Alexis closed her eyes and said, "She''s right."


    Karen''s expression froze, and she said, "Alexis, what are you talking about?"


    Alexis i is from a prestigious family and has received strict education since she was young, she thought. She values rules the most. Few people in the Medaniel family dares to talk to her like Maeve does. She should have been angry and dissatisfied. She should have hated Maeve from now on. Howe she... Alexis didn''t exin. She looked utterly exhausted.


    She thought. Ir Byron for


    I really haven''t considered making an effort to understand my son Byron. With Neville in the picture, I always find myself unconsciouslyparing the two. The more Ipared, the more distant I became from this biological son of mine. I even resented being so cold toward us and notas considerate and sensible as Neville. When he refused our request for a formal meeting with it''s all our fault for forcing him. Maeve, I even thought he hadpletely detac detached from the family. It turns out that It would be a lie It wo I be a lie to say that she truly didn''t mind Alexis''s words.


    Aftering out of the box, Maeve felt as if her heart was stuffed with ice, and her entire body felt cold.


    She thought, I really can''t understand why Mrs. Mcdaniel would say that Mr. Mcdaniel''s future will be ruined by me. I''m not exceptional, nor do Ie from a particrly impressive family. But isn''t it too much to judge a person''s worth solely based on their family background? Marriage is about thepatibility of personalities and habits, not about whose parents are richer. What''s more, I didn''t get married to someone who will inherit his parents'' fortune in the future. I got married to a small-time driver who, despite not having much money, can suddenly produce a Christmas tree. He even asionally has to work part-time as a bodyguard to earn an extra ie.


    As I Maeve thought about this, she gradually calmed down. She tucked her hands into the warm pockets of her jacket and rxed as she continued walking forward.


    Suddenly, she saw a a familiar figure walking past her ahead.


    Mcdaniel?


    She thought, ''Is that a moment. She trotted a few steps forward to chase after the figure.


    Maeve was stunned


    for


    However, the people who followed quickly surrounded the figure and left with him, as if they were escorting an emperor out on a patrol.


    Some of them were even high-ranking senior executives of Eternal Hope. They were all smiling.


    The man walking far ahead was like the loneliest and proudest moon in the sky, admirable but out of reach.


    "My eyes are ying tricks on me," Maeve mumbled as she stopped in her tracks. She thought, Come to think of it, it''s not surprising. There''s no way Mr. Mcdaniel would show up here. The big shot who looks noble and elegant is from apletely different world than Mr. Mcdaniel. Besides, given the time now, there''s no way he''d be here. He should already be at home waiting for me toe back and celebrate Christmas together. We made nsst night'' Maeve smiled and sent Leah a message to ask for leave.


    Anyway, the celebratory feast will be fine without me, she thought. I have to go home and celebrate Christmas now,"


    Marve first went to a bakery to buy a small Christmas cake. Then, she ordered a bunch of snacks by the roadside. Finally, she bought a gift before returning to the apartment. 78%


    "Mr. Mcdaniel, I''m back, she said as she walked in happily.


    She then saw a silver Christmas tree in the living room. It was several times smaller than the one in the courtyard, but it was even more exquisite and beautiful.


    Byron, who was dressed in dark-colored home clothes, stood at the side with a cup of coffee in his hand and another hand in his pocket, looking rxed and carefree.


    His figure, which was illuminated by the warm light beside him, looked as if it were ted with ayer of soft gold, losing its usual coldness,


    ΠΕ


    looked unbelievably gentle.


    Maeve was stunned on the spot.


    The bitterness and frustration that had been clogged up in her heart instantly seemed to be filled up by something else. She had a sensation of fullness, and she felt very warm. "Mr. Mcdaniel, I''m back!" Maeve said with a smile, repeating herself.


    Byron replied nonchntly, "Mm. I''m not deaf. I can hear you."


    Maeve chuckled and walked over to put down her things. Then, she circled the small Christmas tree a few times.


    "Didn''t you say that this kind of trash is such a hassle to dispose of? Why did you still buy it?"


    Byron snorted. I happened to see it while I was passing by on my way home after work. í bought it on a whim. If yo


    like it, just throw it away."


    ont


    dont


    With that said, he was about to take it. Maeve was so shocked that she hurriedly grabbed his arm. "No, no, no. You''ve spent


    on it. It can still be used next year."


    money


    Sensing the strange softness on his arm, Byron''s eyes widened, and he suddenly pushed her away.


    "Let''s keep it all talk and no hands-on drama," he said with a slightly hoarse voice.


    I''m not creating drama," Maeve mumbled. She then took out her phone and took a photo of the little Christmas tree. She liked it so much that she almost jumped.


    "I actually have two Christmas trees this year. Am I dreaming?" She was so pleased she seemed to be overflowing with happiness.


    Byron''s faint sneeg could be heard from beside her. "What do you mean by yours? Both of them are mine. Did you pay for them pr something?


    Maeve was left speechless, thinking. Forget it. It''s a festive time!


    She simply ignored him and continued taking photos.


    Byron stood at the side with his arms crossed, watching her fuss around like a monkey.


    She had already changed out of the wedding dress. Her originally bright and beautiful, makeup had also been remod revealing an even more wless, delicate, and elegantplexion.N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    She


    She was wearing her usual beige frilly sweater. The hem of her clothes was all tucked into her camel-colored skirt, revealing a slender waist that seemed barely graspable.


    Perhaps because the lighting was too soft. Maeve''s current appearance was far more beautiful than she was when she was on stage.


    Byron''s blue eyes were filled with deep and turbulent emotions,


    "By the way, Mr. Mcdaniel. I bought you a gift when I came back Maeve suddenly thought of this. She turned around with a smile and said to him, "I bought you a new suit. Aren''t you going overseas on a business trip with your boss tomorrow?" The warmth in those eyes seemed capable of softening even the coldest situations. It could also arouse deeper desires in men.


    However, she did not notice that Byron''s gaze was getting more and more dangerous. She stood there and muttered, "If you wash it clean tonight, you should be able to wear it tomorrow, right? You can really throw away your washed-out suit..." Before she finished talking, Byron seemed to have reached the end of his patience. He stepped forward, cupped the back of her head in his hand, and slowly bent forward.


    When he was only half an inch away from her lips, he stopped, His deep gaze locking onto hers, and he asked in a serious voice. "Do you want me to stop or continue?" Maeve''s face instantly flushed, looking like a ripe peach that would release its juice if squeezed:


    "If I


    fl say


    n. will you stop?" she asked hesitantly.


    Byron chuckled. His maic voice carried a tone of unreasonable dominance as he said, "In your dreams.


    With that said, he sealed her red lips without hesitation with his own and pried open her mouth.


    The faint scent of


    f cedar mixed with masculine pheromones almost enveloped Maeve entirely.


    She instinctively grabbed his sleeve and clenched her fingers tightly, but she had no intention of pushing him away.


    In fact, she even found herself liking it a little.


    It had snowed outside the window at some point, and the cold wind was bleak.


    Yet, the indoor temperature continued to rise, bing somewhat stuffy.


    Maeve didn''t realize when Byron had lifted her onto the low cab, her back pressed against the cold wall, contrasting sharply with the heat of his body in front of her. Having kept her head down for too long, she felt a bit of strain in her neck and wanted to move it.


    Byron thought she wanted to pull away, so he lightly but firmly pinched the back of her neck with his long fingers to keep


    her still.