Chapter 480

Maeve was startled. Looking up, she saw Serena standing there, looking shocked. Frowning, she asked, "Miss Malvis, why are you here?"

"I came to get something," Serena replied.

Serena sized Maeve up. Seeing the soil on her legs, a trace of disdain flickered in her heart. "Ms. Reese," she said, "I know you have a carefree personality, but is it appropriate to treat someone else's garden like a rural field?"

"What's wrong?" Maeve said lightly, wiping her sweat with a handkerchief.

"The Nightfall Manor's garden has always been called a treasure of art. Its value is immeasurable. You..." Serena gestured to the messy garden behind Maeve. "Now that you've made it like this, the guests will laugh at you." Maeve understood; Serena was mocking her for planting vegetables. It was neither artistic nor valuable, and frankly, embarrassing.

"Is this your house, Miss Malvis?" Maeve asked.

"Of course not."

"Do you live here, Miss Malvis?"

Serena frowned. "No."

Maeve smiled. "In that case, Miss Malvis, aren't you overstepping your bounds by controlling how the people living here use this land?"

Serena's expression changed. "How can you live here?" She thought, Is she worthy?

"That's funny. Why can't I live here?" Maeve said lightly. "Miss Malvis, could you have forgotten Mr. McDaniel is my fiancé?"

Serena gripped her purse tightly and offered a strained smile. "I forgot. After all, who would believe Mr. McDaniel's fiancée is an orphan with no power or influence? Ms. Reese, don't blame me for being straightforward. With such a big difference in your social status, your future is uncertain." Serena hadn't bothered to be polite since Maeve had used her father's credit card at the hospital. Being polite to Maeve was already a generous act, considering her status.

Maeve was already in a bad mood. Serena's mockery only worsened it. Just as she was about to retort, a voice interrupted.

"So what if Maeve is an orphan? Byron doesn't mind. Miss Malvis, what gives you the right to say these things?"

Alexis appeared, her elegant face hinting at aggression. Her eyes were particularly sharp as she looked at Serena.

Serena was shocked. "Mrs. McDaniel..."

"I'm not related to you, Miss Malvis. I can't afford to be called Mrs. McDaniel. As Byron's mother, I have a few words for you, Miss Malvis," Alexis said coldly. "It's up to Maeve and my son how far they go in the future. As an outsider, are you deliberately trying to sow discord between them?"

"Miss Malvis, you are young and beautiful, and you have some capital. However, I advise you not to target my son. I only acknowledge Maeve as my daughter-in-law. We won't allow outsiders to dictate anything about her, regardless of her background."

Serena's face paled, and she swayed slightly.

"Mrs... Alexis, you've misunderstood me. I was only kindly reminding Ms. Reese..."

Alexis looked at Maeve. "Do you think she was kindly reminding you?"

Maeve shook her head. "I felt offended."

"Miss Malvis, did you hear that?" Alexis said. "You made my future daughter-in-law uncomfortable. Leave immediately and don't come back."

Maeve's opinion of Alexis improved drastically; she found her awesome. Serena, on the verge of tears, had never been so humiliated. The fact that it was by Byron's mother made it even worse.

"I see, Alexis," Serena choked out. "I apologize for offending you and Ms. Reese. I didn't expect such a misunderstanding... I'm leaving." She covered her face and quickly left, maintaining a shred of dignity.

Maeve admired Serena's mental strength. While Serena played the pitiful victim, Maeve worried about appearing ungenerous. But Alexis was different. Compared to the catty intrigues of society women, Serena's schemes were insignificant.

"Maeve, what have you done to yourself?" Alexis noticed the mud on Maeve. She pulled Maeve up. "There are many gardeners. Why didn't you use them?"

"I wanted to plant something," Maeve said, embarrassed. "The gardener helped with the soil and seeds, but I wanted to do it myself."

Alexis, raised in luxury, didn't understand Maeve's hobby. However, unlike before, she didn't criticize Maeve's preferences. Gilbert also enjoyed working in the fields, and Laurel had even turned the garden into a vegetable patch. Alexis disagreed, but she didn't object.

"You're covered in sweat. Go wash up and avoid catching a cold," Alexis said.

Maeve was surprised by her kindness. "Okay."

Alexis had come not only for Will and Theo but also to connect with Maeve. Her relationship with Byron was strained, and she didn't want to alienate Maeve. Their relationship with Jason was worsening, and the atmosphere at home was frigid. Jason favored his illegitimate son, neglecting Byron and Maeve, but Alexis cared, especially about Maeve. Maeve never expected such a peaceful relationship with Alexis. Their distance was perfect.

After Alexis left, Maeve checked her phone. It was time for Byron's break. She gathered her things and went to the McDaniel Group. At the elevator, she was stopped.

"Hello, may I help you?" Molly asked in a businesslike tone.

Maeve was surprised. She didn't know how to respond to Molly. "I'm here to see Mr. McDaniel."

"Do you have an appointment?"

Maeve didn't, but she hadn't needed one before.

Molly's tone hardened. "I'm sorry, you can't go in. Mr. McDaniel doesn't like interruptions during his break. Even as his fiancée, you must follow the rules."