Chapter 400

When Maeve saw Serena's expression, she remembered Byron's words. She put aside the filter and considered them. Finally, she understood. "Wasn't what she said...a little too deliberate? I'm not sure. Let's hear more!" Maeve asked patiently.

"Mr. McDaniel's eye injury is very serious. There's a high probability it's untreatable," Serena said directly. "I'm the only person who can treat him now."

Maeve frowned slightly. "Aren't you a psychiatrist? Do you know all this?"

She suspected Byron's words from yesterday were for her peace of mind. However, hearing Serena say it made her heart sink.

"My father is an apothecary specializing in rare medicinal herbs. He also has many ancient books on difficult illnesses. With him treating Mr. McDaniel, there's at least an 80% chance of recovery," Serena said confidently. Maeve detected something and slowed her movement of rubbing the coffee cup's rim.

She looked at Serena with a probing gaze. "You didn't seek Byron out to discuss this. Instead, you came to me. I think I have something you want, right?"

"Ms. Reese is very smart. You guessed it. Only you can afford the condition for asking my father to help with the treatment," Serena's smile deepened.

"Just tell me. What is it?"

"I want you to break up with Mr. McDaniel."

Maeve clenched her fists. Initially surprised, she then seemed to understand. "You like Byron?!"

Serena admitted readily, "Mr. McDaniel is an outstanding person. It's not strange for me to fall in love with him, right? Moreover, I knew him before you. If I hadn't gone on a trip, you might not have 'taken advantage' of me." If her father hadn't stopped her, she wouldn't have fallen so far behind Maeve.

Fortunately, Maeve was ordinary, with unknown parents and an ordinary background. She couldn't compare to Serena, the eldest daughter of the Malvis family.

Maeve almost laughed. No wonder Serena revealed Byron's first love. She deliberately pretended intimacy with Byron in front of me. It turns out she's been eyeing Byron for a long time. I didn't think too much of it.

"Dr. Malvis, confidence is good, but being too presumptuous is foolish," Maeve's voice was calm. "Byron and I have known each other since four years ago. We registered our marriage the second time we met. We separated and reunited. Regardless, I can't afford your accusation of 'taking advantage.'"

When she and Byron married, Serena was still unknown. How could she say Maeve had 'snatched' her man?

Serena frowned. "Impossible. Mr. McDaniel never mentioned it."

Maeve smiled slightly. "Is it possible he's not that close to you?"

"That's none of your business," Serena remained calm. "If you want Mr. McDaniel to recover, you must decide quickly."

"Aren't you afraid I'll tell Byron about this?"

"Go ahead. It's not the first time you've secretly made things difficult for me, right?"

"Made things difficult for you?"

When Serena saw her feigning innocence, she was furious. She blurted out, "Mr. McDaniel suddenly fired me. Isn't it because of you?"

"The last time I made a mistake at work, Mr. McDaniel wasn't angry enough to fire me. If you weren't instigating him, what else could it be?"

Otherwise, Serena wouldn't be so eager to separate Maeve from Byron. Maeve was a nuisance.

The corner of Maeve's mouth twitched. If she said she didn't know why Byron fired her, would Serena believe it?

"In any case, Dr. Malvis probably won't believe me. I won't waste my breath." Maeve picked up her bag and stood. "I'll think about this and give you an answer."

Serena remained silent. She wasn't worried Maeve wouldn't agree unless she found a second Dr. Chatterly.

Maeve returned to the apartment with a heavy heart. She felt relieved by the aroma of food.

Will, wearing a cute bear apron, emerged from the kitchen with a plate of scrambled eggs and tomatoes. They looked quite good. He was already like a capable little man.

"Mommy, you weren't back, so we made dinner. We wanted you to eat hot food when you got home," Will's face was red from the kitchen heat, cuter than apples. Maeve's heart softened. The gloom from Serena's words dissipated.

"How capable is little Will? With you, Mom can slack off!"

"Mom's tired. You should rest when you get home," Will said matter-of-factly.

The little guy, not even as tall as her legs, already showed the makings of a gentle man.

Maeve patted his head. It felt so good she didn't want to let go.

She turned and didn't see Theo. "Where's Theo?"

"Theo's studying medical books in his room."

"He's not secretly eating snacks?"

Will was embarrassed. "Mom, I hid the snack cabinet key. Theo doesn't know where it is."

Is that so? Maeve recalled confiscating Theo's sweets. Later, she found a pile of sweets hidden everywhere—a better hider than a hamster.

Maeve helped Will with the dishes and went to the children's room.

She expected to catch her youngest son eating secretly, but she didn't.

Theo stood before his desk, clutching a quaint book. Before him were glass containers and apparatus.

Seeing him extracting medicinal herbs, Maeve hesitated to disturb him, but she was already discovered.

"Mommy, you're back!" Theo threw his things aside and pounced on Maeve. "I missed you! Did you miss me?!"

Maeve was so happy she picked Theo up. He was so heavy she almost couldn't hold him steadily. He'd become so chubby.

"Of course. Mommy's been thinking about you guys at school," Maeve hugged him and smiled. "Why are you doing this instead of homework?"

"I finished my homework!" Theo hugged Maeve's neck and lowered his voice. "I saw a prescription in an ancient book that can treat eyes. It requires a lot of medicinal essence." Maeve chuckled. "And you said you hate your father. Don't you like him a lot?"

The little guy's face was red, and he snuggled awkwardly in her arms. "No, no! I don't like him! It's only because Mommy likes him that I barely helped him!"