<b>Chapter </b><b>432 </b>
Gordon’s booming voice was as strong as a bell tower, reaching even Evadne’s ears.
“Dr. <b>Victor</b>, I have some matters to attend to. I’ll get back to youter.”
Evadne quickly ended the call, her eyes immediately sparkling as they locked onto Thaddeus.
The man smirked, hisrge hand ruffling Evadne’s hair, “What made him finally see sense?”
“Justst night, Ward was attacked by his cellmate, who stabbed him in the n*eck with a sharpened toothbrush! Luckily, Ward managed to fight back long enough for the prison guards to intervene and save his life.”
Thaddeus and Evadne exchanged a heavy gaze, “How is he now<b>?</b><b>” </b>
“He’s been released on medical grounds. As soon as his life was out of danger, he started demanding to see you and Mrs. Abernathy. I guess he’s scared!”
Gordon chuckledcently, “He’s only been in there for a few days and already someone’s tried to kill him. How’s he going to survive the next <b>twenty </b>years? He’s obviously begging for you two to throw him a lifeline<b>!</b><b>” </b>
Evadne’s eyes gleamed with delight. She tiptoed and threw her arms around Thaddeus’s n*eck, nting a sweet k*ss on his cheek.
Thaddeus’s eyes darkened, his right arm wrapping around her slender waist, his hand on her haunch behind, effortlessly lifting her up. His <b>masculine </b>strength was a heady, intoxicating feeling.
His left hand was at the back of her head, responding to her k*ss with equal fer vor.
<b>His </b>eyes were filled with her blushing beauty, the atmosphere taking <b>on </b>a dreamy haze.
“ssic <b>you</b>, seeing right through your wicked stepmom’s ns, Evadne teased, her nose touching Thaddeus’s, not holding back on her praise.
“Evadne, I could only think of this because I have you by my side, your sharp intellect waking me up. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have thought <b>of </b>this method<b>.” </b>
Thaddeus pecked her soft, rosy l*ps, “Elspeth fell into the trap because you used the media to attack her. She had get rid of the evidence<b>. </b>I didn’t <b>expect </b>her to act so quickly. Now she’s under house arrest, and both Alex and Ward have been arrested. She’s still able to pull strings without leaving her house, she must have quite thework.”
Evadne squinted her eyes, “Mr. Thaddeus, don’t forget about your dear sister Glynnis. If we’re talking about ruthlessness, she’s on a whole different level.” “I only have one sister, and that’s Mari.”
Thaddeus’s voice was husky with desire, his eyes like a predator eyeing its long–awaited prey, an overwhelming presence that made her heart race, “But you, you have quite a few close male friends.”
“Who? Dr. Victor?” Evadne’s l*ps curved up teasingly, “Are you jealous<b>?</b><b>” </b>
“What do you think?“–
Thaddeus’s eyes glinted, “Any man who would go to such lengths for you, apart from <b>your </b>father<b>, </b>your brothers, and me, I would never believe that they don’t harbor feelings for you.”
“And so what if they do? I’m the object of many men’s desire.”
Evadne fluttered hershes, running her fingers through her hair, <b>“</b>If you <b>can’t </b>even handle Dr. <b>Victor</b><b>, </b>then <b>you’re </b>in for a tough time, hmph.”
Even though Thaddeus knew she was joking, he couldn’t help but feel a stab of jealousy, his bright eyes dimming.
Evadne stopped teasing him, her warm breath tickling his ear, “Out of all the fish in the sea, I only want you.”
Thaddeus’s heart pounded against his chest.
Suddenly, memories of the past flooded back.
Now, he couldn’t even stand the thought of a mere friend being by Evadne’s side. How did she manage <b>to </b>stay by his side <b>for the </b>past three years<b>, </b>going through endless days and nights of torment?
Thinking about his <b>past </b>coldness towards her, Thaddeus’s eyes welled up with tears, his heart aching as <b>if </b>it was being torn apart.
He could never get past it.,
Even if Evadne had forgiven him, he couldn’t forgive himself.
<b>“</b><b>Hey</b>, are <b>you </b>okay?”
Evadne saw his reddened eyes and was taken aback, “I was just joking, why are you <b>crying</b>? Isn’t that a <b>bit </b>much<b>?!</b>”
<b>“</b>Nothing, I’m fine.” Thaddeus took a deep breath, his smile returning.
“Let’s clean <b>up </b>and go find Aaron, then meet Ward.”
Evadne tried <b>to </b>get down from Thaddeus’s arms, but he held her tightly against him, their bodies pressed together.
“Evadne, I’m hungry.”
Thaddeus’s voice was <b>rough </b><b>with </b>desire, carrying her towards the bedroom, “Feed me <b>first</b><b>, </b>then I’ll have the energy to work.”
Evadne pounded <b>on </b>his shoulder<b>, </b>almost <b>in </b>tears.
My God, maybe she should be the one lying in <b>a </b>hospital bed for a few days!
<b>By </b>the time <b>they </b>saw Ward leaving the prison gates<b>, </b><b>it </b>was already <bte</b>.
Although spring had arrived, the morning and evening wind in Elmsworth was still a bit chilly.
Thaddeus took off his suit jacket and draped <b>it </b>over Evadne, pulling her closer <b>into </b>his arms.
They stood in the darkness, listening to the rustling leaves in the wind, their expressions calm<b>, </b>but their hearts pounding with anticipation.
“He confessed.” After a long while, Evadne finally spoke.
<b>“</b><b>Yes</b>, he confessed everything.”
Thaddeus gripped her shoulder, his heart finally settling, “It’s alling to an end.”
“No, not yet. Eden is still missing.”
“But Eden isn’t connected to Elspeth, his testimony wouldn’t make much of a difference in Ward’s case.”
Evadne looked up at him with a serious expression, “That guy almost killed you and my brother! Even if he has nothing to do with Elspeth<b>, </b>I won’t let him go!”
Furthermore, the mastermind behind everything.
But she didn’t have any concrete evidence to link Avery to everything, it was all spection.
And Eden, he was the most important link in the chain of evidence!
After a moment of silence, Thaddeus finally spoke, “Evadne, leave Eden to me and Jareth. You’ve been through enough with my injury and Elspeth’s case. Let me handle the rest.”
Evadne’s eyes softened, “Okay, I trust you.”
And just like that, Thaddeus held Evadne in his arms, their hearts beating in sync, ready to face whatever came their way.
“Thaddeus<b>, </b>are you worried about me overworking myself<b>, </b><b>or </b>is it because of Avery? Do you think that because of our past, I would hesitate and that’s why you don’t want me involved<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Thaddeus bit his l*p, silent.
“Are you overthinking this<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Evadne furrowed her brows<b>, </b>poking his chest lightly, “And besides, Avery and I were just friends <b>in </b>the past, not like what you’re imagining. Even if that was the case, I can’t forgive what he’s done. I won’t show him any mercy or back down when it’s time to <b>act</b>.<b>” </b>
“What if, with all the evidence in front <b>of </b>us<b>, </b>Eden wasn’t involved with Avery after all? What if I was wrong?<b>” </b>Thaddeus’s voice was hoarse and low
“That doesn’t make it forgivable. After all he’s done to Debby and her husband in Helgen, nearly ruining my brother–inw, I can’t just turn a blind eye.”
3
Memories of her sister and brother–inw’s hardships over the years made Evadne clench her fists in anger.
-Avery had crossed her line.
And for Evadne, her line was her family and the man by her side.
“I’ve also done many things I regret, why do you forgive me?<b>” </b>Thaddeus <b>couldn’t </b>help but ask, his heart trembling.
“Are youparing yourself to Avery?” Evadne raised her eyebrows in annoyance.
“<b>No</b><b>, </b>it’s just guilt.” Thaddeus sighed, a bitter smile <b>on </b>his face.
“You’re different from him.”
Evadne wrapped her arm around his, resting her head on his shoulder, “I’ve known you, understood you, for a long time. I understand you more than <b>you </b>
think.”
Just as Thaddeus was about to delve deeper, her phone vibrated in her pocket.
The screen showed <b>it </b>was a call from Emeric.
“What’s up, Emeric<b>?</b>” Evadne answered, her tone casual and intimate.
Even though her future father–inw wasn’t present, Thaddeus felt inexplicably nervous, his palms damp.
“Evadne, where are you?” Emeric’s tone was stern.
“What’s the matter?”
“Are you in Elmsworth?”
“Is there something going <b>on</b><b>?</b><b>” </b>
“Are you with Thaddeus?”
Emeric’s tone grew colder, “Not only are you two together, but he’s also staying at your ce in Elmsworth?”
Thaddeus could faintly hear his own name and his heart leapt.
Evadne’s eyes darkened, “Emeric, what are you implying? Are <b>you </b>having someone follow me?”
I’m just concerned about my daughter, is there a problem with <b>that</b>?” Emeric didn’t yield, instead counter–questioning.
“Ha, I was alone overseas for five or six years and I didn’t see you send anyone to follow me, nor <b>did </b>you send me any holiday wishes or gifts. Suddenly you’re concerned?”
Evadne’s anger red, her hand on her hip, “Have you been reced, <b>or are </b>you just bored because you’re <b>retiring</b>?”
Thaddeus furrowed his brows without a word.
Alone, overseas, for five or six years? Why<b>? </b>
How could the Ashbourne family, who doted on her so much, let her go? She was so young five or six years ago, it must have been dangerous for her <b>to </b>be alone in a foreign country.
“Youe home right now!” Emeric was clearly angry, “You’re ady of high society, living under the same roof with a man<b>, </b>and he’s your ex–husband! You’re not embarrassed, but I am!”
“You married four women and you’re not embarrassed, why should I be?” Evadne huffed, unconcerned.
Emeric was about to explode<b>! </b>
Well, they’re certainly father and daughter, both as sharp as knives!
After their back and forth, Thaddeus gradually understood. Chairman Emeric was angry that he and Evadne were together.
His heart ached a little. He had worked so hard to get her brothers and sisters to ept him, but now he was stuck with the elders.
But even so, he had no resentment. After all, he had done terrible things in the past, any difficulties he encountered or obstacles he faced were his own <b>doing</b>.
<i>“</i>Anyway<b>, </b><b>you </be home right away! The horse racing is this weekend, it’s an important strategic coboration for our future. The major families of Elmsworth will be there, you need toe back and prepare, attend with me!”
The major families?
Then the Abernathy family and the Chambers family must be included, it’s going to be lively.
Evadne’s eyes darkened, and she responded quietly, “I understand.”
“Also, I’ll remind you again, don’t get too close to that Abernathy boy!”
Emeric’s dissatisfaction with Thaddeus was clear, even over the phone. “My daughter is precious, he’s not good enough for you! And don’t forget how he treated you, how he abandoned you, humiliated you! You’ve forgotten the pain once your wounds healed, but he’ll never get past me!
Not unless I’m dead! Goodbye!”
Emeric hung up before Evadne could respond.
<
<ul>
<li></li>
</ul>
Still saying goodbye, that old man.
Staring at the dark screen, she sighed softly, ncing at the man beside her who was as still as <b>a </b>statue, “Did you hear all that?”
“Yeah.” Thaddeus looked dejected.
“Well, there’s nothing we can do. Emeric is old and stubborn<b>, </b>and you didn’t make a good impression, <b>it </b>makes sense <b>for </b>him not <b>to </b>like you.” Evadne shrugged.
“I understand<b>.</b><b>” </b>
“But <b>it </b>doesn’t matter, we’ll get through it. We’vee this <b>far</b><b>, </b><b>I </b>believe there’s nothing we can’t ovee!”
Suddenly, Evadne’s eyes sparkled, <b>“</b><b>If</b><b>, </b>Emeric absolutely refuses to ept us being together, <b>if </b>the whole world is against us being together, would you give up on me<b>?</b>”
Thaddeus looked deeply into her eyes, asking, “Would you give up on me<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Evadne touched her chin, pretending to think, after a moment, she shook her head.
“No.”
Thaddeus’s breath was heavy, he opened his arms and pulled her <b>into </b>his embrace, resting his chin on <b>her </b>head. His eyes welled up with tears, his heart <b>filled </b>with a bitter feeling.
“If you don’t leave, I won’t either!”
I’ll be with you to the end.