The Heir's Secret Bride

Chapter 548

Chapter 548

3

"Alright." Maeve quickly set up the drawing board and glanced at the man. "Feel free to pose however you like. I'll start sketching now."

The man nodded but didn't change his posture. He sat upright, polite, and composed, like a university professor or a high-ranking lawyer, his presence exuding a solemnity that made it difficult to look directly at him. Maeve sized him up momentarily, mentally framing the composition before she began to draw.

She had been making money from her art recently, not for her skill, but for speed.

While others took at least thirty minutes for a single piece, she could finish one in just fifteen. Those who paid her were always satisfied.

If anyone who knew Maeve found out she'd ditched her design career to perform on the streets, they'd be baffled, to say the least.

"Done!" Maeve handed the sketch to him with a smile. "Take a look and let me know if anything needs tweaking."

The man took the drawing and studied it, his gaze meeting the reflection of himself on the paper. He was surprised.

The strokes were soft yet powerful. The interplay of light and shadow was expertly done, and the details of his facial features were so lifelike it almost felt like a breeze was rippling across the water in the painting.

A person's character could be seen in their work. Only someone as gentle as Maeve could capture these subtle beauties and infuse them into her art.

"You're very talented. I really like it," the man said, his pale lips curling into an uncharacteristically rare smile. Then, his tone shifted. "Could I ask you a favor? There's a small shop nearby. Could you buy me a bottle of water?" Maeve was puzzled and pondered, 'Why doesn't he go himself?' But she didn't ask. Maybe there was a reason. She took the money he handed her and asked him to keep an eye on the easel while she went.

By the time she returned with the water, the easel was abandoned. There was no sign of him.

Instead, Maeve noticed something under her drawing paper.

It was a stack of money.

The paper had two bold characters scrawled on it: For your

talent.

the bottle in her

to come across a person

a day. She packed up her easel, returned to

smooth sounds of Louis Armstrong's What a Wonderful World. She had arrived

window, Maeve let herself melt into the moment, setting aside the worries she wasn't ready to face. As dusk settled, the rain began to fall, gently tapping against the window. It was another

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09:46 Sun, Jan 12

Chapter 548

3

today? Zephyr Corp handed over their nearly-secured project to the Mcdaniel Group. Are those two companies planning some kind of partnership?" "If those two giants team

'Wherever you are, Stay safe? What's that even supposed to mean?" "Who cares? I've reposted every

hand midway to her

words were probably a message from Byron,

to find her, he had stirred up a

would inevitably find

set the cup down carefully, grabbed the umbrella leaning against the table, and made her way downstairs.

The sound of

have to tell you? My son has nothing to do with this case! He

available? It's raining outside." Esme's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

room was palpable, and just as voices threatened to rise

here, Esme?" she

into a bright, almost exaggerated smile. "Oh, Maeve! You're back! I saw the rain earlier and was just about to send someone to bring you an umbrella, but I got distracted

black pants, while his demeanor carried an

was him, the

evident. "The payment you gave was way more than the sketch was worth. And thank you for the water, by

slight nod. "You deserved it. No need to thank

"Ms. Reese, are you two friends?

we've met. Thank

owe you so much already. That medicine you