Ever since he''de of age, few dared mention his parentage anymore. It was a direct challenge to the authority of the Abernathy heir.


    Yet Chad, whether intentionally or not, pressed right on that sore spot. And unfortunately, he was the big brother Thaddeus respected most, so Thaddeus could only grit his teeth and endure it.


    “But Thaddeus has already broken up with Ms. Evadne,” Chad said, his tone light and casual as he carved a long strip of apple peel. "If he doesn''t want her, then I do. Grandfather, surely you''ll support me, won''t you?"


    Chad''s lips curled into a smile that was almost, but not quite, warm. The apple peel fell to the table in one unbroken ribbon. “I know you''ve always been fond of Ms. Evadne. You''ve wanted her to join the Abernathy family as your granddaughter-inw for years.


    If she and Thaddeus weren''t meant to be, then let me marry her. That would still fulfill your wish, wouldn''t it?"


    His movements were perfectly ordinary-graceful, unhurried-but beneath thatposure was an unmistakable, suffocating pressure.


    Thaddeus felt his breath catch. His brow furrowed tighter and tighter.


    Hamilton struggled for air, his frail body stiff as he tried to push himself up from the hospital bed, but he simply didn''t have the strength. "Chad... it''s not that you''re unworthy, and it''s not that I don''t support you both. It''s just―na is a child I know well. Her heart belongs to Thaddeus. Always has, always will. There''s no room for anyone else... If you force her... na''s as stubborn as theye. She''d rather break than bend. I''m afraid neither of you would find happiness that way."


    Chad''s eyes gleamed with a smile, but beneath that surface warmth was a chill that seemed to seep from his very bones. "Grandfather, nothing is impossible if you want it badly enough. If I treat her sincerely, little by little, her heart will turn toward me. I have all the patience in the world.


    All I want is your blessing. You won''t stand in the way of me pursuing Ms. Evadne, will you?"


    Hamilton''s face twitched, his expression nearly slipping out of control as he searched for an answer but found none.


    Thaddeus''s clear eyes were clouded as he staggered along the corridor, one hand braced against the wall, gasping for breath. He barely made it to the underground parking garage.


    "Mr. Thaddeus! Are you alright?" Gordon spotted him and rushed over to catch him before he copsed.


    "Medicine..."


    Gordon froze. "What?"


    Thaddeus''s body trembled uncontrobly as he reached inside his suit, pulling out


    a packet of blue pills.


    Gordon''s eyes widened. He


    recognized them instantly-Alexia''s


    pills. Pante rose in his throat as her tried to snatch them away, but Thaddeus, desperate, had already poured them all out and swallowed them in one go.


    "Mr. Thaddeus! How could you take medicine from that woman? She''s with the eldest master, she can''t be trusted! What if it''s poison?!"


    "Gordon... I can''t take it anymore..." Thaddeus stumped against him, his handsome face slick with sweat, lips pale as ice I don''t know if this is all a side effect of that drug Avery gave me, but only Alexia''s pills... they''re the only thing that helps...


    A chill ran down Gordon''s spine, dread settling in his gut.


    He helped Thaddeus into the car, and the luxury sedan sped off, taillights vanishing into the night.


    Only after the car had disappeared did Alexia step out from behind a concrete pir, a cold smile on her lips as she raised her phone to her ear.


    “Sir, Thaddeus''s addiction is in full swing. He can''t go a day without ''Crystal Ice'' now."


    A man''s voice drifted in through the darkness, low and mocking, as if from the depths of hell. "It''s taken him this long to start using? My brother''s willpower is stranger than I thought."


    Alexia''s voice was icy. "Are you ready to make your move?"


    "The A5 Project is the perfect opportunity. Be patient. We''ll strike when the time is right."


    *


    Three dayster.


    After leading the morning board meeting, Evadne exited the conference room to find Jason waiting by the door.<fn7861> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? find?novel</fn7861>


    "Ms. Evadne, I found the current address of Nora''s mother-the maid you asked about."


    Evadne''s eyes shed with determination, a hint of a smile on her lips. "Get the car. We''re leaving now."