Chapter 512

Acolian's eyes flashed. "Zephyr, you're concerned about this now?"

"Okay," Zephyr replied, already leaving.

Acolian called her friend. "It's been days. Unlocked?"

"Just in time! I'll send it over. When are you free?"

"Today. Dinner's on me another time," Acolian smiled.

"Sure."

Under an umbrella, Theo and Will counted frogs.

"One mouth, two eyes, four legs..." Theo mumbled. "Did the Great Demon King get Mommy? I gotta call!"

Will stopped him. "Don't."

"Why?"

"When it's just Mom and Dad, we shouldn't disturb."

Theo's face puffed. "What kind of logic? Is he bullying Mommy while I'm gone?"

"Parents cultivate the Heart Sutra in secret. Disturbing them makes them berserk," Will declared seriously.

Theo stared. "Really? You're lying!"

"Yep."

Theo stomped in a puddle, splashing Will.

Will wiped his face, muttering, 'I need a break from Theo.'

Zephyr returned to his room. He paused at his wardrobe, noticing Maeve's letter still in his jacket. Her playful script filled half the page, ending with a flourish – a perfect reflection of her. He studied it a long moment, then tucked it into a book on his bedside table, the title Separated by a Wall catching the light.

Chapter 512

Maeve's therapy was working. Nightmares had dwindled from nightly to almost none. She still couldn't use knives, but a full recovery was near. The thought lifted her spirits, even with Byron's early wake-up call. But her good mood crashed against a wave of office gossip. Apparently, Molly, not Baymax, was credited with saving them from the kidnapping.

Molly was basking in the newfound attention. Colleagues greeted her, brought her coffee, and showered her with favors. She wondered if Byron's improved attitude stemmed from gratitude.

Maeve emerged from Byron's office, heading for the break room. Molly followed, watching.

Maeve grabbed coffee beans. Turning, she saw Molly. "Excuse me?"

Molly, emboldened, blurted, "Ms. Reese, you owe me a thank you. If I hadn't reminded Mr. McDaniel, you wouldn't be here!"

Maeve stared, bewildered. "Molly, right? You think you saved me?"

"I don't think so, but you can't deny my help!"

Maeve smiled. "I heard you didn't tell Mr. McDaniel I was missing."

Molly’s eyes flickered. "The situation was urgent. It didn't affect anything."

"Actually, we'd subdued the kidnappers before Mr. McDaniel arrived."

"So what? It's all my—"

Maeve cut her off. "First, reporting emergencies is your job. Second, Damian wouldn't have just waited. Your sense of superiority is misplaced. Perhaps I should thank you for mentioning the children, but I'm not a fool."

Molly's eyes filled with tears. "Ms. Reese, you don't have to humiliate me! If I hadn't reminded Mr. McDaniel, how could you be sure he'd end the meeting quickly?"

"You're being rude. You're implying ulterior motives. I may not be as capable, but I have self-respect!"

Maeve thought, 'I have to accept humiliation with a smile? I'm hostile toward her?' Jealousy aside, she'd done nothing to Molly.

"Miss Vance, as you wish," Maeve said dismissively.

Molly spun away, then paused at the door. "You're only treated well because you stole something! Why are you so proud?"

Maeve's jaw dropped. Stole something?

She wanted to clarify, but Molly vanished. Rage simmered. Reaching the secretaries' office, she heard Molly sobbing, painting a picture of an innocent victim.

'I was too arrogant...She seemed so nice...I shouldn't have been an eyesore...'*

Fury boiled over. Maeve took a deep breath, grabbed her phone, and left.

Molly, surrounded by sympathetic colleagues, reveled in her self-made victimhood. She wanted everyone to see Maeve's "true colors."

The office door opened. Maeve entered, flanked by security.

"Ms. Reese," the secretaries greeted.

Maeve waved. "Hard work today. Coffee's on me. And I want to thank Molly personally."

Molly froze. The other secretaries exchanged glances.

The secretary-general asked cautiously, "Ms. Reese, regarding the incident...?"

Chapter 512

Zephyr's eyes fluttered open; he saw Maeve's shocked face. "Ms. Reese? Why are you here?" He sounded hoarse. The child beside him whimpered.

Maeve, slightly unnerved, said, "Mr. Soar, you're not dead?"

"What?" Zephyr rubbed his temple. "Low blood sugar."

"Look around," Maeve suggested gently.

Zephyr saw a ring of wildflowers; Nolan knelt nearby, hands clasped, looking bereaved. Zephyr's face darkened. "Nolan!"

Nolan hid behind Maeve. "Zephyr, I thought you were dead! I saw it on TV!"

"I think you wanted me dead. Come here."

"Zephyr, I was wrong..."

Maeve chuckled. Nolan was hilarious. "Mr. Soar, forget it. Nolan's young. You can scold him later."

Nolan nodded vigorously, then looked horrified. She's supposed to tell him not to yell at me!

Zephyr, amused, said, "Your father will have a word with you." Nolan wilted.

Maeve produced homemade biscuits. "Eat something. You might faint again."

Zephyr felt a blush creep up his neck. "It's a special situation. I was tired; I rested and passed out." The elbow pain was intense, and he'd avoided treatment, resulting in a low fever and poor appetite. Nolan, with his Apple Watch, hadn't called for help – he'd picked flowers instead.

He ate the biscuits, surprised by their texture. He examined the simple packaging. "Ms. Reese, where did you buy these?"

"I made them. A bit soft, but edible," Maeve explained.

Zephyr was surprised. "You made them?"

"Yeah, so?"

"No, just surprised." She seemed so capable, so full of life; not someone suicidal. He'd been wrong to assume her denial of jumping stemmed from shame.

Rain started. Maeve panicked; the muddy forest was dangerous. As she started to run, Zephyr grabbed her arm. "It's raining! Do you want to die?!"

Her Apple Watch buzzed. It was Will.

"Mom, are you okay? Are you sheltered?"

"I'm fine. Stay put. It's a brief shower. I'll be up soon."

"Okay, Mom. Dad and Theo are on their way. Don't get wet!"

Relieved, Maeve looked up at Zephyr.

Zephyr asked, "Who was that?"

"My son. We were looking for a treasure map fragment and heard your nephew's cries."

Zephyr looked at Nolan. "Why didn't you use your Apple Watch?"

"Zephyr, I forgot..."

Maeve noticed Zephyr was using his left hand; his right hung limply.

"Mr. Soar, is your right hand injured?" She offered her medical kit.

He hesitated, but seeing her already searching her bag, he agreed. "Thank you."

"You helped me yesterday."

Maeve examined the wound. The blood-soaked sleeve was hard to remove. His elbow was gruesomely injured, a large, ragged wound oozing dark red blood.

Maeve gasped. "You injured yourself saving me?"

Zephyr avoided her gaze. "I don't remember. Maybe later." He didn't want her to feel guilty. But the wound was shocking.

She cleaned, treated, and bandaged the wound expertly. Her serious focus captivated Zephyr.

Something strained against the cave entrance, then was forced back.

"It's infected. Keep it dry, and avoid lifting anything heavy." She handed him ointment. "Apply twice daily. It's effective."

Their fingers brushed; Zephyr quickly withdrew his hand.

"Thank you," he said, clutching the ointment.

"You're welcome," Maeve replied.

She sat at the cave entrance, worried Byron wouldn't find them. Zephyr quietly ate the biscuits. Maeve rummaged through her bag, pulling out Will's meditation drum. She impulsively began to play.

No, I want Byron to find me!

The rhythmic drumming filled the cave.

Zephyr nearly choked. "Ms. Reese, do you believe in God?"

"No. I'm exploring the mysteries of faith," she said seriously.

Zephyr was speechless. The sound of the drum, however, was...unpleasant.

The rain illuminated Maeve, sitting serenely, oblivious to the drumming.

Nolan, eyeing the biscuits, said, "Zephyr, you've been staring at her! You like her? I'll help you woo her! Biscuit?"

Zephyr flinched. Why was I so rude earlier?

"I'm waiting for the rain to stop. Go away," he said coldly.

Nolan burst into tears.

Byron, guided by the drumming, arrived, umbrella in hand. He saw Maeve, a radiant smile spreading across her face. "Ronny, I'm here!"

He caught her as she leaped up, his umbrella shielding Zephyr and Nolan. He kissed her, deeply.

"Why were you running around?"

Maeve, flustered, pushed against his chest, her ears burning. Byron, knowing his touch, lingered a moment before releasing her.

The rain subsided. Maeve waved to Zephyr. "Mr. Soar, we're leaving. Be careful."

"You too," Zephyr replied softly.

Byron’s gaze lingered on Zephyr, a hint of suspicion in his dark eyes.

Outside the cave, Byron wrapped an arm around Maeve’s waist. "You know Zephyr?"

"You do?"

"He's CEO of Zephyr Corp. They've worked with McDaniel Group."

Maeve nodded. "Someone pranked me in Estan; I jumped out a window and landed on him. I met him again at the Morris family's."

Byron looked at her intently. "I can't leave you alone in the future. You attract attention."

"Why?"

"Nothing." He smoothly changed the subject. "We found the rest of the map fragments. Let's get your gift."

"That's for the kids, not me."

"You're a child, too."

Maeve’s ears burned. Is he flirting?

The outing ended on a high note; Maeve even folded a tiny dress from a napkin, astounding the children.

Zephyr, after sending Nolan home and receiving an earful from his father, returned to find Acolian.

"Aeolian, did you return Ms. Reese's phone?"