Resent, Reject, Regret by Aqua Summers

Chapter 257 Don’t Tell Brendan

The cleaner had wanted Deirdre to embarrass herself so much that she had made. sure to leave a thick puddle of soap powder on her path.

Deirdre had always considered herself lucky to be able to work in such an accommodating restaurant, where everyone treated her with kindness and respect, but after today, that opinion changed. She had managed to make a few enemies after all.

“It’s fine.” She extended her other arm amid her agony. “Please help me out. If I get changed now, I can still make my shift.”

The Good Samaritan was hard–pressed to go against someone so stubborn, so they led the way.

The entire session was hell from beginning to end. Deirdre’s right hand could not conjure its usual force to press the keys, and it felt like there was an invisible thorn jabbing her elbow. She knew the customers were watching, though, so she forced herself to play despite the pain. By the time it was over, her back was bathed in cold

sweat.

Her shift was finally over. Like clockwork, Sam appeared outside the restaurant to escort her home. He stepped forward as soon as Deirdre came out, but he easily noticed her ashen grimace and froze. She looked like she was suffering.

McKinnon? Did something happen? Are you

“Can you get me to

the doctor inspected her. Her elbow had swollen into an alarming blue–and–black bump and was covered in a bit of blood. He waited until the treatment was over before

moments of silence later, she dropped her voice into a hush and asked, “Can you please keep my hospital trip

“Why?”

quit my job,” Deirdre replied, looking down. “But I don’t wanna stay in the mansion forever. My job… It’s

He was ultimately powerless against her incessant plea, so

mansion, but as soon as he pulled over, he received a text. He gleaned it, and a frown crept

Deirdre. “Miss McKinnon? Mr. Brighthall wants you to visit him

despite herself. Her left hand found

her chest, her fingers grabbing a fistful of cloth. She found even the simple act of uttering an

began to fitfully erect mental walls of defense before pushing Brendan’s door open. In a flash, she felt his telltale, stifling presence bearing down on her. She could feel the heat of his fury, barely contained behind the man’s steely facade, and