The Heir's Secret Bride

Jeff thought, "Ten times the purchase price... Not even Father can come up with that kind of money!"

Jeff quickly realized Ray was deliberately making things difficult for him. As he recalled Ray's earlier words, his face went pale.

Ray

When have

I ever offended Ray? I can't remember anything at all!'

He thought, walked out of the lounge, carrying his winnings, and headed to the meeting room at the end of the hall. He pushed the door open and stepped inside. Byron sitting on the black sofa turned his head slightly, holding a glass of red wine in his left hand, the corner of his eyes lifted in a casual gaze. "All taken care of?"

"A piece of cake," Ray replied with a grin, placing a phone on the table before pouring himself another glass of wine. "That fool actually had a bit of luck tonight. If he'd quit while he was ahead, he could've walked away with a nice profit. But he got greedy. "But something felt off. Sure, the transfer deed for all my restaurants of George Group is tempting, but it's not worth risking company shares over. Did you have a hand in this?"

Ray thought, "The gambling session tonight, orchestrated by Byron, didn't feel like a coincidence.

"Just gave him a little nudge," Byron replied calmly.

Ray raised an eyebrow, sensing there was more to the story. "What did Jeff do to get on your bad side? Care to share?" t be too curious."

Don't

Ray rubbed his chin, trying to read between the lines of Byron's words. Then he suddenly asked, "You didn't go after Jeff because of a woman, did you?"

He thought, 'After all, with the Graves family's minor status, it doesn't seem like something that will catch Byron's attention otherwise.

Byron

paused for a moment, then coolly dismissed the idea. "You're overthinking it."

"Really? I ? I don't buy it," Ray said, his curiosity piqued, his expression full of eager gossip.

Byron i ignored him, set down his wine glass, and walked over to pick up the phone on the table.

The double-password lock that Jeff had set was practically useless in Byron's hands.

As soon as he opened the photo album, he found exactly what he expected: secretly recorded surveillance footage of Maeve.

With an indifferent expression, Byron deleted all the videos. Then, with a flick of his long fingers, the phone dropped into the fish tank on the table with a splash. "What was

s on it?" Ray asked, crossing his arms. "You didn't have me win his phone just to toss it in the tank, did you?"

"Nothing important," Byron said dismissively. He walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked down. "It's lively

down there."

Ray

raised an eyebrow. "And what's that got to do with anything?

"You should go down and join the fun."

))

38

Chap left speechless, thinking, 'So this is how it feels to be used and discarded!

Ray

Ray was

Meanwhile, outside in the garden, Maeve had wandered around for a while and was about to head back inside.

The

place was beautiful, exuding elegance and luxury, but there was also a certain superficiality that made her feel o place. She wondered if Bonnie was done with her greetings because she was starting to feel like heading home.

Lost in thought for a moment, Maeve was about to rise from the bench when she suddenly felt her dress get heavier. Looking down, she realized that part of her skirt had gotten caught in the flower bushes.

She tried to pull it free, thinking it would come loose easily, but then she heard a voice. "Who's there?" she called out.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

f

She froze for a moment. Across from her, a man in a silver-gray tailcoat slowly stood up, holding the corner of her skirt in his hand.

Maeve pointed at his hand. "Excuse me, sir, could you please let go of my dress?"

Alex glanced at her dress, a look of admiration flashing in his eyes.

The dress was pure white, with a classic bodice and a skirt that draped gracefully like flower petals down to her ankles. Delicate roses adorned the neckline, cuffs, and hem, adding the perfect touch of elegance and refinement. It was the first time Alex had seen such a design-subtle yet striking. He couldn't help but take a longer look.

""Sir?" Maeve e asked, noticing he seemed I momentarily lost. "Are you alright?"

Alex quickly snapped out of it and released her dress.

"Sorry, I thought it was just a piece of fabric lying here. The rose crewelwork is so beautiful that I couldn't help but pick it up to take a closer look."

He hadn't realized it was part of her dress.

Alex cleared his throat, and when he

Maeve adjusted her skirt and looked got a good look at Maeve, he was surprised. "It's you?"

up, puzzled. "You know me?"

"Last time at Cloud Club, you ran into me while you were crying. I offered you a handkerchief, but you didn't take it and just ran off," Alex said with a warm smile. "You probably don't remember."

She had appeared and disappeared so o quickly that night, but the image of her tear-filled yet determined eyes had sparked a long-lost inspiration within him. He remembered her clearly.

When he mentioned it, Maeve finally recalled. "Oh, that was you! I remember now. Thank you for that

At the time, she wasn't in a good state and had hurried off without acknowledging his kindness.

"It was nothing." Alex shook his head, then asked, "Forgive me for asking, but where did you get this dress?"

Maeve shook her head. "I made it myself."

Alex's eyes

lit

up

even more. "You made it yourself? And the rose crewelwork..."

"I did that too," Maeve replied.

She had once worked part-time as a maid for an crewelwork master.

D

The master was an elderly woman whose only son had refused to learn crewelwork and had left home over a decade ago.

With no one to carry on her craft, the old woman, perhaps unwilling to see her legacy fade away, had taught Maeve many things when she showed interest.

Alex's excitement grew. "So, you're a designer?"

"I used to be," Maeve said modestly. "But I haven't found a job yet"

"A designer with

such a

a natural blend of styles and impressive crewelwork skills struggling to find work?" Alex thought she must be joking, then asked seriously, "Would you be interested in working at my company?" Maeve was surprised. "Your company?" Have you heard of it?"

Maeve's eyes lit up. "Of

Eternal Hope. Have

course! W

What designer hasn't heard of Eternal Hope? Are you the founder?"

Eternal Hope was the most famous domestic designer brand, with classical designs and wedding gowns as the main stay, which were favored by girls of different ages. Hope gave Maeve an offer, but she missed it.

once

is my mother," Alex said with a smile. "But it's good you know the and bring your resume and portfolio."

Mctually, the founder is

Although he was certain he would hire Maeve, formalities still needed to be followed.

na. Come to this address next

Maeve took the business card he handed her, barely able to contain her excitement. "Thank you. I'll definitely be there." "I'm looking forward to seeing your work," Alex said with a gentle smile.

window.

This scene was observed by Byron, who was standing by the floor-to-ceiling

He saw Maeve in the garden, chatting happily with a stranger and accepting something, likely a business card, from him. Even from a distance, her bright smile was almost blinding.

He thought, 'She always acts like she can't live without me, yet here she is, smiling like that with another man.'

Byron's dark eyes narrowed, and the temperature around him seemed to drop.

He picked up the phone from the table and left the room.