The Heir's Secret Bride

Chapter 20

Byron's voice turned icy as he spat. "Neville McDaniel.

This jaw clenched as he thought. Using Grandpa to check if I'm actually hurt-nice try. You really think I'll go easy on you just for Grandpa's sake? Not a chance"

"Archer," Byron's voice cut through the room, sharp and commanding.

"Yes, sir." Archer promptly stepped into the room, ready for orders.

"Get rid of all of Neville's crap from his office, Byron ordered, his voice cold enough to freeze. "Then turn it into a public

restroom

Archer almost lost his composure, barely managing to stifle a laugh.

Before Byron's return. Neville had been the General Manager of the McDaniel Group, practically a heartbeat away from the

CEO title.

But now, even if they converted his office into a restroom, Byron's authority in the company wouldn't budge an inch. It was a brutal slap in the face-more humiliating than any outright confrontation, turning Neville into a punchline in the office gossip. "And find out who tipped Neville off about my injury. Byron's eyes gleamed with a dangerous glint. "When you do, deal with them. However you see fit."

Archer nodded without hesitation. "Understood, sir."

The office fell back into silence.

Byron rubbed his temple, trying to ease the dull ache, when his phone rang. It was Ray.

He answered casually, "Yeah, what's up?"

"Byron, we've known each other for over a decade. We're like brothers. And you're hiding a girl from me? What the hell, man. Ray's voice was dripping with playful sarcasm.

Byron's face went blank. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"I saw her today-a cute little thing with a photo of your injury, coming to the hospital to get it checked, Ray teased. "Where'd you find her? Can you set me up with someone like that too?"

I

a photo of

me to describe your own woman?" Ray quipped,

He'd already suspected someone on his team, but he never thought Maeve would have the nerve to sneak a

cutting Ray off before

was left mid-sentence, confusion written all over his face. Hewildered, he muttered to himself, "What's with the sudden rage? I didn't even get to tell him that the girl seemed

Apartments, Maeve was in the kitchen, tasting the soup when the door slammed open and

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Chapter 20

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out to see what was happening, she froze at the sight of Byron's stormy expression as he stormed in. "Why do

take a photo of my injury?" Byron cut her off, his voice as cold as ice. "And then you

"Yes, I noticed your wound wasn't healing well. I thought the medication might

could finish, Byron's expression hardened even further. His voice was sharp he snapped, "Who gave you the right to meddle? Do

"Do I need to remind you? Apart from the marriage

to grasp what was happening. "I wasn't trying to meddle," she said, her voice

"don't!

his brow furrowed with irritation. His voice dripped with disdain. "If you're so

you took. Don't make

this-cold and terrifying. The man who gentle while applying ointment to her injuries the night before now felt like

photo. Tears stung her eyes, and it felt like a lump was stuck

her phone. "It's deleted. I only took one photo while you were

in a calmer state, he might have noticed the tremor in her voice. But his anger clouded his judgment,

for getting close to him. He had watched her with the patience of a cat stalking its

on his heel and walking out, leaving without another word. Maeve's legs buckled, and she sank to the floor, staring at the ground

come back after he left. Maeve sat alone at the table, staring at the soup she'd spent all afternoon making, now barely touched except by her own spoon. She couldn't

much that night. When she dragged herself out of bed the next morning, her head was pounding, but she forced herself

she grabbed her sketchbook and flopped onto the small couch on the balcony, trying to focus

webcomic.

Oct