Glynnis’s eyes spun wildly as she staggered to her feet, dusting herself off indignantly. “You’reing back? When will that be? Are you nning toe back just to get even with Jareth?”
Edith clenched her teeth with venomous anger. “He made my life a misery, how could I possibly let him have his way? From the moment he pped me, not once but thrice, in front of Evadne, Thaddeus, and the entire Elmsworth elite at the <b>g</b>, there was no longer any brother–sister bond between us, only bitter enemies!”
“Exactly! Jareth’s gone too farl He hasn’t even put a ring on Mari’s finger yet, and he’s already ditched his own sister and disowned his mother! If those two tie the knot, do you think you and your mom will have any standing left?” Glynnis sniffled, her wordsced with malice as she backstabbed Mari, stoking the embers of conflict
“Hmph, don’t pretend you’re looking out for me. All this enthusiastic plotting isn’t it just because you want me to return and wield my influence to settle your scores?”
Edith saw right through Glynnis’s sordid intentions andughed coldly “Without your mom to back you, what fighting power do you have left? All you can do is watch your dimwit sister marry into wealth and lord it over you”
The memory of her collection being plundered by Jareth, now soon to be Mari’s, made Glynnis shiver with rage. She was supposed to be the Abernathy family’s cherished eldest daughter, the apple of her parents eyes).
How had she fallen from grace to let that simpleton sister surpass her?
“No way Mari cannot marry Jareth, absolutely not” Glynnis’s eyes burned with hatred
“Of course, I feel the same. But you know what Jareth is like, he’ll never give up on that simpleton. We’ll need a meticulous n to make him give up on her for good
Edith’s smile was sinister “think it’s time for us to coborate again. You must have had an epiphany about your mother’s situation by now, right? Pinning all your hopes on someone else is futile. Your own revenge must be sought by your own hands that’s the real satisfaction
Glynnis understood the subtext all too <b>well </b>Edith wanted her as an additional safeguard someone to drag down with her
But Glynnis was consumed by hatred,
If it meant bringing Jareth and Mari down, she was willing to do anything, even stoop to the lowest!:
“Ha. All y
I your talk here is pointless. Let’s wait until you’re back to discuss further
Thaddeus and Jareth emerged from the <b>grand </b>Windermere Estate, their luxury cars parked side by side outside the gates
This wasn’t Jareth’s home, but it seemed Thaddeus no longer considered it his either
“If Mari liked those trinkets, you s should have just told me I could’ve sourced them for her, as many as she wanted
Thaddeus’s longshes cast down as he eyed the hefty bag in Jareth’s hands. “Why bother giving my sister Elspeth’s old things? It’s downright unlucky”
“We can’t just leave them for that brute of a hen to get her hands on. I’d rather smash them than let her have them!”
Jareth’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “I get a kick out of imagining Glynnis wielding a hammer, her face the color of liver, in utter humiliation! The frustration of missing out must be driving her nuts, eh?”
Thaddeus couldn’t help but smile, despite his brother’s outrageous antics.
“Actually, Mari doesn’t care much for these things.”
Jareth’s eyes softened as he sighed. “After she said her final goodbye to Elspeth, she’s been feeling down, even guilty towards you So, I suggested we take Elspeth’s intended gifts for Mari and sell them to donate to the charity you’re establishing in your mother’s name. It might not be much, but it’s the thought that counts. Hopefully, it’ll ease Mani’s conscience a bit.”
–
Thaddeus felt a sudden tightness in his chest. This was exactly what he feared that Mari’s goodness would lead her to feel guilty about his mother’s pain, potentially straining their sibling bond.
The feud between my mother <b>and </b>Elspeth is over, and Mari wasn’t even conceived when Elspeth entered the Abernathy family. She’s got nothing to do with it.”
Thaddeus, his heart aching with empathy, patted Jareth’s shoulder. “Find some time to bring Mari over to our ce. Let Evadnefort her, <b>she’s </b><b>always </b>been persuasive with Evadne. And it just so happens, I’ve been perfecting a few new recipes. You two can bask in Evadne’s glow and sample my culinary attempts<b>.</b>”
Jareth’s face had gone the color of wilted lettuce. “Are you inviting us over for dinner, or to be your guinea pigs?”
Thaddeus was sprachdens.
“You’re dragging me through the mud and now you want to do the same to my wife? Have you no heart, Thaddeus?”
To inviting your river so you can learn, con how I take care of Evadne if par do the same, your rtionship with Man will only
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wer done befor
He felt his life wasplete, that he could be happor
So, he genuinely hoj
“Of course,
sut fierad and Mari world for their happily ever after
Jareth took a deep bumalli,i gaze fanneng, vath intensity. That, fi acad, hiiquing to
sally ask d?r. Frederic for
“You’ve got a good head on your
Thaddeus met Jarelli’s gaze, full of worth
going for it. And Eve got your full hacking right?”
way to the top of farhaven Interprises to win over
made up, my mind I’m
“Jareth, you’ve got more than fat, for beszaner),n your e echoing in the small tavem “You ve got Evadon and me in yourer
Go get ‘em, ligert
Tvadne had received word from Murray!
y that Hamilton wasn’t feeling well in she grabbed Thaddeus, and they trade
After someding, Murtay spilled the <b>beans</b>.
Turns out, Hamilton had been under the weather for a fule sleeping poly, hantly touching his meals. The family doctor was his bedside daily, but to no avail. He chalked it up to old age and indigestion rmending a duet of traditional remedies
Hamilton had kept it from the kids, not wanting them to worry
On the drive, Evarine’s face was as pale The moonlight, ber anxiety palpable
“Don’t fret, I vadne, Thaddeus said, his hand finding the small of her back, then gently but firmly pulling her into an embrace “The doc 1 hired for Grandpa is top notch. If he says the old man’s <b>okay </b>it’s probably nothing serious it’s just he’s getting on in and these little aches and pains are part of the package. If it’ll ease your mind, let’s stay in Havmbrook for a while. Keep on him You’ve got medical know how too, right??
She <b>was </b>always tuned into others‘ feelings, and now it was Thaddeus’s turn to look after hers
Evadne, wrapped in his warmth, asked softly. “Would you really want to?
in,”
“Why wouldn’t I? As long as I’m with you, as long as it’s for Grandpa’s best, I’m all in Thaddeus said, a smile ying on his l*ps.
“I just feel so guilty”
She wrapped her arms around Thaddeus’s n*eck, her face buried in his shoulder, her voice muffled and soft. “Frank said Grandpa’s been feeling rough for a bit now and I hadn’t noticed. Last time at the cemetery he even tried to stand up from his wheelchair. It kills me to think about it, how could have been so careless?”
“It’s not on you, Evadne, you’ve done plenty Thaddeus soothed, his voice a gentle caress. “We’ll just be more attentive from now on Grandpa wouldn’t want you carrying this burden. If he knew, he’d never hear the end of it.”
Thaddeus sighed internally. He thought, “The kindest girls in the world–had Jareth and I scooped them both up? Luck was truly smiling on us“
Tonight, Hamilton’s vi <b>was </b>buzzing with our arrival
Evadne was all business, checking on Hamilton and then retreating to the kitchen to whip up some nutritious meals, ensuring the chef knew of Hamilton’s dietary restrictions. She was the picture of a devoted granddaughter–inw
Thaddeus was no good with herbal lore, so he sat by Hamilton’s side, feeling useless.
“Thank goodness for Evadne, young and skilled, caring, and a fine cook to boot Hamilton remarked, watching Evadne bustling around. He mused, “Ah, I’ve always had a soft spot for girls. A well–raised daughter can run a family business just as well as any
08:28
<b>chapter </b>bu
son. Your grandmother gave me two boys. If it weren’t for her health. Id have loved a daughter… Id have raised her to be just as outstanding as Evadne, ready to take over Abernathy Enterprises. Your dad? Pfft, a bowl of soup to keep him from starving and that’s all he’d need!”
Thaddeus listened quietly, his expression inscrutable.
“Your dad’s been chairman for years, and what has he really done? If it weren’t for your uncle passing too soon.” Hamilton’s voice hitched, and he fell silent
Thaddeus’s gaze deepened
Thaddeus had always sensed Hamilton’s disdain for Frederic wasn’t just about his marriage to Elspeth. It seemed like he was never too fond of his eldest, always showing a deeper affection for his younger son.
Luckily, Thaddeus, you saw the light and didn’t get led astray by your old man. In the end, you chose Evadne. Otherwise, I’d die unhappy, I’d be fl*pping in my coffin Hamilton’s mood lightened again, his humor returning
Thaddeuss throat tightened “Grandpa, Im sorry. I’ve let you down, and I’ve let Evadne down. In the past.
Grandpa waved a hand dismissively ‘Bah! That old you is dead and gone. Just take good care of na now and in the future, and I’ll die with a smile”
in
Murray came in with a tray of apple pie just in time to hear Hamilton’s grim joke. “Mr. Hamilton, really, with all this talk of dying. it’s bad luck!
“I don’t believe in that hogwash. I’ll live to dance on my grave! And with na looking after me, I’ve got a good twenty years left!”
Saying this, Hamilton ced a heavy, weathered hand on Thaddeus’s shoulder, <b>as </b>if to pass <b>on </b>a weighty mantle. “My boy, your best days are ahead. Mark my words, Abernathy Enterprises will be yours and Evadne’s to rule”
Thaddeus’s heart skipped a beat, but before he could speak, Evadne rushed over, her eyes icy with urgency.
“Grandpa, Thaddeus, I’ve just received word. Elspeth was executed ten minutes ago