<b>Chapter </b><b>291 </b>
Evadne didn’t bother to bid goodbye to Thaddeus when she left the hospital.
Although the man left her with an unfinished story, she was too proud to ask for more. Even though she was curious about what happened to Thaddeus, she would rather find out by herself than to ask him.
Having spent three years being humiliated, she, the heiress of the Ashbourne family, vowed to hold her head high from now on.
<b>On </b>her way home, Evadne received a call from Jason.
“Miss Evadne, I’ve tried to dig into Thaddeus‘ past but didn’t find anything suspicious. However, when I looked into Mr. Chad’s personal affairs, I found something fishy.”
“Thaddeus is now the CEO of the Abernathy Group. His personal information is a top secret that only a few can ess<b>. </b>Jason, you’re being smart by trying to help indirectly, Evadne praised with a smile.
Jason chuckled, pleased with thepliment, then said, “Mr. Chad was kidnapped when he was eleven.”
“Kidnapped?”
“Yes. But the news about the kidnapping is nowhere to be found online. It seems the Abernathy Group has made sure to keep this information under wraps. If you really want to know the truth, I can ask my father. He was <b>a </b>judge at the Elmsworth Court of Justice back then. He must have known something about the case.” “No need, Jason. You’ve done enough.”
Evadne hung up the phone <b>and </b>sank into deep thoughts. She knew that Jason was having a hard time with his family and didn’t want to trouble them further. But now that she had a lead, she knew what to do next.
As she pulled up her La Voiture Noire in front of her mansion, the car’s headlights illuminated a man standing tall and handsome.-
Her heart skipped a beat as she recognized him.
It was Thaddeus.
Thaddeus turned to face her, his eyes twinkling in <b>the </b>bright light. He straightened his back and gave her a warm smile.
She <b>had </b><b>to </b>admit that Thaddeus had a beautiful smile.
It was the smile she had dreamed of, the one she had craved for.
For the past three years, she had tried everything to win his affection, from buying him gifts to learning how to cook his favorite dishes. All to see this smil?. But it was all in vain<b>. </b>
Now, he was willing to smile at her, even said he liked her.
But could histe affection <b>fill </b>her hollow heart<b>? </b>
She took a deep breath, got out of the car, and walked up to him.
“Evadne<b>.” </b>
“What? Are you going to rob me?” Evadne retorted, her sharp tongue had no gentleness towards him.
5
a
+
“I wanted to talk to you at the hospital, but you left in such a hurry<b>, </b>Thaddeus ignored her coldness and continued in a <b>soft </b>tone.
<b>“</b><b>If </b>not for Mari, we would never have met. And there’s nothing we need to talk about.”
Evadne turned and walked towards the mansion, “I’ll send someone to deliver the second course of medicine in a few days. If you want to live longer, take them regrly.”
“Evadne, wait<b>!</b><b>” </b>Thaddeus reached out to stop her.
Evadne paused and turned <b>around</b><b>, </b>“By the way, tell Jareth that I know he likes Mari. But I don’t agree with them being together.”
Thaddeus tensed <b>up </b>and frowned.
“I know, I’m no longer her sister–inw. I’m just an outsider now. Yet, I’ve decided to meddle in Mari’s affairs.”
Evadne continued with a cold tone “In the Abernathy family, only your grandfather can control Mari. But he’s too old and frail. Mari’s parents are of no use. As for you, her brother, you’ve proven to be utterly useless. You’ve never been there for her when she needed you. You don’t care about her.”
Thaddeus felt like he was being shot several times in the heart. His hands clenched into <b>fists</b>.
“So, from now on, Mari is my sister, my family.”
Evadne’s cold determination was unmistakable, “I will never agree to Mari and Jareth being together. And I’ll definitely not allow Jareth to pursue Mari!”
“Why not?” Thaddeus stepped forward, his eyes burning with intensity.
Evadne mistook his intense gaze for defiance, “Why not? Thaddeus, do you even have a heart<b>? </b><b>Or </b>do you think Mari is not your real sister, so you’re willing to sacrifice her for your friend’s desires<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Thaddeus was finally provoked. His l*ps trembled with anger.
He was not really angry at her. He understood her kindness and her desire to protect Mari.
But he didn’t want her to misunderstand him, <b>nor </b><b>did </b>he want her to belittle his only friend!
<b>“</b>Jareth truly cares for Mari. You saw it too today, Evadne. Mari relies heavily on Jareth and wants to be with him.”
<b>“</b>Is dependency the same as affection? Furthermore, Mari has autism. She barely went to school and has had little social interaction. How could she understand romantic feelings between a man and a woman<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Evadne’s voice resonated with frustration, echoing <b>into </b><b>the </b>night.
“Jareth will genuinely care for Mari, Evadne. Please, give them a <b>chance</b>.” Thaddeus practically begged, unable to face her anger.
“First, let’s not forget Jareth’s long list of past romances. The roster of women he’s been involved with <b>would </b>fill a phone <b>book</b>. I understand that even a yboy settles down someday, but Mari <b>isn’t </b><b>that </b>woman for him. I can’t gamble her youth on his potential change of heart.
Secondly, do <b>you </b>really <b>think </b>the Fairhaven family is the right environment for Mari<b>?</b><b>” </b>Evadne asked sternly.
Thaddeus was taken aback.
They seldom talked about Jareth’s family. It was a topic Jareth avoided like the gue.
He knew that digging into family matters would crack old wounds for Jareth. Despite wanting to show concern, he rarely questioned <b>it</b>.
“Mrs. Fairhaven is a very traditional woman. Her husband died young, leaving her only with Jareth! She has ced all her hopes on him. She can’t even stand Glynnis. How could she possibly ept Mari? Jareth has always been a dutiful son, showing great respect and admiration <b>for his </b>mother. Do you think he would go against his own mother for Mari? And then there’s cunning Edith. She’s always used Glynnis as her pawn, masterminding everything from behind the scenes. She’s always looked down on Elspeth’s daughter. Do you think she would treat Mari any differently?
If Mari does end up with Jareth, she’ll be stuck in a never–ending cycle of family drama and endless quarrels. The hardships are waiting for her in the future. Do you think Mari will be happy? Even if Jareth truly loves her, love alone will be eroded by these petty squabbles and power struggles! Moreover, Mari is so innocent and naive. How can shepete with them?”
As Evadne spoke, her eyes moistened.
Her teary eyes, paired with her fair, delicate face, made her look like an angel, a sight of pure beauty.
Thaddeus stared at Evadne, his heart pounding. It was a mix of guilt, regret, and remorse.
She was using Mari’s situation to express her own grievances from the years of hardships and difficulties endured during their marriage.
It wasn’t about letting go.
It was about swallowing the bitter pill and bearing the pain.
Evadne had nothing more to say to Thaddeus.
She had said all she needed to. If he still wanted to be obstinate, she would have to take matters into her own hands to protect the people she cared about.
Just as Evadne turned to leave, Thaddeus, unable to control his emotions, suddenly pulled her into his arms.
Evadne’s breath hitched, her heartbeat going haywire.
“I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. I didn’t consider your feelings. I won’t bring it up again, I promise.”
Thaddeus wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close. His other hand rested on her shoulder, using all his strength to keep her close, as if <b>trying </b>to ‘meld her into his b*dy.
Evadne stiffened <b>in </b>his arms, his deep voice resonating in her ears, causing her heart to flutter.
“Let go, Thaddeus.” She tried to reject him, but her voice was so <b>soft </b><b>that </b><b>it </b><b>sounded </b>more like a plea than a protest..
“No.”
Thaddeus nuzzled his chiselled jaw against her n*eck, “Evadne, I’ve never been a greedy man, but with <b>you</b><b>, </b>I’m insatiable. Holding you, I never want to let go. I can never get enough k*ssing you.”
He wasn’t the type to waste words, hence even his derations of love were <b>sinct</b>, yet they stirred ripples <b>in </b>Evadne’s heart.
Their silhouettes, both strikingly beautiful, clung to each other like mas under <b>the </bmplight.
“Evadne.”
Suddenly, a gentle yet chilling voice rang out from behind them.