Brendan's sudden request for Deirdre to go to the room surprised her. They had never done this before and usually maintained a certain distance between them.

Deirdre pretended to be unfazed and got up from the sofa. Ryker narrowed his eyes and asked, "Ms. McKinnon, do you often go upstairs alone with Mr. Brighthall?"

"Yes," Deirdre replied calmly. "Whenever he has free time, he reads bedtime stories to our child upstairs."

"Read bedtime stories?" Ryker raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Deirdre nodded. "I'm not sure where he got the idea, maybe because this child will be his only one in the future, so he wants to connect with her through prenatal education."

"I see." Ryker didn't take it too seriously. Before Deirdre left, he whispered in her ear, "I hope you won't forget our conversation this morning. I'll come tomorrow for your answer."

Ryker picked up his briefcase and walked away, leaving Deirdre clenching her palms tightly. She took a deep breath and approached the door of Brend