Maeve's arm ached slightly. Furrowing her brow, she retorted, "What does it matter to you who I live next to? Your precious Karen is still waiting for you. I don't need your concern."

"Maeve, stop trying to provoke me," Byron uttered chillingly, his eyes glinting ominously. "Reject him, do you hear me?"

"Why should I listen to you? What right do you have to control me?"

His grip on her arm was unyielding. No matter how hard she struggled, she couldn't break free. Annoyed, she snapped, "Let go!"

Byron grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to face him. He glanced at Alex, who looked puzzled in the car, but his words were directed at Maeve. "You'd better do as I say, or I'll kiss you right in front of him. Do you believe I won't?" he hissed. How shameless, Maeve thought, her face flushing with anger. A strong urge to bite him warred with a sudden, derisive laugh. "Fine," she said. "If you're not afraid of him thinking we're involved in an incestuous relationship, then go ahead."

Byron was momentarily speechless, his expression freezing, growing colder. "You think I won't?"

At that moment, Alex, sensing something was amiss, stepped out of the car and asked with a frown, "Is everything okay?"

Maeve quickly seized the opportunity. "Alex, my uncle is afraid my aunt will find out about his womanizing, so he's pressuring me to keep it a secret."

Byron's face darkened at the mention of "womanizing."

"Maeve, when have I ever sought out other women?" Byron demanded.

"Fine, you haven't. I must have misunderstood," Maeve said dismissively. "Can you let me go now? I promise I'll keep your secret, and your wife won't find out about your affairs."

Byron clenched his jaw.

Alex, realizing the situation, looked troubled. "Mr. Reese, it's wrong to pursue other women when you're married. Threatening Maeve won't solve anything. You should stop this before it gets worse."

I didn't expect Maeve's uncle to be a womanizer. He seems so proper and repressive, Alex thought. I thought it was just that woman's one-sided obsession.

"Maeve," Byron said coldly, gripping her wrist tightly and pulling her closer. Leaning in, he whispered, "Do you want to lose your contract?"

The threat was as chilling as a hand around her neck, instantly deflating her resistance. "Are you threatening me with the contract?" she said through gritted teeth.

"Go to the apartment and wait for me. If you're not around when I return, you'll face the consequences." Byron loosened his grip, shot a frosty glance at Alex, and returned to the hospital.

Maeve was furious, her shoulders trembling. If I had known this would happen, I would have had Byron sign the contract at the resort, she thought. Now, he's using it as leverage against me. Why can he be intimate with Karen, while I'm not allowed to accept Alex's help? He's got a serious double standard.

"What did your uncle say to you?" Alex asked with concern. "Did he threaten you?"

Maeve snapped back to her senses, forcing a smile. "No, he just wants me to go home tonight."

"I'll give you a ride and take you to a nice restaurant. I should treat you this time; otherwise, I'd feel too embarrassed to go with you."

"Alright, I won't fight you for it."

As night fell, Maeve arrived at the vintage apartment. Perhaps because she had been away for too long, a pang of melancholy washed over her as she looked at the familiar furnishings. She really liked this place and wondered if Byron would be willing to sell it to her after the divorce. Suddenly remembering something, she quickly walked to the terrace. To her surprise, the vegetables she thought Byron would throw away were still in place, the watering can running slowly on a ten-minute timer.

She squatted to examine them. The vegetables weren't wilted; they were lush and green, even better than before she left. There wasn't even a weed in sight. Has Byron been tending to these vegetables every day? she wondered. A chill ran down her spine as she stood and went inside. She saw her favorite bunny head pillow on the floor, obviously flattened, as if someone had squeezed it hard. Letting out a snort, she bent to pick it up and noticed a photo wedged under the table leg. When she pulled it out, her eyes widened in shock.

It was the explicit photo Jeff had sent her. She had opened the package at the hospital and thrown the photos in the trash; there was no reason for one to be here. Furthermore, judging by its placement, it had clearly been there for a while.

Maeve recalled Byron burning paper items on the terrace a few weeks ago. It must have been those photos from Jeff, she thought, biting her lip. No wonder he stopped me from opening the package and quickly realized the photos were fake. It turns out he has already seen them.

Yet, instead of doubting or looking down on her, he had hidden the matter and burned the photos. If Jeff hadn't been foolish enough to send another package, she might never have known.

Maeve sank onto the sofa. Her hardened heart softened into a pool of warmth and sadness. While lost in thought, her phone rang. In a daze, she picked it up and read the message:

Bonnie: [Maeve, do you remember when Jeff was thrown out of the party last time? I just heard from Ray that it was the Great Demon King who set up the gamble against Jeff, winning all his assets and even taking his shares in the Graves Group!]

Bonnie: [The Great Demon King has no grudge against Jeff. Why go to such lengths? I guess it was all for you.]

Bonnie: [Is this the benefit of having a dominant husband? I take back what I said before about him not being right for you.]

After reading the messages, Maeve was stunned. Jeff losing his inheritance and being abandoned by his father was actually Byron's doing? She had thought it was just luck and Wallace taking a righteous stand. She never imagined someone was protecting her behind the scenes—and that person was Byron.

She had feared his power, dreaded he might be like Jeff, and even considered divorcing him. But now, she realized she might have been completely wrong. Maeve's head throbbed intensely, so she lay down, staring at the ceiling until she gradually fell asleep.

In her drowsy state, Maeve heard someone calling her. She tried to open her eyes, but they felt heavy, refusing to lift. Her skin was flushed with heat, and her breath was scorching.

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