Chapter 395

Avery stormed back into The Velvet Haven.

Elsie had already received word of his arrival and was waiting nervously in the suite.

The door burst open with a violent crash, rattling the crystal chandelier overhead.

At the sight of Avery’s furious entrance, Elsie shrank back, her delicate frame trembling. She couldn’t bring herself to meet his gaze, curling in on herself like a frightened animal.

Behind her, Harvey stood frozen, his face pale with terror. He had served under Mr. Chambers long enough to know—when Avery was angry, people died.

"Mr. Chambers," Elsie whispered, her voice trembling.

No matter how much she resembled Evadne, she could never replicate her poise.

"Mr. Chambers, please, maybe it’s not what you think—"

Before she could finish, Avery snatched the crystal ashtray from the coffee table, his eyes burning with rage, and hurled it at her.

Elsie screamed, throwing her arms over her head.

But the ashtray didn’t hit her. It whizzed past her ear, smashing into the wall behind her with a deafening crack.

The impact left a deep dent in the plaster.

"All of this is your fault," Avery snarled, cracking his knuckles. His crimson gaze bore into her like a predator eyeing prey. "I gave you this face. I told you how to use it. So why did you go behind my back?"

Tears streamed down Elsie’s cheeks, but she didn’t dare make a sound.

"Now Elvis might suspect our connection. If he digs deeper, if Evadne finds out there’s a woman who looks just like her in Elmsworth—do you think she won’t piece it together? Just like with Thaddeus and Edith?" Avery’s face, already pale, turned ghostly white with fury.

"Mr. Chambers, I’m sorry—"

Her apology was cut short as Avery’s hand closed around her throat, lifting her off the ground.

"Mr. Chambers, no!" Harvey choked out, horrified.

Avery ignored him, his grip tightening.

Elsie gasped, her face flushing red, then purple. Her arms hung limp at her sides, tears spilling from her wide, terrified eyes.

"Ave..."

The name slipped from her lips, weak and desperate.

At that moment, all Avery saw was Evadne’s smile.

His grip loosened.

Because of her, he spared the woman before him.

"I already lost once to Thaddeus," Avery hissed, his voice low and dangerous. "Don’t make me lose again."

He released her abruptly, letting her crumple to the floor.

Elsie coughed violently, her vision swimming. For a moment, she thought she had died.

Avery pulled a silk handkerchief from his pocket, meticulously wiping his hands clean. Just like that, the monster vanished, replaced by the composed gentleman.

"Mr. Chambers," Elsie rasped, still struggling to breathe. "This mess is mine. Let me fix it for you."

Avery scoffed. "Fix it? How?"

"Kill Elvis for you."

Elvis.

The name sent a strange flutter through Elsie’s chest. That night at the bar, his teasing smirk had haunted her dreams.

Avery’s lips curled into a cruel smile. "He’s my woman’s brother. And you think you can just kill him?"

Elsie flinched, sweat soaking her hair. "I—I didn’t mean—"

"I don’t want him dead," Avery interrupted, his voice dripping with malice. "I want you to seduce him."

Elsie’s breath hitched. "What?"

"You two seemed... close that night." Avery’s gaze darkened with contempt. "If he’s already interested in you, use it. Make him yours. Then destroy him."

Elsie stared at him, tears still spilling.

Avery leaned in, gripping her chin. His thumb brushed roughly over her lips, smearing the vibrant red lipstick he had forced her to wear—Evadne’s signature shade.

"You’re beautiful," he murmured, his voice icy. "Elvis won’t resist you."

Elsie swallowed hard, forcing a smile—one that mirrored Evadne’s perfectly. "If that’s what you want, Mr. Chambers... I’ll do it."

Meanwhile, Evadne and Thaddeus arrived at the police station where Aaron was waiting.

"Aaron!" Evadne rushed forward, and her brother immediately pulled her into a protective embrace.

"You reckless brat," Aaron muttered, though his grip was gentle. "Do I need to handcuff you to keep you out of trouble?"

Evadne smirked, her eyes glinting mischievously. "Handcuff me? That’s a little kinky, don’t you think?"

Aaron’s face flushed crimson. "Evadne!"

Behind them, Thaddeus stiffened, his jaw tightening.

Jealousy was a stupid, irrational thing—especially when directed at her own brother.

Evadne quickly sobered. "Aaron, did they fix the phone?"

Aaron nodded, leading them inside. "Our tech team managed to recover the data."

He glanced at Thaddeus. "Mr. Abernathy, we’ll need your statement later."

"Of course," Thaddeus replied smoothly, though his gaze never left Evadne.

She could feel his eyes on her, intense and unreadable. She pressed her lips together, refusing to meet his stare.

Inside the interrogation room, Aaron placed Erica’s shattered phone on the table.

Evadne’s fingers trembled as she picked it up.

The screen flickered to life, displaying a photo of Erica and her grandmother, smiling brightly with a small dog in her arms.

A sharp pain lanced through Evadne’s skull.

She gasped, clutching her head, her vision blurring. The memories—the blood, the screams—flooded back.

"Evadne!" Aaron moved to comfort her, but Thaddeus was faster.

He pulled her into his arms, one hand cradling the back of her neck as he guided her forehead to rest against his shoulder.

"Breathe," he murmured, his voice steady. "Just breathe."

Evadne clung to him, her body shaking.

Aaron watched, conflicted.

He hated Thaddeus for what he’d done to his sister.

But right now, Thaddeus was the only one who could calm her.

When Evadne finally steadied, she jerked away, flustered.

"Thanks," she muttered, avoiding his gaze.

Thaddeus simply nodded.

She noticed the damp patch on his shoulder—her tears. Guilt twisted in her chest. She reached out, brushing at the fabric.

"I’ll have it dry-cleaned for you."

Thaddeus chuckled, his eyes softening. "Don’t bother. I like it just the way it is."

The air between them grew thick, charged with something unspoken.

Aaron cleared his throat loudly.

Evadne quickly pulled away, her cheeks burning.

Time to focus.

She turned back to the phone.

They had a killer to catch.