Matthew tried to put on a brave face, but his legs under the table were trembling uncontrobly


    Cedric was visibly shaken by the steely gaze directed his way, his l*ps sealed shut as if by an invisible force.


    Evadne and Thaddeus were utterly stunned, frozen in ce as the gravity of the situation set in.


    My God, that intense protective instinct!


    No one knew the depths of her big brother’s nature better than Evadne. Aloof and detached from worldly desires, in <b>in </b>English, he was pretty much robotic


    Aside from family and his long–time confidant Jason, he <b>never </b>spared <b>a </b>second thought for anyone else.


    And yet, here he was, disying an extraordinary level of concern for Chasel. It <b>was </b>utterly unfathomable.


    Just then, Evadne caught Chasel gazing at her big brother with eyes brimming with tenderness, a vision so sharine that it could weave threads through the air.


    Wait a second.


    Why was the vibe here so flirty?


    Why did these two look like they’re actually hitting it off?


    Before Evadne could ponder any further, Cedric spoke up again, his voice dripping with malice. “President Ashbourne, even if we reassess it, some harm’s been done. ording to thews of our country, if the medical examiner confirms the injury is minor, it warrants up to three years of imprisonment. Jason won’t escape jail time


    He spat out Jason’s name with such venom that it was hard to imagine they shared the same blood.


    In this dog–eat–dog world, he was consumed by bone–deep greed and had twisted into a devil bereft of conscience!


    “Matthew


    Cassius didn’t even acknowledge Cedric after all, he was just apdog of the Chambers family. He needed to speak to the man in charge, “Jason neverid a finger on anyone, although he might’ve wanted to. The guy who beat Byron to a pulp was me, and <b>Ive </b>got the video to prove it.”


    With that, he turned to Chasel with a softened tone, “Chasel, y the video, please.”


    Hesitantly, Chasel bit his l*p and pulled out her phone, ying a video that filled the silent office with Byron’s cries of agony. The footage clearly showed that Cassius delivered punch after punishing punch, transforming the scoundrels face into a butchered


    <b>mess </b>


    “Would you say this constitutes irrefutable evidence? Cassius asked, a chilling smile creeping across his face like a dashing demon of the night


    Chief Roderick and Cedric went pale as ghosts, because their malicious ns were shattered by this revtion.


    “Cassius, how could you? Evadne gasped, covering her mouth in shock and leaning into Thaddeus’s embrace.


    Thaddeus steadied her trembling shoulder with his warm hand as he watched Cassius withplex emotions. He knew his foresight, from the beginning, Cassius had anticipatedplications and had prepared ordingly.


    “Chief Roderick, care to release our man now? <b>Cassius </b>asked, his smile still ying at the edges of his l*ps.


    Chief Roderick fumbled for words, then turned to Matthew <b>desperately</b>.


    “You’ve arrested an innocent man, of which I’ve already informed <b>Minister </b>Prescott. He’s fuming, <b>and </b>I’d wager your career just hit a dead end”


    Chief Roderick nched, and without another word, he rushed out to release the wrongfully detained.


    “Matthew, I know you don’t until you see the whites of their <b>eyes</b>.


    <i>I </i>won’t w


    ‘t waste my breath. Mr. Gordon


    “Right here, President Ashbourne Gordon stepped in promptly, standing beside Cassius.


    Evadne was momentarily taken <b>aback</b>–since when did Cassius start ordering around his beau’s secretary? But Gordon fit the part so well that one could easily mistake him for the CEO’s right hand of the K Group.


    Cassius <b>gave </b>Gordon a nod, and thetter handed a portfolio to Matthew.


    Matthew furrowed his brows as he read the documents, his pupils dting in shock.


    “Inside, we have the transfer contract for the Country T resort project and a settlement agreement.”


    08:52 1


    sider the


    Cassius’s voice was cold andmanding. If you agree to settle privately, we would consider the Country <b>T </b>project aspensation from the Ashbourne family to your brother. If you refuse, that’s fine too<b>, </b>I’ve had enough of ying the CEO role anyway it might do me some good to take a break with some simple prison fare, and to <b>give </b>my little sister a chance to take over officially–killing two birds with one stone. But, considering your current predicament, I don’t think you have much of a choice, do you?<b>” </b>


    As the offer was too tempting for Matthew, he felt his scant familial loyalty was unable to support his pride.


    So he swiftly signed the settlement agreement, grabbed the contract, and left the office without looking back, as if his towering grudges before had never existed. Was this guy a chameleon or what?


    Cedric <b>was </b>fuming with rage!


    After all his scheming, he had gained nothing–failing to convict Jason and unable to make the Ashbourne family suffer. He had be theughingstock!


    “Cedric, I was right, wasn’t I?”


    Evadne’s eyes were sharp, her gaze piercing the repulsive face before her, “Evil never triumphs over good. You could never beat


    <b>US </b>


    “Damn it. You just got luck!” Cedric muttered through gritted teeth as he turned around to leave.


    “Cedric” Chasel called after him <b>with </b><b>a </b>sly smile.


    He stopped in his tracks, his teeth grinding. “What else is there to say?”


    “How was the taste of that gourmet dog food the other night? Delicious?


    <b>08:53 </b>