When Maeve entered, the conversation in the washroom immediately ceased. The girls at the sink were initially surprised, then increasingly awkward. "Ma-Maeve," Lily stammered, "what a coincidence! You're here to use the washroom, too..."

Maeve smiled. "Well, your gathering here to discuss my private affairs is even more coincidental. I was wondering who'd locked a group of gossipy queens in here." She walked toward a stall.

Being caught badmouthing her and then mocked as "gossip queens" was more embarrassing than infuriating. Their expressions fluctuated between embarrassment and anger. "What's with her smugness? She married a driver! Look at her acting so self-important."

Muttering, they hurriedly touched up their makeup and left.

Maeve emerged to find them gone. Unfazed, she washed her hands and returned to the private room.

Passing Maura, Maura abruptly stood, bumping into her. Whether accidental or deliberate was unclear. Maura's wine spilled onto her dress.

"Maeve, what's with your walking?" Maura demanded. "This is a new dress, very expensive, bought by my boyfriend." Glaring, she added, "You did that on purpose, didn't you? To upset me?" Her boyfriend, concerned, asked, "Maura, are you alright?"

Maura pouted, aggrieved. "How can I be? This is the outfit you gave me! I love it, and she ruined it—on purpose, out of jealousy!"

Her boyfriend frowned at Maeve. "Apologize to my girlfriend immediately!"

Maeve frowned. "You stood up and bumped into me. What do you mean I did it on purpose? Accusing someone requires justification, doesn't it?"

"You're the one hurling accusations!" Lily interjected, crossing her arms. "I saw you bump into Maura. Am I mistaken?"

Zoe agreed, "I saw it too."

"We all did," Lily gloated. "Stop denying it!"

I've just vented my anger at being mocked in the washroom, Lily thought. Maura's boyfriend is not someone to trifle with. Maeve's in trouble. She's so arrogant, just like before. When she arrived, all the guys only had eyes for her.

Maeve's eyes were cold. "You're good at twisting things."

Noticing everyone sided with her, Maura was smug. "Maeve, this outfit cost over $180,000. Can you afford to compensate me?" She pointed to a freshly opened bottle of alcohol. "Here's the deal: finish this, and I'll give you a discount—half price."

Evan frowned. "We're classmates. Compensation is fine, but no need to drink…" I remember Maeve can't hold her liquor, he thought. If she drinks too much, she gets a rash. Isn't Maura trying to humiliate her?

Maura curled her lips. "Are you going to let me suffer this loss? It's just alcohol. It won't kill you." It won't kill her, she thought, but a rash is worse than death.

Maeve pursed her lips. "I didn't push her," she said, thinking, It's not that I can't afford $180,000, but Maura bumped into me! Why should I pay?

"Unreasonable, even after goodwill?" Maura's boyfriend said, shoving Maeve's shoulder. "Think I won't force-feed you this alcohol?"

Maeve was about to respond when a deep, cold voice echoed from the doorway. "I'd like to see you try."

Everyone turned. Byron entered, his cold, handsome face impassive. His trench coat billowed slightly, creating a chilling effect. An overwhelming sense of pressure filled the room.

Maeve's heart skipped a beat. She avoided his gaze, a gaze that seemed to penetrate her thoughts. How is he here? she wondered.

Maura's boyfriend was shocked. Feigning calm, he asked, "Wh-who are you?"

Maura quickly said, "Darling, he's Maeve's husband, the driver."

Her boyfriend relaxed, sneering. "So that's why he's so arrogant. Turns out he's just a poor dri—"

Before he finished, the hotel manager rushed in, bowing to Byron. "Mr. McDaniel, we apologize for not welcoming you properly. We're truly sorry for our inadequate hospitality." Byron merely grunted, "Mm."

Ethan Riley, with an ingratiating smile, added, "The private room you usually use is available. Let us know if you need anything."

The room's atmosphere tightened. Maura and her boyfriend's smiles froze. Mr. Riley's power and status at Wrestwood Hotel are immense. This man is no driver, they thought.

Maeve thought mockingly, How lacking in judgment I was!

Ignoring Ethan, Byron's gaze locked onto Maura and her boyfriend. It was frighteningly cold. "Archer, do it."

"Got it," Archer replied. Two bodyguards grabbed Maura and her boyfriend, forcing them to kneel before Maeve.

Maeve looked at Byron. His expression was icy, his eyes sinister. I've only seen this look when we first met. He's furious. Is it because they bullied me? Her eyes welled up.

The bodyguards forced open Maura and her boyfriend's mouths. Archer grabbed two alcohol bottles and force-fed them. They coughed, sputtered, and struggled, the alcohol spilling over them. Their arrogance vanished.

The others watched in horror, too terrified to speak. Who is Maeve's husband? they wondered. And the hotel manager doesn't stop him?

Lily and Zoe hid, fearing Maeve would have them force-fed as well. "What driver?" they thought. Is he a gangster boss?

After two bottles, Archer released them. "Mr. McDaniel, should I continue?"

"No," Maura coughed, tears and snot streaming down her face. "I was wrong. I know I was wrong…" Her boyfriend, panting, echoed her apology.

Byron looked at them as if they were insects. "Do you need me to teach you who you should apologize to?"