Maeve was stunned. She vaguely heard Karen crying. Just as she looked at Byron, he rose from the bed and gently comforted Karen, saying, "I'll go over now. Don't be antsy."

After he hung up and changed clothes, Maeve softly asked, "Are you going out now? What happened?"

Byron hesitated. Recalling Maeve's jealousy of Karen and their long estrangement, he said, "Something urgent came up. I have to deal with it. Go to sleep; don't wait for me."

"I see," Maeve murmured, lowering her gaze. "It's so late. Can't you go tomorrow?" She thought, Can't you wait to see Karen?

Byron, believing she didn't want to sleep alone, smiled slightly. He leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Why? You've turned into a kid who needs me to accompany you to sleep, huh? I'll try to come back as soon as I can, okay?"

With that, he grabbed his coat and hurried from the room. Maeve sat on the bed, watching him leave. She felt as if someone had thrown a bucket of cold water over her; a chill spread through her.

The infatuation and hesitation she'd felt earlier vanished. She'd never realized childhood friends could pose such a threat to a relationship. Moments before, they'd embraced, shared warmth, and were on the verge of intimacy; yet a single phone call made him leave her without hesitation for Karen.

She'd initially believed she was Karen's equal, but now realized how far she fell short. Because the one left behind wasn't Karen, but her.

Maeve curled her lips. She felt foolish for even briefly considering not wanting a divorce. She thought, "No wonder people say the biggest illusion is thinking the person you like likes you back. I mistook his physical advances for affection, forgetting what a man says in bed can't be trusted."

The next morning, Byron still hadn't returned. She thought, He said he'd be back early. Another lie. Maeve dressed and went downstairs for breakfast with Gilbert.

Gilbert was unaware of Byron's absence. He asked, "Is Byron still asleep?"

"Nope," Maeve said, smiling. "Something came up at the company. He left very early."

Gilbert looked disapproving. "There's always more work. If he has to oversee everything, what are the employees for? Maeve, keep an eye on him; make sure he balances work and rest."

"Don't worry, I will."

Gilbert smiled. He hinted, "My health is declining. Seeing a great-grandchild before I die would ease my mind." He'd heard Byron and Maeve had been noisy in their bedroom last night, fueling his desire for a great-grandchild.

Maeve nearly choked on her milk, her cheeks flushing. "Gilbert, you'll live a long time."

"That's unrealistic. Maeve, you and Byron need to work hard. I'm looking forward to it."

Maeve was speechless. She ate her oatmeal, unable to reply. After a sleepless night, she was even more determined to divorce Byron. She thought, Perhaps it's fate that I disappoint Gilbert.

"Mr. McDaniel, Jason is here," the maid announced, respectfully stepping aside.

A middle-aged man in a dark brown suede suit entered. His face reflected years of maturity and composure. His gaze swept over Maeve, conveying a dignified, almost assessing air that made her uncomfortable. Jason retracted his gaze, addressing Gilbert gently, "Good morning, Dad. I'm here to bother you."

"Mm," Gilbert replied indifferently. "Let's talk after breakfast."

"Alright. Take your time."

Gilbert looked at Maeve kindly. "Maeve, I don't know your preferences. The chef prepared this; tell them what you like for next time."

Maeve glanced at the lavish breakfast and quickly shook her head. "Gilbert, I'm not picky. I can eat anything."

"That won't do. I have the means. Besides, I want you to come often and teach me gardening."

Maeve smiled. "If you miss me, call, and I'll come over."

Gilbert laughed. "Byron might not agree. I'd better not interfere with your intimacy." He thought, That'll save them from sneaking kisses when I'm not around.

Maeve's ears flushed. She drank her milk, silent. Jason gave her thoughtful glances.

After breakfast, Gilbert and Jason went upstairs.

"Dad, Maeve's background is too average," Jason said seriously. "She offers no benefit to Byron or the corporation. Separation is best."

Gilbert's expression darkened. "You barely raised Byron. Don't worry about his marriage."

"Are you going to watch him be dragged down by such a woman?" Jason frowned. "She and the Graves Group's youngest son still have feelings, even dining together recently. She's a burden; she can't be part of our family."

Gilbert said, "That's between them. As an elder, why interfere?"

Jason looked up. "As long as you don't interfere with Neville going overseas, I'll pretend I didn't hear this. How about that?"

"So you're negotiating and using Maeve as a bargaining chip?" Gilbert laughed angrily. "You know what Neville did, and you still cover for him?" He thought, Even when his son was hospitalized, he wasn't this anxious. Now he's using Maeve's parents to negotiate.

Gilbert slammed his cane on the ground. "You're both muddle-headed, just like your wife."

Jason was silent. "I want Neville to stay, for Byron's growth."

"You didn't consider Byron's feelings?"

"To lead, he must be hard-hearted. A ship that can't withstand storms will capsize. I'm toughening him up." Gilbert was furious. He thought, He failed me, and I'm furious!

Maeve was in the garden when the maid rushed over, urging her upstairs. Mr. McDaniel is furious, the maid thought. Maeve is the only one who can calm him down.

Maeve ran upstairs. At the bedroom door, she heard, "I won't pursue her past actions further, but as the McDaniel heir's daughter-in-law, she's inadequate. Sooner or later, you'll appreciate my insistence on separating them."

This is significantly cleaner and more readable. I removed some repetitions, corrected grammatical errors (like subject-verb agreement and tense consistency), and improved punctuation and sentence structure. The oddly inserted promotional text was removed. The narrative flows much better now.