On the other side of the racetrack, in the rest lounge No. 2.


    The horse racing event had just concluded when Elspeth, barely containing her excitement<b>, </b>rushed to meet Victor.


    “Victor. Victor. I’m here!”


    Sometimes, Elspeth felt that ever since she met Victor<b>, </b><b>not </b>only had she undergone a personal renaissance, but she also became more daring and fearless.


    For over two decades, she had feigned the part of the dutiful wife within the Abernathy family, concealing her true self while tirelessly pandering to Frederic, living a life so exhaustingly pretentious.


    1


    Day in and day out, cating a man whose very presence she had grown to loathe to her core, she had had enough.


    Victor’s arrival was like a torrential downpour on parched soil, an intoxicating deluge that soaked her to the bone, from which she could not, and would not extract herself.


    With a heart pounding with anticipation, and hands trembling with need, Elspeth knocked on the door of the rest lounge. But when no one answered, her impatience got the better of her. She pushed the door open and swiftly locked it behind her. To her surprise, the room was empty.


    “How can this be? Where is he?”


    Puzzled, her gazended on a lone table where a syringey. She knew all too well what it was – her lifeline, her elixir!


    Breathless with delight, she rushed to grab it, but her phone rang at that precise moment. It was as if Victor had eyes on her, the timing of his call couldn’t have been more exact.


    “Victor! Where are you?!” Elspeth’s voice wasden with a desperate hunger.


    “Mrs. Abernathy, the track is crowded and eyes are everywhere. If we were caught together<b>, </b>I fear even a silver–tongued devil couldn’t talk his way out.” Victor’s voice carried both care and consideration, “I can handle the gossip, but <b>to </b>see your reputation tarnished would be a sorrow too great.”


    Tears of emotion welled in her eyes, “Victor! You are the only one who truly cares for me. I have only you!”


    “I know you’ve been without your medicine, struggling through these days. So, I’ve left it as a gift for you. I hope it brings you somefort.”


    1


    After a brief exchange of tender words, they ended the call. Elspeth couldn’t wait any longer. She uncapped the needle, her bloodshot eyes wide with craving, and injected everyst drop of the substance into her veins.


    “Ah.”


    Her gaze became hazy as she melted to the floor<b>, </b>a mess of tears and snot – a grotesque, twisted sight. In that moment, she was no aristocraticdy of wealth, but a ve to her addiction.


    Once she had her fill; Elspeth slowly made her way to the mirror topose herself. Indeed, with the drug coursing through her, she looked radiant, her skin seemingly more refined. However<b>, </b>something felt off this time, and she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. /


    An unexpected rapping at the door sent a jolt through Elspeth, her hand clutched to her chest as she red towards the door like a thief caught in the


    act.


    “Mrs. Abernathy, are you in there?”


    <b>It </b>was Dennis’s emotionless voice that made her heart race! She was grateful that Victor had the foresight not to meet her; otherwise, how would she


    conceal such a scandal?


    After a moment, she took a deep breath and with feignedposure, opened the door.


    “What <b>is it</b><b>?</b><b>” </b>


    “Mrs. Abernathy, why are you here? Mr. Abernathy has been looking everywhere for you,” Dennis spoke, but his eyes wandered suspiciously into the room. “I needed rest, found a spot. What are you looking at? Do you suspect I’m hiding someone?” Elspeth crossed her arms defensively, leaning against the door with a mocking sneer, “You have such a filthy mind, suspecting everyone. Go on then, sniff around with your hound’s nose, look around with your hound’s eyes! If you don’t dig up some phnderer, I won’t let you off the hook!”


    “Mrs. Abernathy, you misunderstand. I meant no offense.”


    Dennis didn’t linger on the subject; he simply smiled humbly and gestured politely, “Mr. Abernathy requests your presence immediately. Everyone was there but you, and Mr. Abernathy fears the gossip of other families. If you would please.”


    It was a sea <b>of </b>undercurrents and whispers at the grandstand.


    <b>Edith </b>stood frozen behind the towering figure of Barry, her face as pale as death. From her earliest memories, Duke had always been at her grandfather’s side, involved in countless shady dealings, always emerging unscathed. How had Thaddeus caught him so quickly? It was inconceivable!


    The other Fairhavens were equally stunned, minds reeling.


    “Duke, how could it be you?!” Barry’srge frame stumbled, and Gary rushed to support him.


    Duke was his protege, plucked from an orphanage and groomed with great care. Officially an assistant, but to Barry, he was like an adopted son, such was their bond!


    <b>“</b><b>Mr. </b><b>Barry</b>, Ah!”


    Before Duke could finish, a sharp pain in his waist sent him tumbling to the ground, courtesy of Gordon’s furious kick.


    The crowd gasped in shock. Evadne tensed, her eyes narrowing. She hadn’t expected Gordon, usually the silent, unassuming figure behind Thaddeus, <b>to </b>exhibit such unbridled passion – all to avenge her.


    Then, the man’s hand gently encircled her waist, and he asked softly, “Did it scare <b>you</b>?”


    “Scare me? Please, I’m not the one getting kicked, Evadne snorted in disdain, though the warmth around her waist sent tingles through her b*dy. “Usually, I’m the one on the edge, and Gordon does his best to calm me, keep me collected.”


    Thaddeus’s eyes glinted with satisfaction, “This time, he is the one who couldn’t contain his fury. All for his Mrs. Abernathy.”


    Evadne’sshes fluttered slightly as the man’s maic voice sent a warm breath tingling her ear, tempting her to shyly lower her gaze. <b>It </b>was as if an electric current was traveling down her spine, reaching her tailbone.


    Gordon’s kick came swift as lightning! Clearly not satisfied, he delivered another fierce kick to Duke’s ribs, his eyes zing with fury, “You filthy mongrel! How dare youy a hand on Mrs. Abernathy?! Are you tired of living?!<b>” </b>


    “Watch your step! How dare a mere secretary raise his hand against a member of the Fairhaven family?!” Gary roared, his features twisted in rage.


    The Fairhaven Group, like a pack of wolves, surged forward, standing menacingly behind Barry, their eyes locked on Gordon. Some seemed eager to jump in, just waiting for their boss’smand to take Gordon down.


    “Who dares touch my man,” Thaddeus swept his gaze across the Fairhaven Group, his eyes filled with a chilling wrath. He stood like a King with the power to crush all present with his authority.


    Silence fell around them.


    Seeing this, Gordon’s face, which had shown no fear, suddenly turned red with excitement. His l*ps quivered, and tears welled up in his eyes as he looked up at his boss, his fierce demeanor crumbling in a second.


    “Mr. Abernathy, in full view of everyone, your man has beaten a member of the Fairhaven family to this state. Who put him up to this? Now any low creature can step on the Fairhaven family’s head?!” Barry’s thick white brows furrowed in anger, “And what do you mean by saying that one of ours harmed Ms. Ashbourne and her horse? What are you implying?”


    “Indeed, Mr. Abernathy, does being the CEO of the Abernathy Group give you the right to do whatever you please? Careful, words can bring disaster. I might just sue you for nder!” Gary pointed directly at Thaddeus’s impassive face, showing no respect, clearly emboldened by his backing.


    Jareth held Mari close, caressing her rounded shoulder and protecting his delicate wife, while internally rolling his eyes at Gary.


    The Fairhaven Group were using others ofwlessness? That was just absurd!


    “Thaddeus, have you even investigated properly before making such usations?” Elspeth, led back by Dennis, dove headfirst into criticizing Thaddeus, the viinous edge in her voice as smooth as silk, “The Abernathy family and Fairhaven family are old allies; you and Jareth are like brothers. How can you harbor such suspicions? It’s damaging to the harmony between our families, and surely Mr. Jareth Fairhaven wouldn’t be pleased by it.”


    Jareth quickly distanced himself, unable to stomach her two–faced words, “Mrs. Abernathy, I stand for justice, not blind loyalty. If necessary, I’d forsake kin for the greater good. Don’t you dare try to drive a wedge between Thad and me!”


    Elspeth was left speechless as the Fairhaven family’s faces turned to stone.


    “So, in Elspeth’s eyes, so–called harmony and face are far more valuable than life itself, is that right?” Thaddeus suddenly sneered, his l*ps sharp as a de’s edge.


    “I didn’t say that.”


    “Because that man sabotaged Evadne’s horse<b>, </b>causing her to fall while it was galloping, nearly costing her life. Do you think that shouldn’t be addressed? Should I not seek vengeance?”


    Thaddeus’s eyes boiled with intense, bone–deep hatred, his voice trembling as he enunciated the final words, almost gnashing his teeth, his heart painfully constricted, “No matter who the perpetrator is, I’ll make sure they die a miserable death. <b>Don’t </b>think for a second that I care about reputation or face. The only thing I care about<b>,” </b>


    The man slowly turned, his gaze filled with deep affection, unwaveringly fixed on Evadne, “is her.”


    Evadne’s eyes suddenly reddened, her vision blurred as she locked eyes with him. In that moment, it felt as if even her heart was soaked by the surging


    emotions.


    “Damn, the guy’s on fire!” Jareth cursed under his breath, feeling both admiration and envy.


    “Thad really loves his wife,” Mari nestled her head against Jareth’s chest, breathing a sigh of relief.


    She knew their mother despised Evadne and had been quite worried. But with Thad by her side, Evadne would surely be protected.


    “I love you too, babe,” Jareth whispered, his warm l*ps grazing her cheek.


    “I know<i>, </i>you tell me every day,” Mari’s tone was tender and yful.


    “Mari, trust me, just like Thad, <b>I’d </b>turn the world upside down and face universal desertion to protect you. I will always be there for you,” Jareth promised, his eyes shining with sincerity.


    Mari’s eyes lowered, her rosy l*ps pressed in silence. She wished to be more than just a flower nurtured in a greenhouse. She hoped to be of help to him. Even if she was naive and clumsy, she didn’t want to be a burden to the man she loved the most.


    While some celebrated, others felt a deep chill in their hearts. Thaddeus was known for his decisive and ruthless actions; everyone there was well aware of it, and none could stop him.


    Edith, ovee with hatred, coughed quietly, her lungs nearly exploding with rage. Evadne had everything she had ever dreamed of, yet despite all her scheming, she had only pushed Thaddeus further away!


    “Mr. Abernathy, <b>you </b>insist it was Duke’s doing. Do you have any evidence?” Barry demanded coldly.


    Thaddeus merely curled his l*p coldly, biding his time before responding.


    Duke’s eyes darted around, betting that Thaddeus had no concrete proof, that he was merely grasping at straws or had <b>been </b>tipped off by someone


    before he apprehended Duke for interrogation.


    mping his jaws tight, he managed a wryugh, “I’ve done nothing. I did swing by the stables, but only to check on the Fairhaven Group’s own steed. Neverid a finger on the Ashbourne family’s horse! Mr. Abernathy, you nabbed me without cause, and let your goons rough me up. What in the world do you have against the Fairhaven Group? Or is it you’re just stooping to these underhanded tactics for some sort <b>of </b>personal vendetta?”