Chapter 384

Elvis's lips curled into his signature rebellious smirk as he subtly studied Avery.

That night at the bar, the woman who looked eerily like his sister had slipped away into a Chambers family car.

The alley was pitch black, the car's interior unlit. Elvis couldn't make out the man inside clearly.

But as a top agent, his observational skills were razor-sharp. The silhouette alone gave him seventy percent certainty—the man beside Ms. Archer that night had been Avery.

"Elvis, what a pleasure to finally meet you." Avery's expression shifted effortlessly into a warm, charming smile as he extended the greeting first.

"Oh? You know me?" Elvis arched a brow, mildly surprised.

"Evadne and I have been close since childhood. My father and Mr. Ashbourne were good friends. I practically grew up at your house."

Avery spoke smoothly, his tone unhurried. "Mrs. Ashbourne has five children. Evadne has four older brothers, while you and Bet took your mother's surname."

Elvis narrowed his eyes, waiting.

"Bet Waverley—I've met him. He's serving in the military now. But you? Never had the chance."

Avery smiled lightly. "Doesn't matter. You're Evadne's brother. That makes you family to me too."

"You're well-informed about my family." Elvis tilted his head, amused. "Seems you've done your homework."

"Anything about Evadne, I make it my business to know." Avery's gaze gleamed with sincerity.

Elvis had already heard from Arnold—Avery Chambers was head over heels for Evadne.

As her brother, he'd naturally keep tabs on her suitors. He wouldn't let history repeat itself, not after the disaster with Thaddeus.

But something about Avery unsettled him.

Thaddeus deserved to be blacklisted forever, but Avery? He wasn't quite right either.

And that night at the bar...

Even if he wasn't a hundred percent sure it was Avery, the doubt gnawed at him.

"Elvis, I heard about Evadne's accident." Avery stepped closer, urgency lacing his voice. "I need to see her. Please."

Before Elvis could respond, a soft voice interrupted.

"Elvis."

He turned to see Nydia closing the hospital room door, approaching them with light steps.

"Is Evadne asleep?" Elvis asked quickly.

Nydia pressed her lips together, shaking her head. Then, glancing at Avery, she said, "She thought she heard Mr. Chambers. She wants to see him."

Avery's eyes brightened instantly.

"If Evadne wants it, then go ahead." Elvis stepped aside, his tone indifferent.

"Thank you, Elvis."

Avery's smile remained warm as he brushed past Elvis and entered the room.

The moment the door shut, Elvis pulled Nydia aside.

"What's really going on between Avery and Evadne?"

Nydia tapped her lips thoughtfully. "Childhood sweethearts? Innocent schoolmates?"

Elvis's eyes widened. "Seriously?!"

"It's true. In primary school, they were inseparable. Avery was always getting bullied, and Evadne was the one who protected him. Later, Mr. Jeff brought Byron and Avery to our house. Mom said he wanted to arrange a marriage between Evadne and one of them."

"Did Emeric agree?" Elvis pressed.

Nydia shook her head. "No. From what I heard, Dad wasn't impressed with either Chambers boy. But Mr. Chambers seems determined—like Evadne's already his daughter-in-law."

Elvis scoffed. "In his dreams. Evadne's a goddess. Marrying her off to any Chambers would be a crime. At least Emeric has taste."

Nydia smiled faintly.

Inside the room, Avery approached Evadne's bed with quiet steps.

She sat up weakly, her gaunt face twisting his heart.

He was a man of schemes, guilty of unforgivable deeds.

But his love for Evadne? That was real.

In this lifetime, he'd marry no one but her. Fifteen years hadn't changed that.

"Ave, you came." Evadne blinked away her daze, offering him a tired smile. "Thank you for visiting. Have a seat."

She gestured to the couch, but Avery wanted to be closer.

He ached to hold her, to kiss her.

Instead, he sat beside the bed, his voice rough with emotion. "Where are you hurt? Does it still hurt? What happened?"

"Just scratches. Nothing serious." Her eyes were clear but shadowed. "Shame about my limited-edition car, though. Probably totaled."

"Who cares about a car?" Avery reached for her hand, his grip warm and firm. "I'll get you any car you want. Even if there's only one in the world."

He'd give her anything.

Evadne pulled her hand back, unease flickering in her gaze. The rejection stung.

Why?

Thaddeus was out of the picture. Why wouldn't she even consider him?

Was he that unworthy?

"Evadne—"

"Avery, thank you for caring." Her voice was soft but final. "But I'm done with love. Now or ever. Don't waste your time on me."

Night deepened in the hospital corridor.

Nydia, exhausted from the day, dozed off against Elvis's shoulder.

Startled at first, he didn't dare move.

Growing up, he'd never considered his half-siblings family.

But time and shared hardships had softened him.

When Nydia woke, embarrassed by the drool on his shirt, Elvis only smiled.

"Elvis, I'm so sorry! I'll wash it—"

"Don't worry about it." He patted his thigh. "Here. More comfortable."

Nydia blushed furiously. "I can't."

"Evadne used to sleep like this all the time."

She hesitated, fingers twisting nervously.

Elvis understood—she was too timid, too unsure of her place in his life.

With a sigh, he draped his trench coat over her shoulders.

"Elvis, I'm not cold—"

"Keep it." His voice gentled. "If you really see me as your brother."

Tears welled in Nydia's eyes. Thanks to Evadne, she had a brother who cared.

A noise echoed down the hall.

"Nydia, wait here." Elvis stood, his expression hardening as he walked toward the sound.

When he saw Thaddeus and Jareth, his blood ran cold.

Jareth recognized Elvis instantly—the man who'd once beaten Thaddeus senseless.

"Damn, it's him!"

"You've got nerve showing your face here." Elvis's muscles coiled, his voice a lethal whisper. "Get lost. Now."

Thaddeus's face was pale, his eyes bloodshot. "I need to see Evadne. I have to talk to her."

"She's got nothing to say to you."

Thaddeus stepped forward, desperate. "I'm not leaving until I see her."

As he tried to push past, Jareth struck—a stun baton to Elvis's lower back.

Elvis crumpled, paralyzed.

"Sorry, mate. Just rest a bit." Jareth smirked, twirling the baton. "Had to play dirty with you Ashbournes."

Thaddeus sprinted to Evadne's room, only to be blocked by Nydia.

"Let me see her." His voice cracked.

Nydia studied him, then sighed and stepped aside.

"If you knew it'd come to this, why start at all?"

Thaddeus froze, his chest heaving.

Inside, Evadne's face turned to ice the moment he entered.

Avery shot him a venomous glare.

"Get out." Evadne's voice was steel.

"I came to apologize." Thaddeus's throat worked. "For two years ago. For hurting you. I'm sorry."

Avery frowned. Two years ago? Before the divorce? What had happened?

Evadne's entire body trembled. Then, in a flash, she hurled a water glass at Thaddeus.

He didn't dodge.

The glass shattered against his forehead, blood welling instantly.

"Who wants your apology?!" Her scream tore through the room. "We're over! Stop torturing me!"