"Wait, I really didn''t do it. Maeve''s face was pale, and she looked helpless. T just got here and found out..." Before she could finish her sentence, Alexis''s sharp p struck her face.


    "Shut up" Alexis red at her with disgust. "If anything happens to Gilbert, just wait to pay with your life."


    Maeve was struck sideways, her hair falling messily against her fished check, the imprint of the p clearly visible.


    A wave of unprecedented humiliation washed over her, making her eyes burn with unshed tears.


    The butler quickly brought in the medical team to give Gilbert emergency treatment.


    "Bind her up first, in case she has more malicious intentions, Alexis ordered the bodyguards following her.


    Maeve instinctively recoiled, but the bodyguards misinterpreted her action as an attempt to escape. They seized her shoulders and forcibly bound her hands behind her back. "What''s going on?" Byron strode into the room, his voice suddenly cold and deep as he spotted Gilbert lying unconscious int the center surrounded by doctors. "Who hurt Grandpa Jason pointed coldly at Maeve. "Who else could it be? Your wife stabbed Gilbert with a knife, and we caught her in the act."


    Byron''s brows furrowed deeply, and his sharp gaze turned to Maeve''s pale face.


    Maeve felt pierced by the icy re in his eyes and hurriedly shook her head. "It wasn''t me! I didn''t... How could I hurt Gilbert?"


    "We saw you with the knife next to Gilbert. Who else could it be? Alexis sneered. "Save your excuses for the police."


    Maeve gasped.


    "Maeve has no motive to harm Grandpa," Byron interjected in a deep voice. "It would be unfair to jump to conclusions based solely on her presence at the scene."


    Alexis looked shocked. ''Byron, your grandfather is unconscious, and his life is at risk. Yet you''re still defending this woman?


    "Gilbert cared for you so much, and this is how you repay him?" Jason said, anguished. "Are you out of your mind?"


    Maeve was shocked that Byron would defend her instead of assuming she was the culprit.


    She thought he wouldn''t believe her.


    "Wait, what''s in her pocket?" Alexis suddenly asked.


    Maeve froze and looked down.


    Her coat pocket was bulging, as if something had been forcefully stuffed inside.


    A sense of foreboding washed over her.


    At Alexis''s signal, the bodyguard reached into Maeve''s coat pocket and pulled out a pure gold, gem-encrusted music box.


    "Isn''t this Laurel''s favorite thing from before?" Alexis red at Maeve. "You''re really bold to have something that doesn''t belong to you. No wonder you dared to harm Gilbert. You probably thought you''d get away with it if you killed him to cover up."


    "I didn''t take it. I don''t know how it ended up in my pocket Mative shook her head in denial. "I swear, I didn''t hurt Gilbert"


    She looked urgently at Byron. "It wasn''t me. I promise I didn''t...


    Byron pressed his lips together, saying nothing.


    Maeve''s hopes began to plummet in his silence.


    Just then, the doctor said seriously to Jason, "We''ve temporarily stopped the bleeding from Gilbert''s wounds, but he lost too much blood, which has caused otherplications and aggravated existing conditions."


    At these words, everyone''s expression changed.


    "The ambnce is downstairs," Byron said, putting away his phone. His expression was cold andposed. "We''ll use the special passage. We can reach the hospital in no more than five minutes. The operating room and the best doctors are on standby." Jason immediately instructed someone to carry Gilbert on a''streicher and leave.


    "Byron!" Alexis called after him, frowning. "This involves your grandfather and the Mcdaniel Group. You can''t let your emotions cloud your judgment. Maeve needs to be taken to the police station for questioning, or else you...


    "Just lock her up for now," Byron said, slightly turning his head. His tone was devoid of any emotion. "She''s my wife. Surely you understand that we all share the consequences."


    With that, he strode away.


    Maeve watched him leave, her heart heavy with bitterness.


    He didn''t believe her.


    He thought she was the kind of person who harbored greed and malice, someone who would harm Gilbert.


    At this thought, it felt like a massive hand was gripping her heart tightly, flooding her with an overwhelming pain. The pain from the p mark on her right cheek was overshadowed by this deep ache.


    They soon arrived at the First Hospital.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    1. y. Gilbert was taken to the intensive care unit.


    After the surgery.


    The lead surgeon removed his mask. "Although Mr. Mcdaniel''s abdominal wounds avoided the vital organs, he lost too much blood, which has led to otherplications and worsened his pre-existing conditions. If he can wake up within a week, he''ll be fine. But if he doesn''t...


    Jason''s expression changed. "What will happen?"


    "The worst-case scenario is that he''ll be a vegetable."


    The term "vegetablended like a heavy blow on both Byron and Jason.


    The atmosphere in the corridor grew gloomy and silent, with no one daring to speak..


    Jason leaned against the wall, exhausted and filled with hatred. "Once we get back, you and Maeve should file for divorce. A woman like her cannot remain in the Mcdaniel family."


    "My affairs are none of f your concern, Byron replied coolly. "This may not even be her fault."


    Jason said. "You still want to defend her with solid evidence?"


    B


    Byron lifted his gaze, meeting Jason''s furious stare without flinching. "Given her character, there''s no way she would steal That''s all"


    His phone suddenly vibrated.


    Byron nced at the caller ID and walked to the window to answer the call.


    Jason clenched the armrest of the bench, his expression sullen.


    Jason thought. Clearly, he isn''t a child raised in the Medaniel family. His grandfather is in critical condition, yet he showed no sign of anxiety or sadness, even taking the time to make a phone call. Gilbert will surely be heartbroken''


    "Mr. Mcdaniel, I''ve tracked down the miracle doctor from the Chatterly family and contacted his assistant. However, he refused our request for an appointment, saying that the miracle doctor feels there''s no fate with us. Archer reported over the phone. Byron''s gaze turned icy, "What a ridiculous excuse."


    Archer continued. This miracle doctor is known for being whimsical and has set a rule of three refusals. He doesn''t treat those close to death, those he dislikes, and those he feels no connection with."


    If one put it nicely, he was a miracle doctor.


    Put harshly, he was a devil who took pleasure in making those seeking help suffer with his arbitrary rules.