Jaylen nodded silently. After dinner, Maeve took small sips of her medicine. The discomfort in her lower abdomen gradually eased, and she relaxed.

"Let's talk about the price," Jaylen said.

Maeve felt nervous. "Go ahead."

Earlier, Jaylen had wanted to take her hand, but she knew he wouldn't dare. "What does he want this time?" she wondered.

Jaylen's gaze fell on her abdomen. "I want your child."

Maeve abruptly stood, her face pale. "You want my child?"

"Don't misunderstand," Jaylen said, touching his eyes. "I'm not interested in an unborn child. I want your child to follow me and learn medicine after birth, to carry on my legacy." Maeve felt relieved.

A sigh of relief escaped Maeve, but confusion remained in her eyes. "If you want students, many are willing. Why my unborn child?"

Could the miracle doctor's eyes be so sharp that he could see through my belly and determine the embryo would grow into a medical genius? It's ridiculous! she thought.

Jaylen's eyes were cold and gloomy. "What do those people have to do with me? They're just annoying." [The sentence fragment "Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Findnøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality" has been removed as it is irrelevant and appears to be spam.]

Maeve felt a little flattered. Then, Jaylen said, "You seem a little less annoying."

Maeve was speechless. Thank you so much, she thought.

Maeve considered this. "Dr. Chatterly, the child isn't born yet. I can't decide for him rashly. Can you wait until..."

"No," Jaylen interrupted.

"What if it doesn't have medical talent?"

"That's not my concern."

For some reason, Maeve felt helpless. This miracle doctor is so willful. But he's the only one who can help me. Regardless of his reasons, she sensed he wouldn't harm her.

"Alright," Maeve finally decided, looking at Jaylen. "I promise you."

Jaylen seemed to smile, but it was faint and fleeting. Maeve wondered if she'd imagined it.

That night, in the guest room, Maeve couldn't sleep. The day's events replayed in her mind the moment she closed her eyes.

She'd considered Byron's reaction to her pregnancy, clinging to a hope he wouldn't be ruthless. She was wrong. His past kindness had been conditional on her accepting her role as a nominal wife. He wouldn't have been so cruel if he'd had feelings for her.

Maeve buried her face in the pillow, pressing her pale fingertips against her heart, trying to quell the pain. Those sweet moments felt like blades, piercing her heart, leaving her curled up in pain and lost.

Maeve rested at Jaylen's villa for several days. Feeling better, she returned to Eternal Hope.

"Why is the McDaniel Group targeting us? We didn't offend them."

"It's Maeve on the 21st floor. She supposedly harmed Mr. McDaniel. The McDaniel Group is retaliating. It's a disaster."

"The launch event for next quarter's new collection is approaching. Problems now would be a huge blow."

"The management wants to fire Maeve. Without Ms. Mason's protection, she'd be..."

In the elevator, those who saw Maeve entered fell silent, but eyed her with disdain. Maeve lowered her eyes, tightening her grip on her bag strap.

On the 21st floor, Leah called her over, but didn't ask about the rumors. Instead, she reassured Maeve the company would protect its designers. "Otherwise, what's the point?"

Maeve was silent. "Ms. Mason, I'm sorry for the trouble. I'm resigning."

"What?" Leah was shocked. "Don't take it so hard. The rumors are baseless. You..."

"It's not because of that," Maeve said softly. "It's personal. It has nothing to do with this."

Leah was puzzled. "Then take leave. Why resign? Your designs were selected! Are you really giving that up?"

Maeve bit her lip. She didn't want to give up her hard work, her passion. But if she stayed, Byron would continue targeting Eternal Hope. The company's protection was goodwill, but she couldn't accept it passively. She loved her job, and knew she had to leave.

Leah couldn't convince Maeve, so she called Alex. Alex, secluded for creative work, was stunned. "How did this happen? Where did the rumors come from?"

"If I knew, I wouldn't be calling you! Call Maeve! They're forcing her out!" Leah was frantic.

"I understand. I'll find Maeve."

Leah was surprised. "You're coming out of seclusion now? So soon?"

Alex stared at his blank paper. He'd never failed to sketch before. Maeve's impact was profound.

Maeve left Eternal Hope, wandering the streets like a lost soul. At a red light, she stared blankly ahead.

My child, my job... Byron seems determined to destroy everything. What next? She felt lost.

On a commercial building's LED screen, the news announced Byron's upcoming engagement party. The screen showed Byron, a faint smile on his face, beside a woman in a white dress. The smile pierced Maeve's heart.