NovelFastChapter 1097
At Jason's words, Evadne's spine went rigid, her gaze turning dark and distant.
Jason, oblivious to the tension, kept talking. "If | were in his shoes, I'd have bribed the kidnappers myself-used
them as a chance to get rid of that annoying little brother for good! That would've solved all his problems."
"Back then, Mr. Thaddeus was just the Abernathy family's unwanted bastard. If he'd died, not much would have
cof it. The world would've just forgotten about him, given time."
The more Evadne thought about it, the more her heart raced. Her hand clenched around the car door handle.
Could it be true?
Was Chad really that calculating, even as a teenager?
She didn't want to dive headfirst into conspiracy theories, but two years ago, a similar doubt had crossed her
mind.
How could a fifteen-year-old boy have rescued Thaddeus from the kidnappers' den? It was a feat not even most
adults could pull off! For a kid, it sounded like pure fantasy.
And that kidnapper-Morgan-he was infamous, ruthless, a man with a reputation for blood on his hands. They
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtcalled him "Morgan" on the streets, and he didn't think much of human life.
If Chad had managed to slip someone out from right under Morgan's nose, it wouldn't matter who you were not
even Evadne herself would have made it back alive, let alone Chad returning safely to the Abernathy family.
Shaken from her thoughts, Evadne grabbed her phone and dialed Arnold.
The call connected. Before Arnold could even greet her, she blurted out, "Arnold, can you pull an old case file for
me? | need to take a look at it!"
Leave it to Evadne-rasilence for ages, then she shows up with a bombshell request.
"Evadne, you know | can't just hand out case files. That's against protocol!"
"Then just tellabout it. That's not breaking the rules, right?"
Arnold sighed, exasperated. "Which case are you digging into?"
"The kidnapping of the Abernathy brothers. Twenty years ago. The Morgan case."
Arnold sounded confused. "Why are you suddenly poking around in that?"
"Just do it, okay? Tellwhat you find."
Evadne paused, then asked, "And Arnold, do you recall what sentence Morgan got?"
"I think he was sentenced to life, but it started as a death sentence with reprieve. He behaved well in prison,
even helped the police crack a theft ring, so they commuted it."
"But | do remember he had an accomplice got twenty-five years. With toff for good behavior... he might be
getting out soon."
Evadne narrowed her eyes, lost in thought.
Late at night, Hamilton lay in his hospital bed, an IV dripping into his arm.
Thaddeus sat at his grandfather's side, keeping vigil.
"Thaddeus, you must win the A5 project in Emsworth this time," Hamilton said, his gaze heavy with hope as it
landed on Thaddeus's somber face. If you secure that contract, even if I'm gone... no one will be able to shake
your place in the Abernathy Group."
Thaddeus's voice was low, his warm hand wrapping firmly around his
grandfather's frail one. “Grandpa, don't talk like that. You'll live to see a hundred, I'm sure of it."
Hamilton gave a dry laugh. "I'm an old man, Thaddeus. I've had my fill of life. I only have two wishes left-one,
that you'll take the reins of the Abernathy Group completely. The other that you and kana will reconcile.
Thaddeus's throat tightened, his fingertips curling slightly.
"Do you remember how you used to cto me, crying, begging for help to win
llana back?" Hamilton's voice was soft, almost wistful.
Thaddeus's eyes darkened, a mix of emotions flickering within.
"I don't believe you've stopped loving Ilana," Hamilton pressed. "You loved her so much-just because you took a
couple of pills, you think that's enough to kill those feelings? That's nonsense!"
He worked himself up, clutching his chest, pain creasing his features. Thaddeus quickly soothed him. “Grandpa,
please. The doctors said you need to avoid stress and anger-it's not good for your recovery."
Hamilton wouldn't be deterred. "Then promiseyou'll get Ilana back."
Thaddeus looked conflicted, his voice dropping to a murmur. “Grandpa, she and | are..."
Just then, a gentle knock sounded at the door. Chad's calm voice floated in from the hallway.
"Grandpa, it's me. Can | cin?"
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