He shot a glance at the scruffy pup, then turned to eyebrows raised, clearly questioning her bizarre. Maeve’s anger vanished in an instant. She pulled the hand been waving at the dog, her face flushing as a of spread across her cheeks and ears, turning a shade of red. “I-I wasn’t with she stammered, her voice shaky. “I was just… reasoning with it. Byron had just come from negotiation, still carrying the scent alcohol and a lingering mood. But when Maeve offered her ridiculously naive explanation, a tugged at the corners his mouth. That amusement quickly faded when eyes fell on the torn collar of her shirt. His expression darkened, and he asked, “What the hell to your clothes?” gaze moved from her to the red on her frown deepened. Maeve’s checks cooled as she nodded and slipped the seat. As she her seatbelt, she glanced at luxurious asked, “Is this your boss’s Are you be driving it?” Byron replied nonchalantly. Maeve’s eyes widened. recognized this was a a sign that Byron’s someone important. Even the license plate, with elite was enough to make clear. She wondered if the earlier chase something to do with his boss. She frowned, to herself. Must be rough for someone that high up. Byron her awkwardly trying to cover her collar, doing little to hide smooth skin underneath. Without looking at shrugged coat and draped over lap. “Put this on. Maeve looked down at the back up him with grateful smile. “Thanks. The coat carried the warmth of Byron’s and since was it nearly reached her calves, her in its warmth. Byron nodded briefly, started engine, and drove off. After they had for a while, Byron asked, “How’d you hurt your hand?” Maeve’s fingers paused she adjusted hand instinctively clenching. She answer. “If don’t want to it, that’s fine,” Byron said. “Tissues are there if you need them. Maeve her thanks began searching for the box, but it wasn’t where she expected. Byron glanced over and, without a word, a hidden latch. The open, revealing the inside. suddenly felt like a total country bumpkin. This really high-tech,” remarked with awkward laugh, pulling out a tissue to clean the blood from palm. Her wandered. She had no regrets about stabbing Jeff-if she acted, she have remained trapped under Iris control forever. Yet, she the relative of Byron’s car, a new fear took hold. ‘With the Graves family’s influence, seeks revenge, could end up caught in the crossfire?’ wondered. Chapter 18 Byron the furtremble in her and frowned, falling silent. The of the drive passed in quiet. When they got Marve immediately some and the bathroom for shower. Meanwhile, Byron went to guest room, pulled out his phone, and called instructing him to find where Maeve had been and what she had done that night. A short while later, over a video-surveillance footage from the private where Maeve had been. The rich guys hadn’t to destroy it yet. Byron watched video, his initial detachment slowly shifting to a intense focus. drove the knife into hand, a flash of surprise darkened his deep brown eyes. Just then, knock at door. I’m with my shower. You can go now,” soft voice came through, with hint of nasal tone. “Got it. ” Byron replied, his eyes on the screen as he rewound video, replaying scene over and with keen interest. After the video had played for third time, opened the box and sent message Archer. [Handle aftermath and also help Nestor secure the Yruhsall project. Archer’s reply came almost immediately. I’ll care of right away. the Yruhsall a game-changer for effectively closing off any opportunity for to challenge him for control of the company Maeve out to Byron once, made way to living room tend to her wounds. deep cut her palm occurred when she accidentally injured herself while stabbing Jeff. the wound was on right hand, applying the medicine proved to be particularly difficult. “How do you plan to with that?” Byron his voice casual. Maeve up surprise to find him. standing living room. With arms crossed leaning casually against the table, he observed her curious. Maeve’s shook, cotton swab she to the floor. she bent to she replied “I’m almost finished” Byron took in the mess of smeared across her raising an eyebrow silent observation. He didn’t offer to help, simply watched with a smirk as she struggled unfazed, increasingly his gaze. Her unfamiliarity with her left hand made her movements shaky and clumsy. Frustration mounting, she finally turned to him with a look. give me a hand?” Byron let out a soft chuckle. “I suppose I can be convinced. was momentarily at a loss for bubbling the surface. It was clear to her now-he was doing this on purpose. Maeve had grown up with her lavishing her younger which instilled in her a strong sense independence. She was accustomed to managing things on her own, never considering asking for help. Byron exactly how to push her buttons, and he seemed to take a pleasure in doing it-forcing her to ask for help just to flustered. She help but be both annoyed and amused by his strange sense humor. 14:40 Mon, Oct 14 G Chapter 18 Still, she managed to her cool, even as she him carefully tend to wound. A small, laugh. escaped her lips. Byron up, his voice and collected. “What’s funny?” quickly her head. “It’s not you, really. just it a ironic. Yesterday, I was patching you up, here are, playing nurse for me. Feels we’re a couple from some melodrama. remained his face mask of indifference. The room’s atmosphere grew noticeably awkward. Maeve immediately regretted her words, biting her lip. “What was I thinking? We’re couple-barely even friends, just two people stuck sharing space, thought. Byron tying off the up. “There, Done” “Thanks,” Maeve said with sigh relief. up, she added. “I haven’t eaten yet. I’m thinking of some hungry? Want some?” Byron was to say no but then how her cooking was. he said a nod. A few minutes later, Maeve came from the kitchen with two steaming of navy bean soup. mint leaves from her balcony garden on top, adding bright note to dish. “I it’s to keep it light for dinner, so I went with a simple soup,” she said, setting the bowl in front of him. “And I the carrots-I know you’re not a fan. Byron paused, his spoon hovering above the bowl. They’d only together few times, but already knew his preferences. What’s her deal? she doesn’t have kind of angle, why’s slie going out of her way like he wondered.