Chapter 332

Suri hesitated to approach Elvis. The bitterness he harbored toward her and the entire family was palpable.

Despite pouring her heart into loving this family, despite her genuine affection for Emeric and his children, she remained the villain in his eyes—the woman who shattered his father's monogamy. Then came Myra. Then Aviana.

Would Emeric have taken so many lovers if she hadn't been the first?

The saying "the early bird gets the worm" had never felt so cruel. Being first meant bearing the brunt of judgment, the weight of guilt, the relentless scrutiny.

"I shouldn't delay this any longer. I'll call Chasel now."

For Evadne, Suri would move mountains. Without hesitation, she grabbed her phone and dialed her nephew.

After a few rings, a voice laced with youthful charm answered. "Aunt Suri! I was just thinking about you."

"Were you? Or were you too busy partying to remember your old aunt?" Suri feigned irritation.

"Never. How could I forget you? Especially when you're still the most beautiful woman in the room."

Evadne arched a brow, amused.

Chasel's smooth-talking reminded her of the roguish protagonist from one of her favorite romance novels.

"Chasel, you're not a boy anymore. When you were younger, flattery was cute. Now it's bordering on sleazy." Suri laughed, teasing him.

"Sleazy? I'm twenty-seven! Sleazy doesn't start until thirty."

He chuckled, then added with a smirk, "Unless I'm mistaken, all my older cousins have crossed that threshold, haven't they? Aunt Suri, you've been surrounded by too many sleazy men. Maybe you should visit me—get some fresh air with a charming, dashing gentleman like myself."

Evadne's amusement vanished. He was insufferable—like bad cologne in an elevator.

"Enough joking."

Suri cleared her throat, her tone shifting to seriousness. "Chasel, I need your help."

"Name it. No need for formalities."

She hesitated, then lowered her voice. "Could you come back for a while? I have a patient—severe head trauma, nearly fatal. He's stable post-craniotomy, but the aftereffects are severe. You're the best neurosurgeon I know. Will you examine him?"

"Who is he?"

Suri glanced at Evadne, whose anxiety was palpable. "I'll explain when you arrive."

"You know my rule. No patient without full disclosure. Otherwise, I refuse."

Suri exhaled sharply. "His name is Thaddeus. He's... a very important friend of Evadne's."

"Thaddeus? The Thaddeus Abernathy?" Chasel's voice turned icy.

"Yes."

"Aunt Suri, I'm busy. Goodbye."

"Wait—!"

But the line went dead.

Suri sighed, defeated. "Evadne, I'm sorry. He won't even listen to his parents. I don't know what else to do."

Evadne forced a smile, squeezing Suri's hand. "It's not your fault. You tried. I'll find another way."

Alone in her room, Evadne paced before dialing Elvis.

"Miss me already?" His voice was lazy but warm.

"Are you free?"

"Just finished training. What's up?"

"You're with the National Intelligence Agency, right? So investigating someone domestically would be... straightforward for you?"

"Not easy, per se. But let's just say I have my ways."

"Perfect."

Her grip on the phone tightened. "I need intel on someone. Chasel Bright—Suri's nephew, a neurosurgeon."

"I know him."

Evadne blinked. "What?"

"Classified. Can't elaborate. What do you want with him?"

"Leverage. Weaknesses. Anything to force his cooperation."

Her jaw set. "He seems like a playboy. Would a honey trap work? If necessary, I'll do it myself."

Elvis choked. "Excuse me?!"

"I need him in Elmsworth, Elvis. Whatever it takes."

"Over my dead body! If we're resorting to seduction, I'll wear the damn dress. What the hell is going on?"

Evadne pressed her lips together. "That's confidential."

Elvis groaned. Kids these days—too many secrets.

"You really think this will work?" Evadne asked, skepticism lacing her voice.

"With you? No. With me? Maybe."

She frowned. "Explain."

Elvis grinned. "Because Chasel's gay. Women don't interest him."

Evadne froze. "What?"

"If you want to bait him, send a man. A woman won't even register."

His smirk widened. "Hey, why not use Thaddeus? Broad shoulders, tight ass—he's exactly Chasel's type. One look, and the Bright heir would be drooling. Hooked in seconds."

Evadne's eye twitched.

Was this Elvis's first compliment to Thaddeus?

Weeks later, Thaddeus was discharged.

Hamilton personally collected him, avoiding the media circus. The entire ride home, his grip on Thaddeus's hand never loosened, his gaze fixed on his grandson's head.

"Grandpa, is there something on my head?" Thaddeus finally asked.

"You look good with a buzz cut." Hamilton ruffled the short strands.

"I had this in military school. They called me the handsomest cadet."

"Evadne did excellent work. The scar's barely visible."

At her name, warmth flooded Thaddeus's chest.

"Windermere or dinner with me?" Hamilton asked.

"I want to see Evadne."

Thaddeus leaned forward, anticipation lighting his dark eyes. His heart was already racing toward her.

"Good! At least you know where your wife is!"

Hamilton laughed, clapping his shoulder. "I'll take you to her. You're lucky. Don't mess it up."

Mr. Murray chuckled from the front seat.

Thaddeus's cheeks flushed. "Thank you, Grandpa. I hope you're right."

Thirty minutes later, the car stopped at the K-Orld Hotel's underground garage.

When Thaddeus strode through the lobby, his sharp buzz cut drew stunned stares from the staff.

He'd learned his lesson.

Evadne hated unannounced visits. So he approached the executive secretary politely, his calm demeanor belying his pounding heart.

"Hello. I'd like to see President Ashbourne. Could you inform her? I'll wait as long as necessary."

The secretary blinked. "Mr. Abernathy... didn't she tell you? She's no longer here."