Maeve had never seen Byron so gentle and doting toward anyone, not even her. She watched the couple on the screen, a daze settling over her as a bitter taste rose in her throat. A week ago, she had foolishly waited for him at the detention center, believing some important matter had delayed him. In reality, he was in another woman's arms, seemingly oblivious to her. "'Next month, on the third, they're getting engaged. That's fast, isn't it?'" she thought self-deprecatingly, walking forward in a daze. She didn't notice the approaching car.

"Watch out!" A shout from behind was followed by a pair of hands pulling her back. A car narrowly missed her, its speed leaving her heart pounding and her limbs weak.

Not far away, a black Rolls-Royce was parked. The backseat window rolled down, revealing a pair of cold, brown eyes that seemed to pierce the hugging couple. Byron thought, "So, you couldn't wait to throw yourself into Alex's arms right after our divorce? You must have felt aggrieved being with me all this while." His lips curled into a mocking smile. Coldly, he instructed the driver, "Let's go." "Yes, Mr. McDaniel," the driver replied.

As soon as Maeve regained her senses, she pulled away from Alex, her face pale. "Alex, thank you," she whispered.

"Not at all, as long as you're fine," Alex said gently but firmly. "But what's wrong with you? You were so distracted crossing the road. Do you know how dangerous that is?"

Maeve's face paled further. "I'm sorry..."

Alex started to speak, but frowned upon seeing a news report on an LED screen: "...Byron…husband…divorced…"

"We've divorced," Maeve said, turning away. Alex quickly retracted his question, noticing her distress. Softly, he offered, "I happened to book a restaurant nearby. How about we have dinner together?" Maeve forced a smile. "Sure."

At the restaurant, Alex pulled out a chair for her before sitting down. He even had hot soup brought to her, considering her condition. Finally, he asked, "Maeve, what's going on between you and him? Previously, I said that if he ever bullies you, I will seek justice for you, but that doesn't mean I want to see him bully you…"

Maeve pursed her pale lips. "Ms. Mason should have told you I've resigned, right?"

"Is it because of the rumors?" Alex asked.

"That's not a rumor." Maeve smiled bitterly and recounted the situation.

Alex frowned. "My family is friends with the McDaniel family…"

"No need," Maeve shook her head. "I'm just frustrated. I need someone to talk to. After that, I'll be fine. I'm okay now, right?"

Alex looked at her intently. "Are you really okay? The person who usually loves to laugh the most isn't even smiling now!"

"Maeve, are you really going to give up everything you love because of his suppression? Didn't you say you wanted to become a top international designer?" Alex asked seriously.

Maeve's eyes were filled with confusion. "I don't know." She hadn't considered resigning until hearing gossiping employees in the elevator. She realized she had no choice; Byron's power, backed by the McDaniel Group, was too great. He wasn't targeting her directly, but Eternal Hope, and she couldn't accept others being implicated.

Meanwhile, in a private room, Byron sat with a wine glass in hand, an aura of cold indifference surrounding him.

Ray rubbed his hands. "Byron, is the rumor true? Your grandpa was hospitalized because of Maeve! I don't believe it."

"Why are you asking so many questions?" Jarrett nudged him. "Didn't you see he's in a bad mood?"

"It's all because Bonnie kept asking me," Ray said lazily. "I'm curious. If Maeve didn't do it, Byron wouldn't divorce her. If she did, why did Jason let the detention center release her? Unless there's a deal between Byron and Jason, and Maeve is the key."

Byron looked up coldly. "Noisy."

"Just tell me," Ray winked. "This concerns whether Bonnie will let me sleep in the room tonight."

Byron ignored him, taking a drink. Jarrett smiled. "Compared to that, I'm more curious about something else. Byron, are you really getting engaged to Lynn?"

"Yes," Byron replied, his voice low. "There's no reason."

Jarrett frowned, but Ray interrupted, "Compared to Karen, you know Lynn longer, but her health..." He stopped under Byron's cold gaze. Ray thought, Lynn has poor health, but she's lucky. She's known Byron since childhood and almost lost her life because of him. Even Karen can't compare. He sighed. "What about Maeve? You two have been together for so long. Don't you feel even a bit reluctant to part with her?"

Byron swirled his wine glass, his eyes colder than before. "Lynn's health isn't good. In the future, don't mention Maeve to her." He added, almost as an afterthought, "Maeve has lost, and it's a complete loss. She's nothing."

Ray and Jarrett exchanged glances.

The door opened, and a delicate girl in a light apricot dress entered. Her complexion was pale, and her figure frail. She smiled shyly at Byron. "What are you guys talking about? I think I heard my name."

Byron put down his glass, walked to her, and draped his coat over her shoulders. "Why didn't you wear thicker clothes?"