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    After leaving the hospital, Alex drove Maeve to a high-ss privite restaurant. Worried she would feel ufortable, Alex chose an elegant seat by the window on the third floor. It was covered by a hollow room divider which gave a hint of privacy. The ce was only open three days a week and had to be booked in advance, there were not many customers.


    The owner is the great-grandson of a chef who served the royal pce and earned his second Michelin star at 28 Alex handed the menu to Maeve and said with a warm smile, "You have to try their bone marrow, it''s out of this world!" Maeve looked up and smiled. "Well, since you so, I might as well try it. She scanned the menu from top to bottom and drew a tick on a few of her favorite dishes.


    Suddenly remembering something, she crossed some checkboxes and changed her order. Alex took back the menu and noticed this. He asked curiously. "I remember you like these dishes very much. Why did you cross them out?"


    "My doctor said I have gastritis, and I don''t dare to eat anything too spicy." Maeve waved her hand helplessly. Moreover, her gynecologist also reminded her to pay attention to her diet and eat lighter and more nutritious food. Not long after, the dishes they ordered were served one after another.


    "Dear guests, the soup you ordered is made with spices that can nourish your body, however, it is not suitable for pregnant women or patients with high blood pressure. Therefore, the head chef asked me toe over and ask. We''ll cook it after the two of you confirm that there''s no problem with it, the waiter said dutifully.


    Alex nodded. "It''s fine. You can cook it."


    "Wait." Maeve Reese stopped the waiter. "Is it all food cooked with medicinal herbs that pregnant women can''t touch?"


    The waiter nodded with a smile. "Yes, ma''am. Our restaurant is famous for its use of spices. However, some food may be too strong for people with certain conditions. For example, pregnantdies. Some of our ingredients can pose a threat to fetal development. Most of their customers were rich or noble, so they had to be careful with what they served.


    "Thank you. Maeve forced a smile as her face turned paler. No wonder the gynecologist told her to pay attention to her diet. Otherwise, it would cause adverse consequences for the mother and the fetus.


    During this time, the manor had kept a strict diet on her. Their food tasted fine but was mostly nd. It didn''t suit her tongue. Fortunately, her appetite had improved recently and she had not eaten much. Maeve believed she would be fine. "Maeve, are you alright?" Alex noticed that Maeve''s face looked odd. He frowned slightly. "Is your stomach upset again?" "No, I''m feeling fine. Maeve pulled herself together and shook her head. "Alex, thank you for bringing me here today. Really. If not for the waiter''s reminder, she might never have known that there was such a thing. She never had such an experience.


    Alex smiled wider, and his eyes emitted warmth.


    The dishes were served quickly. Maeve took a few bites of Alex''s rmended bone marrow. It was rich and improved her apetite. Other than the spiced soup she had not touched, the other dishes were very appetizing. They were light but still vorful


    For dessert, they had apple strudel. It was sour and sweet, and Maeve ate ravenously. Seeing Alex smiling at him, she felt embarrassed. "Am I eating too much?"


    "How could that be?" Alex shook his head slightly. The smile on his face seemed to be able to melt one''s heart. "Eating more means you''re in good health. Your health is all that matters."


    Maeve could vaguely see something in his eyes at that moment, and there was a hint of confusion in his bright eyes. But before she could think further, Alex added, "Maeve, there''s something I need to tell you tonight."


    "Yeah? Tell me. I''m all cars: Maeve thought he would talk about something serious, so she immediately straightened her back like an obedient kid.


    The anxiousness in Alex''s heart was dispelled seeing Maeve''s behavior. He straightened his face and continued, "When I first saw you, I was only attracted by your design and cherished your alent. But after you showed your outstanding performance, I realized you are much more than a talented designer. You had my interest, and now you have my attention."


    Upon hearing Alex''s words, Macve''s eyes widened in shock as she looked at him, not knowing what to do. However, Alex smiled. "I wanted to take things slowly. I''m waiting until you are ready and have a good impression of me before telling you my feelings. However, I feel that I can''t wait that long. You''re so beautiful. No one can ever hate you. I''m afraid others might take over if I''m being too slow. I like you, Maeve, and I wonder you are ready to start a rtionship with me."


    Alex''s voice was gentle despite his impatience. There was no angrity in it, only the calmness and distantness that had settled over more than 20 years. At that moment, he could only see Maeve in his eyes. His eyes were filled with the love and affection that young people had. When faced with the nervousness and uneasiness of his first love, he wished he could give her his entire heart.


    Maeve had seen this type of gaze before. After all, she used to be like this. She could understand how sincere A, and she didn''t want to brush him off and trample on his sincerity. Ex''s words were. However, she was not ready to start a rtionship. Maeve clenched her fists and took a deep breath, intending to tell Alex her thoughts.


    "Maeve," At that moment, a cold and deep voice suddenly barged in.


    Maeve subconsciously raised her head. Unexpectedly, she met a pair of pitch-ck and sinister eyes. Her heart skipped a beat. Byron stood before her. His oppressive presence immediately made the room a little cramped.


    A Reese?" Alex was surprised. He put away his emotions and greeted Byron. "Have you eaten? Do you want to sit down?"


    However, Byron turned a deaf ear. He raised his hand and pressed it on Maeve''s shoulder. His tone was cold. "Come back with me.


    Maeve thought about how she had left without hesitation that day and deliberately avoided him afterward. So, she rebelled. "I don''t want to go back."


    Hearing her answer, Byron''s eyes darkened. "Get up. Don''t make me repeat myself."


    But Maeve did not budge. She was determined to go against him until the end. However, in less than three seconds, Byron suddenly grabbed her wrist with such force that she was almost pulled away from her seat. "I said, I don''t want to go back!" Maeve could not break free from his grip no matter how hard she tried. She was furious.Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    Byron scoffed. "We''re not negotiating."


    "Stop!" Alex stood up and blocked his path. He frowned and asked, "Mr. Reese, what are you doing? Maeve has said clearly that she doesn''t want to go back. It''s not good for


    you to force her like this. You''re her uncle, not her father. You don''t seem to have the right to interfere in her affairs."


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