The Heir's Secret Bride

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In an instant, Maeve looked away.

"It seems I underestimated you, Neville remarked, his tone cryphic. "Byron sent you to prison back then, but not only doProperty © NôvelDrama.Org.

not hate him, you're even going out of your way to help him. Truly eye-opening

Byron furrowed his brows slightly at the sight of Maeve in the projection, a whirl of emotions churning beneath his calm exterior.

Marve smiled faintly, her voice calm but cutting. "You framed me for murder and had me locked away for four years. Now, you want to use me to kill Gilbert? Did you think I wouldn't strike back?" Maeve was no fool.

The doctor reminded Gilbert that it was time for him to rest, and the projection faded to black

At the same time, the police arrived.

"I've prepared a gift for you, Byron," Neville said calmly, his face still adorned with that ever-graceful smile. "I hope you'll

like it."

"Oh, is that so?" Byron's voice was low, with a faint hint of sarcasm. In exchange, Vinedustries will go bankrupt within three days"

Neville's smile faltered, his eyes turning icy.

Silence fell over the room. Those higher-ups who had been the most vocal earlier now shrank back in fear, terrified that Byron might turn his attention to them.

Unfortunately, the ominous shadow that hung over them descended.

"Those who spoke earlier," Byron's cold gaze swept across the room as he said in a deep voice, "Either submit your resignation tomorrow, or I'll take care of it myself. Make your decision wisely. Meeting adjourned

With that, Byron headed for the door, not caring how ugly the expressions of the higher-ups behind him were.

Someone complained. "We were all promoted by Mr. Mcdaniel back then. How could he fire us just like that? I'm going to look for Mr. Mcdaniel. Who's with me?"

"I'd advise you all to stop. An executive from the neutral faction scoffed. He said, "All of you seem to have forgotten that Mr. McDaniel has become more lenient in recent years. Don't you remember how he ruthlessly restructured the company and forced Neville out back then? "Fools. To think anyone would offend Mr. McDaniel so completely over an imposter."

The faces of the executives who were being subtly criticized turned pale. The executives' hearts were filled with fear and uncertainty.

Byron was able to get to his current position not only because of the Mcdaniel family's background but also because of his decisiveness and ruthlessness.

Those who thought they could provoke him and walk away unpunished were simply deluding themselves.

Meanwhile, in the sanatorium, in the ward.

Ever since Gilbert had said those words, both Alexis and Jason had remained silent, unable to believe that Neville was mastermind behind it all.

the

"Dad, could it really have been Neville?" Alexis could not help but defend him. "He's always been so considerate and respectful to you. When he left the Mcdaniel family and moved to the sanatorium, he never once showed any resentment... Jason, noticing a shift in Gilbert's expression, immediately interrupted, "Stop it. The facts are clear. What's the point of defending Neville?"

Gilbert's expression turned even colder. "Are you suspecting that joined forces with Byron to frame your precious adopted

son?"

"No, no, that's not what I meant," Alexis quickly denied, shaking her head. Tm just wondering if there might be more to this, something we're missing?"

Alexis could not bring herself to believe that the child she had personally raised and nurtured would turn into someone capable of harming even their elders.

Accepting this truth would mean acknowledging that everything she had taught, her entire way of raising Neville, had failed. It felt like a rejection of who she was as a person

How could she possibly accept that this was the truth?

"Alexis Mcdaniel." Ever since Alexis married into our family, Gilbert called her full name for the first time. "You should be glad that Byron isn't here now."

Otherwise, their mother-son relationship would probably end.

Ale

well-maintained face, still youthful and not showing her age, turned pale. She was speechless.

"Also, did you even consider Maeve's feelings when you said that? Your foster son is thoughtful and considerate, but Maeve is capable of such things?" Gilbert sharply retorted. Alexis could not muster a response.

Gilbert continued, "Maeve is married into our family, which means she can be considered your daughter. However, you stood by and watched her be wronged and bullied, and even added to her trouble. Is this how you should act as parents! And you, Jason, the real culprit behind my plight is still out there living freely, while you sent the most innocent person to the detention center! Are you very proud of yourself?"

The couple usually held a high status in public, commanding respect and authority,

At this moment, they were harshly criticized by Gilbert, but they were too intimidated to defend themselves. They were also worried that Gilbert's wrath might take a toll on his health. Standing to the side, Maeve felt her eyes welling up as she listened to Gilbert defend her. A wave of emotion surged within her, and she suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to cry. For four years, no one knew just how much pain and injustice she had been silently enduring.

However, she could not allow herself to think about it.

The thought alone would cause her unbearable pain. She had never spoken of it to anyone, nor did she show it, but that did not mean she had forgotten.

Gilbert was tired from scolding. When he saw Maeve's red eyes, he felt a pang of heartache and waved at her. "Come here. Maeve."

Maeve walked over and greeted him.

Gilbert patted Maeve's hand gently and sighed deeply. "The Mcdaniel family has treated you unfairly, Maeve. It's my fault 08-22 Fri, Nov 1

for not teaching my somrand daughter-in-law well, so they couldn't tell right from wrong, causing you to suffer such a grea injustice." When she was confined in that dark detention center and bullied, Maeve definitely felt resentment.

But now that Maeve heard these words, the resentment in her heart gradually dissipated.

Though she could accept suffering injustice, her biggest fear was that she might never see the day when the truth would finally be uncovered.

Gilbert was already a little tired, but he still forced himself to stay awake and said to Jason, "From today onward, you will hand over the power in your hands to Byron. Don't interfere in the corporation's matters for the time being"

Jason's expression changed drastically. "Dad, this is not appropriate! Byron is young and impetuous. There are many decisions that he won't be able to make without me by his side."

"Do you truly believe that you are the reason for the company's success?" Gilbert confronted Jason with a harsh reality check "As Byron's father, you have failed to fulfill your obligations, yer you're eager to meddle in everything I must admit that Byron has shown boldness and thoughtfulness with the recent energy project. If you disagree with me, you should offer some persuasive arguments instead of relying on your status as his father."

Jason blushed deeply at being chastised in front of others.

Alexis, unable to defend herself, did not come to his aid either.

However, this was not the end. Gilbert even wanted them to apologize to Maeve.

Maeve's eyes widened slightly. She could not believe that Gilbert would go to this extent to protect her.

After all, to the Mcdaniel family, she was the outsider.

After being scolded just now, Alexis's mind was much clearer. She hesitated for a moment before apologizing to Marve solemnly.