She didn't know why he had so much energy, especially after a business trip. It was as if he hadn't done anything in the past hour. She only dared to consider this in her mind.

Maeve hurriedly rolled out of bed, wrapping a thin blanket around herself as she went to the bathroom. Her instincts were right—she'd gotten her period. A deeper blush crept onto her face as she connected it with the earlier events. She changed her stained panties, showered, and put on her pajamas.

When she emerged, she saw Byron approaching with a cold expression, a touch of unsatisfied frustration lingering on his brow. He looked like a beast deprived of sleep and rudely awakened—exuding an aura of danger. Maeve felt an urge to laugh but restrained herself.

"Come in and help me shave," Byron said gruffly before entering the bathroom. Maeve suppressed a smile and followed him, deciding not to refuse.

As it turned out, men's words were unreliable. Byron had said he was going to shave, but hadn't mentioned he wouldn't try anything else. There were always ways to have a little fun, even without going all the way.

The next morning, Maeve woke to find her period unusually light. An entire night had passed, and there was only a small spot of blood on her tampon. Besides the initial discomfort, she felt no abdominal or leg pain. "Have I been staying up too late, and did that interrupt my period?" she thought. She'd experienced irregularities before, but this felt more concerning. Unfortunately, she didn't have time to deal with it and would have to wait for a hospital appointment.

After washing her face, Maeve looked at the pink diamond earrings on her earlobes, adjusting them. She had a meeting with the principal of the Suvin Group, and dressing too casually might offend the principal, who had been immersed in the fashion world for years. She needed to be prepared.

An hour later, at Sunset Cafe, at a table in the far corner by the window, Maeve sat and accepted the menu from Karina Lemos, the principal of Suvin Group. She ordered an iced coffee.

"Ms. Reese, your outfit is striking," Karina remarked, her gaze lingering on Maeve's earrings. "It seems Suvin Group made the right choice."

Maeve smiled modestly. "Thank you for the compliment." She was thankful she hadn't dressed casually.

"Do you know why we chose you, Ms. Reese?" Karina asked.

Maeve thought. "Is it because my designs align with Suvin Group's philosophy?"

Karina smiled. "Yes, but not exactly. Your designs are unique and full of energy, but they're still developing—not yet at a point where we have to have you."

Maeve wasn't offended, just surprised. "Then why did you choose me?"

Karina said, "The evening gown you designed for Princess Flora—the one inspired by the snowella flower—had the fewest jewel embellishments, but it was the most vibrant of the three. You breathed life into that gown, like a withered leaf finding its way back to life. And that's how we saw you—as a designer."

Maeve's eyes changed slightly. She hadn't thought anyone noticed the subtle thought she'd hidden in the gown.

"The inspiration for that gown actually came from some reflection I did on the snowella flower," Maeve admitted with a soft laugh. "That flower only blooms in the snow and fades in less than half a season. But it still outshines ever-blooming flowers and became Erancia's national symbol. That got me thinking I could be like that, becoming something precious, even only for a short season."

Karina's smile became warmer. "I think that's why we chose you," she said.

Maeve pressed her lips together thoughtfully, then asked, "Can I ask why Suvin Group goes to such lengths to support disadvantaged women?" Suvin Group wasn't lacking in money or fame, and there was no need for a publicity stunt. What intrigued her was their motivation.

A flicker of sadness passed through Karina's brown eyes.

"If it's a sensitive subject, you can pretend I didn't ask," Maeve added quickly.

Karina shook her head and sighed. "There's nothing I can't say. It's because Suvin Group's founder once lost a daughter, and she didn't want that kind of pain to touch another family."

Maeve's heart clenched. She paused, then said, "Suvin Group's founder must have been a good mother." And a good leader.

Karina smiled. "But she doesn't think so herself."

Without dwelling further, Karina continued, "Ms. Reese, you're very talented—the most ethereal designer I've ever seen. But you're still young, and there are some areas where you could improve. So, I'd like to give you some advice."

Maeve blinked. "What kind of advice?"

"I'd like to recommend you further your studies at Gradelle University. It would greatly benefit your design career," Karina said.

Gradelle University, often called the "garden of designers," had a reputation—no designer who graduated from there remained unknown.

Maeve's breath caught, her heart racing. But soon, her excitement faded. Graduating would take two or three years—too long.

"Ms. Lemos, I appreciate your offer, but I'll have to decline," Maeve said.

Karina didn't ask for a reason. She smiled and placed a business card in front of Maeve. "You don't have to decide right now. Go home, think it over, and when you're ready, contact me."

Surprised by Karina's persistence, Maeve hesitated before accepting the card. "Thank you."

After leaving the cafe, Maeve escorted Karina and her photographer to the office. By the time the photos were taken and interviews finished, it was nearly dark. Karina didn't stay. She took a special flight home but left her private number with Maeve, giving her at most a month to decide. Once that time passed and Gradelle University stopped accepting students, Maeve wouldn't get another chance.