Alex was stunned. He looked at Marve, whose face was flushed. A gentle amusement flickered across his eyes as he said, "I think she's great."

Bonnie, sensing an opportunity, probed further. "What do you mean by 'great'?" she asked. "If it were you, would you like a girl like Maeve?"

"Of course," Alex affirmed. "It's hard for anyone not to like a girl with such a good personality as Maeve, right?"

Maeve's cheeks flushed slightly. She knew Alex was being polite to his cousin, but she was bashful about compliments and blushed easily when praised. She was like a rose covered with dewdrops, possessing an unknowing charm in her elegance.

Alex gazed at her, momentarily lost in thought. Byron entered the restaurant and overheard their conversation. His face darkened upon seeing Maeve's blush. He approached the table with a serious demeanor, tapping the table with his long fingers. "Do you mind if I have a seat?"

Alex recognized him as Maeve's uncle and replied politely, "Of course, Mr. Reese. Please, have a seat."

Byron glanced at him and sat beside Maeve. Maeve looked at him in surprise, thinking, "What a coincidence!"

Bonnie leaned in and whispered, "Maeve, why does my cousin call the 'Great Demon King' Mr. Reese?"

"He doesn't want others to know about our relationship," Maeve replied quietly. "So I told Mr. Brown he's my uncle."

As she finished speaking, Byron said coldly, "My good niece, serve me some food."

Maeve was speechless. Taking a deep breath, she deliberately served Byron dishes she knew he disliked, a small act of revenge.

"Why are all these dishes I don't like?" Byron asked, frowning slightly.

Maeve smiled. "Uncle, more carrots and coriander are good for your health. You're not a kid anymore. Why are you so picky?"

Byron knew she was provoking him and sneered. He leaned forward, taking the plate in front of her. "In that case, I can't have these vegetables all by myself. You look malnourished."

Maeve gritted her teeth, her blush deepening. I'm malnourished? she thought. Which part of me looks malnourished?

Alex, observing their interaction, sensed something was amiss. He smiled. "You two have a great uncle-niece relationship."

Bonnie looked at her cousin as if he were a fool. They've even swapped plates, she thought, and he still thinks they're uncle and niece, single for so many years! God is quite fair. No wonder you lose to the Great Demon King.

Then, she deliberately said, "Mr. Reese, we were just talking about finding a boyfriend for Maeve. What do you think of my cousin? He's successful, handsome, and rich. He's worthy of Maeve, right?"

Maeve glanced at Bonnie helplessly, feeling nervous and curious about Byron's response.

Byron put down his fork, glanced at the nervous, expectant Alex, and sneered inwardly. Just a pretty boy and a weakling. He can't even protect Maeve! (The line about searching Find_Novel.net has been removed as it's an advertisement.)

Retracting his gaze, Byron looked at Maeve. "She won't consider dating until she turns thirty, so you might as well not waste your cousin's time."

Silence fell upon the table. Alex, unaware of the true situation, assumed it was because Byron couldn't bear to part with his niece. He said with a smile, "If Maeve isn't married by thirty, you'll be worried, Mr. Reese. It's fine for her to start meeting guys."

Byron didn't respond. He asked indifferently, "Mr. Brown, what do you do for a living?"

"I own a design brand company, and I've achieved some success," Alex said modestly.

"What a pity."

"What?"

"My niece has a special fondness for drivers and isn't attracted to men in other professions." Byron gave Maeve a sideways glance, seemingly mocking but not overtly so.

Alex paused, confused. Drivers, huh? he thought.

Bonnie, puzzled, whispered to Maeve, "What does he mean?"

"He's mocking me," Maeve replied, chewing her potatoes furiously to vent her anger. Yesterday, I mentioned preferring a driver as a husband, but it was a metaphor! she thought. His comment is sarcastic. What a petty man!

Alex thought Byron was joking. He smiled gently. "Mr. Reese, you're really humorous."

"What's so humorous?" Byron asked.

"You're quite humorous when it comes to Maeve," Alex said reflectively. "Maeve is really lucky to have an uncle who cares so much about her."

The word "uncle" suddenly sounded unpleasant to Byron. He squinted, looked at Maeve, and said dotingly, "I can't help it. She's too clingy. She even needs me to accompany her to sleep at night."

Alex, Bonnie, and Maeve were shocked.

"Uncle, are you drunk?" Maeve asked. She stood up, grabbed Byron's arm, and said through gritted teeth, "I'll take you outside for some air to clear your head."

Byron looked calm. "Okay. The coffee here is quite strong."

Maeve was speechless.

After they left, Alex frowned. "Bonnie, is Maeve's uncle too strict? Their relationship seems too intimate. Could Maeve have been raised by her uncle?"

Bonnie was speechless. Alex, she thought, you're the only one who takes this seriously. No wonder you lose to the Great Demon King. Where's your sharp fashion sense gone?

In the corridor, Maeve confronted Byron angrily. "What nonsense was that? What do you mean I need you to sleep at night? I sleep alone!"

"If you don't want to sleep alone, you can have company," Byron snorted, seeing her blush.

"That's not what I meant! And why did you say I won't date until thirty? Do you want to wait until then to divorce me?" Maeve looked at him suspiciously. When he mentioned thirty, it's hard not to suspect a motive.

Byron squinted. "That's a good suggestion. When you turn thirty, you can ask that pretty boy if he'll pursue you."

He's playing tricks on me, Maeve thought, furious. "Let's go get the divorce papers now!"

Byron's cold gaze fell on her. "You want a divorce for that pretty boy?"

Realizing he meant Alex, Maeve paused. "What does he have to do with it?"

"Isn't he your next target?" Byron sneered.

"No!" The warmth faded from Maeve's face. "I want a divorce because I don't want to be involved with rich people anymore. It has nothing to do with anyone else."