The Heir's Secret Bride

Chapter

36

Byron narrowed his eyes, casually picking up a utility knife from the table and slicing open the package. With a soft rustle, a thick stack of photos spilled out of the box, scattering across the sofa.

The obscene images lay clearly exposed before Byron's eyes.

The woman in the photos, striking provocative poses and flaunting herself, had Maeve's face-but it wasn't her.

Byron's turned icy as he examined the photos, his eyes sharp and penetrating.

The background appeared to be t

to be the living room of Maeve's apartment, and the angle was suspiciously precise-something only a hidden camera, like the one previously concealed in a stuffed toy, could have captured. e the overall composition seemed coordinated, there were subtle mismatches. The face matched Maeve's, but the body didn't quite align with the background. The images didn't blend seamlessly. At a quick glance, they might pass as real, but a closer look would reveal the deception.

Moreover, whi

These photos hadn't reached Maeve, though. They'd been intercepted by Byron.

He noticed a

Ia white card tucked beneath the photos and pulled it out with his long fingers.

[Maeve, do you do you like this little gift?]

If these photos get out and your poor driver husband sees them, he'll probably dump you on the spot, don't you think?]

[If you don't want that to happen, come to Room 1099 at Wrestwood Hotel tonight at 8 PM. Come alone.]

The malice in the words seeped through the paper, completely unmasked.

Byron's slips curled into a cold smile that didn't reach his eyes. He thought, 'Whoever made these poorly Photoshopped images actually thought they could blackmail Maeve?'

With a snap, he crumpled the white card into a ball, tossed it along with the photos into a metal trash can, and carried it out to the balcony. After lighting a match, he threw it in. With a whoosh, the flames leaped up, devouring the filth, reducing it all to ash.

With

The flickerin The ckerin

cold, dark light in Byron's eyes.

out for a drink of water and saw Byron burning something on the balcony. Puzzled, she asked, "Mr. Mcdaniel, if you don't need something, you can just throw it away. Why burn it?" Byron turned slightly, the firelight deepening the contours of his

looked again, his expression was back to normal, as

replied,

pretty dangerous..." Maeve said, noticing the fire had almost died down. "Be careful it doesn't spread, and make

gradually faded. He responded

1/3 08.2

08:26 Wed, Oct 16

Chapter 36 71%0

Oh,

but I accidentally ordered too many. Want one?" Maeve asked with a smile, holding up two cups shaped like bear

childish about them..." Maeve muttered, feeling a bit deflated. "Okay, maybe they're childish for drinking alcohol, but

her grumbling, Byron asked, "Is your

pick up a bunch

here. And try to avoid going

past her and headed

around Pinehurst Apartments and didn't think much

Byron dialed Archer's number and spoke in

+5

channels. The purpose is still unknown," Archer quickly reported. Ever since Byron

to guess who those drugs were meant for. He had nothing but

"Very good."

sent a shiver down Archer's spine. He thought, 'Whatever Jeff has done to cross Mr. Mcdaniel this time must

hesitated. "Mr. Mcdaniel, should I send men

voice grew even colder. "Men. Strong

was s

left lently offered a

Archer completely floored.

to send an invitation to tomorrow night's party to

And let

by a sweet treat? But

window, his eyes dark and

for him, he decided to give

*****

headed out to meet up with Bonnie. They