Chapter 969

"She was just genuinely concerned. She saw on the news that there's a new disease being carried by pests, and she panicked thinking you'd get infected. Try not to take it personally."

Maeve scoffed bitterly. “Sure, whatever you say. And next time? Will she just invent another convenient excuse to assault me, then run to you to play the hero?"

Layne ignored her thinly veiled venom, carefully applying the cooling gel to her cheek before looking her in the eyes.

"Maeve, Mrs. Shannon isn't just some random housekeeper I pulled off the street. She's been with the Everhart family for decades. If you need anything at all, just tell her. She'll handle it, and if she can't, she'll call me. Having her here while I'm gone gives me incredible peace of mind."

Maeve's voice sharpened with anger. “You have peace of mind knowing she's slapping me across the face?"

Layne remained eerily calm. "Of course not. But she genuinely cares about me, and I trust that she has her reasons for whatever she does. She's been loyal to my family for over twenty years. After losing my parents, she is the closest thing to family I have left. She would never do anything to hurt me, don't you agree?”

Maeve's eyes darted away, dodging the direct question.

"Like you said, she's loyal to you, so of course she wouldn't hurt you. Don't worry, anyone you care about is family to me. I'll treat Mrs. Shannon with the utmost respect from now on."

Layne pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.

"Get some rest. I have to head back to the office this afternoon."

Hearing he was leaving again, Maeve immediately wrapped her arms around his waist, pouting up at him.

"Can't you stay here with me?"

Layne smoothly, almost imperceptibly, unpeeled her hands from his body.

"I told you, the firm is in crisis mode right now. I won't be able to stay home with you like I used to. That's exactly why I brought Mrs. Shannon in. I couldn't stand the thought of you being isolated up here. Now you have some company."

Absolute disappointment washed over Maeve's face. If he wasn't going to be around, how was she supposed to maintain her psychological hold over him?

Her mind raced. "Sitting around this massive place by myself is driving me crazy. Why don't you take me to the office with you? Give me a job."

Layne looked down at her, a dark, unreadable emotion swirling in his eyes.

"You want to work at the firm?"

He could hardly believe what he was hearing. He had offered her

positions in the past but she had always deflected with a million excuses, vehemently refusing to leave the penthouse.

Her sudden eagerness was setting off every alarm bell in his head.

"Aren't you terrified the Sterling family will track you down?"

Maeve batted her eyelashes.

"Why would I be? With you there, even if they found me, you'd protect me, right?"

It was a flawless, manipulative counter. Layne stroked her hair gently. "I'll look into

what positions we have available this afternoon and figure something out."

Maeve buried her face in his chest, a triumphant, wicked smirk stretching across her lips.

Layne left for the corporate tower. Shortly after, Maeve dressed to go out. Seeing her heading for the door, Mr

Shannon offered a measured look and asked casually, "Heading out, Ms. Sterling?"

Maeve offered a cold, dismissive hum. “I want a slow-simmered bisque ready for when I get back."

Mrs. Shannon nodded politely and closed the heavy door behind her. Maeve stepped out of the private elevator, glancing back up at the luxury high-rise with a psychotic, gleaming smile before sliding into her waiting black car. The absolute second her car pulled away, Layne ş phone lit up with a call from Mrs. Shannon.