"Evadne, leave this to me. I''ll handle the investigation," Elvis said firmly. After a pause, his voice softened with deep affection. "I''m going to be busy starting tomorrow, wrapping up my work so I can finally retire in peace. While I''m gone, please... take care of Ellie for me."


    Touched, Evadne''s eyes reddened slightly. "I will," she promised softly.


    ***


    After seventy-two hours in aa, Thaddeus fought his way out of the darkness and back to consciousness.


    "Mr. Thaddeus! You''re finally awake!"


    "Thaddeus! It''s me, Grandpa!"


    The joyous faces of Hamilton, Mr. Murray, and Gordon swam into his unfocused eyes, slowlying into focus by his bedside.


    "How long... was I out?" Thaddeus asked, rubbing his throbbing temples as Gordon helped him sit up against the headboard.


    Hamilton looked at his favorite grandson with heartache. "You''ve been asleep for three days, my boy."


    Three days.


    Thaddeus drew a sharp breath, the room spinning as a wave of weakness washed over him.


    "Thaddeus, are you feeling unwell anywhere else?" Hamilton asked with concern.<fn04b1> ?????? ???? ?ovelFind</fn04b1>


    "Grandpa, I''m sorry," Thaddeus said, his throat tight. "This is a critical bidding period for a major project at the Abernathy Group. I''ve caused a dy."


    what are you


    "Don''t be silly apologizing for!" Hamilton reached out and patted his grandson''s head, just as he had when he was a child. "No big no project is more important to me than my grandson. Don''t you worry about the Abernathy Group, and don''t be afraid that copsing at the board meeting will affect your position. You are my chosen heir, and nothing will ever change that."


    Thaddeus''s expression remained stoic, but his grandfather''s unwavering words sent ripples through his heart.


    "Just focus on getting better. Grandpa will take care of everything else!"


    Thaddeus''s eyelids trembled. "I''m fine. I can be discharged today."


    "Mr. Thaddeus, there''s no rush! Please don''t push yourself!" Gordon urged.


    "The A5 Project tender is at the beginning of next month. It''s urgent, and we can''t afford any dys,"


    Thaddeus stated calmly. With a


    practiced movement, he casually


    pulled the IV needle from the back of his hand. "Gordon, get my clothes. We''re going back to the Abernathy Group."


    When the man''s stubborn streak emerged, no one could stop him.


    Ultimately, Thaddeus was dressed and on his way to the Abernathy Group tower in his luxury car, apanied by Gordon. He kept his eyes closed the entire way, resting, the sharp lines of his well-defined jaw looking somewhat gaunt and weary. His mind kept reying thest moment before he copsed at the board meeting-the dark, insidious smile he had seen on Chad''s face. It was a smileced with a long-awaited excitement,pletely devoid of surprise, as if everything was going exactly ording to n.


    "That''s strange. Why are there so many reporters gathered outside the main entrance?" Gordon wondered, peering out the window with a frown.


    "Use the underground garage," the man said, his lips barely moving.


    The car headed for the underground parking garage. But to their surprise, a swarm of reporters was gathered there as well. The moment they saw Thaddeus''s car, they descended like a cloud of hos, surrounding the vehicle.


    "Mr. Thaddeus! There are rumors that your health is in serious decline and that you may be unable to lead thepany in the future! Do you have anyment?"