The sample clothing matter was finally resolved, lifting a weight from Maeve's shoulders. However, the thought of Jeff and Ava working together vexed her. She resented his constant attempts to make things difficult. If Eternal Hope were a small company like her previous one, she believed he would still be manipulating her. Frustration welled up. Coincidentally, Jeff called. Having removed him from her blacklist earlier, she'd forgotten to reinstate it. She considered hanging up, but a sudden annoyance stopped her. "Why hide?" she thought. "And for how long?"

With that, she answered. "Jeff, let's have dinner."

Maeve arrived at The Muse at 7:00 PM. After speaking with the receptionist, she was escorted to a private room on the second floor. Jeff was already there, impeccably dressed in a white suit, holding a bouquet of bright red roses. He smiled gently, offering them to her. "Maeve, these suit you."

Maeve sat down, ignoring the flowers, and went straight to the point. "Jeff, you know I'm married, right?" Jeff's hand holding the roses froze. Embarrassment, followed by a flash of viciousness, crossed his face. He smiled. "I know. You didn't want to marry me, so you lied to your parents about being married, right?"

Maeve frowned. "It's not a pretense. I am married."

"Don't lie. You told your parents you'd bring your husband home for dinner, but that never happened." Jeff put his arm on the table, shaking his head and smiling. "Besides, even if you are married, what will you gain by staying with him?" He snapped his fingers.

Ten waiters descended the stairs, each balancing a tray laden with expensive jewelry, designer bags, and even a villa's property deed.

Jeff raised his chin, his smile widening. "Maeve, reconcile with me, and all this is yours. Stay with your poor driver husband, and you'll only suffer. Can he offer you the same comfort, the same social standing? Marriage is a gamble, Maeve. Be careful, or you'll lose everything." His tone was pointed. Maeve's expression grew darker.

Simultaneously, a group approached from the circular corridor. Byron led the way, his expression aloof, his suit crisp, one hand in his pocket. He exuded an aura of power, regal and commanding. His dark eyes were otherworldly—cold, lofty, yet not arrogant, but somehow…right.

An elite executive smiled, introducing him. "Mr. McDaniel, this restaurant offers many specialties you'll enjoy."

Byron hummed indifferently, showing little interest.

Suddenly, a familiar voice cut through the air from the nearby private seating. "Jeff, did your disastrous loss at the George family's party affect your brain? Are you taking me for a fool?"

Byron stopped, turning toward the voice. He saw Maeve, her usual grace absent, mocking the man opposite her.

"Maeve, don't make a scene," Jeff said tolerantly. "Marrying me will elevate your status, and your parents'. Your driver husband won't even meet them. How am I inferior?"

Regardless of his flaws, Jeff was a Graves. The driver was insignificant in comparison; Jeff could easily crush him.

"You're nothing compared to my husband!" Maeve took a deep breath. "I don't care if he's a driver or a beggar. He's the best. He may be poor, but he's better than many rich men. So, Jeff, even with all the world's treasures, I'll never leave him."

Unable to continue the charade, Maeve stood. She looked at Jeff's stunned face and continued, her voice laced with disgust. "If you bother me again, or secretly cause trouble, I'll expose your penchant for ruining marriages and playing the lover." With that, she grabbed her bag and walked past the waiters, heading downstairs.

Jeff was stunned into silence. By the time he recovered, she was gone. Anger and defeat consumed him. He refused to accept failure, especially after his previous success.

Byron, having witnessed everything, chuckled softly. Joy surged within him, softening his usually cold eyes with a mischievous smile. He hadn't realized how important he was to Maeve; she'd said she'd never leave him for all the world's treasures. Still, he clucked his tongue. "How lovey-dovey," he thought.

The others sensed the shift in Byron's mood, connecting it to the couple's argument. They paused before speaking.

"That man is shameless," one man said. "She's married, and he tries to seduce her with jewelry and real estate. He's trying to ruin her marriage."

A female executive added, "Fortunately, she's strong and not swayed by his money. She truly loves her husband."

Another chimed in, "It's beautiful. Even the Lakeside Estate villa didn't tempt her."

Byron's lips curved slightly upward. He scoffed inwardly. Those were mere scraps of paper; hardly impressive. Jeff's attempt to trick Maeve was ridiculous.

Leaving The Muse, Maeve blushed remembering her words to Jeff. Using Byron as a shield felt disingenuous. She dismissed her guilt, telling herself Byron would never know.

Relieved, she bought a drink and street food for dinner before returning to her apartment. Byron was out; the house was quiet. Maeve checked her vegetables, watered them, showered, tidied her purchases, and prepared for bed.

Soon, however, her stomach began to ache severely. She couldn't lie still, her face pale as she arched her body, gasping in pain. Unsure if it was food poisoning or her period, her abdomen spasmed in agonizing pain.

(The final sentence about FindNovel.net is promotional and unrelated to the story, so I've omitted it.)