Aaron''s jaw tightened. "Alright. Evadne''s instincts have never been wrong. I''m with you on this."


    Evadne broke into a smile. It had been so long since they''d seen her genuinely happy that it brought a tear to their eyes.


    "Next, I need to investigate what''s going on with the patients in that old hospital building," Evadne said, her expression growing somber again at the thought of the suffering people she had seen.


    "There''s one thing I don''t understand," Cassius said, frowning. "The Austin family is finished. They have nothing left to offer Chad. Why would he go to the trouble of breaking his uncle out of prison?"


    Evadne tapped her chin thoughtfully. Her brother had hit on a crucial point. Beneath Chad''s gentle exterior was a cold, ruthless, and entirely self-serving nature. He wouldn''t lift a finger for something that didn''t benefit him. Avery''s ultimate fate was proof enough of his heartlessness.


    After a moment, Evadne took a deep breath. "They must be partners in this. But we still need to find out what they''re nning."


    In the kitchen, Elsie was helping Myra and Aviana Ashbourne prepare pastries for the next day. Elvis had


    far


    bought her a vi in Skyrim, not from Silveke Harbor, so she could visit whenever she wanted Elsie had o family of her own, so the Ashbournes had be hers. She visited often, helping out where she could, but was always careful not to overstay her wee. Her cautious, gentle nature was endearing, but it also made them ache for her.


    "Ellie, when Elvises back on leave, you two should just go get married," Aviana said, kneading dough and winking at Myra. "All this back and forth is too much trouble. Just move in, and we can alkhang out every day By the way, do you


    know how to y cards? We''re


    always short a fourth!"


    Elsie''s heart fluttered, and a blush crept up her cheeks. The dough in her hands became a misshapen lump. "A... a little."


    Myra chimed in with a grin. “Aviana''s right. You''re family anyway. Mr. Avery is


    away so often, we worry about you living alone."<fna> Updates are released by f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?</fna>


    "It''s no trouble, really. I can take care of myself," Elsie said, her voice soft and timid. The deep-seated insecurity and fear that she didn''t deserve this happiness still lingered, even though she knew Elvis loved her dearly.


    Aviana was about to say more when she froze. Standing in the doorway was Elvis, a winter chill still clinging to him. He was leaning against the frame his hands in his pockets, a yful grin on his face as he


    watched Elsie, his eyes fine


    with a fierce, possessive love.