"What? Do you have evidence?" Maeve's pupils shrank. She retorted immediately, realizing the kidnapper was lying.

"I've kept the phone records and recordings. They're on my phone; they've already checked it," the kidnapper sneered. "I was captured and ended up like this. Do you think you, the mastermind, can escape?"

"You're really good at spouting nonsense!" Maeve was so angry she almost laughed. However, when she heard the voice recording played by the bodyguard, her eyes widened in disbelief.

The recording contained Maeve's voice: "I'll send you photos of Karen Booth later. Don't get the wrong person. You have to destroy her completely. You can do whatever you want. I'm the wife of the CEO of the McDaniel Group. After this is done, you'll get what you want."

"How did that happen?" she wondered. She clearly hadn't said those words.

"This recording is digitally created," Maeve analyzed calmly. "Am I stupid enough to reveal my identity to the kidnappers, giving them leverage over me?"

"We've verified this recording and confirmed it's authentic," the bodyguard said, turning off the player. "Karen Booth fainted from crying because of this. Mr. McDaniel is currently taking care of her and doesn't have time to deal with you. So you'll stay here until you admit you're the mastermind."

Maeve's face paled. She'd agreed to meet Lind tomorrow for an exclusive interview—a rare opportunity she couldn't miss. Yet Byron wanted her to confess to something she didn't do. Maeve refused. She was a victim, not the perpetrator.

The bodyguards left, the basement door shutting out the last light. Maeve's heart sank. She couldn't believe Byron accepted the kidnapper's word without even questioning her himself. He knew she was claustrophobic and afraid of the dark, yet he'd locked her in this small, dark basement.

Looking up at the railings, she realized the place was like an iron cage for animals, only slightly larger. The kidnappers outside yelled incessantly, tormenting her nerves in the endless darkness. She searched her bag for her phone, finding nothing; the bodyguard must have taken it.

Feeling cold, she thought, "Byron, did you really do this?"

Hours passed. The basement door opened, and Maeve opened her eyes. It wasn't the bodyguards, but...

"I have something to tell Maeve Reese. Can you wait for me here for a while?" Karen's voice came from the stairs.

The following voice sent a chill down Maeve's spine:

"There's no need to waste too much time with her. I'm worried she will hurt you again," Byron said coldly.

Karen said gently, "There are bodyguards. It'll be fine."

"Okay."

Karen entered, stopping before Maeve's "iron cage." She ordered, "Open the door."

Maeve stared at the entrance, her heart seizing with pain.

Karen said condescendingly, "Maeve Reese, I've discussed this with Byron. As long as you turn yourself in and confess, we won't pursue further charges, and you'll get a lesser sentence. You should be grateful."

"In your dreams," Maeve replied, her throat dry. Her eyes were cold. "Ask Byron to tell me personally."

"I'm afraid that won't do. Byron feels disgusted just looking at you now," Karen said.

Karen grabbed Maeve's hair. Seeing Maeve wince, Karen said viciously, "I asked you to turn yourself in because of Byron, do you understand? You've caused me so much trouble, yet you still dare to smash the cup in front of me and threaten me? You have no shame! Apologize now and confess. Slap yourself and call yourself a bitch who only knows how to seduce men!"

Karen pulled Maeve's hair until her scalp burned. Maeve remained silent. Karen slammed Maeve's head against the railings. Intense pain spread through her body; she felt dizzy. Even so, Maeve bit her lip, refusing to show weakness.

Karen sneered, then raked her nails down Maeve's face. Numbness gave way to trembling. A deep cut appeared. In a flash of defiance, Maeve slammed into Karen's face.

Karen cried out in pain. Maeve gasped, falling to the floor. She scoffed, "Karen Booth, send me to the police station and never let me out. Otherwise, I'll beat you every time I see you. I'll repay you for this!"

Blood covered Maeve's face and hair. Karen, terrified, screamed, "Byron, help! Maeve is going to kill me!"

Footsteps approached. Byron entered, lifting Karen. He paused near Maeve, then kicked her aside like trash. "You really deserve to die," he said coldly.

Maeve's eyes widened in disbelief. The pain intensified, and she fainted. Byron carried Karen out, leaving Maeve behind.

This cleaned version removes the unnecessary "+", corrects grammatical errors (e.g., tense consistency, subject-verb agreement), improves punctuation, and removes the website plug. It also maintains the narrative flow and emotional intensity of the original.