Worried that Maeve had waited too long, Alex quickly tidied up and came to the living room. He even brought her a cup of


    hot cocoa.


    "Thank you." Maeve epted the cup of hot cocoa with some restraint.


    Alex could tell that she was ufortable. He sat down on the sofa at the side and smiled to ease the atmosphere. "Thank you foring to deliver the information to me. I''m bored at home and just happen to need these, he said. "You''re wee. I happen to have nothing to do today," Maeve replied.


    After a moment of silence.


    Alex asked her gently. "Did that manst night make things difficult for youter?"


    "No." Maeve pursed his lips and guilt shed across his eyes. "He''s very good to me," she added.


    As soon as she finished speaking, Alex''s face turned paler than before.


    Maeve felt even more guilty, but she continued, "I''m sorry for lying to you before. He''s not my uncle, but my husband. I''m also sorry aboutst night."


    How could someone as smart as Alex not understand the two meanings in herst apology?


    It was both an apology and a polite rejection.


    "Is he good to you?" Alex asked.


    Maeve hesitated for a moment before nodding and said, "He''s very good to me. I like him very much."


    Upon hearing this answer, Alex''s fingers on the armrest tightened slightly, and the smile on his face was as gentle as ever.


    "Since he treats you well, I''m relieved. You don''t have to be sorry for me. I couldn''t help but like you. You didn''t do anything. wrong," he uttered.


    Maeve gripped the cup in his hand tightly, not knowing what to say.


    It was as if no matter what he said at this moment, it would be wrong.


    "I''m serious," Alex looked at her seriously. "Maeve, I''m very happy that you can be honest with me."


    He continued, "To tell you the truth, my preferences are the same as my inspiration. Theye and go as quickly as theye. They''re even more vtile than a June day."


    At this point, he chuckled. "So, don''t feel burdened. I can''t marry such a cute girl like you, but I think it''s not bad to have another sister, Alex finally finished his words.


    Maeve saw that his expression was calm, and there was even a hint of casualness that he usually joked about. The guilt in his heart was greatly soothed.


    If Byron was said to be an iceberg, what was exposed on the surface of the water was far inferior to the sharpness and coldness hidden under it. It would never be seen through, and anyone who approached it would be frozen. Then Alex was undoubtedly the clear spring at the top of the mountain, silently nourishing all things. It was reserved and gentle, easily letting down one''s guard.


    "Thank you. Alex, Maeve said softly.


    Alex reached out to rubrher hair, but in the end, it onlynded of her shoulder.


    "You and him are fine. If he dares to bully you,e and find me I''ll avenge you." he said firmly.


    Maeve couldn''t help butugh and said, "Alright, I understand."


    After staying for a while, Maeve left.


    The smile on Alex''s face disappeared, and the fatigue and disappointment that he tried his best to suppress appeared. Suddenly, the phone next to him rang.


    Alex picked up the call. "Yes?"


    "Why do you sound like you''re about to die? Don''t tell me you were rejected by Maeve?" Leah teased him from the other end.


    Alex smiled. "Yes, she didn''t even leave me with any illusions," he replied.


    Leah was silent for a while. "There are plenty of fish in the sea. I''ll find you something else. You can have as many as you want," she tried to cheer him up.


    "No," Alex declined politely. "I''m going into seclusion recently. I suddenly had an inspiration," he made his stance.Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    "Alright, alright, alright. I won''t disturb you anymore," Leah replied.


    After confirming that he was fine, Leah hung up with relief.


    As long as Alex still had the energy to create, it meant that it was not a big problem.


    Thinking about it, it made sense. Alex had only known Maeve for a few days. His feelings for her could not be that deep.


    Before the Spring Festival, Maeve finallypleted thest bit of work at hand and could enjoy the holiday in peace.


    Byron was much busier than her. It was not until New Year''s Eve that he made time to take her back to the Medaniel family for the holidays.


    The manor of the Mcdaniel family was decorated withnterns and banners. There were also two rednterns hanging at the front door, and couplets written by Gilbert Mcdaniel were pasted on both sides. The brush moved like dragons and snakes, and the handwriting was carefree. It formed a style of its own.


    The vi was bustling with activity as they prepared for the New Year''s Eve dinner.


    Even a prestigious family like the Mcdaniel family, had to cook their own New Year''s Eve dinner. Gilbert was the head chef, and Mr. Mcdaniel was the assistant.


    Alexis was making pancakes in the dining room.


    Maeve could not help but be a little surprised. She quietly asked Byron, "Isn''t it too hard for Grandpa to cook so many dishes alone? His body....


    "It''s fine," Byron said calmly. "Grandpa is only in charge of thedle. Other people will do the rest," he added.


    If anyone tried to persuade him, he would be angry that others would think that he was too old to even carry the pot.


    Then I''ll help too," Marve said.


    She had just taken a step out when the back of his cor was hooked by Byron''s fingertips.


    She looked back at him in confusion.


    "Grandpa knows how to scold people," Byron Mcdaniel pushed her shoulder and walked towards the dining room. "Go and help Mom make pancakes. There are men to do the kitchen," he asked other things instead. Maeve almostughed when she heard that.


    It was not easy to hear such a down-to-earth sentence from the CEO.


    Even the Medaniel family, who she had always felt was high and mighty, seemed to have be much friendlier.


    Maeve walked into the dining room to help Alexis.


    Alexis took the time to nce at her and said indifferently, "We''re almost done here. Go and sit in the living room and y for a while. How can we let the guests do anything during the festive season?" The word ''guest made Maeve stand rooted to the ground, feeling a little helpless.


    Thest time Alexis gave her the pair of purple jade earrings, she had been happy for a long time.


    Unexpectedly, it was just as Karen had said back then. Alexis had only treated her with courtesy because of Byron.


    She


    was too naive.


    Alexis, L...


    Alexis interrupted her. "If you don''t want to be idle, go to the garden and water it for me. I don''t need your help here."


    Maeve pursed his lips. "Then go ahead. I''ll go take a look in the garden," she replied.


    Since Alexis did not want to see her, there was no reason for her to stay here.


    Even Byron could not make her carefully curry favor with Maeve, let alone others.


    Even if they were his parents.


    Maeve walked into the garden to take a breather. Then, she picked up the spray can by the wall and watered the flowerbed.


    Plop!


    A muffled sound suddenly came from the side.


    Maeve turned his head and saw a girl about ten years old fall beside the flower bed. He put down the watering can and walked over to help her up.


    "Are you all right?" Maeve asked.


    Maeve then patted the dust on her down jacket and looked into her eyes.


    The girl did not answer. She stood there and cried like a child. Her dirty hands wiped her face and became dirtier and dirtier.


    "Don''t rub your eyes with your hands. Maeve immediately pressed down on her hand which was stained with mud. She took out a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her. "Use this." The girl did not take it and stopped crying. However, her eyes were still filled with an indescribable foolishness.