out the when she heard the commotion. She glanced at them briefly but chose to keep quiet. Maeve’s face was pale, but she her ground. “I’ve things off I marry is choice. We’re not in the Age parents get to decide their kids marry!” Scott was stunned his usually daughter’s defiance. His anger flared. “What the with I’m your father!” clamped her lips shut, refusing to respond. Scott sank into his chair, his chest heaving barely controlled rage. After a he “Who is guy? What’s his background? What does he do?” Maeve hesitated before finally saying, “He’s a driver. His family have much, he works hard…. “A driver?” Scott exploded, his with fury, “You’re away a future with Graves family for some random Have you your damn mind? need to divorce him now!” His thundered the room. the coffee cups on shake. Maeve’s hands trembled, but she fired back without a second’s hesitation. I won’t! What’s so wrong with being a driver? If I him, I wouldn’t leave him if were a beggar!” face turned a red. He Maeve sharply in the knee and snarled, “Get out of and think long and hard about what you’ve done! Don’t out agree to the divorce!” knee the sharp and she stumbled, before she steady Scott grabbed her and shoved her into the storage room, slamming door shut with a loud click. Maeve gasped from the pain and pounded on the door. “Let me out! You can’t lock me in here!” a young age, being locked in a room was a common punishment for Maeve, and she had developed a deep fear of confined spaces. But despite her frantic banging, neither Scott nor made a move her out “Is locking her up really the idea?” Valda asked, stepping out of the kitchen, worry etched her face. “What if she her mind? How are we going to returning Graves family’s gift?” Scott’s face twisted uritation. “If she her senses, she stays in there until she does. No food, no water- she needs to learn who’s in charge here!” Valda argue further. Maeve pounded on the door until her hands but there was no response. Exhausted, she down to the floor, back against the door, her throbbing in pain. Her face was with sorrow. “I should have known this was coming she thought bitterly. “They were never going listen. How I have been so stupid?” storage room pitch black, and the oppressive darkness seemed ready to swallow her whole. Maeve turned on her phone’s flashlight. The small beam of a bit of pushing back the sense of dread just a little. Hours crawled by, from noon Valda’s voice broke through the silence. “Maeve, have you made up your mind? Agree to the divorce, and I’ll let you out” sat huddled on the cold floor, her eyes shut tightly against the darkness. voice, and dry from thirst, barely 14:40 Mon, 14 GB Chapter 12 reached beyond the door. I’m not getting divorced. you me in answer won’t change. It wasn’t that she was head-over-heels in with Byron. She was just done being controlled by her parents. Her eyes drifted to her its battery dangerously low. Panic started creep in. She needed to find before the ran out. Maeve scrolled through her contacts, realizing how few friends had left. Since she’d started dating Jeff, she’d lost touch with her old friends for reasons she couldn’t quite down. Now, was her option. After a few moments she dialed his number The phone rang only once before it answered. Who is that!” A unfamiliar female voice came through the line. Maeve hesitated, number phone. “Is this Mr. Karen Booth Byron’s also paused at the sound Magyes voice. Phones were executive meetings, so was with to any important calls. She glanced at caller ID and there was no one named “Maeve” listed among the Group’s business. Who the heck she wondered. Karen’s a little. he’s currently tied up. May I what this is about?” Tmm bit of a bind and could really use help. Could you let him know he’s available? Maeve asked, her voice. inged with uncertainty. She hadn’t anticipated Byron still working at this and wasn’t sure he’d come. I’ll make sure gets message, Karen said with a reassuring smile before ending the call. Moments later, the door swung open. Byron stepped out, followed a procession of all trailing behind him like planets the sun. presence drew every eye in the room, making undisputed center of attention. Karen’s heart pounded as she approached Byron, holding out the phone. McDaniel, you had a call earlier someone named Macve. Byron an eyebrow. “What did say?” Karen’s eyes flickered with nervousness. “She asked you were to and wanted call her when you Byron’s brows in at Maeve’s tone. had little patience for interruptions that his focus. “Got it,” Byron replied grabbing the file from an assistant and heading into office. The call was forgotten as shut the door behind him. Karen stood there, out a sigh of relief before heading back to the secretary’s office.