“They are cheap.” Deirdre was at a loss for words. She felt as if she was choking on something in her throat. “You’re only going to degrade your status when you wear them.”“That is precisely why you refused to give them to me, right?”Deirdre bit her lower lip tightly. Brendan got up from his seat and wiped away Deirdre’s tears with his hand. He leaned closer to her and said in a hoarse voice, “Deirdre, a person of my status would never care about false things like this. The value of the cufflinks could never affect my status. I acknowledge that I wouldn’t be attracted to these cufflinks normally, but they are highly valuable now because you gave them to me.”When he was done, he kissed her lips. Both of them were burning with emotions. Deirdre’s hands were tightly clasped, her body was tense, and she felt a wisp of gentle affection in her heart. …In the next few days, Deirdre became more and more familiar with the work at the restaurant and she also formed a friendly relatio

“I can go if you’re busy, but can I get your number, Ms. McKinnon? If you have anything else that you need help with in the future… I could…”Brendan clenched his fists tightly abruptly, his veins bulging out of his arms. ‘This man still won’t give up hope?’Furious, he clenched his teeth without uttering a word but glared at Deirdre coldly. Deirdre took a deep breath after sensing the immense pressure radiating from Brendan. She caught her breath before she answered with a forced smile, “I’m sorry. I don’t intend to do that, so I won’t hold you back.”Trevor was obviously dejected but he did not seem to mind very much. “I’m older, so it’s very normal that you’re not interested, Ms. McKinnon. I shall go then.”He walked away swiftly, which was an apparent sign that his ego had been hurt. Deirdre appeared to be overwhelmed with emotions. She would not have spoken so straightforwardly had Brendan not been on the scene. “What? Are you still unable to tear yourself away from him?

The manager was finally pleased. “I’m very impressed with your work, McKinnon. I hope that goodwill stays.”Dispirited, Deirdre walked out of the manager’s office and stepped into the back of the restaurant. The cleaner had been waiting, so she rose from a crouch and approached Deirdre. “What’s wrong with you, Deirdre? Trevor told me he chose you, but you spurned him in return? Please, you’re not some run-of-the-mill young woman. Don’t you know that beggars can’t be choosers? Seriously, are you really planning to be a spinster for the rest of your life?”Her acrimonious tone somehow paled compared to the vitriol of her word choice. Irritated, Deirdre frowned. “Look. Just because I agreed to meet him, it doesn’t mean I’ll agree to be with him, okay?”“I’m only doing what’s best for you! Do you really think another man would even like you as much as Trevor does? God! He’s used to caring for other people. That’s why he wasn’t bothered by the fact that you’re an ugly blind woman! Lord,

“Do you really think I have no way of checking how long your shift really was?” Brendan raised a voice recorder, playing an audio clip of one of the restaurant workers speaking. “Deirdre McKinnon? She left at around nine,” they said. “I don’t have the deets, but if you’re looking for a pianist for your dining experience, I’m afraid you’ll have to come again tomorrow!”Deirdre’s face turned white as a sheet. She had not expected Brendan to come up with a counter-strategy. The fury in his eyes had only grown exponentially. “I hate being lied to, you know that? So why do you keep pushing my buttons? We’re finally out of the woods with Sterling Fuller, and you’re hooking up with Trevor Carlson now?”Deirdre’s eyes widened. She hardly had the chance to wonder how Brendan had managed to get his name before feeling a force clutching at her jaw. Pain. He bore down on her, his fury oozing out of him like miasma. Suddenly, it was as if they had gone back to that time again—those cursed d

Looking at Deirdre, the doctor suddenly understood why Brendan was so encouraging. Brendan himself did not seem overly emotive, but a closer inspection of his eyes revealed thawed frost and an almost shy smile blooming beneath. “Yeah. I believe you.”Dr. Ginger read the room and knew it was time for him to go.Deirdre went to search for the wooden music sheet upstairs. Halfway through, she stopped on the stairs, turned around, and declared, “For your information, Brendan, there is nothing going on between me and Mr. Carlson. Not today, not tomorrow… and not ever!”She let the handrail lead her back to her room. Behind her, Brendan’s handsome features seemed to soften into a fluffier imitation of themselves under the house’s gentle lighting. Was this her definitive denial of his accusation? This was the same woman who would make a conscious effort to spare him as few words as possible, but now… Look at how cute she was being, trying to explain herself!Deirdre woke up early th