Maeve couldn''t help but stop in her tracks.


    Just as she was about to turn around, Byron ced a hand on her shoulder, casting a cold nce at Maura. His voice. dropped, dripping with iciness. Tim her husband. Do you need somethings?


    Maura''s eyes went wide in disbelief.


    She thought, ''No way! This man, who looks even more handsome than a celebrity, is supposed to be Marve''s broke


    husba


    As she w


    watched them walk away, Maura nearly ground her teeth frustration, thinking, ''So what if he''s good-looking? You can''t live on good looks alone! Leaving the store, Maeve recalled Byron''s expression when he showerl up and cautiously asked. "Did you hear what we were talking about earlier?" Byron''s face remained as unreadable as ever. don''t take


    what she said to heart. Maeve fiddled with the juice cup in her hand, trying to reassure him. "There''s no shame in any honest job. As long as you''re earning a living through hard work, there''s nothing lowly about it Byron paused mid-step, turning to look at her. "You''re really open-minded."


    Well,


    He thought. It''s easy to say things like that, but actually living by those words is a different story."


    Back at the apartment, Maeve couldn''t bring herself to throw away the juice, so she tossed out the old straw and reced it with a fresh one.


    Just as she was about


    What What''s wrout to take a sip, she noticed Byron''s cold gaze fixed on her.


    She asked she asked.


    "Maeve" Byron''s eyes flicked to the discarded straw in the trash a smirk tugging at his lips. "Are you grossed out by me or something?


    He thought. I haven''t even looked down on her, but she dares to act like she is above me?"


    "What?" Maeve froze, confused, and cautiously asked, "Given our rtionship, is there something wrong with me doing this?"


    She didn''t want to give him another excuse to use her of imagining some ridiculous indirect kiss."


    Byron was momentarily speechless.


    He stared I at her for a few seconds before turning on his heel and heading toward the guest room, tossing a cool remark over his shoulder. "Drinking juice after working out-you just wasted all fourps you ranTM With that, he shut the door behind him.


    Maeve stood there, stunned. The juice in her hand suddenly didn''t seem so appealing anymore.


    She thought, He said that on purpose, didn''t he? The next


    next evening at Starlight Pub, the sharp clink of billiard balls echoed through the fourth-floor pool room.


    "Byron, I heard front Archer that you handed the Yrulsall project over to Mr. Graves!" Ray drawledzily as he leaned against the pool table. "When did you start doing charity work? The Graves family''s tiny operation isn''t even in the same league as the Medaniel Group Byron lined up his shot with practiced ease, his long arm flexing smoothly as he struck the ball with precision. "What''s it to you?" he asked, his tone unhurried.


    I''m notining, but something doesn''t add up


    Jarrett walked over with his cue stick,ughing as he caught the conversation. "You just can''t go a day without gossiping, huh? You''d be better off as a tabloid reporter instead of wasting your talents as a doctor." You don''t get it. Being a good doctor requires a spirit of curiosity and investigation-that''s how you advance." Ray put on a mock-serious face. Byron raised


    I an eyebrow. Jarrett''s got a point-you might as well change careers."


    He thought. "All you do these days is focus on digging up gossip about me."


    Just then, someone knocked on the door.


    Come in? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    The manager stepped inside, wearing a respectful expression as he addressed Byron. "Mr. Mcdaniel, there''s a youngdy downstairs asking if we''re hiring bartender apprentices. I wanted to check with you first" Byron didn''t even bother looking up. "An apprentice?"


    Yes, she says she wants to learn bartending"


    when


    "Since whe


    did Starlight Pub turn into a training school? A cold gleam shed in Byron''s eyes, his patience wearing thin.


    Tell her to leave."


    The manager broke into a nervous sweat. "Understood, I''ll let Ms. Reese know right away,


    He thought, If I''d known he''d react like this, I wouldn''t have asked. That is terrifying.


    Byron thought, ''Ms. Reese?"


    "Hold on" Byron''s eyes narrowed as something clicked. "What''s her name?"


    "I think it''s Maeve"


    Byron thought. "So it''s her."


    His eyes darkened, and he set down his cue stick, heading straight for the door.


    From the fourth-floor balcony, he had a clear view of Maeve sitting at the bar downstairs.


    She was dressed in a light pink off-shoulder dress, her long hair cascading over one shoulder, revealing her delicate corbone and smooth, fair skin.


    Compared to the sultry vibe of the bar, her outfit was almost demure and refreshing.


    Byron''s expression turned even more severe as he pulled out his phone and called her.


    Still waiting for the manager to return. Maeve saw the call and moved to a quieter spot before answering


    Mon


    Where are you" His deep voice was icy,ced with unmistakable irritation.


    Maeve nced around. Tm at a bar, taking care of something. Why?" Dubai you


    learn your


    lessonst time? Go home. Now" His tone left no room for argument. Te not


    Sheg this time. I won''t get drunk again, I promise, Marse whispered. ''Don''t worry, I know what I''m doing"


    After


    Then she


    Thus, the manager is already asking the boss for me I can''t just leave now


    up. Maeve remembered running into Byron at this har before and nervously scanned the area. Not seeing him anywhere, she finally exhaled in relief realized. Why am I so I so fense? It''s not like I am doing any thing wrong


    Upstairs. Byron''s gaze turned icy as he stared at the ended call. He called over the manager. "Go down there and turn her away. Now"


    Yes, sir. handle it


    The manager quickly rushed downstairs.


    andle it right awayowed Byron out, overheard the exchange. Ray let out a low whistle.


    Ray and Jarrett, who had t


    Youett grinned


    littledy


    Jarrett


    wants to learn bartending, huh? Why not just let her? It''s your bar anyway. Wouldn''t that make things more convenient for your little romance?" "Byron''s probably worried she''ll run into Fred again. Didn''t you see how protective he gotst time!"


    Byron shot them a frosty re "If your eyes are that bad, go see a doctor. Who''s being protective of her?"


    He thought. What about her will even make her worth protecting?


    Back at Pinehurst Apartments, Maeve had assumed Byron would be home already. But he wasn''t She wondered,


    en why did he insist Ie back right away?


    She switched on the living room lights, sat down on the carpet, and rested her chin in her hands with a sigh.


    The manager had told her the bar wasn''t hiring, especially not female staff, so she had to give up. She had really hoped to pick up a new skill.


    as she opened her sketchpad, she heard the front door click open. Byron walked in, his dark trench coat making him look even more distant and unapproachable. "You''re back?" Maeve looked up, confused. Did you call me earlier because you needed something?"


    Just as


    "Nothing important Byron''s tone was cold as he set down a cup of juice and turned to head back to his room.


    Maeve blinked at the juice, thinking. Did he seriously make mee home just to drink juice?


    "Wait!" Marve gathered her courage. "Do you have a moment right now?"


    Byron stopped and looked at her with a "get to the point expression.


    Marve hesitated before scratching her cheek. "I was nning to buy some bartending tools, but it''s gettingte. If it''s not too


    much trouble


    Byron frowned. "Why are you learning bartending?"


    Maeve pointed to the sketchpad in front of her. "For my designs.


    0