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Chapter 574
Thaddeus lay sprawled on the couch, an expression of unjust accusation on his face.
“Evadne, I messed up, I admit I had one too many beers and made a fool of myself. I’m
sorry,” Arnold grumbled, seldom one to raise his voice at his sister, but now he was quick
to own up to his mistakes.
“So, kissing Camille was just another slip–up because of the booze? Hmph, men, always
flirting and never committing–irresponsible, all of you!”
“No, it wasn’t like that.”
Arnold closed his eyes, shaking his head, “When I kissed her, I was sober. I knew what I
was doing. Evadne, I really do fancy her. But sadly, it seems she doesn’t feel the same.
Without mutual affection, it’s doomed from the start. Plus, she’s not keen on settling
down, always chasing the next thrill, and we don’t see eye to eye on everything. It was
never meant to go the distance. Guess it’s gonna be tough to find you a sister–in–law.
Sorry to let you down.”
“Arnold!”
Arnold said no more, his silhouette slumping as he left the villa.
“Evadne, I’ll go see Arnold off.”
Arnold’s cab arrived, and just as he was about to hop in, Thaddeus grabbed him in the
nick of time.
“Wait up, Arnold. I’ve got a couple of things to say.”
Arnold’s gaze was a bit unfocused, “What’s up?”
“Feelings can develop over time. Even if it’s not love at first sight, if you truly fancy
Camille, you should give it a shot. Maybe you’ll find a way to her heart. Don’t leave
yourself with regrets,” Thaddeus advised earnestly.
Arnold narrowed his eyes, “And what about you and Evadne? Three years of marriage, and
you’re still not smitten?”
Thaddeus felt like he’d choked on a dry scone, speechless.
Surely a prosecutor, hitting where it hurts.
“In the end, wasn’t it a whole lot of drama, risking your neck more times than I can count,
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtcausing a ruckus in both our families before you made up?”
“But I did win back Evadne’s heart, didn’t I?”
Thaddeus’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he struggled to speak, “If you’re committed, if you
persist.”
“I know it sounds like I’m mocking you, and I am, to some extent. But there’s another
reason.”
Arnold took a heavy breath, his normally bright eyes clouded, “I don’t have your guts, and
I don’t want to mess things up like that. One headstrong romantic in the Ashbourne family
is quite enough. We don’t need a second. The deeper the love, the greater the pain. Thad,
you’re a lucky guy. Anyone else might not have had your luck. Not everyone wants to walk
the path you’ve walked. In this life, I just need to protect my belief in justice, fulfill our
mother’s last wish, and take care of my little sister. That’s plenty.”
The impatient driver poked his head out, “We going or what?”
“On my way!”
Arnold gave Thaddeus a curt wave and ducked into the cab, which quickly vanished into
the night.
Thaddeus stood there alone, a puzzled frown on his face.
The joyous gathering stretched into the wee hours, but all parties must end, and the
guests knew to gracefully make their exits.
Jason escorted Nydia home, Gordon took Beverly, and Chasel pestered Cassius to take him
home.
“It’s only eleven. You’re a grown man, hitting the gym every day. I reckon you can make
your own way back,” Cassius’s voice was cool, still miffed about Chasel’s antics under the
table earlier that evening.
“But I’ve had a few, you know, and I’m feeling quite dizzy. You wouldn’t want me
wandering home alone, would you? If I got mugged, that’s one thing, but what if I got
raped? It’s not entirely safe for guys out there these days either. Oh, my head.”
Chasel leaned in, feigning dizziness, and his acting skills were impressive.
Amazing!
Cassius didn’t even spare him a glance, eyes lowered.
“Come on, Cassius, take Chasel home,” Aaron yawned reflexively, then added, “Our
precinct has had three cases of male being
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Chapter 574
harrassed this year. I don’t want a fourth. If anything happens to him, the Bright family
would be down a good man.”
Chasel’s face twisted into a smug ‘exactly‘ expression.
Cassius clenched his jaw.
The guests hadn’t all left when one of them hadn’t seemed to move.
When Alva went to clean up, he found Elvis passed out on the balcony!
The balcony of all places!
Though there was a ledge, a simple turn in sleep could send him tumbling down. From the
second floor, it wouldn’t be a fatal fall, but it would be a nasty one nonetheless!
“Goodness, that boy’s lost his marbles! Completely bonkers!”
Alva rushed to the kitchen, where the couple was brewing a sobering soup, “Mrs.
Abernathy! Elvis is sound asleep on the balcony right now! I didn’t dare wake him–I’m
scared he’d roll right off the edge, and I can’t be responsible for that!”
Thaddeus looked deeply concerned.
Evadne, stirring the pot, was nonchalant, “Relax, he won’t fall off. When he was a kid, he’d
sleep anywhere high or steep–rooftops, rockeries, trees. If he had a past life, he must’ve
been a disciple of some ancient mountain sect.”
Thaddeus was speechless.
The Ashbournes sure let their kids run wild.
Was it because they had too many to keep track of?
Eventually, after Alva’s urging, they went to find Elvis on the balcony.
“Should I go and carry him down?” Thaddeus whispered to her.
“Why bother? Your arms are for holding me, not some stinky man. Just grab a blanket and
cover him up.”
Evadne chuckled, looping her arm through his, “Congrats on getting Elvis wasted. First
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmtime in his life. You deserve another drink to celebrate.”
Thaddeus’s eyes widened slightly, “Elvis didn’t get drunk, did he? He’s always been clear–
headed, just tired and fell asleep, that’s all.”
“You don’t know him like I do. Our family drunkard, if he’s asleep, he’s done drinking.
Otherwise, he’d outlast you ‘til sunrise.”
As the couple whispered sweet nothings, Elvis’s phone erupted into a cacophony of rings.
After the third ring, he surprisingly answered with his eyes still closed, his voice thick with
sleepiness.
“Who’s this?”
A few seconds passed.
“Yes! I’m on my way back to the agency!”
Elvis acknowledged the call and then, with the agility of an athlete, he sprung up from the
balcony, vaulting over the railing with a leap.
“Elvis! Be careful!”
Thaddeus’s eyes widened in alarm, his body leaning forward to intervene, but Evadne
caught him in a tight embrace.
“Relax, relax, he’s fine. Don’t believe me? Let’s take a look.”
Together, they approached the balcony railing, and sure enough, there was Elvis,
unharmed and sprinting towards the gate of the
villa.
Where he had jumped, a small hole punctured the rail, as if marked by a nail.
“These agents are walking arsenals, from head to toe. Whether it’s the second floor or the
fifth, he’ll jump without hesitation.” Seeing Thaddeus’s startled expression, Evadne gently
caressed his cheek to comfort him, “He must have received a new mission from the
agency, that’s why he’s rushing back. And not saying goodbye? Probably because he lost
a drinking game to you and couldn’t face you.”
With a chuckle, Thaddeus shook his head. “He’s quite the young spirit.”
Grinning, Evadne wrapped her arms around his strong waist and cooed, “Mentally, he’s
still in grade school. Cut him some slack, will you?”
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