Chapter <b>325 </b>
At the crack of dawn, Jareth hurried to the hospital after tucking Mari into bed, meeting up with members from both the Ashbourne and Abernathy
families.
Hamilton, being the elderly patriarch,‘was exhausted. Thus, Frederic helped him to rest in afortable hospital room.
“Hey Cassius, I just finished questioning that son of a b*tch.”
Cassius stepped into the hallway to take a call from Aaron, “I’m a seasoned detective with years of experience. I knew right off the bat that guy was hiding something. But he’s as stubborn as a bull, refusing to confess!”
“What did he say?” Cassius asked, his voice deep and steady.
“He imed that he attacked Myra because he was once a die–hard fan. When Myra retired from showbiz after that scandal, he harbored resentment, feeling that she had deceived his feelings.
What a load of rubbish! Myra was a stunningly beautiful actress in her prime. He is just resentful when he couldn’t own her!” Aaron vented his frustrations to his elder brother.
Cassius frowned, “Get to the point.”
“Sorry, Cassius. I got carried away by my anger,” Aaroh apologized, then continued in <b>a </b>low voice, “He imed that seeing Myra in the limelight again reminded him of his past heartbreak, which triggered his impulsive attack on her. But this is utter nonsense. There’s no way I’d believe him. He was definitely instigated by someone!”
“Your overnight investigation aligns with my suspicion.” Cassius responded in a calm tone.
<b>“</b>Cassius, there’s no other way. The evidence I’ve gathered so far only points to this. Besides, this guy is cunning. His phone is ‘squeaky clean, showing no sign of anyone pulling his strings. I suspect he has another phone and has nned everything meticulously.”
Cassius responded, “You need to dig deeper into this man’s background. If someone has bought him off, he wouldn’t have done this only once. There must be other victims.”
“What if this is his first time?” Aaron asked.
Cassius narrowed his eyes, replying coldly, “Then I wouldn’t believe his confession. Everything seems too coincidental, clearly a set–up. Whoever is plotting against Myra, I must investigate thoroughly.”
“I understand, Cassius. I won’t let our family be wronged without reason.”
Aaron paused, then asked hesitantly, “How’s Thaddeus doing?”
“He’s still critical.” Cassius’s voice tightened.
“Oh.” Aaron was at a loss for <b>words</b><b>. </b>
“But I believe he’ll pull through, because Evadne is performing a craniotomy on him. The surgery has been going on for five hours already.”
“What?<b>” </b>
Aaron almost choked, “A craniotomy? Does Evadne think a human head is as easy to open as a watermelon? Gosh, Cassius, Evadne’s way of getting back at her ex–husband is quite unique!”
“We have to trust Dr. Eve’s medical skills. Opening up a human head probably isn’t much harder than slicing a watermelon for her.” Cassius thought of his multi–talented younger sister and a fond smile graced his l*ps.
“Dr Eve?”
Aaron was stunned, then eximed, “The miracle–working surgeon that’s been featured in papers and magazines multiple times, who’s saved lives from the jaws of death is Evadne?”
Cassius nodded proudly, “That’s our little sister<b>.</b>”
Aaron’s jaw dropped in disbelief.
“Damn, she’s badass!”
The next day, at 9 a.m.
Members of the Abernathy Group gathered outside the operating room again. Frederic was lending support to Hamilton as they both fixated their gazes on the OR’s door.
Elspeth had excused herself, citing difort, and had returned home with Glynnis. Hamilton despised her, and she didn’t care about Thaddeus’s well–being. So, she didn’t bother pretending and chose to go home and get some beauty sleep instead.
“Why hasn’t Evadnee out yet? It’s been so long.”
Emeric sat in the hallway, his gaze fixed on the operating room. His heart was filled with anxiety.
“Craniotomies are not minor surgeries. Even a day or a night of operation wouldn’t be unheard of.”
Cassiusforted his father with a gentle pat on his back, “Don’t worry. Evadne is stronger and more capable than you think. She will seed”
“I’m not worried about that. I’m worried about my little girl. She’s been standing for so long. Can her small b*dy take it? Is she tired? Has she had time to eat or drink?”
Emeric’s worries grew with each question. If it wasn’t for his son holding him back, he would’ve burst into the operating room to check on his daughter
Cassius chuckled wryly, “Dad, I thought you were worried about the one <b>lying </b>inside.”
Emeric nced at Hamilton’s desperate and dejected figure, his expression turned grave, “Thatd did save my darling this time, so I’ll give him some credit. He’s gone from negative to zero.”
Cassius pursed his fips. He had promised Evadne to keep their secret, so he didn’t mention that it wasn’t the first time Thaddeus had risked his life for her. Last time at Misty Mountain, Thaddeus had almost died for Evadne too.
“Dad, if I may ask,”
“Thad! Thad!”
Cassius was interrupted by a crying voice.
The previously quiet and tense atmosphere in the hallway shifted. The Abernathy father and son turned towards the sound.
Edith, in her high heels, was teary–eyed as she ran towards them.
“Edith, how did you get here<b>?</b><b>“</b>.
Jareth quickly stepped forward to stop her, his voice stern, “This is not the ce for you to make a scene. Go home now!”
Edith raised her face to meet his gaze, her eyes filled with icy contempt.
Jareth was taken aback.
He found her gaze unfamiliar and terrifying. It was as if their sibling bond of over twenty years had been severed. He could no longer see any trace of trust or reliance in her eyes.
In the next moment, Edith gritted her teeth, pushed Jareth away fiercely, and rushed straight over to the Abernathy family.
“Mr. Hamilton! Mr. Frederic! How’s Thad doing? Has he woken up?”
Edith cried, her round face pale and haggard. Her eyes were red and swollen, and coupled with her sobbing, she looked pitiful indeed.
“Who is this? Hamilton looked at the crying woman in front of him<b>, </b>puzzled.
“Dad, this is Jareth’s younger sister, Edith, the daughter of the Fairhaven family”
Seeing Edith crying so hard for his son, Frederic was moved and spoke kindly. “When she was a kid, Jareth often brought her to our house. She and Thaddeus have always had a good rtionship, like siblings. Later<b>, </b>Edith went abroad to study, and we didn’t see her as often. She just returned this
year.
“Oh, Jareth’s sister.” Hamilton understood, but didn’t say anything else.
“Ever since we were children, Thad has always been very good to me. He has always cared about me and looked after me. He is a very important person in my life.”
Edith wiped her tears, her shoulders shaking as she choked on her words. “When I heard about the identst night, I was so heartbroken I wanted toe over immediately, but Jareth wouldn’t let me. I was afraid to cause any trouble. I was inconsiderate. I should havee sooner, maybe I could have helped in some way.”
“Oh, you have a kind heart.”
Frederic sighed, his gaze filled with both gratitude and admiration. “Thank you for caring about Thaddeus. It’s good to see that your childhood friendship hassted.”
“Not just when we were children, Thad and I still have a close rtionship.”
Edith blushed slightly. <b>“</b>I will always be there for Thad, whenever he needs me.”
The meaning of her words was clear.
Jareth’s handsome face darkened slightly.
Setting aside everything else, Edith’s open admiration for Thaddeus in front of the Abernathy family was certainly a blow to her family’s reputation. It was rather unbing.
“Cassius<b>, </b>does Jareth’s sister have feelings for Thaddeus too?” Emeric was one for gossip, and he nudged Cassius with his elbow while watching the
scene.
“It seems so,” Cassius replied.
“Does Thaddeus have any feelings for <b>this </b>Edith? Not even a little?” Emeric squinted suspiciously.
“Not that I know of.”
Cassius wasn’t trying to make Thaddeus look good. He knew Thaddeus well enough after their numerous encounters. Thaddeus was a simple man. When he had feelings for Acacia, he only had eyes for her, even if his own sister was a beauty. Now that he’s moved on, his heart only belongs to Evadne. He wouldn’t risk his life for her otherwise.
“I don’t know what these youngdies are thinking. What’s so good about the Abernathy boy that they’re all throwing themselves at him<b>? </b>Are they covered in honey or something<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Emeric snorted, mumbled discontentedly, “My sons are all single. Any one of them is more handsome and thoughtful than Thaddeus. The Fairhaven family is quite reputable. Why not consider one of my sons? Cassius, why don’t you try to win her over?”
Cassius’s heart tightened, and his gaze flickered. “I’m not into women.”
“What? What did you say?” Emeric’s eyebrows raised in surprise.
“What I mean is, Ms. Edith is not <b>my </b>type<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Cassius coughed lightly, a smile ying on his l*ps. “Haven’t you noticed that Ms. Edith’s heart is already taken? Don’t try to force a match. It’ll only make
things difficult.”
“I don’t know what I’ve done wrong. My <b>own </b>sons are nothing like me, all they care about is their careers, not finding a woman!” Emeric sighed and shook his head, not pushing the matter further.
“Thank you<b>, </b>Ms. Edith, for your continued concern for my grandson because of your childhood friendship. I appreciate your kindness, but please return home.” Hamilton’s attitude towards Edith was lukewarm, without a hint of a smile.
After all, Thaddeus was still in a critical condition, and he didn’t have the energy to entertain outsiders.
“I heard that Thad was injured while protecting Ms. Evadne.”
Edith finally had an opportunity to gain some favor with the Abernathy family elders, and she certainly wasn’t going to just walk away. She said tearfully, “I just want to do something for Thad. Please let me stay here and pray for him. I won’t leave until Thad wakes up.”
“There’s no need, Ms. Edith.”
Hamilton managed a smile, still maintaining the gentleness due to an elder. “I appreciate your kindness, but I am a pragmatist. Instead of believing in prayers, I believe in the power of determination and science.”
Edith’s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly exined with a blush, “Mr. Hamilton, I didn’t mean anything by it, and I don’t want to cause any trouble. I just want to do what I can! Although my abilities are limited, at least I have never hurt Thad! And I certainly didn’t make him lie in the cold operating room, suffering!”
“Edith, stop talking!” Jareth’s expression darkened, and he walked over to stop her.
At this moment, Hamilton coldly asked, “Ms. Edith, are you ming Ms. Evadne? <b>Do </b>you think that my grandson.is in this condition because of her?<b>” </b>
She thought, “Of course! Of course, it was all that damn Evadne’s fault!”
But how could Edith say it out loud? It was clear that Hamilton was biased towards Evadne!
Just then, a loud noise echoed through the room.
Everyone turned their heads in unison as the operating room doors swung open!
Emeric and Cassius bolted upright from their chairs, and the hallway, previously filled with men in their business suits and polished shoes, surged. towards the door like a tidal wave.
Two medical staff members emerged first, followed by a series of slow and heavy footsteps.
A graceful woman emerged, her beauty unmistakable even beneath the oversized surgical scrubs and mask.
She took a deep breath, slowly removing her mask.
When Evadne’s naturally beautiful face appeared before everyone, even without a trace of makeup, Edith was stunned. Her mouth hung open<b>, </b>barely able to believe her own eyes!
How could it be?
Did this woman perform the surgery on Thaddeus<b>? </b>
“Evadne. Oh, Evadne!”
Both Emeric and Hamilton rushed towards her<b>, </b>each taking one of Evadne’s slightly trembling hands.
Seeing her eyes red from exhaustion and her fair face marred <b>by </b>deep marks left by the mask, the two elderly men were filled with concern.
“Evadne. How’s Thaddeus?” Hamilton’s eyes welled up with tears, but he dared not ask directly, stirring a sense <b>of </b>sympathy in those around him.
Evadne took a deep breath, clenching her grandfather’s hand, her eyes slowly curving into a smile, “Grandpa, your prayers must have reached Thaddeus while he was unconscious. I’ve removed the clot from his brain. The surgery was sessful.”
The crowd erupted in excited exmations!
Jareth closed his eyes and clutched his chest in relief, his heart finally settling after a night of worry.
Thank God! Thank God! Blessed be!” Frederic sped his hands together in prayer, repeating the words over and over.
“What’s all this thanking God? The surgery was performed by na. You should be thanking her!” Hamilton retorted, ncing at Frederic.
Frederic wasn’t fond of Evadne, but he didn’t want to appear ungrateful. He approached Evadne and muttered, <b>“</b><b>Ms. </b>Evadne, we owe you a debt of gratitude for your help this time, thank you for saving my son’s life.”
“Mr. Frederic, please, don’t say that.”
Evadne didn’t let the praise go to her head, she just sighed deeply, “Thaddeus was injured trying to save me. It was my duty and obligation to save him.”
<b>“</b>na! We owe you so much!” Hamilton, overwhelmed with relief, embraced Evadne, close to tears.
Afterforting her grandfather, Evadne looked at Edith with icy gaze, who <b>stood </b>there as if turned to stone.