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 of my

want me to describe your own woman?" Ray quipped, though he went ahead and described Maeve's

someone on his team, but he never thought Maeve would have

snapped, cutting Ray off before storming out

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

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

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Chapter 20

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

off, his voice as cold as ice. "And then you took it to the hospital to show at

noticed your wound

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

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

"don't!

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

took. Don't make me repeat

seen him like this-cold and terrifying. The man who gentle while applying ointment to her

deleted the photo. Tears stung her

only took one photo while you were asleep. I didn't mean any harm. If it caused

tremor in her voice. But his anger clouded his judgment, and

He had watched her with the patience of a cat stalking its

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 trying to be intrusive-I just wanted his wound to heal faster. Why is he treating

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

bed the next morning, her head was pounding, but she forced

flopped onto the small couch on the balcony, trying to focus on

webcomic.

Oct