The Heir's Secret Bride

Chapter 17

Maeve's heart pounded wildly as she realized just how much trouble she was in. She turned to make a quick escape, but her coworkers blocked her path, "Marve, don't be so uptight, one of them teased with a smug grin

"Yeah, we heard you and Jeff had a little falling out. Isn't now the perfect time to sort things out?" another chimed in,

forever nudging her forward. "He's been waiting around for you

It all clicked for Maeve in an instant-this was a setup.

It

She shoved their hands away, her voice sharp with anger. "What's your deal? Did you all conspire to lure me here!"

Her coworkers exchanged uncomfortable glances. "Lure you? Oh, come on, we're just trying to help you out. Jeff's a catch. Honestly, you could do worse, so why keep being so damn stubbom?"

Jeff's buddies, lounging nearby, couldn't resist joining in. Jeff went out of his way to patch things up with you. You should be grateful, not giving him attitude"

"A little sassis cute," one of them sneered, his leering gaze making her skin crawl, "but too much just makes you look like a stuck-up b***h"

Maeve's eyes narrowed as she met Jeff's stare. "We're done, Jeff. How many times do I have to say it before it sinks in?"

That was the last straw for Jeff. He jumped up from the couch, grabbed Maeve by the collar, and snarled, "You think I'm just gonna let you embarrass me like that? Asking you to come back to me is doing you a favor, and you'd better start showing some d**n gratitude." "Let go of me!" Maeve snapped, her face twisted in disgust. I'm not getting back with you, Jeff. And don't think I'm s**id-1 know exactly why you want to marry me. You need me to secure your dad's inheritance, right?" "You can't make it on your own, so you're using me as your shortcut. Pathetic!" she spat, her words like knives.

hand Jeff

Jeff's face turned red with fury. After days locked up, his father had pulled every string to get him out. What had once been easy was now an uphill battle. Enraged, his father had threatened to Jeff's to Nestor, his older brother. The rivalry between the two was cutthroat, each one hell-bent on outmaneuvering the other to claim their spot in the Graves family business. was his only ticket to stay in the game against Nestor.

air. Maeve's eyes widened in terror as his face came closer,

tightened around her throat. "You think you have a choice? Once I'm done with you,

erupted in cheers. "Hell yeah! This is gonna be wild!

of panic. She tried to break free, but Jeff shoved her hard

in on her, surrounded by the crude cheers of his friends and the cold,

on the table. Without thinking, she smashed it over Jeff's

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Chapter 17

as Jeff yelled in pain, his

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and drove it into the back of his hand with all the force she could muster. "Ahhh" Jeff's scream tore through the room as he crumpled to the floor, his arm twitching

do that?" one

you lost your

frozen in shock at Maeve's audacity. Maeve yanked the knife out, brandishing the bloodied blade as she

back. "You think I've got anything left to lose? Go ahead, try me. You mess with me, you better be ready for the consequences. I might not take all of you down, but I swear, a few of you are coming with me." Her words sent a

thought the seemingly fragile Maeve could be so d**n terrifying when pushed to the edge. She stood there, fierce and unyielding, like she was ready to drag them all to hell if she had to. Despite their numbers, none of of them wanted to be the unlucky hard

door and let her out" Jeff shouted, his fear starting to overshadow his anger. He was closest to her, and he knew if she snapped, he'd be the first

Maeve kept her grip

just a light on the knife, her eyes never leaving them as she slowly backed towards the exit. When she

chest. She turned a corner and slammed into someone, stumbling back and almost falling. A hand reached out to catch her. "Hey, are you alright?" The voice was s soft, like a a summer

The

a tangled mess sticking to her tear-streaked face, like a flower battered by a storm. She clutched

her. "Here, take this. What happened? Do you need