Chapter 661
That evening, Emeric checked into the Ashbourne Group’s hospital in Skyrim.
Evadne and Thaddeus had just brought Emeric in when Cassius and Chasel were already there,
anxiously waiting.
Despite not having seen him for several days, Evadne could clearly tell that Chasel had lost a lot of
weight, his complexion pallid as if he had just recovered from a serious illness.
There was no time for pleasantries; as soon as the medical staff wheeled Emeric into the examination
room, Chasel quickly followed.
Before stepping through the door, he turned back for a deep look at Cassius, lips slightly moving as he
mouthed silently the words: “I’ve got this.”
With the door’s closure, everyone’s hearts sank heavily.
Cassius watched the door intently, feeling a stifling breath, his heart twisting with worry.
Not only was he concerned for his father’s health, but also for Chasel’s.
Chasel had mentioned earlier that morning that his back wound was still causing him pain. Cassius had
wanted him to rest more, but upon hearing that the Ashbourne family was in trouble, Chasel sprang up
as if revitalized, insisting on returning to Skyrim.
On the way back, Cassius gripped the steering wheel with one hand, while the other was playfully
toyed with by Chasel, who pinched and rubbed it as if he couldn’t get enough.
“You’re barely recovered, and now you’re already taking on intense work. You’ll wear yourself out.”
“I’m a grown man. I’m not fragile as you think. Don’t worry.”
Chasel often reminded Cassius of his masculinity, as if fearing that Cassius was merely enchanted by
his pretty face and might one day regret their intimacy or, worse, grow cold toward him like he had once
before–a thought Chasel couldn’t bear.
“I know you’re a man,” Cassius said, his voice rough, eyes on the road. “I’ve never been more aware of
what I’m doing than I was that night with you.”
Chasel gazed at Cassius‘ handsome profile, with unguarded desire.
In the next second, he leaned over to plant a kiss filled with longing on the man’s cheek.
Cassius‘ eyes swirled with emotion, as he held Chasel’s hand a bit tighter.
“From now on, I’m taking care of Dad’s health. Don’t even think of finding another doctor. You can only
have me,” Chasel said with a hint of pride.
The word “Dad” rolled off his tongue bold and genuine.
Cassius gave no outward reaction, but his Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, warmth flowing straight to his
heart.
“After last time’s unpleasantness, how did you manage to bring Chasel over from the Bright family?”
Evadne’s curiosity was insatiable.
Cassius felt a pang of guilt flood his chest.
He had indeed gone to the Bright family’s doorstep that night, waiting for what felt like an eternity.
But ultimately, he left.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
Unbeknownst to him, Chasel had been punished according to their family discipline, confined to his
room, and he was looking out from his window when Cassius turned away.
When Dr. Winston examined Chasel, he mentioned that his injuries weren’t just bruises from sticks but
also included several scrapes and cuts, as if he had fought his way out of a battlefield.
Cassius couldn’t bear to think what it must have taken for Chasel, trapped in the house, to fight his way
out to come to him.
“If only I had waited a bit longer that day.” Cassius murmured in a voice filled with remorse.
“What did you say, Cassius?” Evadne hadn’t caught his words.
“Evadne, I have a question for you!
Cassius slowly turned his handsome, pallid face toward her, his eyes dark and intense, “If one day, you
found out I did many things beyond your understanding, things you absolutely couldn’t accept. If you
discovered, I’m not as good as you imagined, but rather I
am someone who couldn’t even be considered a good person in a conventional sense. Evadne, would
you hate me for deceiving
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you?”
Evadne’s eyes widened in shock.
Hate? What a heavy word! She had never thought about it, much less imagined her brother would ask
her such a question one day.
“Cassius, please, just tell me what’s going on. Don’t scare me like this, okay?”
Cassius looked down; his expression somber.
“Cassius, no matter what you’ve done, you’ll always be my big brother. I don’t want to hate you!”
Overwhelmed by the recent events and Cassius‘ downtrodden words, Evadne’s emotions hard to
contain, her voice choking up, “No matter what happens, in my heart, you’ll always be the best!
Irreplaceably good!”
“You silly girl.”
Cassius managed a bittersweet smile and affectionately ruffled her hair.
Thaddeus watched silently from the side. Had this been any other time, he might have been boiling
with jealousy. But now, his attention was entirely on Cassius, feeling that he was holding back so much.
To him, Cassius had always been a man shrouded in mystery. That sentiment grew stronger after their
harrowing experience on Star Island.
Suddenly, the clamor of hurried footsteps approached.
“Evadne! Cassius!”
All three turned to look in unison, surprised.
“Suri?How did you all get there?”
The three Ashbourne ladies, along with Arnold, Aaron, Nydia, and even Bennett from distant Azeroth
City, had all unexpectedly
arrived.
It was almost a full mobilization!
Evadne and Cassius rose to their feet, exchanging astonished glances.
But they hadn’t shared the news with the family. How had everyone found out?
Seeing the Ashbourne family members arrive, with Bennett among them, Thaddeus pressed his lips
tightly and stepped back two paces, reducing his presence.
Thankfully, Jareth wasn’t there. Otherwise, seeing him in such a subservient position, Jareth would
have ridiculed him for being the proverbial kicked–out husband.
“Evadne, how did Dad’s condition worsen to this extent?”
Arnold was frantic, his breathing uneven. “Why did he have that incident in public?”
“Arnold, how did you know that?” Evadne was stunned.
Thaddeus felt a jolt of alarm, a flash of coldness crossing his eyes.
The name Bevis sprang unbidden across his mind!
“I never imagined that such a calamity, and that I, Emeric’s son, would learn about it from the Internet!”
Evadne was utterly shocked. “What? The Internet?”
“Cassius, I know you didn’t want us to worry, but there’s a time and place for everything!”
Arnold was always protective of his younger sister, unable to scold Evadne, so he vented his anger at
Cassius. “Keeping this from us, and not letting us know about Dad’s health firsthand, is that fair? Do
you really not want us to worry, or do you not trust us, your brothers, to share the family’s burdens?”
Cassius‘ brows furrowed, a deep sorrow building in his heart.
“Arnold, you can’t talk to our brother like that, that’s too much!” Bennett stepped in, knowing Arnold was
hot–headed, and tried to pull him back.
“Yeah, how can you question him?”
Aaron also chimed in, trying to mediate. “From childhood, big brother has always been at the forefront
for all of us, always considering every member of the family, never uttering a word about his own
hardships and grievances. He doesn’t owe us
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Chapter 661
anything. He’s done everything for the sake of our family. No matter how anxious you are, you can’t say
such things to him, it’s heartbreaking”
Arnold paused, realizing he’d gone too far and hesitantly turned his back on everyone.
Thaddeus watched the siblings argue, feeling a pang of discomfort.
The relationship among the Ashbourne siblings was something he yearned for. He wished more than
anyone for them to be harmonious and warm–hearted, just like safeguarding a peaceful sanctuary in
his heart.
“Someone put your father’s incident from the company meeting online.”
Suri said, her eyes red rimmed, clearly having cried before. “It’s spread nationwide now. Even Debby
and her husband in Helgen got the news. They’ve just boarded a flight back to Skyrim. They’ll be here
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmin five hours, to be by Emeric’s side as fast as they can”
Evadne felt a chill as she grabbed her phone and logged into Twitter.
It was the top trending topic.
The viral video showed Emeric at his most vulnerable, something he never wanted anyone to see.
As Evadne scrolled through the appalling comments, a surge of red–hot rage tore through her!
Some people were even insulting and attacking her beloved family member!
Suddenly, a strong, reassuring palm suddenly covered the screen in front of her.
With tears in her eyes, Evadne looked up into Thaddeus‘ intense gaze, which instantly imbued her with
an intangible strength.
“Evadne, don’t mind the nonsense online. They’re probably just trolls hired by whoever’s behind this,
trying to mess with your state of mind, hoping you’ll lose your judgment. If you get worked up over it,
then you’re playing right into their hands,” Thaddeus said, his arm gently encircling her waist.
The delicate woman pouted, immediately nestling into his embrace like a docile bunny.
Ah!
The Bennett brothers couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy.
After all, in the past, their sister would turn to them for comfort. But now, Thaddeus had completely
taken over, leaving them. feeling as forlorn as middle–aged men suddenly out of work!
“Evadne, don’t panic,”
Thaddeus said with a soft voice, his hand soothingly patting her back. “Words are just that–words. But
they are nothing to fear. As long as we stand united, we’re unbreakable, and nothing can tear us apart.
Plus, your brothers are here for you, and for Uncle Emeric. When uncle comes out, he will be delighted
to see us and that will surely benefit his health.”
Evadne nodded, wiping the tears from the corner of her eyes with his tie.
Thaddeus‘ eyes crinkled with a doting gaze, not minding at all.
Bennett watched the couple’s sweet interaction, reflecting on Thaddeus‘ earlier words, his eyes
reddened.
Somehow, this man, whom he had detested to the bone, seem a tad more tolerable now.
“We need to contact K Group’s PR department right away to manage and remove those harmful online
posts about Dad,”
Evadne said, her voice steady, her eyes fierce./”Have the PR department convene an emergency
meeting to discuss countermeasures, instruct the legal department to immediately draft a statement
and a lawyer’s notice, to seriously pursue the responsibility of those spreading the video!”
“Don’t worry, sis. I’ll take care of it, Cassius assured her.
“I’ve already got Gordon on the comment control and deletion,” Thaddeus was always one step ahead.
Evadne’s tense nerves relaxed slightly, though her mood remained heavy, as if she had swallowed a
weight.
At that moment, the door to the examination room opened.
Dr. Bright, in his white coat, removed his mask and stepped out, his expression etched with deep
melancholy.