"Injecting or ingestingrge amounts of narcotics can damage the amygd in the brain. That''s likely why Mr. Thaddeus ended up this way. As far as I can tell, it''s the only real exnation."


    Evadne stared, stunned, her voice barely above a whisper. "Wait... are you saying Avery forced Thaddeus to take... drugs?"


    Suri shook her head in disbelief. "But it was just three pills, wasn''t it? How could something so small be so deadly?"


    "Narcotics can make you feel euphoric with just a little. But take too much, and it''s a living hell," Zachary said quietly, lowering his gaze. "Plenty of addicts have died aftering here for injections. If those pills were pure, potent drugs, taking three at once could easily be fatal."


    Evadne''s chest tightened as though a knife had pierced her, a sheen of sweat forming on her brow. "Will Thaddeus have any... strange reactions?"


    "I can''t say for sure what kind of drug he took, so I don''t know exactly what to expect. But when addicts go into withdrawal, they get chills, feel like their whole body is being devoured by ants, and the torment only worsens as their craving grows.


    That''s how you know-he''s already hooked."


    "Damn it! Bastard!" Evadne''s pain and fury erupted as she mmed her fist onto the metal table, each blow echoing through the room.


    A single tear slipped down,nding with a soft plink on the cold steel.<fn83c6> Follow current nov?ls on find·novel</fn83c6>


    But what tormented her most was that she couldn''t get anywhere near Thaddeus now. She had no way to know if he was already addicted, if he was suffering through withdrawal night and day, or if he was enduring it alone. She was powerlesspletely in the dark.


    Suri''s voice trembled with worry. "Thaddeus is such a good kid... If he''s gotten mixed up with that stuff, it could ruin him for life.”


    Zachary hurried to reassure them. "Suri, Ms. Evadne, don''t panic just yet. This is just my guess—it''s still possible he only took some kind of psychotropic drug, not narcotics. We can''t be sure.


    If we get the chance, we should try to have Mr. Thaddeus''s blood tested in secret. One test and we''ll know for sure."


    Evadne''s heart clenched painfully. She forced herself to speak, her voice soft. "Thank you for telling me all this. When we have time, we''lle visit again."


    With that, they stood to leave.


    "Ms. Evadne!"


    Zachary rose quickly, hesitating before asking, "My younger son, Chasel... Is he all right?"


    Evadne''s heart squeezed. "Chasel''s doing well."


    "And Cassius? Are they... still together? Are they okay?" Zachary''s eyes grew red as he spoke.


    Evadne hesitated, throat tight, but lied anyway. "They''re fine. My brother cares for him a lot."


    "I always thought they were just being childish, but it turns out they were serious all along. Chasel''s a smart, kind boy-he was always the one best suited to inherit the Bright Group. I was stubborn, too harsh on um. Atleast how he has Cassius to look after him, someone who loves him. That''s enough for me..."


    s


    Zachary wiped at his eyes, voice pleading. "Ms. Evadne, if you see Chasel... please, tell him I''m sorry."


    Evadne nodded through her tears. "I will."


    ...


    Night had fallen, and the Abernathy Group headquarters was nearly empty.


    In the CEO''s office, Thaddeus was still at his desk, poring over the Elmsworth A5 development project.


    This project was crucial to the Abernathy Group''s next five years.


    "Mr. Thaddeus, it''s time to head home," Gordon said, concern etched on his face as he took in Thaddeus''s pallor and weary eyes. "No matter how hard you work, you won''t finish everything tonight. Your health matters more-look at it again tomorrow."  s


    Suddenly, Thaddeus shivered violently, his brows knitting in difort. "Did you turn on the air conditioning in here? Why is it so cold?"


    Gordon scratched his head, puzzled. "No, sir. It''s snowing outside-we should have the heating on, not the AC."


    Thaddeus bit down, trying to fight off the bone-deep chill that seemed to seep from his core.


    "Mr. Thaddeus, there''s a major charity g this weekend. Will you be attending?"


    Without looking up, Thaddeus replied, voice t, "I''ll make my donation, but I''m too busy to go myself."


    Gordon hesitated. "I heard the KS Group attends every year, always making generous contributions. Cassius used to represent them but since Ms. Evadne became president, she''s likely to show up this time."  s


    Thaddeus''s eyes stayed downcast, his gaze clouded and distant.


    "Mr. Thaddeus, do you want to-"


    He was cut off by a knock at the door.


    "Come in," Thaddeus called.


    The door opened, and Alexia walked in with a bright smile.


    "Mr. Thaddeus, how are you feeling today? Still have a headache? Are you still


    cold?"