Chapter 168

Evadne's eyes widened in shock. "What are you doing here?"

Behind her, Jason's heart plummeted at the sight of Avery's sudden appearance. His fingers curled into tight fists.

"They said this elevator was reserved for you," Avery replied smoothly, his lips curving into a soft smile. "So I waited."

"That's not what I meant." Her brow furrowed. "Why are you looking for me?"

"Isn't my father dining at your place tonight? Aren't you heading back to Skyrim?" He chuckled, the sound low and effortless. "I came to pick you up. Let's go together."

Evadne pressed her lips together, suspicion flickering in her gaze.

His words made sense—but something felt off.

"Thanks for the offer, but Ca**ius already arranged to take me home. He should be here soon." She maintained a polite smile. "I'll see you tonight at Silverlake Harbor."

Avery shrugged. "I already told him I'd be picking you up. He agreed, so he won't be coming."

"What?" Evadne stiffened.

"We're old friends. Your father and mine are close, and you and I grew up together." His tone was light, almost teasing. "He shouldn't have any reason to worry about me taking you home."

Though what he really wanted was to whisk her away, keep her close, spoil her, protect her—make her his.

"Well, you really went out of your way."

Evadne kept her voice cool, maintaining distance.

Ca**ius, who usually hovered over her like a mother hen, had just handed her off to another man without a second thought?

Was he trying to pawn her off, just like Emeric?

Reckless. What if Avery was dangerous? What if he had issues?

She exhaled silently. Maybe she was just paranoid. After all, he had saved her life.

"It's no trouble. I always have time for you." His smile deepened.

Evadne ignored the suggestive tone and walked beside him.

"Ms. Evadne!" Jason's voice cracked behind them.

They paused.

She turned, eyebrows raised. "Yes, Jason?"

Avery adjusted his **es, his dark eyes narrowing slightly as he glanced back at Jason.

The younger man flinched under that icy stare, his throat tightening. "Ms. Evadne, I—"

"Oh, right. You don’t need to follow me tonight." She softened. "Go home and rest. You've been working nonstop."

Then she and Avery moved on, leaving Jason standing there, shoulders slumped.

That look Avery had given him—cold, calculating—sent a shiver down his spine. Like being locked in a pitch-black cellar, fear creeping in.

As Evadne and Avery crossed the lobby, whispers erupted.

"Look! Ms. Evadne's with someone new! Finally, a man who isn't Jason!"

"Damn, he's gorgeous. Jason's got competition."

"Different styles. This guy's like a brooding aristocrat. Jason's the golden retriever type."

"I prefer Jason!"

"The mysterious one’s hotter!"

"Why choose? I’d take both!"

Outside, Avery’s sleek black car waited. His secretary opened the door, but just as Evadne moved to step in, Avery caught her wrist.

"Ms. Evadne."

She turned, startled.

His gaze was warm, almost tender. He pulled a crisp white handkerchief from his pocket and reached for her lips.

This time, she didn’t let him. She snatched the cloth from his hand.

"I can do it myself."

Avery’s smile didn’t falter, but his eyes dimmed slightly.

The Bentley pulled away.

Across the street, the tinted window of a black Lamborghini slid down, revealing Thaddeus’s sharp profile.

His jaw was clenched, his usually composed eyes tinged with red. He watched the Bentley disappear, his pulse erratic.

The image of Evadne and Avery side by side sent a jolt through him, like ice flooding his veins.

Two sleepless nights. Even sleeping pills failed him.

Since their encounter at the concert, his mind had been restless. Work couldn’t hold his focus. He kept drifting, missing details in reports.

He didn’t understand why—only that Evadne was the cause.

So today, without telling Gordon, he’d driven here alone, waiting since afternoon.

He couldn’t deny it—he wanted to see her.

Even if just for one decent night’s sleep, he needed to see her.

But seeing her with Avery again? It felt like a hammer to his skull. Pain blurred his vision.

Would this cure his insomnia? No. It might just give him a heart attack.

Thaddeus’s grip tightened on the wheel. With a growl, he slammed the accelerator.

The Lamborghini shot forward, chasing the Bentley’s trail.

Silverlake Harbor buzzed with activity. Servants scurried to prepare for the evening’s guests.

Answering Emeric’s summons, the Ashbourne siblings had gathered—Ca**ius, Arnold, and Aaron were already there. Evadne was en route.

Nydia couldn’t make it, tied up with an important lecture. Since this wasn’t a major event, Myra let her focus on studies.

"More men than women tonight," Arnold mused, sipping coffee. He glanced at Ca**ius and Aaron, sighing. "Just you two single guys? Where are the girls?"

"Be grateful," Aaron drawled, sprawled on the couch in his leather jacket. "We just closed a big case. Chief gave us time off. Otherwise, no way I’d be here."

After years in the force, any trace of his rich-kid polish had vanished.

As the youngest Ashbourne, he resembled Emeric most—thick brows, sharp nose, full lips. Sun-kissed skin made his bright eyes even more striking.

"Dramatic," Arnold muttered.

"Could’ve been worse."

Crack!

Ca**ius and Arnold jumped.

Aaron, without moving, snatched a walnut midair.

"Thanks, Mom. You know I love these." He crushed it on the table, grinning as he popped the pieces into his mouth.

"Look at you!" Suri stormed over, hands on hips. "Is this how a cop acts? Where’s the Ashbourne dignity? Ten years undercover in the mafia?"

Aaron smirked. "Same difference." He held out his palm. "Got more?"

"Change your clothes! Now!" Suri kicked his boot. "Mr. Jeff’s arriving soon. Don’t embarrass your father!"

In the study, Emeric sat with **es perched on his nose, studying photos.

Evadne and Avery.

"As instructed, I’ve monitored Ms. Evadne’s romantic connections," Mr. Dn said. "She hasn’t contacted others on the list, but she’s often seen with the Chambers heir."

Emeric scrutinized the images. "Has he behaved inappropriately with my daughter?"

"No. Mr. Avery is... restrained."

Emeric hummed, thoughtful.

A knock. Myra’s voice floated through.

"Emeric, Mr. Jeff and young Mr. Chambers have arrived."