Chapter 409

The meaning behind her words was too obvious. Byron's expression turned slightly cold, and he simply said, "Yes."

In the end, Maeve rejected Warren's proposal, even though it was for her benefit. She didn't believe having a difficult past was inherently wrong. She hadn't chosen her parents or family, and she wasn't interested in sacrificing her happiness to appease public opinion and maintain a good reputation. She only needed to be herself; the rest was up to fate.

Warren was regretful but respected her decision. Maeve felt both guilty and touched. His willingness to sacrifice so much for a stranger demonstrated his genuine care for her.

However, beyond the touching gesture, she felt an indescribable unease. Perhaps she was unaccustomed to such kindness.

That night, Maeve attended Warren's banquet, ostensibly to meet his son, newly returned from abroad. Many celebrities and influential people were present. Among the assembled wealthy wives, at least half were Dreamscape clients.

Unlike their previous warm greetings, they now avoided her, seemingly fearful of association with the daughter of a wanted criminal. The atmosphere around Maeve was frigid, marked by complete social isolation.

Unbothered, she retreated to the garden with her cake and drink. As she walked, her skirt hem caught on something. She managed to stop just in time, clutching her chest to prevent the dress from falling.

She turned to see a woman in a gold gown, glaring provocatively.

"The daughter of a wanted criminal dares to attend such a banquet? How shameless! She's lowering our standards," the woman sneered.

Her two companions immediately laughed. "She's the daughter of a wanted criminal. She has no shame. I'd kill myself if I were her!" "Should we call security? A jewelry thief's descendant is here! I'm worried about our valuables."

Before Maeve could respond, a calm, pleasant male voice interrupted. "Ms. Reese is an honored guest. Are you questioning the Richard family?" A young man in a dark blue tuxedo approached. He was handsome, elegant, and exuded an air of nobility.

The gossiping women's faces flushed crimson.

This was the banquet's main attraction—Mr. Richard's only son, the sole heir to his billions.

"Mr. Richard, we were just having a friendly chat with Ms. Reese."

"Yes, a misunderstanding," another chimed in.

Arthur smiled. "Good. I hope you ladies enjoy the evening."

They left reluctantly, casting shy glances at him.

Arthur turned to Maeve. "Ms. Reese, I hope this didn't spoil your evening. It would be our fault for poor hospitality."

"Not at all, Mr. Richard. You're too kind," Maeve replied, smiling. "Thank you for your help."

Arthur nodded, a smile playing on his lips. "Please don't hesitate to ask if you need anything. I won't disturb you further. Good evening."

Maeve nodded slightly. "Good evening."

After Arthur left, Maeve found a quiet corner to eat her cake. Unfortunately, she overheard more gossip. The earlier incident's fallout lingered, and her background was a constant topic of conversation. The bathroom, unsurprisingly, was rife with whispers.

Maeve washed her hands and returned to the banquet hall. Shortly after, a commotion erupted. Someone had lost a diamond necklace, recently purchased overseas, worth over a million dollars.

Instantly, all eyes turned to Maeve. She felt a chill, not from suspicion, but from the certainty of her guilt in everyone's eyes.

"I told you she's trouble. Like father, like daughter," the woman in the gold gown sneered. "Mr. Arthur helped her, and she ruins his banquet." "Search her! She likely has the necklace. Don't let her escape."

Despite her indifference to others' opinions, the public condemnation made her question herself. Simply being the daughter of a wanted criminal didn't make her a criminal, did it?

The owner approached, requesting Maeve's cooperation with a search.

"Police work requires evidence. What's your basis?" Maeve's face hardened. "When and where did you lose it?"

The woman in gold immediately interjected, "I saw you reaching into someone's bag in the washroom. I didn't see what you took, so I didn't say anything!"

The owner glared. "Will you cooperate with a search, or should I call the police? You seem well-behaved, but your hands are dirty. What did your parents teach you?"

"Her father's a wanted criminal. What could he teach her?" someone jeered, prompting malicious laughter from the crowd.

"Those with parents might be less well-mannered than I am. Otherwise, you wouldn't speak so rudely in public and disrupt the atmosphere," Maeve retorted sharply.

The jeering person blushed and retreated.

Maeve addressed the owner. "If you want my cooperation, show me the evidence first. You can't convict someone with mere accusations. Are you a judge or a magician? If you're so capable, why not pray to the heavens and curse me?" The crowd chuckled.

The owner's face turned an alarming shade of green and purple, her lips trembling. "You cheap—"

Before she could finish, the banquet hall's LCD screen illuminated, broadcasting a live financial interview. A handsome man in a suit and leather shoes sat opposite the host—the McDaniel Group's leader, Byron.

Byron rarely appeared in public, eschewing interviews and media appearances. Few photos existed online; he was enigmatic. Only industry elites could hope to see him. This was his first television appearance, capturing everyone's attention, including Maeve's.

Since leaving the hospital, she hadn't sought him out. She knew his eye injury had healed, and he'd recently been discharged, leading high-level company discussions about a multi-billion dollar deal, briefly making headlines. No matter how much she tried to ignore him, others constantly mentioned him.