Chapter 420

Cassius's pulse quickened under that intense gaze, his cheeks flushing crimson.

"You're pushing yourself too hard. You look exhausted."

"Is that concern I hear?" Chasel's eyes sparkled with amusement.

Cassius swallowed hard before murmuring, "Yes."

That single word shattered Chasel's defenses. Every lingering resentment toward Cassius evaporated instantly.

He was powerless against this man—utterly, hopelessly smitten.

"I've operated on Mr. Abernathy. The bullet in his left shoulder and the arrow in his back have been removed."

Cassius helped Chasel sit up, the latter subtly leaning into his touch. "He's lucky the arrow wasn't poisoned. Otherwise, it would've been fatal. Even so, his condition is critical. The arrow missed his vital organs by a mere centimeter. If it had struck any deeper, not even Dr. Eve could've saved him."

A heavy silence fell over the room. Evadne's slender frame trembled, an invisible weight crushing her chest. Tears welled in her eyes.

As a doctor—as Dr. Eve—she understood exactly what Chasel's words implied. Thaddeus was teetering on the edge of death.

"And now? How is he now?" Jareth demanded impatiently.

"Despite removing the projectiles and administering a blood transfusion, his organs are showing signs of failure due to severe blood loss." Chasel maintained his professional composure. "Mr. Abernathy remains in critical condition."

The air grew thick with despair. Evadne felt ice-cold, as if every drop of blood had drained from her body.

In the past, Thaddeus would've sensed her distress instantly—offering his jacket, pulling her into his arms, shielding her from the world's harshness. No matter how fiercely she presented herself, to him, she would always be the girl who needed protecting.

"Can I see him?"

After a long pause, Evadne lifted her pale face, unshed tears glistening in her eyes.

"He's being transferred to the ICU. You'll have to wait until he stabilizes," Chasel replied gently.

Evadne nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Okay. I'll wait."

Chasel wasn't an emotional man, but seeing Evadne so shattered twisted something inside him.

After his transfusion, Darcy was moved to a recovery ward.

"Are you feeling alright? If you're uncomfortable, tell me immediately. Don't push yourself."

Debby hovered by her husband's side, her heart aching at how aged he looked overnight. "Remember when you ignored your appendicitis to lecture at the university? You collapsed right after and needed emergency surgery. The doctor said if you'd arrived any later—" Her voice cracked. "You never take care of yourself, and it terrifies me."

"Having you by my side is all the care I need." Darcy tenderly pinched her cheek, his gaze overflowing with affection.

"I'm serious!" Debby poked his waist playfully.

"Just a bit lightheaded and weak. Nothing more." He offered her a reassuring smile. "I asked the secretary to prepare soup for us."

"If you're going to eat, at least have something substantial—lamb or fish. Soup alone won't cut it." Evadne entered with a half-teasing tone. "Save the soup for when Debby's in labor."

"Evadne!" Debby's face flushed scarlet. "We haven't even discussed that yet!"

"Evadne's right." Darcy laced his fingers through his wife's. "Our careers are stable now, the election's over. Debby, it's time we expanded our family. I know how much you adore children. You've sacrificed so much for me these years. From now on, let's focus on our happiness."

"Darcy..." Debby leaned closer, tracing his handsome features with a smile as bright as a schoolgirl's. "Choosing you was my decision. You owe me nothing. If anything, you've given me everything."

Overcome, Darcy pulled her into a searing kiss, oblivious to their audience.

Initially shy, Debby soon melted into the embrace.

Evadne turned away, pressing her forehead against the wall as silent tears fell. She was genuinely happy for her sister.

Though Emeric had initially opposed their union—concerned about the age gap and Debby relocating to Helgen—every interaction between the couple radiated undeniable love.

When they finally parted, Debby was breathless. Darcy, however, remained composed, keeping an arm around her as he addressed Evadne.

"Don't worry. I spoke with the King of Country T last night. He's assigned the new Chief of Police to apprehend Eden. Once captured, we'll uncover who targeted Thaddeus and Cassius."

Despite being Cassius's elder brother-in-law by nearly a decade and now a head of state, Darcy remained humble and warm with his wife's family.

"Thank you, Darcy." Evadne's voice trembled with gratitude. "And thank you for donating blood to Thaddeus. It means everything."

"Don't mention it. If I couldn't do this much, what kind of brother-in-law would I be?" Darcy rubbed his neck sheepishly.

Just then, his phone rang. Recognizing the King's number, he answered immediately.

As the conversation progressed, Evadne noticed Darcy's expression darkening. Her stomach knotted with dread.

"What's wrong?" Debby asked the moment he hung up.

"Eden isn't in Country T. He's abroad." Darcy's tone was grave.

"Abroad? Did someone tip him off?" Evadne's brows furrowed.

"No. He's been in your country for a while. He wasn't in Country T when the attack happened."

"Where is he?!"

"Elmsworth."

Evadne's fists clenched. Cassius's words echoed in her mind—Thaddeus had suspected collusion with the enemy. And he'd seemed certain of the traitor's identity.

Someone in Elmsworth.

Why had he been so sure?

There was only one explanation: he knew this person intimately.

"Evadne." Debby hesitated before continuing softly, "With everything that happened yesterday, I didn't get to ask... What's your relationship with Mr. Chambers? Are you still close?"

"Avery and I are just friends." Evadne's gaze was unreadable. "We spent time together as children. After he moved to Helgen, we lost touch until he returned recently. He's helped me tremendously this past year—even saved my life twice."

"I don't doubt his feelings for you. But Evadne, you should distance yourself from him." Debby's tone turned urgent. "Thaddeus is the one who truly loves you. After all he's sacrificed, surely you can reconsider your future together. Avery Chambers is no match for him."

"Mr. Chambers? Which one?" Darcy interjected.

"Avery Chambers."

At the name, Darcy's gentle demeanor vanished. His voice turned icy. "Ah. The Chambers Group. An 'old friend,' you could say."

The words dripped with venom.

"You know Avery? Were you two... at odds in Helgen?" Evadne's eyes widened.

Darcy exhaled sharply. "Avery was known as the 'King of the Night' there—an underground boss controlling a capital group. He colluded with officials, ran illegal casinos, bribed authorities, even dabbled in narcotics! But he always stayed in the shadows. We could never pin anything on him."

Evadne recoiled. The gentle man she knew and the monster Darcy described were polar opposites—an angel and a demon.

"Worse, Avery meddled in Helgen's presidential election."

Debby shuddered, gripping Darcy's hand. "He targeted Darcy specifically, launching media smear campaigns. Thankfully, Darcy's record was spotless. Otherwise, he might've been imprisoned instead of elected."

A chill ran down Evadne's spine. "When did he become like this? How?"

"Helgen's social climate is cutthroat. As an outsider, Avery resorted to extreme measures to establish himself." Darcy's jaw tightened. "But there's a line between ambition and savagery. Cross it, and you're no better than a beast."

Evadne staggered back, her face ashen.

How had Avery concealed such darkness behind that gentle smile?

"That's why, when your brother mentioned a traitor in Elmsworth, my first thought was Avery." Debby studied her sister carefully. "It's just speculation—we have no proof. But please, be cautious around him. I know you value loyalty, but your safety comes first."

"I value loyalty only among those who uphold justice."

Evadne lifted her chin, her gaze hardening. "Whatever hardships he faced abroad don't excuse harming others. But I deserve to hear the truth from him directly."

"Mr. Chambers! You have to help me this time!"

Panicked after learning the King of Country T had ordered his arrest, Eden rushed to Velvet Haven. Leonard was already detained, and even military connections couldn't intervene.

"And how exactly should I help?" Avery swirled his wine, his dark eyes boring into Eden. "The royal family wants you, not me. I'm hardly in a position to interfere."

"This wouldn't have happened if you hadn't pushed me to eliminate Thaddeus and Cassius! You can't abandon me now!"

"Flattering. You acted to curry favor with your superiors." Avery smirked. "Don't pin this on me."

Eden's hands twitched with the urge to strangle him. But on Avery's turf, any rash move would be suicide.

"Fine! I knew you'd betray me!" He bared his teeth. "But I'm not without leverage. I recorded our last conversation. Imagine how your precious Ms. Ashbourne would react upon learning you plotted her brother's murder? So much for your happy ending!"

He drew a finger across his throat.

Avery's eyes flashed—first with shock, then lethal fury.