The Heir's Secret Bride

If Maeve was just playing hard to get, she wouldn't have taken if this far, Unless she really did want a divorce.

Byron's expression darkened as he reached for the door handle, about to step out, when his phone rang. He answered it. voice steady. "What's up?" "Mr. McDaniel, something terrible happened! Your grandfather just had a heart attack and was rushed to First Hospital!" Archer's voice crackled with urgency. Byron's expression instantly shifted. He tossed his phone onto the passenger seat and quickly reversed out of the parking

spot

Maeve, standing outside the car, watched in confusion. "Mr. Mcdaniel?"

Byron rolled down the window, his tone clippest and urgent. "There's an emergency at the hospital. We'll deal with the divorce later. Get home on your OWIL" Without waiting for a response, he hit the gas and sped away, vanishing into the traffic within seconds. Maeve

st

baffled. The hospital? What happened?

re, bamed.

Gilbert had just been transferred from the emergency room to the ICU. The frail old man had lost his stairs, and the shock triggered a heart attack. Fortunately, the maid discovered him in time, averting a worse brow remained furrowed as he listened to Archer. "Weren't the doctor and assistant supposed to be with my dfather? What were they doing, taking a break?"

Archer lowered his gaze. "The assistant was occupied, and the doctor had gone to get some medication your grandfather requested. They weren't with him at that moment. That's why...

"I don't want excuses.

When my grandfather wakes up, we'll replace them with more reliable people." "Understood."

A moment later, a nurse stepped out of the ICU. "Mr. Mcdaniel, your grandfather has regained some consciousness. He wants to speak with you. Please, follow me." Without hout hesitation, Byron followed the nurse into the room. Gilbert lay lay there, looking frail, his eyes barely open. As Byron entered the room, Gilbert spoke slowly, "Byron, I'm not sure I'll make it through this time. While I still have some strength, there's something I need to tell you." "Grandpa," "Byron said, moving closer and gently taking Gilbert's hand. "Please, don't talk like that?" Gilbert shook his head, his voice faint. "Before your grandmother passed, she entrusted me with her shares, asking me to give them to Neville one day. But Neville isn't a McDaniel by blood. Those shares should go to you, her real grandson. Pushing you to marry was my own selfish wish.

"Since you've been back with the McDaniels, you've only shown me affection but remained distant from your parents. I know what you're holding onto, and I feared that after Im gone, you'd feel like you have no place in this family. "I wanted you to find a wife who could understand and care for you. All I wish is for y Then I can rest easy

As Gilbert spoke, his strength dwindled, his voice barely a whisper.

you to be looked after in the future.

Byron clutched his grandfather's frail, warm hand, his face set in a tight, unreadable expression. trying to keep his emotions in check, though the tension in his posture gave him away.

"I meant what I said before. I'm already married."

Gilbert's eyes widened slightly. "Who is she? Which family does she come from?"

He pressed his lips together,

"You don't know her. She's not from any big-name family," Byron replied, his voice hoarse. "Once you're feeling better, III bring her by to meet you." good." Gilbert managed a faint smile. "Tll be looking forward to it"This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

"Good,

"Mr. Mcdaniel, the patient needs to rest. You should leave for now, the nurse said gently.

Byron released his grandfather's hand, giving him one last lingering look before turning to leave. "Take it easy, Grandpa. I'll

be back soon.

Maeve lingered outside her home, steeling herself to go in. As she approached the doorway, she overheard her mother's voice from inside.

The Graves family suddenly wants their 200 thousand dollars engagement gift back. But we barely have any where are we supposed to come up with that kind of money?" savings-

Scott took a long drag on his cigarette, exhaling a cloud of smoke. "Whoever got us into this mess should pay. If Maeve can't come up with the money, then her useless husband will have to. I doubt they've got that kind of cash." Valda's voice was anxious. "You know they don't have it, so why ask? It's just a waste of time."

"If they can't come up with the money, their lives will be a mess. You really think Maeve and her husband have any real feelings for each other? A bit of pressure and they'll probably divorce.

Then we can find her another husband and still make some money off her, Scott said, his tone cold and detached, as if he were discussing an inanimate object.

Valda sighed, her worry evident. "She's already been married once. Who'd want her after a divorce? The Graves family still seems like our best option."

Scott scoffed. "She stabbed Jeff's hand. We're lucky the Graves family hasn't sued us. Forget about Jeff marrying her. There might not be any high-status first-time grooms available, but plenty of older, remarried men would be interested. Hearing this, Maeve froze, a chill spreading from her head to her toes. She had come with one last hope to reason with her parents, believing that after divorcing Byron, they wouldn't push her into another marriage. But she had been naive. If not Jeff, then someone else. What should I do now? she thought, her mind racing, 'Byron's already planning to divorce me.

Maeve hurried back to her apartment, feeling lost and empty. To her surprise, Byron was already there.

"Aren't you supposed to be at the hospital?" Maeve asked, puzzled "What happened this morning?" Byron, lounging on the couch and rubbing his temples, replied, My grandfather was hospitalized. Maeve asked, "Is it serious? Shouldn't you be at the hospital? Can I do anything to help-" She cut herself off, adding, "Actually, never mind. I guess it's not my place to get involved

Hearing this, Byron turned to her, noticing her pale face and distant look. "His heart isn't in great shape, but luckily, it wasn't

213

too serious. What about you; Where have you been?"

"I went to my parents' house but didn't go inside," Maeve said, for ing a smile.

Byron frowned. "Didn't you have enough of that last time?"

Maeve bit her lip, struggling to find the right words.

Byron didn't press further and instead said, "There's something need to discuss with you."

Macve's eyebrows knitted in confusion at his choice of words. "What's it about?"

"My grandfather's health isn't good, and his only wish is to see me married and settled. So, we need to postpone our divorce"

"Postpone?" Maeve asked, hesitating. For how long?"

"Until he recovers

Byron expected Maeve to agree, but instead, she said quietly. Im sorry, but can I refuse?"

His eyes widened in surprise. "What did you just say?"

甘