Chapter 123
Jareth's face drained of all color in an instant.
He never even saw Evadne's hand move. By the time he registered the motion, the cold steel of a butterfly knife was already pressed against his throat.
The weapon was sleek, deadly—infamous for its swift, lethal precision. A single flick of the wrist could end a life before the victim even realized they'd been struck.
And here was Evadne, wielding it with effortless ease, her expression chillingly indifferent.
"Back off, Jareth." Her voice was low, dangerous. The blade glinted as she tapped it lightly against his cheek. "Even if you were the last man on earth, I still wouldn’t choose you."
His heart hammered violently. "What if it was just me and Thaddeus left?"
A cold laugh escaped her lips. "Still not you."
Jareth's pride shattered like glass.
At that moment, the office door swung open.
"Evadne?" Cassius stood in the doorway, brows raised in surprise.
In a blink, the knife vanished. Her demeanor shifted instantly, a bright smile replacing the icy threat. "Brother! You should've told me you were coming."
Jareth stiffened, his eyes burning with humiliation. Without a word, he turned and stalked out, shoulders rigid with defeat.
Cassius watched him go, bemused. Only Evadne could reduce the arrogant heir of the Jareth Group to this.
"Bro!" She threw her arms around Cassius, hugging him tight. "How's your injury?"
"Long healed." He chuckled, lifting her off her feet in a playful spin. "I'm not that fragile."
Few knew Cassius's past—how a man so refined had once commanded the most feared syndicate in Windhelm. Even Evadne couldn't reconcile his gentle nature with the ruthless power he'd wielded.
"So, what was that about?" Cassius nodded toward the door.
Evadne sighed, rubbing her temples. "I had to make it clear. He wouldn't take no for an answer."
"You could've been gentler."
"And let him keep chasing me forever?" She shook her head. "Better to end it now."
Cassius sighed. "Sometimes I wish you were more like Naomi."
"Too late for that." She smirked. "I already dealt with her."
Leaning against him, she closed her eyes as he massaged her temples.
"Got something for me?" she murmured.
"Sharp as ever." He handed her a folder. "The Abernathy Group secured the Westguard project. Thaddeus handed it to Elspeth."
Evadne's eyes gleamed as she scanned the documents. "She thinks she can take over the Abernathy empire? Delusional."
"Meeting's at Wye Golf Course the day after tomorrow. Your move."
She grinned. "You know me. I don’t do half-measures."
Cassius pinched her cheek lightly. "Leave me some dignity, will you?"
"I'm not a kid anymore." Her expression turned serious. "You’ve done enough for me. It’s my turn to protect you."
Meanwhile, Acacia stormed into her penthouse, furious after Thaddeus's cold dismissal.
Elspeth's scolding only made it worse. "You’re pathetic! Crying won’t get you anywhere!"
"But Evadne—"
"Enough!" Elspeth snapped. "Focus on the goal. Become Mrs. Abernathy. Everything else is secondary."
The call ended abruptly.
Acacia seethed, gripping her phone until her knuckles turned white.
Then, an unknown number flashed on the screen.
"Who is this?" she hissed.
A familiar, mocking voice answered. "Ahley. Miss me?"
Her blood ran cold.
Ahley—her old identity, buried the moment she returned to Thaddeus.
Yet here he was, dragging her past back to haunt her.
"Where are you?" she whispered, fear clawing at her throat. "I’ll come to you."