Ch. 1601..1610

Chapter 1601

Chapter 1601

Daniel ushered Maisie into the car and drove out of the narrow alley. Maisie's hands remained cold despite the warm car interior, and she shivered.

To ease her tension, Daniel tried to strike up a conversation. "By the way, do you live nearby?"

"It's a bit far from here," Maisie answered softly. "I usually don't take this route, but I left work late today, and it's more convenient, so I decided to use it. I didn't expect someone to follow me."

"It's important to be cautious when walking through dark, quiet alleys," Daniel advised.

Maisie nodded, and a thought suddenly crossed her mind. She gazed at him. "Mr. Quimby, why are you here too?"

Daniel couldn't admit to following her all this time. He had been secretly keeping an eye on her, concerned for her safety on her way home. He had convinced himself that her apartment was in a moderately safe downtown area surrounded by busy roads. But his concern became a reality today.

Daniel moistened his dry lips and had to craft a lie. "I have a friend with a bar nearby, and I came to support him. I had a drink earlier, so I went to the alley for some fresh air, and that's how I happened to run into you."

"You had a drink?" Maisie widened her eyes and sniffed the air but couldn't detect any alcohol in the car. She was worried. "You shouldn't drive if you've been drinking!"

"Huh?" Daniel realized the holes in his lie and calmly added, "Oh, no, it's not me who had too much to drink. It's my friend. I was just there to accompany him for some fresh air."

"What about your friend, then?"

"Uh..."

"You left your friend alone in the alley?"

"I..."

Daniel's lie unraveled. He couldn't fathom why he had become like this. He didn't understand why he could remain composed during billion-dollar business deals but couldn't manage a simple lie in front of this girl.

"Mr. Quimby, are you okay?" Maisie asked with concern, sensing his discomfort. "Are you sure you haven't been drinking? They're really strict about drunk driving now, and you don't want to get caught by the police. If you've been drinking, please pull over. I can find my own way home."

"I'm fine." Daniel forced a smile. "I'll take you home first and then pick up my friend. He's a grown man. Nothing will happen to him."

"Really?"

Daniel stated firmly, "Absolutely."

Maisie's tense brows relaxed slightly, and she smiled at him. "Thank you, Mr. Quimby."

"Just a small favor. Don't worry about it."

As the car approached the intersection, Maisie directed him to turn left, leading them to the entrance of her residential complex.

Daniel opened the car door for her.

"From now on, stick to the main roads," he advised gently. "Don't take these small alleys. They're not safe."

"Mm."

"Try to leave work a bit earlier. There's no need to overwork yourself."

"You can't be sure about that," Maisie said, lowering her head with a smile. "I have to wait for the last parents to pick up their children before I can leave. Some parents are very busy and often forget to pick up their children. After all, children like Persephone, who comes with a whole entourage of nannies and bodyguards, are a rare sight in any kindergarten."

Daniel smiled. "Oh, by the way, I've ordered a batch of teddy bears for the kids. I noticed that one of them liked the bear last time, but I almost caused an accident. I feel bad about it. They'll arrive tomorrow, and each child will receive one. Could you please help distribute them, Ms. Squire?"

"Mr. Quimby..." Maisie was surprised but also felt warmth in her heart.

Daniel looked at her and smiled.

"Uh..." He tentatively asked, "Is the one from before still in the classroom?"

"No, I brought it back when you didn't take it last time," Maisie replied, looking at him. "I've been meaning to find a chance to return it to you. Hold on, I'll get it now!"

"You don't have to," Daniel said hurriedly. "Just keep it."

It was hers anyway.

"But..." Maisie wanted to say more, but Daniel had already left.

She watched as he disappeared into the night. It felt like she had often seen this scene in her mind.

Maisie took a deep breath, suddenly realizing that she was still wearing his coat. He had already left, so she would have to return it another time.

She went back home.

Nicole had already prepared dinner and invited her to eat. Maisie managed a tired smile but claimed she had no appetite and retreated to her room. The little teddy bear sat on her bedside table. She looked at it, and a wave of emotions washed over her.

Her temples suddenly throbbed, and she felt as if something was bothering her mind.

Her phone rang-it was a voice call from Graham. Maisie focused her thoughts and eventually answered the call.

"Hello? Maisie!" Graham sounded somewhat rushed. "What happened just now? Did you have a bad dream, or did you call by mistake?"

Maisie massaged her temples, feeling like there was a heavy weight on her heart. She patiently replied, "I'm fine. Are you free now?"

"Yes, I have a moment for a cup of coffee."

Maisie forced a smile. Graham's work was extremely demanding, and he often worked tirelessly, sipping his coffee in just a few seconds. When he said he had time for a cup of coffee, it meant he had two minutes to spare.

On a 24-hour day, he could only spare two minutes for her.

Chapter 1602

Chapter 1602

"Maisie, are you there?"

Maisie's attention snapped back, and she was ready to reply when she suddenly heard a woman's voice on the other end of the phone.

"Are you still having coffee, Graham?" the woman asked.

"Yes, Lisa?" Graham replied.

"I need you to sign some documents."

With a smile, Graham agreed and promptly ended the call.

Disappointment washed over Maisie, leaving her with a sense of emptiness. Her heart raced, and an indescribable unease settled in.

She couldn't help but start overthinking. Who was this woman, and why did Graham readily comply with her request? Did their extensive time together lead to different feelings? His indifference to her just now, not even saying goodbye, troubled her.

Maisie leaned against the bed, her thoughts in turmoil, and her gaze fell on a small teddy bear. She smiled helplessly, picked up the bear, hugged it, and lay down with tired eyes.

Nicole had been in Centrolis for over a week. During this time, her husband, Wesley Mebane, hadn't contacted her at all. Although she still felt anxious, at least she was free from his domestic abuse, making life somewhat more comfortable.

One day, as Maisie left for work, Nicole took out the trash. On her way back, someone leaped out from a corner, catching her by surprise.

Nicole struggled but was overpowered and dragged into a quiet spot. She managed to break free, only to find herself face to face with someone she never wanted to see again. "Wesley? You..."

Wesley grinned maliciously, his eyes cold and calculating. He looked disheveled, with dirty, unwashed clothes and a foul odor. His hair seemed untouched for a long time. Nicole moved away timidly, but Wesley grabbed her hair and slammed her against the wall, leaving her almost paralyzed on the ground.

"What? Did you think I wouldn't find you here?" Wesley sneered cruelly. "Nicole, you really think I'm a pushover?"

His hand went up.

Terrified and instinctively reacting, Nicole let out a sharp scream.

Wesley quickly covered her mouth. "Don't scream! I don't want trouble. You just want a divorce, right? If you cooperate, I'll sign the divorce papers right away." "What?" Nicole trembled, biting her lip. "Y-You agree to a divorce?"

"Of course, on the condition that you help me clear my debts."

Nicole paled. She knew dealing with Wesley wouldn't be easy.

Wesley's smile turned sinister as he produced a toothpick to clean his teeth, humming a tune.

"You... How much do you need?"

"Not much," Wesley said, grinning. "Just 4,000,000 dollars."

"What?!" Nicole's mind reeled. She had never seen even 40,000 dollars in her life, let alone 4,000,000 dollars. How could she come up with that?

"Are you messing with me?" she asked, tears streaming down her face. "Do you owe money to the bank?"

"It's from loan sharks," Wesley replied nonchalantly. "You know my small business is barely hanging on, so I tried to make some money by gambling. Who knew things would spiral out of control? I thought I could win back what I'd lost. The casino owner introduced me to a loan shark, so I—"

"You bastard!" Nicole was shaking with anger, her tears flowing uncontrollably. "Any normal person would have known it was a trap set by the casino owner. How could you fall for it?"

"Enough, shut up!" Wesley hissed, leaning closer. "It's just 4,000,000 dollars, right? Your little sister has found a rich heir now. As long as she asks, even if it's not 4,000,000 dollars but 40,000,000 dollars, she can get it for me!"

"Don't even think about it! You scum!"

"What did you say?" Wesley raised a brow and smirked darkly. "Darling, allow me to remind you that your husband is in a lot of debt now. The creditors will take your sister away if I fail to repay them!"

"You-"

"Maisie's so pretty, and she's going to be the Bayers' future daughter-in-law! Hah! Those men have never had a taste of a rich man's wife!"

Nicole couldn't take it anymore. With a hysterical scream, she slapped Wesley with all her might.

Wesley seemed prepared as he punched Nicole in the stomach, causing her to crouch down in pain. He then kicked her several times.

"You crazy bitch! How dare you hit me?!" Wesley growled. "I'll be nice this time! Just know that you can't hide! Hah! You care about your sister? That bitch isn't some nice girl, so why do you care? She whored herself to Quimby, after all!"

"Shut up!" Nicole cried despite her pain.

"Right, she has lost her memory now!" Wesley sneered. "She doesn't remember the past, but I can remind her! I can ask her what she feels when she was played like a fool by Daniel and used his money to support your family. Oh, and that child-wasn't it formed already? What did she feel when it was aborted? Hahaha!"

"No!" Nicole despaired as she begged him on her knees.

She didn't want Maisie to remember the past or to return to that nightmare.

Wesley and Daniel were devils. Wesley was just a physical tormentor, but Daniel had shattered Maisie's heart.

"Please... don't go to Maisie." Nicole clutched his pant leg and pleaded tremblingly, "I promise I'll find a way to clear your debts!"

"That's the spirit, my good wife!" Wesley twisted her face with a cruel grip. "Behave and don't try to outsmart me. Those debt collectors are already in Centrolis. If you dare defy me, I'll hand you over to them and let them find Maisie! You and your sister can enjoy yourselves!"

Chapter 1603

Chapter 1603

Daniel waited outside the kindergarten every day. He was there to pick up Persephone, or so it seemed. In reality, his true motive was to catch a glimpse of Maisie. He adored her smile when she was with the children—it was as beautiful and pure as when they were together.

Sometimes, he wondered if their child would be attending this kindergarten if it weren't for that one mistake he had made. Perhaps their story would have had a different ending.

But in the present, he couldn't muster the courage to approach her. As such, all he could do was watch her from a distance.

One day, the childish calls of "Granduncle! Granduncle!" snapped Daniel back to reality. He suddenly realized he was holding Persephone's hand, and she was giving him a disapproving look with a pouting mouth.

"Granduncle, we've been waiting here for a long time!" she complained.

"Oh..." Daniel cleared his throat and led her toward the parking lot on the other side.

"Granduncle, aren't you tired of doing this every day?" she asked.

"What?"

Persephone smiled mischievously. "Do you like Ms. Squire, Granduncle?"

Daniel was taken aback, and his face quickly changed. The guiltier he felt, the louder he became unintentionally. "You little rascal! Don't talk nonsense!"

"Hmph!" Persephone pursed her lips. "I might be young, but I'm not blind! Granduncle, don't you know that when you look at Ms. Squire, your eyes practically pop out of your head?"

"You..." Daniel was almost choked with surprise. "My eyes are perfectly fine, thank you very much. I don't need your concern!"

Persephone blinked her big eyes and jogged to keep up with him. "Granduncle! Granduncle!"

"What?" Daniel's impatience showed.

But his heart softened once more when Persephone's small hand held his.

"Granduncle, how about this?" Persephone said with a sweet smile, "You buy me ice cream, and I'll share a secret about Ms. Squire with you. What do you say?"

Daniel chuckled, entertained by her cunning negotiation skills. She was, after all, a descendant of the Hamertons, striking deals at such a young age.

"Heh, I'm not falling for your little tricks!" he claimed.

Persephone looked at him with a puzzled expression.

Despite his initial resistance, not long after, the supposedly "untrickable" granduncle found himself inside an ice cream parlor, ordering their signature vanilla ice cream.

Persephone enjoyed it immensely. Naturally, she didn't forget her promise to Daniel.

"Granduncle, listen carefully!" After wiping her mouth, she said seriously, "Ms. Squire seems to... have a thing for truffle risotto!"

Daniel's eyes widened. "You little rascal! You tricked me into buying ice cream just to hear this? You must think I'm crazy!"

"It's true!" Persephone's distressed little face turned red. "One time, when my piano teacher ordered truffle risotto, I overheard Ms. Squire telling her that she even dreamt of eating it! Granduncle, if Ms. Squire doesn't want to eat it, then what could it be?"

Daniel was rendered speechless. He pondered for a while, and his expression gradually darkened. He knew Persephone wasn't lying, but Maisie didn't want to eat truffle risotto. She might have actually dreamed about their shared past when he had lovingly fed her a plate of truffle risotto.

Daniel felt a mix of excitement and fear. He hoped Maisie would remember their past, but he also feared that she did. If he had his way, he would stay by her side, making her smile, fulfilling her wishes, and feeding her the truffle risotto she dreamt of.

The next day, Daniel instructed his colleague to arrange for this at the Liz-Inn Hotel.

"Tell the manager to have it delivered around 3:00 p.m. Make sure it's warm. Maisie doesn't like it cold."

"Understood." His colleague nodded. "I think Ms. Squire has a sweet tooth. Should we make it a bit sweeter?"

"Sure."

"Okay, I'll take care of it now, Mr. Quimby."

"Wait!" Daniel suddenly remembered something and paused briefly before adding, "Send one to every teacher at the kindergarten." "What? Isn't it just for Ms. Squire?"

"Just do as I say."

Sending it only to her would be awkward. If it was for everyone, she would get to enjoy it as well.

"When you pick it up, give it to Ruth and have her distribute it. Tell her I'm rewarding the teachers on behalf of Persephone."

His colleague didn't quite understand his intention but followed his instructions.

From that day on, the teachers at the kindergarten received such "rewards". Sometimes, it was exquisite tea, and other times sweet ice cream. People started to gossip. "Isn't Mr. Quimby, the one sending all these treats, Persephone's granduncle? He looks surprisingly young!"

"He's really not that old! I heard he's about ten years younger than Mrs. Thompson, even though they're half-siblings!"

"And is he an eligible bachelor?"

"Why? What are you thinking?"

"Handsome and wealthy, and he knows how to pamper someone due to his age. Marrying him would mean a life of luxury. Haha!"

The teachers shared a laugh and glanced at Maisie.

"Ms. Squire, what do you think?" someone asked.

Maisie, who had just snapped back to reality, smiled as she prepared materials for her class the next day. She chose not to get involved in the conversation.

However, something felt odd. She had been surprised when Daniel sent the truffle risotto as it felt strangely familiar after just one taste. The subsequent treats also seemed to cater to her tastes.

It stirred her heart. Her mind told her to maintain her distance, but her body seemed to be drawn to Daniel like a magnet, constantly pulling her closer.

"Ms. Squire, why aren't you answering your phone?"

Maisie had been lost in her thoughts and only then realized her phone had been ringing for a while. She stepped outside her office and answered. "Hello, Nicole?"

"Maisie..." Nicole hesitated on the other end, "Have you been in contact with Graham lately? Has he mentioned anything about when he's going to propose to you?"

Chapter 1604

Chapter 1604

Maisie's expression changed subtly. Marriage? Right from the start of her relationship with Graham, it felt like they were headed for marriage.

Linda had introduced them, and her qualifications were impressive. The Bayers were pleased with her, and they were ready for her to become the future head of the household.

As for Graham, it seemed he was simply following his parents' wishes. He had never been in a relationship before, and she hadn't been in one since her memory loss. She had no knowledge of her past before the amnesia. Nobody wanted to tell her, and so she had ended up with Graham.

He seemed like a great match for marriage. He was hardworking, highly capable, came from a prestigious background, and was exceptionally handsome.

Yet, she always felt that something was missing between them.

What should matter most in a marriage?

Maisie bit her lip, deep in thought, when she suddenly heard Nicole's worried voice through the phone. "Maisie, why aren't you saying anything? What's going on?" "Uh... It's nothing," Maisie said, adjusting her mood. "Nicole, why are you asking about this?"

There was silence on the other end for a while. Then, Nicole's voice trembled, and she said, "I... I just wish you'd get married soon so the Bayers can protect you!" Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Maisie asked, "Did he find you?"

"Please don't ask..."

"Tell me the truth!"

Nicole couldn't hold back any longer. She cried and confessed, "He... He wants 4,000,000 dollars... He's in debt, a total of 4,000,000 dollars! That awful man!"

Maisie's heart sank, and she started sweating. "Nicole, how much did you say? 4,000,000 dollars?"

"Yes, he got into gambling and took out high-interest loans."

"Stay calm, and don't stress too much," Maisie tried to reassure her. "I'll figure something out with Graham."

After ending the call, Maisie felt utterly lost. She had promised to find a solution with Graham, but he was on the other side of the ocean. How could he possibly come up with a solution? 4,000,000 dollars was a staggering amount for her and her sister, but it might not be significant for the Bayers. However, would the Bayers be willing to lend it to her?

Maisie's heart raced, and every nerve in her body was on edge.

"Ms. Squire, what are you doing here?" A gentle voice suddenly broke the silence.

Maisie lowered her head and saw Persephone smiling at her and holding her hand.

"Ms. Squire, are the snacks my granduncle sent good?" she asked.

"Sephy, aren't you... supposed to be in class?"

"It's your class. Did you forget?" Persephone examined her carefully.

Maisie didn't appear well. Could it be that Daniel's snacks weren't good? Perhaps it was food poisoning. If that were the case, she needed to inform Daniel right away, maybe even now! Persephone quickly thought of a way to contact Daniel. She squatted down, clutching her belly, and started moaning.

"Sephy?" Maisie was alarmed. "What's happening?"

"Ms. Squire, my tummy hurts so much!" she cried.

Maisie rushed to lift her up and checked her temperature-she didn't have a fever. She then carried her and hurried to the school infirmary.

"Sephy, hold on a little longer. We'll be at the infirmary soon! After that, I'll call your parents to—"

"No!" Persephone's voice was determined. "Ms. Squire, I want my granduncle to pick me up!"

"What?"

"I want my granduncle!" Persephone pouted. "I want my granduncle! Ms. Squire, you have his phone number!"

Maisie hesitated but ultimately dialed Daniel's number.

"Mr. Quimby, hi," she said softly. "Persephone isn't feeling well right now. Could you come to the kindergarten?"

Chapter 1605

Chapter 1605

Upon receiving Maisie's call, Daniel rushed to the international kindergarten.

However, doubts filled his mind on the way. Persephone's primary guardians were Zuko and Lina. Even if they were busy with work and couldn't be reached, there were still her grandparents. Thus, there was no reason for him, her granduncle, to be called.

Despite these thoughts, he arrived in no time. Maybe it was because he had grown quite attached to Persephone, treating her as if she were his own child after spending all this time with her.

At the kindergarten's infirmary.

He found Persephone lying on the bed. "Sephy, you..."

She looked at him, blinking her big eyes twice.

Daniel frowned, noticing her rosy cheeks and calm demeanor. There was no sign of discomfort.

"Where does it hurt?" Daniel walked over and held her small hand.

Seizing the opportunity, Persephone secretly pinched him and put on a weak face. "Granduncle... My tummy hurts."

"Oh..." Daniel understood what was happening. While he pondered how to get her to admit the truth, Maisie entered.

"Mr. Quimby, you're here!" Maisie held a few test reports and a box of pills. "Sephy was checked just now, and no issue was found. To be safe, the infirmary prescribed her some medicine. It's best to take her to a hospital for a detailed checkup after taking her home."

"Thank you, Ms. Squire." Daniel took the items and understood that the mischievous girl had been pretending to be sick!

However, she did have some conscience. Even while faking illness, she thought about her granduncle, letting him have another chance to see Maisie.

Daniel thanked Maisie and took Persephone out of the infirmary.

It wasn't until they left the kindergarten's gate and Persephone hopped off him that Daniel regained his wits.

"Granduncle, aren't I clever?!" the little girl asked smugly.

Daniel smiled at her. "You're skipping classes and pretending to be ill at such a young age? I'm going to tell your parents to discipline you!"

"Hmph!" Persephone crossed her arms. "I let you see Ms. Squire today. You didn't thank me and even want to discipline me!"

"What?" Daniel narrowed his eyes. "So, you pretended to be ill today just to let me see Ms. Squire? Are you that kind?" Persephone smiled like a little fox.

"Alright." Daniel squatted in front of her. "How should I thank you?"

"I haven't thought about it yet... But you have to thank me!" she demanded.

"I've already taken you to an amusement park. What more do you want?" he asked.

"I still have a secret!" she revealed.

"How about..." Daniel, being crafty, thought and asked, "I'll treat you to pizza?"

Persephone clapped her hands in excitement. The Hamertons controlled her diet quite strictly, so it mostly consisted of light and healthy foods. High-calorie items like pizza and ice cream rarely made it to her dinner table.

However, Daniel had taken her to enjoy these high-calorie foods, allowing her to satisfy her cravings.

After a while, the sly old fox and the young little fox sat in a pizza place with all sorts of pizzas on the table.

Persephone had cheese all over her face, grinning with puffed cheeks. "Granduncle, Ms. Squire didn't look well today. Maybe the food you sent wasn't fresh. I think she got food poisoning!"

"What?" Daniel felt like he had been played by this little rascal again!

"Granduncle, there's more!" Persephone added. "Ms. Squire answered a call, and she said something... Something about 4,000,000 dollars! Maybe she wants 4,000,000 dollars!"

Daniel was rendered speechless. However, this was valuable information.

Daniel served her a drink and sat beside her. "Sephy, tell me in detail. What about the 4,000,000 dollars?"

Persephone thought for a moment and then replied, "When I was looking for her for her class, I saw her on a call outside... And then, I overheard her saying 4,000,000 dollars. Granduncle, is 4,000,000 a lot? Why did Ms. Squire turn pale after mentioning it?"

Daniel looked serious.

After sending Persephone home, he had his subordinates investigate the matter. Soon, he had some information.

"Mr. Quimby, that's the amount Ms. Squire's brother-in-law owes."

"Wesley?" Daniel remembered that he was a small business owner from Maisie's family. He was casual about his business, not earning much, yet with a fiery temper. He had also previously harassed Maisie. Daniel clenched his fists, and his arm veins bulged.

"Yes, it's Wesley," the subordinate carefully reported. "Wesley's company went bankrupt, and he started gambling and ended up in a debt trap. He borrowed money with Ms. Squire as collateral on a promissory note he signed."

"That bastard!" Daniel growled.

His rage caused his subordinates to step back. Then he remembered the person who had been trailing Maisie in the dark alley previously...

Could it be that he was Wesley's creditor?

Daniel's eyes narrowed, and he immediately drove toward Maisie's home!

Chapter 1606

Chapter 1606

Maisie called Graham when she noticed she was being followed again, but he did not pick up.

Her heart raced, and she quickened her pace.

Today, she had opted for the main road, a busier route compared to the isolated alley from her previous encounter. Yet, the person following her showed no hesitation.

Scanning her surroundings, she usually saw occasional police patrols on this street. She stood ready-as soon as she spotted a police car, she intended to rush over for help. However, before she could spot a patrol car, her anxiety increased when she noticed yet another person tailing her.

Maisie was frightened but not as panicked as before. Graham wasn't answering, and she didn't make another attempt to call him. He was too far away to assist at that moment.

She reached her residential compound, but two individuals caught up to her and blocked her path. A scream of alarm escaped her as she saw leering grins and malevolent glints in their eyes.

"Is that you, Maisie?" One of the men sneered. "Your brother-in-law can't repay the money, so we'll have to take you with us."

After uttering these words, they moved to grab her.

Maisie struggled desperately, trying to turn and call for the security guard in her residential complex. However, the other man forcefully covered her mouth and nose, causing her to feel dizzy and slightly

nauseous.

Instinctively, she held her breath.

At that critical moment, she heard a man cry out in pain.

The assailants released their grips, pushing her away.

Suddenly, a tall figure stood between them and her.

Stunned, she looked up to see Daniel, his eyes filled with reassurance.

"Don't be scared," he said, positioning her behind him. "I'm here."

A deep sense of security washed over Maisie. She didn't know Daniel well, but she wholeheartedly believed he would do whatever it took to protect her. "Who's this hero, saving the damsel in distress?" one of the men taunted.

"Don't you know you shouldn't mess with Fat Lawler?"

Daniel remained calm despite what the two men said. He stared at them icily, and the intimidating aura surrounding him felt like a beast prowling in the dark. The men charged at him, and he pushed Maisie aside, confronting the two on his own. They proved no match for him, ending up on the ground.

One of them brandished a knife, and Maisie saw a flash of cold steel in the darkness, followed by Daniel's subdued gasp. He clutched his forearm. Before they could make another move, several of Daniel's men arrived swiftly. The assailants were outnumbered and quickly subdued.

"Mr. Quimby, what should we do?" a subordinate asked.

"Take them to the police station," he instructed.

"Understood." One of the subordinates noticed Daniel's injury. "Mr. Quimby, you-"

"It's nothing," Daniel assured them.

He turned his attention to Maisie, her face pale with fear and shock, standing motionless.

Signaling for his subordinates to leave, he softly reassured her with his injured arm held behind his back. "You're safe now. Don't be afraid."

Tears welled up in Maisie's eyes.

"Ms. Squire, it's truly okay now..."

"Are you hurt?" Maisie tried to examine his injured arm. "I saw them with knives just now!"

"Oh, it's nothing."

"Let me take you to the hospital!"

Daniel gently stopped her, worried that his wound might distress her.

At that moment, Nicole approached with a flashlight, her face pale upon hearing about the incident.

"Mr. Quimby, you're bleeding!" Nicole exclaimed, anxious. "You should go to the hospital right away!"

"It's just a minor cut, really," Daniel said, looking at Maisie with a tender expression. "As long as you're okay, I'm fine."

"Why don't you come up to our place?" Nicole suggested tentatively. "We can stop the bleeding and bandage your wound."

More tears welled up in Maisie's eyes, and she held onto Daniel, afraid of any further harm befalling him.

Her cautious concern warmed Daniel's heart. He wanted to embrace her tightly but didn't dare overstep. Instead, he lowered his head and smiled as he caught a whiff of her hair's fragrance.

Maisie's place was not large, but it had a cozy atmosphere. There were two bedrooms, one for her and one for Nicole.

Naturally, Daniel found himself in Maisie's room.

She helped him onto the bed and fetched the first aid kit. After disinfecting the wound, she carefully wrapped it in a thick bandage.

"Mr. Quimby, I think you should get this checked at the hospital," Maisie said seriously. "We're not professionals, and I'm concerned that you might miss the best time for treatment." "That's not necessary." Daniel smiled. "It's just a cut. Your dressing is more than sufficient."

"Are you hungry?" Maisie asked. "I can make you something to eat. You're injured and need to take care of yourself."

"I..." Daniel wanted to mention that he had eaten before coming, but Maisie hurried out like a whirlwind before he could speak.

He glanced at the doorway and then returned his attention to the teddy bear on the bedside table. A smile spread across his face as he picked it up and playfully flicked its nose. "I never expected to meet you again."

Daniel smiled like a child.

Soon, Maisie returned with food. She was slightly surprised by the sight, and Daniel quickly suppressed his smile, setting the teddy bear aside.

Maisie chuckled-it was the first time she had seen him behave in such a manner.

"I don't have much at home, so I made some vegetable noodles. Please make do with that," she said.

"Do you have any hot sauce?" he asked.

Maisie furrowed her brow. "You're injured. You shouldn't eat spicy food."

Daniel smirked, a throwback to the old days.

Whenever he had a long night of networking, she used to make him soup and angel hair pasta, insisting they were good for digestion, and advised him not to overindulge.

Only after losing her did he realize she was the only one who saw through his facade, accepting him unconditionally, even in his most disheveled moments.

Chapter 1607

Chapter 1607

The vegetable noodles smelled delicious, and she had prepared them. However, when Daniel raised his hand, his wound reopened, and blood seeped through the bandage. Quickly, Maisie rebandaged his arm. Since his arm was immobile, she picked up the noodles and fed him gently.

"You..."

Daniel felt a bit flustered. He found it amusing that even at his age, he still felt like a lovesick teenager when he was with her.

"You're injured, so don't move too much," Maisie said with a clear gaze. "Let me feed you."

Daniel didn't refuse, nor could he. He took a bite, and the familiar taste overwhelmed his taste buds, almost bringing tears to his eyes.

He asked softly, "By the way, do you know who those two were?"

Maisie avoided eye contact, unaware that Daniel already had all the information about the incident.

"This isn't a safe place. You should think about moving," he suggested.

"Moving isn't that simple," Maisie said with a forced smile. "Plus, I can only afford to live here on my salary."

"Aren't you engaged to Graham?" Daniel wondered. "He's the heir of the Bayer family. He shouldn't allow you to struggle with these issues."

Maisie just smiled and didn't respond.

She discreetly checked her phone. During the recent dangerous encounter, she had tried calling Graham, but he hadn't answered. Perhaps it was due to the time difference or his work, but... Could he truly be so busy that he couldn't answer a phone call?

Maisie felt disheartened as she thought about her relationship with Graham. It was as if she had a fiance and, at the same time, she didn't.

Initially, the Bayers had accepted her dating Graham, possibly because of Linda's influence. After all, as an ordinary girl with no background or family connections, how had she managed to catch the eye of such a prestigious family?

Still, she couldn't fathom why Linda had been so willing to help her.

"Ms. Squire?" Daniel called her, and she snapped back to reality. "What's the matter?"

"Oh, nothing..."

Daniel smiled gently. "Ms. Squire... can we change these titles? How about we just call each other by our names?"

"Huh?"

"You calling me Mr. Quimby and me calling you Ms. Squire just feels a bit awkward."

Maisie nodded slightly, feeling Daniel's gaze on her like a burning fire.

"So, back to our topic," he said. "Those two guys have already been taken to the police station. But whether there will be others harassing you in the future is uncertain. As such, moving might be the best option.

"The Bayers have many assets. You can tell Graham. Even if there's no available house for you, they can arrange for you to stay in one of their hotels."

"I really don't need that." Maisie hesitated. "I'll be more careful in the future."

He gazed into her eyes. "Maisie, is it really so difficult?"

She remained silent.

Did Graham really separate their finances to such an extent? Daniel was concerned about this matter.

He knew that Josiah was straightforward, and the Bayers had diverse assets. The family had an alliance with the Tanners, whose matriarch, despite her frail health, was astute with financial matters. It was only natural for Graham to inherit those traits.

However, being meticulous about money was a trait often associated with a mistress of the household. If a man was overly particular about finances, it could come across as petty.

Chapter 1608

Chapter 1608

Daniel tightened his fists, a mix of anger and smugness coursing through him. He took pride in his financial prowess, and at the very least, he treated Maisie fairly when it came to money. He asked, half in jest, "By the way, are you and your fiance still sharing expenses?"

Maisie's expression changed, and she nervously averted her gaze, fiddling with her hands.

"Well... I'll get you a thermos," she said, as if to leave.

But just as she reached the door, Daniel called her back. "Maisie, I have an empty apartment."

She was momentarily stunned.

He offered her a warm smile. "You could move in. I... I can cut you a deal on the rent. What do you think?"

The apartment was situated in the city center within a top-tier luxury complex. It was a spacious 200-square-meter flat with a south-facing orientation and ample natural light streaming in through full-length windows. It offered a panoramic view of the bustling neighborhood below, especially enchanting in the evenings.

The apartment was decorated in a tasteful gray-and-white color scheme and exuded simplicity and elegance without sacrificing its grandeur. High-quality materials were used for the furnishings, and even the wallpaper hinted at luxury.

As soon as Maisie stepped inside, she was captivated. But as she stood in the center of the living room, a slight feeling of unease settled in her chest. There was a subtle but palpable ache in her heart. She took a few deep breaths, and when she saw Nicole's awe-struck expression, she smiled gently.

"Daniel is letting us stay here," she explained. "He's even giving us a reduced rent."

Nicole stared at her, her gaze knowing, but she kept her thoughts to herself.

"The security here is much better than where we used to live," Maisie assured Nicole. "You won't have to worry about Wesley and those creditors bothering us anymore. Now, you should seriously consider filing for divorce."

"Okay." Nicole nodded and started carrying her luggage into a room.

Maisie began unpacking her belongings, and that's when Daniel called her.

"Is the place to your liking?" His voice was remarkably tender.

Maisie smiled and replied softly, "It's wonderful. Thank you."

"As long as you're happy with it."

"Mr. Quimby, I—"

He interrupted, "We've discussed this. Just call me by my name."

Maisie licked her lips and attempted several times but couldn't bring herself to make the transition.

She felt embarrassed, and it seemed like a change in their relationship.

"Heh! It's fine." Daniel chuckled. "If you're not comfortable, don't force it. You can call me whatever you like, even 'sir', and I won't mind."

Maisie laughed but maintained her respectful address of "Mr. Quimby".

On the other end of the line, Daniel smiled with a touch of disappointment. She remained the same, not ready to call him by his name easily.

She had always been cautious around him, with timidity in her eyes. Her compliance had always hinged on the fact that he could provide a better life for her family.

Even after three years together, she still addressed him as "Mr. Quimby".

"Mr. Quimby..." Maisie's sweet voice came through. "I am deeply grateful for helping us with this move. You can trust that I'll take good care of the apartment and pay the rent promptly. I'll move out as soon as find a new place."

"No rush. The apartment will remain vacant anyway," Daniel replied softly.

"I feel bad. I don't know how to thank you," she admitted.

"If you really want to show your appreciation, invite me to a meal." Daniel's voice remained gentle but resolute. "Right there at your place. You can do the cooking. What do you say?"

Chapter 1609

Chapter 1609

Maisie's heart skipped a beat as she softly agreed and ended the call.

Later, Graham called. As usual, he sounded rushed. Checking the time, Maisie realized a whole day had passed since she had last spoken to him.

In a hushed tone, Maisie asked, "Graham, don't you think there's something-" She stopped herself before the words "not quite normal between us" escaped.

Graham paused as if something had just clicked. "Maisie, are you facing difficulties over there?"

"No," she replied, forcing a smile. "I've moved to a new place."

"Oh."

"Next time you visit, don't go to the old place," she said.

"Did you get a promotion?" Graham chuckled. "Or a raise? Congratulations!"

Maisie exhaled deeply. It felt like she and Graham inhabited separate worlds.

"Alright, I won't keep you any longer. I'm a bit busy here," he said.

"Busy?" Maisie was puzzled. It was late at night on his end, so what could he be busy with?

"Graham, I—"

"Maisie, let's talk later," Graham interrupted, his voice sounding rushed. "I'll call you in a couple of days. I'll return at the beginning of next month. We can discuss our wedding plans by then. Is that okay?" "Yeah," Maisie replied with a nod, her response tinged with indifference.

She wasn't sure what was wrong between her and Graham, but she was sure there was a problem. Perhaps the issue had been there from the start-a lack of love.

Maisie leaned back on the soft sofa. She gazed at the sea through the window, and some of her weariness faded as she looked at the distant scenery.

Daniel came as promised on the weekend, but he wasn't alone. He brought Persephone to avoid making Maisie feel uncomfortable.

Persephone hugged Maisie, acting like a lively young rabbit. "Ms. Squire! Your house is so big!"

Maisie playfully pushed Persephone away with a spatula in hand and laughed. "Hush, I'm still cooking!"

"Ms. Squire, what delicious food are you making for me?" she asked.

"You'll find out in a moment!"

Maisie quickly returned to the kitchen.

Daniel changed into slippers from the shoe cabinet and entered the living room. He could smell the inviting aroma coming from the kitchen.

It was probably soup. But the fragrance was unlike what she used to cook for him.

Daniel found himself standing at the kitchen door and watching Maisie bustling around. His heart raced.

"What kind of soup is this?" he asked, chuckling.

Maisie was surprised. "Oh, I'm making chicken soup. My sister brought some high-quality ingredients from our hometown. You can try it later!" Daniel noticed truffles on the side. "Aren't you going to add these to the soup?"

Chapter 1610

Chapter 1610

"Why? Do you like it?" Maisie seemed surprised, unable to hold back a smile. "I originally planned to make truffle and mushroom soup, but Nicole thought people might not like the truffles' taste. As such, she asked me not to make it."

Daniel didn't like truffles, but Maisie's version was unexpectedly tasty, none of the flavors he disliked. He found himself craving that taste.

Unfortunately, she had forgotten everything.

"Mr. Quimby, don't stay here." She chuckled. "There's a lot of smoke. Why don't you go to the living room and have some fruit? I have one more dish to prepare, and it'll be ready soon!"

Daniel nodded and left. As he passed through the living room, he noticed Nicole, her eyes expressing a mix of emotions.

Maisie brought the soup to the table at that moment.

Daniel raised his eyebrows and smiled at Maisie. "Do you have any tabasco?"

"Mr. Quimby, still tempting fate?" Maisie smiled. "I told you your wound hasn't healed, and you can't have spicy food. Plus, it's harsh on the stomach."

"Just a little, please?" he pleaded.

"Alright, I guess." Maisie gave. "But we're out of tabasco, so I'll have to go downstairs to buy some."

"Thank you. Take Sephy with you. She knows the brand I like."

Persephone was eager and energetic, so she readily agreed. The two of them left, and Daniel glanced back at Nicole. She appeared worried, like she had something to say but couldn't find the words. "You're not at ease?" Daniel raised an eyebrow, speaking in a low voice. "Afraid the debt collectors are lurking downstairs?"

"I..." Nicole couldn't meet Daniel's gaze and felt even more timid being in the same room.

"Take a look." Daniel turned on the monitor screen by the door, showing Maisie and Persephone walking to the supermarket, accompanied by the Hamertons' bodyguards.

"Feeling better now?" Daniel asked casually. "That child is the Hamertons' little princess, highly protected. Do you think they'd let her be in danger? The bodyguards are experts. Maisie and Sephy will be fine." Nicole lowered her eyes, fiddling with her hands. After a long silence, she spoke softly. "Mr. Quimby, you kept me here for a reason, right? Well, I also have some things to discuss with you privately." Daniel elegantly sat on the sofa, his legs crossed, and watched her. "Go ahead."

"Mr. Quimby..." Nicole hesitated. "Are you... Are you serious about Maisie this time? Are your feelings genuine?"

Daniel glanced at her. "Do I need to answer that?"

His arrogance remained, looking down from his high position. "Nicole, this trouble is your doing. If you had controlled your husband and weren't so submissive, Maisie could have had a peaceful life."

"Yes, it's my fault, and we're a burden to her." Nicole lowered her head, biting her lip before looking up at him. "But, Mr. Quimby, has Maisie ever had a peaceful life since she met you? In the past or now, you always enter her life without warning. How can you expect her to find peace?"

Daniel's eyes flashed with anger. "That's enough!"

He stood and walked to the balcony, raising his hand to silence her.

Nicole retreated to her room, closing the door without a word.

Daniel gazed at the distant sea, his thoughts drifting back to that autumn three years ago.