Chapter 393

The news hit Elspeth and Glynnis like a freight train.

A shooting. Evadne injured. Jason hurt. And now, Ward—a wanted man.

Their hearts pounded with terror, their breaths coming in short, panicked gasps.

"Mom," Glynnis whispered, her voice trembling. "What do we do?"

A sharp crack echoed through the room.

Elspeth's palm connected with Glynnis' cheek, sending her stumbling back into a coffee table. The impact rattled the glass, and Glynnis barely caught herself before collapsing.

Pain flared across her face, her skin burning.

Elspeth, usually so composed, now stood shaking with fury, her delicate hands curled into fists.

Glynnis touched her swelling cheek, her vision blurred by tears. She glared at her mother through tangled strands of hair, resentment simmering in her gaze.

"You incompetent fool!" Elspeth hissed, her voice low but venomous. "I told you to deal with the maid, not Evadne!"

Glynnis staggered to her feet, her voice thick with tears. "I did this for you! You said it was the perfect opportunity—Evadne meeting Erica in secret, no bodyguards. Ward could’ve ended her easily!"

"And yet, he failed!" Elspeth snapped. "Now he’s on the most wanted list!"

She wanted to strangle her daughter.

Instead, she wrapped herself in a blanket, her body trembling.

She needed Victor’s injection. Without it, she couldn’t sleep. Couldn’t think.

"First Alex, now Ward," Elspeth muttered. "Two of my best men—gone because of you!"

"Alex was your mess!" Glynnis shot back. "You wanted to ruin Myra. Don’t pin that on me!"

At least Alex hadn’t betrayed her.

But Ward?

He was being hunted by the police—and Thaddeus.

Would he crack under pressure?

The sudden ring of her phone made them both jump.

Elspeth snatched it up, her fingers shaking.

A private number.

She answered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Hello?"

"Mrs. Abernathy."

Ward’s voice was rough, the connection unstable.

"Where are you?" she demanded.

"Safe. For now." He paused. "I need twenty million. And a boat. Arrange it within three days."

"Twenty million?!" Elspeth’s eyes widened. "Are you insane? You’re the one who screwed up!"

"After everything I’ve done for you?" His tone turned icy. "Securing your position as the Abernathy CEO’s wife wasn’t easy. Twenty million is a small price to pay."

She gritted her teeth.

"And let’s not forget," he added, "your secret account in Country R. Fifty million, at least. Embezzled from Abernathy projects."

Her blood ran cold.

If Thaddeus or Evadne found out—

Prison.

A lifetime behind bars.

"Fine," she spat. "You’ll have your money. But after this, you disappear. Forever."

"Three days is too long," Ward countered. "I need it by sundown tomorrow. Or things get messy."

The line went dead.

Elspeth hurled her phone across the room, shattering a vase.

Alva, passing by with Thaddeus’ freshly tailored suit, froze at the sound.

"Crazy witch," she muttered, rolling her eyes.

Her phone buzzed—Thaddeus calling.

"Mr. Abernathy," she answered, stepping into a corner. "Are you coming home tonight?"

"Are Elspeth and Glynnis there?" His voice was calm, but Alva knew better.

"Yes. And they’re tearing the place apart."

A pause. "Keep an eye on Elspeth. If she leaves, call me immediately."

"Understood."

"And Alva—don’t confront her. She’s dangerous."

The call ended just as Elspeth’s door swung open.

Dressed in black, she looked like a widow in mourning.

Alva ducked behind a curtain, watching as Elspeth slipped into a car and sped away.

She dialed Thaddeus.

"She just left. Dressed like she’s going to a funeral."

Two days later, Thaddeus still hadn’t left the hospital.

He stayed in the room next to Evadne’s, watching over her like a shadow.

Only when she was asleep, sedated, did he allow himself to stand at her door.

Through the glass, he traced the outline of her face with his fingertips, his heart aching.

He could live like this—loving her silently.

But what if she didn’t even want that?

The smoking room door opened.

Elvis stepped inside, his smirk sharp as a blade.

"Give me a cigarette," he said, holding out his hand.

Thaddeus arched a brow but obliged, lighting it for him.

No one made Mr. Abernathy play servant.

But for Evadne’s brother?

He’d do anything.

Elvis exhaled a slow stream of smoke. "You’ve got impressive self-control. Watching her from afar like some tragic hero."

Thaddeus stiffened.

"If it were me," Elvis continued, grinning, "I’d have stormed in, kissed her senseless, and—"

"Enough," Thaddeus growled.

Elvis laughed, but his expression sobered. "I need your help. When we find the bastard who hurt her, I’m killing him myself."

"No," Thaddeus said flatly. "I’ll handle it."

"You can’t."

"Why not?"

Elvis met his gaze, deadly serious. "Because if you want a future with my sister, you stay clean. I’m used to blood on my hands. You’re not."

Thaddeus clenched his jaw. "I’ve killed before."

"Not like this." Elvis crushed his cigarette. "Don’t make her choose between loving you and hating what you’ve become."

Silence.

Then, softly, Thaddeus said, "Thank you... brother."

Elvis choked on his smoke.

"Did you just—"

His phone rang, cutting him off.

"What?" he barked.

"Mr. Waverley, Avery’s here. Demanding to see Miss Ashbourne."

Elvis grinned. "Perfect."

He hung up and clapped Thaddeus on the shoulder. "Come on. Let’s go punch something."

Outside Evadne’s room, Avery stood rigid, his golden-rimmed glasses glinting coldly.

"Let me in," he ordered.

The bodyguards didn’t budge.

"Mr. Chambers, you’re not on the list."

Avery’s jaw tightened. "Do you know who I am to Chairman Emeric?"

A lazy voice drawled from behind him.

"Oh, do tell. Because last I checked, my father only had four sons."

Avery spun around—

And froze.

Thaddeus and Elvis stood side by side, their expressions equally dangerous.

"What’s he doing here?" Harvey muttered.

Elvis smirked. "From the way you’re talking, one might think you’re some long-lost love child."

Avery’s face darkened.

Thaddeus stepped forward, his voice icy.

"Leave. Now."