Evadne, with Jason by her side, made her way to the southern hospital wing.


    As expected, the ce was locked down tighter than Fort Knox.


    Evadne shot Jason a look, and he got the hint. But no sooner had he stepped forward than they were stopped cold by two of the Chambers Group''s security guards:


    "This area is off-limits!"


    "I''m the executive assistant to President Ashbourne of KS Group. We heard Mr. Chambers was under the weather and admitted here, so we came to pay our respects," Jason said, his tone as icy as a winter''s day. He could hardly keep a straight face, wishing nothing more than for Avery to kick the bucket right there in the hospital!


    The guards exchanged uncertain nces.


    They knew Evadne, of course, but Mr. Chambers'' word wasw - disobey, and you''re toast. So, they could only politely refuse:


    "Sorry, President Ashbourne, we''re just following orders."


    Evadne was brimming with questions butughed it off, "Well, in that case, I won''t disturb Mr. Chambers'' rest."


    "Ms. Evadne!"


    Harvey came running up, his face breaking into a respectful and enthusiastic smile upon seeing Evadne, "Were you looking for Mr. Chambers? Please, right this way!"


    "I think not."


    Evadne narrowed her cool almond eyes, "It seems Mr. Chambers prefers peace and quiet, doesn''t want visitors. So, I won''t bother him. Good day."


    "No, no! You''re Ms. Evadne, the one person Mr. Chambers values above all! How can you evenpare to anyone else?!"


    Harvey panicked, desperately trying to keep her there, "Mr. Chambers would be thrilled to know you''vee to see him. It would surely speed his recovery!"


    Seeing Evadne hesitate, Harvey, in a fit of desperation, swung his arm and pped both guards across the face, scolding them furiously, "Are you blind?! Don''t you know how important Ms. Evadne is to Mr. Chambers?! Have you lost your minds?!"


    Jason felt nauseous at the scene.


    Meanwhile, with a tter-


    A white pillbox fell from Harvey''s pocket.


    Evadne, quick as lightning, picked it up before he could, her gaze darkening― Diazepam pills.


    Harvey''s expression shifted momentarily, but he didn''t dare to snatch it back. "Harvey, what illness does Mr. Chambers have, to warrant such a spectacle?" Evadne asked coolly, handing the pills back to him.


    "Oh, just acute appendicitis."


    Harvey quickly pocketed the pills, feigning a sigh, "Since taking charge, Mr. Chambers has been swamped every day, it''s taken a toll on his health. It really breaks my heart."


    Evadne''s gaze turned icy, "Diazepam for appendicitis?"


    "Ah, this isn''t for Mr. Chambers. It''s for my mother."


    With a smile, Harvey stepped aside, "Please, Ms. Evadne, after you."


    With a slight lift of her lips, Evadne strode forward, her graceful legs carrying her inside.


    Just as Jason was about to follow, Harvey blocked him:


    "Mr. Chambers doesn''t want to see anyone but Ms. Evadne. Please, stay here."


    Jason clenched his teeth in frustration, worriedly watching Evadne move on.


    "Jason, wait here for me. It won''t take long." Evadne''s voice was calm andposed as she walked ahead.


    Upon entering the room, Avery was propped up in bed, reviewing documents, dressed in the standard hospital gown of blue and white stripes.


    Seeing the one he''d been longing for, his eyes lit up with a warm smile: "Evadne, you came!"


    Evadne''s expression was frosty, keeping her distance.


    She couldn''t bear even to breathe the same air as him, let alone get closer.


    But she had to confront this dangerous man.


    Only by getting close could she see the truth.


    The soft morning light, misty as gossamer, bathed Avery''s delicate features,


    painting a picture of sublime beauty, full of poetry and grace.


    He always was a man of exquisite appearance.


    To those unaware of his true nature, it would be impossible to associate him with


    serpents, beasts, or demons-creatures of utter malevolence.


    Step by step, Evadne approached his bed, her eyes deep and scrutinizing.


    "Evadne, I''m sick."


    Avery''s suppressed emotions turned his eyes a reddish hue, and he reached for her hand, unable to hold back any longer.


    But Evadne would not give him the chance, stepping back with a scowl, as if avoiding the gue.


    "What a pity."


    Her lips curled in mockery, "You''re just sick, not dead."


    The atmosphere in the room tensed.


    After a moment, Avery leaned backfortably, his gaze still tender:


    "Evadne, I won''t die that easily. If I died, I''d never see you again."


    Evadne scoffed, her fingers clenched tightly.


    "I''ve been through hell and back, from the depths of Helgen, just to see you. What''s kept me going all these years isn''t anything or anyone but you.


    So for you, I n to live a very long life."


    Evadne''s gaze was cold, judgmental:


    "If you truly cared about me, you''d listen to me, put down your weapons, and turn yourself in."


    Avery''s lips curled into a smile, undiminished in its warmth.


    "So, you''ve never been here for me, but for yourself. You''ve wed your way up from the gutter, reaching this position through your insatiable greed, which never seems to be satisfied." Evadne''s words were sharp as a knife, tearing through his facade.


    Avery tilted his head, watching her with interest.


    The way he looked at her, with such infatuation, was like admiring a beloved flower or a beautiful painting.


    "Avery, honestly, sometimes I''m afraid something might happen to you. Then, I wouldn''t be able to catch you myself, to see you face justice for those innocent lives you''ve destroyed!"


    As she spoke, Evadne suddenly felt a chill on her wrist-


    Avery''s pale, icy grip suddenly tightened around her wrist.


    She was taken aback, her heart racing as she struggled futilely against the so- called patient.


    "Let go of me!"


    In the midst of their tussle, Avery''s sleeve slid up to reveal his arm partially covered by the hospital gown.


    A row of tiny, bruised needle marks struck Evadne''s eyes!


    Her pupils dted in shock, and in that moment of distraction, Avery slipped a paring knife into her hand.


    "Evadne, no one can punish me, not even thew. Only you can."


    Avery''s smile widened, his gaze upon her was fervent, his lips quivering, "I know getting rid of me is what you''ve been dreaming of.


    I''m giving you that chance now. Wherever you stab doesn''t matter. As long as it pleases you, it''s all the same to me."


    "You''re truly insane!"


    Evadne felt as though his stare was suffocating her, making it hard to breathe. She forcefully shook off his hand, tossed the knife away, and turned to leave without looking back.


    Avery''s dark eyes surged with madness, his smile tinged with a crazed yet indulgent air.


    "Mr. Chambers!" Harvey rushed in, asking with concern, "Are you and Ms. Evadne alright?"


    "Evadne, why was she here?" Avery''s smile froze, his voice turning eerily cold.


    Aplete turnaround from the tender demeanor he had shown in front of Evadne moments before.


    "I just checked, Mr. Hamilton wasn''t feeling well and came to see a doctor. Ms. Evadne was apanying the old man."


    Harvey hurriedly reassured, "Don''t worry, we''ve got the chief physician''s lips sealed. Not a word will leak out!"


    "Good." Avery rxed, closing his eyes to rest, his fingers slowly twirling.


    Still savoring the delicate, soft touch and the warmth he couldn''t let go of.


    "Mr. Chambers, there''s another matter."


    Harvey lowered his voice, his gaze turning dark, "Wayne has been staying in the


    office; we have no way to get to him. What should we do?"


    "Then let''s find a way to lure him out."


    Avery chuckled softly, "Who knows his weaknesses better than us?"