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

across a

packed up her easel, returned to her cozy Airbnb, and headed to a

lit up with the smooth sounds of Louis Armstrong's What a Wonderful World. She had

of coffee sat on the table next to her, paired with a slice of cake. As the soulful jazz wove itself into the cool evening breeze drifting in through the window, Maeve let herself melt into the moment, setting aside the worries she wasn't ready to face. As dusk settled, the

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09:46 Sun, Jan 12

Chapter 548

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the trending topics 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

Instagram has been hosting giveaways non-stop. And their slogan? Weird as hell. 'Wherever you are, Stay

of "Wherever you are, Stay safe" Maeve froze her hand midway to her coffee

probably a

to find her, he had stirred up a buzz through the giveaways, hoping to catch her

would inevitably find their way to her

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

was tension in the air. The sound of tables and chairs scraping against

do with this case! He doesn't have time to testify for you. Get out!" The

to hear a familiar 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

as voices threatened to rise further, Maeve placed her dripping umbrella by

going on here, Esme?" she asked,

transformed into a bright, almost exaggerated smile. "Oh, Maeve! You're back! I saw the rain earlier and was just

was understated yet refined, a fine shirt and tailored black pants, while his demeanor carried an air of quiet distinction

was him, the kind stranger from earlier that

Maeve said, her surprise evident. "The payment you gave was way more than the sketch was worth. And thank

gave a slight nod. "You

in. "Ms. Reese, are you two friends? If he's with you, I'll

briefly before nodding. "Yes, we've met. Thank you

warmly. "I owe you so much already.