Chapter 382

The car door swung open with force.

Jason stepped out from the passenger side, his tailored teal-gray suit sharp against the morning light. His piercing gaze swept across the entrance of the Abernathy Group, indifferent to the admiring glances from female employees.

Without hesitation, he opened the rear door and bowed.

"President Ashbourne, we've arrived."

Cassius emerged, his expression unreadable, a statue carved from ice. The moment his polished shoes touched the pavement, whispers erupted.

"God, he's breathtaking. That face could launch a thousand fantasies."

"Greedy much? You're already dreaming about Mr. Abernathy every night."

"Please, they're completely different. Mr. Abernathy is devastatingly handsome, but this man? He's the kind of dangerous that makes your pulse race without even trying."

"Who is he? Why is he here?"

Cassius ignored them all, striding toward the entrance with Jason at his heels. Their presence alone seemed to thicken the air, pressing down on those around them.

At the reception desk, Jason spoke first, voice like steel. "We're here for Mr. Abernathy."

The receptionist blinked. "Mr. Abernathy?"

No one just walked in demanding to see the CEO.

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No."

"Then I'm afraid—"

Cassius cut her off. "Tell Thaddeus that Cassius Ashbourne, CEO of K Group, is here."

The name hit like a thunderclap.

The receptionist scrambled for the phone.

Before she could finish dialing, Cassius and Jason were already stepping into the elevator, ascending to the executive floor.

Security blocked their path at the corridor.

"Mr. Abernathy is in a meeting. You can't go in."

Cassius didn't slow. "Move."

When the guards reached to stop him, Jason struck—two precise blows sent them crashing to the ground.

"Pathetic," Jason muttered, rolling his shoulders. "If this is the best Thaddeus has, no wonder he's losing his grip."

Cassius walked past without a glance.

Gordon burst from the conference room, face dark. "President Ashbourne! You can't just—"

Cassius grabbed his arm, twisted, and shoved him aside. Gordon hit the floor with a cry, his shoulder dislocated.

The conference room doors flew open.

Every executive froze as Cassius stepped inside, his presence slicing through the tension like a blade.

Thaddeus didn't look up from his papers. "Meeting adjourned."

The room emptied in seconds.

Only the three of them remained, the air thick with unspoken fury.

Cassius spoke first. "You touched my sister."

Jason's breath caught. His hands curled into fists.

Thaddeus finally met his gaze. "I'll marry her. If she'll have me."

A bitter laugh escaped Cassius. "You think she'd ever choose you again?"

Jason couldn't hold back. "You lost that right the day you divorced her! How dare you lay a hand on her now?"

Thaddeus's jaw tightened. "What's done is done."

Cassius moved like lightning.

One second he was across the table—the next, he had Thaddeus pinned to the floor, a dagger glinting at his throat.

"President Ashbourne!" Jason shouted.

The blade pressed deeper, drawing blood.

Then—

"Cassius! Stop!"

Jareth crashed into them, shoving Cassius back. The knife grazed Thaddeus's neck, leaving a crimson trail.

Jareth panted, gripping Cassius's wrist. "If you kill him, what then? Will Evadne thank you for it?"

The name was a tether. Cassius's grip loosened.

He stood, sheathing the dagger. "You're not worth the blood on my hands."

As he turned to leave, Thaddeus spoke again, voice raw.

"I'll marry her. If she says yes."

Cassius didn't look back. "She'd rather burn the world than take you back."

The door slammed shut behind him.