Chapter 28
61
“Mr. McDaniel, I’m done with my shower. You can go ahead now Maeve’s soft voice came through, with a hint of nasal tone.
“Got it,” Byron replied, his eyes still locked on the screen as he rewound the video, replaying the scene over and over with keen interest.
After the video had played for the third time, Byron opened the chat box and sent a message to Archer. [Handle the aftermath and also help Nestor secure the Yruhsall project.]
Archer’s reply came almost immediately. [Gut it. I’ll take care of it right away |
Securing the Yruhsall project would be a game–changer for Nestor, effectively closing off any opportunity for Jeff to challenge him for control of the company.
Maeve called out to Byron once, then made her way to the living room to tend to her wounds.
The deep cut on her palm had occurred when she accidentally injured herself while stabbing Jeff. Since the wound was on her right hand, applying the medicine proved to be particularly difficult.
“How long do you plan to struggle with that?” Byron asked, his voice casual. Maeve looked up in surprise to find him standing in the living room. With his arms crossed and leaning casually against the table, he observed her with a curious
gaze
Maeve’s hand shook, and the cotton swab she was holding fell to the floor. As she bent to retrieve it, she replied softly, Tm almost finished.”
Byron took in the mess of ointment smeared across her skin, raising an eyebrow in silent observation. He didn’t offer to help, simply watched her with a faint smirk as she struggled.
Maeve, initially unfazed, grew increasingly flustered under his gaze. Her unfamiliarity with using her left hand made her movements shaky and clumsy. Frustration mounting, she finally turned to him with a beseeching look. “Could you give me, a hand?”
Byron let out a soft chuckle. “I suppose I can be convinced.”
Maeve was momentarily at a loss for words, her frustration bubbling beneath the surface. It was clear to her now–he was definitely doing this on purpose.
Maeve had grown up with her parents lavishing attention on her younger brother, which instilled in her a strong sense of independence. She was accustomed to managing things on her own, never considering asking for help.
Byron knew exactly how to push her buttons, and he seemed to take a twisted pleasure in doing it–forcing her to ask for help just to see her flustered.
She couldn’t help but be both annoyed and amused by his strange sense of humor.
Still, she managed to keep her cool, even as she watched him carefully tend to her wound. A small, involuntary laugh escaped her lips.
Byron glanced up, his voice calm and collected. “What’s so funny
Maeve quickly shook her head. “It’s not you, really. I just found a little ironic. Yesterday, I was patching you up, and now here you are, playing nurse for me. Feels like we’re a couple from some melodrama.”
Byron remained silent, his face a mask of indifference. The rooms atmosphere grew noticeably awkward.
Maeve immediately regretted her words, biting her lip. What the hell was I thinking? We’re not a couple–barely even
1/2
15:05 Fri, Dec 2/
Chapter 28
friends, just two peoplestuck sharing space, she thought.
Byron finished tying off the bandage and straightened up. “There Done.”
Thanks,” Maeve said with a sigh of relief. Standing up, she added. “I haven’t eaten yet. I’m thinking of making some soup. You hungry? Want some?”
Byron was about to say no but then remembered how good her cooking was. “Whatever,” he said with a nod.
A few minutes later, Maeve came back from the kitchen with two steaming bowls of navy bean soup. Fresh mint leaves from her balcony garden floated on top, adding a bright note to the dish
“I figured it’s best to keep it light for dinner, so I went with a simple soup,” she said, setting the bowl in front of him. “And I left out the carrots–I know you’re not a fan.”
Byron paused, his spoon hovering above the bowl. They’d only eaten together a few times, but she already knew his preferences.
“What’s her deal? If she doesn’t have some kind of angle, why’s she going out of her way like this he wondered.
