Mason narrowed his bloodshot eyes, his smile making one''s skin crawl. "So, just be a good little nephew. You''re a member now. I''d advise you not to get any other ideas."


    "I understand perfectly." Chad''s smile widened as he rose from the plush red sofa, his posture straight, his chin slightly lifted. "Then I won''t disturb your evening any further, Uncle. I''ll take my leave."


    Mason watched his retreating back with cold eyes. "Chad," he called out softly, "you should be grateful you''re the only thing my sister left behind in this world."


    They were both intelligent men. The threat was understood without being fully spoken.


    Chad stopped in his tracks. With his back still to Mason, he let out augh. "Uncle, we Austins really are something else, aren''t we? Everyst one of us is a rabid dog."


    With that, he strode away.


    A dark cloud settled over Mason''s features. He pressed a bell on the table. A momentter, his assistant entered, bowing respectfully. "Mr. Austin."


    "My dear nephew has been getting a bit restlesstely. I think it''s time for a little reminder." Mason lowered his gaze. The assistant immediately stepped forward and held out his palm. He didn''t even flinch as Mason extinguished the cigar in his hand, the burning ember searing his flesh. "When you''re finished here, go to Elmsworth. There''s someone I need you to meet."


    On the way to the airport, Chad''s silence was so profound it terrified Alexia. Usually, there was a faint smile ying on his lips. When he wasn''t smiling, it meant things were serious.


    "You must be curious," Chad said finally, his eyes half-closed, his pale lips barely moving. "You''re wondering why Mason isn''t in prison, why he''s here in Helgen. And if he''s here, then who is the man serving his sentence in Elmsworth?"


    A bead of sweat trickled down Alexia''s temple. "I am curious, but if you don''t wish to say, I won''t ask..."


    "I arranged for a scapegoat to take his ce. That''s why he enjoys the life he has today." Chad''s smile was unreadable. "I''m telling you this because there''s something I need you to do."


    "Please, give me your orders."


    "When you return to Elmsworth, find some time to go to the Fifth Penitentiary. Get that scapegoat out."


    "Get him out?"


    "I''ve had reports that he''s been causing trouble inside. We can''t let him stay there any longer, but we can''t kill him either Chad''s voice Waszy his eyes still closed. An unexined death in prison would attract unwanted attention. You''re a prison doctor. I''m sure you can find a way to have him transferred."


    "Yes, I understand," Alexia nodded.


    Just then, her phone rang. She nced at the screen and answered. After a few seconds, the color drained from her face.


    "What is it?" Chad asked, his tone t.


    "Sir," Alexia took a deep breath, clutching the phone. "The people I had watching Ms. Evadne at the hospital just reported that Thaddeus went to see her tonight. They were alone in her room for a very long time." <fn49c5> Read full story at FιndNovel</fn49c5>


    Chad''s eyes shapped open. His long, pale fingers slowly curled into a fist, pulsing with a dangerous energy.


    From the very beginning, Evan


    had been nothing more than a pawn in his game. But now, for some reason, a murky, unfamiliar emotion tightened in his chest it was suffocating hidden darkness that he couldn''t ce, something he had never felt before.


    "My dear brother," Chad hissed, a cold smile forming on his lips. "He really is a handful. Alexia, sometimes, you truly cannot afford to show any mercy."