Chapter 408

Serena looked down at the small, dark-haired child. Hearing his words, she asked Maeve, "Ms. Reese, did you teach him this? It's not right to use a child to take credit, is it?" Mr. Malvis also looked displeased.

"Am I using a child to take credit, or are you shameless enough to exploit one?" Maeve trusted her child implicitly, especially knowing how difficult their recent treatment of Byron's eyes had been. Their character wouldn't allow them to lie. Instead, Serena and her father had suddenly appeared…

"Are you joking?" Mr. Malvis frowned. "Aren't you adept at twisting right and wrong? Mr. McDaniel clearly recovered after taking my antidote. The doctor was present. If you don't believe me, call them." Will restrained the angry Theo and asked, "When did you give my father the antidote?"

Hearing "dad," Mr. Malvis's expression changed, becoming even uglier. "Not long ago, about half an hour ago."

"That means my father just left the operating room, and it's only been half an hour, and you're already sure your antidote worked?" Will analyzed calmly. "Or did you see my father was fine and deliberately gave him the so-called antidote to steal the credit?"

Mr. Malvis, unaccustomed to such questioning, especially from a young child, turned green.

"Will, my father and I helped out of kindness. It's not what you think," Serena said aggrievedly.

She looked at Maeve. "Ms. Reese, regardless of your feelings toward me, you shouldn't speak falsely in front of a child, should you?"

Maeve chuckled. "What feelings do I have against you? You're openly and covertly accusing me?"

"Mr. McDaniel, what do you think? My father and I worked hard to heal your eyes, and we're accused of stealing credit?" Serena complained to Byron.

She believed this favor would secure Byron's help. She knew Byron and Maeve were recently estranged; a breakup would be ideal.

Maeve saw Byron's lips slightly curved in what seemed like a smile, yet it held sarcasm.

"Serena, do you think my eyes are bad and my heart is blind? I can tell who cured my eyes," Byron said indifferently, his headache easing. "For the sake of the Posa Root, I won't argue. Don't use that tone with my family. Maeve, show them out."

The Malvises were instantly embarrassed.

Hearing Byron's words, Maeve felt uncomfortable. They were about to break up. Was this intimate address appropriate? Or had he disregarded her words? She didn't deny it in front of outsiders. "Please."

Serena was ashamed and resentful, but Mr. Malvis was furious. His kindness had been repaid with ingratitude!

He pulled his daughter away angrily.

"Look who you're dealing with! After taking my medicine, you deny it and use a child as an excuse. You're unbelievable!" Mr. Malvis vented his anger. "You're coming home tomorrow. Why are you still here suffering?!"

Serena protested, "Dal, don't you see it's that woman? Mr. McDaniel was deceived. When he learns you cured him, he'll regret it! Please don't be angry." Mr. Malvis, aloof and noble, couldn't help his anger.

Seeing her stubbornness, he waved and left. Serena stomped her foot and followed.

In the ward, Theo checked Byron's pulse, his furrowed brow relaxing. "I thought it was an antidote. It's the basic version I made for Mommy. Ordinary poisons can be cured, but a retina poison barrier from multiple drugs isn't so easily treated." He'd already removed toxins from Stinky Daddy's eyes. Their antidote wouldn't have shown any effect.

How embarrassing. They only knew how to leech off others. Theo felt helpless.

Maeve pinched the child's cheeks. Byron accidentally grabbed her hand.

A subtle shock ran from her palm to her tailbone, making her panic. She pulled away.

Byron paused, then retracted his hand, twisting his fingers.

Will noticed their actions, looking around, sensing something amiss.

Theo didn't notice. He glared at Byron. "You knew they were lying. Why did you let them slander me?"

Byron had woken during treatment, sending help for Maeve. Yet, he hadn't defended Theo!

Theo was furious. The consequences were serious!

"If you were a girl, I'd protect you," Byron snorted. "Otherwise, you're like Will—you handle things yourself. Don't expect Mommy and me to protect you." Boys shouldn't be pampered.

Theo was stunned. So was Maeve.

Will couldn't speak for his father, hoping he could cope knowing his brother's identity.

Theo angrily turned away, ignoring Stinky Daddy.

Angered by Byron, the little guy wanted to leave. Maeve hesitated, but Byron decided for her. "I'll have Archer send you home."

His tone was calm, devoid of emotion. Unlike before, when he'd tried to keep her.

Maeve realized he didn't want to see her.

They'd argued, much had happened, and she hadn't processed it. Should she break up or continue in a haze?

She liked him intensely. Before the sea incident, besides the children, he'd been foremost in her thoughts.

But…he didn't seem to feel the same. Otherwise, he wouldn't have kept things from her.

Maeve laughed self-deprecatingly. Before leaving, she turned to Byron. "Thanks to you, I left the police station and cleared my name. I'm grateful. But it's my own matter. Don't worry about it. I'll handle it."