Chapter 441

When her punishment ended, she would definitely kill Maeve! Suddenly, Flora saw a figure. "Arthur! Arthur, wait!"

Arthur stopped. Surprise filled his eyes. "Fiora? I've heard about you. Are you alright?" Tears streamed down Fiora's face. "No! It's Maeve's fault! She bewitched Uncle. Arthur, help me! Only Mother can save me!"

Her mother was gentle and kind; she wouldn't abandon her!

"I'm afraid that's difficult," Arthur said, troubled. "I spoke to Princess Wren about your situation, but she won't help."

"Impossible! Arthur, this is wrong!" Fiora cried. "Mother wouldn't treat me like this!"

Arthur sighed. "Fiora, you went too far. Regardless of what happened with Maeve, you shouldn't have done that. Reflect on your actions. Only then will you have a chance."

Fiora grabbed his arm. "Arthur, she harmed me, and now you're defending her? You think I'm at fault?"

"If you did nothing wrong, why were you punished? Fiora, you're not a child. Maeve is your age, but she's not unreasonable like you."

A lover's betrayal hurts most. Fiora's hatred for Maeve was intense, even implicating her uncle.

"Arthur, please help. I just need to see my mother. I can change her mind!" Fiora pleaded. Arthur, sympathetic to her suffering, relented. "Alright, I'll help."

A pile of raw stones sat on the table. Before Byron was a small cutting machine. Maeve and the two children sat opposite him, watching intently.

Soon, a gray stone transformed into an emerald. Its beauty was captivating.

Maeve was amazed. "Byron, how do you know this?"

"Didn't I tell you?" Byron raised an eyebrow. "Our company owns two gem mines in Erancia. I've visited them."

Maeve and the children were shocked. They were far wealthier than they imagined.

Byron washed the emerald, adding casually, "After you marry me, these will be yours."

Maeve gasped. Is he tempting me?

Theo hugged Maeve's arm. "Mommy, I'll earn more gems! When I'm rich, I'll buy you two gem mines!"

Will calculated. "Mom, I'll save money too!" In the worst case, he'd usurp his father's position.

Byron mocked the children. "Talk about supporting your mother when you're rich. Don't spout nonsense now."

Maeve changed the subject. "How long will this take?"

Byron narrowed his eyes. "Want to play a game?"

"What game?"

Byron explained, "Guess the gem's color. The loser grants the winner a condition."

Guessing the type was too difficult, but the color was easier.

Maeve and the children perked up, fantasizing about demanding impossible conditions. "Let's do it!" Byron picked a stone.

"White!" Maeve guessed, copying the last stone's color.

Theo agreed. "Same as Mommy!"

Will examined it carefully. "Blue. The surface is hard, and the cracks suggest blue."

"Green," Byron said casually.

It was green.

Maeve and the children puffed up their cheeks. "Again! So many more!"

They couldn't believe they were losing. Sloppy players were the most addicted.

Maeve, facing total defeat, frantically scratched her hair.

Finally, they got a cat's-eye emerald, glowing at Byron's fingertips—supreme quality.

Byron placed it on the tray. "You're lucky. This is worth more than all the previous jades combined."

"Mommy, it's beautiful!" Theo exclaimed. "Make jewelry! You'll look awesome!"

Will calculated. "There'll be leftovers. A pendant, maybe? Mom, what do you think?"

As a woman, she deserved jewelry. This priceless emerald was, to the children, simply something to please Mommy. Maeve, used to relying on her children, was impressed by their generosity.

She hugged them. In a moment of smugness, she said, "Good boys, you're enough! I need nothing else."

Suddenly, a cold hand pinched her neck.

A thrilling sensation washed over her. Maeve cowered, turning.

Byron stood behind her, smiling faintly. "It's over. You had your fun. My turn. How will you fulfill the eight conditions you owe me?"

Maeve's eyes widened. Laughter turns to tears! She'd forgotten she lost eight times.