That night, The Velvet Haven was abuzz with whispers and shadowy movements.


    Elsie guided Hans through the dimly lit, opulent corridors of the establishment. The man trailing behind her was as silent and foreboding as a bat in the night, sending shivers up her spine


    In a highly discreet room, Avery had been waiting for some time.


    “Hans, I didn’t expect to see you again so soon,” Avery said, his smile spreading across his face as he handed Hans a ss of fine red wine. “You must be weary from your journey. I’ve prepared this top–shelf vintage especially for you<b>.</b><b>” </b>


    Hans‘ features were stern, and he deflected the wine ss without blinking, showing no courtesy to the man who represented Sir in Elmsworth,


    “Ms. Archer briefed me on the way here.”


    Seeing Hans‘ refusal to drink, Avery took a sip himself, demonstrating his flexibility. “Is that so? Then I suppose I can skip the formalities.”


    “Avery, why do you persist in troubling a youngdy? Do you think I have nothing better to do?” Hans‘ gaze was dark and intense.


    “Have you developed a soft spot for the fairer sex?” Avery teased, swirling the wine in his ss with elegant fingers. “It seems you’re not as cold–hearted as I thought, still capable of human sentiment.”


    “I simply find it beneath me. The tasks you set for me are degrading.” Hans replied sharply, his wordsced with an edge. “Sir appointed you to oversee Elmsworth, and all you can do to fend off enemies is.to kidnap their wives and children and seek outside help? This establishment of yours, The Velvet Haven, it’s time it goes under.”


    Elsie’s eyshes fluttered with a strange sense of satisfaction.


    Inside The Velvet Haven, no one dared to speak to Mr. Chambers with such insolence.


    But Hans didn’t care. He was Sir’s man and only followed Sir’s orders.


    Sure enough, Avery’s delicately featured face began to contort with barely concealed rage, his knuckles whitening as he gripped his wine ss. Yet he restrained himself and simply said with a light chuckle, “Hans, the fact that we’re meeting tonight means Sir approves of my n. You just need to cooperate. And I didn’t say my target this time is that young girl; she’s just a decoy. I know the previous tasks were too simple,cking challenge, and I apologize for underutilizing someone of your talents, Hans. This time, I’ve found you a new target that I guarantee will not disappoint.”


    With that, he picked up a file from the coffee table and handed it to Hans.


    Hans took the file and nced through it. Hisplex gaze finally settled on a photo of a man in a police uniform. After a long pause, he spoke in <b>a </b>hoarse voice,


    “He’s a cop?”


    “Yes.”


    Avery sipped his wine leisurely. “A young man already holding the position of a detective squad leader, distinguished and promising


    Elsie’s pupils contracted <b>sharply</b>, and she pinched her arm hard to manage her astonished expression. “Hm. I hope he’ll prove to be a worthy adversary.” Hans tore the man’s photo from the file and pocketed it, tossing the rest aside.


    “So, Hans, you’re taking the job?”


    Tim not going to hurt that girl.”


    Hans‘ expression was cold and resolute. “I’m an assassin, but I don’t prey on the weak.”


    “I understand,” Avery replied, his smile unaffected.


    Hans had nothing more to say and turned to leave.


    “One moment.”


    Avery’s eyes narrowed slightly. “For this mission, I’m assigning you an assistant, to avoid any unforeseenplications. Elsie, you will apany Hans.”


    “Me?” Elsie’s heart tightened, and she immediately protested, “Mr. Chambers, I’m only average inbat, I’ll just hold Hans back.”


    An extra pair of hands is always more secure.”


    Avery looked at her with an amused gaze. “Elsie, you’ve never refused a task I’ve given you.”


    With no way out, Elsie reluctantly agreed.


    After they left, the always silent Harvey approached Avery and whispered,


    “Mr. Chambers, your grasp of the human psyche is truly masterful.”


    “Hans is indeed a well–bred dog of Sir. Without a formidable opponent, it’s hard to keep him focused on working for me.


    Avery rested his head on his hand, his voiceced with lethargy. “I’m eager to see a real–life version of the legendary twins.”


    “Mr. Chambers, <b>do </b>you think Hans and the son of the Ashbourne family, who supposedly died in a ne crash, they look almost identical. Could they be the same person?” Harvey asked, puzzled.


    “Whether they are the same person or not, it only makes my game more interesting.”


    Avery chuckled. “To die <b>at </b>the hands of his own ‘brother‘ would indeed be a fitting end.”


    “That Aaron, interfering with our ns time and again, and a cop to boot. Getting rid of him would indeed solve a lot of problems.”


    Harvey hesitated before speaking. “But this time, you’re sending Ms. Archer with him. Do you still doubt her? Are you testing her?”


    Behind his gold–rimmed sses, Avery’s eyes half–closed darkly.


    Ever since the Bartleys broke off the engagement, Hamilton had slept well<b>, </b>eaten well, and had a good reason to have his granddaughter stay with him <b>in </b>Havenbrook for a while.


    Come the weekend, Thaddeus and Evadne, happy after a week’s work, prepared gifts and set out in high spirits to visit grandfather.


    On the way, Evadne received a call from her eldest brother, Cassius.


    “Cassius!” Evadne hit the speakerphone, her voice sweet and cheery.


    “You sound happy, any good news?”


    Cassius‘ voice was warm and gentle. “Are you and Thaddeus exchanging vows?”


    Exchanging vows?


    Evadne’s bright eyes gazed at Thaddeus‘ handsome face.


    The man beside her, his hand securely around her slender waist, yielded with a smile.


    “Im ready every day. If Evadne is willing, remarriage, anytime.”


    Thest words brushed softly past her flushed ear, stirring Evadne’s breath and causing her heart to flutter


    Chapter


    uncontrobly.


    “Being your wife is a whole different ballgame than just being your girlfriend,” she said with a sparkle in her eye, deliberately steering clear of the path he wasying out for her.


    Even though she knew all too well how much he had longed for, hoped for, waited for, and coveted this for


    ages.


    But that’s the thing about the Emeric family. They could be tough as nails when it came to matters of principle, but when it came to matters of the heart, they were all a bunch of hopeless romantics.


    At her words, Thaddeus‘ heart contracted slightly, a sourness spreading through his chest.


    She didn’t mean to, but he took it to heart. He understood it as a stress response from those three painful years of marriage she had endured.


    All he felt was a deep, aching sympathy for her.


    So, with trembling fingers, he sped her delicate <b>hand </b>and pressed it to his heart, taking deep breaths to control the surge of emotion,


    “It’s okay, you can feel however you want. The point is, you married me. With or without a marriage certificate, I’mmitted to you for life.”


    Evadne’s cheeks flushed, her eyes shimmering like pools of water, flicking left and right, too shy to meet his intense gaze.


    “Being in love has its perks, too.”


    Cassius‘ voice came through, indulgent and tender, Thaddeus, you don’t have to rush things with Evadne. She’s experienced marriage, but she’s never had a truly exhrating romance with any man but you. Indulge her this once. There’s a difference between being lovers and being a married couple.”


    Caught off guard, Evadne sat up straight, flustered, “Cassius! I have been in love! Back in school, I had my <b>fair </b>share of admirers, more persistent than <b>weeds</b>!”


    Cassius chuckled lightly, “Weeds is the wrong analogy. More like sugarcanes. You snapped them up one after another.”


    Evadne was speechless.


    Cassius had been hanging around Chasel too much, his tongue’s turned sharp!


    A smile yed on Thaddeus‘ lips as he pulled hisdy close to his heart.


    He caressed her smooth shoulder, whispering affectionately, “I’m gonna keep you so sweet on me that just the thought of romance will give you a toothache.”


    “Mmm, it’s already sickly sweet, give me some breathing room once in a while, <b>okay</b>?” Evadne squirmed, feeling short of breath in his tight embrace.


    His voice was thick <b>and </b>husky, “Not okay.”


    Evadne’s face turned a deeper shade of red, toozy to move from thefort of his arms.


    <b>“</b>Let’s get down to business. I called because <b>I </b>found out about that car license te you asked me to look into, Cassius said.


    Evadne eagerly asked, “Who is it?”


    “It’s not so much ‘who‘ <b>as </b>‘where it belongs.”


    Aaron’s voice came through cool and clear, “That car is a government vehicle, registered to the RC Biotech Research Institute.”