Chapter 367


    Chapter 367


    “Hey, what’s got you so spaced out?”


    Elvis noticed Evadne staring nkly into space and waved a hand in front of her eyes to snap her out


    of it.


    “Elvis.”


    Evadne hesitated, her words trailing off as she thought of a woman who bore a striking resemnce to


    herself.


    “What’s wrong, Evadne? You’re usually so straightforward. Why are you stuttering now?” Elvis asked,


    puzzled.


    “It’s nothing, really.”


    Just a woman he chanced upon, way back in another country.


    Even if she had the slightest suspicion, she couldn’t look into this woman. Her only option was to probe


    through Edith.


    But what was the point?


    It was Thaddeus who had dered, in front of her grandfather, that their rtionship was over, and


    there was no turning back.


    So what was she hesitating for? What was she mourning?


    Evadne gave a silent, bitter smile, draining the lukewarm tea in her cup.


    How pathetic she must be, to pine for a man who had forsaken her twice. Shouldn’t she be thankful


    that she didn’t repeat the same mistake?


    Cassius, sitting next to her, took in her mixed emotions but said nothing. Instead, he gently took her


    chilly hand into his warm one, holding itfortingly.


    “Did you tell Suri and Emeric about Chasel?” Evadne asked softly.


    Emeric had taken Myra abroad to alleviate her mncholy, and Suri and Aviana had tagged along.


    They were staying in separate vis though.


    The grand Ashbourne family mansion was rather deserted these days, with only them present.


    “We’ve already called Suri.”


    Cassius let out a soft smile, “Suri said not to treat him like a guest. Deal with him as necessary, as long


    as you’re happy, she would even take that she’s never had this nephew.”


    Evadne couldn’t help butugh. She knew that they all doted on her dearly.


    “Wow, is this what they call forsaking one’s kin for justice, or disowning one’s family?” Arnold


    eximed, ck–jawed.


    Elvis took a cigarette from his ck coat pocket and ced it between his lips, abination of cool


    and rogue, “Helping others, that’s called forsaking one’s kin for justice. Helping Thaddeus, that


    douchebag, that’s disowning one’s family.”


    Everyone was speechless.


    Evadne merely blinked, remaining silent.


    “Evadne, there’s something I want to say, but I’m not sure if I should.”


    “Then don’t,” Evadne cut him off, already guessing what Elvis was going to say.


    It definitely wouldn’t be pleasant.


    “Thaddeus now has severe neurological damage due to my actions, affecting his nervous system. We


    don’t know what’s in store for him, whether it’s intermittent fainting or paralysis, Evadne’s voice was


    laced with bitterness.


    Elvis frowned at her words.


    “I don’t want any more dealings with him, but I don’t want to feel like I owe him anything either.


    Evadne looked up at Elvis again, her gaze clear yet heart–wrenching, “I’m not trying to save him. I’m


    trying to redeem myself.”


    The atmosphere in the living room grew tense.


    Amold, ever the sly fox, suddenly blurted out, “Hey, Cassius, is Chasel really a man?”


    Cassius simply replied, “Yes.”


    “How does it feel when you hold him?”


    Elvis couldn’t resist teasing him, “Oh, I thought you, Arnold, was an upright man, not interested in


    women. Turns out you have unique tastes. If you have such desires in the future, just say so. Why


    make me seduce him? Evadne should let Arnold do it, he’d be more than eager!”


    “What the heck are you thinking!”


    Amold’s eyes widened, itching to kick his little brother, “I just haven’t seen a man that good looking


    before. I was curious!”


    Evadne was speechless, startled by his imagination.


    “Who would be that curious about other men?” Elvis smirked.


    “That just shows I’m young! Only old people lose their curiosity!” Amold retorted.


    The brothers bickered and the night ended on that note.


    The next day


    Chasel, due to jeg, slept until noon.


    He had just opened his bleary eyes when he heard persistent knocking at the door.


    At first, he didn’t want to answer it, but the person outside was insistent and patient.


    “What the heck! You just wouldn’t stop, would you? So annoying“”


    Chasel huffed as he sprang up from the bed and flung open the door


    When he saw the impably dressed Cassius standing there, he was taken aback.


    Cassius was unruffled at first, his eyes subtly trailing from Chasel’s well–defined chest to his abs, finally


    landing on his mboyant boxer shorts.


    His deep gaze darkened slightly, revealing a hint of fluttering.


    “Hey, do I look good, cousin?” With his eyes squinted, Chasèl leaned against the door frame, yawning.


    He was naturally dissolute and unrestrained. He wouldn’t be shy even if he waspletely naked.


    But facing Cassius, the embodiment of his aesthetic ideal, an alluring man in a suit, he felt a little


    nervous, his heart rate quickening.


    “Your boxer shorts are cute,” Cassius said, his voice low and charming.


    “Mr. Bright, did you sleep well?” Cassius asked, a soft smile ying on his lips.


    “It was okay, I guess. It’s a bit lonely without someone to warm the bed though,” Chasel replied, his


    words brimming with frustration from being kidnapped. “May Ie in?”


    Chasel pressed his lip and stepped aside to let him in.


    They walked into the living room, where Chasel made himselffortable on the sofa, throwing his


    legs on the coffee table. His dark eyes focused on Cassius, “What’s so urgent that you had toe


    find me this early?”


    It was only then that he noticed a first aid kit had mysteriously appeared on the coffee table.


    In the next moment, Cassius suddenly dropped to one knee, grabbing hold of Chasel’s ankle.


    Heat rushed to Chasel’s cheeks, and he recoiled slightly, “W–what are you doing?”


    “You’ve got a scrape on your ankle that hasn’t been treated. Let me put some ointment on it.”


    Cassius gave him a warm smile, and without waiting for a response, began to disinfect the wound with


    an alcohol swab.


    The cold sting was oddlyforting, and Chasel squinted his fox–like eyes, his toes curling reflexively.


    Despite being a doctor himself, and knowing the injury was minor, he was unused to this level of care.


    But living alone abroad, far from family, he hadn’t made many genuine friends.


    So when Cassius started tending to him, his heart fluttered, leaving him feeling somewhat disoriented.


    The room was quiet, filled with an indescribable tension.


    “Even though the injury isn’t serious, try to keep it from water.”


    Cassius put away the kit, his voice soft, “I’ve never seen a man with skin as delicate as yours, like my


    little sister’s. I want it to stay perfect, so it’s best not to leave a scar.”


    “Cassius.” Chasel arched an eyebrow, leaning in closer to him, “Ever heard the saying ‘Beware of


    Greeks bearing gifts‘?“!


    Cassius met his gaze, his clear, bright eyes piercing into Chasel’s soul.


    Their faces were close, so close it seemed like their noses might touch.


    Cassius‘ heart skipped a beat as he locked eyes with Chasel, “What are you trying to say?”


    “Are you trying to suck up to me on Evadne’s orders, or do you really care about my injury?“:


    Chasel’s voice, while not as feminine as his appearance, was still alluring.


    “You’re both Evadne’s guest and Suri’s nephew. It’s only right that I take care of you,” Cassius eyes


    remained downcast again.


    “No wonder you’re the president, always choosing your words carefully.”


    Clearly not satisfied with the response, Chasel turned away, “You can leave now. And I’m booking a


    flight home first thing tomorrow morning.”


    “Still angry?” Cassius squinted his eyes slightly, settling down next to him.


    “What do you think?”


    “What can I do to make it up to you?”


    “Have that bastard Elvise and apologize to me, then I’ll consider it!”


    Chasel was still fuming over the fact that he, a renowned yboy, had been bagged and transported


    from abroad.


    “What if we try something different?”


    “No, I want that!”


    “Even if I talk to him, he won’t do it. And chances are, he’s already left. I don’t know where he is,”


    Cassius looked at him, still smiling, “Let’s try something else,


    anything.”


    Chasel thought for a moment, a mischievous grin spreading across his face, “Cassius, be careful with


    your words. It would be embarrassing if you can’t keep your promise.”


    “Speak it out, I’ll see if I can do.” Cassius asked, his voice serious.


    “I want you to stay with me tonight. Can you do that?” Chasel asked, leaning against his hand as he


    admired Cassius‘ handsome profile.


    “How do you mean?”


    Cassius suddenly leaned in close, his hand slowly loosening his tie.


    Chasel swallowed hard, unable to avert his gaze, his mind racing.


    Normally, he would’ve jumped at such an opportunity. But this time, he felt as though he was being


    overpowered by Cassius‘ presence.


    Knock, knock, knock.


    “Cassius? Are you in there? Is Dr. Bright awake? I’ve made lunch,” Evadne’s sweet voice echoed from


    outside.


    “Uh–huh.”


    Cassius rose gracefully to his feet, looking down at Chasel, “You must be starving. Evadne is an


    excellent cook, and she doesn’t make meals for just anyone. Would you like to try some?”


    Chasel wanted to refuse, but his stomach growled traitorously.


    Fine! He decided.


    He had to make the best of the situation. He couldn’t go home anyway, so he might as well fill his belly!


    After Chasel was invited to lunch by Evadne, Cassius returned to his room alone and locked the door.


    He sat down at his desk in his study, his normally warm expression slowly hardening.


    He loosened his tie and undid the top buttons of his shirt, finally able to breathe morefortably.


    A silver cross pendant slipped out from under his shirt, glinting in the dim light:


    Cassius closed his eyes, taking deep breaths to calm his racing heart.


    But the image that surfaced in his mind was not of Chasel’s androgynously beautiful face, but of


    another man.


    A man he thought he had forgotten, but who still haunted his thoughts.


    The man he once loved.


    Cassius turned to the floor–to–ceiling bookshelf, pulling out two books.


    A hiddenpartment popped open with a click, revealing an exquisite safe.


    He entered that man’s birthday and his own, the safe unlocked.


    Inside were a couple of framed pictures, a sealed file, and a ck velvet jewelry box.


    Cassius opened the box. There was a pair of diamond rings, obviously a matching set.


    He picked up one ring, slipping it onto his left ring finger, before picking up the old photos.


    In the pictures, a handsome, sunny man had his arms wrapped around Cassius from behind. Their


    intimate poses and sweet smiles made their rtionship obvious to anyone who saw.


    They were in a rtionship.


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    The man had a pair of fox–like eyes, so simr to Chasel’s, narrow and expressive.


    When he had first seen those eyesst night, he was instantly drawn in. All the sweet and painful


    memories he had buried deep within his heart came flooding back, as if it happened yesterday.


    Cassius‘ breath hitched, his eyes welling up with tears as he turned over the photo. On the back, neat


    handwriting read: Cassius, I hope one day, the world can forgive us.


    “But you didn’t wait for that day. You left me,” he whispered, pressing his lips to the man in the photo.


    Death wasn’t scary.


    What was truly terrifying was the constant reminders of the one he had lost, the memories that came


    flooding back with every familiar sight and sound.


    Evadne personally went into the kitchen to whip up a feast for Chasel.


    Despite not having cooked in a while, her culinary skills were far from rusty. In fact, they were so


    impressive that even the chef in their family wanted to learn a thing or two from her.


    Chasel’s mouth was watering at the sight of the sumptuous spread. He was practically drooling.


    “Just some simple home cooking, Dr. Bright. I hope it’s to your liking,” Evadne said, propping her cheek


    on her hand and grinning at his nearly ravenous gaze.


    But Chasel had a stubborn streak. He wasn’t one to back down just because he was tempted by the


    aroma of good food.


    He took a deep breath and gave Evadne a frosty look, “Ms. Ashbourne, even though you’re my aunt’s


    favorite kid, your charm doesn’t work on me. I made it clear on the phone. I don’t treat the rich and


    famous. Thaddeus, being the CEO of the Abernathy group, has a multitude of doctors willing to fawn


    over the Abernathy family. They’d go to great lengths to treat him. They don’t need me. I stick to my


    principles. If I say no, it means no. No amount persuasion will change my mind. You’re wasting your


    time.”


    Hmm?


    Was Chasel not impressed by Cassius efforts?


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    -Evadne calmly met his gaze, unruffled.


    She knew that men were always concerned about one thing: pride.


    And another thing: theirpetitive spirit.


    So she picked up her tea cup, took a sip, and said calmly, “I understand. As a highly skilled doctor, you


    have immense confidence in your medical abilities, Dr. Bright. And in all your years of practice, you


    have never lost a patient, never failed in a surgery. You are a hundred percent sure you can cure any


    patient you take under your care. Because you would never take on a case unless you’re a hundred


    percent sure you can seed, right?”


    The mood suddenly shifted, subtly turning into a tense standoff.