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.

at the bottle in her hand

across a person

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

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

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

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09:46 Sun, Jan 12

Chapter 548

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over their nearly-secured project to the Mcdaniel Group. Are those two companies

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? I've

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

those words were probably a message from Byron, spoken from

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

would inevitably

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

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

has nothing to do with this case! He doesn't have time to testify for you.

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

the room was palpable, and just as voices threatened to

she asked,

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

tailored black pants, while his

was him, the kind stranger from earlier

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

nod. "You deserved it. No need to thank

noticing Maeve's familiarity with him, leaned in. "Ms. Reese, are you two friends? If he's with you, I'll make sure he gets

"Yes, we've

so much