His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 401

Bang!

Hard against the bookcase, Chasel found himself stumbling back, books cascading down around him in a papery rain. One thick tome struck him square on the head, buzzing his ears with a painful resonance.

"Damn it. Cassius! What the hell?"

"I warned you, didn't I?"

A flicker of concern crossed Cassius' features as he observed Chasel's pain, but it disappeared just as quickly. "Chasel, it's true my sister needs your help, but that doesn't mean you can do as you please with me. What happened that night, it ends here. If you behave, we'll still be family. If you continue like this, I can't predict how I'll react."

Cassius had never been known for his patience.

Among all the Ashbourne siblings, he was the one with the most volatile temper. Ten years ago, if a man had dared to touch him like this, he would not have hesitated to break their fingers.

"Cassius. So, you're not owning up to what you did that night, right?" Chasel's voice trembled, his hands clenched tightly.

"We kissed, we held each other, and then what? Did we do anything else?"

Cassius slowly swiveled his chair, removing his glasses and revealing his cold, reserved expression. "That's all there is to it. Chasel, you know full well what happened that night. If you hadn't initiated it, nothing would have happened."

"But you could have rejected me like you did just now, Cassius, but you didn't!"

Chasel glared at him furiously, his eyes burning like those of an angry fox. "So you do like me, you have feelings for me! Otherwise, with your personality, even if I stripped naked and threw myself at you, you wouldn't accept me!"

"Chasel, I've done some digging. I know about your history. The number of men you've been with is quite extensive."

"Cassius." Chasel froze, feeling as if he was standing naked before him.

"I want to ask you, when you slept with those men, did you truly love them?"

Chasel felt a sharp twinge in his heart.

Love?

He had never truly loved anyone.

Those one-night stands were nothing more than distractions to fill his lonely nights. He was simply searching for companionship.

"I'm sure you have your answer. Coincidentally, my feelings for you are exactly the same."

Cassius' cold gaze bore into him. "We're both adults, Chasel. Don't be so childish."

Overwhelmed by a wave of pain, Chasel was about to retort when the sound of a knock interrupted them. It was followed by Suri's voice.

"Cassius, Chasel, are you in there? May I come in?"

Cassius took a deep breath, composed himself, and walked over to the door to let Suri in.

"Suri," he greeted her with a warm smile.

"Cassius, were you two chatting? I heard some noises just now. Is everything okay?" Suri asked, peering cautiously into the room.

"Everything's fine, Suri. Did you need me, or did you come for Chasel?" Cassius asked, his expression unchanging.

"Actually, I came to see you."

Suri hesitated for a moment, then spoke in a low voice. "Next week, Emeric and I will be attending the Elmsworth horse race. It's an important event and could lead to a major business partnership."

She quickly added, "It's not that I want to go, I suggested that Emeric take Myra or Aviana. However, the Abernathy Group will also be attending, and Elspeth will inevitably be there. Myra certainly won't go, but Aviana might be interested. But if we all go, the media might misinterpret."

"Suri, I understand. You don't need to explain. You've always been there for my father during these kinds of events because of your calm demeanor and thoughtful nature. My father feels at ease with you by his side." Cassius replied, understandingly.

"Emeric also mentioned that not only the Abernathy Group but the Fairhaven and Chambers Groups will be there too."

Cassius' eyes darkened. "I see. I'll make sure Evadne stays away."

Suri sighed, clearly troubled. "I thought of that too and told Emeric, but your father insists that Evadne must attend, no matter what. He said there's important business to discuss."

"Important business?" Cassius frowned.

"I tried to get more information, but Emeric wouldn't say."

Suri looked worried. "Cassius, you have to be there. No matter what happens, we must protect Evadne. We can't let anyone bully her!"

"Of course. Suri, thank you for letting me know."

After Cassius left, Suri entered the room.

"Chasel, what happened just now? Did you have a fight with Cassius?"

Chasel was picking up the scattered books from the floor, his back towards Suri. His voice was muffled as he responded.

"No, it's nothing."

"Don't lie to me. I heard the commotion from outside, although I couldn't make out what you were arguing about."

Suri scolded him with an upset expression. "Cassius is such a patient man. I have never seen him lose his temper in all these years. And yet you managed to provoke him in just a few days. It's your fault!"

Chasel was triggered by her words, "What did I do wrong? It's Cassius who wronged me!"

"Chasel, watch your words! You've been growing wild without supervision for years. You're becoming more and more arrogant!"

"If you want to live a long and peaceful life in the Ashbourne family, you naturally have to get along with them. But I could leave at any time. I don't need to suck up to them!"

Realizing that his words might have been too harsh, Chasel regretted it. But it was too late.

Suri's expression darkened, a bitter taste lingering in her heart.

The room fell into an awkward silence.

Chasel bit his lip bashfully, trying to find words to ease the tension when Suri spoke quietly. "Chasel, I'm sorry. I know I've brought disgrace upon you, upon the Bright family. I'm the stain that will never be washed away."

"No, Aunt Suri, I didn't mean that, I..."

"I understand, Chasel. I'm not worthy of being your elder, much less to guide you. I'm happy that you could come home this time. In the future, take good care of yourself."

With that, Suri left, her head hung low.

"Aunt Suri!"

Chasel felt even more guilty. He wanted to chase after her, but at this moment, he noticed something.

A fallen book, and in the empty bookshelf where it had been, there was a hidden compartment.

If a book had been there, he would never have noticed.

Chasel reached in and knocked. It was empty!

A strong sense of curiosity flooded his mind.

After Jareth and Gordon left, Thaddeus hadn't seen Evadne come out of her room.

When it was time for dinner, no matter how much he knocked on the door, she wouldn't come out to see him. She claimed she was feeling unwell and had no appetite.

Thaddeus didn't know what was wrong with her. She had been fine in the morning. Why had her condition suddenly changed?

He stood at her door, trying to recall if he'd done anything wrong.

No, he hadn't done anything at all.

As Thaddeus was getting frantic, the doorbell rang.

At this moment, Evadne's bedroom door also opened.

She stepped out in a peach-colored nightgown and accidentally bumped into Thaddeus, her forehead hitting his firm chest.

"Ouch. Why are you standing at the door like it's your job, Thaddeus? It's a peaceful afternoon, why aren't you taking a nap?" Evadne rubbed her forehead, her tone a bit cold.

Thaddeus held her with both hands, staring deep into her eyes, his palms sweating. "I was worried about you, so I stayed at the door."

Then, he raised his hand to feel her forehead. "Good, you don't have a fever. Is there something else that's bothering you?"

"No."