16:40


    After Thaddeus spoke, even he was taken aback. He had no evidence, but he just a**umed that na was that kind of person. He even hoped na was that kind of person, as if it would prove his importance in na’s heart.


    “Thaddeus, are you perhaps a little too full of yourself?”


    Evadne’s heart ached a little, as she chuckled. “Honestly, I’ve never thought about getting back at you. Whether you’ve married Acacia, or even if you went all Emeric and married four, I wouldn’t care. Because I think hating you is the most pointless thing in the world.”


    Thaddeus felt as if he’d been su cker punched. “na…you…”


    “Camille’s orders are lined up till the end of next year, she’s always been a stickler for her principles. Even if the leader’s wife came, she’d still have to wait her turn. Maybe she wanted to get some payback for me, but I’m not so pathetic as to use a friend to get back at her. If I really wanted to, I could’ve pped her a few times, so why would I go through all that trouble? You really don’t understand me at all, do you?” Evadne’s tone was somewhat teasing, a smile ying on her l*ps.


    But Thaddeus thought her eyes looked dull and lifeless, devoid of any spark. It hurt him a little.


    “na!” As the two were at an impa**e, a familiar voice rang out.


    It was Cas sius!


    Evadne took the opportunity to break away from Thaddeus and almost jogged over to Cas sius. He gently held her in his arms. “Sorry, I was held up. I’mte.”


    “It’s okay.” Evadne sniffled, her eyes glistening.


    “He…didn’t do anything to you, did he?” Cas sius looked worriedly at Thaddeus.


    Evadne shook her head. “Let’s go home.”


    Thaddeus stood there for a while, then quickly followed. Outside, by the Rolls-Royce, Jason was waiting for them.


    Tm tired of these heels, sneakers are so much better,” Evadne whined to Cas sius.


    “Jason, get the shoes I brought for Evadne.”


    Jason quickly retrieved a pair of sneakers from the trunk and ced them at Evadne’s feet.


    Just then, Thaddeus reached the door. He watched as Cas sius knelt down on one knee, took off his ex-wife’s heels, and helped her into her sneakers, tying them for her. More caring than he would be to his own daughter.


    Evadne nonchntly took a piece of chocte from Jason’s jacket pocket, took a bite, and smiled sweetly. “Let’s go. Let’s go home.”


    Cas sius took her hand and helped her into the car, which quickly sped off.


    Thaddeus felt a gaping hole in his chest, an unprecedented sense of loss filled his heart.


    His ex-wife, who used to wait for him day in and day out in their empty house, was now being pampered like a princess by Cas sius. Cas sius, the epitome of nobility, was willing to set aside his status for her, and his eyes were filled with love.


    True love was not even wanting her to bend over to tie her shoes.


    Seeing her being cared for so tenderly made him ufortable.


    That night, Acacia used visiting Elspeth and Mr. Frederic as an excuse to follow Thaddeus back to Windermere Estate.


    “Thaddeus, why did you suddenly disappear? You left me all alone. I was really nervous…”


    They sat in the back seat, and Acacia wrapped her arms around Thaddeus, her head resting on his shoulder.


    “Acacia.” Thaddeus slowly removed his arm from her embrace, his voice cold. “In the future, when you see na again, and she doesn’t show any hostility towards you, don’t bother her, okay?”


    “Thaddeus… do you think I’m bullying her?” Acacia’s eyes immediately reddened, her voice on the verge of tears.


    “Isn’t that the case?”


    L’


    “She didn’t do anything to you today.”


    Thaddeus cold gaze fell on Acacia’s pale face. “No matter how much you resent her, she and I are divorced. After Grandpa’s birthday, when we officially get the divorce papers. we won’t have anything to do with each other. I hope you stop making a scene, that’s all I ask.”


    The rest of the way, Thaddeus didn’t say a word to Acacia until they reached Windermere Estate. Acacia, bearing her fiancé’s coldness, harbored a growing resentment towards


    I’m going upstairs to change.” With a gloomy expression, Thaddeus left.


    Acacia gritted her teeth in frustration. She didn’t think she was in the wrong. na had taken her marriage and monopolized the man who should’ve been hers for three whole years. Even if Acacia killed Ina, it wouldn’t be enough to quell the hatred in her heart, so what were a few mocking words?


    Thaddeus, why did you always take her side? Why?


    Half an hourter, Thaddeus, now changed, descended the stairs with Alva. Halfway down, he heard theughter of three womening from the living room.


    Glynnis said, “We really need to get a new chef. The food’s been horrible ever since na left! That country bumpkin was actually pretty good at cooking, and notpletely useless,”


    Acacia said, “na had to cook for you guys every day?”


    Glynnis replied, “Of course, it was the only good luck that allowed her to join the Abernathy family as a country girl. She had to show her worth, right? You have no idea what the maids were saying about her, calling her an upscale nanny.”


    Thaddeus expression turned frosty, his fingers clenched into fists.


    Elspeth said, “I thought she’d know when to quit, with Thaddeus being so cold to her and the family looking down on her, I didn’t think she’dst a year before divorcing. I never thought she’d endure the humiliation and work for three years before getting a divorce, honestly, I wouldn’t be able to bear it. She really knows how to endure.”


    16:41


    Glynnis went. “Thank g od Acacia’s back. Otherwise, na would’ve just kept mooching off us. So shameless!”


    Thaddeus couldn’t bear it anymore. He snapped, “Have you guys had enough?”


    The atmosphere downstairs changed instantly, like the temperature dropped to freezing.


    “Thaddeus, actually we…” Acacia stood up quickly, trying to defuse the tension.


    “Don’t you guys understand that you’re supposed to be grateful when someone helps you?” Thaddeus cut Acacia off before she could finish, his stern tone scaring her.


    Elspeth and Glynnis went pale. “Thaddeus, what are you talking about, we…”


    “You guys have been enjoying na’s help, not only ungrateful, but now even making fun of her. You think I’d just sit back and take it?” Thaddeus’ eyes were so cold it was frightening.


    na? They hadn’t misheard, had they?


    Throughout their three years of marriage. Thaddeus had always referred to her formally. This indifference made the Abernathy family think na was someone easily controlled. Now they were divorced, but he mentioned na frequently, as if they’d had a great rtionship.


    The three women went pale, and all the ser vants kept quiet.


    “Even though na and I are divorced, she was once my wife. I won’t allow anyone to disrespect her, especially in the Abernathy family.” Thaddeus gritted his teeth, and his brows furrowed. “I suggest you stop making yourselves aughingstock.”


    With that, he stormed upstairs, face flushed with anger.


    The three he left behind were mortified and furious; especially Elspeth, her well-maintained face was turning red.


    “What are you looking at? Go do your work!” Glynnis yelled in anger, only able to vent to the ser vants.


    Acacia hadn’t recovered from the shock. She never remembered Thaddeus losing his temper like this at home.


    “Look, Acacia, this is the man you’re marrying. You’re not even his wife yet, and he’s defending another woman in front of you!” Elspeth mocked.


    Acacia was too angry to speak. She tried to follow him upstairs, but was stopped by Alva. “I’m sorry, Ms. Acacia, Mr. Thaddeus is not in the mood, and he won’t be down for dinner either. Make yourself at home.”