Byron let out a soft snicker, amused by Maeve's needless worries. "Grandpa's being discharged today. He wants me to bring you to the McDaniel family dinner."

"Me?" Maeve hesitated. "A family dinner? Won't I feel a bit out of place?" Alexis and Jason had never really taken to her. She didn't particularly enjoy trying to win over people who were cold to her, especially after learning that Jason had directly caused Will's numerous kidnappings. A burning anger festered inside her. It was easier to avoid them altogether. If she saw him, she might not be able to hold back her anger.

"Will's going to be there too," Byron added.

"Then I guess I'll go," Maeve replied. Whether or not she was part of the family didn't matter much; the McDaniel family's five-star chef made dishes worth the visit. Unfortunately, it meant poor little Theo would have to fend for himself again tonight.

At the McDaniel family mansion, in the dining room, Will, who had been sitting patiently, immediately jumped up when he saw Maeve and Byron enter. He rushed over to pull out a chair for Maeve. Byron, about to do the same, paused mid-action.

Maeve smiled and patted Will's head. "Thank you, Will."

Will returned the gesture with a sweet smile. Instead of returning to his seat, he took the chair next to Maeve's. Byron was a bit annoyed that his seat was taken. If this "brown-noser" knew this was his mother, he'd probably cling to Maeve all day. Will sat there, looking adorably innocent, completely unaware of his father's thoughts.

A short while later, Gilbert, Jason, and Alexis arrived. Looking closely, there was a distinct handprint on Jason's face, along with several red scratches on his neck, making him look rather ridiculous. Maeve felt secretly pleased but also worried. "Your grandpa's health hasn't fully recovered," she asked Byron. "Wouldn't hitting someone like that strain him?"

"No. My mom did that," Byron replied curtly.

Maeve's eyes widened in shock. She looked at Alexis, her opinion of her immediately shifting. Maeve had seen far too many wives suffering in silence, putting up with their husbands' affairs, or even being forced to clean up after them. But Alexis, with her bold and fearless attitude, was someone Maeve now respected deeply. Jason wasn't just an ordinary man; he was someone with power, status, and authority. Looking at Alexis now, Maeve's previous disdain for her haughty behavior lessened significantly.

At that moment, Alexis glanced Maeve's way and offered a gentle, warm smile. The past judgment and harshness seemed to have faded from her expression. Maeve returned the smile, offering a polite nod.

Once all the servants had left the dining room, Gilbert, sitting at the head of the table, finally spoke. "Jason, from today on, you are no longer involved in any of the company's affairs. All the shares you hold will be transferred to Will." Jason's face immediately darkened. "Dad, isn't this going too far?"

"You don't have to accept it, but if that's the case, get out of the McDaniel family and show your ambitions after I'm buried," Gilbert's face was stern. "I know I'm already dead to you."

Jason's demeanor immediately softened. "Dad, that's not what I think. Please don't curse yourself like that. I agree to your terms."

Only then did Gilbert's tone ease. "Also, I won't leave a single penny of our family's fortune to Neville."

Jason frowned. "Neville is still your grandson."

"That's because he's incompetent and greedy," Gilbert said coldly. "The descendants of the McDaniel family can be unambitious, waste their lives on trivial pursuits, or even be talentless, but they must never be morally corrupt. When you brought a bastard child into this family, you didn't consult your wife or me. So now, my decisions don't require your approval either."

Even in his current state of recovery, Gilbert's authority as the head of the family was undeniable, his presence still commanding respect. Maeve glanced at Byron sitting next to her. Though Byron hadn't grown up under his grandfather's influence, he was undoubtedly the one in the McDaniel family who most resembled Gilbert. In fact, his natural air of authority and control surpassed even that of his grandfather. Realizing the decision was final, and perhaps not wanting to provoke Gilbert further, Jason remained silent.

Observing her husband's sudden collapse in spirit, Alexis couldn't help but smirk inwardly. A lifetime of scheming against others, even his own family, and this is what Jason had come to in the end. Alexis would not let Jason off. The rest of his life would be far from pleasant with her still around.

"Byron," Gilbert's tone softened. "You'll hold Will's shares for him until he comes of age. Consider it a small gift from his great-grandfather."

Nineteen percent of the group's shares was far from a "small" gift. Byron didn't immediately agree, instead turning to Will. "What do you think, Will?"

Will set down his glass of water and thanked his great-grandfather politely. "Thank you. I'll make sure to treasure it."

Gilbert beamed with pride at Will's response, laughing heartily. He then turned his attention to Maeve. "Maeve, what do you think of our little Will?"

"He's adorable," Maeve's expression softened. "Anyone would love him."

Blushing from his mother's praise, Will lowered his head, his lips pursed in shy embarrassment. Unlike Theo, whose shyness was more outward and obvious, Will's bashfulness was more subtle. He blushed quietly. The next moment, Gilbert suggested, "Since Will likes you, and you like him, why don't we make it official? Let Will call you 'Mom' from now on. Plus, you'd get yourself a billionaire husband to boot. How does that sound?"

Maeve was stunned. "What?" She could tell that Gilbert was trying to rekindle the relationship between her and Byron, but the whole "buy one, get one free" approach had caught her off guard.

Even Alexis agreed. "I think it's a wonderful idea. Will is still young, and he needs a mother's care."

Will looked up at Maeve with hopeful eyes, a little worried that his "mom" might feel pressured. Maeve did feel a bit uneasy. Not because of the suggestion itself, but because she was already Will's biological mother. If they ever found out the truth later, explaining that would be a real challenge.

As Maeve was torn, unsure how to respond, Byron suddenly interjected, "There's no need for that."

Her heart skipped a beat as she turned to look at him.

Gilbert teased, "No need? If you didn't have feelings for Maeve, why would you have brought her home tonight?" Gilbert knew his grandson well; Byron's actions always spoke louder than his words.