"Heh. That cowardly piece of trash really knows how to find an opening. He intentionally waited until my family was drowning in crises to make his move!"


    Aaron was so furious his eyes practically bulged. He wanted nothing more than to rip the guy''s arm out of its socket, but as a police officer, he forced himself to swallow his rage. "You''re a cop, so you know thew. Even if you were hired, it''s still attempted murder. Have fun rotting in a cell for the rest of your life!"


    He didn''t even need to think to know who had orchestrated the bribe. If it wasn''t Chad, it was his right-hand attack dog, Alexia. But without concrete evidence, the chief would never authorize a full-scale investigation into the Abernathy group. He couldn''t take down Chad by himself.


    He was consumed by hatred, his heart bleeding with rage. Yet he hadn''t lost his mind. He had to staypletely objective. He needed to keep the original assassin alive and safe for Evadne. Even if it wasn''t the silver bullet that took Chad down, it would be a critical piece of the puzzle!


    As the corrupt cop was hauled away, Aaron stood alone in the hallway. Leaning against the frigid wall, his tall, athletic frame slowly slid down until he hit the floor. He sat there, burying his face in his hands, fighting back the tears that threatened to fall.


    His father had amnesia, his mother Suri was still in critical condition, and Evadne had copsed from stress. The only thing keeping him going was pure, unadulterated vengeance. But even that was starting to crack.


    Suddenly, his phone buzzed. He took a deep breath and answered. "Yeah?"


    "Aaron, it''s Thaddeus."


    Aaron snapped his head up. "Thaddeus?!"


    "I know Suri was in a terrible ident and things are grim. I know you''re hurting. But right now, I need your help with something critical. You have to pull yourself together."


    Aaron wiped a hand fiercely across his face. "What is it? Just tell me."


    Thaddeus''s deep, maic voice grew serious. "We''re going to destroy Chad''s research facility and rescue Elsie."


    Instantly, it was as if Aaron had been injected with pure adrenaline. He bolted upright from the floor, the dark cloud over him vanishing entirely. His eyes burned with sudden intensity. "Where is theb?! I''m going to blow that hellhole straight to the ground!"


    Thaddeus''s calm, methodical tone offered an inexplicable sense of grounding. "The mountains around Serpentine Pass. I''ll send you the exact coordinates shortly. This is extremely sensitive. The facility doesn''t just hold victims; there are hired mercenaries and high-level executives inside. We estimate over two hundred people. You need to request authorization from your superiors and bring in SWAT. We have to assume they''re heavily armed. If a firefight breaks out, it''s going to be extremely dangerous."


    Aaron didn''t have time to be sad anymore; his heart hammered against his ribs. "Damn it, we finally found that bastard''s nest! Don''t worry, I''ll organize everything wlessly. But Thaddeus, how do you know all these details?"


    "Your brother... Hubery told me."


    "Hubery..." Aaron''s voice broke, tears springing to his eyes.


    Sensing his overwhelming emotion, Thaddeus''s tone softened. "I''m not sure if his memory has fully returned, but regardless of whether He sees himself as Hans or Hubery, he chose to stand with us. That''s the best oue we could hope for." Cóntent


    "Yeah... you''re right..."


    Aaron fiercely rubbed his bloodshot eyes. "Wait, did you tell Elvis?"


    "I''ll tell him first thing tomorrow morning."


    Thaddeus''s voice remained calm, but it carried a profound empathy. "Since Elsie went missing, he hasn''t had a single good night''s sleep. Let him get onest night of rest."


    The next day, as evening fell.


    Evadne slowly blinked her eyes open, her mind foggy. Her very first instinct was to reach across the bed, blindly seeking Thaddeus''s warmth.


    "Thaddeus... Thaddeus?!"


    She jolted awake, her eyes snapping wide open. Her oversized hospital gown was drenched in cold sweat. In sheer panic, she shot up into a sitting position.


    "Evadne, calm down!" Cassius firmly grabbed her trembling shoulders, his eyes filled with heartbreak.


    Ever since Thaddeus had left, Cassius hadn''t moved from her side, staying awake the entire night.


    "Cassius... where is Thaddeus?" Evadne''s voice shook violently.


    "Thaddeus had... something urgent to handle. He had to leave." Cassius''s chest felt tight. He forced down his own anxiety, giving her a gentle, reassuring look.


    Tears rapidly pooled in Evadne''s eyes until shepletely broke down, sobbing uncontrobly. "He said he would stay right beside. He promised that when I woke up, I''d see him. Why did he lie to me?! Why did he lie?!"


    Her chest ached so badly she felt like she was dying. If she had known this would happen... she would have preferred he never visited, never held her, never kissed her...


    "Evadne! Calm down and listen to me!"


    Cassius hadn''t nned on telling


    her, afraid she would worry, but seeing her so utterly devastated, he Thes couldn''t keep it a secret anymore. "Thaddeus didn''t lie to you! It''s not that he didn''t want to stay with you. He had to leave because he he has something incredibly important to do! He''s joining Aaron and Elvis today. They''re raiding Chad''sb to save Elsie!"