<b>Chapter </b><b>293 </b>
Whoosh!
A gust of wind nipped at Thaddeus‘ nose. It was ominous<b>, </b>ruthless, and swift!
If he weren’t quick on his feet and if he weren’t so agile, he might not have dodged the sudden attack!
<b>With </b>just one move, Thaddeus saw it.
Beneath Avery’s genteel exterior was a beast as fierce as a split personality, wild and untamed!
Thaddeus could never let Evadne go with him.
Never!
Everything happened too quickly. Evadne was still obliviously walking ahead,pletely unaware of the fiery turmoil behind her!
Avery swung at him again, Thaddeus nimbly dodged, instantly raising his long leg and sweeping it through the air, narrowly missing Avery’s chest!
Avery staggered back two steps, straining to keep his footing. His slender hands, which seemed incapable of harm under his sleek silver cufflinks, were clenched so tightly they were practically shaking.
Thaddeus, who had been attacked, stood there immovable as ever, like he was rooted to the ground<b>, </b><b>not </b>budging an inch.
Avery slowly adjusted his sses, a blood–red hue filled his eyes!
For <b>the </b>past decade <b>or </b>so, in the small town of Helgen, Avery had been training to be stronger to be able to protect his mother and recruit strong <b>assistants</b>. He had sought out masters, learning martial arts and skills every day<b>, </b>almost masochistically.
Closebat, shooting, firearms, daggers… he had dabbled in all of them. His intelligence made up for his physical weakness<b>, </b><b>and </b>his willingness to work hard made up for his innate shorings.
He had been <b>confident </b>in his abilities.
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However, after his encounter with Thaddeus<b>, </b>he realized he had underestimated his opponent.
Evadne’s ex–husband was not just any strong man.
Thaddeus was so strong that even if he gathered all his strength, he might not be able to defeat him!
Avery rubbed his cheekbones coldly.
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Suddenly, he slowly curled up the corners of his l*ps<b>, </b>forming a wicked and evil smile that sent <b>a </b>chill down Thaddeus‘ spine and made him feel extremely ufortable.
Those eyes that were so affectionate in front of Evadne were now hiding a blood–stained knife, filled with mania and wildness, continuously challenging Thaddeus‘ patience.
– Suddenly, Avery’s eyes darkened, and his b*dy lurched forward!
Thaddeus‘ eyes contracted, and before he could control <b>his </b>muscle memory (or perhaps it was the urge to punch this man), hended a right hook squarely on Avery’s left cheek!
Just then, Evadne turned around and saw everything that was happening.
At the same time, Thaddeus was stunned to see Avery, who had been punched to the point of having blood on his l*ps, wasn’t angry, and he was also raising a sinister smile.
Damn!
He had fallen <b>for </b>it!
Avery never intended to fight him. He was just provoking <b>him</b><b>, </b>enticing him to attack!
“Ave<b>!</b><b>” </b>
Evadne’s eyes widened, and she quickly ran over to support the tottering Avery.
In her haste, she blurted <b>out </b>his childhood nickname.
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Avery’s eyes widened in surprise, ignoring the burning pain on his face<b>, </b><b>he </b>held onto Evadne’s wrist and asked incredulously, “Evadne, what did you just call me?”
Evadne finally reacted.
<b>She </b>pondered for two seconds, considering it was just a nickname, no big deal. She used to call him that when they were kids.
So, she softly called out “Ave” again.
Instantly, Avery’s eyes welled up with tears, and his cheek muscles twitched subtly.
No one knew how long he had been waiting for her to call him “Ave.”
He had waited for fifteen years.
It was fifteen years of longing and heartache. Could Thaddeus understand? Could this heartless man understand?
Suddenly,
Thaddeus‘ face was pale as <b>if </b>he had turned into a y puppet.
He felt something shattering inside him, his b*dy barely holding up.
It was his heart<b>, </b>once again smashed into pieces by Evadne.
Were they already this close? Were their childhood bonds still unbroken?
And what about him<b>? </b>From beginning to end, what was he to her?
<b>“</b>Thaddeus, have <b>you </b>lost your mind? Mr. Avery merely wanted to take me home for a visit, <b>to </b>pay respects to Mrs. Chambers. What has he done wrong? Why did you attack him?” Evadne supported Avery, her eyes <b>filled </b>with <b>fury</b>.
She looked at Thaddeus, her emotionsplex.
There was anger, helplessness, and most of all, disappointment in her eyes.
In the past thirteen years, Thaddeus had always been on a pedestal in her heart<b>, </b>her god.
But now, she felt more and more that the glory of the god was fading, getting farther and farther away from what <b>she </b>remembered.
“Evadne, I’m okay. Don’t be so angry.”
Avery’s eyes no longer held a trace of murderous intent<b>. </b>In its ce was a gentle warmth. Heforted her, “I can understand why Mr. Thaddeus attacked me. Everything he did was because of you.”
“For me? Is that why he seriously hurt someone?<b>” </b>
Evadneughed coldly, unable to hold back her anger anymore, “He’s just using justice as an excuse to <b>do </b>wrong. He better not say it’s for me. I can’t afford to be embarrassed!”
“Evadne!”
Thaddeus‘ voice was steeped in bitterness. He felt his heart being tightly squeezed and was about to burst, “I don’t want to exin my actions. I don’t <b>want </b>to justify anything. I just want to ask you one question. What do I mean to you?”
Evadne’s breath hitched, a sharp pain gripped her heart.
The surroundings were dim, but she clearly saw the shattered light in his eyes, apanied by deep pain.
Avery stared at Thaddeus‘ pale face, his piercing gaze like two sharp needles, piercing his skull!
“If you stop bothering me and stop disturbing my life, we could possibly be business partners <b>in </b>the future. If you refuse to see reason, we can only be enemies.” Then Evadne didn’t look at Thaddeus again. She slowly left with Avery.
Thaddeus stood there, <b>stunned</b>, feeling abandoned by the world.
He didn’t know how long he stood there, the cold wind blowing through his b*dy. It was so cold it felt like his blood had dried up. The tears in his eyes were blown away by the wind, then gathered again<b>. </b>
No longer could the stream rece the ocean.
Nor could love letters reach the distant hills.
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The mansion where Avery resided was the secondrgest in the entire Beverly Hills neighborhood.
Thergest, of course<b>, </b>belonged to <b>Evadne</b>.
The entire neighborhood was owned by the Chambers family, so Avery could change houses as he wished.
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Upon entering the courtyard, Evadne noticed the severity of Avery’s injuries. Concerned, she asked hesitantly, “Is your wound painful?<b>” </b>Avery’s l*ps curled into a warm and radiant smile. However<b>, </b><b>it </b>became stiff as it pulled at his facial injuries. “It’s alright. It doesn’t hurt much.”
“That brute. He hit you too hard!” Evadne fumed, wishing she could bite Thaddeus.
“Mr. Thaddeus is a military man<b>, </b>a graduate of a military school. It’s normal for him <b>to </b>be fierce.”
Evadne’s expression shifted, “How do you know about his military background? Have <b>you </b>been investigating him?”
Avery responded calmly, “Mr. Thaddeus and I are destined to be lifelongpetitors<b>, </b>in business and <b>in </b>love. If I want to win/l must know my enemy as well as myself.<b>” </b>
Evadne understood the underlying message in his words and pursed her l*ps.
Avery was infatuated in Evadne, but she was oblivious.
Not <b>only </b>was she oblivious, but she also had to feign ignorance.
“When my mother asks about it, Evadne, you’ll have to cover for me,” Avery turned his face towards her, his expression anxious.
“How should I cover for you? Tell her you tripped and fell face–first while walking home at night?<b>” </b>Evadne was perplexed..
Averyughed bitterly, his eyes filled with a fondness that he only showed to her.
“Ah! I’ve got it!”
Evadne had a sudden idea and pulled out apact from her purse, handing it to him, “Use this to cover up.”
“What <b>is </b><b>this</b><b>?</b><b>” </b>
“Do you know how to use <b>it</b><b>?</b>”
Avery looked at her with clear eyes and shook his head.
“Then I’ll help you.”
Evadne opened <b>the </bpact, dabbed some powder onto a puff, <b>and </b>gently patted <b>it </b>onto <b>the </b>swollen area of Avery’s face.
Avery couldn’t help <b>but </b>wince.
“Did it hurt?” Evadne asked worriedly.
Avery squinted his eyes and intentionally moved a bit closer to her. She was so delicate, her skin as <b>soft </b>as a baby’s<b>, </b>her petite and adorable features clearly visible. He loved her, more than he could ever express.
Their breaths intermingled, their noses nearly touching.
Evadne could even smell the mint scent from his mouth mixed with <b>the </b>lingering scent of violets on his clothes, making her slightly dizzy. “It hurt a bit just now, but now, it doesn’t hurt anymore,” Avery said, his gaze fixed on hers, his l*ps slowly curving into a smile.
Evadne quickly stepped back, almost dropping thepact <b>in </b><b>her </b>hand.
Although she had called him by his childhood nickname in the heat of the moment<b>, </b><b>it </b>didn’t mean their rtionship had be any closer.
“Let’s go, Evadne. If we don’t hurry, I won’t have time to prepare dinner for you,” Avery didn’t tease her anymore. He knew that haste makes waste and he needed to
take it slow.
As they disappeared into the mansion, Thaddeus stood alone on the opposite side of the street, staring at the brightly lit house that had nothing to do with him, his eyes red.