Chapter 271

Life had been fair to her; all she had lost was now restored. Maeve gently hugged the two little ones and kissed their foreheads. "Sweet dreams," she whispered.

Theo was indeed asleep, but Will's state was uncertain. Maeve hadn't slept well either; she'd dreamt all night of being chased by a lion. Even when caught, she remained in the lion's embrace, its fangs bared with every movement. Waking, she looked around, letting out a relieved sigh. "What's wrong with me?" she wondered. "How could there be a lion at home? Especially one that liked hugs and cuddles?" She rubbed her messy hair, lifted the blanket, got out of bed, and went to wash up.

In the bathroom, Byron was already awake, washing his face. Hearing a sound, he looked up, meeting Maeve's gaze. He noticed the shadows under her eyes; she hadn't slept well.

"Ms. Reese, were you a thief last night?" Byron asked, his morning voice hoarse and low, somehow sexy and seductive.

Maeve touched her eyes. "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Modaniel. I just had a nightmare about being hugged by a lion."

Byron paused subtly, then replaced his towel, noticing the baby face cream, toothpaste, and toothbrush. He paused, looking at them for a long time.

Maeve noticed and her heart leaped. "I forgot to put Theo's things away!" she realized.

"Mr. Modaniel, why are you staring at those things like that? Don't you even let kids' things be?" Maeve decided to be proactive.

Byron picked up the toothbrush, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You have such a hobby?"

"That's Leo's," she explained. "He stays with me sometimes."

"Who's Leo?" Byron asked, confused.

"Mr. Modaniel," she said, raising her head, "don't tell me you still don't know the name of the little miracle doctor who treated your grandfather?"

"So that child's name is Leo," Byron said, raising an eyebrow. "Doesn't he have a mother? Why is he staying with you?"

Maeve frowned deliberately. "Why so many questions? He stays with me. Is that illegal?"

"You seem to care a lot about other people's children," Byron observed, his tone even.

"If that's the case, aren't I also very concerned about your child?" Maeve shifted her gaze. "I didn't ask you before—is Will your and Miss Anderson's child?"

Byron's lips curled slightly. "Speaking of which, I have a question for you."

"What?"

"You never knew Will was my son. Why weren't you surprised when you came looking for him yesterday?"

Byron suspected she already knew about his relationship with Will.

Maeve's eyes widened, her mind going blank. Yesterday, seeing Will alive, she'd forgotten to hide this. She managed a weak smile. "Don't you think that's a little unnecessary? Having brought Will home, wouldn't I naturally inquire about his parents?"

"Then why didn't you inform me immediately and bring him back to your house?" Byron remained unconvinced.

"Will was drugged and unconscious," Maeve said, a half-truth. "He only told me who he was after I brought him home, and then you arrived. How can you blame me for this?"

His subordinates hadn't mentioned the sleeping pills, but it explained Will's weakness. However, Byron's doubts remained. He hadn't asked for an answer; he'd wanted to test her reaction. Words could lie, but body language couldn't. Her nervousness was evident. She was hiding something.

Maeve was terrified by his intense gaze. She felt powerless. She suppressed her urge to confess. Until she understood his change of heart regarding Will's upbringing, she had to be patient.

"Well, you haven't answered my question. Is Will your and Miss Anderson's child?" Maeve abruptly changed the subject.

Byron calmly replaced the toothbrush. "No. Will's mother is..."

"A heartless woman," he finished coldly, leaving the bathroom.

Maeve was speechless. Am I heartless? I'm far inferior to you, she thought, furious but unable to retort.

After washing, Maeve found Byron and Theo in the living room, staring at each other. Her heart nearly stopped again.

"Will, you seem to have gained weight," Byron frowned, looking at Theo. "And those pajamas...don't you dislike them?"

Theo, still drowsy, hadn't realized Byron had stayed over. Fortunately, Will wasn't present yet.

Theo glared at his pajamas. "They're special! You have terrible taste."

Byron, who'd refused countless fashion magazine offers, was speechless. He noted the resemblance between Theo and Leo, suspecting a negative influence. "Children should wear cute pajamas," Maeve interjected smoothly. "Don't listen to your dad. Go change, wash up, and eat breakfast."

Theo made a face at Byron and ran off.

Maeve anxiously watched Byron. Had he discovered anything?

Byron was used to Will's occasional rebellion. Despite his doubts, his concern for his son's well-being was paramount. Will had shown autistic tendencies; the psychiatrist had explained that a split personality wasn't unusual.

Seeing no change in Byron's expression, Maeve sighed in relief. But then, she remembered something she'd overlooked: When she gave birth, Byron had…

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