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

had a photo of my

your own woman?" Ray

team, but he never thought Maeve would have the nerve to

snapped, cutting Ray

tell him that the girl seemed really worried about him-like

Maeve was in the kitchen, tasting the

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Chapter 20

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she froze at the sight of Byron's stormy expression as he

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

your wound wasn't healing well. I thought

expression hardened even further. His voice was sharp he snapped, "Who gave you

his tone almost frighteningly harsh, "Do I need to remind

stood frozen, stunned and unable to grasp what was happening. "I wasn't trying to meddle," she said, her voice

"don't!

furrowed with irritation. His voice dripped with disdain. "If you're so desperate to play the caring wife, we can get divorced

those photos you took.

while, but she had never seen him like this-cold and terrifying. The man who gentle while applying

barely managed to pull out her phone, her hands trembling as she deleted the photo. Tears stung

deleted. I only took one photo while you were asleep. I didn't mean any harm. If it caused trouble, I'm really sorry."

tremor in her voice. But his anger clouded his

had watched her with the patience of a cat stalking its prey, intrigued by

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

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

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

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

webcomic.

Mon, Oct