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

sprang from his chair. "She had a photo of my

to describe your own woman?" Ray quipped, though

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

cutting Ray off

to himself, "What's with the sudden rage? I didn't even get to tell him that the

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

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Chapter 20

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ос

was happening, she froze at the sight of Byron's stormy expression as he stormed

his voice as cold as ice. "And then you took

nodded. "Yes, I noticed your wound wasn't healing

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

at her, his tone almost frighteningly harsh, "Do I need to remind you? Apart from the marriage license, we have

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

"don't!

"If you're so desperate to play

those photos you took. Don't make me repeat

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

her phone, her hands trembling as she deleted the photo. Tears stung

she held up her phone. "It's deleted. I only took one photo while you were asleep. I didn't mean any harm. If it caused trouble, I'm really sorry."

the tremor in her voice.

to him. He had watched her with the patience of a cat

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 trying to be intrusive-I just wanted his wound to heal faster. Why is he treating me like this?" A wave of confusion and

afternoon making, now barely touched except by her own spoon. She couldn't taste a thing. Her mind was blank,

herself out of bed the next morning, her head

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

webcomic.

Oct 14