<b>Chapter </b><b>543 </b>
After everything was settled, it <b>was </b>well <b>past </b>midnight.
Evadne, worrying about Beverly’s safety<b>, </b>had initially nned to have her stay at her vi from that night <b>until </b>the dust settled on <b>Byron’s </b>case. It was not only <b>to </b>ensure the witness was well–protected, but also because she genuinely liked this girl <b>who</b>, despite- her unfortunate background, was resilient and strong–willed.
However, Beverly was adamant about going home, citing her mother’s fragile heart condition. She feared the mere discovery <b>of </b><b>her </b>nighttime absence might be enough <b>to </b>trigger a cardiac episode, let alone the potential fallout from visiting them.
Fortunately, her mother hadn’t reached out that night, which likely meant she was still asleep.
It seemed that even God was in support of the brave girl’s decision.
Gordon escorted Beverly to the car, taking care of her every need with a tenderness that seemed to spring out of nowhere, like a monkey that suddenly gained wisdom.
Thaddeus stepped out of the door, wrapping his arm around Evadne’s shoulder. With rough yet warm fingertips, he gently wiped away the teardrops at the corner of her eyes, then cupped the back of her n*eck and nted a k*ss on her forehead.
“Evadne, it’ste, and I’ve caught you yawning more than once. Your eyelids are drooping. You stay put; Gordon and I will escort Miss Higgins. Just wait for me at home.”
“Don’t you know why I’m yawning so much?”
Evadne pouted her red l*ps, “You’re all charged up, but you’ve drained my battery. Even if I were a power bank, I need a break.”
A surge of confidence filled Thaddeus’s chest. Her exhaustion was a bodily testament to how satisfied she was.
In bed, he was a natural, far better than he was in the kitchen.
Unable to resist, he captured her inviting l*ps, his own pressing against hers as his tongue boldly pried open her mouth.
Evadne was left breathless, her senses in disarray as he took all her breath away.
From the car window, Beverly caught sight of their k*ss and couldn’t contain an excited yelp, startling Gordon in the passenger’s seat.
“Ooh. Can I take a picture to keep as a memento? I just adore them together!”
“Ah, What?”
Gordon turned back to her, his mouth agape, a hundred objections forming in his mind.
But in the end, his heart softened, and he sighed, “Alright, but don’t post it on social media, and try not to show anyone else.”
“I won’t! It’s just for me!”
Beverly looked at Gordon with gratitude in her clear eyes, “Sir, you’re so kind! Thanks!”
Gordon rubbed the back of his head as his blood pressure spiked.
In the end, Thaddeus decided to follow in his car, apanying Gordon to take Beverly home. Evadne stayed behind, not wanting to burden the girl with her mncholy.
Despite sitting in the backseat with Beverly, Thaddeus kept a respectful distance, enough to fit half a person between them.
He noticed that Beverly seemed much cheerier, her eyes glued to her phone screen, a secret smile ying on her l*ps, which barely closed the whole trip.
And he also caught Gordon frequently ncing at Beverly through the rearview mirror.
A subtle feeling welled up inside Thaddeus.
Was his presence superfluous<b>? </b>
The ck sedan pulled up at the foot of the dpidated apartmentplex.
Before she got out, Thaddeus spoke up, “Miss Higgins, I think you should find an opportunity to have an honest talk with your mother soon. You’re going to be an important witness in <b>court</b><b>. </b>I’m afraid the shock might be too much for her to bear.”
<b>“</b>Sir, thank you for your advice.”
Beverly’s eyes dimmed slightly, forcing a smile, “Although it will be hard to convince my mother<b>, </b><b>and </b>I know she’s <b>just </b>trying to protect me,ing to you and Miss Evadne means I’ve made up <b>my </b>mind. <b>No </b><b>matter </b><b>what</b>, <b>I won’t </b>back down<b>. </b>I’d rather <b>be </b><b>a </b>loud voice and perish than live in silence.”
<b>08:03 </b>
<b>Thaddeus</b>, <b>impressed </b><b>by </b>the girl’s <b>resolve</b>, <b>his </b><b>l*ps </b>curling <b>up </b><b>slightly</b><b>, </b><b>“</b>Evadne <b>often </b><b>says </b><b>the </b><b>same </b><b>thing</b>. I’m <b>d you </b><b>two </b><b>are </b><b>kindred </b>spirits.”
<b>The </b>master and servant <b>escorted </b><b>Beverly to </b>her doorstep.
<b>Just </b>as she was about <b>to </b>enter, <b>Gordon </b>stepped forward, “Um. Miss Higgins.”
Beverly turned, her dark eyes blinking inquisitively, “Sir, what is it?<b>” </b>
“Where did you buy that <b>bear</b>–bunny bag? Can <b>you </b>tell me? I’d like to get one for my sister<b>.</b><b>” </b>
“The bear<b>–</b>bunny? Pfft.!”
Beverly’s smile was radiant, “I made it myself. It’s my own design. There’s only one like it.”
Gordon’s eyes widened, “That’s amazing.”
“If you like it, I could make one for your sister. But it will take some time.”
Beverly tentatively asked, “Can you wait for it?”
<b>“</b>I’ll wait as long as it takes,” Gordon replied eagerly.
Somehow, his anticipation skyrocketed.
Then, they exchanged contact information, and with a polite wave, she gently closed the door behind her. “Ha.”
Thaddeus nced at Gordon with a yful look, “You, who only buy luxury for your sister, are interested in that?” “Isn’t it cute?”
Gordon’s eyes twinkled, his hand awkwardly covering a cough, “Isn’t a cute handmade item better than some fancy designer brand? It’s a unique custom piece.”
“Man, I know what you are thinking,” Thaddeus’s eyes narrowed with insight.
He had known his young assistant for many years, and their close working rtionship meant he understood him as well as he did his own son.
Gordon’s cheeks flushed, and he scratched his head in confusion, “Ah. What?”
“Just don’t forget, she’s only seventeen and at a critical time for her studies.”
Thaddeus’s gaze suddenly became serious, “Don’t distract her, don’t harm her. She’s been through enough already.”
“Didn’t you hear? She calls me ‘sir.‘ If I harbored any ill intentions, it would be against all decency, I’d be worse than a beast!” Gordon’s heart raced as he vehemently shook his head.
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