After nearly a week, Elspeth finally walked out of the prosecutor’s office, lookingpletely wiped out and smelling like a durroster.
Sans makeup, she looked dull as dishwater. Her usually <b>well</b>–maintained face now looked a decade older, with strands of gray hair pesking through
She dodged the swarm of reporters as she didn’t want to let them see her current situation. She couldn’t bear to go home looking like that terrified that if Frederic saw her, the image she had carefully maintained would shatter in a matter of seconds<b>. </b>
So. Glynnis apanied her to a beauty salon in secret. She took a shower, got a fresh set of clothes plucked out the gray hairs, and put on light makeup to brighten her face before she dared to face the world again.
“You should go see Acacia before heading home.”
Elspeth adjusted her bun in the mirror and said grimly. “She’s my niece after all I heard she tried to end her life I can’t <b>just </b>ignore her current situation. I need to put on a kind and gentle front for your dad”
She had been maintaining that image for twenty–five years<b>, </b>it couldn’t copse now!
“Mom! Acacia actually resorted to a suicide gimmick
Although Glynnis despised Acacia, the thought of the bloody bathroom still sent a shiver up her spine.
“Regardless of whether Thaddeus will be affected by her plot if something goes wrong or if people don’t find out in time she might actually bite the big one. She really yed hardball with hersel
“How could they not find out in time!” Elspeth put away her mirror, raising an eyebrow in jest
Glynnis paused, suddenly realizing something “Mom! You knew all along?”
Elspeth put her finger to her lios, signaling for her to keep her mouth shut
Having Acacia use “suicide” as an extreme method to manipte Thaddeus was Elspett’s idea.
Back in the day. Elspeth used that trick to arouse Frederic’s sympathy and protective instinct, which led to her sessful entry into the Abernathy family, and her standing
today.
Plus, Thaddeus had been deeply troubled by depression, and it was Acadia who helped him step out of the shadows and see the light again.
If he relived his past nightmares, he would keep recalling Acadia’s goodness. The n was high risk, high reward
“Even if Acadia isn’t the best choice, I can’t let Thaddeus and that b*tch Evadne have any chance of getting back togethert
Those past few days. Elspeth had been through hell and back at the prosecutor’s office. Every time she thought of Evacre she wished she could bite her head off.
“Evadne, you dared toy a finger on me. I swear I fight you to the end I won’t let you off the hook?”
“Exactly! The Ashbourne group might be a big shot in that little town of Skyrim, but Emsworth is still our Aberratty group’s ture We’ll have plenty of opportunities to deal with that with Glynis gritted her teeth, vowing to avenge that great injustice
As they arrived at the hospital room and got the information that both Frederic and Thaddels were there Rispeth put on the face of a loving wife and mother, tearily pushing
open the door.
“Acacial Why would you do such a stupid thing”
In front of both families, Elspeth held Acacia tightly, sobbing uncontrodly. <i>“</i>Why are we so unlucht We get framed, we get bullied if this keeps up, I won’t be able to take it
“Aunde, please don’t” Acacia also yed her part crying her eyes out.
Una joined in, sobbing uncontrobly. What was supposed to be a visit turned into mourning session
Thaddeus stood by, expressionless.
Acacia nced at him. His cold aura and indifference frightened her and made her ufortable.
In the cast whenever she cried, he would always be the first tofort het, to stay by her side.
All that tenderness at that time was gone without a trace
His affection towards her was gradually fading, all because of that Evadhe!
As the tree women sobbed in each other’s arms. Frederic’s brows furrowed deeply.
“Elspeth Thaddeus,e here. We need to talk.
A few minutester, in the meeting room
Frederic Elspeth’s face still had tear streaks as she looked at Frederic tenderly and continued to say. 7 thought I’d never see you again. These past few days I have been in so much paint I was so scared Frederic
Frederic saw his wife’s haggard face and felt a pang in his heart
But the pile of problems that hit them at that time left him in no mood tofort her, even if he still loved her dearly.
Just then the TV on the wall started broadcasting the news.
It was the CEO of the K Group Ca**ius signing a cooperation agreement with Mr. Bartley and other managers of the Westguard project
In the footage, the handsome Ca**ius exchanged contracts with Mr. Bartley, ther friendly handshake captured by the shing cameras below.
Thaddeus stared at the screen his grid on the coffee cup was tight, his veins were pooping out, <b>his </b>heart was filled with anger.
At that same moment Frederic’s face had also darkene
The project that they thought was in their bag was just stolen by Evadner
Elspeth was shocked and quickly clung to Frederic’s tense arm, urgently saying, “Evadne has gone too fart What did we the Abernathy group, <b>ever </b><b>do </b>to her? She not only stole the project, but she’s also trying tond me in jail? How can this woman be so heartless<b>? </b>We treated her well during the three years she was married to Thaddeus. Even though I respected her a lot, how can she resay brdness with enmity?
Thaddeus felt ufortable hearing that, then he put down his coffee cup and looked at Elspeth coldly as he retorted, “Elspeth, is your idea of respect is having Evadne cook for you for three years?”
Elspeth was fuming, gritting her teeth, “It was Evadne’s choice. We never forced her to take on that responsibility!”
“Elspeth.”
The always–silent Frederic suddenly spoke and left her stunned, “There’s something I need to tell you.”
Elspeth was taken aback, then heard Frederic’s words, “The HR department has made their decision. As of now, Thaddeus is the president of the Abernathy Group and also the vice–chairman of the Board of Directors.”
“Frederic, what are you talking about? Why!?” Elspeth was stunned, her face turning pale.
Frederic pursed his l*ps, at a loss for words.
Thaddeus looked deeply into her eyes, understanding the deep bond between her and Frederic. Seeing Frederic’s struggle, Thaddeus took the lead, “You know why, Elspeth. You’re a top executive under investigation by the prosecutors, charged with bribery, abuse of power, and corruption. How could you possibly hold an important position in the group? If word gets out, wouldn’t the management team of the Abernathy Group be aughingstock of the Elmsworth businessmunity?<i>” </i>
“I was framed by Evadne! She took out her anger on me because of my cousin!”
Elspeth’s eyes were red as she suddenly stood up andined. Whether out of anger or panic, her vision became blurry, and she still continued to say, “All of that was Earl’s doing! He’s already admitted it, it has nothing to do with me! Why can’t I be the vice–chairman of the Board of Directors?!”
Thaddeus coldly smirked, ignoring Elspeth and casually left the room.
That bastard! That son of a b*tch!
Elspeth cursed Thaddeus in her heart, tightly gripping Frederic’s stiff arm and then tried to exin the situation to him, “Frederic! I was framed and I was trapped by that woman Evadne! You promised me that position. You gave me your word. How could you just give it to him?!”
“Elspeth, I may be the chairman of the Abernathy Group, but it’s a listedpany, with shareholders and board members. I don’t have the final say in anything. Can I still help you get that position under these circumstances?”
Frederic took a deep breath, slowly and forcefully pulling his hand from her grasp, “And, are you really innocent?”
“Frederic, do you doubt me? I’m your wife! We’ve been married for twenty–five years. Don’t you clearly know me by now? How can you believe those tall tales?!” Elspeth was taken aback, masking her guilt with a sharper tone.
Frederic frowned, giving her a deep look, and then left that ce without another word.
That deep look seemed to see right through all the lies of Elspeth!
It was over; it was all over.
All her nning, all her chasing after Frederic, the opportunity she’d been longing for had sl*pped away!