Brendan's foot pressed on the brakes as he fixed his gaze on the changing numbers of the traffic light. Disdain filled his tone as he spoke to Deirdre. "Do you think I'm a fool, Deirdre? You can't retrieve the money you gave away, and now you want me to be a scapegoat?"

Deirdre's irritation grew. "Wasn't it your fiancee who deceived me first? Or are you planning to side with the oppressor?"

Brendan turned back, started the car, and scoffed. "Side with the oppressor? It's astonishing that you c