Chapter 474

Ryan retorted before Maeve could speak. "Why are you so shameless? Why don't you consider your actions before accusing others? You still have the nerve to ask why they're hiding the child?" Jason fell silent.

Maeve felt it was karmic justice, watching Ryan criticize Jason until he was self-doubting.

Despite Alexis's past coldness toward Maeve, Ryan and Jason maintained mutual respect. Jason couldn't fault anyone for not cherishing Ryan.

"Byron, we came late. Are the children asleep?" Ryan asked.

Byron replied indifferently, "Maeve and I haven't remarried. I can't decide; you must ask Maeve."

He implied the children were solely Maeve's. Their acknowledgment depended on Maeve's consent, not his.

Jason revealed his displeasure. "They're McDaniels. As grandparents, do we need permission to see them?"

Byron's face instantly turned cold. Ryan intervened, "Shut up! You shameless old man!"

"You're vulgar!" Jason retorted.

Byron said coldly, "Mr. McDaniel, this is Maeve's and my home. She's the mother of my children and my future partner. Humiliating her is humiliating me. I won't let you get away with it." Maeve stared, disbelieving Byron's cold demeanor. She wondered if he was serious.

Jason's expression shifted, as if choking. He gripped his coffee cup, then controlled himself. He thought, 'Byron's grown. He's defying me, his father, for a woman. In the past, I could control him, but the McDaniel Group is his world now; my words are meaningless.'

The living room grew frigid. Maeve, noticing Ryan's worry, said, "The children are upstairs. Go see them if you wish."

She excluded Jason. Ryan smiled, "Alright, I'll go."

Jason, unhappy that Ryan went alone, followed Alexis.

After they went upstairs, Maeve turned to Byron, whose coldness intensified. She touched his sleeve. "Are you angry?"

Byron's dark gaze met hers. "Aren't you?"

"I was, but you retaliated for me."

"He's getting more confused. Most of what he says isn't worth hearing. Ignore him."

Maeve was puzzled. "He's more irritable than before. Even your mother's scolding doesn't stop him. It's like he needs to vent."

A dark light flashed in Byron's eyes. "Neville's legs were broken in prison. That explains Jason's irritability."

Jason lacked sincerity toward Byron and Ryan, but doted on his illegitimate son, Neville. News of Neville's injuries angered him, but Byron's methods prevented rash actions that could worsen Neville's situation. Jason vented his anger on Maeve instead.

Maeve felt it was unjust and her heart ached. She thought, 'Byron and Neville are both Jason's sons. Where does Byron stand? Has Neville bewitched him?'

Upstairs, Theo and Will, exhausted from carrying luggage, slept soundly on a small bed. Will's posture was restrained; Theo's leg rested boldly on Will's shoulder.

Alexis adored them, wishing to take them home. But Maeve and Byron wouldn't agree.

Jason, though uninterested in children, was drawn to Theo's chubby belly. He reached for him, but Alexis slapped his hand.

"Don't touch them! You'll wake them."

Jason, his hand red, glared. "Must you be so harsh? You're a shrew! I don't know why I married you."

"I was blind to marry you."

"Must you settle this with me? Without me, you wouldn't see these children," Jason sneered. "Considering I married you while pregnant, can't you stop causing trouble?"

That was a sore point for Alexis. Her smile vanished. "Frankly," she said, "our marriage was a business arrangement. You used my family's influence, I needed protection. I don't ask for much—just don't cheat or kill people. You failed at both. Do you have the nerve to call me troublesome?"

"At least I'm not as shameless as you," Jason retorted. "Don't forget, you'd be dead without me."

Alexis wanted to retort but restrained herself, fearing she'd wake the children.

After leaving the manor, Alexis scratched Jason's face. "I'd have divorced you long ago if it weren't for Byron and the children. Don't think I tolerate you because I love you. You don't deserve it," she spat. Jason was outraged. "Crazy woman! Stop it!"

Maeve remained unaware of their conflict, curious why Alexis didn't divorce Jason despite her wealth and beauty. She wondered what Byron thought. After showering, she asked him.