Warren couldn't wait for his daughter's return. Maeve wondered if her biological parents would have felt the same, had they lived. She suspected they hadn't sought her out for fear of implicating her. She secretly shook her head, trying to dismiss such thoughts. She couldn't expect too much from them; disappointment would only deepen if the truth defied her expectations.

"Your thoughts will definitely be answered," Maeve said sincerely to Warren. She suspected his daughter wouldn't willingly stay away knowing how much he missed her.

Warren's smile widened. "I think so too. By the way, I've wanted to work with you since the last exhibition, but I've only recently had the free time."

"You want to collaborate with me?" Maeve was puzzled. "Trazir is quite famous. You don't seem to require cooperation with anyone."

"You're different," Warren said gently. "Dreamscape has shown me the unlimited possibilities of fashion design. In time, it might even surpass Trazir."

Maeve was flustered by his praise. "You flatter me. How do you suggest we cooperate?"

Warren asked his assistant for the proposal he'd prepared. "You don't have to rush. Go through this and think it over carefully. However, on behalf of Trazir, I'm looking forward to working with you."

Maeve took the proposal, her heart brimming with gratitude. This was undoubtedly the greatest affirmation for her and Dreamscape. Eternal Hope worked with Dreamscape because Alex was a friend; Warren, however, didn't know her well. As a businessman, profit was his priority. Clearly, Dreamscape was valuable enough for Trazir to extend this gesture. This realization brought Maeve satisfaction.

It was a pity that fortune didn't come without misfortune. As expected, Maeve caught a cold upon returning to the apartment. Her children were all over the place. The younger one made ginger tea in the kitchen to combat her fever; the older one wrung a hot towel to wipe her sweat and made chicken soup. Byron wanted to help, but the boys had already done everything. He felt he was crowding her. She bit her straw and waved her hand. "Don't just stand here. I feel dizzy looking at you."

Will noticed his mother's dizziness and nervously blurted, "Dad, please leave and go to work. The company needs you. We don't need you here right now."

Byron was at a loss. "So the three of us aren't family? Are you really kicking me out?" He frowned, considering throwing Theo and Will out. His gaze fell on a vase.

"Why did you put golden magnolias in your bedroom?" he asked.

Maeve fought her drowsiness, looking at the dew-dampened golden magnolias. Confused, she asked, "What's wrong with them? I just got them today." She'd been in a good mood after Warren's offer and bought them on her way home.

Byron glanced at her indifferently. "Golden magnolias are toxic and can't be in the bedroom. Don't you feel dizzy?"

"I thought it was the cold..." Maeve massaged her temples. No wonder she had a headache and felt nauseous. She'd never had a cold like this.

Byron removed the magnolias. He felt something; the stems seemed to have rubbed against something in the vase, a soft obstruction. He peered inside, but it was too dark to see.

"What's wrong?" Maeve asked, confused.

An image flashed in her mind. Four years ago, she'd hidden something in this vase and never taken it out. She tried to recall what it was, but dizziness overwhelmed her.

"Nothing," Byron retracted his gaze. He was probably overthinking.

Maeve's eyelids drooped. "Then help me take these outside. I want to sleep. Dinner..."

"I can do it. How will you repay me?" Byron teased.

"What do you want?" Maeve retorted.

"We'll talk tonight," Byron stated.

Maeve didn't realize his words held deeper meaning. Sleepiness overcame her, and she fell asleep. Will quietly got up, tucked her in, and took his father's hand.

"Dad, have you and Mom made up?" he asked seriously.

Byron's eyes darkened. "Not yet."

They agreed not to mention their engagement for now.

Disapproval crossed Will's face. "Daddy, Mommy is such an extraordinary, beautiful, and kind woman. She's well-known. If you don't cherish her, someone else might take her!" He pondered, 'Mommy was engaged before, a threat to his position. Plus, Tom often comes to the house. Why doesn't he just try harder!'

Byron raised an eyebrow. "You know this, yet you beat me to it and took care of your Mom."

Will recalled quickly trying to win his mother's favor, perhaps neglecting his father. He felt guilty. "I'm sorry, Dad. Mom likes it when I warm her feet. We can talk about you winning Mom's favor next time."

Byron beamed with pride.

Late at night, Byron quietly opened the bedroom door and looked down at Will, leaning against Maeve's feet, snoring softly. He carried Will to his room.

Theo slept soundly, his little bottom uncovered. Byron pulled up the blanket. He considered repositioning him, but Theo slurped, "Byron, I still want chicken nuggets..."

Byron was speechless. He smacked Theo's bottom lightly. Theo turned over, narrowly avoiding falling off the bed. Byron put Will beside Theo, covered them, and left.

In the master bedroom, Maeve awoke. She reached for the vase.

"Awake?" Byron entered heavily. "What do you want with the vase?"

Maeve retracted her hand. She couldn't let him see. "Nothing. I was drowsy, and there were still flowers." She scratched her cheek.

But Byron already had the vase, turning it upside down.