Chapter 401

Hard against the bookcase, Chasel found himself stumbling back, books cascading down around him in a papery rain. One thick tome struck him square on the head, buzzing his ears with a painful resonance.

“Damn it. Cassius! What the hell?”

“I warned you, didn’t I?”

A flicker of concern crossed Cassius‘ features as he observed Chasel’s pain, but it disappeared just as quickly. “Chasel, it’s true my sister needs your help, but that doesn’t mean you can do as you please with me. What happened that night, it ends here. If you behave, we’ll still be family. If you continue like this, I can’t predict how I’ll react.”

Cassius had never been known for his patience.

Among all the Ashbourne siblings, he was the one with the most volatile temper. Ten years ago, if a man had dared to touch him like this, he would not have hesitated to break their fingers.

“Cassius. So, you’re not owning up to what you did that night, right?” Chasel’s voice trembled, his hands clenched tightly.

“We kissed, we held each other, and then what? Did we do anything else?”

Cassius slowly swiveled his chair, removing his glasses and revealing his cold, reserved expression. “That’s all there is to it. Chasel, you know full well what happened that night. If you hadn’t initiated it, nothing would have happened.”

“But you could have rejected me like you did just now, Cassius, but you didn’t!”

Chasel glared at him furiously, his eyes burning like those of an angry fox. “So you do like me, you have feelings for me! Otherwise, with your personality, even if I stripped naked and threw myself at you, you wouldn’t accept me!”

“Chasel, I’ve done some digging. I know about your history. The number of men you’ve been with is quite extensive.”

“Cassius.” Chasel froze, feeling as if he was standing naked before him.

“I want to ask you, when you slept with those men, did you truly love them?”

Chasel felt a sharp twinge in his heart.

Love?

He had never truly loved anyone.

Those one–night stands were nothing more than distractions to fill his lonely nights. He was simply searching for companionship.

“I’m sure you have your answer. Coincidentally, my feelings for you are exactly the same.”

Cassius‘ cold gaze bore into him. “We’re both adults, Chasel. Don’t be so childish.”

Overwhelmed by a wave of pain, Chasel was about to retort when the sound of a knock interrupted them. It was followed by Suri’s voice.

“Cassius, Chasel, are you in there? May I come in?”

Cassius took a deep breath, composed himself, and walked over to the door to let Suri in.

“Suri,” he greeted her with a warm smile.

“Cassius, were you two chatting? I heard some noises just now. Is everything okay?” Suri asked, peering cautiously into the room..

“Everything’s fine, Suri. Did you need me, or did you come for Chasel?” Cassius asked, his expression unchanging.

“Actually, I came to see you.”

Suri hesitated for a moment, then spoke in a low voice. “Next week, Emeric and I will be attending the Elmsworth horse race. It’s an important event and could lead to a major business partnership.”

She quickly added, “It’s not that I want to go, I suggested that Emeric take Myra or Aviana. However, the Abernathy Group will also be attending, and Elspeth will inevitably be there. Myra certainly won’t go, but Aviana might be interested. But if we all go, the media might misinterpret.”

“Suri, I understand. You don’t need to explain. You’ve always been there for my father during these kinds of events because of your calm demeanor and thoughtful nature. My father feels at ease with you by his side.” Cassius replied, understandingly.

“Emeric also mentioned that not only the Abernathy Group but the Fairhaven and Chambers Groups will be there too.”

Cassius‘ eyes darkened. “I see. I’ll make sure Evadne stays away.”

Suri sighed, clearly troubled. “I thought of that too and told Emeric, but your father insists that Evadne must attend, no matter what. He said there’s important business to discuss.”

“Important business?” Cassius frowned.

“I tried to get more information, but Emeric wouldn’t say.”

Suri looked worried. “Cassius, you have to be there. No matter what happens, we must protect Evadne. We can’t let anyone bully her!”

you for

Cassius left, Suri entered

just now? Did you have a fight with Cassius?”

picking up the scattered books from the floor, his back towards Suri. His voice was muffled as

“No, it’s nothing.”

from outside, although

expression. “Cassius is such a patient man. I have never seen him lose his temper in all these years. And yet you managed to provoke him in just

triggered by her words, “What did I do wrong? It’s Cassius who

been growing wild without

life in the Ashbourne family, you naturally have to get along with them. But I could leave at any time. I don’t need to

that his words might have been too harsh, Chasel regretted it. But

darkened, a bitter taste

into an

“Chasel, I’m sorry. I know I’ve brought disgrace

Suri, I didn’t

of being your elder, much less to guide you. I’m happy that you could come home this time. In the future, take good. care

that, Suri left, her head

“Aunt Suri!”

He wanted to chase after her, but at this moment,

book, and in the empty bookshelf where it had

a book had been there,

reached in and knocked.

sense of

Thaddeus hadn’t seen Evadne come

it was time for dinner, no matter how much he knocked on the door, she wouldn’t come out to see him. She claimed she was feeling unwell and

was wrong with her. She had been fine in the morning. Why had her condition

stood at her door, trying to recall if

he hadn’t done anything

was getting frantic, the

moment, Evadne’s bedroom door

a peach–colored nightgown and accidentally

like it’s your job, Thaddeus? It’s a peaceful afternoon, why

his palms sweating. “I

don’t have a

“No.”

lowered her eyelashes and brushed his burning hand away.

that, she brushed past

as

hurried to the front door

“Alva!”

“Mrs. Abernathy!”

simple luggage, threw her bag on the ground and embraced Evadne

missed you so much!” Alva, in

too, Alva. Seeing you so energetic puts my mind at ease.” Evadne felt a

followed and was surprised to see

knew without asking that Alva hatt

well recently, and I’ve been quite busy. I’m afraid I can’t take care of him properly, so I asked you to come and

Alva was on the verge of

expected that she would see Thaddeus and Evadne together again before

She was content!

Thaddeus felt a

was a person who didn’t need others‘ care and didn’t

Alva to come over from Windermere Estate overnight for one reason she

1

couldn’t just kick him out. So, she asked someone they

his side, and a suffocating

they had been intimate

like nothing

feeling was torture. He could hardly

Late into the night, she was washing Evadne’s clothes, tidying up the living room, and cooking for them. No matter how much they tried

dinner, Evadne wanted to stay and do the dishes,

never done such a rough job since you were little!

fine, I used to do this when I was young.” Thaddeus put on

speaker was unintentional, but the

surprised. Although she had always been following Thaddeus, she

stayed in the kitchen while

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