<b>Chapter </b><b>304 </b>
Jareth’s thunderous rage left Edith deeply traumatized.
In front of her, Jareth’s secretary and Manny were dealt with. Manny, who had been with Jareth <b>for </b>so many years, had his tongue cut off. Judging by his condition, he might notst much longer.
All because of a girl named Mari.
Was Jareth really going to this extent for a fool? What was she, his own sister,pared <b>to </b>that? She felt like a cruel joke!
Leaving the vi, Edith returned to the Fairhaven mansion, her face dark with resentment.
On the way, memories of Jareth’s past affection for her flooded her mind, and the more she thought about <b>it</b><b>, </b>the more upset she became, crying all the way. Eventually, she made a decision.
No matter what it took, she had to break up Jareth and Mari. She couldn’t allow such a foolish and lowly woman to be her sister–inw!
“Edith! You’re finally back!”
Mrs. Fairhaven, Jareth’s mother, hadn’t seen her daughter <b>in </b>a long time. She rushed to embrace her, her eyes filling with tears, “Darling, didn’t your flightnd ages ago? Why are you just now getting home? I’ve been worried sick!”
“Mummy.” Edith’s eyes reddened at the sight of her mother, recalling the humiliation she had endured.
“What happened, sweetheart? You seem upset. Has someone been bothering you?”
Mrs. Fairhaven hurriedly asked, “Where’s Jareth? Didn’t he pick you up? Why didn’t hee back with you<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Edith hung her head, shaking it sadly.
“Jareth! He used to pamper you so much. Now he’s been neglecting you because of that Abernathy girl and shipped you off to Aetheria. He didn’t even bother to pick up his own sister when she returned home sote! What the hell is he thinking!”
Mrs. Fairhavenforted her daughter, stroking her cold cheeks, <b>“</b>Jareth hasn’t been home at all these days! I know he’s usually busy, but he’s never beenpletely out of touch before. He neveres home and doesn’t care about his own sister. <b>I </b>really don’t know what he’s thinking!”
“I know why Jareth hasn’t beening home.<b>” </b>
“What<b>?” </b>Mrs. Fairhaven was taken aback.
Edith clenched her fists, her voice filled with sadness, “Mummy, I have to tell you something, but you have to promise not to lose your temper, okay?”
“What’s happened, Edith? Don’t scare me!”
“Jareth is dating Elspeth’s daughter.” Edith gritted her teeth.
“Who? Elspeth? That shrew’s daughter<b>?” </b>Mrs. Fairhaven was indeed shocked, speechless.
“Yes, Glynnis’s younger <b>sister</b>, Elspeth’s daughter!”
Edith clung to her mother’s arm, shaking it, “Mummy! What on earth is Jareth thinking? Elspeth and her daughter caused such a scene, even using us of wrongdoing and nearly sending me to jail! <b>It </b><b>hasn’t </b>been long since then and Jareth is already involved with Glynnis’s sister! How could he do that? He doesn’t care about me anymore!”
Mrs. Fairhaven was also upset <b>by </b>this news. After all, in her eyes<b>, </b>her son was a pride and joy. She knew the Abernathy family was influential, and her son was close with Thaddeus,
But she stillforted Edith, “Edith, I don’t like Elspeth’s daughter either, but you know your brother. He enjoys making connections, and he’s acquainted with most of the noble girls in Elmsworth, but he’s never brought a girl home before, never found one to his liking. It’s normal for him to be interested in Elspeth’s daughter given his frequent visits to the Abernathy family. But I think, soon<b>, </b>he’ll lose interest in her. It has always been like that over the years.”
“No! It’s not like that, Mummy! This time it’s different!”
Edith’s eyes were red with fury, her b*dy trembling, “Jareth hasn’t beening home because he’s <b>been </b>living with Mari! He even bought her a house, like he’s hiding his mistress!”
Mrs. Fairhaven was as stunned as if struck <b>by </b>lightning!
<b>“</b>I hate Elspeth and her daughter. I don’t want Mari to be my future sister–inw. But Jareth is so obsessed with her! He even lost his temper at me because of her!” Edith intentionally left her sentence hanging, piquing her mother’s curiosity.
“What else?<b>” </b>
“And he hit me!” As she said this, she turned on the waterworks, tears streaming down her face.
“He hit you? Where did he <b>hit </b>you<b>?</b>”
“My face, <i>my </i>face! And it was in front of Mari and the servants! Mummy<b>, </b>my face hurts!” Edith buried her face in her mother’s bosom, crying inconsbly.
Mrs. Fairhaven’s heart ached for her daughter, her little princess. Her prideful son, who had always been obedient and filial, was now at odds with his sister over a shrew’s daughter<b>? </b>
What next, would he disown his own mother?
“<b>Mummy</b><b>! </b><b>You </b>must <b>not </b>let Jareth and Mari be together! If Jareth really marries that woman, then our family’s reputation will be ruined! Jareth will be aughingstock <b>in </b>the Fairhaven Group!” Edith’s voice was hoarse with desperation.
“What do you mean?” Mrs. Fairhaven was utterly confused.
“Mari’s mentally challenged! She’s a girl with autism<b>!</b><b>” </b>
Mrs. Fairhaven’s world went ck!
She thought<b>, </b><b>“</b><b>My </b><b>son</b><b>, </b><b>a </b>paragon <b>of </b><b>excellence </b>is more than a worthy match for Miss Ashbourne. How could I ever allow him to marry a dimwit? I will not stand <b>for </b><b>it</b><b>!</b>”
“Mom! <b>Even </b>if <b>Mari </b>is the heiress of the Abernathy Group, <b>aren’t </b>you afraid that if she marries Jareth, your future grandson might also be a dimwit? Her condition could be hereditary, who knows<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Edith’s words hit Mrs. Fairhaven right in the heart.
“Edith, thank God you told me this, now I know what we are dealing <b>with</b>!”
There was <b>a </b>hint of coldness in Mrs. Fairhaven’s usually gentle gaze. “Rest assured, I will protect you all. I will not let my son marry such a disgraceful woman and throw his life away!”
Edith, hiding in her mother’s arms, showed a dark smile upon hearing these words.
Days passed, and the birthday feasts of the twodies from the Ashbourne and Abernathy Groups were just around the corner.
These days, Elspeth had been cautious not to boast about her birthday due to Frederic’s disapproval, but she still sent out invitations to all the well<b>–</b>known faces in the Elmsworth upper ss, spreading the word discreetly.
Although her reputation in Elmsworth was not as good as before, she was still the wife of the chairman of the Abernathy Group. With her background and status<b>, </b>she did not believe her party would be overshadowed by Myra<b>, </b>the mistress!
On the Ashbourne side, they also did not publicize the n for Myra’s birthday feast, everything was conducted in secret.
After all, wealthy matrons were not celebrities<b>, </b>they did not need to show off and attract attention.
The night before the birthday feast, Myra was blindfolded and led into a room by the twodies and Evadne.
“What’s going on, you’re all so mysterious,” Myra asked with a smile.
“Three! Two! One!”
As the count ended, Evadne removed her blindfold.
Myra adjusted to the light and her eyes widened in surprise.
Under the dazzling spotlight, a mannequin was dressed <b>in </b>a gorgeous ck and red evening gown. The skirt sparkled under the light, a breathtaking sight!
“So, so beautiful!” Myra gasped in awe.
“Myra, this is your dress, designed by the world–renowned designer Haron, specifically for you!” Suri lovingly put her arm around Myra, her eyes mesmerized, “Oh my God, I thought I had seen everything, but seeing a gown designed by Haron <b>up </b>close. I just can’t help but scream! It’s too beautiful!<b>” </b>
Evadne’s Haron disguise had heard all sorts of praises, but nothing made her happier than hearing thepliments <b>of </b>her family.
The young mistress was delighted and secretly smiled.
“Haron! Oh my. Evadne, this is too precious<b>!</b>”
Myra quickly held Evadne’s hand, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment, “Evadne, you must have gone through a lot of trouble and expense <b>to </b>get her. You really didn’t need to, it’s too much!”
“It’s not a big deal! I’m thedy of the Ashbourne family. If I asked her <b>to </b>make a dress and she refused, would she still want to work in the fashion industry? Humph.” Evadne put her hands on her waist, looking very yful.
“Wow, can you ask her to design something for me too? I want a biker jacket<b>!</b><b>” </b>
Aviana’s eyes sparkled with excitement, “I’ve recently taken up motorcycling, I even joined a Skyrim motorcycle club, we have activities every month. But I’ve alwayscked a good–looking biker jacket, could you ask her to design one for me? I’ll reimburse you!”
Evadne and Suri were speechless.
Aviana sensed the awkwardness, coughed and changed the topic, “Oh, does Haron not design such kind of clothes? Never mind, forget I said anything!”
Unbelievable.
When would this almost forty–year–old woman grow up?
“Suri, Aviana, don’t worry, when your birthdayse around, I’ll have Haron design dresses for you too, I won’t leave you out!” Evadne said with a grin. Such a generousdy!
“Huh? Isn’t Haron known for her aloofness, making her designs hard toe by? How did you manage hire her time and time again<b>?</b>”
Suri looked suspiciously at Evadne, “Evadne, could it be that Haron is another one of your aliases?<b>” </b>
Upon hearing this, Myra and Aviana both turned to look at her.
<b>“</b>Uh, how could that be!”
Evadne awkwardlyughed and waved her hands, “I’m already Alea, how could I also be Haron? I don’t have magical powers.”
The <b>three </bdies unanimously said, “You’re more extraordinary than that, you know?”
<b>Well</b>, <b>fair </b>enough.
“One more thing.”
Evadne ran <b>back </b>to the mannequin and pulled out a delicate red velvet <b>box </b>from underneath. She held it out to Myra with both hands.
“Myra, I’ll probably be very busy tomorrow<i>, </i>so I thought <b>I’d </b>give you your present now. Happy Birthday!”
Myra’s eyes welled up <b>with </b><b>tears </b>as she opened the jewelry <b>box</b>.
Inside was an exquisite aquamarine ring.
Refreshing and elegant, like the ocean under the bright sun, love at first sight, lost at one nce.
“Myra<b>. </b>thank you. I really like <b>it</b><b>, </b>thank you.”
<b>“</b><b>I </b><b>didn’t </b>use any precious gems, firstly to not steal Emeric’s thunder<b>, </b>and secondly, I think this understated aquamarine color suits you better.”
Evadne looked satisfied and confident<b>, </b>“As Alea, I like to choose the main gem that fits the wearer’s character and temperament. The value of my design has already exceeded the value of the jewelry itself.”
Afterwards, Suri <b>and </b>Aviana also took Myra to <b>see </b>their birthday gifts. The room was <b>filled </b>with chattering women, a lively scene.
At that moment, Evadne’s phone vibrated in her pocket.
She took a moment to check <b>it</b>, then left the room, heading to the end of the corridor.
“Hello.” She answered<b>, </b>her long eyshes <b>fluttering</b><b>, </b>her voice still cool.
<b>“</b>Ms. Evadne, I’m feeling much better. I thought I’d give you an update<b>.” </b>
Under the moonlight, Thaddeus‘ voice was particrly gentle, his deep baritoneced with an alluring charm. “In the future, <b>if </b>you want to know about me, <b>you </b>can call me directly. No need to contact Gordon behind my back.”
Evadne’s heart fluttered, her l*ps slightly pursed.
<b>“</b>Or, I can call you. I’d be more than happy to,” his warm voice was a stark contrast to his usual aloofness.
“No need, I’m not your primary care physician. I don’t have the time to monitor your health 24/7<i>.</i><i>” </i>
Evadne stiffened her expression, her voice cold. “You’re fine now, that’s good. From now on, we each go our own way. Take care.”
<b>“</b>Last time, I appreciate your care. If it weren’t for you, my fever wouldn’t have broken so fast.”
Thaddeus chuckled lightly, his voice a soft, husky whisper in her ear. “You’re better than medicine.”
“Thaddeus! Have you lost your damn mind?”
Evadne recalled being forcefully k*ssed by him, her cheeks flushed, and she pounded her fist on the window in a fit of anger<b>. </b>“<b>If </b>you keep behaving like this, I’ll make you regret it. I promise!”
“How else can I regret, Evadne?”
Thaddeus‘ugh was both bitter and humble. “Divorcing you, I’ve regretted it all my life.”
“Huh, serves you right. Hang up now, I’m busy.<b>” </b>
“Evadne! Wait!<b>” </b>
“What now?” Evadne was feeling vexed and had no intention <b>of </b>offering this filthy man a shred of kindness.
“Tomorrow, can I attend Myra’s birthday banquet? Can I?” Thaddeus asked carefully,cking any confidence but full <b>of </b>hope.
He hoped to see her again.
Evadne snorted dismissively, her l*ps curled in distaste. “Mr. Thaddeus, Myra’s birthday banquet will be attended by us, the Ashbourne family. You don’t think you have <b>the </b>nerve to face them, do you?”
“<b>I </b>know, I understand. But you know what they <b>say</b>, a homely wife must meet her inws.” Thaddeus‘ tone was unusually serious.
“Thaddeus, have you been eating humble pie?<b>” </b>Evadne bashed the window again, imagining it was his head.
<b>“</b>Can I, Evadne<b>?</b>” He was nothing if not persistent.
Evadne recalled that night, when he was beaten ck and blue by Frederic over this. His back was a mess of blood and flesh.
She reluctantly bit her l*p, “Remember to bring a gift.”
Thaddeus was overjoyed, his voice brightening. “Of course. How can I meet your family empty–handed?<b>” </b>
Evadne growled, her teeth gritted. “Get lost!”
On the weekend.