Chapter 381


    Chapter 381


    t


    Evadne was admitted to the ward, having IV drips. Physically and mentally worn out, shey on the


    bed without a hint of sleepiness.


    Cassius sat by her side, holding his sister’s foot on hisp, carefully tending to her ankle wound with a


    cotton swab.


    It was only then that Evadne felt a twinge of pain. She furrowed her brows slightly, remaining silent.


    “Evadne, you didn’t return to the Elmsworth vi or Skyrimst night. Where did you go?” Cassius


    asked softly, his hands trembling as he applied ointment to her wound. Evadne didn’t make any sound.


    “Did you go to see Thaddeus?”


    The man’s name was like a ticking bomb, and every time Cassius mentioned it, he was cautious.


    “Chasel said that you took him to see Thaddeus yesterday, and the meeting wasn’t pleasant. Then you


    received a phone call and left alone. Did you go to see him?”


    “Cassius.”


    After a while, Evadne finally focused her hollow eyes on Cassius‘ face, her voice hoarse, “I hate who I


    am now. I feel so cheap.”


    “Silly girl, don’t belittle yourself.”


    Cassius felt a pang of heartache, his breath hitched as he leaned closer to hug her, “Anyone who says


    a word against my sister will have to answer to me.”


    The blood ties between siblings were more important than any other things.


    All he wanted was for his sister to live a smooth and happy life.


    Evadne sobbed in her brother’s arms, not understanding why she was so affected by the sight of


    Thaddeus and Acacia’s picture together.


    It was as though her soul had been shattered.


    At this moment, a nurse entered from outside the room.


    “President Ashbourne, it’s time to change Ms. Ashbourne’s dressing.”


    “Alright.”


    Cassius let go of Evadne and stood up, his eyes filled with worry.


    The nurse helped Evadne remove her loose hospital gown. Underneath, she was wearing a silver silk


    slip dress. Her exposed skin was as white as ivory, her arms, slender and fragile.


    Even though Cassius had helped Evadnie dress andforted her when she was little, she was now a


    grown woman, and it was necessary for him to leave the room during her dressing change.


    Just as he was about to turn and leave the room, he caught sight of the numerous red marks on


    Evadne’s neck and corbone. They were so vivid and ring! They extended from her neck, all the


    way down to her chest. They were everywhere!


    In an instant, Cassius was stunned. Adam’s apple bobbing, he rushed over, his fingers digging into her


    skin as he held her shoulder.


    The nurse was startled. Seeing the dark expression on President Ashbourne’s face, she quickly


    excused herself.


    “Evadne, did he touch you?”


    Cassius stared at her, his voice hoarse, “Did Thaddeus touch you? Did you two?”


    Evadne looked at him with dull eyes and pulled at her dry lips.


    Her silence was her answer.


    “Did he force you?” Cassius spat out the words through gritted teeth.


    “No, I wanted to.”


    There was a thunderous sound in Cassius‘ head as if his heart had copsed.


    When Cassius emerged from the room, his face was as dark as hell.


    Upon hearing about Evadne’s ident, Arnold and Aaron, who were working at Elmsworth, and Nydia,


    who was in ss, all rushed over. Even Elvis raced to the hospital.


    For Evadne, the Ashbourne siblings seldom gathered together, only Bet, who was in the army, was


    missing.


    “Cassius, how could Evadne have a car ident out of the blue?” Nydia, the least courageous, was


    frightened, tears spinning in her eyes.


    Jason watched her, wanting tofort her, but with the young masters present, it was not appropriate


    for him, a secretary, to act too presumptuously.


    The only thing he could do was to keep his feelings hidden, his gaze never leaving Nydia though.


    Perhaps, for someone like him, the only right he had was to stand silently behind her, guarding her


    without a word.


    “Exactly, Evadne is a racing queen. Her driving skills are no worse than mine. How could she rear–end


    someone? Normally, others would not even be able to see her taillights:” Elvis was equally puzzled.


    On the way to the hospital, he felt disquiet. He had never even frowned in critical moments of fighting


    against criminals as performing the tasks. But now he was at a loss of what to do when it came to


    Evadne.


    Arnold and Aaron looked at Cassius anxiously, the atmosphere in the hallway heavy.


    Cassius‘ handsome face was frosted over, his strong jawline tense, he remained silent for a long time.


    “Cassius?” Arnold nudged him, “Say something.”


    “Evadne’s ident wasn’t serious. She’s just got some scratches and a bit scared.”


    After a while of recovering himself from fury, Cassius finally spoke, his tone indifferent, “These days, I


    need you guys to take turns to look after Evadne. Let’s not tell this to our dad and his wives, since they


    are keeping Myrapany. Evadne wouldn’t want to worry them unnecessarily.”


    “Cassius, your words are really annoying. Are you treating us as strangers?!”


    Elvis frowned, irritated, “Evadne is our sister. It’s only right that we take care of her. We would stay


    even if you didn’t ask!”


    “Yeah, Cassius, nothing is more important than Evadne.” Arnold and Aaron echoed instantly.


    “Arnold and Aaron, both of you have work to do, but I don’t. I can stay with Jason to take care of


    Evadne. You guys should go home and rest.” Nydia and Jason exchanged a tacit look, their eyes filled


    with unspoken understanding.


    “I’m free too. I’ve informed the boss at work.”


    Aaron immediately turned down the suggestion with a sigh of regret, “As Evadne’s elder brother, I’ve


    never really done anything for her. Now that she needs someone by her side, it’s my duty to be there.


    Otherwise, what kind of brother am I. What kind of person am I?”


    Young Ashbournes had never been involved in the cut–throat situation like other wealthy families would


    have.


    They always worked together, their bond enviable to outsiders.


    “Cassius, you’ve asked us to do it, but what about you? Do you have something to do?” Arnold, a


    prosecutor with a keen intuition, noticed something off about Cassius. It seemed like he was


    suppressing some sort of anger.


    “I have some other things to attend to.”


    Saying this, Cassius nced at the hospital room door, hesitated for a bit, and then walked in.


    By now, Evadne had changed the dressing for her wound and donned the oversized hospital gown,


    lying still on the bed with her eyes closed. It was unclear whether she was asleep or not.


    Cassius‘ eyshes fluttered; he walked quietly over to his little sister, bending down to gently kiss her


    forehead.


    “Rest well, my princess. I’lle back to see you soon.”


    “Cassius.” Evadne didn’t open her eyes, only responding in a weak voice, “I’m okay. I’m fine. Don’t


    worry about me.”


    If only she didn’t say these words; her feigned strength pierced the softest part of Cassius‘ heart, and


    his eyes filled with tears, barely holding them back.


    Cassius headed towards the underground parking lot with a somber expression.


    Just as he reached his car, Chasel’s voice rang out from behind him.


    “Cassius.”


    Cassius came to a halt, took a deep breath, and slowly turned to face him.


    The lighting in the parking lot was dim.


    But it was bright enough for Chasel to see the redness and tears in Cassius‘ eyes that he tried to hide


    but couldn’tpletely.


    Unwittingly, his unruffled state got stirred up.


    While Cassius wasn’t aware that right now to others, his fragile countenance was utterly sexually


    appealing.


    “Is something up?” Cassiusposed himself, his deep gaze fixed on Chasel.


    Chasel squinted his eyes slightly and approached him.


    Their gazes met, their breaths intermingling.


    Suddenly, Chasellifted his hand, his fingers gently brushing against Cassius‘ reddened eyes.


    Cassius‘ heart skipped a beat, his breath hitching.


    “I understand. You’re worried about your sister. Ipletely understand your feelings.”


    Chasel’s seductive voice whispered in his ear, “But promise me, don’t do anything stupid. Don’t make


    your princess worry about you. And don’t make me worry about you either.”


    Cassius felt an indescribable emotion spreading in his heart, his ears quickly flushing a bit.


    “I know you’re busy, so I won’t ask you to offer me a ride.”


    Chasel straightened up, his yful smile returning, “Seems like I won’t be able to go back at the


    moment. I’ll just go to the dealership and get a carter. It’ll be more convenient. Do you know any


    dealership, Cassius? Maybe you could get me a discount.”


    Before he could finish, Cassius‘ breathing became heavy, he grabbed Chasel’s wrist tightly.


    Chasel’s pupils contracted, his heart pounding.


    This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    “I can spare some time to take you.”


    Cassius pressed his lips, pulling him closer to his chest, “When we get back to Silveke Harbor, you


    can pick any car from the underground garage.”


    Thaddeus had been sleeping heavily for two days, not eating anything and only drinking water.


    Gordon took care of him. He was quite anxious, praying every night for Thaddeus‘ speedy recovery.


    He’d rather be the one in pain than see Thaddeus suffer like this.


    Without Mrs. Abernathy, Mr. Abernathy’s life was just too painful.


    “Gordon, how’s your boss doing?”


    Jareth called to check in, sounding very concerned, “Is he awake? I’ming over.”


    “Mr. Fairhaven, don’t bother, Mr. Abernathy has taken his medicine and is sleeping.” Gordon replied in


    a gloomy voice.


    “Is it medication or sleeping pills that Thad’s been taking? He’s been sleeping non–stop since he


    started. We should take him to the hospital. I’ll arrange it. It’ll bepletely confidential!”


    “No need, Mr. Fairhaven. Even Ms. Ashbourne as Dr. Eve doesn’t know what to do with Thaddeus‘


    condition. What can other doctors do?”


    Looking at the unconscious Thaddeus, Gordon felt quite upset, “I don’t know if taking this medicine is


    really worth it.”


    “What do you mean?”


    “The side effects are too severe. After taking the medicine, Mr. Abernathy stops shaking, but he vomits


    frequently and is always drowsy. It feels like he’s just going from one type of pain to another. I’m really


    afraid that if he continues to take it, he’ll end uppletely ruined!”


    Jareth was taken aback, at a loss for words.


    “Mr. Abernathy has done so much for Ms. Ashbourne, all because of her, why can’t Ms. Ashbourne give


    Mr. Abernathy a chance?” Gordon was anxious and reckless in his words.


    omewhat


    “Gordon, don’t say that.”


    Jareth paused, sighing softly, “Evadne never wronged him, and now Thaddeus is paying for his sins.


    After all, you saw the three years of their marriage. You were with Thaddeus every day, so you know


    what Evadne lost in those three years. Thaddeus should pay for it in this lifetime.”


    Gordon’s heart was struck. He remembered Mrs. Abernathy, who was helpless but never left


    Thaddeus‘ side, full of affection.


    Unknowingly, tears streamed down his face.


    Mr. Abernathy was suffering.


    But Mrs. Abernathy was also in pain.


    Gordon, fearing that Thaddeus might need assistance during the night, opted to spend the night on the


    couch in the bedroom without even changing his clothes. Awoken by the internal clock of his body the


    next morning, he automatically nced towards Thaddeus‘ direction.


    The bed was empty; Thaddeus was gone!


    “Mr. Abernathy?!”


    Panicked, Gordon sprung up like a startled cat, frantically searching the entire house for Thaddeus.


    Just then, the bathroom door opened.


    Thaddeus, impably dressed, walked out; his suit was tailored to perfection, wristwatch, necktie and


    cor pin, every essory in ce.


    His charismatic and austere aura was undeniable, making it almost impossible for Gordon to remember


    how frail he had seemed the previous night. “Is there something wrong with my face?” Thaddeus


    asked, his voice husky as he adjusted his cufflinks.


    There was a slight weakness in his tone, but it was hardly noticeable.


    “Mr. Abernathy, why are you up? You need more rest!” Gordon was genuinely concerned about his


    health.


    “There’s a crucial strategy meeting at thepany today that I must attend,” Thaddeus responded, his


    expression asposed as ever.


    “Darn, Ipletely forgot!”


    Gordon pped his forehead, then insisted, “Mr. Abernathy, you’re still ill. Please, reconsider attending


    the meeting today. Don’t push yourself too hard!”


    Thaddeus, his face as pale and handsome as ever, raised his hand to silence him.


    “I’m fine. Prepare the car.””


    At exactly ten o’clock in the morning, the ck Rolls–Royce arrived at the entrance of the Abernathy


    Group building..


    The sight of the shy license te instantly drew the attention of everyone nearby.


    “Wow, that’s a rare one!” the bystandersmented.


    “I remember that license te being auctioned off. I think it went for over 2 million! It even made the


    news!”


    “Holy smokes! 2 million for a license te?! My imagination is limited by my poverty!”


    “I’m really curious. Who’s the owner of the car?”


    “Do you even need to ask? It’s someone we could never reach!”


    Inside the luxury vehicle at that moment:


    Cassius sat upright, ncing down at the open Bible spread across his knees, holding a crucifix and


    muttering prayers.


    After finishing his prayers, he slowly closed the Bible, uttering an “Amen.”


    When he looked up again, his striking eyes were filled with bloodshot streaks, like a demon from hell


    that had finally seen daylight after years of imprisonment.