In an instant, Chasel felt a chill run down his spine. Though he was in a bustling club, it felt like he was in a vacuum, suddenly unable to hear a thing.


    "Mr. Frederic has a deep appreciation for talent, and he admires you greatly. When he learned that you and I had this connection, he specifically asked me to find you and have a serious talk."


    He holds you in high regard and sincerely hopes you will join his team. If you work with Mr. Frederic, not only will yourb''s funding problems be solved, but you''ll also..."


    Before he could finish, there was a ssh—


    Chasel suddenly grabbed the ss from the bar and hurled its contents inton''s face.


    Chasel''s fox-like eyes narrowed as he sneered, "He saw that Cassius and I broke up, so he thinks he can lure me onto his pirate ship, drive a wedge between me and the Ashbourne family, and make me work for him? He''s got a great sense of humor.


    It seems Chad isn''t just a bastard; he''s a delusional madman.


    This drink''s on you. Stay the hell away from me. Can''t you tell I''m sick of the sight of you?"


    With that, Chasel left the bar, walking away without a backward nce.


    "Chasel, I gave you a chance. You brought this on yourself. Don''t me anyone else."


    Outside the bar, Chasel''s mind was racing. He reyedn''s words, his brow furrowing deeper.


    Whether the man''s ims were true or not, one thing was clear: Chad had him in his sights.


    That was not a good sign.


    It looked like he needed to leave Elmsworth as soon as possible.


    Just then, his phone rang again.


    Chasel stood in the biting wind, hunching his shoulders as he pulled his phone from his pocket.


    It was Cassius again, the persistent ringing echoing the pounding of his heart.


    The phone rang for a long time, showing no signs of stopping.


    Chasel''s thumb hovered over the screen. He bit his lip, hesitating for a long moment before finally answering.


    "What is it."


    His voice was cold.


    “Dr. Bright, is this a good time to talk? I''m not disturbing you, am I?" Cassius''s voice


    was as gentle as ever, a soft whisper in his ear.


    But he called him "Dr. Bright”—proper, measured, distant.


    A sharp pain pierced Chasel''s heart, like a bitter lemon being silently squeezed in his throat.


    "If you have something to say, just say it."


    "I''m sorry. I wouldn''t bother you if it wasn''t truly important."


    Cassius was so polite, almost humble. "My father is ill. He''s in the hospital right now, still in aa."


    Chasel''s expression grew worried. "I know. My aunt told me."


    "The other day, Chad came to the hospital and gave Evadne a box of new medicine. He said it could help with my father''s condition. While it can''t cure him, it might get him through this critical period, and


    possibly even help him wake up sooner. If he remains ina for too long, there''s a risk of brain


    damage, of him bing


    vegetative."


    “You''d actually use medicine from Chad? Aren''t you afraid he poisoned it? You people are really desperate!" Chasel pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration.


    "We had the medicine analyzed. It doesn''t contain any poison. But we don''t know what long-term side effects it might have on my father''s body."


    Cassius sighed, his voice hoarse with exhaustion. "So, I was hoping you could help us analyze this drug, to se what it really is and in truly has a chance of curing my father."


    "I understand."


    Chasel paused before saying tly, "Give it to Evadne. Have her get it to me in the next couple of days."


    The roundabout way was only because he still couldn''t bring himself to see him.


    Cassius was silent for a moment, then his voice dropped. "Okay."


    "Is that all? I''m hanging up."


    "Wait!" Cassius called out anxiously.


    Chasel said nothing, waiting quietly.


    "I can hear a lot of wind. Are you... outside right now?" Cassius asked tentatively, carefully.


    "Yes, why?" His tone remained detached.


    “The temperature dropped tonight, and the wind is harsh. You''ve always been


    sensitive to the cold. Go home early, don''t get frozen."


    As if realizing he''d overstepped, Cassius quickly added, "You don''t have to go home


    if you don''t want to, but... just make sure you dress warmly. Please?"


    As soon as the words left his mouth, Chasel couldn''t hold on any longer and abruptly ended the call.


    Staring at the dark screen, his eyes slowly reddened, a misty film gathering over them.


    Chasel remembered a time when, in


    weather like this, he would have been sheltered in Cassius''s arms, wrapped tightly in his warmth. His hands would either be sped with Cassius''s in his coat pocket or tucked inside his shirt, pressed


    against his heart.


    "But... that will never happen again."


    He let out a bitter, chokedugh and tilted his head back, forcing the tears not to fall.


    Then, he strode away, quickly disappearing into the night.