A trace of confusion appeared in Maeve's eyes. She hesitated, unsure whether to believe Valda's words, and remained silent for a long time. Then, a transfer notification appeared on her phone.

Valda said, "When our family was in debt, your father and I were under immense pressure and constantly asked for your help. We felt terribly guilty. I know you won't forgive us, but please take this money. You need it living away from home. Take care of yourself."

Maeve felt a lump in her throat. Guilt washed over her; perhaps she had been wrong. "Mom," she began, her voice thick with emotion. "I still have to cook for your father. He's been working overtime every day lately, and it's been hard on him."

Valda said gently, "If you're free, come back. Bring your husband, too."

Hearing this, Maeve finally believed her parents had accepted her marriage. Otherwise, Valda wouldn't have said that.

Maeve said softly, "Okay. You and Dad take care, too."

"Okay," Valda replied, hanging up.

Maeve sat, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within her.

That evening, Maeve stayed at the company for another half hour, tidying the sample clothes in the studio before leaving. A champagne-colored Bentley pulled up near the company entrance. The back window lowered, revealing Alexis in a long purple dress.

"Ms. Reese, get in," Alexis said coldly.

Maeve, bracing herself, entered the car, wondering what was happening. Not only had Karen and Alexis sought her out, but Alexis had chosen the company entrance for this meeting. Once inside, Alexis asked, "I hear my son is married. You're his maid. You should know who his wife is, right?"

Maeve remained silent. Byron's casual remark about her being a maid had caused considerable trouble. She sighed inwardly. "If you want to know, wouldn't it be better to ask Mr. McDaniel?" she thought. They shouldn't make things difficult for her.

Alexis glanced at Maeve. "I'm Byron's mother. I have a right to know, and I'll meet her sooner or later. I came to you for advance preparation."

Maeve considered this. Alexis's logic was sound. Instead of lying and facing later awkwardness, she decided to reveal some information.

"Her father heads the department of a publicly traded company; her mother is a housewife; she has a younger brother in high school," Maeve said.

Alexis frowned. "What about her? What does she do?"

Maeve answered frankly, "Nothing special. She enjoys gardening and drawing. She's a designer."

Alexis fell silent, her dissatisfaction evident. As the matriarch of the McDaniel family, she was usually polite and rarely showed emotion, but her disapproval of Byron's wife was unconcealed. She simply disliked her—not only was their family background incompatible, but the woman was merely a small-time designer. Such a wife would offer no benefit to her son's career or life.

Maeve wasn't surprised by Alexis's displeasure. Her own family background was unremarkable. If Alexis judged solely on background, Maeve had nothing to offer.

The car reached the apartment building. Maeve asked the driver to stop. "Mrs. McDaniel, if there's nothing else, I'll leave now."

Alexis nodded, handing Maeve a pile of high-quality gift boxes. "These are for Byron. Give them to him for me." Her tone softened when she mentioned Byron. "He might not want to accept them, so don't tell him I gave them to him, in case he's unhappy." She seemed genuinely concerned for her son, more so than Maeve had witnessed before. Though unsure of the reason for the change, Maeve hesitated before agreeing. "I'll give them to him."

Maeve exited the car and watched Alexis drive away, then walked toward her apartment.

Alexis, watching Maeve go, frowned. She remembered Maeve also worked at a design company, also as a designer. The same profession as Byron's wife. A thought struck her, then she dismissed it. "No way," she thought. "Byron wouldn't marry a maid, especially one who works for him!" It was probably a coincidence.

In the courtyard, Maeve found Byron examining a silver car.

"Mr. McDaniel, why are you off work so early?" Maeve asked, curiously eyeing the car. "Is this your new car?"

Byron nodded. It was the cheapest car in his garage, bought during university. He'd forgotten about it until now. Driving the Maybach would arouse suspicion, so he'd decided to use this one instead.

"Why did you suddenly decide to buy a car?" Maeve asked, sitting in the passenger seat. Her eyes curved. "It feels much more comfortable than your boss's Maybach."

Byron glanced at her. "Seriously? Aren't your standards low?" The Maybach was a limited-edition model worth over $20 million.

Maeve wrinkled her nose. "The Maybach is nice, but too nice. It seems unreal. I prefer something real and tangible."

Byron's eyes narrowed slightly. Maeve had previously said she was fortunate he was just a driver. He wondered if she truly didn't care about his identity.

"Mr. McDaniel," Maeve said, turning from the passenger seat, legs dangling outside the car, "I want to discuss something. My parents seem to have softened on my marriage. Can you have dinner with them this Sunday? Meeting you might convince them to completely give up on making me marry Jell."

Byron considered it, then nodded. "Sure."

Maeve was pleasantly surprised. "Really? Mr. McDaniel, thank you!"

Byron shifted his gaze from her smile. It was just a meal; there was no reason for such happiness.

Back at their apartment, Maeve placed the gift boxes on the table. Byron noticed them. "Did you buy these?" he asked.

Maeve hesitated, then nodded. "Yes… I got them for you."

Byron's expression hardened. The gifts were too expensive for her to afford, and they were from the same brand his mother favored. She'd lied to him again about his mother, who had likely bribed Maeve. Maeve was not as special as he thought. A cold light flashed in Byron's eyes. His face turned to ice.