‘Am I being jealous?’At the thought of this, Deirdre felt her chest suddenly tighten, and her heart was pounding. Brendan lost track of time until he freed himself from work. He felt a sharp pain radiating from his temples. He suppressed the feeling of lethargy and could not help cracking a smile at the thought of the woman waiting for him in the room. He left the study and walked along the corridor to Deirdre’s room. Yet, he was caught off guard when he saw an enchanting figure standing there. “Miss Collins?”Emily turned around with a cigarette between her fingers. She put out the cigarette in embarrassment the moment she saw Brendan. “Mr. Brighthall? You’re actually still in the study so late at night?”Emily was astonished. Then, she smiled and said, “You caught me smoking, and it’s really quite embarrassing. Have I ruined my graceful image?”Brendan was unbothered. “It’s a person’s choice to smoke, but it doesn’t ruin one’s image.”“Is that so?” Emily appeared to b

"If it is a lie, won't it be easily exposed?" Deirdre smiled and pointed to her eyes. "Miss Collins is here to treat my eyes. She is highly skillful and claims that she will let me see again soon. That is why she is here."Ophelia furrowed her eyebrows tightly. "What's going on with them chatting and laughing then?"Deirdre's gaze dimmed momentarily, but she smiled and said, "It's very normal that they are talking to each other. Brendan can't just be cold to Miss Collins. After all, they will still need to discuss treatment methods together."Ophelia's lips moved. In the end, she heaved a sigh and said, "Alright then. You're going to make up excuses to exonerate Brendan no matter what I say anyway. However, I will still need to remind you as your mother. Don't be overconfident with Brendan's feelings for you."Deirdre felt her heart sink abruptly upon hearing her mother's final sentence. She followed Ophelia downstairs afterward, and Emily's laughter came to a stop. "You're awa

"Now I know why an It Girl like you never got into any relationship. Few guys can compare to our handsome Mr. Brighthall over here," Ryker remarked before frowning a little. "But, uh, he's taken. They are even expecting a kid. Are you sure you want to get in between them like that?"Emily found the phrase "get in between" an affront to her ears. "He might have a woman and a kid, but that doesn't mean they're lovey-dovey with each other or something, right? If they love each other that much, then why aren't they married yet? Face it. He's only interested in the child."Besides, even married couples get divorced all the time. I wouldn't think they are somehow an exception to the rule."Ryker had little opinion on the method Emily would stoop to, but he did have some other things to add. "Listen, Emily. Treat this as advice from a friend. You're an exceptional woman, but he's just not into you. Honestly, he might love his partner way more than you're willing to entertain."Emily had h

"Isn't Mr. Brighthall there at the mansion?""No, he's not here, and I can't reach his phone either. I don't know what happened!"Sam leaped up from bed and put his coat over himself. "Alright, Miss McKinnon, calm down, okay? The last time he called me, he told me he was going to eat with Miss Collins. It's late now, but they could still be eating together somewhere. I'll look for him immediately and tell you the moment I find him.""Okay. Thanks, Sam."Deirdre ended the call, her heart on a grill. She did not mind Brendan not coming home, but to do that without any news or even answering her call? That was just fuel for her worries, especially since she had no idea what had happened on his end!What if those people had laid their hands on him!?Deirdre sank into the couch, determined to wait for his return. Consternation shadowed Mrs. Engel as she watched until finally, she suggested softly, "Mrs. Brighthall, I really think you should go back to your room and sleep. You're pregn

"Oh really? Then how did Deirdre go blind?"Mrs. Engel froze. Deirdre's lips turned pale as though someone had run a knife through her chest.Ophelia was right. Brendan had always been a cold man. Others had the luxury of remaining ignorant of it, but she was his victim. She should have that carved in the crevices of her brain, yet she had allowed herself to forget all of the pain and agony she had gone through over the years. She had forgotten about the things he had done to her.He was being nice to her now, but was it for her or for the child he fathered?Her faith in him was shaking. A thought—one that should not have come to form—dawned on her. If she had not gotten knocked up, would he still treasure her so lovingly and gently? Would he love her?It was true. Brendan had changed a lot since Emily showed up. He hugged and touched her less. Maybe all he ever cared about was his offspring, while the mother? The mother had always been nothing more but a dispensable placeholder f