The dinner was a jovial affair, filled withughter.
Avery had initially nned to open a bottle of his top–shelf red wine, but Mrs. Chambers insisted on Evadne drinking only juice, so Evadne spent the whole evening sipping on orange juice, grape juice, pineapple juice, and so on. It was enough to start her own fruit orchard
After dinner, Cindy escorted Mrs. Chambers away, creating an opportunity for Avery and his beloved to have some private time
Avery took <b>Evadne </b>on a tour of his mansion, showing off his collection of antique artifacts and paintings. There were paintings from the ancient times, and a vase from the royal family.
Each of these treasures could fetch exorbitant prices at auction!
Evadne stond at the table, leaning over the antique paintings with a magnifying ss, her almond eyes sparkling with appreciation.
“Do you like them? If you do, I can pack them up for you to take home,” Avery said, leaning against the bedpost, smiling at her.
She admired the paintings
He admired her
“Pack them up? You should know that each of these items are worth at least several million dors, and they’re all authentic. Even ancient emperors would hesitate to give them away, and you want me to take all of them?”
Evadne straightened up, yfully looking at Avery through the magnifying ss, winking, “Are you <b>a </b>collector of antiques, or just a dealer? If you were truly an enthusiast, you’d be like Emeric. He wouldn’t even let anyone touch his collection, much less give them away”
Avery’s l*ps curled into a smile, his voice soft and enticing. I’m only generous with two people, you and Mr. Emeric”
Evadne’s heart fluttered, her l*ps parting slightly
Avery and Thad werepletely different. One spouted sweet nothings, while the other could hardly say a nice word, even with a gun to his head.
“Emeric is quite greedy. If he knew you had such treasures and were so generous, he wouldn’t rest until he took everything”
“If Mr. Emeric likes it, he can have it. The only things I, Avery, have that can catch Mr. Emeric’s eye are these items, and I don’t mind giving them away,” Avery said sincerely “What about you? What do you want? Apart from getting a piece of the Chambers family’s pie, Evadne asked, her voice filled with implication,
Avery’s eyes were full of tenderness, his heart silently saying the word “you.”
“It’s snowing. Evadne,” he said out loud instead.
“Really?”
Evadne was thrilled, her eyes full of excitement, shining like the stars.
She adored snowy days. When she was a child, her mother used to hold her in the backyard to watch the snow, guiding her little hand to skate on the ice. “Let’s go see the snow”
Avery led Evadne to the balcony. As soon as the door opened, she was captivated by the beautiful scenery.
The snowkes fell all around, as if someone was tearing up cotton and flinging it into the air.
“It’s so beautiful!” Evadne eximed, looking up at the night sky.
Avery quickly took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders, bundling her up. His voice was so tender, it <b>was </b>almost unrecognizable, “The snow is beautiful, but it’s not good if you catch a cold.”
Evadne felt the chill dissipating, reced by the warmth radiating from Avery’s <b>coat</b>.
She turned her head, and her eyes met Avery’s heated gaze.
“Your sses have frosted over, can you still see the snow?” Evadne asked seriously
Avery was slightly taken aback. Then he smiled, his eyes full of affection for her.
He thought, “Evadne, do you know? In Helgen, there’s a saying: “If you want to marry her, watch the first snowfall of winter with her
Evadne, her face rosy from the cold, reached out to catch the falling snowkes.
Avery’s eyes deepened, and he felt an overwhelming urge to hold her hand and never let go
Just then, her phone rang, breaking the moment
Evadne nced at the screen, her expression changing slightly
The name “Thaddeus was still significant in her eyes
When Avery saw it was his romantic rival calling, his gold rimmed sses shed with a hint of coldness as he softly called out, “Evadne ”
Evadre’s eyes dimmed slightly, but she still decided to answer, “Hello”
Instantly, Avery was filled with disappointment.
And his heart was filled with hatred for Thaddeus
At this moment, Thaddeus was staring at the brightly lit window, unaware that Evadne <b>was </b>behind it. His <b>voice </b><b>was </b>deep and hoarse, “Evadne, it’s snowing. It’s the first snowfall of the winter in Elms worth
“Yeah”
Eve’s face was expressionless, “So why did you call? Is there something you need?”
Thaddeus was speechless for a moment. Then he gathered his courage and asked sincerely “Can I invite you to watch the snow tonight?”
“Mr Thaddeus, are you a fish? Do you only <b>have </b>a seven second memory? Evadne asked, raising an eyebrow
I’m not
“What’s our rtionship? Do you think it’s appropriate?
It’s more appropriate than Avery”
Thaddeus‘ words were filled with bitterness
Evadne felt both angry and amused, “Hmm, I don’t think so
“Evadne, I won’t leave until I see you tonight,” Thaddeus stubbornly dered.
“If you don’t leave, I won’t leave here tonight,” Evadne retorted stubbornly.
“Evadne, are you trying to kill me?
Thaddeus stared at his red eyes, clutching his chest as if he was having trouble breathing, “Are you going to stay at Avery’s house tonight? Do you know what you’re doing?” Evadne felt a surge of anger.
She walked to a corner, away from Avery, took a deep breath, and said in a low voice. “Mr. Thaddeus, I appreciate that you saved my lifest time. But that doesn’t mean you can use that to coerce me into doing something I don’t want to do”
“I just want to watch the first snowfall of winter with you, that’s all
“But I don’t want to! Thaddeus, I don’t want to at all?”.
Evadne shouted uncontrobly, her overreaction frightening Thaddeus.
Avery couldn’t help but stride quickly behind her, his hands gently gripping her trembling shoulders
“Evadne, what’s wrong? He whispered in her ear, his voice like velvet.
Every word was heard by Thaddeus!
Evadne closed her eyes, which were now flushed pink with emotion, her b*dy shaking uncontrobly
In her mind, she was taken back to Christmas Eve two years ago.
It had been the first snowfall of the season in Elmsworth.
A car ident, blood and their child, not even two months old
She had experienced unbearable pain as she was cruelly torn away from her child, whom she never got a chance to meet.
And what was Thaddeus doing at that time?
He had traveled abroad for his childhood sweetheart, just to spend Christmas Eve with her.
Before passing out in the hospital while visiting her grandfather, Evadne had managed to call Thaddeus.
But all she got in return <b>was </b>a cold busy tone.
Evadne gasped for air as if she were drowning pain washed over her like a tidal wave, threatening to engulf her.
Suddenly, everything went ck. She felt her b*dy sway, struggling to maintain bnce.
“Evadne!”
Just as she was about to fall, Avery scooped her up into his arms, his eyes <b>dark </b>with fury. Thaddeus stood alone in the snowy wilderness, ayer of snow covering his head and shoulders.
He was waiting prepared to stay the whole night if needed.
Suddenly, the gate of the mansion opened.
Thaddeus felt a jolt of hopel
However, the next second, his heart sank
The person who walked towards him, his face pale and stern, <b>was </b>Avery
“Where’s Evade? Thaddeus clenched his fists, staring intensely at Avery
Avery pushed up his sses, a cold smile on his face, his eyes filled with the arrogance of a victor, “She is spending tonight at my ce. She won’t be going back, and she certainly won’t be joining you for a walk in the snow. She’s resting now. If you have any decency left, you should leave. I need to go back to her.”
Thaddeus felt as if he had been struck by lightning his voice was low and strained, “Avery, you’re quite pleased with yourself, aren’t you? You can win Evadne’s heart because of your maniptions and schemes!”
“So what if I am?”
Avery’s eyes were wolf–like, ruthless and unmasked,pletely different from his usual self. I’m willing to do whatever it takes for the woman I love, and I have no regrets Unlike certain people, who pretend to be saints but are actually scoundrels Pretending to be a romantic hero in front of Evadne
“Avery Thaddeus bellowed, his throat tasting more and more like blood
“in the three years of your marriage to Evadre, as far as I know, you never spent a single holiday with her, did you? The first Valentine’s Day, the second Christmas, and Ms Acacia’s birthday you were always with Ms Acacia, weren’t you?”
Averyughed mockingly “On such a romantic night as thus, you should be with your Ms Acacia Coming here to see Evadne, aren’t <b>you </b>just humiliating her?” Thaddeus fare turned pale, his chest felt as if it had been crushed by a giant wheel
“Thaddeus, as a fival andpetitor, I investigated these things because I care for <b>Evadne </b>I will protect her and won’t let history repeat itself.”
Avery’s eyes were devoid of humor, chilling to the bone, “Get lost A man as filthy as you <b>inside </b>and out has no right to be with Evadne.”
Avery left, leaving nothing but silence
Thaddeus, standing alone in the snow secmed frozen, unable to react for a long time
Suddenly he doubled over, covering his mouth
“Ugh!”
His eyes widened his palm felt warm and wet
Then, thick droplets of blood fell onto the snow, blending with the white carpet underneath
When Avery returned to the mansion, he didn’t rush to visit Evadre, who was still unconscious
“Thadirut, you really have made my night”
saddeus defeat, but was supriset
snow struggling to breathe his
Avery, his eyes
on the somen pulled out his phone and dialed his secretary
“Mr Chambers, what can I do for you?
Look into Thaddeus recent health. Find out if he has any illnesses or injunes, which hospitals he’s been to, and report everything to me