Chapter 517

"Of course, you're more important," Ryan said instantly.

Aeolian’s chin lifted in a smug smile. "Then you won't watch her show?"

"I have to go."

Aeolian exploded. "Ryan, if you keep this up, I'm telling Aiden!"

Ryan shrugged. "He's swamped with a major case, court’s the day after tomorrow. He won’t have time for you. Jaxson just got back from overseas, he's free. Why not bother him?"

Aeolian felt a shift in Ryan. He wasn't showering her with attention like before. Maeve’s bewitched him, she seethed. Otherwise, he wouldn’t treat me like this! This felt profoundly wrong. She sensed Maeve would steal something from her. (If Maeve knew, she'd laugh. What could an outsider possibly take from a Soar heiress?)

That afternoon, Aeolian left work early, meeting Bonnie at Jaxson’s Private Consulting Center. Bonnie had already secured an appointment for Maeve.

Maeve clutched Bonnie’s hand, anxiety bubbling. "Why don’t you come in with me?"

Bonnie chuckled. "Suddenly shy? This is a world-renowned psychologist. You won’t get another chance like this."

"But can't you come?"

"It's one-on-one. I can't even if I wanted to."

A soft cough broke their tug-of-war. A refined man in a white coat, glasses perched on his nose, stood behind them, hands in his pockets. "Which one of you needs counseling?"

Bonnie whispered, "Are psychiatrists this good-looking now? He should be a celebrity!"

Maeve coughed, regaining composure. "I do."

"Are you an adult?" the doctor asked.

"Does that matter?" Maeve frowned.

He smiled faintly. "Your conversation made me think you're underage."

Maeve was speechless. Is it so obvious I'm nervous?

He opened the door. "Come in, please."

The consultation room was spacious and elegant, overlooking the river and Kleymond’s iconic twin towers. The minimalist decor hinted at a meticulous, possibly obsessive, owner.

"What's troubling you?" the psychiatrist asked, settling into his chair.

Maeve swallowed hard. "Doctor, this might sound ridiculous, but I'm not crazy."

He nodded calmly. "I'm a professional. Please proceed."

"I've been dreaming about my old crush. I can't see his face clearly, but he's handsome. I chase him, he ignores me. I'm so sad, I cry when I wake up."

"And?"

"It’s every night! My boyfriend thinks I'm having an affair. I don’t have feelings for him anymore, but at night… my feelings erupt."

The psychiatrist nodded, writing: A mindless spiritual affair.

"Lately, the dreams are even weirder. I don’t know if it’s because I dream of him so much, but I’ve dreamed of… taking advantage of him when he had a fever, kissing him, and being rejected." She waved her hands frantically. "I don't like him. I can't control my dreams, can I?"

He wrote: Sexually horny state caused by Aphrodisiac. Her boyfriend is in danger.

"And yesterday… I treated my boyfriend like him…" Maeve saw him writing and gasped. "Doctor, am I crazy?"

"Of course not." He picked up the paper. "This is psychologically normal. Continue."

He calmly added: Her mental disorder has caused a serious cognitive error. She's suspected to be crazy, but she doesn't seem to be crazy yet. Yes, I can see her brain, it might be more helpful for the diagnosis. But I can't do it. Aiden won't be willing to come to the police station to help me...

Luckily, Maeve couldn't see what he'd written.

Half an hour later, Maeve woke to find the psychiatrist leaning against his desk, holding a file.

"Doctor, did I… say anything odd?" Maeve asked, uneasy.

He glanced at her, handing over the file. Maeve expected awakened memories; instead, it was filled with recipes.

"You recited recipes for twenty minutes. Next time, eat beforehand. We don't serve food here." He’d never encountered such a patient. His hypnosis was infallible. I really want to cut it open... Oh, no, it is illegal, he thought.

Maeve's face burned crimson. She wished she could vanish. She hadn't been crazy, but now… she felt it creeping in.

"I'll prescribe sleeping medication. Come back next week," the psychiatrist said.

"Thank you," Maeve managed. "I didn't catch your name."

He gestured to his nameplate. "Isn't it right there?"

Maeve laughed awkwardly. The blush deepened as she finally read the name.