“Yes, o-of course. That is not an issue, for sure. However, are you sure that you want to go home by yourself? Shall I send you?”Deirdre shook her head and declined by saying, “I’m fine. I’ll just get a cab home and inform Glenna about it later. If they ask about me, please tell them I’m not feeling well.”Whelan did not comment further because he assumed that Deirdre wanted some quiet time to be alone. “Sure.”“Thank you.”Deirdre hailed a cab, got into the car, and felt an intense feeling of fatigue washing over her until she felt suffocated.She leaned her head against the window and reached into her pocket without her notice. She could tell from the dim light of her phone that her phone was still working.However, she had yet to receive Kyran’s call after a long time.“What time is it, sir?”The driver answered, “It’s almost 9:00 p.m.”‘It’s so late already? Could it be that Kyran is still driving?’It was perhaps a good thing, so Deirdre did not ponder further.Soon, D
Charlene was caught by surprise when a hand clutched her arm and pulled her hands out from behind her forcefully, revealing the phone.Brendan’s pupils constricted abruptly. He snatched the phone from her hand and brought up the call history to find Deirdre’s countless missed calls and the incoming call that had lasted one and a half minutes. His face turned pale instantly.Charlene tucked a strand of hair behind her ear without a modicum of guilt, and she was even smiling when she said, “Brendan, I feel that it would be best for a man not to be too crude. What do you think?”Brendan glared at her. “Have you lost your mind?”At the thought of how Deirdre could have possibly heard Charlene’s voice, he felt an overwhelming feeling in his chest, and he looked like he wanted to murder someone. Charlene felt lingering fear in her heart from his stare. She said with an innocent expression, “Don’t worry, Brendan. She didn’t know it was me. I didn’t make a sound from the moment I picked
Before Brendan could say anything, Deirdre said smilingly, “Perhaps I might listen to the reason you didn’t come home late at night, but you need not explain about your relationship with the woman.”Brendan felt his heart racing, and the panic in his speech could not be concealed when he said, “Deirdre?”“That is because it’s unnecessary,” Deirdre answered swiftly. Her gaze was gentle as usual when she said, “I trust you, and I trust that your relationship with any other person is pure. I trust that you won’t cheat on me or betray our relationship. Hence, I’m not going to indulge in wild conjectures, and you don’t need to be anxious about that.”Brendan stood in the same spot in a daze. He had never expected the situation to turn out like this. In fact, he remembered feeling an unbearable burning sensation in his chest when he was driving here.He was afraid that Deirdre would indulge in wild conjectures, that she would get in a conflict with him and hate him.Countless possible s
Declan was receptive enough to notice that something was off. He asked with furrowed eyebrows, “What is going on?”Brendan placed his phone on the table and lit a cigarette. He narrowed his eyes and looked into the dark night and plants blowing in the wind outside the window, surrounded by smoke. His heart, which was boiling over with pain, only calmed down gradually at this very moment. “I bailed out Charlene.”Declan did not pay much attention to the case because he had more important tasks to attend to. He was surprised when he heard that. “What happened?”He could not help feeling that Brendan had lost his mind. He furrowed his eyebrows and speculated, saying, “Were you threatened?”Sooner or later, Charlene would discover that Kyran was Brendan. It would be inevitable for her to want to take Brendan down with her when she found out about the situation and threatened Brendan with this.Declan found it strange because how could Brendan be threatened if he were to migrate to
Deirdre raised her head, trying to remember, but she could not. “What’s going on?” The man leaned closer and kissed the side of her lips. He teased her on purpose by saying, “Or have I misunderstood your intention that you want to do something else before you sleep?”Deirdre immediately lowered her head in embarrassment while Brendan chuckled and cuddled her. “Go to sleep.”“Hmm.”Initially, she did not feel very drowsy anymore, yet she could not help feeling drowsy in the safety of Kyran’s company and fell asleep slowly. Brendan made breakfast the next morning and waited for Deirdre to eat after she woke up. Then, he left driving, with Deirdre gazing after his departure.-“What!? You’re saying that they look like they have a good relationship and that they don’t quarrel? How can that be possible?” Charlene’s expression was unpleasant, and she pulled back her hand that was being manicured. She made her way to the side and said, “Are you sure that you haven’t seen it wrongly?”
“Who am I?” The woman could not help laughing aloud. “Can’t you recognize me?”She reminded Deirdre by saying, “I picked up your call kindly yesterday night.”Deirdre’s expression changed upon recalling that.The woman’s red lips curled into a smirk. “It seems that you haven’t forgotten all about me. I thought Kyran might have cast a spell on you, so you forgot everything from yesterday. As it turns out, you’re just keeping up a front and still thinking about it constantly.”Deirdre folded the rag and placed it properly with a cold expression. She asked, “What are you doing here?”The woman tilted her chin in a flaunting manner. “My goal of visiting here is very simple. You still don’t have awareness after my action yesterday. I have to pay you a visit in person to get rid of you for the future of Kyran and me. If you have some sense of propriety, you should leave Kyran as soon as possible! Stop being shameless.”“Shameless…” Deirdre chanted the word and found it ridiculous. “Uh…
“Who are you?”The man’s tone was icy cold, and he exuded an oppressive coldness from his body. He shielded Deirdre behind her and looked at the woman with a gaze sharp as a knife that could cut through a person’s throat.“Who sent you here?”The woman felt suffocated, and her knees turned to jelly from being stared at. She found that Mitch was already an imposing man, followed by a bunch of subordinates to do his dirty work. Mitch was extremely overbearing, but he was a weakling in comparison to the man before her.“I…” The woman could not help speaking with a shaky voice. She gnashed her teeth ferociously in an attempt to continue speaking, but she was already so terrified that she was rendered speechless.Kyran narrowed his eyes, pulled out his phone, and dialed a number. “Hello, I would like to report a case. The location is No. 106 Peak Residence, and someone has broken and entered a private residence with the intention of theft. Please come.”Soon, the police came and det
“However, will you still find out what you want if I die?” Charlene burst out laughing profusely. Noticing that Brendan was frowning and quiet, she leaned closer to him coquettishly. “I love you so much that I won’t go back on my word. I’ve always kept my promises to you. Deirdre doesn’t know about my existence, and she won’t find out who you are.”Brendan found her remark ridiculous and avoided her approaching hand. His gaze was filled with disgust, hatred, and coldness that he did not bother to conceal. “How about that woman today? Don’t you dare tell me that she is not a part of your trick.”Charlene admitted to it by saying, “I sent that person indeed.”“So, how dare you claim that you didn’t go back on your word?”“Is that woman related to my promise?” Charlene said boldly and smiled charmingly. However, her gaze was tainted with hatred. “I promised you that I won’t let Deirdre find out the truth, but I haven’t promised you that I won’t do everything in my power to discourage
"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