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.

bottle in her hand and couldn't help but think that

come across a person who was both rich and

decent tip and three paintings sold, Maeve decided to call it a day. She packed up her

the smooth sounds of Louis Armstrong's What a

window, Maeve let herself melt into the moment, setting aside the worries she wasn't ready to face. As dusk settled,

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09:46 Sun, Jan 12

Chapter 548

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today? Zephyr Corp handed over their nearly-secured project to the Mcdaniel Group. Are those two companies

hell. 'Wherever you are, Stay safe? What's that even supposed to mean?" "Who cares? I've reposted every single one. Gotta increase my odels,

the mention of "Wherever you are, Stay safe" Maeve froze her hand midway to her coffee cup. The sweet aftertaste lingering

she wasn't mistaken, those words were probably a message from Byron, spoken from

her, he had stirred up a

inevitably find their way to her

carefully, grabbed the umbrella leaning against the table, and made her way downstairs. Stepping out, she

she returned to the guesthouse, there was tension in the air. The

do I have to tell you? My son has nothing to do with this case! He doesn't have time to testify for you. Get out!"

voice. "Is there any room available? It's raining outside." Esme's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "No, we're fully booked! Don't even think about trying anything sneaky, I won't agree to

threatened to rise further, Maeve placed her dripping umbrella by the door and

going on here, Esme?" she asked, glancing between the

when she saw Maeve. Her scowl transformed 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 by

outfit was understated yet refined, a fine shirt and tailored black pants, while

him, the kind stranger from earlier that

was way more than the sketch was worth. And thank you for

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

two friends? If he's with you, I'll make sure he gets a

hesitated briefly before nodding. "Yes, we've

to thank me," Esme said warmly. "I owe you so much already. That