Evadne and Thaddeus were dumbstruck, at a loss for words.


    They had always thought of Elvis as a free spirit, a charmer who knew love but wouldn''tmit to it, preferring the allure of absolute freedom over the bonds of affection.


    The surprise hit Evadne harder; she knew Elvis too well.


    Originally, she had encouraged Elvis to get close to Elsie, and he had confidently, with a mischievous grin, assured her he would aplish the task wlessly, promising to invest physically but not emotionally.


    Now, the mission was indeed aplished. However, Elvis found himself deeply entangled - not sure about his physical investments, but his heart was definitely handed over.


    "Elvis, are you serious?" Evadne couldn''t help but ask again, her eyes wide with astonishment.


    Elvis met her gaze, his eyes intense and deep, a seriousness she had never seen before, "Evadne, I never understood you before. I couldn''t grasp how you could love Thaddeus so deeply, exclusively him. Now, I get it."


    Though he didn''t answer directly, his words struck a chord more profound than any explicit affirmation could.


    Thaddeus, standing behind them, closed his reddened eyes briefly, his voice raspy, "Elvis, as long as the two of you are happy, I fully support you being together."


    "And so do I, Elvis," Evadne took a deep breath, her eyes sparkling.


    Their supportive words sank into Elvis, his voice trembling with emotion, "Evadne, would you mind that Elsie was once with Avery? Or that she looks the same as you?"


    "What''s there to mind?"


    Evadne''s gentle smile was like a warm beam of light, dispelling hisst fears, "I''m more concerned that you might care, Elvis. But I believe, you love Ms. Archer for her soul, not her looks. Only someone pure and beautiful could capture your heart, win your love. Next time you see Ms. Archer, tell her I admire her, and I respect her even more."


    Her eyes moistened as she spoke, "Even though we need her to provide us with information about Avery, if that informationes at the cost of sacrificing Ms. Archer, I''d rather not have it. Thaddeus and I can handle Avery on our own. You finally found your happiness, Elvis, and I want to protect that at all costs."


    "Evadne, thank you, and Thaddeus."


    Emotion welled up in Elvis, his voice thick with emotion, "But I don''t know if I can see Elsie again. Even if I can, she wouldn''te with me. And I can''t get close to her anymore. Avery has already shown he''s willing to go to great lengths against us. Next time, who knows what he might do. I''m not afraid for myself at all; I''m just terrified something might happen to Elsie!"


    Evadne felt a pang of empathy at his words. Such a vulnerable woman left with the ruthless Snakey Avery, who could snuff her out with a mere flick of his wrist!


    No one''s life should be degraded, or be sacrificed, including Elsie''s.


    "Right now, Avery feels unthreatened, and Elvis, you''ve returned safely. I think he won''t touch Ms. Archer for the time being."


    Thaddeus'' gaze was unfathomable, his voice deep, "But, he might use her again to lure you out. It seems Avery''s bent on seeing you dead."


    "Let him try. It''s not yet decided whose downfall it will be."


    Elvis'' breath hitched, his knuckles white under stress, "Whatever it takes, I must save Elsie!"


    In this life, she was his. He was sure of it.


    Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy exchanged gazes, sighing secretly. It was really rare for Elvis ever fell for someone.


    After settling Elvis back, Thaddeus wrapped his arm around Evadne as they returned to their room to sleep.


    Lying in bed, they talked for a long time, analyzing the situation with Avery and discussing Elvis and Ms. Archer''s predicament until Evadne''s eyelids began to droop heavily, and she drifted off to sleep.


    Just as Thaddeus was about to fall asleep, his phone buzzed. A message from Elvis.


    [Come to my room.]


    He couldn''t ignore the request and immediately got out of bed, quietly leaving the


    room.


    Standing at Elvis'' door, Thaddeus looked around cautiously before knocking gently.


    To those in the know, he was there to see Elvis. To anyone else, it might look like he was sneaking around for a tryst.


    After a moment, the door creaked open. Elvis looked out at him, pale, with sweat beading at the tip of his sharp nose.