Chapter 327

Maeve sighed, reluctant to answer Byron’s increasingly sharp questions. She chose a different approach. “I choose a dare.”

The person holding the big wildcard looked as if they’d been waiting for this. “You have to kiss Byron for two minutes, right here!”

The nearby onlookers became more excited than if they’d drawn the wildcard themselves, shouting and cheering enthusiastically.

She thought, Kiss him for two minutes in front of all these people? Maeve’s cheeks flushed bright red. “Why not just kiss the pillar instead?”

Byron narrowed his eyes, looking dangerous. Kay, relishing the drama, chimed in, “Mae, do you prefer kissing the pillar? We’re talking about the one right at the restaurant entrance!”

“Not really,” Maeve stammered, feeling awkward. Just then, Byron casually stood up. “I’m going outside for a smoke.” He left the private room.

Maeve sighed with relief, but a twinge of disappointment followed. She was too shy for such a bold public display, yet his rejection left her with an inexplicable sense of loss.

“Mac, did you and Byron fight?” Ray pushed a fruit platter towards Maeve, leaning in and lowering his voice. “Just tell me secretly, like you would your best friend. Don’t act like a stranger.”

Frustrated, Maeve replied, “You noticed, huh? We didn’t fight; we broke up.”

Ray thought, Broke up? That serious?

“Byron made you angry? He shouldn’t have,” Ray said, raising his eyebrows. “He waited over four years for you. There was a time when he got drunk and kept shouting your name.” With a teasing grin, he added, “I told him that, but he didn’t believe me. So, I recorded his drunken ramblings, but he got so embarrassed he deleted it.”

Maeve gasped. “No way!” Byron was always restrained when drinking; he’d never get drunk. The idea of him shouting her name sounded like a tall tale.

Four years ago, they’d been on the verge of a breakup. Byron probably thought she’d abandoned Will, so he’d been cold after their reunion. She thought, How could he…

“Really, why would I lie?” Ray said, noticing her skepticism. He pulled out his phone, found the recording, and held it up. “I have a backup in the cloud. He deleted it, but I recovered it.” He laughed. “If you don’t believe me, listen for yourself!”

Maeve hesitantly pressed play. A crackling sound filled the air, along with the clinking of bottles. Then, a hoarse voice, tinged with alcohol, struggling with indescribable emotion, reached her ears. “Maeve… the heartless woman who abandoned her husband and child… Maeve… Maeve…”

The last repetition of “Maeve” was tender and affectionate, like a lover’s whisper. It struck Maeve’s heart, breaking through a wave of tingling sensations that spread to her fingertips. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FindNøvᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

It turned out she hadn’t been in unrequited love after all. Her feelings had once been reciprocated. Maeve felt her eyes warm, a sweetness filling her heart. She felt overwhelmed.

She’d thought Byron’s feelings stemmed from her resemblance to his first love. But that notion began to waver.

“How about that? I wasn’t lying, was I?” Ray asked with a cheerful smile.

Maeve shook her head. “And could you send me that recording?”

“Of course,” Ray said. Noticing her slightly red eyes, he added thoughtfully, “Maeve, I’ve known Byron for over ten years, and I’ve never seen him so infatuated with any woman. He’s never been in a relationship before, so he doesn’t have much experience. If there are any issues between you two, I hope you can communicate properly.”

He concluded, “Just don’t do anything you both might regret. Not like him and Ronnie; once a chance is missed, it’s often impossible to reclaim.”

Maeve nodded with mixed feelings. “Thank you, I’ll remember that.”

However, their issues couldn’t be resolved simply through communication. As Maeve stepped out of the private room, she saw Byron leaning against the railing at the end of the corridor, his long fingers holding a half-burned cigarette. The thin smoke blurred his profile.

Maeve hesitated before walking up to him. “Didn’t you quit smoking a long time ago?”

Byron lifted his eyelids and glanced at her. “I’m not smoking; I’m just holding it.”

“Why light it if you’re not going to smoke?” Maeve asked, confused. She thought, What’s the point?

“I guessed you would come out,” Byron replied softly, tossing the cigarette butt into a nearby trash bin and walking towards her.

His tall, slender figure exuded intense pressure, causing Maeve to step back. Byron gently lifted her chin, compelling her to meet his gaze. “During the game, why did you keep fixating on my first love?”

“Can’t I just be curious?” Maeve replied, her eyes sparkling.

“Being someone else’s fiancée and still being curious about my matters—do you, Ms. Reese, find that amusing?”

Maeve shot back defiantly, “Mr. McDaniel, you seemed to ask me quite a few personal questions earlier, too. Do you find that interesting?”

Byron chuckled. “I advise you, Ms. Reese, that I have no sense of morality and could easily steal someone else’s fiancée. If you’re not afraid of waking up one day trapped by me, then feel free to keep trying to entice me.”

She thought, Who is trying to entice him? Maeve glared at him, annoyed. “You were the one who brought me here and agreed to let me play that game. So, isn’t it you who’s trying to entice me?”

Byron chuckled, leaning closer, his eyes locking onto hers. “If I were trying to entice you, what would you do about it?”

He lowered his head and kissed her, one hand gripping her neck firmly. When she tried to pull away, he pressed her back with strength. His strong arms locked around her waist, leaving no room for retreat. Their intertwined upper bodies resembled lovers nestled against each other.

Maeve knew this was a one-sided takeover. His kiss left her breathless. After struggling, she decided to go for it. Claiming it was wrong would only make her seem pretentious. When Byron loosened his grip, she stood on tiptoe, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed his Adam’s apple. With a teasing and bold smile, she said, “Mr. McDaniel, this is what you call enticing.”

Chapter 328 sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FindNøvᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.