Chapter <b>693 </b>


    Leaving the vi, Evadne and Thaddeus settled into the car, a prolonged silence enveloping them.


    Finally, it was Evadne who broke the silence.


    “Thaddeus, I think I’m going home tonight. You have to go on a trip early tomorrow, right? Don’t bothering back, head to Windermere Estate, or you can stay at my ce.”


    Thaddeus, his mind heavy with thoughts of Jareth, furrowed his brow and agreed<b>. </b>


    “All right, I’ll drop you off at Silveke Harbor. I’lle see you tomorrow night.”


    They shared a tender k*ss goodbye outside her house in Silveke Harbor.


    It was only after watching the littledy enter the door that Thaddeus, with a heavy heart, took out his phone to call Gordon.


    “What’s the situation at the hospital?”


    “The boy died of excessive blood loss. His parents are somewhat influential in Elmsworth; they’re threatening to take this to the end. The real trouble is the cops are involved now. If they trace it back to someone associated with the Fairhaven group, it’ll be difficult to handle.”


    Gordon’s usual cheekiness was reced by a rare gravity. “But I followed your instructions and carefully inquired with Lily. Mr. Jareth never meant for killing that boy. It was his heavy-handed subordinates–even if they avoided the vitals, who could survive a ten times of stabs? Still, that boy had iting. Didn’t we check on him? He was practically a walking disaster; a real Byron reincamate!”


    “The cops will turn over every stone.”


    Thaddeus mused<b>, </b>and after a few seconds of contemtion, hemanded in a chilly tone. “Stay in close touch with Lily. Money is not the issue. The priority is to silence the person from the Fairhaven group involved, clear any links to the group, and have him turn himself in immediately. No matter the cost, we cannot let this trace back to Jareth in any <b>way</b><b>. </b>Got it?”


    Gordon inhaled sharply. “Got it


    Back home, Evadne’s face was a canvas of worry.


    Just then, Suri came through the living room, carrying a bowl of chicken soup intended for Emeric.


    “Evadne, you’re back<b>.</b>”


    *Suri, is Aaron home tonight? I heard <b>you </b>say he returned. Is he around?”


    Suri nodded emphatically. “Yes, he’s here. Went down to the wine cer. You need him?”


    Evadne’s eyes crinkled with a soft smile. “Nothing, I just missed Aaron and wanted to have a drink with him.”


    The wine <b>cer </b><b>was </b><b>a </b>haven of peace and tranquility,


    When Evadne entered, Aaron was sitting under the kaleidoscopically lit ssmp<b>, </b>pouring himself a ss. The flowing light yed across his face, revealing a devilish charm rarely seen.


    In truth<b>, </b>Evadne always thought Aaron was the son resembled Emeric the most.


    He <b>never </b>bothered with the suits and ties like his older brothers, yet even in sackcloth, his aristocracy couldn’t be masked; covered in mud, he still shone.


    Emeric’s sons, once unleashed, would either be a cmity to the nation <b>or </b>a bane to the people.


    “Aaron,<b>” </b>Evadne called out gently.


    Startled as if from a dream, Aaron’s gaze snapped into <b>focus</b>, lifting his eyes to meet hers. “Evadne, you’re back. Will you join me


    for a drink?”


    Evadne’s gazended on the familiar box <b>of </b>bear–w pastries on the table, her smile intriguing


    “I remember, Aaron doesn’t have much of a sweet tooth”


    After a brief pause, Aaron’s l*ps curled into a faint smile. “asionally I crave it too. The bear–w pastries, quite appetizing<b>” </b>


    “Does Aaron have a taste for bear–w pastries, or is it a case of looking at the object and remembering the person?”


    Evadne took a seat across from him, the deeper meaning in her words now evident


    Their eyes locked, and after a moment, Aaron’s face lit up with a <b>bright</b>, open smile. “Evadne, we’re siblings; we can speak openly”


    10:37


    ispter <b>693 </b>


    “Aaron, I saw Mari today.”


    The mere mention of the name caused a flicker in Aaron’s heart, but he remainedposed. “How is she? Still doing well? The incidentst time was frightening for her. Has she recovered?”


    Despite his calm demeanor, every word wasced with concern.


    “Aaron, since you asked me to speak openly, I won’t beat around the bush.”


    Evadne took a deep breath, her expression solemn. “Do you have feelings for Mari?”


    Aaron’s grip on his ss tightened, his knuckles whitening, a hint of warmth creeping into the corners of his eyes.


    “Yeah, I do. But I’m a rational man, there is an appropriate and inappropriate time to have feelings for someone. Mari and Jareth are in love and discussing about marriage. So my feelings are inappropriate.”


    Aaron,


    “But still like her. I can’t lie to you nor to myself.” Aaron forced a casual smile and picked up a pastry, offering it to his sister. Evadne felt a mix of pain and bitterness.


    If only she had the chance, she would have done everything to bring Aaron and Mari together, even if it meant Mari bing her seventh sister–inw.


    But love is all about timing.


    Missing by a step meant some people’s love could only rest in their hearts forever.


    “You came looking for me tonight to talk about Mari, and so seriously. Did something happen?”


    Aaron was always bold but careful, his heart leaping at the possibilities. “Is my presence troubling <b>her</b>? Did she and Jareth have <b>a </b>fight?


    “Mari hopes that you and Mr. Jareth can be friends,” Evadne said in a low voice.


    Aaron let out a bitterugh. “Evadne, do you think that’s possible?”


    Evadne sighed heavily in frustration.


    “From the moment I fell for Mari, friendship with Jareth was off the table. If not for chance or ident, I probably won’t see Mari again. I can’t trouble her or give Jareth any reason to worry. But I’ll send a gift for their wedding. Yeah, that’s all, I guess.” Aaron drained his ss with nonchnce.


    Evadne’s eyes moistened, and she poured herself a ss of wine.


    Suri had raised her children too well–selfless, generous, upright and kind<b>.. </b>


    “Evadne, I’ve heard you talk about Mari a lot, and I know it hasn’t been an easy road for her to find her current me.”


    Aaron felt a twinge in his heart, but managed a slight smile. “Compared to being with her, I just want her to be truly happy. No matter who she’s with, as long as she’s happy, that’s all that matters.”


    “Aaron, you’ll find your own happiness one day, too<b>.” </b>


    He let out a heartyugh. “My happiness? That’s just being a stand–up guy, serving themunity.”


    With that, the siblings clinked their sses, lifting the weight off their chests, and drank heartily into the night.