<b>Chapter </b><b>400 </b>
Elspeth’s twenty million was stashed away in the Bank <b>of </b>Country R, a clear indictor that the money <b>in </b><b>her </b>Country R ount was the result of her embezzlement.
<b>To </b>be able to take out twenty million at a moment’s notice meant that she must have embezzled astronomical sums, likely from the Abernathy Group’s various sources and the bribes she received in her capacity as the chairman’s wife.
“Gordon, has Elspeth transferred the money to Ward yet?<b>” </b>Thaddeus asked, his gaze as deep as a starry night sky.
<b>“</b>It’s been transferred.”
“Has he withdrawn it<b>?</b><b>” </b>
“Not yet. It’s such arge sum, he’d need a dump <b>truck </b>to <b>carry </b><b>it</b>! Carrying around that much cash is too conspicuous, especially when he’s nning to make a run for it.”
Thaddeus nodded slightly, “Alright, contact the police immediately and freeze Ward’s ount.”
“Right away, Mr. Thaddeus!” Gordon promptly stood and left to do just that.
Indeed, freezing an ount was something the police could do quite easily.
“Hmph, that beast won’t be able to get his hands on the money and will likely turn against Elspeth out of desperation.”
Evadne’s eyes were sharp and bright, “The focus now is to <b>track </b>down Ward. Once we catch him, he’ll have no choice but to spill the beans on Elspeth’s crimes.”
“That guy, we’ve got a lead.” Jareth casually leaned back, slinging a careless leg over the armrest of his chair.
Evadne and Thaddeus: “What?”
“Why else do <b>you </b>think I came to see you? I’m not here for a social <b>call</b><b>. </b>If I were, I would have brought Mari with me.”
Jareth’s left arm drapedzily over the back of the couch, exuding a mafia prince’s dominant presence, “One of <b>our </b>Fairhaven family operatives found a clue at Sunset Harbor. Two fishermen saw Ward sneaking onto a cargo shipte at <b>night</b>. The ship is bound for Country T. It seems he ns to smuggle himself out.”
<b>“</b><b>Country </b>T? Do you think he might change his course to another country en route?” Evadne frowned, worry clouding her features. “Possibly, but the two countries along the way are pretty barren. What’s he going to do with twenty million there, use it as kindling?”
Jareth continued, “So I’ve sent my guys to secretly follow him. We won’t overlook any harbors in the other countries either. But we need to be careful not to spook him. If he jumps ship midway or switches to a yacht or speedboat, it’ll make our job much harder.
Evadne, Thad, don’t worry. Even if he leaves the <b>country </b>and the police can’t apprehend him immediately, our Fairhaven Group will bring him back, intact.”
Smuggling goods, a skill the Fairhaven Group had perfected, having built their empire on it.
“My older brother has connections <b>in </b>Country T. I’ll get in touch with him so we can work together and catch him unawares.” Evadne was eager to participate<b>, </b>practically itching to get in on the chase herself.
“Oh, if your brother could lend a hand, that would be great!” Jareth said cheerfully.
Thaddeus‘ sharp gaze pierced Jareth’s ingratiating face like a dart.
When had this guy learned to act so obnoxious, unting his douchebag attitude like that?
With both Thaddeus and Jareth bringing good news, Evadne couldn’t help but let her happiness shine through.
She had the basic manners of a good host<b>, </b>so she went to the <b>bar </b>to prepare some drinks for them.
Taking advantage of Evadne’s absence<b>, </b>Jareth scooted over to sit next to Thaddeus.
“Aren’t you <b>cold</b><b>?</b><b>” </b>Thaddeus asked in a chilly tone.
“Huh? No, why would I be<b>?</b><b>” </b>
“Then move away. I don’t like the smell of your perfume<i>! </i>
“Tch, so picky! Who cares if you like it or not, so long as Mari does!”
As he spoke, Jareth’s eyes roamed over Thaddeus‘ face, finally settling on a red mark hidden beneath his shirt cor. Jareth’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he asked in <b>a </b>low voice, “Thad, did <b>you </b>and Evadne, you know,st night?”
“How did you know?” Thaddeus‘ longshes fluttered, his dark eyes rippling with emotion.
Despite his best efforts <b>to </b>hide it, his slightly <b>upturned </b>l*ps betrayed a sense <b>of </b>satisfaction.
“<b>Good </b>lord<b>, </b><b>you </b>might as well have ‘sated‘ written across <b>your </b>face! Do you have any idea how smug you look<b>? </b><b>Just </b>one nce at <b>you, </b>and I’m about <b>to </b>puke!<b>” </b><b>Jareth </b>couldn’t help but tease him.
“Is there something wrong <b>with </b>that<b>?</b><b>” </b>
<b>Thaddeus </b>met his <b>gaze</b>, his <b>voice </b>low as he asked, “Am I not allowed <b>to </b>do things lovers do with my future wife<b>?</b><b>” </b>
“We’re <b>all </b><b>adults </b>here, so there’s nothing wrong <b>with </b><b>it </b><b>if </b>you’re <b>both </b><b>willing</b>. But<b>, </b><b>did </b><b>you </b>take precautions<b>?</b><b>” </b>
<b>“</b><b>Precautions</b><b>?</b><b>” </b>Thaddeus looked slightly <b>confused</b>.
“Did you use protection? What <b>about </bst time?” Jareth had no qualms about <b>asking such </b>questions. After all, they were both <b>men</b>, and <b>Thaddeus</b><b>, </b><b>despite </b>his outwardly tough and decisive appearance, was incredibly inexperienced in matters of love, <b>with </b>Evadne being his <b>only </b>rtionship.
<b>“</b>Last time,” Thaddeus honestly replied, “No, I <b>wasn’t </b>in any state to <b>think </b><b>about </b>that.”
<b>“</b><b>And </b>this time<b>?</b><b>” </b>
“I pulled out.”
<b>“</b>If your sperms are particrly lively, pulling out might <b>not </b>do any good, she could still get pregnant.”
Jareth put an arm around Thaddeus‘ shoulders, sighing heavily as he advised him, “Buddy, next time, use a condom. You’ve only just made some progress <b>in </b>your rtionship, you should be careful.
If <b>you </b><b>truly </b>care about her<b>, </b>don’t let her be pregnant before you’re married. She’s Emeric’s precious daughter<b>, </b>you should cherish <b>her</b><b>. </b>After all, getting pregnant before marriage, especially with her ex. No matter how you spin <b>it</b><b>, </b><b>it </b>won’t look good. For a woman, her reputation is more important than anything.”
“Jareth.”
Thaddeus fixed him with a sincere gaze, his eyes brimming with deep emotion as he said<b>, </b>“If Evadne were to be pregnant <b>with </b>my child, do you think I would shirk my responsibilities<b>? </b>
I only want her for the rest of my life. Whether or not we’re married, she’s still my woman, my wife. If she’s pregnant, and I’ll go propose to the Ashbourne family. I want to make our wedding grand. Everything that I couldn’t give her before, <b>I </b>intend to provide now.”
“Thaddeus<b>, </b>you’re getting ahead of yourself. You don’t even know if Evadne would be willing to marry you again.”
Speaking of <b>pregnancy</b>, Jareth became chatty once again, “Hey man, I n to have five children with Mari when we’re married. How many do <b>you </b>n on having with Evadne? Between the two of you<b>, </b><b>you </b>could buy a whole country. Don’t you n to have arge brood like Emeric <b>to </b><b>secure </b>your throne?”
“If Evadne wants, I don’t mind, Thaddeus said<b>, </b>his gaze turning passionate, filled with dreams for the future.
“Do <b>you </b>like children? I love them. I dream about having kids.”
Jareth was fantasizing about going to the amusement park with Mari and their children, so happy that he couldn’t close his mouth.
Thaddeus slowly closed his eyes, an image of Evadne’s shy beauty appearing in his mind, his heart beating faster.
“Yes, I like children<b>.” </b>
But he only liked the idea <b>of </b>having children with Evadne.
Two grown men chatted enthusiastically.
They were oblivious to the fact that on the other side of the wall, Evadne was trembling as she held a tray, etching their conversation deep into her heart.
She murmured, “I also like children. Thaddeus, I also like children. I used to dream of having a child with you. Unfortunately, if you ce your future on me, I’m afraid you might not get your wish <b>in </b><b>this </b>lifetime.”
Evadne, with red–rimmed eyes, took a deep breath and slowly slid down the wall in despair.
Whether she could bear children or not didn’t matter to her anymore.
Ever since she lost a child, she would never be able to have her own children again.
The news of Thaddeus spending the night with Evadne spread to Cassius quickly.
Cassius<b>, </b>the eldest brother<b>, </b>was worried about his reckless sister. He nned to <b>rush </b>over to stop them and give Thaddeus a good beating for <b>the </b>pain he had caused his sister.
However, he was intercepted by Elvis.
“Cassius, what’s <b>the </b>point of rushing over now? It’s all over and <b>they </b>aren’t <b>children</b>. Whatever was meant to happen, could you have stopped it?”
“What do you mean?”
Cassius looked <b>at </b>him in surprise, “Are you supporting their rtionship<b>?</b>”
“At the very least, I don’t support Evadne being with Avery Elvis stated bluntly.
“Even so, you’re just letting Evadne settle for less. Thaddeus and Avery, neither of them are good for Evadne,” Cassius shook his head in frustration.
“But Thaddeus truly loves Evadne. He might have messed up <b>in </b>the past<b>, </b>but he has shown remorse and has tried to make up for the pain he caused Evadne. As for Avery, his intentions towards Evadne are not pure. He definitely has some ulterior motives. Plus, Emeric’s sudden change in attitude towards him<b>, </b>can <b>you </b>say that Avery hasn’t yed any tricks behind Emeric’s back?”
Elvis usually didn’t interfere <b>in </b>family affairs<b>, </b>but this involved Evadne’s happiness. He couldn’t stand by and watch.
Cassius frowned, lost <b>in </b>thought.
His <b>younger </b>brother<b>, </b>who usually seemed to be put of tune, was making some valid points.
<b>“</b>I have <b>also </b>had <b>my </b>doubts<b>. </b><b>I </b><bter </b><b>found </b><b>out </b>that <b>on </b>the night when our father and the threedies returned home, Avery was with them at the hospital. Only our father went up while Avery <b>stayed </b>behind<b>, </b>seemingly to avoid suspicion. And that very night, our father told me that he wanted to arrange a marriage <b>between </b>Evadne and Avery, to form an alliance <b>with </b>the Chambers Group. I and Arnold vehemently opposed <b>it</b><b>, </b>but our father was adamant.<b>” </b>
<b>“</b>No<b>, </b><b>I </b><b>won’t </b><b>agree </b><b>to </b>this marriage!<b>” </b>
<b>Elvis </b>sharply furrowed his brows, his emotions running <b>high</b><b>. </b>He crushed a ss in his hand <b>out </b>of anger.
<b>Cassius </b><b>blinked</b><b>, </b>stepping <b>back </b>to avoid the shards <b>of </b>ss.
“If Emeric <b>dares </b><b>to </b>marry Evadne <b>to </b><b>a </b>Chambers<b>, </b><b>I </b>might not kill Avery, but I’ll make sure he never <b>has </b>descendants<b>!</b><b>” </b>
<b>Just </b><b>then</b><b>, </b><b>the </b>door <b>to </b><b>the </b>study <b>opened</b>.
Chasel walked in brazenly <b>with </b>a tray<b>, </b>startling both brothers.
<b>“</b>Mr. Bright, we are having a conversation. It would be polite for you <b>to </b>knock<b>,</b>” Cassius said, looking slightly exasperated but <b>not </b>angry.
“Do you see my hands free<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Chasel gave him an irritated look, mming the tray onto the coffee table<b>, </b>and sarcastically said, “I pushed the door open with my butt. If <b>you </b>think <b>I’m </b>rude, I can go out and knock again.”
Elvis lit a cigarette and looked Chasel <b>up </b>and down, a yful look in his eyes.
He had <b>to </b>say<b>, </b>the way Chasel had just spoken to Cassius seemed a bit like a girl pouting at her crush.
And, not just among men, even among women, Chasel’s butt could be considered quite perky.
“Is there something you need<b>?</b><b>” </b>Cassius asked, returning his attention <b>to </b>the conversation.
“My aunt personally made soup. She asked me to bring it to you two to nourish <b>your </b>bodies,<b>” </b>Chasel said, his tone mocking, clearly trying to irritate Cassius.
“I don’t like soup. Can you bring me a chilled beer instead?”
Elvis rested his long legs casually on the edge of the coffee table, the cigarette in his mouth moving up and down, “Do <b>you </b>have a lighter? Light it for me.” “You’re taking advantage of the situation!” Chasel was so angry his <b>face </b>turned red. He wanted to pour the hot soup <b>on </b>Elvis‘ head!
What an attitude! Did he really think he was a servant to order around?
“Elvis<b>, </b>stop messing <b>around</b>.”
The usually silent Cassius finally spoke, his voice low and maic, exactly the tone Chasel liked, “Chasel is Suri’s nephew, a guest <b>of </b><b>the </b>Ashbourne family. Don’t make inappropriate jokes.”
“Alright, alright, I’m inappropriate, I’m disrespectful, I’m shameless. I’ll go now before I be a nuisance,”
Elvis pocketed his cigarette, standing <b>up </b>smoothly and with a certain carelessness that was somehow still attractive. He picked up a mug and took a sip, smacking his l*ps.
“Damn, too nd<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Chasel’s eyes widened, almost fl*pping the coffee table <b>in </b>frustration.
What kind of man was Emeric, to have children that were each a force to be reckoned with, and yet here was Elvis, stirring <b>up </b>trouble as if it were his job. Had there been some sort of gic mutation<b>? </b>
Elvis, yawning, left the study.,
Now it was just Cassius and Chasel, the air suddenly still, a strange tension building between them.
Cassius didn’t lift his head to look at Chasel, treating him as if he were nothing more than air.
Such cold indifference sent the seasoned yboy, Chasel, into silent turmoil.
He had seen countless people, but he couldn’t figure out if Cassius was ying hard to get, or if he had lost interest after that night.
Cassius, who had been overworking in recent years and <b>had </b>vision not as good as before, would wear sses when he was at home. He had a silver–rimmed pair ready <b>in </b>his study for when he had to go over documents <b>or </b><b>read</b>.
At this moment<b>, </b>the man sitting upright took his sses out of the case, his long eyshes lowered as he slowly put them <b>on</b>.
He was already handsome, and the sses only added a schrly air to his appearance<b>, </b>like a nobleman who had just returned from studying abroad.
Chasel’s breath hitched, his heart pounding, his throat dry as he found himself drawn <b>to </b>Cassius.
Cassius was engrossed in his work when he suddenly felt his chair swivel.
As their eyes met<b>, </b>Chasel leaned over the desk, his tall figure looming over Cassius, trapping him against his heated chest.
“Mr. Chasel, what are you doing?” Cassius asked, his handsome face looking up at him, his eyes deep and unreadable.
<b>“</b>Cassius, has anyone ever told you how damn S**y you look with sses <b>on</b>?”
Chasel’s eyes were slightly reddened as he boldly lifted his leg, his knee resting on Cassius‘ thigh, giving it a gentle rub.
Cassius‘ brows furrowed, his breath hitching.
His self–restrained gaze slowly moved down, lingering on Chasel’s bare chest and the tantalizing corbone that peeked <b>out </b>from his blue silk shirt.
That night, their l*ps had tangled, and he <b>had </b>torn open his shirt, his hands gripping his waist, his mouth seeking his <b>l*ps</b><b>, </b>his n*eck, his corbone.
He had been drunk, but he remembered he was very fond of Chasel’s corbone.
Because the same thing was once a secret shared only between him and his lover.
They had done it countless times.
<b>“</b>Cassius<b>, </b>why are <b>you </b>ignoring me<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Chasel’s arms wrapped around Cassius‘ n*eck, the expression <b>on </b>his beautiful facebined with his <b>fox</b>–like eyes made him even more alluring than <b>any </b>woman, “When you’re drunk, you <b>can’t </b>get enough of me. But when you’re sober<b>, </b><b>you </b>act like you don’t know me. Are all <b>the </b><b>men </b><b>in the </b>Ashbourne family <b>so </b>fickle?<b>” </b>
“Get off me.” Cassius said clearly, his <b>voice </b>soft but firm.
Thinking about that night only agitated him more, and he found his patience <b>with </b>Chasel <b>rapidly </b><b>dwindling</b>.
<b>Chasel</b><b>, </b><b>used </b><b>to </b>Cassius‘ gentle <b>demeanor</b><b>, </b>was <b>taken </b>aback <b>by </b>his <b>sudden </b>coldness. <b>He held onto </b>him <b>even tighter</b>. “Cassius<b>, </b><b>you </b>hypocrite<b>, </b><b>you </b>took advantage of me that <b>night</b>. How can <b>you treat </b><b>me </b><b>like </b>this <b>now?</b><b>” </b>
<b>“</b><b>I’ll </b><b>count </b><b>to </b><b>three</b><b>.” </b>
<b>“</b><b>One</b><b>, </b><b>two</b><b>, </b><b>three</b><b>, </b>so <b>what</b><b>?</b><b>” </b>Chasel finished for him, his eyes turning <b>a </b><b>bright </b><b>red</b>.
Cassius took a deep breath, his eyelids lowered, and then suddenly, he harshly pushed Chasel away.
<b>“</b><b>Shit</b><b>!</b><b>” </b>
<b>Chasel </b>was quick enough <b>to </b>react and pulled back, but he still staggered awkwardly.