Chapter 489

Lucas stood like a statue outside the gates of Silvercrest Harbor, unmoving for over twenty-four hours. His stubborn nature wouldn't let him rest until he saw the woman he loved or got the answers he needed.

The night before, he had watched from the shadows as the Ashford father and son stormed toward the harbor, clearly furious about something involving Byron. Lucas stayed hidden—not out of fear, but to avoid causing a scene that might upset Jeff and bring trouble to Chairman Ashford.

Dealing with the fallout for the Ashford family in private was one thing. Making a public spectacle would be reckless.

The storm raged around him, wind howling like the punches he'd taken the night before. His deep-set eyes, shadowed and intense, were framed by a jaw rough with stubble. He looked every bit the hardened soldier he once was.

Then his phone buzzed inside his car, pulling him from his thoughts. He grabbed it. Gordon.

"Gordon, what is it?" His voice was raw, drained.

"Mr. Abernathy! Finally!" Gordon sounded near tears. "Mr. Hamilton Abernathy collapsed—he's in the hospital! You need to come back now!"

A sharp pain shot through Lucas' chest. Cold sweat soaked his already damp suit.

Meanwhile, in the wine cellar of Silvercrest Harbor.

Evadne's brothers sat in heavy silence, the only sound the clink of glasses. Ethan, in particular, was downing whiskey like water, much to Adrian's dismay.

"Ethan, stop. You're killing yourself," Cassian said, taking the glass from his hand.

"Seriously, man. You're not even married yet. Don't drink yourself into an early grave," Adrian added.

Ethan slammed his fist on the table.

"You were too harsh with Evadne today," Cassian sighed, patting his brother's shoulder. "You know how she is. Pressure makes her push back harder. You love her—do you really want her to resent you?"

"Cassian's right. You two never fought like this before."

"So what, I just let her keep chasing that bastard?" Ethan dragged his hands over his face, voice thick. "I'd take any pain for her. But watching her suffer? That miscarriage—she could've been a mother. And now—"

The thought of their lost niece or nephew silenced them all, hearts twisting.

"It's all Lucas' fault!" Ethan, usually composed, was on the verge of breaking.

"Never mention this in front of Evadne again," Cassian said roughly, handing Ethan a tissue. "Maybe it's for the best. Kids are a handful. Let her live carefree. We'll protect her."

Then the door burst open.

"We have a problem!"

Daniel rushed in, panicked. "Ms. Ashbourne—she's gone!"

The brothers shot to their feet. "What? How?"

"She jumped out the window!"

They sprinted to Evadne's room. The window gaped open, curtains flapping wildly in the storm. Their sister was nowhere in sight.

"Damn it! How does someone just vanish?" Adrian clutched his head, heart racing.

Cassian and Ethan took one look at the chaos—clothes strewn about—and bolted to the balcony.

Their breath caught. A makeshift rope of knotted dresses hung from the railing, dangling to the ground below.

"Cassian, she's lost her mind! This is the fifth floor!" Ethan's voice shook with fear.

"That reckless girl!" Cassian's terror spiked, imagining the worst. "If that rope had snapped—"

"Stop, I can't—" Adrian pressed a hand to his chest, dizzy.

Daniel was beside himself. "Ms. Ashbourne, please be okay! If anything happens—"

"Does Dad know?" Cassian demanded.

"Chairman Ashbourne's already stressed about Ms. Nydia. I didn't dare tell him."

"Keep it quiet. His health can't take more." Cassian clenched his fists. "No one else finds out. We organize a search now."

"But in this storm? No phone, no money—where would she go?" Daniel was frantic.

"Which is why she can't be far. We'll find her." Cassian scanned the storm. "Is Lucas still out there?"

"Mr. Abernathy left a while ago!"

Adrian cursed. "That bastard picked the worst time to leave! She's probably looking for him, and now they'll miss each other!"

Ethan's heart lurched. He regretted his harshness. Everything was unfolding exactly as he'd feared.

"If she's heading to Elmsworth, we'll find her on the way." Cassian was already moving. "Call Elijah. Tell him to get his ass here and help."

Adrian nodded. "Yeah, that wildcard always has a plan."

Under the stormy sky, lightning split the darkness. Rain pounded relentlessly.

Evadne was drenched, the wind cutting through her, making her shiver uncontrollably.

Her phone was gone. No money. She'd lost her sandals in the escape. Her bare feet were muddy, scratched by stones.

But nothing would stop her.

She knew her brothers would search everywhere. So she avoided main roads, sticking to secluded paths toward Elmsworth. But in this storm, nothing was open.

Dizzy, weak, she stumbled forward—until she spotted dim lights ahead. A repair shop.

Without thinking, she pushed inside.

Four men sat around a poker game, laughing crudely. At her entrance, their eyes locked onto her.

"Well, well. What do we have here?" One leered.

Evadne shivered. "I need to borrow a phone. I'll pay you back."

"Pay us how, sweetheart?" Another grinned, stepping closer. "A kiss? A little touch?"

Her eyes turned to ice.

One reached for her chest. She moved fast—grabbing his arm, twisting it back with a vicious snap.

"Ah! You bitch!"

"You wanted to play?" Her voice was deadly. "Let's play."

Back at the hospital, Hamilton was stable after another stroke, thanks to Mr. Murray's quick action.

But the old man was restless, worn thin by worry over Evadne.

With Frederic away, only Lucas and Mr. Murray remained at his bedside.

Lucas held a bowl of porridge, blowing on a spoonful before offering it to Hamilton.

But how could the old man eat, seeing his grandson battered and broken? "What happened? Did you go after her?"

Lucas swallowed. "Yes."

"Did the Ashford boys do this?"

His silence was answer enough.

Hamilton's anger flared. "Or was it Emeric?"

Another silent confirmation.

"Good! You deserved it! If I were him, I'd have broken your legs!" This time, Hamilton had no sympathy.

"Grandfather," Lucas rasped, voice cracking. "Tell me—how do I get her back?"

Hamilton shook his head. "It's not just you who wronged her. Even I don't know how to face her. We ruined her life."

The room fell silent.

"If you can't fix it, start by protecting her," Hamilton said heavily.

Lucas bowed his head. "I can't let go. But I don't deserve her."

Then his phone buzzed.