Chapter 284 Youâre A Cutthroat Deirdre was writhing despite their hold as she whimpered unintelligibly. Brendan realized what was going on with her and picked up the phone, his pain forgotten as he yelled, âStop! Youâre hurting her!â
The cops met his eyes and loosened their grip, causing Deirdre to fall forward on the floor. Her eyes were unfocused, as though the sheer magnitude of her sorrow had made it impossible to pay any attention.â Youâre a cutthroat, Brendan. Youâre so good at it, arenât you?â she croaked tearfully.
He had treated her love for him as an invitation to use and abuse her. Then, even after all the sins he had committed, he had squawked about pretending none of this had happened. It was all⦠for nothing.
He had always been openly disdainful of her love back then. As it turned out, he was still spitting on it right now.
No one abused others quite like Brendan. No one.
Deirdreâs heart had turned cold. No, it was broken-shattered and trampled by the b*stard yelling into the phone behind the window. Her face had turned expressionless.
She ignored what sounded like Brendanâs incessant shouts on the phone and felt along the wall. Then, trembling, she made her way out of the cell.
Brendan sank into his chair, his face as white as a sheet. It was the cop beside him who noticed his state and called an ambulance.
By the time Madame Brighthall heard the news, Brendan had just gotten a blood transfusion. She trained a shaking finger on the sickly man, bellowing, âHave you lost your mind?! That vixen plotted to imprison you-she wants you dead! But what did you do after you finally recovered from your injury slightly? You went to see her again! Do you have a death wish, huh? What kind of son did I even bring into this world?!â Brendan shut his eyes. His lips were pale.
Charlene watched him from the side with her hands clenched into fists. She had never imagined Brendan would care so much about that b*tch one day that he would willingly endure agony or the possibility of death to see her!
Before she could chime in, Madame Brighthall erupted again. âWhile you mulishly insist on making this whole incident go away, that vixen insists on destroying you and Lena! Thatâs it! I forbid you to get involved in this entire ordeal! We have lawyers for this sort of drama, and Lord knows sheâs definitely getting incarcerated for the res-â
âNo!â Brendan suddenly yelled, becoming active again. His voice came out as a whisper more than a shout, but his eyes revealed an almost monkish conviction. âSheâs not going to be incarcerated-not on my watch!â
Madame Brighthall was incredulous. âYou idiot! Youâre still trying to protect her?!â
Charlene could not stop herself any longer. âBren, wake up! Your injury isnât the issue right now-itâs Miss McKinnon! Sheâs the one whoâs spitting on our goodwill to settle things outside of court! Sheâs the one who insists on dragging us through hell with her! Why is it such a bad idea to send her to prison for a few months? The reality of imprisonment will calm her down, and then we could bail her out again!â
Brendanâs expression darkened. Bile rose in his throat, but he suppressed it. His eyes zeroed in on Charleneâs face, but there was nothing on his pale face but indifference. âI donât blame Mom for not understanding, but you too, Charlene? Whatâs your excuse? She went to jail back then because of you!
She lost her eyes while she was in there! But youâ¦. you never showed even a modicum of regret for your part in this. Your conscience is so unhurt that youâre okay with sending her to prison again! What else do you want to ruin her?â
Charleneâs face turned white. Madame Brighthall looked troubled too, but she steeled herself and argued, âDonât take your steam out on Lena, Bren! She saved your life!â
âYes. She saved my life.â Brendan clenched his hands into fists, his eyes hopeless and desolated. âAnd I destroyed Deirdreâs.â
He remembered how broken Deirdre had been. The murderous intent in her eyes had felt like being stabbed by a twisting knife. He closed his eyes, feeling fatigued, and murmured, âSheâs not going to jail again. Period. Iâll work hard to talk her out of it, so leave this issue alone⦠both of you.â
It was not true. For the rest of the week, Brendan had been denied an audience with Deirdre completely. Knowing he could not force a meeting, he sought Samâs help.
âYou go.â