<b>Chapter </b><b>741 </b>
Mr. and Mrs. <b>Abernathy’s </b>expressions <b>turning </b>grave at <b>the </b>words.
“Either every time hemitted a crime, he’d cover his tracks, leaving not a single clue. But that doesn’t look like what a typical desperado or high–level hitman could normally do.”
With his long, lean fingers stroking his jaw, Aaron analyzed in a calm manner, “Which leads me to believe he’s a hired gun from overseas.”
<b>“</b><b>If </b>that’s <b>the </b>case, tracking him down just got a lot tougher. The guy probably vanished right after the job, might’ve already fled the country under a fake ID,” Thaddeus‘ eyes darkened with concern.
“Didn’t Lily catch a glimpse of his face? We could have here down to the station tomorrow, try to sketch <b>out </b><b>a </b>face from her memory. I can get one of the best profile artists from the state toe over and draw aposite.”
A sharp glint shed in Aaron’s eyes, “With a portrait, we might just dredge up more leads. We can’t drag our feet on this; memories fade, and the sketch could end up all wrong. We need it fresh.”
Evadne and Thaddeus exchanged a nce, about to interject, when a sweet yet steady voice came from
behind them.
<b>“</b>I remember what he looks like.”
Aaron’s gaze snapped up. As Mari, her slender form descending the staircase gracefully, came into view, his heart skipped a beat.
He rose hastily from the couch, feeling a sudden rush of warmth flood his veins.
Thaddeus‘ face lit up with realization, “Right, Mari had a run–in with that guy too.”
Evadne’s lips pressed as she hurried over to Mari, wrapping an arm around her shoulders with gentle concern, “Mari, we’ll reach out to Lily tomorrow and let her do this. You don’t need to do anything or think about any of this. Just focus on getting better; that’s what matters most.”
She knew that Mari, though seemingly untroubled on the surface, was grappling with the trauma of the incident and the heartache of her split from Jareth.
She’d almost considered suggesting ECT to help Mari forget that day’s horror. How could they possibly make her relive that pain<b>, </b>risking further harm to her already fragile heart?
“Mari, don’t push yourself.” Aaron’s voice was soft yet husky as he looked deeply into her eyes, “Your well–being, healthy and whole, <b>is </b>what’s truly important.”
I
<b>“</b>It’s okay, Aaron, Evadne.” Mari shook her head gently with resolve in her eyes, “I’m fine now. All I want is to help you catch this man as possible as I can. Besides, I also want that man caught, and want to uncover the sinister plot behind all this. To find out who’s pulling the strings behind the Fairhaven Group, using me, hurting
Jareth<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Evadne <b>and </b>Thaddeus felt a tightness in their chests<b>, </b>unspeakable sorrow welling up. They had kept the details from her<b>, </b><b>yet </b>her keen mind had pieced together the story from their fragments of conversations.
Aaron watched Mari’s red eyes as she spoke of Jareth, clearly <b>still </b>deeply in love. He could tell she loved Jareth so much. There could be no other for her<b>. </b>
Thaddeus began<b>, </b><b>a </b>note of <b>surprise </b><b>in </b>his voice<b>, </b>“Mari<b>, </b><b>your </b>feelings <b>for </b>Jareth.”
“I just want <b>to </b>do something for him<b>, </b>one <bst </b>time.” Mari <b>cut </b>him off immediately<b>, </b><b>forcing </b><b>a </b>small smile, “He’s always looked after me, indulged me, sacrificed for me. I want <b>to </b>do what I can before I truly leave him.”
Leave? Aaron’s heart clenched violently at <b>the </b>word. But <b>he </b>harbored no thoughts <b>of </b>taking advantage; there was no joy <b>in </b><b>the </b><b>opportunity</b>. He was <b>simply </b>worried <b>whether </b>she could <b>endure</b><b>. </b>
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<b>Downcast</b><b>, </b>Evadne’s eyes reddened with unshed <b>tears</b>. Thaddeus sensed her <b>emotional </b>turmoil and took her hand, pressing it <b>to </b>his chest <b>in </b>silentfort.
Aaron stepped closer, his tall figure casting a protective shadow over Mari, his presence exuding a potent masculinity. Yet <b>the </b>look <b>in </b>his eyes was tender.
“<b>Aaron</b><b>,</b>” Mari looked up with her delicate, baster face.
“Thank you for offering to help, Mari. Tomorrow I’ll wait for you at the station. Have your brother and sister<b>–</b>inw bring you,” Aaron’s heart softened, the urge to caress her head almost overpowering but he resisted, his hands clenching tight secretly by his sides, veins in them bulging.
“Not necessary, I can draw him,” Mari’s lips parted slightly.
“<b>What</b>? You can draw?<b>” </b>The three of them were stunned in unison.
“The man left a profound impression on me. No matter how much time passes, I won’t forget his face.” Mari took a deep breath to steady herself, “I’m rather good at portraiture. I think instead of describing him, it would <b>be </b>more precise if I drew him myself.”
<b>To </b>allow Mari to focus without distractions, they left her to draw in solitude upstairs while they waited patiently in the living room.
After a long hesitation<b>, </b>Aaron finally broke the silence, “Evadne, did Mari and Mr. Fairhaven break up?”
“It was Mari’s decision.” Evadne sighed, a shadow crossing her beautiful eyes, “But I suspect Jareth won’t let go easily. He loves her deeply.”
Aaron gripped his teacup tightly, his voice strained, “And she loves him just as deeply.”
“I know Jareth; It’s going to be a heart–wrenching struggle,” Thaddeus‘ concern echoed in his voice.
A Jareth without Mari might spiral into hysterical madness. He wouldn’t forgive anyone from the Fairhaven Group who had hurt her, nor would he forgive himself.
Evadne, aware of Aaron’s feelings for Mari, paused before speaking softly as if making a decision, “Aaron, if you’re not too tied up with work, maybe consider taking some annual leave to spend time with us, keep Maripany? Another person around might lift her spirits, help her feel a little better.”
Thaddeus observed her with a poker face, keenly aware that her interest wasn’t merely in the bottle of wine she was nursing.
<b>“</b><b>If </b>Mari needs me, I’ll be there in a heartbeat.” Aaron’s longshes fluttered in a restrained tremble, “<b>But </b>right <b>now</b><b>, </b>she needs you guys more; she needs Jareth more than she needs me.”
Evadne fell silent. She wasn’t trying to y matchmaker with Aaron and Mari. She just wanted everyone <b>around </b>her to be happy. It pained her to see her own brother suppressing his emotions, tormented by unrequited love.
Time ticked away. After what seemed like an eternity<b>, </b>Mari returned to the living room, holding a piece of drawing paper, and handed <b>it </b>to them.,
The <b>three </b><b>of </b>them leaned in<b>, </b>flipping the paper over. On the pristine sheet, the man’s gaze was icy and sharp, his brows like <b>sculpted </b>des, <b>his </b>facial contours striking.
<b>It </b>was <b>a </b>portrait <b>that </b>was hauntingly lifelike, capturing the essence of the subject.
Thaddeus <b>couldn’t </b>help but <b>stare at </b>the portrait<b>, </b>inwardly marveling at the impressive likeness. As he looked up, he caught <b>Evadne </b><b>and </b>Aaron staring at <b>the </b>portrait with identical expressions of shock, wonder, and disbelief.
“Evadne, Mr. Ashbourne, what’s wrong<b>?</b><b>” </b>Thaddeus couldn’t help but express his concern.
Evadne’s grip on the portrait was shaky, her eyes brimming <b>with tears</b>, “<b>Mari</b>, are you sure <b>that </b>this is what he looks like? Are you sure<b>?!</b><b>” </b>
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