Maeve frowned. "I'm very busy and don't have time to meet Mrs. McDaniel with you," she said. "Besides, I don't think it's necessary. I'm going back to work. Feel free to do as you please." She returned to the dressing room without pausing.

Karen watched Maeve go, her expression gloomy. She turned and left, returning to the VIP box on the second floor.

Approaching Alexis, who sat on a long sofa wearing gold-rimmed sunglasses, Karen said awkwardly, "Alexis, Maeve said she doesn't have time to see you and doesn't want to. She asked you not to disturb her."

Alexis removed her sunglasses, her displeasure evident. "Who does she think she is?" she exclaimed. "She has no manners. Someone from her background simply lacks proper upbringing."

Karen looked disappointed. "If she could get Byron to suspend me, she probably doesn't respect you either."

Because the Booth family had adopted Byron, Alexis was fond of Karen and couldn't bear to see her upset. "Byron is wrong this time. I'll help you talk to him when I get the chance."

"Thank you, Alexis," Karen said, forcing a smile. "I'm just worried your relationship with Maeve will worsen. She doesn't seem easy to get along with..."

Alexis pursed her lips, disgust in her eyes. She recalled her interactions with Maeve, deeming her sharp-tongued and rude, disrespectful to her elders. "As a maid, she's unqualified," Alexis thought. "How could she be the McDaniels' daughter-in-law? What trouble will she cause?" She added aloud, "But Byron is my son. She's an outsider; she's nothing."

"You're right, Alexis," Karen agreed, shifting the conversation. "The fashion show's begun. Maeve's designs are last. They won't disappoint you."

Alexis responded indifferently, "Let's hope so."

Meanwhile, the dressing room was tense. After the assistant opened Maeve's boxes, they found them empty. Maeve searched, but the gowns were gone.

Leah arrived to check on the progress. Upon hearing the news, she frowned. "Maeve, did you leave the gowns at home?" she asked.

"Ms. Mason, I checked the boxes before leaving the hotel," Maeve replied, clenching her fists. "They were there. It was only when I—"

"Improper handling is your negligence!" Leah interrupted harshly. "There's only half an hour left! You're responsible for Eternal Hope's most iconic series! How am I supposed to fill this gap?"

Everyone remained silent under Leah's scolding. Maeve tried to calm herself, searching for the gowns.

Just then, a man in a suit knocked. "Ms. Reese?" he asked, holding several gowns covered by a cloth. "They were in the corridor."

Maeve's eyes lit up. Fortunately, they were undamaged, only dusty. "Thank you," she said. "May I ask your name?"

"No problem, Ms. Reese," he replied, quickly leaving.

Maeve was puzzled. "That's strange. Do I know him?" she thought.

Leah clapped. "Since the gowns are found, let's get moving!"

As Maeve hung up the gowns, Leah said, "I don't know if you're lucky or not. Fortunately, the exhibition wasn't ruined by you."

Maeve smiled indifferently. "Close call, right?"

Leah snorted. Alex then entered. "Maeve, the model wearing the 'Blossom' gown fell and was sent to the hospital. Can you help?" he asked. Maeve felt a bad premonition.

In the VIP lounge, Archer reported to Byron, "Mr. McDaniel, the gowns have been returned to Ms. Reese."

Byron, looking at the runway, asked, "Who did it?"

Archer explained that a hotel cleaner, paid a large sum of money, had stolen the gowns, intending to sell them. She hadn't been identified on surveillance footage. Byron, however, had noticed a gown peeking from under the cleaner's cart and recognized the design.

Byron took a sip of champagne, showing little interest.

The finale of the "Morningstar" series began. Jack's designs, in shades of purple, were well-received. Maeve's black gowns initially disappointed some, but under the stage lights, the black mermaid-style gowns, with golden butterflies and roses blooming on the hems, captivated the audience.

The final sentence about Findnovel.net is extraneous and has been omitted.