<b>Chapter </b><b>703 </b>
<b>“</b>Careful there, Edith.”
Not only did the man speak to Edith in a gentle tone, but he also attentively bent down to adjust her intricate dress, careful to prevent her high heels from getting caught and causing her to stumble.
“Thanks, Alston,” Edith batted her eyshes flirtatiously at the man, her voice a soft and suggestive purr.
<b>The </b>sudden arrival of this ill–omened woman had disrupted the rare cozy atmosphere.
Jareth knew all too well that Edith would make an appearance at such an event. Having just emerged from her social exile, it was <b>clear </b>she was desperate to reim the spotlight of high society and restore her tarnished reputation.
He had thought that after her scandalous downfall, any self–respecting person in Elmsworth would have cut ties with her.
Yet, there were still the men eagerly fawning over her, ying the fool to her maniptions. One ying the seductress, the other ying the sap, they were quite the match.
Thaddeus‘ brows furrowed in confusion, but Evadne spoke up coolly, “I know him, Alston Bartley, the sole heir to Mr. Bartley.”
“Evadne, even I find him unrecognizable, and you know him?” Thaddeus held her hand tightly, his gaze filled with newfound admiration and reverence.
<b>“</b>It’s not surprising you don’t recognize him,” Evadne replied. “For one, he’s not a political figure, and for another, he’s not part of the Elmsworth circles. He’s been studying abroad in Aetheria, probably just returned to the country not too long ago.”
Evadne watched Edith and Alston, her eyes deep and profound, “Even though I took over the K Hotel from Emeric, I knew that sooner orter I would take charge of the entire K Group. Thus, I conducted a covert investigation to understand the ins and outs of Elmsworth’s political and business scenes.”
She chuckled, “Back then<b>, </b>I was determined to trample the entire Abernathy Group under my feet, to challenge you head–on: That’s why I worked so hard to gather intelligence and make my mark in Elmsworth. But then, unexpectedly…”
You ended up being thedy of the Abernathy Group,” Thaddeus said with a softugh, his warm breath caressing her cheek.
“Speaking of which, it’s all your fault. I never got to realize my grand ambitions.” Evadne pouted prettily.
“Evadne<b>, </b><b>all </b>that I have is yours,” Thaddeus said, hisrge hand gently caressing her waist. “It’s not that you fail to realize your ambitions<b>, </b>it’s that you’ve already won me over without a fight.”
Evadne slightly curled her l*ps<b>, </b>shaking her head, “Thaddeus, what’s yours is yours; they were earned through your hard work. As long as I have you<b>, </b>that’s enough. Besides, the happiest I can be is not when you blindly appeasing, indulging, <b>or </b>submitting to <b>me</b><b>, </b>but <b>standing </b><b>at </b><b>the </b>pinnacle alongside you<b>.” </b>
<b>Thaddeus </b><b>was </b><b>deeply </b>moved, eyes moistened with emotion.
Seeing <b>Jareth </b>bring that idiot girl along, Edith was seething, her eyes turning a shade of green envy.
“Edith<b>, </b><b>let’s </b>go inside<b>,</b>” Alston said, his gaze on her could practically melt.
<b>“</b>Hold on, I’ll introduce you <b>to </b><b>someone </b>familiar<b>.</b>”
Alston <b>asked </b><b>with </b><b>puzzlement</b>, “Who<b>?</b><b>” </b>
<b>ying </b>coy, <b>Edith </b><b>dragged </b>him toward <b>Jareth</b>.
<b>“</b><b>Jareth</b>, <b>Thad</b><b>, </b><b>I’m </b><b>so </b><b>happy </b><b>to </b><b>see </b><b>you </b><b>here</b><b>,</b>” <b>Edith </b><b>said </b>with astonishing <b>shamelessness</b><b>, </b>as <b>if </b>nothing had happened<b>, </b><b>truly </b>a ck<b>–</b><b>hearted </b><b>wonder</b>!
Thaddeus‘ expression was <b>dark </b>and foreboding<b>, </b><b>his </b><b>fists </b>clenched tight.
<b>Evadne’s </b>soft <b>hand </b>enveloped <b>his</b><b>, </b><b>gazing </b><b>deeply </b><b>into </b>his <b>reddened </b><b>eyes</b>. Her <b>gaze</b><b>, soft </b>and <b>tender like </b><b>the </b>spring <b>breeze</b>, soothing <b>the </b>tempest within <b>him</b>.
“Let’s go, <b>Thaddeus</b><b>,</b><b>” </b>she <b>whispered</b><b>, </b><b>her </b><b>voice </b><b>soft </b><b>as though </b><bforting </b><b>him</b>.
She had momentarily quelled his rage<b>, </b><b>knowing </b><b>that </b>one more nce at Edith could set <b>him </b><b>off</b><b>, </b><b>beating </b><b>Edith to </b><b>the </b><b>point </b>unrecognizable even to her own mother.
This wasn’t Evadne trying to keep the peace, nor <b>did </b>she not want <b>to </b>settle scores <b>with </b>Edith
It was simply that Jareth was present. He was the <b>man </b>with the final say <b>in </b>the Fairhaven <b>family</b><b>, </b>and it was <b>up </b>to him to deal with Edith
Thaddeus, with a look <b>that </b>could freeze hell over, escorted Evadne away, leaving Edith trembling <b>with </b>fear.
10:32
Mari, upon seeing Edith, was reminded of the harsh words spoken <b>in </b><b>the </b>auditorium. Her wounds, barely healed, <b>felt </b>freshly torn open, causing a dull ache.
Suddenly, she paused, her gaze fixed on Alston.
Memories, which were terrifying like a trapped beast viciously gnawed at her nerves<b>, </b>surged and caused her to shiver uncontrobly within Jareth’s embrace.
Jareth was oblivious to Mari’s distress; his entire focus was on Edith at that moment.
He was curious to see what tricks this venomous woman would try to pull right under his nose<b>! </b>
“Big brother, allow me to introduce him. This is Mr. Bartley’s son, Alston,” Edith said with a smile.
“Mr. Fairhaven, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Alston extended his hand with polished courtesy.
Vareth towered over the man, his gaze icy and condescending.
Alston’s throat tightened, his hand awkwardly suspended mid–air.
Eventually, Jareth silently shook his hand, leaving Alston’s fingers sore and reddened upon retracting.
Alston, guess who she is,” Edith nudged<b>, </b>her tone gentle but eyes mischievous.
Mari felt a sting in her heart and bowed her head low.
“This is<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Alston’s brow creased as he studied her delicate, fair face for a long while.
Finally, recognition dawned on him, “Ah! It’s Mari. Women really do change so much as they grow. You’ve be so beautiful, I hardly recognized you!”
10 <b>32 </b>