Chapter 215

The crisp autumn air clung to Jason as he hurried back to Evadne's residence, his breath ragged and his forehead glistening with sweat.

Instead of demanding answers right away, Evadne calmly poured him a steaming cup of coffee from the carafe on the table and extended it toward him.

"Take a moment. Warm up."

Jason accepted the cup, their fingers brushing briefly. The contact sent an unexpected jolt through him, his pulse quickening. "Sit down," she murmured.

Evadne settled onto the couch first, her legs tucked beneath her silk nightgown, the delicate pink slippers dangling playfully from her toes.

Jason flushed, gripping the cup tighter to steady himself. "Miss Evadne, your instincts were right. Kevin does know Caroline. And they're... close."

A slow, knowing smile curved her lips. "Even Cleopatra needed her Marc Antony."

He handed over his phone, the screen displaying damning evidence.

She scrolled through the photos—Kevin and Caroline in a dimly lit café, his fingers tracing her cheek, her hands cradling his. The intimacy between them was undeniable.

"We have enough to confront him now!" Jason's voice vibrated with excitement.

"Not even close." She set the phone down, her tone icy.

"What? I tracked their hotel stays for the past two months—twice a week, like clockwork. Before that? Nothing. It's obvious he's the mole!"

"Obvious doesn't mean proven." Evadne leaned back, eyes fluttering shut. "If they claim they're just lovers, what then? We need irrefutable proof of corporate espionage."

Understanding dawned on Jason. She didn’t just want to expose Kevin—she wanted to bury him.

"For now, stop tailing Kevin. Focus on Caroline and Glynnis. Dig deeper into Caroline’s past. There’s always a skeleton somewhere."

"Yes, Miss Evadne."

A soft sigh escaped her lips.

He glanced over—she had fallen asleep. Her lashes cast delicate shadows, her lips slightly parted. Exhaustion had finally claimed her.

A pang of protectiveness shot through him. He knelt beside the couch, fighting the urge to lift her into his arms. Instead, he draped a blanket over her with painstaking care.

He knew his place.

Only family—or the man who owned her heart—had that privilege.

Thaddeus sat alone in his study, swirling red wine in an ornate crystal glass.

A gift from Evadne.

Had she imagined them sharing countless evenings like this when she gave it to him?

The thought soured the wine on his tongue.

A sharp knock interrupted his brooding. Gordon strode in, clutching a thick file.

"Sir, I’ve compiled everything on Caroline Porter. Down to her great-grandfather’s burial plot. Nothing was overlooked."

"Good. Send it to Cassius."

Gordon blinked. "To—President Ashbourne?"

Thaddeus’s glare was answer enough.

"Right. Mrs. Abernathy."

"Anonymously."

Gordon nearly choked. "Why?"

Thaddeus exhaled. "If she sees it’s from Abernathy, she’ll delete it unread."

Gordon bit back a groan. How had they fallen this low?

A sudden vibration cut through the tension. Jareth’s face flashed on the screen.

Thaddeus answered, deadpan. "What now?"

Jareth’s pallid face filled the frame, hospital sheets stark white behind him. "Thad. I’m dying."

"My condolences."

"It’s Mari’s fault!" Jareth groaned, clutching his stomach. "She fed me a blueberry pie. Tasted like battery acid, but I ate the whole damn thing to be polite. Now I’m pumping my guts out in the ER. The doctor said it was rotten!"

Gordon turned away, shoulders shaking with silent laughter.

Thaddeus pressed his lips together. "If it tasted off, why finish it?"

"Because she made it for me!" Jareth wailed before another cramp doubled him over.

Even the toughest man couldn’t withstand food poisoning’s wrath.