Chapter 76

"Damn it!" Emeric's words were downright cruel. What kind of father wished death upon his own son?

"Seriously? Was that really necessary?"

Elvis narrowed his eyes at his father, one brow arching slightly. "I suppose I should take extra good care of myself—for your sake. After all, when you're lying on your deathbed someday, and the doctors need a family member to make the call, I doubt my brothers will have the stomach for it. So, you'll have to count on your ever-dutiful son—me."

"You dare decide my fate? I'll teach you a lesson!"

Emeric exploded, shouting for the butler to discipline him while itching to hurl his handmade leather shoes straight at Elvis' smug face.

Cassius and Arnold struggled to calm him down. Suri and Aviana tried their best to soothe him, but nothing could extinguish Emeric's fury.

Then, a soft, melodic voice cut through the tension.

"Um... dinner is ready. Should we eat?"

The room fell silent. All heads turned.

Myra stood there, slender in her apron, spatula in hand, her porcelain skin glowing under the chandelier's light. She blinked at them, confused.

Gurgle.

Emeric's stomach answered for him.

"Fine! Let's eat! I'll need my strength to deal with you later!"

Relieved sighs filled the room as everyone followed Emeric to the dining hall.

"Elvis, that was too far. Dad may be broad-minded, but you shouldn't say things like that." Cassius fixed his brother with a stern look.

"Who said I was joking? I meant every word." Elvis smirked.

"Elvis." Cassius' expression darkened, his gaze turning icy—like a winter storm had just swept through.

"Ugh, why so serious? He cursed me first—I just returned the favor. Fine, forget it. Stop glaring at me like that; I won't be able to sleep tonight."

Elvis shivered dramatically, then obediently shuffled toward the dining room, muttering under his breath.

Cassius sighed, his expression softening as he followed.

"Damn. Only Cassius can tame Elvis. One look, and he turns into a docile kitten."

Arnold tried mimicking Cassius' deadly glare, furrowing his brows until his eyes strained. "I need to master that look. Then maybe Elvis won't dare defy me!"

Evadne shot him a disdainful glance. "Stop. You look ridiculous."

Tonight, Emeric was in unusually high spirits, downing glass after glass of wine, his face flushed with merriment. Suri tried to stop him multiple times, but he waved her off. Though he and Elvis sat at opposite ends of the table without exchanging a word, everyone noticed how Emeric kept sneaking glances at his son—like he was someone precious, someone deeply missed.

Elvis felt those lingering stares but always averted his gaze.

The old man's heart sank a little each time.

Evadne, ever perceptive, caught every subtle shift in the atmosphere. It unsettled her.

She knew Elvis' pain hadn't faded. He still resented Emeric for not loving their mother exclusively.

The Ashbourne empire was vast, their wealth immeasurable. Even divided among eight siblings—or sixteen—it would never run dry.

Emeric, the family's charismatic patriarch, was a man of honor and charm. In his youth, he'd narrowly escaped assassination attempts. In his prime, he'd rewritten business history.

A near-perfect man—except for one flaw.

His inability to be faithful.

No one was perfect. Truly, no one.

Like Elvis, Evadne had once cried, raged, and hated. But she'd let it go.

Because some things couldn't be changed, severed, or forgotten.

She didn't expect Elvis to forgive Emeric. She wouldn't justify their father's actions. She just wanted Elvis to release his pain, to step out of their family's shadow.

As dinner wound down, Elvis leaned back, satisfied.

"Honestly, that woman can cook. I had three servings tonight. Gonna need extra gym time tomorrow."

"Elvis, don't talk like that. Myra has her own struggles," Evadne said, her gaze complicated.

"Struggles? Please. Once she married Emeric, she became Mrs. Ashbourne. Living the dream." Elvis' voice turned cold. "Evadne, shouldn't our mother be the one you pity? While this 'happy family' dines together, while Emeric hops from one wife's bed to another—do you think he ever remembers her?"

Evadne's heart clenched. "Of course I pity Mom. I think about her every day. But Elvis, she's gone. We have to move forward. We're Ashbournes. This family—this legacy—needs us."

"You can move on. I can't. I live in the past. You're still my family, but this place... it's not home anymore."

Silence settled between them.

"Alright, alright. Don't look so heartbroken." Elvis pulled her into a hug, his tone softening. "Enough of this. Let me tell you something fun—Thaddeus is here."

"What?!"

Evadne's pulse spiked. She nearly jumped out of her seat.

The entire table froze.

Emeric scowled. "What's wrong with you? You scared me half to death!"

"Wasn't my fault! I was just telling Evadne a story. Didn't expect her to freak out." Elvis grinned.

"Story? More like a horror movie!" Evadne gasped.

"Don't believe me? Go check. He might still be waiting outside. But relax—he probably doesn't know who you really are. My bet? He tailed your car with Cassius."

No sooner had he spoken than Evadne's phone buzzed on the table.

She inhaled sharply, flipping it over.

That familiar number glared back at her. She declined the call instantly.

But a second later, it rang again.

Realizing Thaddeus wouldn't give up tonight, Evadne excused herself to answer in private.

"Hello," she whispered.

"Are your injuries better?" His deep voice carried through the line, laced with the chill of the night breeze.

Her heart fluttered. "Mhm."

"I'm outside Cassius' estate. Come out."

His tone was as commanding as ever.

Irritation flared. All his tenderness was reserved for Acacia. With her? Only coldness.

She owed him nothing. They were divorced. He had no right to order her around.

"I'm at a family dinner with the Ashbournes tonight. Everyone's here. I can't leave."

A beat of silence.

Then, through the phone, Thaddeus heard it—laughter, chatter, the warmth of a family gathering.

A warmth he'd never known.

"Come out. Or I'll come in and get you myself."

His voice was low, desperate.

Evadne's grip tightened on the phone. It felt like his hand was around her wrist, refusing to let go.

"Mr. Thaddeus, this isn't the time. I'll see you back in Elmsworth."

"Evadne!"

She took a sharp breath. His urgency sent shivers down her spine.

"Come out. Or I'm coming in. Your choice."

His voice was raw, his body tense.

Right now, he didn't care about consequences.

He just wanted to take her home.