Brendan furrowed his eyebrows slightly upon hearing Ryker's voice but continued to place his bid. "1.5 million dollars.""1.51 million dollars," Ryker quickly countered, determined to outbid Brendan.The crowd couldn't hide their astonishment. Challenging Brendan was no small feat, and they couldn't fathom why someone would dare to do so.As expected, Brendan's gaze darkened, but he maintained his composure, raising his paddle without showing his impatience."2.7 million dollars," Brendan announced.Ryker took his time before saying, "4.1 million dollars."The venue erupted in an uproar, breaking the silence.Whispers filled the air as the crowd wondered how Deirdre could be so captivating that two men were competing for her with exorbitant prices.Deirdre's expression remained unchanged on stage, but she felt somber inside.Ryker's bidding fell within Deirdre's expectations, but Brendan's bidding left her annoyed and agitated."Brendan…" Emily finally couldn't bear it any lo
Deirdre glanced at her reflection in the mirror as an unwelcome guest barged into the washroom. She kept a barely discernible smile and pretended not to notice. Opening her clutch, she took out her lipstick to freshen up her makeup.Unable to contain her impatience, Emily glared at Deirdre's beautiful face with bloodshot, bloodthirsty eyes."I'm curious about who saved your life," Emily said, puzzled by Deirdre's presence when she was supposed to be dead. Accepting this reality proved challenging for her.Emily stubbornly refused to accept responsibility for her foolishness and underestimation of her enemy, which ultimately led to Deirde's resurrection."You bribed that old woman, didn't you? She didn't administer the poison and helped you escape death. I never expected a woman like you to live such a long life."In fact, Emily's muttering to herself bordered on insanity.Leaning against the counter, Deirdre turned her head slowly. "You're wrong. I was indeed administered the poi
At the parking lot.Deirdre hurriedly lifted the hem of her gown as she made her way toward her car. She had no desire to remain at the party any longer now that her task was complete.Not only did Deirdree have people waiting for her at home, but there was also the man who had been staring at her with intense eyes from under the stage. His gaze reminded her of many things.Deirdre unlocked her car with her key, but she was taken aback before she could open the door as a pair of hands reached out from behind her. Her arms were suddenly grasped, and she found Brendan's cold face before her as she turned around in astonishment.Brendan was wearing a well-tailored suit, and his expression was a mix of coldness and conflicting emotions. She could feel the warmth radiating from his palms through the fabric.However, Deirdre quickly regained her composure. They were not supposed to behave like this, or rather, they were not supposed to be so close to each other now."Let go of me!" she
"Killed?" Brendan's expression turned cold as he spoke. "If you consider your current condition as being killed, countless people will admire you for your ability to do so, right? But after all this time, have you not missed the child? Why are you only showing up now to see the child?"Deirdre finally lost her cool. She wished she could kill Brendan. How dare he mention the child in her presence at this point? She had never met the child since it was born, and afterward, she was almost poisoned to death. What was she supposed to do?Ignoring the hatred in Deirdre's eyes, Brendan furrowed his eyebrow. "It's fine if you loathe me, but you shouldn't have taken the child without informing me.""What did you say?" Deirdre managed to remain sensible despite her anger. "Please clarify your statement. What do you mean by me taking the child without informing you? What have I taken?"Brendan narrowed his eyes. "Didn't you take the child?""Have you lost your mind? I haven't even seen the c
"What else can you be other than shameless?" Deirdre seethed, turning her head away stubbornly. "I won't tell you where I live. Figure it out yourself if you can and drop me off at my residential area."Deirdre narrowed her eyes and added, "But I suggest you not do that because I don't live alone. I live with a hot-tempered man who doesn't appreciate me associating with outsiders. Besides, he doesn't work in Neve, so no one can protect you if he decides to confront you."Brendan was displeased with Deirdre's claims about living with another man and referring to him as an 'outsider'."Sterling?" he questioned, giving her a cautious glance.Brendan sneered. "Don't worry. I'm not interested in spying on you. I simply believe that the only man who still cares enough to be with you must be him and no one else."Deirdre spoke slowly. "We have had feelings for each other for a long time, and we got together after facing numerous hardships. I suppose we are fortunate in that way. It's all
Deirdre was momentarily stunned. She knew exactly who Brendan was referring to, which filled her with anger and amusement."Brendan, how can you be so heartless? How can you shamelessly bring the child up in front of me? If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been forced to leave the child! There's no mother in the world who doesn't want to be with her child!"Brendan fell silent and started the car without saying another word.As they drove out of the underground parking lot, he finally spoke. "If you don't leave, even if you can't be the child's mother, I won't stop you from seeing the child. Deirdre, it was your choice to give up. You were the one who first walked away from this child."The sound of the wind rushing past filled the car as Deirdre's eyes filled with a mix of confusion and resentment.She found it absurd. Brendan still believed that she had left first, that she couldn't endure and had abandoned their child. But it was Emily who had drugged her! If she hadn't left
Deirdre momentarily froze upon hearing the question.After a moment, she replied calmly, "Sterry and I are currently focused on our careers. Marriage is not important to us at this stage of our relationship. Perhaps we will choose to get married when we have more free time or opt for a destination wedding."Brendan's forehead veins bulged."How can you do this to the child? Does the child know that you found it a father for no good reason?"Deirdre frowned and was about to argue, but in the next second, she sensed that something was wrong with the car's speed."What are you doing!?"Brendan tightly gripped the steering wheel, his usually calm face now showing urgency and a mix of emotions."Your car has been tampered with.""What?" Deirdre was startled for only a moment before she realized who the culprit could be."There's an issue with the brakes. They've likely been tampered with. They failed just now. Fortunately, I wasn't driving fast. Otherwise..."Brendan didn't finish
"Brendan!" Deirdre felt a chill run down her spine, but the car door on his side was deformed and couldn't be opened. She had no choice but to go to the passenger seat, squeeze in, and unfasten his seat belt."Are you crazy? Why didn't you say that your leg was stuck!?" Deirdre panicked.Why did the collision happen to impact the driver's side? It seemed too coincidental. Or did he... do it on purpose?Deirdre was confused. If it were the old Brendan, he would have sacrificed himself, but she didn't think the hypnotized Brendan would be so selfless. Moreover, the dent in the car would likely only cause minor injuries to her, but it could significantly impact Brendan."I'm fine." Brendan's voice remained unchanged. "Just my leg is stuck. I tried to pull it out, but it's a bit difficult."It was definitely more than just "a bit difficult".Deirdre was furious. "Is it really just your leg? Are you bleeding? Does it hurt? Do you feel any discomfort?"Brendan stared at her intensely