The Heir's Secret Bride

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42

Noticing that Byron was truly annoyed, R

wisely changed the subject.

3

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"Alright, we'll get out of your hair. Just call us if you need anything," he said.

With that, the two of them got up, left the room, and closed the door behind them.

Even though they were gone, their words still lingered like an echo.

Maeve couldn't stop thinking about what Ray and Jarrett had said. 'Helping with medicine and meals is manageable, but assisting with bathing..." Just the thought of it made her ears burn. She instinctively glanced at Byron, only to find him staring back with those deep, unreadable eyes. "What's going through your mind?" His voice was unusually cold

"Mr. Mcdaniel, don't her to take care of him herself, but her eagerness to delegate the task left him oddly irritated.

I'll arrange for a male caregiver to help you," Maeve said quickly. "It doesn't matter if it's costly- you got hurt saving me, after all..."

Byron hadn't expected her to

His gaze darkened slightly. "So after I saved you, you're just going to hand me off to a stranger?"

"No, that's not what I meant. I just="

for you

to take care of

of the person who saved your life?" His tone grew sharper.

"Is it t too much to ask for

"No. I don't feel that way at all," Maeve hurried to explain. "I'm happy to do whatever you need, but... I'm worried it might make you uncomfortable." A faint smirk tugged at the corner of Byron's mouth, but it vanished before she could notice.

"Compared to a stranger, I suppose I can tolerate you."

Maeve was momentarily taken aback. Her heart clenched as if struck by a small hammer, leaving behind a bittersweet ache. thought, 'So in his eyes, being a housekeeper is at least better than being a complete outsider?'

She

After

aside the strange feeling, Maeve gave him a soft smile. "If you're okay with it, then I have no problem either."

pushing he got hurt because of her-it was only right that she took care of him.

Just then, a nurse knocked on the door. "Ms. Reese, your breakfast is getting cold, and you need to take your medicine soon." "Alright, I'll be there in a moment," Maeve answered, then turned to Byron. "I'll check back in on you later." "Okay," Byron nodded coolly.

Maeve stepped out, closing the door behind her. She was just about to head back to her own room when a voice called out from behind her.

"Excuse me."

She turned around and saw a woman standing there, dressed in a sharp sapphire-blue office suit, her brown wavy hair cascading over her shoulders. She exuded a warm yet professional air. 08:27 Wed, Oct 16

"You are?" Maeve asked, puzzled.

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"Nice to meet you. I'm Karen." Karen smiled and extended a hand. "I heard Byron was hospitalized, so I came to visit him.

Maeve hesitated and didn't take her hand. "You can just go in directly. Why tell me?"

"Well, Ray mentioned you're Byron's housekeeper, so I thought I'd ask you to pass along this gift for him," Karen said with a slight blush. "Byron and I... had a bit of a disagreement recently, and we're still not on speaking terms. He probably doesn't want to see me right now."

Her tone carried a hint of intimacy, and coupled with her shy expression, it was easy to imagine what kind of relationship she had with Byron. After all, not every relationship involved a cold war."

Maeve thought for a moment and then asked, "Can I ask what your relationship is with Mr. Mcdaniel?"

Karen hesitated briefly before answering, "We're... just childhood friends for now."

Maeve thought, 'Which means they were something more before.

Maeve's chest tightened, a wave of unease washing over her.

Mae

She suddenly understood why Byron had introduced her as a housekeeper in front of his friends-probably to keep it hidden from Karen. Maeve felt a sudden wave of discomfort.

o me out?" Karen looked at Maeve with a hopeful expression. "In the future, I'll make sure Byron gives you a promotion and a raise."

"Could you help me out?" Kar

"Sorry, but we're not exactly close, and it's more meaningful to deliver a gift in person to show sincerity." She shook her head, turning down the request. "I can't help you with this. Goodbye." With that, Maeve headed I With to her own room.

Karen

watched

ded back to her

I her leave, her expression darkening momentarily before she quickly replaced it with a smile and walked into Byron's room. She thought, 'A mere housekeeper is no threat to me.' "Byron, how are are you feeling?" 'Karen placed the gift on the table and looked at Byron resting in bed, her eyes filled with concern. "The moment I heard you'd woken up, I rushed over to see you." fine," Byron replied, his tone indifferent. "Who told you about this?"

"I'm

Karen

hesitated slightly. "I overheard it when Archer was on the phone. Don't worry, no one else knows."

Byron didn't seem particularly concerned.

Neville was currently under watch at the sanatorium and couldn't stir up any trouble for now.

What caught him off guard was that it was Gilbert who had ordered the lockdown. It was a clear choice between his biological grandson and his adopted one.

A brief warmth flickered in Byron's usually cold eyes, something that didn't go unnoticed by Karen, who felt her heart skip a

beat.

"Byron, I heard your parents are stuck overseas with work and couldn't come back right away. Your mom asked me to let you know that they're both really worried about you," she said. The warmth in Byron's eyes instantly disappeared.

08.

08.

wed,

Karen continued, "When your mom found out you were in a coma, she cried all night. Her eyes were swollen from crying. She really does care about you and wants to mend things..." Byron's expression turned frosty. "Are you done? If there's nothing else, I need to rest."

Karen swallowed the rest of her words, feeling a bit helpless. "Alright, if you don't want to hear it, I won't push it."

She couldn't help but wonder, 'When will his relationship with his mother finally improve? Seems that it has to be a slow and gradual process."

Sensing that the conversation was headed nowhere good, Karen decided it was best to leave before she wore out her welcome. She picked up her bag and stood to leave.

"Oh, I almost forgot something," she suddenly said.

"What is

"When I got h I here,

your little housekeeper cornered me, asking all sorts of questions about my relationship with you. She seemed really defensive... Anyone watching might've thought she was your wife, not a housekeeper." Byron's gaze deepened. "Is that so?" "Yep. Just a friendly reminder-be careful not to treat the help too well. It's easy for people to forget their place and start having ideas they shouldn't."

She said it casually, as if in passing, before walking out of the room.

Byron f

rowned,

considering the possibility behind Karen's words.

Given Maeve's current behavior, maybe she really was starting to see herself as more than just a housekeeper.

He thought that perhaps it was time to remind her of the boundaries before the inevitable divorce made things more complicated.

Around lunchtime, after finishing her meal, Maeve headed straight to Byron's room, only to find that he was already eating. "Mr. Mcdaniel, do you need any help?" she asked, noticing how awkwardly he was using his left hand. Byron's tone was even colder than it had been that morning. "No."

Maeve didn't take it to heart. She grabbed an apple from the fruit tray. "Would you like some apple later? I'm pretty good at peeling them."

"Not interested."

"Fine, I'll just eat it myself then." Maeve started peeling the apple skillfully.

Byron was left speechless, thinking, 'She clearly just wants to eat it herself, yet she has to make a big show of asking if I want any. Such a fake gesture.'