Chapter 633

Chasel was still reeling, intoxicated by the potent pheromones of his beloved, unable to pull himself away.

But Cassius‘ heart clenched tight, veins bulging in his strong hand as he forcefully pried Chasel’s fingers open and stepped out of his embrace.

A wave of loss crashed through Chasel, freezing him in place.

“Yeah, Suri?”

Cassius responded with a cool detachment, turning to stride across the room and open the door without hesitation.

Suri stood outside, a smile playing on her l*ps. “I knew it. Chasel had to be here with you. It’s always been clear you two have a special bond.”

A special bond.

Indeed.

Cassius‘ eyes flickered, and he could only muster a shallow smile in return.

“Chasel, come with me to my room. There’s something I need to discuss with you.” Suri beckoned Chasel with a crooked finger, her smile unchanging.

Chasel felt an inexplicable tightness in his chest.

He gave Cassius a deep, searching look.

But Cassius‘ gaze remained lowered, avoiding the intensity in Chasel’s eyes.

Cassius followed Suri back to her room.

The door shut, the lock clicked, and the warmth in Suri’s eyes vanished.

“What’s up? Why the late–night summons?” Chasel feigned exhaustion, punctuating his words with a yawn.

“First thing tomorrow, you’re heading back to the Bright estate,” she said flatly.

Chasel’s heart skipped a beat, his eyes widening. “What? Go home? Why should I go back there?”

“Ever since you came back from abroad, you’ve been staying here. This isn’t your home, nor is it a hotel, and I’m not the lady of Silverlake Harbor. It’s inconvenient for you to keep staying here, and you’re causing trouble for Cassius and Evadne.”

Chasel’s face flushed with anger. “But Chairman Emeric’s not well yet! I’m his doctor; I need to see him through this!” “We don’t need you anymore!”

Suri’s voice rose, her words sparking an argument. “Emeric’s almost recovered, and the Ashbournes have enough people to care for him. We can always replace another doctor, or I could even bring in a specialist from abroad if need be!”

“Damn it, what is this? Cutting ties when you think I’m useless?”

“Whatever you want to call it, just be gone by tomorrow!”

Chasel felt like he was on the verge of a stroke, his narrowed eyes blazing. “Aunt Suri, why are you suddenly doing this? Why are you kicking me out? I’m not leaving!”

You’re forcing my hand.”

Suri clenched her teeth and walked over to the nightstand, pulling out a manila envelope and slamming it onto the coffee table.

Photos spilled out onto the surface.

Chasel bent down to pick them up, his hands trembling violently, his face turning pale.

“Aunt Suri, how could you investigate me?

The explicit photos were of him and his past boyfriends from the gay scerle–a scandalous chronicle!

“Investigate you? Ha, your ridiculous affairs don’t need investigating. My dear nephew, you’re the talk of the town, the belle of the ball”

Suri’s anger dissolved into a mocking laugh. These photos fell into my lap without me lifting a finger. It just goes to show how little you care about your reputation. Now you’re playing innocent?”

Chasel clenched his teeth, crushing the photos in his fist, wishing he could obliterate his past self.

1/2

15.03

Yes, his aunt was right.

In the past, he was reckless and promiscuous. He lived for pleasure.

But now, he wanted nothing more than to drop anchor in Cassius‘ harbor forever.

Yet Suri chose this moment to dredge up his past and lay it all out before him, causing him heart–wrenching pain and a rude awakening.

*Chasel, whatever you did overseas is your business. Your father and brother didn’t keep tabs on you, and I’m an outsider since I married out. But Cassius is the Ashbourne family’s pillar, the eldest son in whom Emeric has placed all his hopes. You cannot set your sights on him!”

Chasel staggered back, a sharp pain in his chest.

“You watched me grow up. When my father was too busy, it was you who helped me with my studies and played with me. You know me better than anyone else in the Bright family.”

Suri slumped onto the sofa, a burning frustration in her chest. “I’ve known about your feelings for Cassius for some time, but I wasn’t sure until I found these photos and saw how you acted with him today. My worst fears have been confirmed. Chasel, Cassius isn’t like those men you’ve fooled around with. If you ruin him, the Ashbourne family is finished. Emeric would be devastated!

“Why does anyone have to know? If no one knows, then it’s fine!” Chasel finally lost control, his eyes brimming with tears as he shouted.

Suri was taken aback. “What did you say?”

Cassius feels the same about me. I like him so much.”

Chasel clenched his fists, tears shimmering in his eyes, yet a smile broke across his face. “No, it’s not just like. I love him. Aunt Suri, I love Cassius. I love him so much. No matter what, I won’t leave him!”

Suri’s world went dark.

Her loyalty to the Ashbourne family and its business interests meant she had to stifle any threat to the family’s stability at its inception–including this forbidden love.

The Ashbourne family was a commercial titan, a towering dynasty. With prestige came isolation.

Cassius was President K, the linchpin of the family. If anyone with a hidden agenda got hold of this and stirred up trouble, the consequences were unthinkable.

The Ashbourne Group, even the K Group, could be shaken to their very foundations.

Suri’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. After a brief silence, she steeled herself and spoke with an icy edge.

“You genuinely like Cassius, that’s clear. But does Cassius really like you?”

“Why wouldn’t he? He’s just not good at showing it!”

“Not good at showing it?Suri scoffed. “As far as I know, Cassius isn’t the strong, silent type. He just can’t be bothered with small talk. He’s only stringing you along because of family ties; he doesn’t have the heart to reject you outright.”

Suri leaned back, her mocking laugh chilling to the bone. “Even if he’s momentarily dazzled by you, what then? You’d abandon everything for him, but he wouldn’t tarnish his reputation or drag his name through the mud for you. You think he’d risk a media storm? Besides, Cassius is a devout Christian. Even if he doesn’t become a CEO, he’d be a pastor. By clinging to him, do you want to be the reason he’s cast out by the divine? Do you want him to be damned? If you truly love him, don’t destroy him.”

Chasel felt as if he had been pierced by a thousand arrows, his blood draining from a heart riddled with wounds.

We’re not kids anymore, Chasel. With all the relationships you’ve had, you should be more realistic.

Suri’s expression was icy as she delivered another crushing blow. You’ve been living here, doing so much for the Ashbourne family. Does your father or your brother even know? If you don’t take my advice, I’ll have to tell them everything. The Bright family despises any association with the Ashbournes. You know what will happen if word gets out!

When Chasel stepped out of the room, he seemed like a shell of himself.

He gasped for air, his breaths ragged, leaning against the cold wall for what felt like an eternity before he could muster a shred of strength to move forward, step by step.

Yet, in his wake, at the turn of the staircase.

Cassius was shrouded in the dim shadows, watching the tall, handsome figure that was on the verge of collapse. His eyes half–closed, he clenched the hand by his side, a silent testament to the turmoil within.

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