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

light in Byron's eyes. He

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

skipped a beat, but when she looked again, his expression was back to normal, as if what

nothing," Byron replied, his

indoors is pretty dangerous..." Maeve said, noticing the fire had almost died down. "Be careful it doesn't spread, and make sure to clean up the floor afterward." She continued

Byron's expression gradually faded. He responded with a low,

1/3 08.2

08:26 Wed, Oct 16

Chapter 36 71%0

Oh,

way, I bought a set of glass cups online, but I accidentally ordered too many. Want one?" Maeve asked with a smile, holding up two cups shaped like bear heads. Byron glanced

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

"Is your shipping

pick up a

to avoid

that, Byron brushed past her and headed

Pinehurst Apartments and didn't think much of it. She simply. took her cup

Byron dialed Archer's number and spoke in a low, steady voice,

+5

from what I've gathered, Jeff has been embroiled in a fierce power struggle with Nestor, and he's recently acquired a large amount of sedatives through some special channels. The purpose is still unknown," Archer quickly reported. Ever since Byron

note he'd found and didn't need to guess who those drugs were meant for. He had nothing but

"Very good."

Mr. Mcdaniel

should I send men

"Men. Strong ones with... unusual

s

left lently offered a few seconds of sympathy for

Archer completely floored.

Ray know to send an invitation to tomorrow night's party to

And let

He thought, 'Is this a case of giving a slap followed by a sweet treat? But somehow, that "sweet treat" feels more like a

the window, his eyes dark and impenetrable, even deeper than the

decided to give her a little

*****

out to meet up with Bonnie. They spent some time shopping