Chapter 487

After a few seconds, Clem resigned himself to fate and opened the car door. He quickly sat in the innermost part of the car, not daring to look directly at Maeve.

Maeve got in and asked, "When did you return to the country? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Yesterday," Clem replied, immediately sitting up straight and placing his hands on his knees as he smelled the faint scent of roses beside him. "I wanted to tell you when I got back to Kleymond."

He didn't dare look at her, staring instead at the black leather car seat in front of him. A stranger might have thought some peerless beauty held his gaze captive.

He was a completely different person from his usual, self-assured self.

Maeve was used to it. Other people's social phobia was an area-of-effect skill, but Clem's was different. His social phobia had always been a single-target skill, aimed solely at Maeve. All because she'd snatched a lollipop from him when they were children! His vengefulness was comparable to her Theo's.

"Clem, why are you here? Aren't you working in Chris Continent? Aren't you supposed to be away for a year?" Maeve asked suspiciously.

Clem coughed. "I dealt with the guys who were causing problems. One shot in the head, for example."

"How long can you stay in the country this time?" Maeve asked.

"I have to leave tomorrow. I can't say for sure," Clem answered.

Maeve nodded. "It's a pity. I still wanted to treat you to a meal. Let's talk about it next time, since you're short on time."

Clem could no longer maintain his composure. He turned to look at her, his ears flushing red before he quickly returned his gaze to the car seat. "There's still time for a meal. Just pick the place," he said.

"Won't it interfere with your work?"

"No."

Maeve let out a long "oh" and asked, "Clem, can you explain what you were doing here just now?"

'Here it is. The problem of death has finally arrived,' Clem thought.

He glanced at the man lying outside the car, regretting for the first time not throwing him into the sea. Otherwise, Maeve wouldn't have seen him.

"He stole something from me. I was teaching him a lesson," Clem said uncomfortably.

"Did you kill him?"

"Of course not," Clem said seriously. "I'm a law-abiding citizen. Why would I kill someone for no reason?" His subordinates outside were bewildered.

'If you're a law-abiding citizen, then what are we? A group of cowards?' his subordinates thought.

Maeve knew he wasn't being truthful but didn't call him out on it. "Clem, this is domestic territory, where laws and regulations are different from Chris Continent. Be careful."

Clem felt lightheaded, his heart soaring, yet his eyes still avoided Maeve's.

"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing."

"Then I'll go back. I won't disturb your work." Maeve placed her hand on the car door, ready to leave.

Clem stopped her. "I'm finished here. Where are you going? I'll give you a ride."

"No, thanks. My hotel is just across the road, in front of this alley. I can walk."

"It's too dangerous to walk at night. I'll walk you there."

Clem got out of the car, touching the back of his neck, and walked her back to the hotel, glancing at the opposite side as he walked.

His subordinates watched, questioning, "Is that Mr. Holland? Has he been possessed by a transmigrator?"

"Idiot! Stop reading novels. Can't Mr. Holland be shy around the girl he likes?"

"Is...isn't he too shy? Mr. Holland doesn't even flirt. He's so cold it's scary. How can he woo a girl?"

"Put those novels on Mr. Holland's bedside table. He needs some experience."

The alley wasn't long. They reached the hotel in five minutes.

Clem felt it was too short. He wanted to spend more time with Maeve.

Maeve, however, thought he was hurrying to leave so he could deal with the situation he'd created. She said eagerly, "Clem, I'm here. You can go back now. Be careful." Clem was even more disappointed. He couldn't bear to leave her. They hadn't seen each other for almost half a year.

"This is for you." Clem produced a small, exquisite box from his pocket and placed it in her hand. "A gift."

Maeve was surprised. "You've had this on you?"

He hadn't known when he'd see her again.

Clem turned his head, embarrassed, looking at the plants in a nearby flower bed. "Every time we meet, we leave before we can say anything. I was afraid I'd miss the chance again."

Maeve's heart warmed. "Thank you, but don't spend so much money next time."

"No expense spared. Go inside quickly."

Clem turned, wanting a last look. He saw her forehead was red; she must have bumped into something.

He couldn't help himself; he reached out to touch her forehead. "Does it hurt? Remember to apply some medicine." Maeve subconsciously moved back, then saw Byron and his associates approaching from the corner of her eye.

Byron seemed to have seen her, too. He stopped, and his colleagues followed suit. Maeve felt his gaze turn dark and cold. From a distance, she had nowhere to hide.

She quickly looked away, seeing Clem's red face. Thinking he wasn't well, she urged him to go.

"It's fine. I'll watch you go in before leaving." Clem avoided her gaze, his ears burning.

His words were ambiguous, but Maeve was used to his one-sided social phobia, so she didn't overthink it. When she turned back to look for Byron, he was gone.

Disappointment filled her heart as she entered the hotel.

Clem rubbed his fingers, still warm from touching Maeve's forehead, walking back with his hands in his pockets, his usual playful self returning.

Maeve reached the hotel corner when strong arms pulled her into an empty alcove. She felt dizzy, then smelled the familiar scent of cedar.

Her focus returned. Byron's cold face was inches from hers, his eyes sharp and cold. He didn't speak, but the oppression was intense.

"Is that your answer to me?" he asked coldly.

Maeve held her breath. "I haven't even considered it yet, and you're already expecting an answer?"

Byron pinched the back of her neck. "Who touched your face just now?"

'Touching my face? Clem only touched my forehead with his knuckles, and I moved away. Why does he make it sound so ambiguous?' Maeve thought.