"Whoa! You''re amazing!"


    Before Evadne could even open her mouth, Arnold let out a loud whoop, showering his sister with praise, "The Ashbourne women are seriously badass!"


    "Arnold? You''re here too." Debby was momentarily taken aback.


    "Sending you, our very own First Lady, to deal with that scumbag Snakey Avery is like using a cannon to kill a mosquito."


    "Arnold, don''t say that."


    Debby smiled gently, her demeanor as soothing as ever, "I didn''t really do much, it was all thanks to the clues from Evadne. I just followed the trail, a simple gesture. Over the years, Darcy and I have been abroad, busy with state affairs. I''ve seldom been home to look after our family, to gather with you all. Being able to lend a hand here makes me happy. It feels like I''m still with you, just like old times."


    Her words touched the Ashbourne siblings deeply.


    "Debby, we really owe you one this time."


    Thaddeus''s voice was as soft as a gentle breeze, brushing against Evadne''s ears, making her blush, "Once this mess is settled, Evadne and I wille to Helgen to visit you."


    "Ah, Thaddeus is here too. Having Thaddeus around just gives me so much peace of mind." Debby was genuinely relieved.


    Arnold huffed, feeling somewhat less dependable inparison, "What''s that supposed to mean? You feel safe with Thaddeus around but not me?"


    "It used to be the case, but things are different now, Arnold. You''ve got someone special in your life."


    Debby had the tone of an elder sister, her years in politics with her husband lending her a gravitas beyond her years, making it easy to forget she was not yet thirty, "I saw her in Bastan, that Ms. Camille. It''s clear you two are in love. It won''t be long before she bes part of the Ashbourne family."


    "Cough cough... Camille is indeed the love of my life." Arnold''s face turned a happy shade of red.


    "You care for Evadne, but you can''t split your focus. Now that you have a beloved, it''s only right to devote more of your attention to her. So, you can''t look after Evadne like you used to."


    Debby spoke earnestly, "Though we are flesh and blood, we cannot be by Evadne''s side for a lifetime. Only Thaddeus, only together can they walk through life hand in hand."


    "Sister..." Evadne was deeply moved, her hands tightly sping her man''s.


    "Debby, rest assured, Evadne is safe with me. I''ll protect her with my life." Thaddeus pressed his forehead against his love''s.


    "I hope that once this ordeal is over, you two can tie the knot, settle down, and avoid getting tangled in such dangerous affairs again."


    Debby''s tone grew stern, "Avery has been untouchable on our side, having even bribed a former president. There''s nothing he wouldn''t dare do. Darcy and I have been quietly battling his influence. If not for Darcy''s powerful position, we might not even know where we''d end up dead!"


    Evadne''s deep-seated hatred for Avery surged anew, "That''s why we must fight him to the end. No matter where he hides, even if it''s on the moon, we''ll make him pay dearly!"