Chapter 202

"This isn't a nightmare—it's more like a horror movie." Cassius smirked, swirling his wine glass.

After all, he and Arnold were here to keep their sister company. Even that scoundrel Thaddeus wouldn't dare cause trouble tonight.

Otherwise, the dagger tucked in his belt wasn't just for decoration. Not even divine intervention could save him then.

"Thaddeus actually has the nerve to show up? Get ready for war!" Arnold cursed, eyes locked on the screen, fingers flying across the keyboard.

"War? What kind? A typing competition?"

Evadne exhaled sharply, irritation flashing in her eyes. "I'm the one who summoned this ghost. I'll be the one to send him away."

She strode to the entrance alone and activated the video intercom.

The screen illuminated, revealing Thaddeus' striking features, shadowed with an unreadable chill.

"What do you want?"

Her voice was ice. As if she didn't know him. As if he were just another stranger loitering outside her home.

"Evadne. Come out. We need to talk." He ignored her sarcasm, his tone low and rough.

"And we can't talk like this? Can't see you? Can't hear you?"

A muscle twitched in his jaw. He exhaled sharply.

She was relentless.

"Stop playing games. I need to speak with you."

"Games?" A cold laugh escaped her. "Which part of me slamming the door in your face looks like a game to you?"

His fingers flexed at his sides. "I want to see you."

The words were raw, stripped of pride. As if he'd carved them out of his chest just to say them.

Evadne's breath hitched. She took a step back.

Then, slowly, she smirked.

Once, those words would have shattered her. Once, she would have given anything to hear them.

Now? They meant nothing.

"Thaddeus, the world doesn't revolve around you. You don't always get what you want." She tilted her head, her smile cutting. "You taught me that. Took you three years, but I learned."

His entire body tensed. "Evadne—"

"Looks clear tonight." She glanced at the moon, voice flat. "Last time I went out, I was worried lightning might strike you. This time? Unless it's raining knives, I'm not stepping outside. Leave."

Click.

The screen went black.

Thaddeus stood alone in the darkness, the cold wind biting through his coat.

Evadne climbed the stairs, her chest tight.

She couldn't fathom it. How could the man who'd treated her like a ghost for three years suddenly demand to see her? After everything?

What was there left to say?

She'd wasted enough time on him.

Entering the study, Jason frowned. "Everything alright? He didn't upset you, did he?"

"Please." She scoffed, draping herself over Cassius' shoulders. "As if."

"Did you at least make him suffer?" Cassius grinned, nudging her.

"Not really."

"Shame." He tapped her nose. "Should've let me handle it. I'd have made sure he regretted showing up."

Evadne rolled her eyes. "Cassius, violence isn't the answer."

"Found it!" Arnold suddenly shouted, slamming his hands on the desk. "Celebration time! Break out the good wine!"

Evadne arched a brow. "Jason, grab a bottle from the cellar."

She leaned over Arnold's shoulder, studying the screen. "Who's the leak?"

"Her." He jabbed a finger at the profile. "Caroline Porter. Social news reporter at Pioneer Post. The IP matches perfectly."

"Good work." She smirked. "Though Elvis would've been faster."

"Then why didn't you ask him?" Arnold groaned.

"Busy." She yawned. "Didn't want to bother him."

Arnold gaped. "So I'm just your backup plan?"

Evadne ignored him, scanning Caroline's profile. "A social news reporter suddenly covering my wedding? Suspicious."

"You think someone paid her?" Cassius frowned.

"Either that or blackmailed her." Evadne's eyes narrowed. "Caroline Porter... Why does that sound familiar?"

Then it clicked.

"Keith Porter's daughter."

"Who?" Arnold blinked.

"The ex-deputy manager I fired. The one who went to jail," Cassius supplied.

"Bingo." Evadne crossed her arms. "Now it makes sense. She's after revenge."

Arnold whistled. "Damn. And here I thought she was just being nosy."

"Please. Her father screwed up, not me." Evadne scoffed. "If she wants to blame someone, she should visit him in prison."

Jason cleared his throat. "Ms. Evadne, I confirmed—no outsiders had access during construction. The leak had to be from our team."

"Then we have a traitor." Her gaze sharpened. "Monitor everyone. Especially the men. If anyone contacts Caroline, I want to know immediately."

"Why just the men?" Arnold frowned.

"Because men are weak for pretty faces." Her lips curled. "Present company excluded, of course."

Cassius smirked. "Naturally."

Arnold and Jason nodded vigorously.

Evadne stretched, exhaustion creeping in. "You're all saints compared to him."

Later, thunder cracked through the night, jolting Evadne awake.

She rarely stirred during storms. Tonight was different.

Slipping into a robe, she padded to the window. Rain lashed against the glass, lightning illuminating the garden below.

For a moment, she remembered her mother—how she'd hold her during storms, whispering secrets to the rain.

Then lightning flashed again.

And she saw him.

Thaddeus. Standing in the downpour, staring up at her window.