Seeing this, Maeve frowned and clicked on the photo. It showed Byron, who had just told Maeve he was busy with work, entering a hotel with Karen. It was easy to misunderstand a man and woman going to a hotel together. However, concluding they were dating was a stretch. Even knowing Byron and Karen had a close relationship, Maeve didn't believe he would do that—at least not before their divorce.

Putting aside her inexplicable sadness, Maeve replied, "It's a waste of your talent not to be a paparazzo. Do you think everyone is as despicable as you, just because you have low morals?" After this scolding, her anger still simmered. She sent an angry emoji before completely blacklisting him. She then tried to send another message, but deleted it several times. She felt a sudden sense of disillusionment.

Earlier that day, they had acted like a real couple in front of Maeve's parents. He had protected and defended her, including during the incident in the restroom. It was all an act, designed to make their performance more convincing. It was the first time she'd felt such support, and her excitement had overshadowed the artificiality of the situation. They weren't really husband and wife, and her fantasizing was pointless.

Meanwhile, at the hotel, Jeff read Maeve's message. His face ashen, he almost smashed his new phone. What had that driver done to Maeve? When he had cheated, she'd broken up with him immediately! Another man had already been with her, yet she was still defending him! And she'd even scolded him! He pushed his companion away, suppressed his anger, and headed for the elevator.

On the 26th floor, in the open-air atrium restaurant, soothing music played. A business negotiation had just concluded.

"Mr. McDaniel, you're impressive. No wonder McDaniel Group has grown so rapidly," Zack Johnson, a man in a silver-gray suit, said, extending his hand. Byron shook it.

"Mr. Johnson, you flatter me. It was merely a precaution," Byron replied smoothly. "Happy cooperation."

"Happy cooperation," Zack echoed.

Karen, watching from the side, gazed adoringly at Byron's profile. She found other men intolerable in comparison.

"Karen," Byron said, bringing her back to reality.

"Mr. McDaniel?"

"Go back to the company and organize information on the south city development project. Have it on my desk by tomorrow morning," Byron instructed calmly.

"Alright, I'll do it later," Karen replied, adding with a coquettish smile, "But… can't I go back after dinner? It was so intense, I didn't even finish my water."

"Order more. It's my treat," Byron said.

Karen smiled, called the waiter, and reordered. Byron then took out his phone and messaged Maeve: "Have you had dinner yet?"

After a pause, Maeve replied: "Not yet."

Byron: "I'm at the hotel. What do you want to eat?"

Maeve: "When did you become a part-time waiter? Don't bother. I don't have much of an appetite."

Byron: "Who taught you that bad habit? Do you want to faint and go to the hospital again? Haven't you taken enough medicine?"

Maeve wanted to say her last fainting spell wasn't due to skipping dinner, but she had indeed taken a lot of medicine. She replied, "How about spaghetti marinara? I suddenly want some."

Byron smiled at the message. "Just wait at home." A coy woman, he mused.

He ordered two servings of spaghetti marinara and the hotel's signature dessert.

Karen's eyes welled with a shy affection. "Byron, I'm dieting; I can't eat that much…"

"Who said it was for you?" Byron frowned. Karen's smile faltered. Not for me? Who is it for? Byron never ate dessert. Could it be for the woman at home? she thought.

"Oh my god, Mr. McDaniel, you have a new lover already?" Jeff's sarcastic voice interrupted.

Byron ignored him.

Jeff sneered. "I knew a gigolo like you wouldn't know his place. Making out with Maeve during the day, and with a rich woman at night? You're no better than me! I wonder what Maeve sees in you to leave me. How infuriating! I wish I could show her what kind of man you are!"

Byron didn't bother explaining to Jeff, whose words were laced with injustice towards Maeve. He hasn't given up on her, Byron thought. His eyes narrowed slightly.

The waiter arrived with the packed food. Byron picked up the bag and walked past Jeff, glancing at him coldly. "It's none of your business what Maeve and I do. Watch your mouth."

A chill ran down Jeff's spine, replaced quickly by anger. An outsider? When I was dating Maeve, where were you? I'll get Maeve to divorce you! he thought.

Jeff turned to leave, but Karen grabbed his arm. "What do you mean, Byron making out with Maeve? What do you know?"

Jeff impatiently shrugged her off. "Your man slept with my girlfriend, and you ask me? Yes, they made out! They kissed passionately! If you want answers, ask him to stay away from my girlfriend!"