Chapter 504
"What exactly do they look like?" Alexis asked, bewildered.
Dylan waved a hand. "Their noses, eyes... haven't you noticed? They're completely different!"
Alexis stared blankly. He saw no resemblance whatsoever. Gale was a predatory eagle, Maeve a delicate flower blooming on a dead branch – both powerful, but utterly unlike.
Alexis finally gestured at Dylan. "Are you losing your mind? How many heads do I have?"
Dylan was speechless. He'd never encountered such a venomous retort.
Maeve pictured Byron as her shadow, ever-present. He'd escort her by day, sleep beside her at night. But reality was... different.
"Miss Reese, coffee, please," Byron dictated, pen scratching across paperwork, without looking up.
Maeve was dumbfounded. Shouldn't he be following her? Twenty-four seven?
Hesitantly, she went to the break room. A rich coffee aroma wafted out, enticing the secretaries.
"McDaniel's so picky," one whispered. "Ms. Reese makes amazing coffee."
"Imagine tasting his coffee!" another sighed.
"Fiancée-turned-secretary," a third giggled. "Smart move, McDaniel."
"His temper's improved since she arrived," another added. "Executives are swarming his office – they know Ms. Reese keeps him calm."
"I wish she'd stay forever," someone murmured.
Molly, eavesdropping, clenched her jaw. Maeve's arrival had jeopardized her position. Jealousy gnawed at her.
Molly crept into the break room. Maeve was on tiptoe, rummaging in a cabinet. Molly's gaze fell on two steaming mugs.
Later, Maeve returned with coffee, placing one beside Byron.
The rich aroma eased Byron's furrowed brow; a faint smile touched his lips.
"Thank you, Miss Reese!"
"You're welcome, Mr. McDaniel," Maeve said, stirring her coffee. "We agreed you'd be my bodyguard. Why am I taking orders?"
Byron chuckled. "I'm afraid someone might kidnap you if you leave my side."
"So you should be with me at home," Maeve retorted.
"When you're working," he conceded.
"You're not pulling my leg?" Maeve questioned, suspicious.
Byron raised an eyebrow. "If you won't follow me, I'll follow you."
Maeve grudgingly accepted this compromise. She took a sip of her coffee. Byron's expression had shifted, becoming predatory.
"Something wrong? Does it taste bad?" Maeve asked, bewildered. Her coffee was perfect.
Byron swallowed slowly, a dark glint in his eyes. "Nothing. Come here."
Maeve pushed aside her blueprints, walking towards him. He grabbed her arm, pulling her into his embrace. His shadow fell over her eyes.
He lifted her chin and kissed her, transferring the coffee from his mouth to hers.
Sweetness exploded in her mouth, making her grimace.
"What the hell? Why is it so sweet?" she thought.
But Byron wouldn't let her pull away. His tongue explored her lips.
Chapter 904 (Note: There's a significant jump in chapter numbers, suggesting a gap in the provided text.)
Maggie's ears burned; her neck flushed. Released from his embrace, she gasped for breath, disoriented.
"Pranked you," Byron murmured, his forehead against hers. "How's my coffee?"
Maeve stammered, overwhelmed by his intensity. "I didn't add sugar! I don't understand."
He smiled. It was her – his cat. Her little tantrum was endearing.
She fled, "I'll make you another cup!" She remembered – no sugar. How was it so sweet?
A knock.
"Come in," Byron said, assuming it was Maeve. His voice was languid.
It was Molly, hesitant and nervous. She placed a cup of coffee down. "Mr. McDaniel, your coffee."
Byron frowned. "When did I ask for coffee?"
Molly stammered an explanation.
Byron's gaze was cold. "Who authorized you?"
Molly's eyes welled, but she remained silent.
"Wait," he said.
Molly turned, fearful.
Byron twirled his pen. "I hear you're a Kleymond University graduate."
Molly's face lit up. "Yes, Mr. McDaniel."
He knows? He's paying attention to me! She thought, thrilled.
Byron smiled enigmatically. "Work hard. Don't disappoint."