Brendan understood what she meant and cracked a grin of understanding with his pale lips.

“I understand,” he said nonchalantly and hid his smile, yet he made Deirdre blush.

She could only change the topic of conversation.

“Don’t you find today’s incident very strange? Sam was diverted by someone while the remaining people went chasing after Connor. When you were left alone in the end, my mother was shoved from the ship by someone. It felt as if everything was prepared for you.”

“I know,” Brendan said in a hoarse voice, letting out a few coughs. He furrowed his eyebrows as he pondered and said, “I believe that they wanted me to drown in the sea. After all, I would have already been physically exhausted to swim my way there, let alone return with Ophelia. Everyone would assume that this was only an unforeseen accident. However, they planned for everything except you being in the car.”

“Yes.”

Deirdre thought about this as well.

They had planned for Brendan’s reluctance to let Op