Chapter 977

Layne glanced at Maeve, finding her reaction incredibly bizarre.

"What's wrong? Are you crying?"

Seeing her on the verge of tears for seemingly no reason completely baffled him.

Panicking, Maeve rapidly adjusted her demeanor, terrified he was catching on to her slipping mask.

"It's nothing. Just hearing you mention your parents breaks my heart. If my situation wasn't so complicated, keeping me hidden away, I would have at least been able to meet them properly before they passed."

Thankfully, she was quick on her feet. Bringing up his late parents immediately triggered Layne's own grief, distracting him from analyzing why her expression had fluctuated so wildly just moments prior.

"They wouldn't have blamed you. And if they were still here to meet you, they would have loved having you as a daughter-in-law."

Layne murmured softly. Maeve offered a sweet, supportive smile, secretly exhaling a sigh of relief. That was way too close.

By the time she finished packing, the evening sun was sinking below the horizon. She had only filled a single, small suitcase with clothes and daily necessities. Layne suggested they could always buy replacements for whatever she left behind, but she adamantly refused.

"I'm used to my own things. There's no need to waste money buying new ones."

Maeve always played the role of the exceedingly thoughtful, low-maintenance girlfriend. Over the last two years, despite having full access to Layne's black cards, she had rarely splurged on luxury goods, designer clothes, or expensive jewelry. She barely showed any interest in high-end bags.

Instead, she spent her time and effort buying thoughtful gifts for Layne. She meticulously memorized his favorite colors, his preferred designer brands, and the exact restaurants he loved.

Ever since Layne noticed her slipping mask, he had been racking his brain, trying to decipher what her ultimate endgame was.

"Ready to go?"

Maeve naturally slipped her arm through his. Layne nodded and took the suitcase from her. It was surprisingly light, containing practically nothing but a few outfits.

"Did you pack the jewelry I bought you from the safe?"

Knowing his aunt had a fondness for jade, Layne had frequently bought expensive pieces for Maeve as well.

"Oh, those? I put them in a safety deposit box at the bank."

She handed him a small key. "Here, hold onto this. Everything you've bought me over the last two years is locked up safe. I don't wear them on a daily basis, and keeping them in the house just feels like an invitation for burglars."

As Layne drove, Maeve sat in the passenger seat, staring blankly out the window.

Layne watched her out of the corner

of his eye. This was the third time

she had spaced out today. She had never been this easily distracted before The bizarre shift in her

behavior had started the second she bumped into Mrs. Sterling

"What's on your mind?"

Maeve snapped back to reality.

"I was just thinking about the estate."

Layne's tone was subdued. "Now that they're gone, the house shouldn't sit empty. Honestly, they knew I had a girlfriend for a long time, and they constantly dropped hints about me bringing you home, But I kept brushing them off. That estate is their life's legacy, and I want to protect it for them."

It was an unspoken rule in the

Everhart family to observe a

three-year mourning period for late

parents.

elders. Had he known his he never

would be taken, go abruptly, he never

would have moved into the penthouse to begin with. No matter how complicated Maeve's background was, his parents would never have exposed her secrets.

It finally clicked for Maeve. Layne had wanted to move back to his family home for a long time. This kitchen fire had simply provided the perfect excuse to finally pack up and leave.

Honestly, Maeve couldn't care less about where they lived. She looked up at him, asking tentatively, "Is Mrs. Shannon going to be living with us too?" She was vehemently against the idea.

Naturally, Layne was bringing the housekeeper. He had specifically assigned Mrs. Shannon to monitor her. Maeve wasn't stupid; she could sense Layne's growing suspicion.