After work, Maeve put the unfinished sample clothes in her locker, locked the studio door, and left. As she walked out of the company building to hail a cab, Jeff pulled up in his sports car. The backseat was piled high with red roses, and a teddy bear wearing a crown sat in the middle, attracting the attention of passersby. Jeff, wearing sunglasses, sat behind the wheel. He turned around and smiled, saying, "Get in the car. I'll send you home."

Maeve was annoyed. "Don't call me 'baby.' How long are you going to pester me? I don't like being the center of attention."

Jeff looked innocent. "You're afraid I'll disrupt your work, so I won't send gifts to your company anymore. Did you see what's in the car? I prepared all this. Don't girls like these things? I'll slowly make up for what I didn't do in the past. Can you give me another chance?"

Maeve looked at him coldly. "Jeff, there's only one way you can atone for hurting me. Do you want to hear it?"

"What is it?"

"I'll forgive you the day you die."

Jeff's face froze. He thought, Why is she even harder to deal with than a year ago?

After Maeve left, Jeff pounded the steering wheel in frustration. Just as he was about to drive away, someone approached him. "Sir, I have something to say to you."

Over the next few days, Jeff didn't harass Maeve again. The daily bouquets were intercepted and refused by the company's front desk.

She and Jack completed the "Morningstar" series of clothes and sent them to Leah for approval. Less than half a day later, Maeve was summoned to Leah's office.

"I won't beat around the bush. Look at what you've made." Leah picked up the sample clothes and threw them on the desk. "The thread on the inside of the belt is loose. It would tear with a simple pull."

Maeve was shocked. "No way. I checked them before submitting them. They were fine then..."

"Are you saying I framed you?" Leah looked displeased. "Do you think I have nothing better to do?"

"Ms. Mason, that's not what I meant."

"Then what do you mean?" Leah frowned. "Maeve, your design is outstanding, but the quality is unacceptable. We require sample clothes to meet at least 90% of the standard of a ready-made suit; otherwise, they're destroyed. Are these up to standard?" She pushed the clothes toward Maeve. The office was silent.

Jack spoke up. "Ms. Mason, I worked with Maeve. She was very serious about making these clothes. She wouldn't have submitted substandard work."

"Serious?" Leah's eyes were filled with sarcasm. "Look at this pile of trash. Am I slandering her?"

Jack was speechless.

"Time is tight. This mess will delay the exhibition," a designer muttered.

Another voice trailed off, "I didn't believe she had connections before... I didn't expect..."

Ava quickly interjected, "Maeve didn't do this on purpose. She's been under a lot of pressure. She's new and in charge of important designs. Mistakes are inevitable..."

Someone scoffed, "What a waste of everyone's time. Newbies shouldn't be responsible for 'Morningstar.'"

The criticism stung Maeve. She was certain the clothes were fine before submission. The problem likely occurred afterward, but now wasn't the time to investigate.

Taking a deep breath, Maeve said to Leah, "Ms. Mason, please give me one night. I'll have the remade samples tomorrow." Leah frowned. "What can you do in one night? Are you trying to fool me with more trash?"

"No. If the clothes I deliver tomorrow are still substandard, I'll resign," Maeve said seriously.

Leah looked at Maeve in surprise, then nodded. "Alright, I'll give you one night. If you fail, you're fired."

"Thank you," Maeve said.

The other designers looked at each other silently.

Back at her desk, Ava leaned in. "Maeve, aren't you bluffing? Even staying up all night, you can't finish six sample clothes."

"Don't worry," Maeve smiled. "I've encountered this before. I made some preparations."

Ava was stunned. "What?"

"Just in case," Maeve said calmly. "I also made six semi-finished prototypes. This saves a lot of time compared to starting over." Maeve had suffered unfair treatment at her previous company and always prepared for such situations.

"No wonder you're so calm," Ava sighed. "But you're really unlucky. It's like you're being targeted."

Maeve turned to Ava. "Targeted?"

"Ms. Mason has the highest authority. You made her dislike you upon arrival. Do you think life will be easy?"

"I don't think I've offended her."

Ava lowered her voice. "You had lunch with Mr. Brown. Ms. Mason saw you."

Maeve remembered the pasta restaurant and her expression turned thoughtful.

Meanwhile, at First Hospital, Patrick was out of danger and transferred to a normal ward. Byron visited him between business meetings, checked on Patrick's care, and prepared to leave.

Karen caught up with him. "Thanks for visiting my father. He'll be happy to know."

"Sure," Byron replied calmly.

Karen continued, "I saw Maeve a few days ago. She said she's your wife. Isn't that funny?"

Byron looked at Karen. "She told you she's my wife?"

"Yes," Karen nodded. "She's dreaming, isn't she? You should talk to her."

Byron's gaze was pensive. "You don't have to worry about this."

Karen thought he'd deal with Maeve and smiled. "Okay, no problem. Drive carefully."

Byron nodded and walked toward the elevator.