Maeve froze. "Wasn't it you who saved me?"

Byron replied, his brows furrowed, "No. When I found you, you had fainted on the path to the abandoned warehouse." He wondered, If the kidnappers hadn't released her, how could she have ended up there?

"I don't know," Maeve murmured, her eyes filled with confusion. "I was knocked out from behind. After that, I remember nothing. Are you suspecting I was involved with the kidnappers?" Realization dawned, and she stared at him in disbelief. "We were both abducted. Karen was harmed, but I escaped unscathed. Does that make sense?" Byron countered coldly.

"So what?" Maeve's heart sank. "Whatever happened after I was knocked out was beyond my control. Are you saying it wouldn't make sense unless I suffered like Karen?"

Byron frowned. "Maeve, don't be unreasonable. I'm just trying to get the facts."

"Unreasonable?" Maeve almost laughed in frustration. "You've already decided I'm a suspect, haven't you? I don't have a grudge against Karen, so why would I do such a thing? Even if you're suspicious, shouldn't there be some basic logic?" She thought, seething, If I had done it, I'd admit it. But for something I didn't do, no one can force me to confess.

The ward fell silent. After a long pause, Byron spoke slowly, staring at Maeve's reddening eyes. "At the restaurant, you didn't want me to meet Karen, and you even complained about her, didn't you?"

Maeve's fingers clenched. Desolation crept into her gaze. "So that's why you suspect me? Byron, are you disappointed that nothing happened to me? Do you wish it had been me instead of Karen? I'm so sorry to have let you down."

"Maeve!" Byron's eyes hardened. "Do you even know what you're saying?"

Maeve's eyes welled up. "Haven't you already decided I colluded with the kidnappers? I'm asking you, what evidence do you have? What makes you think I'm guilty?" She thought bitterly, Just because Karen is the one he holds dearest. What about me? Am I so worthless? Not only do I have to endure this nightmare, but I'm also being wrongfully accused.

Byron saw the hurt in her eyes, his throat tightening. Frustration and agitation were evident in his expression. "Think whatever you want," he said coldly, walking out and slamming the door.

Maeve lowered her head, laughing wryly as tears flowed. Her heart felt empty, chilled. She thought, Karen is pitiful, but what about me? Is it my fault that something terrible happened to her? How can he be so biased? Is this how you tell if someone is loved or not?

Bonnie limped in and threw herself into Maeve's arms. "How could this happen? You must have been terrified."

"Bonnie," Maeve whispered, wiping her tears, "I'm fine now."

"Fine?" Bonnie's voice trembled. "What's with the bodyguards at the door? They almost wouldn't let me in. Did Byron send them to keep an eye on you? What's his problem?"

Maeve's face turned ashen. She thought, He really thinks I colluded with those kidnappers. Is it because I complained about him leaving me behind that night? Or because I inexplicably fainted outside that abandoned warehouse? I don't even know how that happened.

Seeing Maeve's pallor, Bonnie said, "Maybe he's just worried about your safety and sent them to protect you."

Maeve chuckled bitterly. "Don't try to comfort me. I know what's going on." She thought ironically, Karen was hurt. It's a miracle he didn't strangle me. And now he wants to protect me? "Maeve, are you alright?" Bonnie asked with concern. "I heard Byron arrived just in time, and you weren't harmed. But Karen… she was seriously injured and is still in surgery."

Recalling the voices before she passed out, Maeve closed her eyes. As a fellow woman, she didn't wish such a fate upon Karen. But being wrongfully accused felt suffocating. She had to wait for Karen to wake up and tell her side of the story.

Meanwhile, Karen was wheeled into her ward. Lydia sobbed, "Byron, something's wrong with Maeve. She and Karen were kidnapped together. How could the kidnappers just let her go? I can't believe there's no foul play involved!" Byron's eyes darkened. "Maeve is also a victim. Besides, the kidnappers haven't been caught yet. It's too early to draw conclusions."

"Who's to say she wasn't putting on an act?" Lydia gritted her teeth. "Byron, you can't be biased just because she's your wife. My husband just passed away, and now Karen has to go through this. If he knew, he wouldn't rest in peace."

"Please don't say that," Byron said steadily. "I'm not taking sides."

"I trust you," Lydia said, wiping her tears. "But now that this has happened, how can Karen ever get married? Byron, you promised her father you'd take care of her. You won't turn your back on her, will you?"

Remembering Patrick's last words, Byron said reassuringly, "Don't worry. I'll keep this incident under wraps. No one else will know." He would repay Karen for her father's kindness. Lydia nodded.

The next day, Maeve was almost stopped by the bodyguards. After much persuasion, she reached Karen's ward and entered.

Karen was awake, lying pale. Her gaze was sharp. "You're here."

"Didn't you ask me to come?" Maeve frowned. "What did you mean by that text?"

"I meant exactly what it said," Karen sneered. "Maeve, I heard everything while those kidnappers were torturing me. You're in cahoots with them. You're jealous of my relationship with Byron, so you set this up to ruin me, didn't you?" Maeve's expression faltered. "No, I don't even know those people!"

"Is that so?" Karen narrowed her eyes. "Who do you think Byron will believe? You or me?"

Maeve's breath hitched. Before she could react, Karen sprang up, grabbed a fruit knife, and slashed her own arm. Blood splattered everywhere.

Maeve's eyes widened. Before she could comprehend what happened, Karen collapsed, tears streaming down her face.

"Ms. Reese, I know I was wrong! I'll tell Byron that the kidnappers weren't sent by you. Please don't hurt me. I beg you…" Karen pleaded.

"What are you talking about?" Maeve was baffled. She was about to help Karen when Byron strode in, helping Karen onto the bed. He turned to Maeve, his gaze icy. "Maeve, haven't you had enough?"

The final promotional sentence has been removed as it is irrelevant to the text itself.