<b>Chapter </b><b>472 </b>
At the end of a dimly lit corridor, bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight, two figures were wrapped in an intimate embrace.
“Ourh. It hurts. It really hurts.”
“Sorry, Evadne.nl be gentler
Evadne leaned against the wall, her porcin skin shimmering with a hint of moisture. Her longshes fluttered like butterfly wings, and her l*ps, lightly bitten, added a touch of enchanting softness to her beauty.
Kneeling before her, Thaddeus sl*pped off her burgundy stilettos, hisrge hands cradling her slender, delicate ankle, while the other hand cautiously massaged her toes.
“You’re such a tease, dancing so wildly. It’s your fault I twisted my ankle. Don’t you know how to be gentle with me?” Evadne pouted, her voice a soft reproach.
“me me, Evadne. You can take it out on me when we get home, however you like, or start now if you want.”
Thaddeus felt guilty. Lost for what to do, he tapped his chest, “Hit me hard right there.”
Evadne raised her fist, then gently let it fall, “Forget it, your pecs are as hard as rocks. I’d only hurt my hand.”
Thaddeus looked up, his l*ps curving in a knowing smile. He knew she couldn’t bear to hurt him.
His touch was skilled, the pain in Evadne’s ankle eased and was now reced by aforting sensation.
As Thaddeus gazed at her delicate feet, his Adam’s apple moved noticeably.
She was like some ethereal sprite, with skin so smooth and toes so perfectly shaped, he couldn’t help but adore them.
“Evadne, your feet are beautiful.”
“Wow, you’re such a weirdo. Who fixates on a girl’s feet like you do?”
She flushed, and her toes curled within his palm, “Just own up to it, Thaddeus, you’re quite a rascal!”
“Oh, is that so? Do nice guys truly finishst? Still feeling sore?”
“My appointed masseur has quite the touch. It seems you’ve managed to make it up to me,” Evadne said, her smile wry and her gaze narrowing in mock conspiration.
After helping her back into her heels, Thaddeus stood up, his left arm bracing against the wall by her head, his right hand swiftly encircling her waist, eagerly capturing her l*ps in a fervent k*ss.
He had been wanting to k*ss her for so long, holding back until he was <b>burning </b>with desire.
Evadne’sshes fluttered in shyness, but her arms wrapped around his n*eck, fully reciprocating his passion.
Their l*ps locked in an intense, fiery embrace, tongues teasing and twining with desire.
Each k*ss was savored with insatiable desire, as if they were trying to quench an unending thirst.
Evadne broke away, breathless, but Thaddeus wasn’t done. He grasped her chin and pursued her l*ps again, clearly unsatisfied.
“Maybe we shouldn’t go public tonight.”
Thaddeus paused, obviously nervous, “Evadne, what’s wrong?”
“Don’t overthink it. I just feel that for tonight’s asion, there’s no need to make our <b>affair </b>overly conspicuous.
Evadne pressed her l*ps together, then reached up to straighten his tie, “When Ford made advances towards me earlier, and Emeric bluntly turned him down, announcing I was engaged. That was already quite a snub to them, an unintended overshadowing of our hosts. And I know, he was subtly watching you. When he said the word ‘fiancé, he was referring to no one but you.”
Thaddeus’s heartbeat intensified at her words.
“So, there’s no rush. Everyone knows I’m yours. As long as we <b>understand </b>each other, that’s all that matters.”
She tiptoed, leaving a peck on his l*ps, “I don’t care what you say: I only care about what you do. We just need to live our lives <b>well</b>. I’m not the one for bells and whistles.
Thaddeus, his voice husky with emotion, asked, “Evadne, what are you up to?”
“Nothing”
“Are you worried that going public might upset William and his son, affecting your father’s business with the J Corporation?”
Thaddeus had once been banned by
This youngdy waspletely fixated on money; her <b>mind </b>was filled with nothing but business acumen.
Evadne’s eyes flickered, “Only the fool would pass up the chance to make money. The horse track hotel is the first of its kind in the country, and it is a lucrative venture. If the Ashbourne family secures this project, it’ll be a solid foundation for our entry into Elmsworth. At that time, K Corporation can take the opportunity to swallow up the Chambers Group’s market share in Elmsworth, and they will weaken and gradually lose the ability to fight back.”
With her teeth clenched, she made deep calctions in her heart, “By that time, the Chambers Group will no longer be on par with your Abernathy Group in Elmsworth. And I have enough confidence <b>that</b>, in due course, we’ll trample the entire Chambers Group underfool!”
Thaddeus understood her intent. Feeling attender concern for her, he pulled her into an embrace, “I know you’re doing this for your sister. Everything you’re doing is to prevent her marriage alliance with the Chambers family.”
His understanding of her in such a way–made her sentimental, and she mumbled in a subdued voice, nestled in his arms, “I hate that I’m not strong enough. This is the only way I can think of. Do you find me ridiculous?”
Thaddeus felt a pang of heartache, soothingly rubbing her back, “No, I find you smart, and right now, this is the best approach. And I believe William won’t hold a grudge against Chairman Emeric over something so trivial. A true businessman weighs the pros and cons; he’ll likely to choose K Corporation. Even if you don’t partner with J Corporation, don’t worry. With me by your side, the Chambers Group won’t <b>have </b>it easy.”
Touched, Evadne’s eyes moistened.
She had always been independent and strong–willed, tackling problems on her own, never leaning on anyone, not wanting to worry her family.
Thaddeus was the first person she wanted to depend on, for a lifetime!
Suddenly, the peace was broken with a noise.
“Someone’s there!”
The expressions of both their faces darkened abruptly, and they turned together toward the source of the sound.
Here a man’s s figure shed by!
“Thaddeus, we must catch that eavesdropper!”
Evadne’s gaze narrowed coldly, “Our chat just now involved business secrets. If it gets to the ear of the Chambers family, we’ll be in deep trouble.”
Thaddeus, with his handsome and stern appearance, nodded in consent. He moved as quickly as lightning, darting off in the direction of the fleeting shadow.
Thanks to his exceptional skills and keen vision, he didn’t take long to catch the person!
“Halt. Don’t make me get physical.
The figure stood with his back turned, shoulders hunched, panting heavily. Clearly, he was in poor shape.
Thaddeus’s eyebrows furrowed, finding the silhouette eerily familiar..
“You are?”
“Mr. Thaddeus.”
The man turned around slowly, his movements sluggish.
By the light of the moon, Thaddeus saw the scarred and battered face of the person, and his pupils dted in shock.
“Jason?”
Evadne quickly arrived at the scene..
Looking at what Jason <b>had </b>be–his suit was full of dust and tattered, his handsome face was marred with injuries, especially his left eye, which was swollen and bloody, making it impossible to see his eyeball–it resembled a flesh–and–blood ck hole!
Jason
<b>Evadne </b>rushed to Jason’s side in panic, her trembling hands grasping his shoulders, her voice became hoarse, “What happened, what on earth had happened? Who did this to you?”
Jason clenched his teeth and awkwardly turned his face away.
He didn’t want her to see his pitiful state, but it was toote.
“Talk to me! Jason. You damn speak to me!” Evadne’s eyes welled up in urgency, as she forcefully shook his beaten <b>b*dy</b>.
<b>“</b><b>Evadnel </b>Calm down!”
Thaddeus quickly wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, hugging her tightly, “Jason is hurt, you’ll make him worse if you do this!”
Evadne’s chest heaved with pain and anger, and she felt suffocated as she gasped for air. But she felt herself unable to calm down.
“Jason<b>, </b>at this point, are you still going to keep quiet?”
Thaddeus held the trembling woman close, persuading him in a firm voice, “Do you think hiding it is for Evadne’s benefit? This <b>way</b>, she’ll only suffer more, being more distressed and tormented!”
“Please, is it possible for you to not let Nydia marry Byron?”
Tears streamed down Jason’s cheeks, as he pleaded, “Just don’t let Nydia marry <b>Byron</b>. I’ll do anything!
Evadne instantly understood, her eyes bloodshot, “The ones who beat you, was it the people from the Chambers Group?”
Thaddeus also came to the realization, and couldn’t help but clenched his fists!
Only a few knew of Nydia and Jason’s rtionship, and the Chambers Group was one of them.
They would also dare to y d*rty tricks on Jason!
“Jason, how did you get in here?” Thaddeus asked worriedly.
1 was ambushed by the Chambers Group’s goons, but I fought my way out. I grabbed one of the guard’s ess cards and forced my way in,” Jason confessed, his face deathly pale, drenched in cold sweat.
“Heh, the Chambers family really pulled out all the stops to block you!”
Thaddeus’s eyes zed with fury. But still, he maintained hisposure in front of her distressed sweetheart, and spoke with <b>a </b>steady voice, “You’re seriously hurt, and with your old injuries, we can’t afford to wait any longer. I’ll have Gordon take you to the hospital right now.”
“No! I can’t leavel I must see Nydial I have to take her away? Jason’s voice was <b>hoarse </b>with desperation.
“Jason<b>, </b>please be rational
Thaddeus’s expression hardened, “With Evandne’s efforts, you could have had a slim chance of being with Ms. Nydia, However, if <b>you </b>insist to act this way, your actions tonight might have imitated Chairman Emeric, and you’ll have no chance at all.”
“Chance? Chairman Emeric has already agreed to the Chambers family‘ proposal. It’s a done deal! And Nydia<b>, </b>she’s too tender–hearted and timid. She’ll surely bow to her parents, to her family honor. What chances are there if I don’t fight for her?”
Thaddeus empathized deeply with the despairing man before him. As the president of the Abernathy Group, with power and <b>influence</b>, and even with his grandfather’s backing <b>he </b><b>too </b>had gambled everything to be with <b>Evadne </b>
Jason was only a subordinate of Evadine, his family background negligiblepared to the Ashbourne family. His love for Nydia, no matter how true and genuine, faced hurdles no less daunting than Thaddeus“.
“Jason, who ordered the attack on you?” Evadne asked furiously. The thirst for retribution was palpable in her every word.
Jason shook his head, “I attempted to bulldoze my way in, but Bertha–along with her people–brought me to a halt. Byron’s secretary was also with her. I don’t know who it was thatid their hands on me, Byron, or Bertha,”
Augh escaped Evadne’s l*ps, as her gaze turned icy “All named Chambers, all sharing the same tainted blood! Since we can’t pinpoint the culprit, let’s just level the entire n!”
Meanwhile, Nydia was unaware of the ordeal Jason had suffered.
Preupied with her own thoughts, she was indifferent to Byron’s affections and warmth. She couldn’t absorb even a word of him.
Her mind was filled with thoughts of Jason. She could not ept no one else.
As Nydia was lost in her thoughts, fer phone dropped to the ground. She bent down to pick it up, at the same time Byron also reached down to help, and their hands identally brushed against each other.
Nydia’s fingers quickly withdrew, but unexpectedly, Byron boldly took hold of her hand!
“Ah!”
<b>She </b>cried out in shoCK,
Dack,
feet in annoyance, Byron, what do you think you’re doing?”
Tm sorry, truly sorry. Nydia. Your hand is just so beautiful, I couldn’t help myself. I was out of line, and I apologize.”
Byron hurriedly responded, feigning distress as his eyes glistened with a semnce of tears, “<b>Please </b>forgive me, but I really do like you, Nydia. Avery’s has always loved your sister, you know that. Marrying him would ruin your life, he will never treat you well! But I’m different, I truly like you. Why don’t we be together? It’s the best oue!”
“Enough, stop talking!”
Nydia’s face flushed with shame and anger, “My mother might not have been my father’s wedded wife, but that doesn’t mean you can disgrace me like this!”
I’m not interested in you, or Avery. But at least Avery has never disrespected me the way you have. He is better than you! Don’t waste your efforts, I’m not choosing you!”
After saying her piece, Nydia spun on her heel and stormed out of the banquet hall.
He’s better than you.
Was she justparing that bastard Avery to him?
Byron, provoked to sheer rage, felt his fury boiling over.
Trembling with this rage, he whipped out his mobile and sent a message to his secretary:
[Tonight, I must have this ungrateful woman<b>! </b>