The Heir's Secret Bride

"Are you looking down on me? Maeve asked slowly. "I don't rely on you for money or life. So what gives you the right to look down on me!" Byron leaned in, his gaze cold as he lifted her chin with his long fingers. "You colluded with Neville behind my back, trading information. And now you question why I look down on you?" His voice was icy. "Tell me, what makes you think you deserve my respect?" Maeve s seemed I to catch on only halfway. "So, you really don't like me?" with irritation. "Did honestly think I would?"

Fine. Since you dislike me and being around you is exhausting, why don't we just get a divorce?" Maeve sat up slowly, her voice wavering slightly Hearing her say "divorce" was a different thing entirely from when Byron had brought it up.

Barve

narrowed I his eyes, skeptical. "What game are you playing now?"

shook her head, trying to shake off the haze of sleep. She rummaged through her handbag, pulling out their marriage license and her birth certificate. "Check your schedule for tomorrow. We can head to the family court and finalize the divorce." Byron's gaze lingered on the documents, his brows furrowing in surprise. "You carry these around with you?"

"ver know when I might run into you, so I keep them with me just in case." Maeve's lashes drooped, giving her a slightly hurt expression

Byron fell silent, taken aback. f Maeve had married him for his family's status, she wouldn't be so eager to divorce. Or maybe she was just playing hard to get.

"Alright then, Byron said, his eyes narrowing. "Tomorrow morning, we'll head to the family court and finalize the diver the

sure," Maeve mumbled, already half-asleep. "Anything else? If not, I'm going to bed..." She flopped back onto the pillow and was out like a light..

Byron left the lounge, his frustration evident, far from the relief of achieving his goal.

"Why the long face, Byron?" Ray and Jarrett approached, grinning teasingly. "Did the little beauty turn you down? Hard to believe. With my expert singlehood intuition, I'd say she's definitely into you."

Byron lit a cigarette, tuning them out.

Jarrett shot Ray a scornful look. "Can you stop pretending to be some kind of love expert? You've been single for years and still act like a relationship guru."

Ray smirked. The longer you're single, the more you learn. Haven't you heard the saying. It's the strong swimmers who drown?"

"That's just nonsense, Jarrett said. "What's your proof?"

Byron shot them a cold glance as his phone rang. He stepped away to answer it. "What's up?"

"Mr. McDaniel, sorry to call so late," Archer's voice came through. Tve identified the leak. It was a secretary from the admin department. She might have overheard when the doctor came by to check your injury and brought you coffee.

"I checked her account, there was a transfer of a million dollars from Neville's secretary a few days ago. It's solid proof."

1/7/8

14:41

Byron's grip tightened, his voice cold. "Where is she now?"

"We've detained her and are whiting for your instructions"

"Send her out of the country. Byron said, his eyes flashing with cold resolve. "To the most remote place you can find."

"Yes, sir"

50ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

56

After the call ended. Byron's mind was still restless. Just then. Ray and Jarrett's voices drifted over, chattering away as usual

"All she did was show you a picture of Byron's injury, and you're convinced she's into him?" Jarrett said, bewildered. "If a girl looks at you on the street, are you planning to propose right there?"

Kay patted Jarrett on the shoulder. "When she showed me the picture, she didn't mention Byron at all. She said it was her brother's injury and asked me a ton of questions about how to care for it. If she wasn't interested in Byron, why would she be so secretive? Byron's expression shifted. He walked over to Ray and asked, his voice low and intense. "You're serious about this?" Come on, why would I lie to you?" Ray waved his hand dismissively. "I'm not that bored to make up stories, okay?"

As a surgeon with a background in psychology, Ray had a keen sense for reading people. Maeve's attempt injury it was only made her actions more intriguing to him. whose

to cover up who Byron's frown deepened with the confirmation. Maeve wasn't involved with Neville after all She'd taken a photo of his injury to get medical advice but had lied, saying it was her brother who was hurt. It meant he had completely misunderstood her from the start.

She had tried to explain then that she was concerned his injury wasn't healing properly, but his anger had made him too deaf to hear her.

Byron let out a heavy sigh, his thoughts churning as the night outside grew darker.

The next morning, Maeve woke up in an unfamiliar bed. Her hair was a tangled mess, and her eyes were wide with confusion. Where am I? What happened? she wondered.

The door to the lounge clicked open, and Byron entered, impeccably dressed in a dark suit. He looked every bit the part- tall, dignified, with an air of authority.

Maeve opened

her mouth to speak, but Byron cut her off. There are toiletries in the bathroom. Get ready quickly. We're heading to the family court." "Why the family court?" "she asked, bewildered. Byron's voice was flat. "To get a divo a divorce.

Memories of last night came rushing back. Maeve spotted the marriage license and birth certificate still on the bed, and her mind cleared instantly.

She'd been carrying those documents because she was thinking about diyorce, but she hadn't planned to actually ask Byron until her parents' situation was sorted out. However, after drinking last night, she'd blurted it all out. Now, it was too late to backtrack. Maeve's face went pale. Now, going through with the divorce would put her in a tough spot. She stayed silent for a long time, and Byron's lips curled slightly. "What's the matter? Having second thoughts?"

"No. Just give me a minute. Maeve had no choice but to get out of bed and head to the bathroom to freshen up.