Chapter 140

"Jason, what's wrong with you?" Evadne's brows furrowed in confusion.

She had always held Jason in high regard, but now he stood before her, disheveled and broken—eyes bloodshot, lips colorless, like a stray puppy caught in a storm.

"Jason, is this about Elspeth?"

Ca**ius approached Evadne, his steps measured, his expression serene as he wiped his elegant hands with a crisp white silk handkerchief.

Evadne glanced at him and noticed faint traces of blood on the fabric.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry!" Jason kept bowing, his voice thick with remorse.

Just as Evadne was about to question him further, her phone buzzed—Arnold was calling.

"Arnold?"

"Sis, Elspeth just walked out of my office."

His voice was heavy with frustration. "My team and I spent weeks gathering evidence against her for abuse of power and bribery, but she was two steps ahead. She shifted all the blame onto Earl. Frederic hired her a shark of a lawyer—Cedric Dempsey. That man knows every legal loophole in the book. My case wasn't strong enough, so I had to release her."

"It's fine, Arnold. You did your best. We achieved our main goal—securing the Westguard project. The rest can wait."

Evadne remained composed, but those around her seethed with anger, itching to tear Elspeth apart.

Elspeth was far from innocent, but Evadne knew patience was key.

At this point, Frederic was still blindly devoted to Elspeth. He would move mountains to protect her. Dragging two corporate giants into a petty feud over a single project wasn't worth the resources.

"Evadne, Jason called me earlier. He sounded devastated. Comfort him, will you? This isn't his fault. He cares too much about what you think—it's eating him alive." Arnold sighed.

"Understood."

After hanging up, Evadne finally pieced everything together. Her gaze softened as she looked at Jason. "Jason."

"Ms. Evadne, this is my family's disgrace. I'll take full responsibility." His voice cracked, his eyes red with shame.

He had stormed into Cedric's law firm earlier that day after learning his brother had taken Elspeth's case. The argument that followed was explosive.

"Our father was an honorable man—upright, selfless. He made enemies in his career, and the moment he retired, they circled like vultures, waiting to strike. If not for Chairman Emeric stepping in, offering him a position as legal advisor, shielding our family—where would we be? How could your firm have flourished like this? And now, with you defending the Abernathy group, making excuses for Elspeth—how is this not betrayal?"

Jason had never fought with his brother before. But for Evadne, he was ready to burn bridges.

"The Ashbournes have been good to us, but that doesn’t mean we owe them blind loyalty! Dad has won countless cases for Chairman Emeric—any debt has been repaid tenfold! I’m a lawyer first. To me, every client is equal. If the terms are right, I’ll take the case—whether it’s Abernathy or Ashbourne, it doesn’t matter! But you—our parents poured everything into you, gave you the best education, so you could achieve greatness! Not so you could grovel at Ms. Evadne’s feet!"

Cedric’s words had cut deep.

Jason had given Evadne his heart, but his family was pulling him back.

He couldn’t face her.

"Jason, what nonsense are you spouting?"

Evadne chuckled softly, like she was soothing a child. She placed her hands on his trembling shoulders and gave him a gentle shake. "Don’t blame yourself, and don’t fight with your family over this. Elspeth is nothing. How could she possibly come between us?"

"Ms. Evadne..." His voice was thick with guilt.

"If Cedric took Elspeth’s case, I understand completely. I hold no grudge."

Her tone was firm, sincere. "A lawyer’s duty is to their client, not personal ties. If Abernathy offered him fair terms, then he made the right professional choice. If Ashbourne ever needs legal counsel, I’m sure he’d represent us just as fiercely, wouldn’t he?"

Jason lowered his head, nodding slightly.

Once they were in the car, Ca**ius took Evadne’s hand, tracing slow circles on her palm. "So, what’s next?"

"Find Acacia and George’s illegitimate child. But first, I need to draw my enemies out."

Her eyes gleamed with cunning. "George said only Acacia’s mother, Una, knows where the child is. So, let’s make Una lead us right to them."

Ca**ius smirked. "And Acacia?"

"Break her before I destroy her."

Evadne stretched lazily, stifling a yawn. "Isn’t she about to get engaged to Thaddeus? The higher she climbs, the harder she’ll fall."

"Evadne, Thaddeus has truly lost his mind," Ca**ius muttered, still shaken by George’s revelations.

"Ah, he’s been blind for a while now. No matter—I’ve found myself again, and I want that worthless man out of my life as soon as possible."

Suddenly, she remembered something. Pulling out her phone, she showed Ca**ius the photo she’d taken of Avery. "Do you recognize him? He saved me from George’s knife. If not for him, I’d have more than just a scratch."

Ca**ius studied the image, then his eyes widened in surprise. "You really don’t know who this is?"

"Should I?"

"You two were close as children."

"What?!" Evadne stared at the photo, puzzled.

The face was familiar, but she couldn’t place it.

"That’s Jeff Chambers’ youngest son, Avery. He was quiet as a kid—only ever talked to you. You really don’t remember?"

"Little Critter?!" Evadne gasped. "When did he get so tall?!"

——

Late that night, Avery’s private club was alive with energy.

Under dim, pulsing lights, guests drank and danced like there was no tomorrow.

Only Avery remained seated in a shadowed corner, untouched by the chaos around him.

No woman dared approach him. Everyone knew—Mr. Avery was untouchable.

"Mr. Avery, I might have to skip the yacht party."

A tipsy young man slumped beside him, scowling. "My father’s forcing me on a blind date. Who gets married in their twenties? Only Thaddeus—always dreaming of domestic bliss."

Avery sipped his wine. "If you don’t want to go, cancel."

"I can’t!" The man groaned. "It’s Emeric’s daughter—Evadne Ashbourne!"

Avery’s fingers tightened around his glass.

"I have an idea," he said smoothly.

"What?"

Avery finished his drink, his sharp features half-hidden in the dim light.

"You go to the yacht party. I’ll take the blind date."