My Bratty Wife
Chapter 164 - Hundred And Sixty Four

Chapter 164: Chapter Hundred And Sixty Four

Ryan sat at his desk, the flickering candlelight illuminating the words on the letter he held in his hands. He read Thorne’s message, his brow furrowing with each line. "Sorry for my late arrival, Your Grace, but my life is being threatened. I have some interesting clues that will help our investigation, but I have to lay low for the moment. A lot of inquiries are being made about me. Stay well, Your Grace."

Ryan closed the letter, his expression thoughtful. He tossed it into the fireplace, watching as the flames consumed the parchment. "They’re making us run through circles ," he murmured to himself, his voice low."

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. "Enter," he called out.

Davis entered the study, bowed respectfully, and said, "Lord Byron wishes to see you, Your Grace."

Ryan’s face lit up, a genuine smile replacing his earlier concern. "Let him in," he said warmly.

Davis bowed again and withdrew. Moments later, Byron entered the study, his own smile mirroring Ryan’s. "Brother," Byron said, his voice filled with affection, "I’m sorry for just visiting now."

Ryan stood up quickly and embraced his brother in a heartfelt hug. "Nonsense," he replied, his voice warm. "I’m just glad you’re safe. And I trust the... break from everything... was worth it?"

Byron returned the hug, then stepped back, his smile widening. "It was," he confirmed. "How is my sister-in-law doing?"

Ryan’s smile softened. "Cassandra is doing fine," he replied. "She’s... she’s strong."

Byron nodded, a look of relief washing over his face. "I’m glad," he said sincerely.

Ryan gestured towards the chairs near the fireplace. "Come, sit down," he said. "Let’s catch up."

The two brothers sat down, the comfortable silence between them speaking volumes of their bond. Byron broke the silence. "I heard the King let you off the investigation," he said, his voice laced with concern.

Ryan sighed. "I understand his position," he replied. "He’s worried about his subjects. And... our investigation hasn’t been progressing as quickly as we’d hoped."

Byron nodded in understanding. "I did a little... special investigation of my own," he said, his voice carefully neutral. "On Evan. He has been acting very suspicious. He’s up to something and I found something. I found out... the witness is dead, the bastard who nearly killed me."

Ryan’s brow furrowed, his eyes narrowing. "Dead?" he repeated, his voice low.

Byron continued, his gaze meeting Ryan’s. "Evan assured the King he will catch the person responsible for this. Since you weren’t officially part of the investigation anymore, this information didn’t get to you."

Ryan began tapping his fingers rhythmically on the armrest of his chair, his mind working quickly, piecing together the information. He turned to Byron. "Thank you, brother," he said, his voice sincere. "What would I do without you?"

Byron smiled, a warm, genuine smile that spoke of their deep bond. "Well," he said, a playful glint in his eyes, "I’d love to have a drink with you. It’s been decades."

Ryan let out a hearty laugh, the tension leaving his shoulders. "Of course," he said, rising from his chair. "Let’s do it." He clapped Byron on the shoulder. "We have a lot to discuss." The brothers walked towards the cabinet near the fireplace and poured each other a drink.

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Evan poured himself a generous measure of amber liquid, the crystal decanter gleaming under the soft light of his study. He swirled the drink thoughtfully, his gaze distant. "How is Cassandra doing?" he asked, his voice low and measured. "How is everything in Carleton?"

His aide, Brook, stood respectfully by the desk. "My lord," he replied, "the Duchess is doing well. I received word from our... contact... inside the castle that everything is slowly returning to normal."

Evan took a slow sip of his drink, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Interesting," he murmured. He turned to Brook, his expression shifting, becoming more focused. "How is our plan progressing?"

"Going smoothly, my lord," Brook replied, bowing slightly. "However, I still haven’t received any information on Thorne."

Evan waved his hand dismissively. "Don’t fret about it," he said, his voice casual. "Thorne is a master of laying low. He’ll reappear when he’s ready. And by then... the damage will have already been done."

Brook bowed again. "Of course, my lord." He turned to leave the study.

"Brook," Evan called out, stopping him.

Brook turned back, his expression attentive.

"Keep an extra eye on Cassandra," Evan instructed, his voice hardening slightly. "I want to know her every move."

"Yes, my lord," Brook replied, bowing once more before exiting the study.

Evan took another sip of his drink, his gaze now fixed on the flickering flames in the fireplace. He swirled the liquid in his glass, lost in thought. "You have really piqued my curiosity, Cassandra," he murmured to himself, a strange mix of admiration and resentment in his voice. "First, you bump into me in the market square... then you send your guard to follow me, a clumsy attempt at surveillance.... then a spy to my residence to watch me, a bold move... you made me kill him."

He let out a hearty laugh and continued " And you bounced back from everything that’s happened to you, seemingly unscathed.... You’ve even wrapped my dear cousin around your little finger." He chuckled softly, a hint of bitterness in the sound. "Now I see why he loves you so. You are one... toxic woman, aren’t you?"

He was addicted to her, to her wit, her strength, her intelligence, her resilience, her very presence. " with a woman like you by my side, there’s nothing I wouldn’t achieve." He said.

He drained the remaining liquid in his glass, his eyes now burning with an intensity that bordered on obsession. "I love the fact that when I look at you, your eyes are devoid of fear." He paused, took a good look at the rim of the glass. "I want you," he whispered, the words laced with a desperate longing. " I want everything Ryan has."