Although she had apanied Avery on several trips to Country M and visited Sir, she''d never actually seen him in person.


    But once, quite by ident, she''d overheard his voice-just a fleeting moment, barely more than an echo drifting past her ear, but it had left a deep impression. There was something remarkable about it: clear and resonant, impossible to forget, even if it brushed by her like a feather.


    "Elsie, you''re squeezing my hand too tight," the little boy whimpered, looking up at her with a pained expression.


    Snapped out of her thoughts, Elsie quickly loosened her grip and hurried the children away from the man''s presence.


    "There she goes again."


    Alexia watched with disdain. "Such an odd woman. Every time she sees me, it''s like I shot her dog."


    Chad narrowed his eyes, gaze following Elsie''s retreating figure. "Have you met her before?"


    Alexia gave a short, mirthlessugh. "I only ran into her when I came here with Thaddeus. Would you believe, Thaddeus actually struck up a conversation with aplete stranger? Those three pills he took-maybe they awakened the worst parts of him."


    "Oh?" Chad raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What did Thaddeus say to her?" "He asked if they''d met somewhere before."


    Chad fell silent, his thoughtful gaze lingering before he turned away. "Look into her. I want to know who she is."


    Alexia frowned, confused. "She''s just a nurse. Is that really necessary?"


    "No one knows my brother better than I do." Chad''s lips curled in a faint, cold smile. "There are precious few women in this world who could ever catch his attention-let alone make him reach out first."


    Night fell.


    Thaddeus left the charity g halfway through, not even staying for the highlight of the evening—the main fundraising auction. With a grim expression, he slipped out before anyone could stop him.


    He drove alone, speeding aimlessly through the city lights as they blurred by outside.


    He had no idea how much time passed before he mmed on the brakes, hands trembling on the steering wheel. After a moment''s hesitation, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number.


    After a few rings, Jason answered, his tone testy. "Mr. Thaddeus? It''ste. What do you need?"


    Thaddeus''srge hand tightened on the wheel, knuckles white, tension radiating from every muscle.


    Boris''s lips pressed into a thin line, Adam''s apple bobbing as he struggled for words.


    Jason lost patience. "If there''s nothing urgent, I''m hanging up."


    "Is President Ashbourne home?" Thaddeus''s voice was hoarse, as if he''d swallowed a winter storm.


    "She''s at the hospital." Jason''s voice softened, tinged with concern. "Ms. Evadne''s leg was just recovering from a car ident, and now she''s fallen again she might need a cast  s


    "Which hospital? I want to—" Thaddeus started, but Jason cut him off, finally snapping.


    "Thaddeus, do you know why Ms. Evadne was nearly in that car ident? She''s always careful, never makes stupid mistakes like that! She was distracted she lost her focus-all because of you!"  s<fn0666> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? find·novel</fn0666>


    Thaddeus closed his eyes for a moment, a shadow passing over his handsome features.


    "Even if you''re done with her-even if you broke up-you didn''t have to parade your new girlfriend around town just to rub it in her face! Have you lost your memory or just your mind? Do you really not remember how much Ms. Evadne loved you? How well she treated you?"  s


    Thaddeus''s jaw tightened. "I don''t have a new girlfriend."


    Jason scoffed. "No new girlfriend? Then maybe you just don''t have a heart!"


    Thaddeus bit back a retort, swallowing hard.


    "Ms. Evadne is at our KS Group hospital-room A006," Jason said coldly, then hung up.


    Thaddeus''sshes trembled. He repeated the room number silently, then floored the gas pedal, his car vanishing into the night.