Suddenly, Maeve felt a chill on her back, as if someone were staring at her. However, when she turned around, she saw nothing at the ward door. There was no one there.

She retracted her gaze and watched Theo administer acupuncture to Jaylen. Jaylen wasn't idle either; he instructed Theo where and how deeply to insert the needles for better effect. It was clearly a life-or-death moment, but it had turned into a medical exchange. After the acupuncture, Jaylen asked Daryl to fetch some medicine. Maeve had something to ask Jaylen, so she also sent Theo away.

After they left, Maeve asked, "Jaylen, Daryl said you've been staying in the laboratory recently. Haven't you given up on that experiment?"

Jaylen lowered his eyes. "Mm."

"Why? Or do you have concerns?" Maeve was puzzled. "The scope of that virus leak wasn't big; Theo and I only had indirect contact. Moreover, our health check results over the past few years have shown no abnormalities…"

"The incubation period of that virus is as long as eight or nine years," Jaylen interrupted. "It might or might not flare up. But why should I gamble with your lives? While I still have the energy, I want to develop the inhibitor to prevent any future accidents." Maeve pursed her lips. "It's not that I disagree with your plan; it's just that, for now, your health is the most important."

She already owed Jaylen a great deal and didn't want him to waste his time and energy on her in this last part of his life.

Hearing her words, Jaylen's gloomy eyes softened significantly. He smiled faintly. "You don't have to feel burdened. This is what I want to do most now."

Even with Rudolf's help, he knew he wouldn't live long. Therefore, he might as well do one last thing for her. If possible, he also hoped that, in the end, he had indeed done something unnecessary.

"Then promise me that you'll only do this experiment within your capabilities and not take your health lightly," Maeve said, her expression serious as she looked at him. "If this situation happens again, even if the virus lying dormant in my body activates in the future, I won't take the inhibitor you develop."

"You know I don't like owing favors. If you really die because of me, I'll pay with my life."

Jaylen was at a loss for words and felt disappointed. 'Does she not like owing favors, or owing me a favor? Would everything be so clear between her and Byron?'

"Alright," Jaylen sighed in compromise. "I'll agree with you. I'll prioritize my health." Maeve heaved a sigh of relief.

If Jaylen acted recklessly like this again, even Rudolf wouldn't be able to save him. Not to mention Rudolf couldn't return to the country for some reason.

However, when she thought about how Jaylen's condition worsened because of her and Theo, she felt very upset. 'I'll never be able to repay what I owe him in this lifetime,' Maeve thought.

Around 9:00 PM, Maeve returned to the apartment with Theo, who had fallen asleep in her arms. Will hadn't gone to bed, waiting for them to come home. When he heard the sound, he immediately ran over from the living room.

Seeing that his younger brother had fallen asleep in his mother's arms, he instinctively lowered his voice. "Mom, is Jaylen alright?"

Maeve nodded. "He's out of danger for the time being. Don't worry."

"That's good." Will heaved a sigh of relief, and his expression became much more relaxed. "Mom, you must be tired now. I'll turn on the hot water. Take a shower and sleep early."

"Wow, as expected of the most mature man in our family. How considerate! Mommy loves you!" Maeve praised him generously.

Will blushed and said shyly, "Mom, it's not a big deal…"

'Mom really likes to praise me,' Will thought. Even if he just casually helped set up the dining table, Maeve would also praise him. This made him both shy and a little happy, and he wanted to do better.

Seeing the little guy running toward the bathroom, Maeve's tense nerves finally relaxed. She carried Theo back to the room and used a special potion to wash off the disguise on his face. Looking at his fair and cute little face, she couldn't help but poke it gently. It immediately bounced up like jelly. 'My child is still the cutest in his original appearance. Soon, he no longer needs to disguise himself,' Maeve thought.

Walking out of the room, Maeve went to the apartment opposite to look for Byron, only to find that he wasn't there.

"The man who usually gets off work at 6:30 PM at the latest is still in the office today?" Maeve was surprised. She called him, but after two rings, he hung up.

Then, a message popped up: [Working overtime tonight. No need to wait for me.]

Perhaps because of her conversation with Bonnie last night, Maeve's mind was scattered. Now, she somehow felt Byron's tone in his message…was too cold. 'Maybe he's just too busy,' she thought.

Maeve shook off her wild thoughts. When she returned to the apartment, Will had prepared the hot water for her.

After taking a comfortable hot shower, she sat on the carpet in the living room and planned to do some yoga before going to bed. However, she realized that the screen of the phone on the table was blinking. Maeve stopped what she was doing and picked up her phone to take a look.

Bonnie: [I saw your Mr. McDaniel at Starlight Pub. He doesn't seem to be in a good mood. Did you two quarrel?]

Maeve frowned. 'Didn't he say he would work overtime tonight? Did he lie to me?'

Maeve: [This big liar!]

Bonnie: [Huh?]

Maeve: [He told me he was working overtime, but in the end, he was drinking!]

Bonnie: [Huh?]

Bonnie: [I just checked. With your Mr. McDaniel as the center, there's no one of the opposite sex within a three-foot radius, but only his friends. He's safe.]

Maeve: [I'm not worried about that; I just find it a bit hard to understand.]

Bonnie: [It's only right that you can't understand. Men are creatures. If you can understand, you'll be the one at a disadvantage. It's better to be muddle-headed.]

Maeve: [It sounds like you've suffered a loss before?]

Bonnie expressed that she didn't want to talk about this sad matter. She sent an emoji that said: [I'm open to dating young and strong males.]

Maeve fell silent. It was confirmed that Bonnie had suffered quite badly.

However, after complaining to Bonnie, Maeve wasn't so frustrated anymore. 'I have my personal space, and so does Byron. Moreover, Bonnie just said he doesn't seem to be in a good mood…Could it be that something happened to the company's project, thus he went for drinking?' Maeve thought. Other than this, she couldn't think of any other reason. Maeve sat cross-legged and thought for a long time before she sent a message to Byron.

[Drink less; you have a gastric problem. Don't just lecture us for not taking care of our health.]