Even in the most difficult times, Valda couldn''t bear to sell the jewels on the pacifier. She intended to save it for Horace, to use it for his future wedding.. But if she didn''t use it to negotiate with Maeve, she might not live to see that day.


    A trace of mockery shed in Maeve''s eyes. She would never let a child thief enjoy her old age in peace.


    Looking at Valda''s confident expression, she chuckled.


    Valda said, "Is it thatplicated? I''d rather just ask the police for help, wouldn''t that be much easier?"


    Maeve stood up, casting a final nce at Valda. "Youmitted a crime and still expect leniency? Ridiculous."


    This was why she chose to meet Valda instead of Scott. If it were Scott, that slippery old fox, she might not have been able to get him to reveal anything.


    After leaving the meeting room, Maeve went to the police for help.


    A few hourster, the police finally found the luxury pacifier in the Reese family''s residence.


    It was hidden in the ceiling, so well concealed that it would''ve been impossible to find without a thorough search.


    Since it was evidence, Maeve would have to wait for a while before it could be returned to her.


    She stood, examining the pacifier through the transparent evidence bag, feeling aplex mix of emotions.


    This pacifier just screamed "nouveau riche."


    Maeve wondered if her parents had overestimated an infant''s strength. She thought, ''How could a baby possibly hold something this heavy in the mouth? Were they trying to train my strength?'' In any case, there was some parental love there but not much.


    Maybe it was because Maeve felt closer to finding her biological parents, she left the detention center with a spring in her


    step.


    Noticing it was almost noon, she hailed a cab and went straight to the Mcdaniel Group.


    Using Byron''s pass, she made her way to the top floor without a hitch.


    Byron happened to being out of a meeting. Seeing her, he swiftly left behind the group of executives who were still engaged in heated debate and walked over to her, naturally taking her right hand. "Have you been waiting long?" His voice, deep and maic, had lost the harsh sharpness it carried during meetings, reced with a hint of barely detectable warmth.


    The executives behind him were stunned that Byron was holding a woman''s handProperty ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    They wondered if he was in a rtionship, and they also found Maeve looked familiar,


    Maeve shook her head. "No, I just got here. What should we eatter?"


    "How about trying out the food from ourpany cafeteria?" Byron suggested with a smile.


    For some reason, Maeve suddenly felt like the high and mighty multinationalpany had transformed into a down-to-earth small business.


    She replied, "Sure, I''m not picky. I''m easier to please than you are."


    Byron smiled. "Then I should thank you for taking some pressure off me, Miss Reese."


    ??? 3 94%u


    Previously, when the two of them argued, they would purposely use formal addresses like "Miss Reese" and "Mr. Mcdaniel" to distance themselves from each other.


    But now, when Byron said "Miss Reese," there seemed to be an undertone of something more ambiguous.


    They entered the elevator together, heading down to the 15th-floor staff cafeteria.


    When Maeve arrived, she realized this ce could hardly be called a cafeteria.


    From the luxurious decor to the spotless, pristine environment, and the uniformed waitstaff moving around, everything exuded the elegance and ss of a five-star restaurant. Maeve had seen the chef Byron mentioned in a gourmet magazine before. He had won the Oceanus Master Chef Championship for seven consecutive years.


    She never expected him to be recruited to work at the Mcdaniel Group''s cafeteria.


    After choosing a seat by the window, Maeve picked up her knife and fork, ready to start eating.


    "Mr. Mcdaniel, are you having lunch here today too?" A light, graceful voice came from behind.


    Maeve turned her head and saw a woman approaching, dressed in a coral-colored suit with an elegant and refined appearance. She smiled and waved at Byron. "What a coincidence. I was craving Mr. Buck''s cooking, so I came by for a bite. Mind if I join you?" Dante Buck was the champion chef they were just talking about.


    Her tone was so casual and familiar, carrying an intimate vibe as if she shared a close rtionship with Byron.


    Maeve swallowed the shrimp in her mouth, her gaze shifting between Byron and the woman.


    Byron sat there unmoved, giving a slight nod as a greeting, then said coolly, "It''s not convenient. My girlfriend might mind." ''Girlfriend? Serena finally noticed Maeve sitting across from Byron and discreetly gave her a few nces.


    Then she smiled. "Oh, so you''re Mr. Mcdaniel''s girlfriend. I''ve heard him mention you before and have been wanting to meet you. Hello, I''m Serena Malvis, Mr. Mcdaniel''s son''s therapist."


    Maeve pushed down her doubts and replied, "I''m Maeve Reese. Nice to meet you. Since you know each other, feel free to join us."


    Serena looked at Byron, smiled, and said, "Well, thank you then.


    Maeve moved to sit beside Byron, giving her seat to Serena.


    Though initially displeased by the intrusion into their alone time, Byron''s mood improved instantly. He ced a te of peeled shrimp in front of Maeve.


    He said, "Eat up."


    "Thanks." Maeve''s dimples appeared as she smiled. After taking a couple of bites, she turned to Serena and asked the question that had been on her mind. "Miss Malvis, since you''re Will''s therapist, could I ask about his condition?" "That''s part of the patient''s privacy, so it''s not something I can share." Serena politely declined.


    Maeve felt a bit disappointed. "I see. Sorry."


    Byron put down the napkin he was using and calmly exined. Will has mild autism. There was a period when his emotional instability was severe. Miss Malvis specializes in child psychology, and before she went abroad, she was helping Will with therapy." Hearing this, Maeve felt sorry for Will.


    In addition to his physical weaknesses, he also had psychological issues. She couldn''t imagine how Will had suffered in the


    past.


    Coming back to herself, Maeve looked gratefully at Serena. "Thank you, Miss Malvis, for all the help you''ve given Will."


    Serena replied, "There''s no need to thank me, Miss Reese. Will and I are good friends, and every moment I''ve spent with him has been very fulfilling."


    Maeve couldn''t help but feel a little envious. Serena had spent much more time with Will than she had.


    In all those days Maeve hadn''t been by Will''s side, Serena was there for him.


    "Will is a bit shy, so for you to be his friend shows that you''re someone with a lot of care for children," Maeve said with sincere admiration.


    Her genuinepliment, devoid of any hostility, made Serena''s smile falter slightly.


    Serena said, "It''s nothing. Will is the one who''s easy to get along with. He''s always cooperative during our sessions. Honestly, I feel like I''ve received more care from him than I''ve given."


    Maeve nodded in agreement. "He''s just too easy to care for, which sometimes makes me worry more. I''m afraid he''s hiding any grievances inside. Hearing you say this puts my mind at ease." Serena thought, ''Is this woman pretending to be clueless, or is she genuinely naive?''