Chapter 178

"I wish you'd stop spoiling me so much! Because of you guys, I didn't even have a boyfriend until after college!" Evadne's cheeks flushed crimson, her anger rising with her drunken haze.

"Do you remember in school? You knew I loved chocolate, so you'd buy out the entire stock from the school store every single day and wait for me at the gate. All the boys thought you were my boyfriend! Thanks to you, I never even had a first love!"

Aaron chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Oh, I remember that. Mom thought I was secretly dating someone because I kept buying so much chocolate. She even sent someone to ambush me at the school gate, saying she finally had proof and was going to give me a good scolding."

Evadne blinked in shock. "I never knew that! Why didn't you just tell her you were buying snacks for me?"

Aaron sighed dramatically. "Exams were coming up, and Mom had already warned the principal and my homeroom teacher to keep me focused. If I told her I was just buying snacks for my little sister, she wouldn’t have believed me. She was convinced I was sneaking around with some girl."

Evadne rolled her eyes. "You could've at least tried explaining."

Aaron smirked. "Well, after I won first place in the 'Most Eligible Bachelor' contest at school, my locker was constantly stuffed with love letters and gifts. It was exhausting. So, I let Mom think what she wanted—it kept the admirers at bay."

Evadne gasped, poking his forehead. "Wait, so you used me as a shield against your fangirls? Your own sister?"

Aaron grinned unrepentantly. "All things considered, I don’t even want to get married. My job makes me a terrible candidate—anyone who marries me might as well sign up for widowhood."

"Same," Evadne agreed, swirling her drink.

"You should get married, though," Aaron said, lowering his voice. "That guy who came over last time? He couldn’t take his eyes off you all night. You should consider him."

Evadne scoffed. "He looked like he hadn’t seen sunlight in years. Our family has standards, Aaron. I need someone with strong genes to carry on the Ashbourne legacy. Not some pale, sickly guy who might keel over before forty."

Aaron nodded seriously. "Exactly. Health is important. You don’t want to be stuck changing diapers and feeding medicine in your golden years."

Evadne’s lips twisted bitterly. "I’d rather marry someone with a physical disability than a moral one."

Her face burned even redder—whether from the alcohol or the memories, she couldn’t tell.

Outside the barbecue joint, Jason pulled up in the car. Seeing Evadne swaying slightly, he rushed to help.

Aaron tightened his grip on her shoulder, shoving Jason back with his free arm. "Don’t touch her. I’ve got it."

Jason stiffened, lips pressed tight.

He knew Aaron didn’t trust him—any man who got too close to Evadne was automatically suspicious.

"Aaron, relax. Jason’s not a stranger," Evadne groaned, rubbing her temples.

"He’s not a stranger, but he’s still a man," Aaron countered coldly, shooting Jason a warning glare. "You should hire a female secretary. I don’t like you being alone with a guy all the time."

Evadne waved him off. "You’re paranoid because of your job. Not every man is a predator."

"Better safe than sorry."

Aaron helped her into the car, then turned back to Jason, his voice icy. "As Evadne’s secretary, your job is to support her—not entertain fantasies. Remember your place."

Jason’s fists clenched, but he kept his voice steady. "I would never cross that line."

Aaron’s eyes narrowed. "Good. Because if you do, I won’t be as forgiving as my brothers."

Jason exhaled sharply. "You can control actions, not feelings. I love her, but I respect her too much to act on it. Loving someone isn’t a crime."

Aaron studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Just remember what you said."

"Hey! Are we leaving or what? I’m about to pass out!" Evadne called from inside the car.

Jason forced a smile. "Right away, Miss Ashbourne."

"Call me when you get home," Aaron said, making a phone gesture.

Evadne gave him a thumbs-up before the car pulled away.

Aaron watched them go, his smile fading the moment they were out of sight. His gaze flicked to the opposite side of the road, scanning the shadows before he turned and walked off.

Hidden in the darkness across the street, Gordon’s black Porsche idled silently. He’d just sent his location to Thaddeus when, in a blink, Aaron was suddenly yanking him out of the car by his collar.

"W-what the hell?!" Gordon choked, flailing.

Aaron flashed his badge. "Police. You’re under arrest for stalking."

Gordon’s blood ran cold.

Evadne dozed in the car, her phone buzzing her awake.

"Aaron, I’m not home yet. You’re being ridiculous."

His voice was rough. "Evadne, do you know a guy named Gordon?"

She sat up straight, suddenly alert. "Why? What happened?"

Aaron’s tone darkened. "I just caught him. His phone’s full of photos of you."