Chapter 484

After breakfast, Maeve returned to Nightfall Manor, where a same-day delivery for Will and Theo awaited her. Two bouquets and a golden envelope sat inside. The sender's name was simply "fan."

"Good lord, my children already have fans," Maeve thought. Happily, she carried the package to find Will and Theo, but encountered Byron in the stairwell. Her heart skipped a beat. Recalling Linda's words, she felt a sudden flush of heat. She wanted to escape.

"You… you went to the Hancock family to look for me last night?" she asked softly.

"Yes," Byron replied, fastening his cuffs and walking past her. "If anything happens to you under my watch, I won't be able to answer to your uncle."

His words instantly calmed her racing heart. "I thought he would be worried about me," she mused.

Maeve pursed her lips, then heard him say, "I'm going on a business trip today and will be back no later than the day after tomorrow. You might as well take this time to think about the problem I mentioned yesterday. If you still can't figure it out…"

"What will happen?" she couldn't help asking.

Byron didn't answer, continuing to walk away and disappearing at the bottom of the spiral staircase. Maeve watched him go, a silent snort escaping her. "Just wait. I will be able to prove that you are overthinking. Then it will be time for me to settle scores with you," she thought.

Secretly competing with Byron, she ran upstairs and gave the package to Will and Theo, who had just woken up. The anonymous fan's letter claimed to love their singing, lavishing unprecedented praise. Even Theo, usually arrogant, blushed. Will felt ashamed; he only played the meditation drum.

"Mommy, the person said he still wants to hear our beautiful singing again," Theo said, pointing to the letter. "But the Star of Children Talent Competition has ended. What should we do?"

Maeve considered it. "Why don't you post it on a singing platform and send him your address when you reply?"

Will panicked. "Mom, I… I don't need to, do I? I only knocked the meditation drum. Theo does most of the singing."

"No. You have to play the accompaniment for me," Theo insisted, eager for shared humiliation. "Someone has written 500 words praising us. Don't you think we should repay his kindness?"

Will blushed, closing his eyes. "I don't care. I only know how to knock the meditation drum."

"You have to sing, too!"

"No, I don't."

"Come on, sing."

"No… no?"

Maeve, overjoyed, let them bicker. She read the letter, the praise transforming her children's singing into the most beautiful music in the world. It reminded her of someone—Gale Soar. He was the first to praise Theo's singing, supposedly listening ten times before bed each night. She wondered if he or this fan was more obsessed.

A shudder ran through her. Aeolian's clothes were almost finished. She went to the studio, bracing herself. Instead of sharp tools, she found round-headed ones—even the scissors had rounded tips, yet still functional. These must have been custom-made by Byron's contacts. The meticulousness was evident. His harmless mockery yesterday seemed insignificant now.

Hours later, Maeve drove Will and Theo to Mapledeca with the finished clothes. Leaving them in the car, she went to see Aeolian, who was having a gathering. Seeing Maeve with the clothes, Aeolian stood and showed her friends. Damian then approached.

"Ms. Reese, Mr. Soar invites you over," he said.

"Alright," Maeve agreed, leaving with him.

Aeolian's friend immediately asked, "Aeolian, is your uncle Gale close to her? What's their relationship?"

"Nothing," Aeolian snapped. "How could my uncle Gale be familiar with such a small designer? She just helped him before."

"That's not necessarily true. It's my first time meeting a girl as beautiful as you, and she outshines you…" Her friend's words trailed off, Aeolian's face darkening.

Shortly after, Maeve emerged with several exquisite bags, a helpless expression on her face. They were gifts from Gale for Will and Theo. She had no idea how he'd seen the Star of Children Talent Competition. Inside the house, the advanced sound system played Will's meditation melody and Theo's nursery rhyme on repeat. Maeve felt an epiphany might be near.

Aeolian's anger intensified upon seeing Maeve leave with the gifts. "Uncle Gale wouldn't fall for such a lowly woman, would he?" she thought.

Maeve noticed her stare. "Ms. Soar, the clothes have been delivered. I should go back."

"Wait a minute. You think you can fool me with this shoddy stuff?" Aeolian demanded angrily. "I don't like the patterns on this dress. It's too low-class. As a designer, can't you even pass the most basic color combination? And this one, what are you embroidering? This one is also… Tsk, the requirements for designers these days are low."

She pointed out flaws, mocking Maeve's taste and competence. Her friends remained silent.

Maeve realized Aeolian was looking for a fight. "Ms. Soar, the designs were approved before production. Why didn't you mention these issues before?"

Aeolian threw a gown at Maeve. "Why do I still need a designer like you if you want me to tell you everything? How would I know the clothes you make are so ugly? Even if you give me money for nothing, I don't want to wear them. Oh, I almost forgot you're a lousy designer. You came from a humble background and had a low education. What taste can you have? Forget it, I'll take it that I wasted so many precious days of my time. Why don't you take the trash back and keep it for yourself to wear?"