3


    She didn''t even know why he had so much energy, especially after just returning from a business trip.


    It was as if he hadn''t done anything in the past hour or so.


    But that was something she only dared to dwell on in her mind.


    Maeve hurriedly rolled out of bed, wrapping a thin nket around herself as she headed to the bathroom.


    Her instincts were right-she had gotten her period.


    A deeper blush crept over her face as she associated it


    it with the earlier events.


    She changed out of her stained panties, took a shower, and slipped into her pajamas.


    When she emerged, she saw Byron approaching with a cold expression, a touch of unsatisfied frustration still lingering on


    his brow.


    He l looked like a beast that hadn''t gotten enough sleep and had been rudely awakened-exuding an aura of danger.


    Maeve felt an urge tough but restrained herself for the sake of her own wellbeing.


    "Come in and help me shave," Byron said gruffly before walking into the bathroom.


    Maeve suppressed a smile and followed him, deciding not to turn him down since he was still in that mood.


    As it turned out, men''s words were unreliable.


    Byron hac


    had said he was going to shave, but he hadn''t mentioned that he wouldn''t try anything else.


    There were always a hundred ways to stir up a little fun, even if they didn''t go all the way.


    The next


    t morning, Maeve woke up to find that her period was unusually light.


    An entire night had passed, and there was only a small spot of blood on her tampon.


    Besides, other than the initial difort, she didn''t feel any abdominal or leg pain.


    Tve been staying uptetely, did that interrupt my period?'' she thought


    She''d experienced irregrities before, but this felt a bit more concerning


    Unfortunately, she didn''t have time to deal with it now, and she''d have to wait until she could make a hospital appointment. After washing her face, Maeve looked at the pink diamond earrings on her earlobes, reaching up to adjust them.


    She had a meeting with the principal of the Suvin Group today, and dressing too casually might offend the principal who had been immersed in the fashion world for years. She needed to be prepared.


    An hourter, inside Sunset Cafe, at the table by the window in the far corner, Maeve sat down and epted the menu handed to her by Karina Lemos, the principal of Suvin Group.


    She ordered an icecream float coffee.


    "Ms. Reese, your outfit today is striking," Karina remarked appreciatively, her gaze lingering on Maeve''s earrings. "It seems Suvin Group made the right choice in you."


    183


    Maeve smiled modestly "Bunks for thepliment


    Thankfully, she didn''t dress casually just because it was a simple meeting.


    "Do you know why we chose you, Ms. Reese!" Karina asked again


    Maeve thought for a moment. "Is it because my designs align with Suvin Group''s philosophy?"


    Karina smiled. "Yes, "Yes, but not exactly."


    "Your designs are indeed unique and full of energy, but they''re still developing-not yet at a point where we have to have you."


    Maeve wasn''t offended by the bluntness, just a little surprised. "Then why did you choose me?"


    Karina then


    said, "The evening gown you designed for Princess Flora-the one inspired by the snowe flower-had the fewest jewel embellishments, but it was the most vibrant of the three. You breathed life into that gown, like a withered leaf finding its way back to life. And that''s how we saw you-as a designer. Maeve''s eyes changed slightly. She thought no one had noticed the thinking she had subtly hidden in that gown.


    She had never thought that Karina would notice it.


    The i


    inspiration for for that t gown


    national symbol. That got me


    actually came from some reflection I did on the snowe flower," Maeve admitted with a softugh. That flower only blooms in the snow and fades in less than half a season. But it still outshines ever-blooming flowers and became Erancia''s could be like that, bing something precious, even only for a short season."


    Not because of her family on food not for her skills or education, but simply because she was who she was,


    Karina''s usually polite smile Karina


    Maeve pressed


    Suvin


    became warmer, more genuine. "I think that''s why we chose you," Karina said.


    her lips together thoughtfully, then asked with a smile, "Can I ask why Suvin Group goes to such lengths to support disadvantaged women?"


    Group wasn''tcking in money or fame, and there was no need for a publicity stunt by doing that.


    What intrigued her was what drove Suvin Group to continue this work.


    At the mention of that, a flicker of sadness passed through Karina''s brown eyes.


    "If it''s a sensitive subject, you can pretend I didn''t ask." Maeve quickly added.


    Karina shook her head and sighed. "There''s nothing I can''t say. It''s because Suvin Group''s founder once lost a daughter, and she didn''t want that kind of pain to touch another family."


    Maeve''s heart clenched, as if something sharp had pierced it.


    She paused for a moment and then said, "Suvin Group''s founder must have been a good-mother."


    And, of course, she was also aC0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    good leader.


    Karina smiled. "But she doesn''t think so herself."


    Without diving further on the subject, Karina continued, "Ms. Reese, you''re very talented-the most ethereal designer I''ve ever seen. But you''re still young, and there are some areas where you could improve. So, I''d like to give you some advice."


    blinked. "What kind advice?"


    B%89%


    "I''d like to rmend you further your studies at Gradelle University. It would greatly benefit your design career, Karina


    said.


    Said.


    Gradelle University, often called the "garden of designers", had a reputation-no designer who graduated from there remained unknown.


    Maeve''s breath caught, her heart racing with excitement at the suggestion.


    But soon, her excitement faded.


    Graduating from Gradelle University would take two or three years-simply too long.


    "Ms. Lemos, I appreciate your offer, but I''ll have to decline, Marye said.


    Karina didn''t ask for a reason. She just smiled and ced a business card in front of Maeve. "You don''t have to decide right now. Go home, think it over, and when you''re ready, contact me. Surprised by Karina''s persistence. Maeve hesitated for a moment before epting the card. "Thank you."


    After leaving the cafe, Maeve escorted Karina and the photographer she had brought to the office.


    By the time the photos were taken and the interviews finished, it was nearly dark.


    Karina didn''t stay the night.


    She took a special flight home but left her private number with Maeve before she left, telling her she had at most a month to decide.


    Once that time passed and Gradelle University stopped epting students, Maeve wouldn''t get another chance