"I was completely unconscious from the beginning, and I only woke up about half an hour ago. And only then I realized I have gone viral." He continued. "Miss Collins and I had never been alone in the same room before. Do you really think her assistant would be there to watch us doing it together?"

He sounded grim, his words weighed by the gravity of his sincerity. It even stunned Deirdre.

Brendan took a step back from her and turned around. Before he left, he added, "I'll settle this thing to the best of my abilities, so don't… cast me away just yet."

He left as hurriedly as he came. Only his words remained, echoing in Deirdre's brain over and over. 'I'll settle this thing to the best of my abilities, so don't… cast me away just yet.'

Somehow, she sensed an undercurrent of forlornness in his voice.

She breathed hard. It felt like her chest was stuffed with cotton.

Brendan drove to the nearest store. Emily was already there, talking with Sam, though she quickly greeted him the