With a frown, Byron looked at Maeve and said in a low voice, "Consolidate the specifics and send them to me. Stay put for now."

"Yes, I'll organize it and send it to you right away," replied the head of the McDaniel Group's public relations department.

Byron hung up and turned to a puzzled Maeve. "I still have something to take care of. Remember to take your stomach pills before bed and don't stay up late." Maeve nodded slowly. "Got it. By the way, let Will and Leo sleep through the night—don't wake them."

Byron nodded, picked up his jacket from the couch, and left.

The next morning, Maeve woke to a barrage of frantic messages from Bonnie. Having a best friend who loved online gossip meant Maeve was rarely out of touch, even if she didn't go online often. This time, however, her own name was making the rounds.

Maeve's drowsiness vanished as she scrolled through her phone, growing angrier by the second. "Where on earth did they get off accusing me of not supporting them? And even claiming Horace's imprisonment was my fault? What about the tens of thousands I'd already given them? Did that mean nothing?" she thought angrily.

Fuming, Maeve got out of bed, washed, made breakfast for the children, and left it on the table before grabbing her bag and leaving.

At the hospital, Valda was awake, sitting up in bed, waiting for Scott to peel her an orange. Maeve opened the door and stormed in. "I've already paid for your surgery and medical bills. What the hell are you going to do to leave me alone?"

Scott and Valda exchanged glances. Scott nervously rubbed his hands and stood. "Maeve, your mother and I didn't have a choice. The money you gave us last time is gone, and we couldn't reach you. We were in a tight spot, so we asked some online friends for help."

"I gave you $120,000, and you spent it all?" Maeve's voice rose in disbelief. "The surgery hasn't even been scheduled yet. Where did the money go?"

Valda explained, "Your father's creditors came knocking, and we had to use the money to pay off his debts. We also bought some things for your brother. He's been through a lot in prison. Don't you, as his sister, feel sorry for him?"

Maeve's eyes grew cold. "Did he ever feel sorry for me when he brought those thugs to smash up my studio?" Valda fell silent.

Maeve took a deep breath. "So, what about the surgery? Are you not planning to have it now?"

Scott smiled awkwardly. "The doctor said we need to pay today. Since you're here, why don't you cover the fee? We'll pay you back when we can."

"Last time, I clearly rejected your request and refused to help you pay off your debt. You did it to yourselves, but you expect me to bear the consequences?" Maeve couldn't believe it. They seemed experts at acting first and explaining later.

"How can you say that? We're family," Valda said, noticing Maeve's anger. "I worked hard to give birth to and raise you. Now all I want is a little financial help in return, and you won't give it? Do you really want to force your own mother to the brink of despair?"

Maeve closed her eyes, suddenly filled with self-loathing for sharing their blood and feeling morally inferior. But based on what? Based on this damned blood relationship? she thought. She preferred not to be.

"That money I gave you last time was all my savings. You don't take your lives seriously enough to spend it wisely, and now you're asking me for money again. Have you ever wondered where I got all this money?" Maeve said.

Scott chimed in, "Aren't you and the president of the McDaniel Group pretty close these days? He has so much property that even what slips through his fingers would be enough for us to live comfortably for the rest of our lives. Why don't you ask him for help?"

Maeve snapped back, "How did you know I was close to him? Who told you?"

"I just... saw it mentioned online," Scott replied, his eyes glinting. That's not true. People on the Internet should believe Byron and I divorced and broke off contact, Maeve thought.

Maeve studied Scott's evasive expression, suspicion growing. They were old and wouldn't normally use online opinion to pressure her. Someone must be behind this.

"You're operating like you have a good strategist backing you," Maeve said with a sneer. "In that case, don't expect money from me. Wouldn't it be better to go to him for help?"

With that, she stormed out.

Valda shot an irritated glance at Scott. "Why didn't you try to stop her? We still need money from her."

"We can't let her realize someone is pulling the strings," Scott replied darkly. "Karen's final payment hasn't even been received, so we can't afford to let things fall apart. Don't worry. That stubborn girl is thin-skinned. The internet's backlash will force her to come back and beg us for help."

Valda hesitated. "But she looked very determined..."

"Then she must be concerned about what the McDaniel family would think," Scott said. "If her reputation is tarnished, how could she still be with Byron?"

Valda felt relieved. Neither realized Maeve was leaning against the wall outside the room, having not gone far. Her head was bowed, her hair obscuring her face. Her fingers were clenched tightly.

So it was Karen again. It was unthinkable that Karen would still be trying to manipulate her after being imprisoned. The depths of Maeve's eyes were ice-cold as she stepped toward the elevator.

After leaving the hospital, she took a taxi to the detention center where Karen was being held.

In the meeting room, Karen stared at Maeve, her face haggard. "I thought the first person to visit me would be Byron. Looks like you received the gift I prepared in advance. Did you like it?"

Maeve locked eyes with her and smiled. "I was quite angry when I came here, but now that I see you, I'm not angry anymore."

Karen's eyes twitched. "Are you feeling smug? Don't think I've already lost. Even if I'm in here, there are ways to make you uncomfortable. Don't believe me? Just try it."

"Do you really think that by holding my parents hostage, you can control me?" Maeve said.

"Then what are you doing here?" Karen sneered. "See! Without Byron, you've never managed to win a fight against me. Four years ago it was the same, and it still is. So what are you feeling smug about?"

"Yeah, I still envy you," Maeve replied earnestly. "After all, not everyone gets the chance to stay in jail, and I'll never have that blessing for the rest of my life."

Karen's face nearly twisted in rage.

"Also, there's no internet in there, so you probably don't know that Booth Group declared bankruptcy this morning. Your house was seized by the bank, and your mother was taken to the hospital because she couldn't handle the news and fainted," Maeve said with a harmless smile. "Don't be too grateful that I relayed something so important to you. Just consider it my reward for all that you have done for me."