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!”

thank you for letting me

Cassius left, Suri entered

Did you have

the floor, his back towards Suri. His

“No, it’s nothing.”

outside, although I couldn’t make out what

upset 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 a few days. It’s

did I do wrong? It’s Cassius who

wild without supervision for years. You’re becoming more and more

you naturally have to get along with them.

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

a bitter

room fell into

to ease the tension when Suri spoke quietly. “Chasel, I’m sorry. I know I’ve brought disgrace upon you, upon the Bright family.

I didn’t

I’m not worthy of being your elder, much less to guide you. I’m happy that you could come home this time. In the future, take

Suri left, her head

“Aunt Suri!”

guilty. He wanted to chase after her,

and in the empty bookshelf where it had been,

been there, he would never have

and

strong sense of curiosity

left, Thaddeus hadn’t seen

the door, she wouldn’t come out to see him. She claimed she

didn’t know what was wrong with her. She had been fine

stood at her door, trying to recall if he’d done

done

was getting frantic, the

this moment, Evadne’s

in a peach–colored nightgown and accidentally bumped into Thaddeus, her forehead hitting his firm

like it’s your job, Thaddeus? It’s a peaceful afternoon, why aren’t you taking a

palms sweating. “I was worried about

hand to feel her forehead. “Good, you don’t have a fever. Is there something else

“No.”

brushed his burning hand away. “Go answer

she brushed

tell her mood was off, as if

the front door

“Alva!”

“Mrs. Abernathy!”

her bag on

I’ve missed you so much!” Alva, in her fifties, cried

so energetic puts my mind at ease.” Evadne felt

followed and was surprised

knew without asking that Alva

busy. I’m afraid I can’t take

was on the

see Thaddeus and

She was content!

this, Thaddeus felt a pang in his

and didn’t like to trouble others. He knew her

Alva to come over from Windermere Estate overnight for one reason she didn’t

1

couldn’t just kick him out. So, she asked someone they both knew well to come over to avoid the

these thoughts, Thaddeus‘ hand tightened by his side, and a suffocating feeling rose in

had been intimate

it feel like

feeling was torture.

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

the dishes,

about? You’ve never done such a rough job since you were

do this when I was

was unintentional, but the listener had

Although she had always been following Thaddeus,

stayed in the kitchen while Evadne went back to her room

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