Byron’s gaze burned into Avery’s face, a masterss of innocence and kindness, as the rage roiled within him, threatening to blow the top of his head off!
Just as he was about to explode, Matthew shot him a look that cooled the fire in his veins. That icy re was <b>a </b>p of sobriety-
On the drive over, Matthew had suggested that Evadne wasn’t the one behind their recent troubles.
“If Evadne wanted to mess with you, she would have done it when her sister was being pushed around by you<b>, </b>not waited until now. And besides you and me, there’s only one other person who knows your d*rtyundry in such excruciating detail.”
“Who is it? Who’s trying to screw me over? I’ll grind their <b>bones </b>to dust!”
<b>“</b>Bertha.”
“Right. Damn straight! Ungrateful snake! She must’ve ratted me out to get her sentence reduced! Just you wait till I send someone to take care of her!”
“Even if she knows your business and snitched on you, what can she do from behind bars? There’s no way the cops <b>could’ve </b>gotten such direct evidence without help. Clearly, someone’s working with her from the outside, helping her get her revenge on you”
“Who? Who is it?” Byron <b>was </b>a broken record of fury and frustration.
“Who else? I’ve checked Bertha’s visitor logs. Only Avery has seen hertely! But he’s currently the golden boy in Dad’s eyes, so a head–on confrontation won’t do us any <b>good</b>. We need to regain our standing in Dad’s heart first. Lay low, then find the perfect chance to take him down!”
“God bless the Chambers family! All my boys are right here with me!” Jeff’s voice was thick with emotion as he wrapped his arms around Byron and Avery, reveling in the joy of reunion, eyes misty with tears. “From now on, we must all stick together for the sake of the Chambers legacy. No more troubles, you hear? Matthew, you’ve worked hard, but Avery you’ve also been Instrumental. The stock market’s steady, and the Helgen project’s on track. So I’ve been thinking.
“Dad, on top of the good news today, I’ve got another surprise for you.” Matthew’s pride was palpable as he interrupted.
Avery’s eyes narrowed, a shadow of malice flickered over his features, but he remained silent.
“What’s that, Matthew? More good news? Spill it! Jeff was in such high spirits that a little rudeness was easily overlooked.
“Bring it in.”
At Matthew’smand, the waiting secretary came in with a file and handed it respectfully to Mr. Jeff.
Jeff took the file <b>with </b>a puzzled look, then his eyes lit up as he burst intoughter.
“Well done, Matthew! What kind of deal did yound here? This is a tremendous surprise!”
Avery’s smile froze, his fists clenched under the cuffs of his crisp shirt.
Tve been nurturing this deal in secret for quite a while, but didn’t want to jinx it by speaking too soon, Matthew said, his smile genuine and warm. 1 didn’t want to get your hopes up for nothing. I only wanted to share the good news once the contract was signed and everything was settled. You know me, always careful and thorough, not like Avery who just goes for what he wants, no matter what.”
Jeff chuckled, “That’s true. Avery used to be the rebel of the family. After fifteen years away, hees back as the most understanding and sensible one.”
Byron joined in with a sneer, “Would’ve been nice if that sense of duty showed up sooner rather than looking like an ulterior motive now. Just kidding. You know how direct I can be. Don’t take it to heart, Avery”
Avery’s eyes narrowed to slits, a sh of hostility crossed his face, but his smile was serene, “Byron, you’ve had a tough time in the pen, and with all those meds, it’s only normal for your brain tog behind your mouth.”
Byron ground his mrs, barely restraining himself from lunging at Avery.
“Ah, you two always loved to bicker. Can’t you just give me some peace, like Emeric’s kids<b>?” </b>Jeff was in such a good mood with his son out of jail and a new project in hand, he didn’t care about the bickering
“Avery you’re now a managing director at Chambers Group. You’ll need to contribute even more. If you have any issues with projects,e straight to us. As brothers, there’s nothing we can’t discuss for the <b>good </b>of the Group.”
Matthew approached with a brotherly smile and a meaningful pat on the shoulder. “Dad’s getting on in years, and he’s been looking worn out, We need to let him rest. From now on, you cane to me with work matters and spare Dad the trouble.”
<b>1/3 </b>
“Right Avery, Matthew is the CEO after all. You’ve got a lot to learn from him<b>,</b><b>” </b>Jeff added, restoring his full esteem to his eldest
Avery locked eyes with Matthew, whose gaze was dark and threatening, yet in the next moment, he smiled graciously, “Matthew, you do have a knack for this. I have much to learn from you. I hope your project ends well,”
Exiting the study, Avery’s mood was dark as he strode down the long corridor.
“Avery, what’s the rush? Dad just said we should all have dinner together.”
Matthew called out, following leisurely.
“Do you really want to share a meal with me?” Avery turned, his gaze slicing through the air like a cold de.
“Of course, why wouldn’t I?” Matthew couldn’t hide his smugness at having turned the tables. “I can’t wait to see you crushed again, grinding your teeth in frustration. And I’m eager to see the look on your face when the person you’ve been plotting against sits unharmed before you, your ns foiled and your disappointmentplete. It’ll be absolutely thrilling”
“Well, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. I never waste my precious emotions on trash, or trashy deeds.” <b>Avery’s </b>l*ps curled into a smile, and he adjusted his sses with a long pale hand.
“Whatever.” Matthew, still riding the high of his victory, couldn’t be bothered to squabble with Avery over petty taunts.
“Mr. Chambers!”
The moment Harvey burst into the room, his mouth was set to spill a cascade of urgent words, but upon noticing Matthew’s presence, his l*ps snapped shut as if spring–<b>loaded</b>.
“So, all yourckeys, they call you Mr. Chambers? Matthew sneered with mocking amusement.
“Ha! Such a pity that there’s only one Mr. Chambers at Chambers Group, and that’s me right here. Still, I’m a generous man, I wouldn’t deny you your little fantasies,” he said, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket and carelessly wiping the hand that had just patted Avery on the shoulder. “You can keep ying Mr. Chambers in your dimly lit back alleys, leading your pack of rats!”
With those words, Matthew tossed the handkerchief at <b>Harvey’s </b>feet and sauntered away, head held high.
<b>Avery </b>could dismiss all that had been said, but thatst jab struck a nerve, the venam in his re too potent to be veiled by the sophisticated gold–rimmed sses.
Dammit. The nerve of that upstart! Does he actually think he owns Chambers Group?” Harvey spat in indignation, loyally indignant on his master’s behalf.
“How the hell did Matthew get his hands on that resort project in Country T out of nowhere? Check it out, will you?” Avery’s voice wasced with raw anger and teeth gritted in fury.
“Yes, Mr. Chambers,” Harvey replied, his l*ps tight. He pulled a slender stainless steel case from his pocket and presented it with both hands. This just arrived for you today, from the boss.”
Avery’s chest tightened as he took the case, his grip fierce.
“Also, the boss sent a message: this medicine’s potent–think it over before you use it.”
<b>“</b>Understood,” Avery’s voice <b>was </b>a desperate rasp.
“Mr. Chambers, ever since that snake Matthew bit Miss Evadne with his venomous words, her online detractors have m multiplied, hurling insults like confetti. Should I arrange for someone to clean up this mess? Harvey asked respectfully
Avery’s eyes red with a crimson rage as he crushed the steel case in his hand.
After a moment of heavy breathing, he said, “Leave it.”
Harvey looked shocked. “You’re really going to let it slide?”
“To me, Evadne is like a goddess on a pedestal, pure and invible. The pain of her being out of reach is something you’ll never understand. Once, I wanted nothing but her happiness. But now I wish to tarnish even her, to drag her down from her pedestal to
wallow with me in the mud.“.
Avery thought, “Evadne, I am the scorpión, venomous to the core, destined to kill the frog that bears me across the river. That’s the cruel nature of the scorpion. But I would never harm you.
I will love you in my own way.”
Soon after, Thaddeus found the addresses of the two young girls they needed.
The next afternoon, Gordon drove as Evadne and Thaddeus, dressed in their understated business suits, visited each girl in turn, hoping to persuade them to testify. They had chosen an unassuming ck sedan to avoid rming the families.
Despite their in attire, Evadne’s natural beauty and confidence shone through, drawing the heated gaze of men wherever she
08:53
<b>went</b>. The word that came to mind was smitten‘–crude, but fitting.
“Hey, can you stop staring at me like that? It’s creeping me out,” Evadneined as Thaddeus’s gaze lingered on her for what seemed like an eternity.
Unable to contain himself any longer, Thaddeus’s hand found its way to her waist, pulling her suddenly off–bnce and into his embrace.
“Evadne, you’re seducing me.”
“I didn’t do anything,” she protested, her <b>soft </b>hand against his chest.
To me, you’re irresistible.”
His eyes deepened with desire, his heart pounding as he leaned in to k*ss her.
She was dressed in nothing but ck and white, yet to him, she was a kaleidoscope of spring, an enchanting vision.
<b>“</b>Stop. Thaddeus, we’re here on serious business. I’m <b>really </b>not in the mood,” she said, pushing against his l*ps with a finger, her expression subdued
“Sorry, Evadne,” he murmured with regret, releasing her gently. I’ve been out of line.”
“You used to be so aloof, but now you’re just too much she chided with a <b>pout </b>
His eyes curved into a smile. “Do you want me to go back to how I <b>was</b>?”
“Could you?”
“Of course not.”
His warm breath tickled her ear, his hand at the nape of her n*eck. “I can’t live that life of asceticism anymore, not even for a <b>day</b>.” Evadne blushed deeply, her heart fluttering uncontrobly.
Just then, Gordon hit the brakes, and the ck sedan pulled up in <b>front </b><b>of </b>a worn apartment building