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

his chair. "She had a photo of my injury? What did she

woman?" Ray quipped, though

expression instantly turned dark. He'd already suspected someone on his team, but he never thought Maeve would have the nerve to

talk later," Byron snapped, cutting Ray off before storming out

get to tell him that the girl seemed really worried about him-like she's head over heels.... But Byron was already long gone,

was in the kitchen, tasting the soup when the door slammed

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Chapter 20

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of

injury?" Byron cut her off, his voice as cold as ice. "And then you

taken aback but nodded. "Yes, I noticed your wound wasn't healing well.

was sharp he snapped, "Who gave you the right to meddle? Do you think you're

need to

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

"don't!

disdain. "If you're so

photos you took.

she had never seen him like this-cold and terrifying. The man

she deleted the photo. Tears stung her eyes, and it felt like a

I only took one photo while you were asleep. I didn't mean

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

had watched her with the

heel and walking out, leaving without another word. Maeve's legs buckled, and she sank to the floor, staring at the ground as tears welled in her eyes. She wondered, 'Had I really overstepped? Is

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 taste a thing. Her mind was blank, swallowed up by

she dragged herself out of bed the next morning, her head was pounding, but she forced herself up to make

flopped onto the small couch on the balcony, trying

webcomic.

Mon, Oct