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.

it payment for the drawing, or for the water? Maeve glanced at the bottle in her hand and couldn't help but think that the water was probably part

rare to come across a person

it a day. She packed up her easel, returned to her cozy Airbnb, and headed

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

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 rain began to fall, gently tapping against the window. It was another kind of

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Chapter 548

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their nearly-secured project to the Mcdaniel Group. Are those two companies planning some kind of partnership?" "If those two giants

of the McDaniel Group, their Instagram has been hosting giveaways non-stop. And their slogan? Weird as hell. 'Wherever you are, Stay safe? What's that even supposed to mean?" "Who cares?

midway to her coffee cup. The sweet

mistaken, those words were probably a

her, he had stirred up a buzz through the giveaways,

end, those words would inevitably find

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

air. The sound of tables

He doesn't have time to testify for you. Get out!" The guesthouse owner, Esme's angry voice filtered through

raining outside." Esme's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "No,

tension in the room was palpable, and just as voices threatened to rise

going on here, Esme?" she asked, glancing

an instant 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

tailored black pants, while his demeanor

him, the kind stranger

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

Soar gave a slight nod. "You deserved it. No need

leaned in. "Ms. Reese, are you two friends? If

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

owe you so much already. That medicine