In the end, the episode concluded only when Will, the calmest and most composed member of the family, gave Theo two cinnamon rolls.

Maeve quietly glared at Byron. "You're not as sensible as your son!"

Byron stroked his chin and snorted ambiguously. "I'm hungry."

"Do it yourself," Maeve said.

"Then I'll eat with Will," Byron responded.

"Wait here!"

After breakfast, the driver arrived to collect the two children for kindergarten. Maeve deliberately avoided Byron's car and drove herself to the studio.

Unexpectedly, an uninvited guest appeared. Seeing Faye, dressed in a striking red dress and looking quite glamorous, Maeve was surprised. "What does Ms. Nole want this time?"

Faye's expression was strained, but her tone was less harsh than before. "Smart people don't beat around the bush, so I'll get straight to the point. I know you're also participating in Islaton Private International Kindergarten's school uniform design competition. Name your price. What will it take for you to withdraw?"

"Why should I withdraw?" Maeve asked.

"This competition is very important to me; I must win. If you're in it for the prize money, I can give you $200,000. That should cover your losses, right?"

Maeve felt like laughing. "Ms. Nole, you certainly know how to do the math. A prestigious school's uniform design versus $200,000—only a fool wouldn't know which is more valuable. This competition is purely skill-based, so why should I withdraw for you? Don't you think you're being a bit arrogant?"

Her dominance made Faye grit her teeth. "I'm a year more experienced than you. That's a significant advantage. I have at least an 85% chance of beating you. I'm here because I don't want to waste any more effort.

Moreover, my husband is the only son of the Miller family. If you do me this favor, I will naturally remember your kindness. However, if you don't appreciate the gesture, you will make an enemy of our family!"

She seemed confident in her in-laws' influence, believing that mentioning them would ensure Maeve's compliance. However, Maeve had never heard of the Miller family. "Alright, are you finished? If there's nothing else, you may leave," Maeve said calmly, her expression unchanged.

The corners of Faye's mouth twitched. Enraged, she said, "I don't believe you can beat me in this fair competition! Just you wait!"

She stormed out in her high heels, bumping into Paige, who was delivering documents, without an apology.

"Ms. Reeve, was that person here for revenge?" Paige asked worriedly.

Maeve shook her head. "Ignore her. She's just trying to make her presence known."

That afternoon, Maeve saw in the parent group chat that several people had withdrawn from the design competition. These people's families were all less prominent than the Millers. Maeve suspected Faye hadn't just tried to threaten and bribe her; she had likely approached other participating designers as well.

Although she disliked the tactic, the competition rules didn't prohibit it. Faye was clearly capable of getting those people to withdraw.

As she pondered this, her desk phone rang. Seeing it was Daryl, Maeve answered immediately. "Daryl, what happened? Is Jaylen refusing to…"

"Ms. Reese, something terrible has happened! Jaylen's condition seems to have worsened. He's coughing up blood uncontrollably. He's been rushed to the hospital!" Daryl interrupted, panicked. Maeve stood up immediately. "Which hospital?"

"First Hospital!" Daryl said.

"Don't panic. I'll get Theo from kindergarten." Without delay, Maeve grabbed her coat and bag and rushed out of the office.

Islaton Private International Kindergarten had strict rules, and Maeve's identity as Will's mother wasn't yet public. Therefore, she could only collect Theo.

The hospital was helpless against Jaylen's condition. They could only temporarily stop the bleeding and leave the rest to fate.

Theo checked Jaylen's pulse, his brow furrowed.

"Daryl, logically, Jaylen takes his medicine regularly. Even if his condition isn't improving, it shouldn't worsen. What was he doing before he coughed up blood?" Maeve looked at Daryl. "Did he secretly throw away his medicine again?"

Tears welled in Daryl's eyes. "No. I've been watching him take his medicine every day. He never misses a dose. He didn't do anything before he coughed up blood and fainted. He just stayed in the laboratory for over three hours."

"Doing experiments is exhausting. Didn't you stop him?" Maeve asked.

Daryl looked aggrieved. "Ms. Reese, you know his temper. I couldn't stop him." Maeve sighed. It wasn't Daryl's fault.

She knew about Jaylen's experiment, but she hadn't expected him to continue at this point. He didn't even care about his life.

'Clearly... everything is over. Nothing has happened to me and Theo yet. What exactly is he afraid of?' Maeve thought.

Theo began administering acupuncture. His hoarse voice was serious. "Jaylen is coughing up blood from overwork. This is insignificant to ordinary people, but detrimental to him. It will aggravate his condition."

Maeve clenched her fists. "What should we do now?"

"Mommy, I'll help Jaylen with acupuncture first to protect his heart." Maeve nodded and stood to the side, remaining silent to avoid disturbing him.

After the acupuncture, Jaylen's expression improved slightly. However, shortly after, his face drained of color, and he gasped for breath, as if something invisible was choking him. His hand fell limply to his side.

"His condition is critical! Mommy, Jaylen seems to have given up. He's trapped!" Theo said anxiously. "We have to wake him up!"

Maeve's expression changed drastically. "What should we do?"

"Talk to him, say something to stimulate his nerves!" Theo began muttering the names of Jaylen's favorite dishes. A thought struck Maeve.

'This might stimulate him,' she thought.

"Jaylen, wake up. If you wake up, I'll marry you," Maeve said.

To save Jaylen, Maeve didn't care how awkward it sounded. She repeated the sentence beside his ear.

Jaylen likes me; he can't not react to this, Maeve thought.

Daryl shouted in surprise, "It's working! Jaylen's hand moved! Ms. Reese, we're counting on you!"

Maeve persisted, repeating, "I'm willing to marry you."

Finally, Jaylen's pained expression relaxed. His eyelashes fluttered before he opened his eyes. He looked directly at Maeve and said, dazed, "I heard you." Even if it was a lie, he would gladly accept it. Maeve and Theo breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, he's awake.

A figure stood silently unnoticed at the ward door. His gaze fixed on the scene for several seconds, his expression increasingly sardonic.