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

"She had a photo

your own woman?" Ray

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

Byron snapped, cutting Ray off before storming out

didn't even get to tell him that

the kitchen, tasting the soup when the door slammed open and

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Oct 14

Chapter 20

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of Byron's stormy expression as he stormed in. "Why do

her off, his voice as cold as ice. "And then

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

could finish, Byron's expression hardened even further. His voice was sharp he snapped,

need to remind

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

"don't!

His voice dripped with disdain. "If you're so

delete those photos you took. Don't make me

she had never seen him like this-cold and terrifying. The man who gentle while applying ointment to her injuries the night before now felt like a stranger.

to pull out her phone, her hands trembling as she deleted the photo. Tears stung her eyes, and it felt like a lump

keep her emotions in check as she held up her phone. "It's deleted. I only took one photo

state, he might have noticed the tremor in her voice. But his

Maeve had hidden motives for getting close to him. He had watched her with the patience of a cat stalking its prey, intrigued by her

to reveal her hand so soon. Her actions had nearly derailed his meticulously crafted plans. Byron shot Maeve a look of sheer disdain before turning on his 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 everything I've done wrong? I wasn't

all afternoon making, now barely touched except by

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

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

webcomic.

Mon, Oct 14