<b>Chapter </b><b>314 </b>
Camille’s face turned ghostly pale in an instant, as if she’d been struck by lightning, her mind aplete nk!
She was flustered.
Lost.
Panicked.
So, the man she had just been bad–mouthing to Evadne was her master’s own brother?
She was mortified<b>! </b>
Thaddeus sat there, looking left and right, biting his thin l*ps to suppress augh.
But, he could somewhat understand Camille’s predicament.
After all, Evadne had so many siblings, it was normal to bump into one on the street. He too had suffered from not being familiar with the Ashbourne family dynamics, and had been tormented by her brothers<b>! </b>
Arnold watched as Camille’s clear and beautiful face turned from white to red, then increasingly red, like a ripe cherry.
He was a little resentful about the “sponsorship” matter, but seeing her in such an awkward yet adorable state, he couldn’t bring himself to be angry with her. “Master.”
Camille looked pitifully at Evadne, who was clearly amused, “You won’t expel me from your tutge over this, will you<b>?</b><b>” </b>
“Hmm.” Evadne’s slender finger rested on her chin, her brows furrowed, pretending to think it over.
“Master.” Camille’s l*ps trembled, on the verge of tears.
Evadne walked up to her, paused for two seconds, then suddenly revealed a brilliant smile.
“Silly girl, what are you thinking about! Such a trivial matter, and you’re worried about it? If I were to expel you from my tutge, wouldn’t I be left with no sessor?” Camille felt as if a weight had been lifted off her chest, but she was still embarrassed
“Besides, I know how good a girl you are, Camille. If you scolded my brother, it must have been his fault.” Evadneforted her softly, casting a meful nce at Arnold. Arnold raised an eyebrow, feeling somewhat wronged, but he had no choice but to swallow his anger.
Who would have thought, this woman who crashed into his car and had the audacity to hit on him, had such a good rtionship with his little sister!
He just had to ept his fate!
Just then, a bunch of people arrived, making the atmosphere lively in an instant.
Suri, Aviana, Cassius, Nydia, and Aaron, who was busy with work but was dragged over by Suri, and Jareth and Mari had finally caught up.
Everyone came over to hug Evadne, or chat with her non–stop, the group bursting withughter and joy
The atmosphere was festive and warm, like a big celebration, attracting the astonished nces of the guests around them.
It was like a fairy–tale scene!
Handsome men, beautiful women, and a unique scenery!
Amidst the cheery and harmonious atmosphere, Thaddeus sat alone, his mncholic eyes watching as Evadne was surrounded and loved by family and friends.
His beautiful peach blossom eyes shimmered with longing and envy, and then, his eyes began to moisten
This was the life that Evadne should originally have.
Her past twenty years were filled with such happiness, being loved and spoiled by many people.
The only cruelty, hardships, and pain she had ever experienced were all given by him.
In his position of immense power in the Abernathy Group, in the business world where he had charm and influence, Thaddeus sat alone, unnoticed and overshadowed.
He swallowed his difort<b>, </b>took a deep breath, and quietly made up his mind.
Even if, in the end, Evadne never ended up with him, he would still protect her with his life, shield her from all harm, his promise unyielding.
“Mari? You’re here too!”
Evadne pinched Mari’s soft, fair face, her eyes almost overflowing with joy!
Mari, who was bashfully holding onto her teddy bear, looked pitifully cute as she murmured, “Evadne, I missed you! And Thaddeus. I wanted to <b>see </b>you and my sister–inw, so I came.”
Thaddeus‘ l*ps twitched in amusement.
His good little sister still thought that Evadne was her sister–inw.
Evadne felt a little ufortable hearing Mari call her sister–inw in front of so many people. But seeing her clutching the teddy bear she had given, she was deeply moved, gently stroking her hair.
“Mari, I missed you too.”
She then turned to Jareth with a cold gaze, her voice low, “Did you bring Mari here? From Elspeth’s birthday party?”
“Yes, I did.” Jareth replied, his eyes squinting in amusement.
“You dare to smile?<b>” </b>
Evadne’s beautiful eyes were filled with resentment as she stormed over to him, jabbing her sharp finger <b>into </b>his shoulder, “You only think about being with Marilia, about your own happiness Did you ever consider Mari’s feelings<b>? </b>When you so tantly took Mari away, what would happen when she goes back? Mr Frederic and Elspeth will me her!”
<b>“</b>Go back<b>? </b><b>To that </b>kind of home, <b>with </b>a mother who doesn’t act like one and a sister like a demon? <i>Why </i>should Mari go back
<b>Jareth’s </b>eyebrows raised defiantly, his gaze burning, <b>“</b>Mari has been living <b>with </b>me these <b>past </b>days”
Evadne was shocked, her sparkling eyes wide as lychees, <b>“</b>What did you say?”
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“I’ve already transferred one of my properties <b>in </b>the mountains to Mari’s name<b>. </b>From now on, it will be her home too. If she’s unhappy in the Abernathy family and doesn’t want to see that miserable mother and daughter, she cane live in the vi in the mountains.” Jareth’s long, narrow eyes softened as he looked at Mari.
Evadne was about to faint from anger and disbelief, sorely tempted to strangle someone!
“When did this happen?”
Thaddeus couldn’t sit still any longer, striding over to his brother, his starry eyes filled with anger, “Jareth, you dare to live with my little sister without my permission? You’re really bold.”
“It’s just living together! We didn’t do anything!” Jareth defended himself hastily.
There were countless women who would throw themselves at him, willing to do anything to get into his bed.
Throughout the year, he’d bedded more women than he could count.
Yet, to Mari, he hadn’t even unbuttoned <b>a </b>single button of her clothing, let alone imed her.
He was no saint, his reputation tainted by the women he’d been with.
Yet Mari was pure and innocent, and he didn’t dare touch her, believing he was unworthy.
Simply being able to cherish her <b>was </b>enough for him.
“Jareth, even you don’t believe what you’re saying, do <b>you</b><b>?</b>” Evadne grumbled, her eyes red with frustration. “Believing you don’t touch women is like believing there are dogs on the moon<b>!</b>“….
Jareth frowned<b>, </b>wanting to cry but unable to shed a tear.
At this moment, he felt as if Mari was a goose belonging to Thaddeus and Evadne, and he was their unwanted son–inw!
“Thaddeus! Evadne!”
Mari hurriedly stepped in front of Jareth, her <b>delicate </b>face flushing with distress. “You mustn’t say such things about Jareth<b>. </b>It’s me. I want to be with him!”
Both Thaddeus and Evadne were stunned.
Jareth felt a warmth in his eyes, his heart pounding violently.
He opened his arms and hugged Mari from behind, his chiseled jaw resting on her soft hair. With the teddy bear she was holding, it almost felt like they were a family. “Mari, after the banquet, I’ll take you to Grandpa’s house, okay?” Evadne said softly, looking into Mari’s clear eyes.
Mari bit her l*p and looked down, silent.
Evadne sighed. “You really want to be with him, don’t you?”
Mari slowly lifted her eyes, meeting Evadne’s gaze <b>with </b>her crystal–clear eyes.
She didn’t say a word.
But Evadne understood what she wanted from the look in her eyes.
“Mari rarely likes someone, rarely insists on someone like this. Evadne, let’s give her some space. If she feels happy andfortable being with Jareth, let’s let them be together for <b>a </b>while.”
Thaddeus turned to her, his voice gentle and soothing, yet pleading.
‘I can see that Mari cares about him, I don’t want to interfere.” Evadne turned to meet his burning gaze.
“I understand.”
Thaddeus gave her a knowing smile, his handsome face, usually cold as ice, was warm and radiant when he looked at her. “But don’t forget, there’s not only you who care about Mari, but also me.”
“And me.”
His words were simple yet powerful.
Evadne’s heart fluttered, she quickly looked away.
That was Thaddeus, a man of few words, but every word he spoke was real and sincere.
After Emeric and Myra, the stars of the night, arge group of people sat down at Evadne’s table.
Despite the scornful and angry nces from those around him, Thaddeus stubbornly <b>sat </b>next to Evadne, calm and unflinching.
Aaron, always straightforward, stared at Thaddeus across therge round table with a cold gaze, as if scrutinizing a suspect. “This table is for Ashbourne family and friends. What are you doing here<b>?</b>”
Everyone at the table turned to look at Thaddeus<b>. </b>
Faced with their mockery, he simply smiled and gazed at Evadne, who was ignoring him.
“I’m not in the wrong seat. Wherever Evadne sits, I sit.”
Evadne almost spat out the water she was drinking and red at Thaddeus, who looked pleased with himself.
Aaron swore under his breath and turned away <b>to </b>drink his water.
“Hmph, I don’t know about the Abernathy Group, but in the Ashbourne family, we don’t let dogs on the table.” Aviana’s words were sharp as knives, directly referring to Thaddeus as a dog
She leaned back in her chair, her long fingers tapping on the table, exuding the aura of a mafia boss’s daughter.
Thaddeus’s eyebrows furrowed, his jaw clenched tight.
Being called a dog by someone would upset anyone.
”
He might be in love with Evadne and want to impress her family, but that didn’t mean they could trample on his dignity.
“Alright, Grandpa is here tonight, let’s enjoy the dinner for his sake.” Evadne felt her family had <b>gone </b><b>too </b><b>far </b><b>and </b>tried to defuse the situation.
“Miss Evadne.”
At that moment<b>, </b>Jason <b>hurried </b><b>over </b>to Evadne and murmured in her <b>ear</b><b>, </b>“Mr. Avery has arrived.”
Thaddeus’s ears pricked up at this, his face darkening.
“Really? I thought he wouldn’te. Just greet him and guide him to the Chambers‘ table.” Evadne instructed casually.
“The situation is a little unusual.”
Jason paused, lowering his voice. “Mrs. Chambers hase with Mr. Avery.”
“What? Mrs. Chambers is here too?” Evadne’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Yes<b>, </b>they’re outside the banquet hall right now.”
Without a second word, Evadne got up and followed Jason out of the banquet hall.
Thaddeus feit the warmth beside him disappear, his heart feeling bitter and tight. The hand that was holding the ss was bulging with veins, almost crushing the ss.