ing about it, he had confiscated such a huge lollipop from Theo, and of course Theo would be angry with him.


    "Having too much candy and getting cavities, not reflecting on it at all, and now you''re angry with me?" Byron said in a deep voice. "After the meal, you''re writing a hundred-word review as punishment" Theo pulled a face at him. "Nice try, but I can''t read and write!"


    "You''re actually proud of not being able to read and write? Want me to toss out your sacred books?" Byron grabbed his chubby checks, pretending to be menacing


    Maeve, remembering how Will had once sworn with his yoga mat and sacred books, quickly intervened "What are you doing? Threatening a kid? He''s already had a big shock today. Scaring him again isn''t going to help." Theo, hearing what Maeve said, quickly hid behind Marve


    Byron''s expression softened slightly. He had nearly forgotten about the matter after being interrupted by Theo


    The meal on the table was still warm, and Theo nearly jumped with excitement when he saw the strawberry cake in the


    center.


    Maeve had saved half of it just for him, though she pulled a long face again at the thought of his cavities.


    "The doctor said you need to cut back on sugar. No sweets for a month," she said.


    Theo was thunderstruck. His little hair tufts seemed to wilt like nt.


    He looked up at Maeve with pitiful puppy-dog.eyes. "Dear Marve, you''re the most beautiful and lovely person in the world." Maeve''s expression remained impassive.


    "You''re the most gentle and generousdy in the universe," he continued to say..


    She struggled to maintain herposure.


    "You''re my one and only, the love of my life, my everything Theo threw himself at her, hugging her legs. "Please don''t be so cruel to me!"


    Byron couldn''t sit still, and neither could Maeve.


    Byron lifted Theo into the seat beside him and warned, "Enough of that nonsense. Enjoy your meal."


    "Where did he even learn to say such things? How dare he tease my girl, Byron thought unhappily


    Theo sulkily twisted in his seat, looking like a little deted eggnt.


    Maeve knew he was just acting, but she couldn''t help softening. She cut a small slice of cake and ced it on his te. "Alright, just one piece. But you have to brush your teeth for three minutes afterward. Deal Theo instantly brightened up, like a balloon inting in seconds.


    He raised his little arms in victory. "Yes, Ma''am!"


    What a cute brat! Maeve thought


    Maeve pursed her lips and smiled, turning her head only to meet Byron''s thoughtful gaze.


    "Someone was just here he suddenly asked.


    Maeve followed his gaze to where Will had just been, only to remember she had forgotten to collect his cutlery


    "It was Leo. He''s gone to bed now," she said.


    "Yeah?" Byron looked at the cutlery, his dark eyes narrowing slightly. "His dining habits are a bit like Wills. He doesn''t like carrots either.


    Besides, it seemed that he also liked to ce his fork neatly across the bottom of the bowl after eating


    Theo, who was sitting next to them, stuffing corn and carrot kernels into his mouth, suddenly paused. Luckily, Byron wasn''t paying attention to him, or he would have been exposed in minutes. Maeve was also sweating nervously. "Most kids don''t like peppers or carrots. What''s the big deal?"


    Byron shook his head slightly. "No big deal."


    "Then eat more," Maeve said, trying to distract him by cing more food in his bowl.


    He, like Will, was also a picky-eater, while Theo, on the other hand, was not..


    Byron lifted his gaze and smiled at Maeve''s attentive demeanor Weren''t you still mad at me this afternoon for not letting youe with me to find Will? Now you''re not angry anymore!! Her level of concern for Will surprised him.


    He just didn''t know how long it wouldst.


    Maeve was stunned.


    ''He noticed that? she thought in surprised.


    She hesitated for a moment. "You didn''t seem worried about Will''s safety at all at the time."


    Otherwise, shouldn''t he have gone to find him right away, instead of sending her off first?


    "I knew he was doing it on purpose," Byron said lightly. "Besides, I have people watching him. If anything had happened, they would have protected him immediately."


    "But what if something had really happened? Aren''t you afraid something might happen to Will?" Maeve said


    "He''s not a child anymore. He knows what he''s doing. If he can''t handle something like this, how can he be my heir in the future?" Byron nced at Theo, who was busy trying to finish his rice, his dark eyes softening slightly. Maeve furrowed her brows, unable to understand his reasoning Will is only four and a half. Don''t you think this is too much pressure for him?"


    This is invaluable experience, Byron replied. "No one in the heir program will teach him this. He needs to learn to stand on his own sooner rather thanter."


    Maeve couldn''t agree with him. She preferred her two children to be happy and healthy.Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    "What''s the point of being an heir if he is not happy? It''s better not to be one at all!'' she thought.


    Theo listened to their conversation and silently sympathized with Will.


    After all, being an heir was truly difficult.


    At this moment, he was relicged that he wasn''t the eldest. The weight on his older brother''s shoulders was too heavy for him


    to bear.


    By the end of the argument, Maeve was so angry that she said. This is child abuse! How can you treat your son like this? He''s only a few years old and already has to endure so much. Doesn''t he deserve a happy childhood?" "You''re spoiling him," Byron said calmly. "Will is exceptionally gifted. Now is the right time to start nurturing his talents"


    Maeve couldn''t stand to hear this, and her temper red. "I don rare! I won''t allow it!"


    Byron''s gaze deepened as he looked at her. "Are you speaking as Will''s mother now?"


    Maeve froze, her head clearing slightly.


    She suddenly realized she didn''t seem to be in a suitable position to use Byron of how he was raising his child.


    Theo, always quick to chime in, piped up, "Pretty Maeve, if you be my mommy, I''ll do whatever you want. I''ll even give up my daddy!"


    Byron''s lips twitched slightly. "Say that again?"


    ''Could it be that Will has always been too well-behaved, which is why I struggled to ept his rebellious streak? he couldn''t help but think while resisting the urge to give Theo a lesson.


    Maeve felt the tension in the room shift thanks to Theo. Relieved, she smiled and responded, "What a deal! I''ve got such a cute son for free. I''m lucky


    Byron nced at her sideways, thoughts clearly stirring behind his eyes.


    Suddenly, the doorbell rang.


    "Who could it be at this hour?" Maeve got up to answer the door but her bright eyes dimmed slightly when she saw Archer standing there.


    Every time she saw Archer, she was reminded of the dark, grim conversation they''d had right before she was pushed onto the operating table.


    Even though she knew Archer was simply doing a job for Byron she couldn''t help but feel some lingering resentment, making her attitude noticeably cold.


    "Archer, what''s going on?" she asked.


    Archer sensed Maeve''s chill but wasn''t sure how he had offended her. Politely, he said, "Ms. Reese, I''m here to deliver something to Mr. McDaniel, It''s a sh drive we just seized from Karen, and it has your name engraved on it. To be cautious, I thought it best to deliver it to Mr. McDaniel first."