The Heir's Secret Bride

46

The next morning. Maeve was jolted awake by her alarm clock.

When she saw the note that read "Eternal Hope Interview," she soildenly remembered it was Monday.

She quickly left a note for Byron explaining her sitnation, then rished back to her apartment to change clothes. After grabbing her things, she hurried to Eternal Hope. Her shoulder injury still hadn't fully healed, but she was determined not to miss this hard-won opportunity.

The interview went smoothly, and the interviewer told Maeve to come back in a couple of days to complete the onboarding process. With that, she was free to go. Unable to contain her joy, Maeve walked out of the company building. Noticing it was still early, she decided to stop by fruit shop to pick up some fruit.

Normally, she wouldn't splurge, but today, with the successful interview, she decided to treat herself in celebration.

She carried the fruit back to the hospital room, ready to share the news, but paused when she saw that Karen and Archer were already there.

Archer had come to update Byron on something and was just about to leave.

Karen, on the other hand, was visiting and was seated beside Byron, peeling an apple.

The atmosphere seemed pleasant.

Maeve suddenly wasn't sure whether she should step inside.

H

ப

Byron glanced at her, then turned to Archer and quietly instructed, "You can head back. Let me know if anything comes up

"Will do," Archer replied, tucking some documents under his arm as he left.

did

Byron asked, looking at Macve.

Karen's hand slowed as she continued peeling the apple, her eyes subtly assessing Maeve.

"I had a job interview. Didn't I leave you a note?" Maeve stepped inside and placed the fruit she'd just bought on the table, her eyes shining with excitement. "I passed the interview, so I bought some fruit to celebrate with you." Byron didn didn't remember seeing any note, but he didn't dwell on it

"I don't need any. You can have i it.'

As soon as he said that, Karen chuckled softly. "Ms. Reese, Byron is quite particular about what he eats He doesn't just eat any fruit bought from a street shop. He usually only cats premium varieties."

Maeve hesitated, her hand hovering over the fruit as she wondered whether to take it out.

She didn't know much about fruit, but she could tell that the apple in Karen's hand was flawless. Plus, the packaging had some foreign writing on it, making it look very high-end

Her fruit, on the other hand, was bought from a roadside stall and couldn't compare to the upscale fruit Karen had.

Maeve suddenly felt a little embarrassed.

"I see. Thanks for letting me know," Maeve said.

She thought, "Well, I can just eat it myself-I am not picky

picked out the fruit she wanted and took it to the restroom to wash.

Karen's lips curled into a slight smile as she offered the peeled apple to Byron. "Would you like an apple? I went through the trouble of peeling it for you."

"Karen." Byron didn't take the apple. Instead, he calmly called her name.

"What's

did

Maeve is with me. Byron lightly tapped his fingers on the table bsuddenly calls me by my name

is with me. Byron lightly tapped his fingers on the table beside him, his voice calm, "Whether she's a maid or something else, if she's with me, it's not for others to embarrass her. Do you understand?" Karen's smile seem to to know your

n's smile froze, and her hand holding the apple trembled sig preferences and was acting on her own. I didn't mean to embarrass her..."

"I was just trying to remind her, since she didn't

But under's steady, unwielding gaze, Karen found herself unable to continue.

She had deliberately tried to make Maeve feel uncomfortable, wanting to put her in her place and remind her not to overstep her bounds with Byron.

But she never expected that Byron would actually reprimand her in defense of a mere maid.

There won't

t be a next time." Byron's voice was calm but firm as he looked away. "You should go. Focus on helping Arches when you can, and there's no need for you to come here anymore." Karen stood up, her shoulders trembling, and didn't even notice when the apple in her hand fell into the trash.

I understand. Take care of yourself, she said before hastily leaving the room, the sound of her high heels echoing as she rushed out

When Maeve came back after washing the fruit, she was surprised to see that Byron was alone.

"Ms. Booth already left?" she asked.

"Yeah"

Year Byron shifted his gaze from his tablet to the fruit tray in her hands. "Bring it here.

Maeve placed the tray on the table, watching as he picked up a grape. Confused, she asked, "I thought you didn't eat fruit? And didn't Ms. Booth say you only eat..." "Fruit is fruit," Byron replied flatly. "There's no need to rank food like that." Maeve blinked i

I in surprise.

After a moment, she broke into a grin and teased, "Is it because your salary can't afford it? Don't worry, my new job has great benefits. One day, I'll make sure you can eat premium fruit every day." Byron let out a soft scoff. "You? Please. He thought,

"Yesterday, you were too scared to eat a banana and some grapes, worried the hospital might charge extra'

Maeve puffed out her cheeks slightly. "Don't underestimate me.

Byron ignored her protest, leaning back in his chair as he lazily aid, "Peel me an apple."

"Didn't Ms. Booth just peel one for you?"

08:20

46

"It fell into the trash"

It fell

Maeve silently mourned the loss of the apple-it had looked expensive.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

After they finished the fruit, Maeve settled on the couch and pulled out her tablet to look up Eternal Hope's recent projects, wanting to familiarize herself with her future workplace. Meanwhile, Byron was busy on his computer, dealing with some urgent company matters.

Even though he had been in the hospital for a few days, the company hadn't ground to a halt without him. Still, there were some decisions that only he could make, so certain things had been put on hold. They both worked in silence, yet the room felt peaceful, almost serene. evening. Maeve had dinner with

That

She had She had

"Mr. Malready

checked of her I out of

hal room earlier that morning, so she stayed in his room.

I start work the day after tomorrow. I'll only be able to visit during lunch breaks and after work," Maeve said after some thought. "Did the doctor say when you might be discharged?"

"It could be as soon as two weeks, or as long as two months," Byron replied succinctly. "It depends."

Maeve sighed. "Whoever did this is truly heartless, making us both almost lose our lives."

She thought, It is fortunate that Byron's boss is

Archer had

is understanding and doesn't hold him responsible, allowing him to focus on his recovery. Otherwise, not only will he have lost his job, but he will also be buried under a mountain of debt...

"The person responsible is already in custody; he'll face the consequences soon enough," Byron said, his gaze darkening. had come by earlier to report that Neville had been arrested.

Byron had been biding his time, waiting until he had enough evidence to strike at Neville's weak spot. He wanted to make sure no one thought that just because he hadn't acted immediately, he never would He thought, "Hiring a hitman, attempting murder-does Neville really think I have no evidence? When Maeve heard that the mastermind had been caught, she happily devoured a large drumstick. But her happiness didn't last long. Her smile quickly faded.

Byron needed to use the restroom, and she had no choice but to help him.

She turned her back and closed her eyes as he took care of his business, her mind a tangled mess.