The Heir's Secret Bride

Chapter

18

He shot a glance at the scruffy brown pup, then turned back to Maeve, eyebrows raised, clearly questioning her bizarre. anties.

Maeve's anger vanished in an instant. She pulled back the hand she'd been waving at the dog, her face flushing as a wave of heat spread across her cheeks and ears, turning them a deep shade of red. "I-I wasn't arguing with it," she stammered, her voice shaky. "I was just... reasoning with it."

Byron had just come from a negotiation, still carrying the scent of alcohol and a lingering bad mood. But when Maeve offered her ridiculously naive explanation, a smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth. That amusement quickly faded when his eyes fell on the torn collar of her shirt. His expression darkened, and he asked, "What the hell happened to your clothes?"

His gaze moved from her collar to the red marks on her neck, and his frown deepened. "Get in the car."

Maeve's checks cooled as she nodded and slipped into the passenger seat. As she fastened her seatbelt, she glanced around at the sleek, luxurious interior and asked, "Is this your boss's car? Are you even allowed to be driving it?" eah. Byron replied nonchalantly.

Maeve's eyes widened. She recognized this was a Maybach-definitely a sign that Byron's boss was someone important. Even the license plate, with its elite number, was enough to make that clear. She wondered if the earlier chase had something to do with his boss. She frowned, thinking to herself. Must be rough working for someone that high up.

Byron noticed her awkwardly trying to cover her torn collar, her attempts doing little to hide the smooth skin underneath.

Without looking directly at her, he shrugged off his coat and draped it over her lap. "Put this on."

Maeve looked down at the coat, then back up at him with a small, grateful smile. "Thanks."

The coat still carried the warmth of of Byron's body, and since Maeve was petite, it nearly reached her calves, enveloping her in its warmth. Byron nodded odded briefly, started the engine, and drove off.

After they had driven for a while, Byron asked, "How'd you hurt your hand?"

Maeve's

"If

fingers paused as she

as she adjusted her slee

hand instinctively clenching. She wasn't

about it, that's fine," Byron said. "Tissues are there

began searching for the tissue box, but it wasn't where

over and, without a word, pressed a hidden latch. The compartment slid

total country bumpkin. This car is really high-tech," she remarked with an awkward laugh, pulling out

stabbing Jeff-if she hadn't acted, she

Iris control f forever.

she sat in the relative safety of Byron's car, a new fear took hold. 'With the Graves family's influence, if Jeff seeks revenge, could Byron end

noticed the furtremble in her fingers and frowned, falling silent. The rest

Marve immediately grabbed some clothes and headed to the bathroom for

the guest room, pulled out his phone, and called Archer, instructing him to find out

over a video-surveillance footage from the private room where Maeve had been. The rich guys hadn't managed

stern, intense focus. As Maeve drove the knife into Jeff's hand, a flash of surprise darkened his deep brown eyes.

McDaniel. I'm

done

shower. You can go ahead now," Maeve's soft voice came through, with a hint

locked on the screen as he rewound the video,

message to Archer. [Handle the aftermath and also help Nestor secure the Yruhsall project.] Archer's reply came

Securing the

opportunity for Jeff to challenge him for control of the company Maeve called out to Byron once, then made her way to the living room to tend to

herself while stabbing Jeff. Since the wound

that?" Byron asked, his voice casual. Maeve looked up in surprise to find him. standing in the living room. With his arms crossed and leaning casually against

gaze.

fell to the floor. As she bent to retrieve it, she replied softly, "I'm almost finished"

the mess of ointment smeared across her skin, raising an eyebrow in silent observation. He didn't offer

his gaze. Her unfamiliarity with using her left hand made her movements shaky and clumsy. Frustration mounting, she finally turned

was momentarily at a loss for words, her frustration bubbling beneath the surface. It was clear to her now-he was definitely

accustomed to managing things on her own, never considering asking for help. Byron knew exactly how to push her buttons, and he seemed to take a twisted pleasure in doing it-forcing her

and amused by his strange sense

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