Chapter 569

The aroma of a home–cooked meal wafted through the air as Thaddeus swung open the front door, the lively warmth within striking a stark contrast against the chilly silence of the outside world. The sensory shock hit him with the force of a freight train, leaving him momentarily transfixed by the scene that unfolded before him.

Inside the living room, the atmosphere was abuzz with chatter and laughter. Nydia was deep in conversation with Camille, who had returned from an educational stint abroad, and Chasel lounged on the sofa. They were all cheerfully threading chopped vegetables onto skewers as if they were threading beads onto a n*ecklace, their hands a flurry of motion.

In the kitchen, the usually reserved Cassius, donned an apron and masterfully sautéed a pan of mixed vegetables, while Aaron mixed a secret BBQ sauce with the deftness of a seasoned chef.

Arnold and Jason, both tall and handsome, stood by the table, skewering meat with a focus that was constantly interrupted by their gazes drifting towards the living room where the ladies sat. Their n*ecks were craned so awkwardly in that direction, it was as if they’d never learned to look straight ahead.

Their eyes, like high–definition cameras, were fixed intently on the radiant beauty of Nydia and Camille.

Jason’s concern for his sweetheart was understandable, but Arnold couldn’t seem to peel his eyes away from Camille as she sat close to Chasel, their conversation bubbling over with an energetic flow that seemed never–ending.

He took a deep breath, his chest tight with an inexplicable discomfort.

“Dr. Bright, your skewers are so perfectly made! You’ve got such a knack for this,” Nydia complimented as she admired the color–coordinated, evenly spaced food Chasel had prepared, which looked as though it had been mass–produced on an assembly

line.

“Really? I’m just threading them the usual way,” Chasel hummed a tune nonchalantly, sweeping another skewer onto the plate.

In comparison to their amateur attempts, Chasel’s skewers were the epitome of elegance.

“Look at mine, they’re all crooked like they’ve been trampled by a flock of chickens,” Camille muttered in frustration, her face crumpling into a pout. Her hands, which had crafted countless exquisite garments, seemed possessed by a clumsy spirit when it came to culinary pursuits.

Indeed, it seemed the universe doled out talents and challenges with an even hand.

Except to her mentor, Evadne, who appeared to be the universe’s darling, showered with blatant favoritism!

“It’s actually quite simple. Here, let me show you.” Chasel leaned in, almost sitting shoulder to shoulder with Camille, his head nearly brushing against Nydia’s as they both intently followed his instructions, oblivious to the silent alarms going off in the two human monitors nearby.

“Cassius, why’s Chasel so keen on mingling with the ladies like some kind of modern–day Casanova?” Aaron whispered to Cassius as he stirred the sauce, “Here we are, slaving away, and Chasel is outside tending the grill. How can he just sit there chatting up a storm without feeling a bit of shame?”

Cassius’s brows furrowed slightly as he vigorously tossed the pan.

“You should say something, Cassius.”

After a moment, Cassius’s long lashes lifted slightly, his l*ps parting, “The kitchen’s messy, and he likes things clean. I didn’t want him getting his hands d*rty.”

Aaron, with his straightforward thinking, couldn’t catch the subtext and just blinked in confusion, “Huh?”

“Chasel’s not really part of the Ashbournes; he’s a guest of Evadne’s. It’s nice of him to help out at all. Don’t expect too much,” Cassius quickly changed the subject, feeling a slight warmth creep onto his cheeks.

Crack!

Jason, witnessing the cozy interaction between Nydia and Chasel, couldn’t hold back his frustration and snapped a skewer in half. “Ouch, that hurts!”

Arnold, too, was so distracted that he poked his own finger with a skewer.

“You two,” Cassius said, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, addressing the two lovesick men, “If you’ve got that much energy, why don’t you head out to the balcony and help Elvis with the fire? You’re sure to get it lit in no time.”

The two fools.

He wasn’t even jealous, so why were they getting all worked up?

Chapter 569

Everyone was busy with their tasks, the joy in the room palpable, and nob*dy seemed to notice Thaddeus and Gordon standing dumbfounded in the entryway

“Mr. Thaddeus are you sure we’re at the right house?” Gordon blurted out, half–expecting to see a scene out of a Skyrimthe Ashbourne family saga.

“Hey, look who’s back!” Alva, carrying shopping bags, gently bumped into Thaddeus from behind. “What are you standing around for? Don’t you recognize your own house?*

Thaddeus‘ gaze was clouded as he turned to Alva, his voice hoarse, “Alva, what’s all this?”

“Oh, the guests? Mrs. Abernathy invited them,” Alva said, her voice bubbling with excitement. “Tonight’s get–together is specially prepared by Mrs. Abernathy for you. She started making calls and preparing the ingredients and the grill the moment you left. She’s been so busy all day. We didn’t think many people would come on such short notice, but look, we’ve got a full house.”

“Evadne did this for me?” A wave of emotion surged in Thaddeus‘ chest, his throat tightening.

“Who else would she do it for? Mrs. Abernathy mentioned that the Elspeth case is coming up and you’ve been feeling down. So she put together this party to help you unwind,” Alva explained, then nudged his arm with a wink, “You better thank Mrs. Abernathy properly tonight after you two get some privacy. You know what to do, right? No need for me to spell it out.”

Just then, the gracious hostess Evadne descended the staircase, her smile radiant as the morning sun.

Trailing behind her was a delicate girl with a crystal hairpin glinting in her hair and dressed in a flowing blue designer dress.

Gordon’s pupils dilated as he rubbed his eyes in disbelief–that otherworldly beauty was none other than Beverly!

The next moment, Gordon’s l*ps quivered, and he nearly wept in the foyer.

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