expecting Ryker's call, but it was Brendan."Let's get to the point. If Ryker asks how you left the hot spring resort, tell him I abducted you and
Ryker impatiently tapped the table. "Four years! I trusted you to watch over Brendan, but you turned out even worse than Deirdre."Emily trembled, her thoughts in chaos. "I never thought Brendan's actions were all an act. It's confusing. Could it be? Did Deirdre manipulate Brendan to make us think he didn't lose his memory?"Ryker slapped her across the face. Her face turned hot, and tears welled up in her eyes, a mix of pain and embarrassment. She stumbled backward, but before her anger could take over, she was silenced by Ryker's inhuman expression. Her throat constricted, and she remained seated stiffly on the ground."Don't be naive. What could Deirdre use against Brendan? He's not easily manipulated," Ryker was enraged by Brendan's deceit over four years.He squatted, gripping Emily's jaw. "You know the box's contents. This time, there is no room for failure. Don't disappoint me."-Night had fallen.Emily flicked on the light, stirring the nanny awake from her nap on the s
Bredan remained calm as he picked up the syringe from the ground. Emily instinctively lunged toward Brendan, trying to snatch it away, but Brendan quickly evaded."There probably isn't anything good in here. Injecting this into you wouldn't be pleasant," he remarked casually."Ryker will contact me! This drug, once injected, turns people into idiots. If I become like that, do you think you can escape?" Emily threatened, an intuitive response to suppress her fear.Brendan dismissed Emily's threat with indifference. He simply wasn't interested in such a trick. If Emily were to become a fool, how could he make her suffer?He tossed the syringe into the trash can. "Rest assured. I won't use such cruel tricks on you. Injecting this substance is far less intriguing than other means," he promised.When he discarded the syringe, Emily initially breathed a sigh of relief, but her face turned wary the moment she heard his words."W-What do you mean?""After four years, the effects of th
Deirdre lowered her eyes to the pastry before her. She picked it up and took a bite. The sweet and rich flavor silenced her. She savored it, not speaking until it was gone.Ryker's gaze remained mysterious, his intentions unclear.Deirdre looked up again. "The pastry tastes familiar, but that doesn't mean everything you said is true. Claims like my father being alive and my mother coming from Southedge are just theories without proof."Ryker seemed ready for her response. He opened his briefcase and took out a photo.Deirdre glanced at it, shocked by the face. She held onto the photo tightly."Recognize him?" Ryker asked with excitement. "You share similarities with your mother, but in looks and personality, you strongly resemble your biological father.""Why... Why hasn't he found me and my mother if he's alive?" Deirdre muttered."Because he was about to marry a prominent heiress who matched his status back then. And now, he holds a high position, making it difficult for him t