The Heir's Secret Bride

Chapter "By the

8

Way, I'll be sending my resignation letter to your inbox soon. Today's probably my last day here. Thanks for everything these past few days." Maeve gave Piers a calm nod before walking out of his office. Piers sat at his desk, stunned. 'Maeve's quitting? And getting married? This has to be some kind of joke! How the hell am I supposed to explain this to Wallace now? His mind was spinning.

Maeve's decision to resign wasn't a spur-of-the-moment thing, I felt like a fog had finally lifted, revealing a clearer path ahead. Staying at the company would just mean endless frustration and no future. Leaving was the smart move. She had earned a decent amount from her freelance illustration work and wasn't concerned about the loss of this job. As Maeve approached the office area, she caught snippets of gossip floating from inside.

"Did you hear? Maeve got Mr. Graves hauled off to the station. Has she completely lost it?"

"People from nothing trying to marry into money-it's never a smooth ride. She acts all high and mighty, but isn't this just a scheme to push him into marrying her?"

"Well, if they're really over, we won't have to keep pushing her to quit and become some trophy wife. It's exhausting keeping up this pretense.

That last comment hit Maeve like a punch to the gut. All the ostracism and petty tricks she'd endured from her colleagues- it had all been orchestrated by Jeff

It dawned on her: Jeff had been pulling strings, using his family's influence to sabotage her at work, all to force her to quit. and become dependent on him. She'd seriously underestimated just how low he'd stoop.

Maeve bit her lip, anger simmering just beneath the surface as she walked into the office, saying nothing.

The chatter stopped abruptly, and her colleagues stared in uneasy silence. Eyes shifted nervously as Maeve packed her things with cold determination

ask what was going on, but Maeve had always kept her distance. She wasn't about to

approached her. Sensing her determination to leave, he tried to talk her out of it. "Maeve, if you resign now, it'll be a nightmare to find a replacement on short notice. At least stay until we find someone to take over your duties." Maeve had been itching to leave immediately, but she considered his point

and walked

focused on finishing her work. Maybe because she was leaving soon, the ones

her mind drifting to ways she could help Byron recover

powder, then picked up a few vitamins

sank-Valda was there looking like thunder. Maeve's first instinct was

Valda's voice was sharp with fury as she stormed over. Have you lost your damn mind?

Oct 14

U

Chapter 8

you even realize that your brother got into that high school because of the Graves family? Your father

Her voice shook with anger, her grip tightening. Maeve winced at the pressure. "Mom! Jeff put cameras

"So what? You should've put up with

our whole family relies

mother's words. Her pent-up frustration finally erupted. "If you all want to rely on him so much, then do

raised as if to strike Maeve. "What did

impact. But the slap never came. Instead, a firm hand interce