At Jason''s words, Evadne''s spine went rigid, her gaze turning dark and distant.


    Jason, oblivious to the tension, kept talking. "If I were in his shoes, I''d have bribed the kidnappers myself-used them as a chance to get rid of that annoying little brother for good! That would''ve solved all his problems."


    "Back then, Mr. Thaddeus was just the Abernathy family''s unwanted bastard. If he''d died, not much would havee of it. The world would''ve just forgotten about him, given time."


    The more Evadne thought about it, the more her heart raced. Her hand clenched around the car door handle.


    Could it be true?


    Was Chad really that calcting, even as a teenager?


    She didn''t want to dive headfirst into conspiracy theories, but two years ago, a simr doubt had crossed her mind.


    How could a fifteen-year-old boy have rescued Thaddeus from the kidnappers'' den? It was a feat not even most adults could pull off! For a kid, it sounded like pure fantasy.


    And that kidnapper-Morgan-he was infamous, ruthless, a man with a reputation for blood on his hands. They called him "Morgan" on the streets, and he didn''t think much of human life.


    If Chad had managed to slip someone out from right under Morgan''s nose, it wouldn''t matter who you were not even Evadne herself would have made it back alive, let alone Chad returning safely to the Abernathy family.


    Shaken from her thoughts, Evadne grabbed her phone and dialed Arnold.


    The call connected. Before Arnold could even greet her, she blurted out, "Arnold, can you pull an old case file for me? I need to take a look at it!"


    Leave it to Evadne-radio silence for ages, then she shows up with a bombshell request.


    "Evadne, you know I can''t just hand out case files. That''s against protocol!"


    "Then just tell me about it. That''s not breaking the rules, right?"


    Arnold sighed, exasperated. "Which case are you digging into?"


    "The kidnapping of the Abernathy brothers. Twenty years ago. The Morgan case."


    Arnold sounded confused. "Why are you suddenly poking around in that?"


    "Just do it, okay? Tell me what you find."


    Evadne paused, then asked, "And Arnold, do you recall what sentence Morgan got?"


    "I think he was sentenced to life, but it started as a death sentence with reprieve. He behaved well in prison, even helped the police crack a theft ring, so theymuted it."


    "But I do remember he had an aplice got twenty-five years. With time off for good behavior... he might be getting out soon."


    Evadne narrowed her eyes, lost in thought.<fn9ed3> ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? find(?)ovel</fn9ed3>


    Late at night, Hamiltony in his hospital bed, an IV dripping into his arm.


    Thaddeus sat at his grandfather''s side, keeping vigil.


    "Thaddeus, you must win the A5 project in Elmsworth this time," Hamilton said, his gaze heavy with hope as itnded on Thaddeus''s somber face. If you secure that contract, even if I''m gone... no one will be able to shake your ce in the Abernathy Group."


    Thaddeus''s voice was low, his warm hand wrapping firmly around his


    grandfather''s frail one. “Grandpa, don''t talk like that. You''ll live to see a hundred, I''m sure of it."


    Hamilton gave a dryugh. "I''m an old man, Thaddeus. I''ve had my fill of life. I only have two wishes left-one, that you''ll take the reins of the Abernathy Grouppletely. The other that you and kana will reconcile.


    Thaddeus''s throat tightened, his fingertips curling slightly.


    "Do you remember how you used toe to me, crying, begging for help to win


    na back?" Hamilton''s voice was soft, almost wistful.


    Thaddeus''s eyes darkened, a mix of emotions flickering within.


    "I don''t believe you''ve stopped loving na," Hamilton pressed. "You loved her so much-just because you took a couple of pills, you think that''s enough to kill those feelings? That''s nonsense!"


    He worked himself up, clutching his chest, pain creasing his features. Thaddeus quickly soothed him. “Grandpa, please. The doctors said you need to avoid stress and anger-it''s not good for your recovery."


    Hamilton wouldn''t be deterred. "Then promise me you''ll get na back."


    Thaddeus looked conflicted, his voice dropping to a murmur. “Grandpa, she and I are..."


    Just then, a gentle knock sounded at the door. Chad''s calm voice floated in from the hallway.


    "Grandpa, it''s me. Can Ie in?"