Chapter 910 A Full-Body Check Up Charlene was strangely not irritated at all. She rebutted Deirdre with a cheery smile, âIâll just take Miss McKinnonâs ornery behavior as good old venting and move on.â
Her mood was blazingly sunny. She took up a seat at the side and took her fill of breakfast, spirited, when there was suddenly a series of commotion outside. 1 To Charleneâs surprise, Madame Brighthall strutted inside with Brendan at her tail.
She rose. âBren, itâs early! Why are you here?â
Brendan shot her a warning glance.
Madame Brighthall strode inside hurriedly straight toward Deirdre. She picked up the young womanâs hand and examined it, remarking, âGod, youâve got bonierâ¦â
A pang hit Madame Brighthall. âGod, that detainment center is just a hotbed for inhumane practices!
How could the people working there not try to help? Especially since youâre pregnant!â
A wave of emotions washed over Deirdre. She knew Madame Brighthallâs concern and care for her were genuine. âItâs okay, Madame Brighthall. I didnât actually suffer that much since I only stayed there for a few days. In fact, the scale told me Iâve put on some weight.â âPut on some weight!? Now youâre just pulling my leg.â Madame Brighthall sighed.
Charlene hated Deirdre for being the center of attention, so she butted into their conversation with a grin. âDonât worry, Aunt Brighthall! At least Iâm here, right? Iâll take good care of Miss McKinnon. That baby is Brenâs kin, which makes it my kin, too.â
Madame Brighthallâs face fell. She turned around and tossed an ugly glare at her. âWhy in the Lordâs name are you here? Who invited you?â
Charlene feigned hurt. âItâs Brenâs house, right? So, of course, Iâd be here.â
Madame Brighthall was just about to launch a rejoinder when Brendan suddenly spoke. âEnough! If we stall any longer, there isnât gonna be enough time.â âWhere are we going?â Charlene asked hurriedly.
Brendan shot her a look. âDeirdre needs a full-body examination and a pregnancy check-up. After all the furor this whole thing has caused and how dirty and messy the detainment center was, what happens if the kid comes out unhealthy? What then?â
He stopped, but the implication was easy to see.
Deirdre froze.
Madame Brighthall quickly came in to salvage the situation. âDonât listen to him! Weâre just worried about you and want to see if youâre okay after all the things youâve gone through. You can also choose not to go! Itâs your call.â âFine.â Deirdre seemed unperturbed. âItâs almost time for a pregnancy check-up anyway.â
Deirdre rose, and Madame Brighthall instantly held her hand and led her outside.
A thought crossed Charleneâs mind, and she hooked her arm with Brendanâs. âBring me along, Bren!â
Brendan cast an aside glance. âWhy?â
She laughed. âBecause I care for Miss McKinnon too, of course! Besides, if the media caught the two of you going to the hospital, it might turn into another scandal again, right? All of that wonât happen if I am there to salvage the narrative thoughâ¦â
Brendan actually seemed convinced. He did not reject her tagging along at all.
The two of them hurried to the car. Madame Brighthall rolled down the window with a scowl on her face, but Charlene stepped forward, and preemptively declared, âI need to get a check-up too, Aunt Brighthall. See, my leg injury isnât exactly all healed yet.â
Mentioning her injury only served to deepen Madame Brighthallâs scowl. She sniped a glance at her son, saw the indifferent face he made, and mulled over how difficult it was to interject. Ultimately, all she could do was turn away with an icy glower and roll the window back up.
Charlene was incensed by Madame Brighthallâs reaction, so she feigned hurt again. âIs it me, or does your mom donât seem to like me very much? Thatâs so⦠upsetting. Iâve always been very nice to her!
Someone must be driving a wedge between the two of us, and now she misunderstands me.â
Brendan pulled his arm out of her lock. âIf it is just a misunderstanding, just look for a chance to explain yourself.â
He opened the car door and sat inside while Charlene made her way to the passengerâs seat.
The journey was a stuffy, silent one.