"What's going on?" Leah asked. "Didn't you say Mr. McDaniel was unwilling to sign the contract and wanted to back out?"

However, Leah sensed from the assistant's tone that Byron clearly wanted the deal to happen.

Maeve's lip twitched. "Byron's doing this on purpose, right? Deliberately making things difficult? He pulls this trick just when I'm ready to give up, leaving me no way to say no. I could throw a fit, but I can't let the company suffer losses because of me." She exhaled. "Ms. Mason, I'll go to McDaniel Group."

Leah said, "Can you handle it? Princess Fiora's request is ridiculous—delivery within two months! With such tight deadlines, do you still have the energy to work on the suit?"

She thought, Prince Loren's only custom suit has minimal requirements; I can ignore him.

A glint of cheerfulness filled Maeve's eyes as she said jokingly, "Initially, I couldn't. But they offered too much."

She thought, Once both custom orders are complete, I can at least pay a down payment on a house. Of course, I can handle it.

Leah smiled. "Alright, go ahead then."

Maeve packed her things and hurried to McDaniel Group. Upon reaching the first floor, Byron and others emerged from the building and approached a black Rolls-Royce. Seeing Maeve, Byron stopped, gave a slight nod with an indifferent expression, and gestured for her to approach.

Maeve hesitated, then, remembering the contract, she walked toward him under the watchful eyes of others. Byron's warm palm clasped her wrist, pulling her into the backseat.

"What are you doing?" Maeve asked, trying to pull away, but the door closed.

"I'm inspecting the spa resort and haven't time for your contract," Byron said indifferently. "If you want it signed today, come with me, or I might forget." Maeve frowned, sensing something was amiss.

At the spa resort, Byron and his associates inspected the facilities while Maeve was taken to a room to rest. The scenery was fantastic, the air fresh, and each room had a private jacuzzi. Maeve had only used a jacuzzi once, during college. Since graduation, work had left her no time for such luxuries. Seeing the steaming jacuzzi, she felt tempted.

A moment later, wrapped in a towel, Maeve entered the jacuzzi. The warm water was soothing. Gazing at the forest, she sighed contentedly. Gradually, however, her eyelids grew heavy, and her limbs weakened. She seemed to hear someone calling her, but couldn't respond.

Splash!

Strong arms lifted her from the jacuzzi. Someone carried her into the room and laid her on the bed.

"Maeve, wake up," Byron said seriously.

Her lips were parted, flushed, and her eyes tightly closed. Byron frowned, removed her wet towel, dried her, wrapped her in a bathrobe, and covered her with a blanket.

He thought, This foolish woman fainted from a jacuzzi. If I hadn't returned, who knows what could have happened? His fingers tightened.

Minutes later, Maeve woke groggily. Byron's grim expression startled her.

"Mr. McDaniel?" she said. "Aren't you supposed to be working? How are you here?" She rubbed her throbbing head. "I just..."

"From now on, you're not allowed in a jacuzzi alone," Byron said coldly. "Don't you know how to get out if you're uncomfortable? Can't you think?"

Maeve cowered, feeling guilty about fainting. She thought, I felt so comfortable, I just dozed off. I never expected to faint.

Seeing her bathrobe, she realized something. Looking at Byron, she swallowed. "You had a female staff member help me change, right?"

Byron sneered. "I helped you. Why?"

Maeve's face flushed; she clutched her collar. She thought, I'm wearing nothing under this. He saw everything! Blushing furiously, she wanted to jump back in the jacuzzi. After a long moment, she managed, "Pervert!"

Byron raised an eyebrow. "Maeve, do you have any conscience? If not for me, you'd be dead. Is this how you repay someone who saved your life?" The blush spread to her neck, a striking contrast against the white robe.

Byron's eyes darkened. [The website promotion has been removed]

"I'm sorry for being loud," Maeve said softly. "Thank you for saving me."

Byron smiled. "Well said. How will you thank me?"

"Mr. McDaniel, with your billions, why are you so petty?" Maeve teased. She thought, He's acting like he haggled over utility bills with me! Where's the CEO demeanor?

"You know quite a bit. You investigated me, huh? You pay so much attention to me, yet keep bringing up divorce. Are you deliberately antagonizing me?" A hint of amusement flickered in his eyes.

Maeve felt anxious. "I didn't pay attention. I saw it on the news."

"Oh? What's this then!" Byron produced a card, waved it, and smirked.

Maeve's eyes widened. She thought, How did my doodles end up with Byron?

"Why did you take my things?" Maeve demanded, trying to snatch it.

Byron kept the card. Maeve lunged, hitting his arm. "Give it back! That's mine!"

Byron glanced at her. "It's a drawing of me. You violated my portrait rights. Want to see how formidable McDaniel Group's legal department is?"

The McDaniel Group's legal department was known as "Kleymond's No-Loss Legend."

These words frightened Maeve. "You want to sue me?" she whispered. [The final incomplete sentence has been removed.]