Ray, noticing Byron's annoyance, wisely changed the subject.

"Alright, we'll leave you alone. Just call if you need anything," he said. They got up, left the room, and closed the door.

Even after they were gone, their words echoed in Maeve's mind. She couldn't stop thinking about Ray and Jarrett's comments. Helping with medicine and meals was manageable, but assisting with bathing... the thought made her ears burn. She glanced at Byron, who was staring back with deep, unreadable eyes. "What's going through your mind?" His voice was unusually cold.

Mr. McDaniel didn't want her to care for him alone, but her eagerness to delegate the task irritated him.

"I'll arrange for a male caregiver," Maeve said quickly. "Cost isn't a concern—you saved me, after all..."

Byron hadn't expected that. His gaze darkened. "So, after I saved you, you're just going to hand me off to a stranger?"

"No, that's not what I meant. I just—"

"Is it too much to ask for the person who saved your life to receive proper care?" His tone sharpened.

"No, I don't feel that way at all," Maeve hurried to explain. "I'm happy to help, but... I'm worried it might make you uncomfortable." A faint smirk touched Byron's lips, then vanished.

"Compared to a stranger, I suppose I can tolerate you."

Maeve was startled. Her heart ached. She thought, So, in his eyes, being a housekeeper is better than being a complete outsider?

Pushing aside that strange feeling, Maeve smiled softly. "If you're okay with it, then I have no problem either." He'd been hurt because of her; it was only right that she cared for him.

Just then, a nurse knocked. "Ms. Reese, your breakfast is getting cold, and you need your medicine soon." "Alright, I'll be there in a moment," Maeve replied, then turned to Byron. "I'll check back on you later." "Okay," Byron nodded coolly.

Maeve left, closing the door. She was about to return to her room when a woman called out.

The woman, dressed in a sharp sapphire-blue suit, had warm brown wavy hair cascading over her shoulders. She exuded a professional yet warm air.

"You are...?" Maeve asked, puzzled.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Karen." Karen smiled and offered her hand. "I heard Byron was hospitalized, so I came to visit."

Maeve hesitated. "You can go in directly. Why tell me?"

"Ray mentioned you're Byron's housekeeper, so I thought I'd ask you to give him this gift," Karen said, blushing slightly. "Byron and I... had a disagreement, and we're not speaking. He probably doesn't want to see me."

Her tone hinted at intimacy, making their relationship clear. It wasn't just a casual disagreement.

Maeve asked, "What's your relationship with Mr. McDaniel?"

Karen hesitated. "We're... childhood friends, for now."

Maeve thought, Which means they were more before. Unease washed over her.

She understood why Byron had introduced her as a housekeeper—to hide it from Karen. Maeve felt uncomfortable.

"Could you help me out?" Karen asked hopefully. "I'll make sure Byron gives you a promotion and a raise."

"Sorry, but we're not close, and it's more meaningful to deliver a gift in person," Maeve said, shaking her head. "I can't help you. Goodbye." Maeve went to her room.

Karen watched her leave, her expression momentarily darkening before she smiled and entered Byron's room. She thought, A mere housekeeper is no threat. "Byron, how are you feeling?" Karen placed the gift on the table, her eyes filled with concern. "I rushed over as soon as I heard you'd woken up."

"I'm fine," Byron replied indifferently. "Who told you about this?"

Karen hesitated. "I overheard Archer on the phone. Don't worry, no one else knows."

Byron seemed unconcerned. Neville was at the sanatorium and couldn't cause trouble. What surprised him was that Gilbert had ordered the lockdown—choosing his adopted grandson over his biological one.

A brief warmth flickered in Byron's eyes, unnoticed by Karen, until her heart skipped a beat.

"Byron, I heard your parents are overseas and couldn't come back. Your mother asked me to tell you they're worried," she said. The warmth vanished.

Karen continued, "When she found out you were in a coma, she cried all night. She really cares and wants to mend things..." Byron's expression froze. "Are you done? I need to rest."

Karen swallowed her words. "Alright, if you don't want to hear it, I won't push it." She wondered, When will his relationship with his mother improve?

Sensing the conversation was unproductive, Karen left.

"Oh, I almost forgot," she said suddenly. "Your housekeeper cornered me, asking about my relationship with you. She seemed defensive... Anyone watching might think she was your wife, not a housekeeper." Byron's gaze deepened. "Is that so?"

"Yep. Just a friendly reminder—be careful not to treat the help too well. It's easy for people to forget their place." She left casually.

Byron frowned, considering Karen's words. Given Maeve's behavior, maybe she was seeing herself as more than a housekeeper. He decided to remind her of the boundaries before things got complicated.

Around lunchtime, Maeve found Byron already eating. "Mr. McDaniel, do you need help?" she asked, noticing his awkward use of his left hand. Byron's tone was colder than that morning. "No."

Maeve didn't mind. She picked up an apple. "Would you like some apple later? I'm good at peeling them."

"Not interested."

"Fine, I'll eat it myself then." Maeve skillfully peeled the apple.

Byron thought, She clearly wants to eat it herself, yet she makes a show of offering it. Such a fake gesture.