"Injecting or ingesting large amounts of narcotics can damage the amygdala in the brain. That's likely why Mr. Thaddeus ended up this way. As far as I can tell, it's the only real explanation."

Evadne stared, stunned, her voice barely above a whisper. "Wait... are you saying Avery forced Thaddeus to take... drugs?"

Suri shook her head in disbelief. "But it was just three pills, wasn't it? How could something so small be so deadly?"

"Narcotics can make you feel euphoric with just a little. But take too much, and it's a living hell," Zachary said quietly, lowering his gaze. "Plenty of addicts have died after coming here for injections. If those pills were pure, potent drugs, taking three at once could easily be fatal."

Evadne's chest tightened as though a knife had pierced her, a sheen of sweat forming on her brow. "Will Thaddeus have any... strange reactions?"

"I can't say for sure what kind of drug he took, so I don't know exactly what to expect. But when addicts go into withdrawal, they get chills, feel like their whole body is being devoured by ants, and the torment only worsens as their craving grows.

That's how you know-he's already hooked."

"Damn it! Bastard!" Evadne's pain and fury erupted as she slammed her fist onto the metal table, each blow echoing through the room.

A single tear slipped down, landing with a soft plink on the cold steel.

But what tormented her most was that she couldn't get anywhere near Thaddeus now. She had no way to know if he was already addicted, if he was suffering through withdrawal night and day, or if he was enduring it alone. She was powerless completely in the dark.

Suri's voice trembled with worry. "Thaddeus is such a good kid... If he's gotten mixed up with that stuff, it could ruin him for life.”

just my guess—it's still possible he only took

Mr. Thaddeus's blood tested in

heart clenched painfully. She forced herself to speak, her voice soft. "Thank you for telling me all this. When we


they stood to

"Ms. Evadne!"

asking, "My younger son, Chasel... Is he all

squeezed. "Chasel's

Are they okay?" Zachary's

anyway. "They're fine. My brother cares for him a

to inherit the Bright Group. I was stubborn, too harsh on um.

s

eyes, voice pleading. "Ms. Evadne, if you see Chasel... please, tell him

her

...

fallen, and the Abernathy Group

the CEO's office, Thaddeus was still at his desk, poring over the


was crucial to the Abernathy Group's next five

Thaddeus, it's time to head home," Gordon said, concern etched on his face as he took in Thaddeus's pallor and weary eyes. "No matter how hard you work, you won't finish everything tonight. Your health matters more-look at it again tomorrow."

"Did you turn

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