Maeve became silent.


    She quickly steadied herself by holding onto his arm. Looking at his expressionless face, she couldn''t help but say, "I don''t know if the people on stage were jealous, but I know you are." Byron let out a low hum, nced at the bouquet in her arms, and lifted a hand, saying, "It seems you don''t need this."


    Maeve turned her head and saw the light purple roses in his hand, her eyes instantly lighting up.


    She asked, "Is this for me?"


    "It''s for someone who isn''t already holding flowers," Byron said calmly.


    Maeve looked at the flowers in her hands and quickly shoved them into his arms. "Now I''m not."


    A faint hint of a smile shed in Byron''s eyes as he handed the bouquet to her.


    Maeve held it lovingly until she suddenly heard someone calling her.


    "Ms. Reese." Warren approached from behind, smiling warmly as he congratted her. "Congrattions, the exhibit was wless. Your design was truly eye-catching." Maeve gave a modest smile. "Thank you for thepliment."


    Warren then looked toward Byron standing beside her, curiously asking, "Is this your boyfriend? You two look well-matched."


    Byron lowered his eyes slightly, waiting to hear how Maeve would respond.


    After hesitating for a few seconds, Maeve shook her head, denying it. "No, he''s my... neighbor."


    In an instant, Byron''s handsome face darkened.


    Warren smiled and had his assistant hand over his business card, saying to her, "We''ll probably meet again in the future. I won''t disturb you two any longer." ''Meet again?'' Maeve felt a bit puzzled but still smiled and bid him farewell.


    As they left the venue, Byron strode towards the elevator with long, quick steps, forcing Maeve to jog just to keep up with


    him.


    Inside the elevator, she looked at his cold, expressionless face and tugged at the hem of his suit jacket, feeling a bit guilty. She asked, "Byron, are you mad?"


    After several long seconds, Byron responded without even ncing at her, "No."


    Maeve moved a bit closer to him. "I said you''re my neighbor. Isn''t that better than calling you my ex-husband? Otherwise, it would be really awkward."


    "Yeah." Byron crossed his arms, his tone oddly indifferent. "We''re just neighbors who cuddle at night, Ms. Reese. You don''t need to exin anything to me."


    Maeve was shocked by his words, her ears heating up, but she tried to maintain herposure. "That''s true. Your cuddling service isn''t bad. I''m nning to renew it for tonight." 1/3


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    "Fine." Byron finally looked at her, his long eyes holding a hint of meaning. "How do you n to pay for my services?"


    Maeve''s scalp tingled at his words. She hadn''t forgotten his "alternative rent payment method."


    She instinctively took a small step back. "I was just joking. I didn''t really mean to renew."


    Byron asked, "So, when do you n to settle the payment forst night''s cuddle service?"


    Maeve replied, "Weren''t you the one insisting on sleeping with me? I didn''t ask for it, and now you''re changing me?"


    Byron let out a coldugh. "That service is only free for my girlfriend. Since you''re not, I have to charge you."


    Maeve pouted in frustration, thinking he was being unreasonable.


    "Also." Byron''s eyes dropped to her hand gripping his jacket. "You should let go, lest my girlfriend sees and gets the wrong idea."


    "You have a girlfriend?" Maeve asked curiously.


    He replied, "I''m about to have one."


    Maeve couldn''t help but chuckle. "Byron, are you trying to pursue me now?"


    First, he brought her flowers, then hinted that he only slept with his girlfriend. It all sounded far from innocent


    Though Maeve didn''t believe Byron would do something like this. Or rather, he wouldn''t do something like this to her. Maybe even Maeve herself hadn''t realized that, from the beginning, shecked confidence in this rtionship. After all, he had never said he liked her since they met.


    Sometimes she even felt that what drew them together was more about physical attraction than anything else. Maeve found herself lost in thought. ''What would he be like when he truly likes someone?''


    The elevator seemed to shut them off from the world, so quiet it was almost unnerving.


    "Maeve." Byron''s clear and deep voice cut through the silence, making it all the more distinct.


    Maeve instinctively looked up, her gaze meeting with Byron''s intense eyes, causing her heart to skip a beat.


    She saw her reflection in his eyes, just like many times before when she''d turned her head and caught him looking at her. Suddenly, she seemed to understand something but wasn''t quite sure. Her heart raced, and her palms tingled. Maeve stammered, "W-what is it?"


    Byron stared at her unblinkingly, his voice deepening. "I only sleep with my girlfriend. Got it?"


    Maeve''s eyshes fluttered slightly. At that moment, it felt like fireworks exploded inside her chest, leaving her in a mix of shock and joy. She waspletely at a loss.


    When she heard his words, her first reaction wasn''t happiness. It was to wonder if she had misheard him.


    But looking at Byron''s serious expression, her unease gradually melted away.


    Even as they exited the elevator, Maeve still felt a bit dazed, only managing to walk in the right direction because Byron was holding her hand.


    Once in the car, Byron noticed her fumbling with the seatbelt, unable to find the right spot, and let out a soft chuckle. He leaned over to fasten it for her,


    As he straightened up, he nted a quick kiss on her lips.


    Maeve snapped back to reality. "Why did you suddenly kiss me?


    Byron sat casually and calmly replied, "If you dare space out before me, you should be prepared to get kissed."


    Maeve''s cheeks flushed red as she red at him, or at least tried to.


    She said, "You want to pursue me, but I haven''t agreed yet!"


    Byron replied, "Take your time. No rush."


    "What?"


    "In your options, there''s only agreeing or being forced to agree.


    His confused Maeve. "What do you mean by ''forced to agree"?"


    Byron pulled the car out of the parking garage, giving her a meaningful sidelong nce. "You probably don''t want to know the exact methods."


    Maeve went speechless. She wondered if he was going to lock her up and do something to her.


    Just as the thought crossed her mind, she remembered the time he brought her to Nightfall Manor, when she nearly ended up choosing the "forced to agree" option and a shiver ran through her. Byron seemed normal, but underneath it all, there was a streak of madness that even she was afraid of. She preferred not to know it.


    It was better for her not to know.


    "This doesn''t look like the way back to the apartment. Where are you taking me?" Maeve suddenly grew tense.