Without hesitation, he took the most beautiful card from his wallet—it was still gilt—and held it tightly in his chubby hands.

"It's mine!" The little boy was excited. He'd earned his first bucket of gold at such a young age and was about to bring his mommy to the peak of life!

Byron raised his eyebrows. "Are you sure you want this one?"

"Yeah!" Theo suddenly looked at him warily. "Are you going back on your word?"

"No," Byron said, glancing at the card and chuckling. "You're not very lucky."

With his tiny lips pursed, Theo said, "There's no money in here?"

"Not much," Byron said nonchalantly. "Just tens of thousands of dollars."

The money on the card was his first business profit from university. The amount wasn't high; he kept the card to remind himself of his past. However, he hadn't expected the little guy to choose it.

Theo's cheeks bulged. "Stop it!" Back when his mommy had a hard life in Erancia, she'd tightened her belt constantly. But this man acted like tens of thousands of dollars was insignificant.

Byron looked at Theo's unconvinced expression, his lips curling up slightly. The memory of his near-kidnapping quickly erased the smile. Though the kidnappers were caught, similar incidents could occur. The tools used were nothing to fear; the mastermind was the real threat. "Will—"

Theo, realizing Byron was calling him, responded, "Ah?"

"In the future, if Grandpa and Grandma look for you, tell Daddy first," Byron said, his voice slightly deeper. "Don't meet them alone, and stay within sight of the bodyguards. Understand?"

Hearing the seriousness in his voice, Theo seemed to understand. "I got it." But he was curious. "So weird. Will has to be with bodyguards to meet her grandparents?"

The phone on Byron's table vibrated. He picked it up and glanced at it. A group of photos filled the screen: Maeve and Alex leaving the gynecology and obstetrics department. A message accompanied the pictures: "[The CEO of the McDaniel Group is fooled by a woman.]"

Coldness filled Byron's eyes. He tapped the screen a few times and blacklisted the number.

Simultaneously, at Number Three Maple Lake, a woman sitting on the sofa slammed her phone to the ground upon seeing her number blacklisted.

"That's why Maeve cheated on you! You deserve it!" she cursed fiercely.

The man standing in the shadows said coldly, "The boss didn't send you out to do these petty things. If that's all you've got, I think the iron cage suits you better."

The woman raised her head. Her tortured face was devoid of arrogance, replaced by haggardness. If Maeve were present, she'd barely recognize this woman as Karen.

Hearing "iron cage," Karen trembled. "I, I know. I will do as he says, as long as you don't lock me up again..." That boss was a lunatic, and she dared not disobey him.

"Then show me what you've got. Don't disappoint the boss," the man warned coldly.

Karen nodded slowly, her nails digging into her palms, hatred and pain burning in her heart. If not for Byron's coldness toward her, she wouldn't be in this state.

Early Saturday morning, Maeve received a package from Jaylen, along with a bouquet of bright, carnivorous plants. They looked freshly picked, their green flowers resembling bloody mouths, capable of biting heads off. Maeve handed the package to Theo, expressing hopelessness. "Why did he give me this? I haven't offended him recently, have I? And can this vase even hold it?" She eyed the trash can, deeming it suitable.

Seeing Maeve's frustration, Theo, who was drinking milk, subtly shifted. He couldn't let his mommy know he'd told his senior that girls liked carnivorous plants. He just didn't expect Jaylen to be so foolish as to send his mommy such a peculiar gift.

Fortunately, the rest of the package contained normal items: herbs needed to treat Gilbert's illness, and some rare herbs.

After breakfast, Maeve took Theo to the sanatorium. Byron and Will were already there, talking harmoniously with Gilbert until Gilbert asked why Maeve hadn't come.

"I don't want to hide this from you. I divorced Maeve four years ago," Byron said lightly. He could lie to his grandfather, but chose honesty.

Unexpectedly, Gilbert wasn't as emotional as he expected; he seemed to have anticipated it.

"I could tell. Maeve always seems uneasy when she mentions you," Gilbert said, looking tired. "Your father never liked her. I expected this day. It's a pity such a good girl couldn't be your match." Byron remained silent.

Gilbert asked, "Who's Will's mother?"

Will looked at Byron, his lips pursed, anticipation in his eyes.

Byron's expression didn't change. His voice was calm. "This isn't important. I'll tell you later."

Maeve arrived, overhearing this. She stood outside for a few seconds before entering with Theo. "Gilbert, I'm here to see you."

Byron's dark eyes lit up slightly at her voice. Will wanted to go to his mother but feared exposure, so he held back.

"Maeve!" Gilbert smiled immediately. "I feel much better seeing you."

Maeve smiled. "That means you're getting better soon. I was hoping to play chess with you again someday."

"Alright, I'll be waiting anytime!" the old man laughed.

Theo walked to the bedside, hands behind his back. "The patient needs acupuncture. Mom, Maeve, you can wait outside."

"Okay, thank you for your hard work," Maeve said, exiting with them.

After they left, Theo opened the kit to begin the acupuncture.

Lying on the bed, Gilbert suddenly asked, "My little miracle doctor, what's your relationship with Maeve?"

"Maeve is my mommy's friend. She's also my godmother," Theo replied in a cute voice.

"Is that so?" Gilbert mused. "But why do I feel you look a little like Maeve?"