Chapter 31
Byron’s voice turned icy as he spat, “Neville McDaniel.”
His 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?
Byron sprang from his chair. “She had a photo of my injury? What did she look like?”
“You want me to describe your own wornan?” Ray quipped, though he went ahead and described Maeve’s features.
Byron’s expression instantly turned dark. He’d already suspected someone on his team, but he never thought Maeve would have the nerve to sneak a picture of him.
“We’ll talk later,” Byron snapped, cutting Ray off before storming out the door.
Ray was left mid–sentence, confusion written all over his face. Bewildered, he muttered to himself, “What’s with the sudden rage? I didn’t even get to tell him that the girl seemed really worried about him–like she’s head over heels…”
But Byron was already long gone, leaving Ray’s words hanging in the air.
At Pinehurst Apartments, Maeve was in the kitchen, tasting the soup when the door slammed open and shut.
15:05 Fri, Dec 27 ti G.
Chapter 31
Rushing out to see what was happening, she froze at the sight of Byron’s stormy expression as he stormed in. “Why do you
look so…?”
“Did you take a photo of my injury?” Byron cut her off, his voice as cold as ice. “And then you took it to the hospital to show a doctor, didn’t you?”
Maeve was taken aback but nodded. “Yes, I noticed your wound wasn’t healing well. I thought the medication might help…
Before she could finish, Byron’s expression hardened even further. His voice was sharp as he snapped, “Who gave you the right to meddle? Do you think you’re important to me?”
He glared at her, his tone almost frighteningly harsh, “Do I need to remind you? Apart from the marriage license, we have nothing between us”
Maeve stood frozen, stunned and unable to grasp what was happening. “I wasn’t trying to meddle, she said, her voice trembling. “I was just trying to help you…”
“I don’t need your help. Byron interrupted, his brow furrowed with irritation. His voice dripped with disdain. “If you’re so desperate to play the caring wife, we can get divorced right now
“And delete those photos you took. Don’t make me repeat myself”
Maeve had known Byron for a while, but she had never seen him like this–cold and terrifying. The man who had been so gentle while applying ointment to her injuries the night before now felt like a stranger.
She barely managed to pull out her phone, her hands trembling as she deleted the photo. Tears stung her eyes, and it felt like a lump was stuck in her throat, suffocating her.
