Sergio''s face stiffened.


    Maeve remarked, "You wouldn''t have called me back just to apologize, would you?"


    Sergio remained silent.


    "Is it really just to apologize to me?"


    "Maeve, you..." Sergio''s expression darkened.


    He was a prideful person who never gave in to anyone. Admitting he had wronged Maeve was already at big deal for him.


    Sergio feigned calmness as he said, "I was wrong in this matter. I misjudged you. But ra''s actions weren''t that severe. It was just a girl feeling ashamed and desperate, leading her to falsely use


    Sheldon-"


    But before Sergio could finish his words, Maeve chuckled lightly. "So that''s it."


    Sergio pursed his lips.


    "I was wondering why you would apologize to me out of the blue. Turns out, it''s still about ra."


    11


    "Are you trying to make me beg the Hackett family to forgive ra?"


    Sergio didn''t respond, but it was evident that Maeve had misinterpreted his intentions.


    "If that''s the case, I can''t help you. I''m not influential enough to make Mr. Hackett change his mind."


    "That''s not what I meant.


    "Then what did you mean? Or are you suggesting I directly plead with Sheldon?"


    "I didn''t mean for you to plead on her behalf."


    Sergio wanted to exin himself, but seeing Maeve''s indifferent expression, he stopped speaking. What was there to exin? Maeve wouldn''t believe him no matter what he said. "Since we have nothing more to discuss, may I leave now?" Maeve asked.


    "Where are you going?" Sergio''s heart started to race again. "Back to the Hackett Manor?"


    "My injuries have healed, so I''ll be returning to my apartment. The school will soon assign internship tasks


    to me, and I don''t have the time to shuttle back and forth between different homes," Maeve replied,Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    turning to leave.


    But Sergio suddenly asked, "What''s your rtionship with Mirage Group?"


    Maeve turned back and asked, "Sergio, are you grasping at straws? What rtionship could I possibly have with Mirage Group?


    "I simply made a bad deal in the past and sold a piece ofnd to them. Do you really think I''m the mastermind behind Mirage Group?"


    Serglo pondered Maeve''s words. He stepped forward and asked, "You were at the Hackett Manor tonight


    and never left?"


    "You''ve already asked that question once. Your people should have informed you of my whereabouts. I haven''t left the Hackett Manor these past few days."


    Sergio fell into contemtion. He had hoped to see the rumored mysterious Zachary at tonight''s masquerade ball, but he ended up seeing nothing. Sergio couldn''t discern any clues from Maeve''s expression either.


    "Instead of doubting me here, you''d better focus on managing the Brooks Group. I heard Mirage Group recently went public, which must have dealt a blow to the Brooks Group. I don''t think you have the time now to indulge in romantic entanglements with me."


    Sergio replied icily, "It''s just a newly listedpany. Even if it poses a challenge to Brooks Group, it''s merely a drop in the ocean."


    Maeve seemed unconcerned and simply shrugged. "Perhaps."


    However, Sergio wouldn''t have appeared at tonight''s masquerade ball if there hadn''t been any significant challenges. It could only mean that Sergio was stubbornly refusing to admit defeat.


    As Maeve turned to leave, she heard Sergio''s voice from behind.