<b>Chapter </b><b>531 </b>
Spinning on their heels, they were met with a sight that tugged at their heartstrings.
“Nydia? My gosh, it’s you
Evadne’s eyes lit up with joy as she released the man’s hand and hurried over to her sister, who <b>stood </b>forlornly by the roadside. She wrapped Nydia in a warm embrace that spoke volumes of their bond.
“How long have <b>you </b>been waiting? Why <b>didn’t </b>youe in? Alva’s inside. She knows you and would’ve let you in. Why stand out
here <b>all </b>alone?”
“Sorry for just showing up, Evadne, didn’t mean to interrupt you and your hubby Nydia’s voice trembled, always so tender, it was almost heartbreaking.
“Don’t talk nonsense. Do you have any idea how much I’ve missed you, how often <b>you’ve </b>crossed my mind? <b>Evadne </b>chided gently. plinching Nydia’s soft cheeks with affectionate fingers. “Just the other day, my husband was saying once he’s done with this busy patch, we should all go out, have some fun. Heck, <b>a </b>world tour is on the table!”
At these words, Thaddeus was taken aback for a moment, but soon a warm feeling swelled in his chest, his smile softening as he chuckled quietly
Although Nydia had long epted him as part of the family, hearing his status confirmed so emphatically by Evadne was a whole different level of happiness and contentment,
With a mischievous arch of her brow, Evadne teased, “Besides, it’s all on him. He’s the big spender with a no–limit ck card Might as well take this chance to add a little something to your wedding gifts.”
Thaddeus smiled indulgently, a mix of helplessness and affection in his eyes.
Evadne, so generous with others, yet so calcting with him. Sure, he had a ck card, but so did Evadne and her brothers. They could probably y poker with them. Still, it seemed the expenses would be his.
But Thaddeus wouldn’t have it any other way.
What’s money for if not to be spent by one’s wife?
“What wedding gifts. Evadne, you’re teasing me again,” Nydia blushed, her shy demeanor delicate as an untouched gem.
“No joke, I’m dead serious. You and Jason will have to set a date sooner orter Marriage is a quick affair once it’s on track. It’s best to be prepared early.”
At this, Nydia’s l*ps tightened ever so slightly, a fleeting shadow of worry crossing her features
“Huh? You came by yourself? Jason didn’te with you?” Evadne asked, surprised.
“I came to see you behind his back, <b>didn’t </b>tell him.” Nydia’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her words trailing off.
Sensing her hesitation, Thaddeus softly suggested, “Evadne, Nydia’se a long way to talk. Let’s go inside.”
“Ah, look at me, so excited I forgot my manners,” Evadne said,ughing at herself as she led her sister inside by the arm.
Alva was overjoyed to see Evadne’s little sister and went above and beyond to make her feel wee, bustling about with fruit and tea.
<b>Nydia </b>held the steaming cup <b>of </b>coffee, sitting stiffly on the sofa, not taking a sip.
Thaddeus watched with a mix of concern and affection. As daughters of the Emeric family, Nydia’s lot in life was starkly different from her sister’s, who wasvished with attention and love. The failed alliance with the Chambers family was evidence enough of theck of control the Ashbourne children had over their own lives<b>, </b>except, it seemed, for Evadne.
“<b>Nydia</b>, you look pale. Are you feeling alright?” Thaddeus asked with genuine concern as he took a seat next to Evadne.
She shook her head slightly, her posture shrinking.
“Nydia, what’s the trouble? Is it the Dempsey family causing issues again? Or is Emeric spouting nonsense? Evadne held her sister’s hand in hers, squeezing gently
“Evadne. Im worried about you.”
Nydia’s eyes brimmed with a bitter apology. There are so many nastyments about you online. It makes me so mad I can’t sleep. I’ve been trying to reply to all the negativements, but there are too many, I just can’t keep up.”
“Oh, is that all?” Evadne brushed it off with a heartyugh, rubbing her sister’s cool hands. “Silly girl, think of it this way. This just means I’m getting famous, bad press is still press, and that’s all traffic! Lots of people would kill for that kind of attention.
Now, I should think about promoting our K Group products. Gotta catch this wave and turn into an opportunity!”
Thaddeus tightened his arm around his vivacious wife, smiling helplessly at her antics. Living with her meant a lifetime of surprises and never a dull moment.
“Evadne. I know you’re just trying to make me feel better”
Despite Evadne’s nonchnce, Nydia’s guilt was palpable, and her eyes reddened, “If it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t be dragged into this mess, you wouldn’t be targeted by the Chambers family.
It’s all my fault, <b>for </b>being too weak, too foolish, that’s why things turned out this way.
Her tears fell freely, creating a pattern of sorrow on her trembling hands.
Evadne gave her man a look.
Thaddeus jumped into action, grabbing a couple of tissues from the box on the coffee table and passing them to his wife.
Evadne rolled her eyes she wasn’t the one crying. Why not just hand the tissue paper to Nydia<b>? </b>
She wiped her sister’s tears herself and after a moment’s hesitation, she sighed heavily. “Nydia, if anyone should be apologizing, It’s me.
I couldn’t get justice for you, couldn’t get revenge. Byron… he’s been released.
Her voice broke on thest words, and her longshes fluttered like the wings of a trapped butterfly
Because Nydia was there, Thaddeus had no choice but to suppress his emotions, but the red–hot fury rolling in his eyes, and the bulging veins on the back of the hand gripping her waist, revealed the tension in his muscles, betraying his rage. A chilling aura emanated from him like the unsheathing of a de.
nd to this, please.
Nydia’s eyes, glossy and wide, shook her head repeatedly. “It’s enough, Evadne, really, it’s enough. Let’s put an end to t
<b>no </b>more<b>.</b><b>” </b>
“Put an end to <b>it</b>? Why should we put an end to it?”
Evadne’s fists were clenched so tight they crackled with anger. “Byron bullied you, put Jason in the hospital, and harmed so many girls, <b>leaving </b>them to live in the shadow of disgrace, too scared to speak out. The Chambers empire is using its power to crush people, and they’re afraid of retaliation. To protect themselves and their families, they’ve been forced to swallow their pride. Tm their only hope now. If I don’t stand up for them, who will?
I’m going to pursue this to the very end, until Byron pays a price that satisfies me. I’m going to go head–to–head with the Chambers father and son and see whose will is stronger!”
Evadne was known for her tenacity. Faced with such a vile beast, she was the kind who would want to y his skin and crush his bones – how could she possibly let it go?
Better to roar in defiance than to live in silent despair!”
She was determined to be the one to cry out!
“Evadne, calm down. Anger is bad for your health” Thaddeus said, his hand resting on her heaving back, trying to soothe her.
“Evadne, what do you mean? Nydia’s expression was a mixture of shock and confusion, her voice trembling. “The Chambers Group, they threatened those girls? How did you know?”
Thaddeus<b>, </b>not wanting to add to Nydia’s emotional burden, gave a simple ount of recent events.
“So, those girls who originally wanted to testify backed out because of pressure from the Chambers?” Nydia’s beautiful face turned ashen.
“Today we tried to convince one of the girls toe forward. I know they’re scared of the Chambers Group, so I wanted to give them some <b>support</b>. That way the Chambers Group wouldn’t dare to make a move. But I was too naive, and it’s not going well. And with my own reputation damaged, their families are treating me like a pariah, refusing even to see me.”
Evadne bit her l*p hard, “But I won’t give up. I’ll find another way. If Byron doesn’t make a move, I will take the initiative. Byron will get hiseuppancel”
“I’ll find a way too” Thaddeus said, his breath deepening, a hint of red in his determined eyes. “Even if we don’t break through with Byron’s case, I find other ways to make life miserable for the Chambers Group”
The living room was suddenly shrouded in a tense silence.
After a moment, Nydia <b>slowly </b>lifted her head, her tear–filled eyes now shining with a resolute light, having shed the timidity of the
past.
“Evadne, Thaddeus. I’m willing to be a witness and identify Byron.