Maeve fell silent, quickly steadying herself by holding his arm. Looking at his expressionless face, she blurted, "I don't know if the people on stage were jealous, but I know you are." Byron hummed softly, glanced at the bouquet in her arms, and lifted a hand. "It seems you don't need this."

Maeve turned her head and saw the light purple roses in his hand, her eyes instantly brightening. "Is this for me?" she asked.

"It's for someone who isn't already holding flowers," Byron replied calmly.

Maeve looked at the flowers in her hands and quickly shoved them into his arms. "Now I'm not."

A faint smile flickered in Byron's eyes as he handed the bouquet back to her. Maeve held it lovingly until she heard someone call, "Ms. Reese."

Warren approached from behind, smiling warmly. "Congratulations," he said. "The exhibit was flawless. Your design was truly eye-catching."

Maeve offered a modest smile. "Thank you for the compliment."

Warren then looked at Byron, curiously asking, "Is this your boyfriend? You two look well-matched."

Byron lowered his eyes, waiting for Maeve's response. After a few seconds' hesitation, she shook her head. "No, he's my… neighbor."

Byron's handsome face instantly darkened.

Warren smiled and had his assistant hand over a business card. "We'll probably meet again in the future," he said. "I won't disturb you two any longer." 'Meet again?' Maeve felt a bit puzzled but smiled and bid him farewell.

As they left the venue, Byron strode toward the elevator with long, quick steps, forcing Maeve to jog to keep up.

Inside the elevator, she looked at his cold, expressionless face and tugged at the hem of his suit jacket, feeling guilty. "Byron, are you mad?" she asked.

After a long silence, Byron responded without looking at her, "No."

Maeve moved closer. "I said you're my neighbor. Isn't that better than calling you my ex-husband? Otherwise, it would be really awkward."

"Yeah," Byron said, crossing his arms, his tone oddly indifferent. "We're just neighbors who cuddle at night, Ms. Reese. You don't need to explain anything to me."

Maeve was shocked, her ears burning, but she tried to remain composed. "That's true. Your cuddling service isn't bad. I'm planning to renew it for tonight."

"Fine," Byron finally looked at her, his long eyes holding a hint of meaning. "How do you plan to pay for my services?"

Maeve's scalp tingled. She hadn't forgotten his "alternative rent payment method." She instinctively took a small step back. "I was just joking. I didn't really mean to renew."

Byron asked, "So, when do you plan to settle the payment for last night's cuddle service?"

Maeve replied, "Weren't you the one insisting on sleeping with me? I didn't ask for it, and now you're charging me?"

Byron let out a cold laugh. "That service is only free for my girlfriend. Since you're not, I have to charge you."

Maeve pouted, thinking he was being unreasonable.

"Also," Byron's eyes dropped to her hand on his jacket. "You should let go, lest my girlfriend sees and gets the wrong idea."

"You have a girlfriend?" Maeve asked curiously.

He replied, "I'm about to have one."

Maeve chuckled. "Byron, are you trying to pursue me now?"

First, he brought her flowers; then, he hinted that he only slept with his girlfriend. It all sounded far from innocent. Though Maeve didn't believe Byron would do something like this—or rather, he wouldn't do this to her. Maybe even Maeve herself hadn't realized that, from the beginning, she lacked confidence in their relationship. After all, he had never said he liked her since they met.

Sometimes she even felt their connection was more physical than anything else. Maeve found herself lost in thought. 'What would he be like when he truly likes someone?'

The elevator was unnervingly quiet.

"Maeve," Byron's clear, deep voice cut through the silence.

Maeve instinctively looked up, her gaze meeting Byron's intense eyes, making her heart skip a beat. She saw her reflection in his eyes, as she often had before. Suddenly, she seemed to understand something, but wasn't quite sure. Her heart raced; her palms tingled. "W-what is it?" she stammered.

Byron stared at her unblinkingly, his voice deepening. "I only sleep with my girlfriend. Got it?"

Maeve's eyelashes fluttered. It felt like fireworks exploded inside her chest, leaving her in a mix of shock and joy. She was completely at a loss. Her first reaction wasn't happiness, but wonder if she'd misheard him. But looking at Byron's serious expression, her unease gradually faded.

Even as they exited the elevator, Maeve felt dazed, only managing to walk in the right direction because Byron was holding her hand.

Once in the car, Byron noticed her fumbling with the seatbelt and chuckled softly. He leaned over to fasten it for her. As he straightened, he planted a quick kiss on her lips.

Maeve snapped back to reality. "Why did you suddenly kiss me?"

Byron sat calmly. "If you dare space out before me, you should be prepared to get kissed."

Maeve's cheeks flushed red as she glared at him. "You want to pursue me, but I haven't agreed yet!"

Byron replied, "Take your time. No rush."

"What?"

"In your options, there's only agreeing or being forced to agree."

This confused Maeve. "What do you mean by 'forced to agree'?"

Byron pulled the car out of the parking garage, giving her a meaningful sidelong glance. "You probably don't want to know the exact methods."

Maeve went speechless. She wondered if he was going to lock her up and do something to her. The thought of Nightfall Manor, and nearly choosing the "forced to agree" option, sent a shiver through her. Byron seemed normal, but underneath it all, there was a streak of madness that even she was afraid of. She preferred not to know it. It was better for her not to know.

"This doesn't look like the way back to the apartment. Where are you taking me?" Maeve suddenly grew tense.