Leo? Theo? Byron suddenly recalled Maeve once calling the little boy "Theo" instead of "Leo," later changing back and never using "Theo" again. He concluded he'd misheard her; the initial nickname wasn't the actual one.

Byron narrowed his eyes in disdain, took the phone from the butler, and answered. Before he could speak, Theo's panicked voice cut through, "Will, can you come over now? Mommy fell into a coma again, and her condition is worse than yesterday. Jaylen said it might worsen this time—"

"What happened to Maeve?" Byron interrupted, tense. "Why is she in a coma? What do you mean, her condition may worsen?"

Theo abruptly hung up. Byron, with a cold expression, returned to Will's room and said, in a low voice, "William McDaniel, open the door. Something happened to your mother."

The door opened. Will, seeing his father's phone, anxiously asked, "What's wrong with Mommy?"

Byron gazed deeply at him. "You knew your mother was sick. Why didn't you tell me?"

Will admitted his fault. "I'm sorry, Daddy."

"What happened? Is it serious?" Byron's throat tightened, a strand of hope remaining. But Will's reddened eyes shattered it.

He hugged Byron, burying his face in his jacket. "Daddy, Mommy isn't sick. She's infected with a virus. Jaylen said if there's no antidote, it's very likely that…" Will sobbed.

Even Will, usually calm and steady, was just a child. He'd remained composed for Theo's sake, but fear consumed him. Reuniting with his mother had been hard-won, and he couldn't bear losing her. 'Infected with the virus...' echoed in Byron's head.

Byron asked, in a hoarse voice, "When did this happen?"

Will whispered a date.

Byron's blood surged. He remembered hanging up Maeve's call for a designer meeting that day. He'd called back, reaching Jaylen instead, and hadn't contacted Maeve since.

The Black Spyker sped to Jaylen's villa, arriving in under fifteen minutes. In the laboratory, Jaylen frowned at the gloom-ridden Byron, who looked like he'd crawled from hell. 'What is he doing here?' Jaylen wondered. Theo, having received Will's message, had already paled.

Byron ignored Theo, walking to the glass window and staring at Maeve, lying on the bed, tubes attached. She'd lost so much weight in just days, becoming almost unrecognizable. Her black hair was pulled back, highlighting her pale face. Byron clenched his hands, darkness consuming his eyes, spreading a terrifying aura. A chill swept the room.

Jaylen said, "Mr. McDaniel, please leave. Don't disturb my fiancée's rest."

"How can a man who can't protect his lady call himself her fiancé?" Byron sneered.

Jaylen fell silent.

"I want to take Maeve away," Byron said coldly.

"No!" Jaylen refused. "Her condition makes moving her suicidal."

"This isn't a negotiation. Eric and his team arrive in Kleymond tomorrow. I'm taking her then." Byron was unwavering.

Jaylen was incredulous. "You got them to agree?"

Jaylen couldn't believe it. Byron didn't explain. His gaze remained fixed on Maeve. He wouldn't let anything happen to her.

Will tugged Byron's sleeve. "Daddy, Jaylen's cared for Mommy. His antidote is almost complete. With Eric's help, they'll finish faster."

"That's Jaylen's responsibility," Byron said coldly. "Not everyone can handle a fiancé's responsibilities."

Jaylen sneered. "Mr. McDaniel, are you envious or jealous?"

Byron huffed. Will and Theo exchanged glances, distancing themselves from the brewing conflict.

Maeve's condition was far worse. She couldn't even take medicine, vomiting every time.

Jaylen emerged with an empty medicine tube, removing his protective gear. "She can't drink it. Let's try an injection."

"But the effect will be reduced," Theo worried. "And it will take longer."

The longer it took, the more Maeve would suffer. This pain, nicknamed "the hot stabs" by the infected, felt like constant burning and stabbing. The thought made Theo cry.

Byron, after a long silence, turned to the medicine tube. "Give it to me."

"What are you doing?" Jaylen frowned.

"We need to ensure she takes it, right?"

Before anyone could react, Byron took the tube and walked toward the isolation room.

"Daddy!" "You'll get infected!"

The boys were frantic. The virus was gentler on children, merciless on adults. Maeve was in the middle stage of infection. Byron entered without precautions, courting death! Jaylen's spine chilled. 'Is he out of his mind? He's crazy!'