Chapter 434

We have a huge problem. It's too busy to explain everything right now. I told her to rest well. The well-to-do aunt and dad would have thrown a big head-shaking fit by now, given the few tithes Moines day. A table for them to eat.

By then, the invasion was over. His only war, if you will.

“Unsurprising,” Tom said. “Those are from the Dune Merry Group. Henry owed them. They helped him with a jewelry heist, but he ended up keeping the loot. They’ve been holding a grudge ever since.”

Byron’s gaze darkened. “How did they find Maeve?”

“They claim to have followed her since the arrest as emissaries. It doesn’t add up. They wanted her to suffer. Even if their story had some truth, something about it felt off. It’s more about revenge than Maeve.” Byron’s frown deepened. “Track their movements. I want every detail—who they met, how they trailed her.”

“Of course,” Tom answered.

Tom stepped inside briefly to check on Maeve, dropping off some things before heading out. Outside the room, Byron called the two little ones waiting for news at home.

The call connected, and Theo’s worried voice burst out. “Did you find Mommy? Is she hurt? Where is she?”

Will, just as anxious, asked, “What’s going on, Dad? Is Mom okay?”

“Your mom’s a bit injured and still unconscious from the shock, but she’ll be alright with some rest,” Byron answered.

Byron was honest with his children. They were young, but resilient. They deserved to understand the weight of protecting family.

Theo’s voice grew wobbly. “This is your fault for not letting me come! I could’ve helped treat her! I know how!”

Will was quieter, gripping the phone in frustration, wishing he were older and stronger.

Having grown up around Maeve, Theo’s way of pleading was almost an exact match to hers. Byron had never been able to resist Maeve’s soft pleas, even when she was unaware of how endearing she was.

Naturally, he couldn’t resist Theo’s either. So, just moments after steeling himself to toughen up the kids’ resilience, Byron’s resolve softened, and he gave in. “Alright, be good and stay there. When Mommy wakes, I’ll bring you both.”

Will’s voice brightened. “We’ll be good. Take care of Mom and yourself.”

Theo added, sounding serious, “Yeah, don’t get sick or anything. We’d have to take care of you, and you’re too big for that.”

“What a little rascal,” Byron thought.

By afternoon, Maeve still hadn’t woken up. Even in sleep, she kept breaking out in a cold sweat, her brows tightly furrowed as if trapped in a nightmare. Byron didn’t know what she was dreaming about, but seeing her so fearful, he guessed it was the memory of the chainsaw hovering above her on the machine. Remembering Tom’s words about the mercenaries, Byron’s face grew grim with doubt. It felt like a personal grudge against Maeve herself, not just Henry’s debt. ‘But who could be after Maeve?’ Byron wondered.

Lost in thought, Byron noticed Maeve’s collar was damp. Gently, he wiped her body and changed her into a fresh gown.

Later in the afternoon, Tom returned.

“Still asleep?” Tom asked, glancing at Maeve.

Byron shook his head. “What did you find?”

Tom’s expression grew serious. “It’s unexpected.”

“Go on.”

“I had people look into Henry York’s past,” Tom said, his expression darkening. “We questioned the mercenaries and bandits who knew him back then. Turns out, Henry York never married, nor had a relationship with a woman.” Byron’s face remained calm as he gently dabbed the sweat on Maeve’s forehead with a handkerchief.

Tom continued in a lower voice, “If we can confirm he didn’t have any women around him during the years he was abroad, then it’s very possible Maeve isn’t his daughter.”

“We can’t trace his life for the last twenty years?”

“Exactly. It’s like someone erased it.”

Byron gave a dark chuckle. “Whoever’s behind this is skilled.”

Tom nodded. The deeper they looked, the clearer it became that Henry was just a pawn, one placed to tear Maeve’s life apart. But who was orchestrating it, they still didn’t know. Tom looked at Maeve, his face softening before it darkened with thoughts of the mastermind behind her ordeal.

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