<b>Chapter 706 </b>
<b>“</b>Mari.” Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy were both stunned in disbelief.
<b>A </b>smile graced Evadne’s l*ps, a touch of gratitude in her gaze as she looked towards Mari, warmth blooming in her chest.
<b>“</b>My wife is right. Spreading rumors and causing trouble in front of Mr. Thaddeus and Ms. Evadne–do you think the Abernathy Group and our legal department are here for nothing?”
<b>Jareth’s </b>arm barred Mari’s shoulder, as he red coldly at the gossipmongers, “If you think you have the guts, go ahead, try saying that again. The Fairhaven Group won’t mind ying your little game.”
The busybodies<b>, </b>already embarrassed by the young woman’s reprimand and further intimidated by Mr. Fairhaven’s menacing presence, huddled together like quails, not daring to utter another word.
recognize you; you’re Avery.”
<b>Mari </b>lifted her dress gracefully as she walked over, her slender figure shielding Evadne, her eyes bravely meeting those of the stranger for the first time, “Mr. Avery, are you a friend of my sister–inw?”
Evadne’s l*ps curled coldly.
Friend? That word had been dirtied by him.
But she didn’t me Mari. How could the innocent Mari know the bloodshed and darkness thaty beneath? And she didn’t want her <b>to </b>understand.
<b>“</b><b>Ms. </b>Mari, what are you trying to say?” Avery asked, his smile seemingly cordial.
“If <b>you </b>are <b>my </b>sister–inw’s friend, you should’ve been the first to stand up to rify for her right away, instead of watching her being misunderstood and doing nothing.”
<b>Mari’s </b>straightforward nature took over, her frustration directed squarely at Avery, “A true friend wouldn’t be as cold–blooded as you are<b>. </b>You’ve really let her down.”
Evadne quickly took Mari’s soft hand, pulling her into an embrace to keep her away from the viper.
Avery’s face darkened, his forced smile freezing at the corners of his l*ps.
Sincerity was always the ultimate weapon. With just a few words, Mari had not only extricated Evadne from the murky <b>rtionship </b>but also painted Avery as the heartless viin.
“Thad, she’s <b>really </b>starting to show the qualities of <b>a </b>Fairhavendy,” Jareth joked, elbowing his brother–inw as he watched his defiant <b>and </b>pretty <b>wife</b>,ughing foolishly.
<b>He </b><b>was </b><b>head </b>over heels <b>in </b>love<b>! </b>
“When <b>you </b>two get home, make sure <b>you </b>thank Mari for me,” Thaddeus said<b>, </b>with a warm feelings flow in his heart.
<b>Jareth’s </b><b>Adam’s </b>apple bobbed, <b>his </b>gaze intensifying, <b>“</b><b>I’ll </b>do more than thank her, I’ll make <b>sure </b>she’s well taken care of.”
<b>Thaddeus </b>shot him <b>a </b>look<b>, </b>whispering <b>a </b>reminder, “You’re not getting any younger<b>, </b>and <b>your </b>work <b>is </b><b>taxing</b>. For Mari’s happiness <b>in </b><b>the </b>long <b>run</b>, you <b>should </b><b>take </b><b>care </b><b>of </b><b>yourself </b>and not overindulge<b>.” </b>
<b>“</b><b>Damn</b><b>, </b><b>I’m </b><b>not </b><b>the </b>least <b>bit </b><b>weak</b><b>; </b>my <b>quality </b><b>is </b>top–notch!” Jareth retorted with <b>a </b><b>pout</b>, <b>“</b>Besides, <b>I’m </b>living a nd life these days, barely remember <b>what </b>a <b>nightclub </b>looks like. It’s the <b>little </b>pleasures <b>with </b>my <b>wife </b>that <b>keep </b>me going. Don’t be so cruel <b>to </b><b>me</b><b>, </b>Okay?
Thaddeus just shook <b>his </b><b>head</b><b>. </b>
Keeping <b>Jareth </b><b>from </b>his dearest wife would be as cruel as <b>asking </b><b>a tiger to </b><b>nibble </b>on lettuce.
Meanwhile, on the second floor of <b>the </b><b>banquet </b><b>hall</b>.
Edith’s fingers gripped around <b>the </b>balcony railing, tightening as <b>she </b><b>red </b>down at Mari <b>with </b>eyes twisted <b>in </b>seething red.
That idiot, bolstered <b>by </b>Jareth’s backing<b>, </b><b>had </b>learned <b>to </b>show <b>off</b><b>! </b>
The happier she acted, the quicker she would fall. Her days were numbered<b>! </b>
“Who would’ve thought? Mari, who used to be so timid, now became sharp<b>–</b>tongued, aplete different person,” Alstonmented, sipping his red wine beside her
His meaningful gaze deepening as he looked at Mari’s blooming, enticing face.
“Hmph, what, the more you look, the more you like her?” Edith sneered <b>at </b>him, scoffing mockingly.
<b>12:04 </b>
“Edith, don’t be like this.”
Alston wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close, his breath of wine lightly sprayed on her cheek, his hands wandering over her bare back, “My heart has always been with you over the years. Aside from you, no one else catches my eye. How can Maripare to you? Edith, you’re simply amazing, addictive.”
Of course, Edith knew what he meant–it was all about the bedroom antics.
Alston had chased her for years<b>, </b>calling him an ultimate loyal dog wouldn’t be an exaggeration. But back then, with Thaddeus in her heart<b>, </b>she never spare a second nce for such a man..
After various events, shepletely gave up on Thaddeus andpromised to be with Alston.
He intended to marry her, but she only ever saw him as a tool to satisfy her needs. After each encounter, Edith, having had her fun, could ignore him for days or even a month, not feeling anything wrong with it.
But now, Edith needed to keep him close.
Because this man was crucial to her n; she was keeping him for a significant use.
“Alston, I know. In this world, you’re the one who treats me the best, the one who loves me the most.”
<b>Edith </b>wrapped her arms tenderly around his n*eck, her barely concealed chest pressed against his, pouting pitifully, “I’m in trouble, and I know you’ll do everything you can to help me, right?”
Alston, stirred by her and felt a fire ignite in his lower part, struggling to hold his wine ss steady, nearly ready to press her against the railing right there and then, “Do you even have to ask? Edith, I’m yours, whatever you ask, I’m willing.”
“You saw how Jareth treated me, his own sister, tonight,” Edith’s voice quivered with a sobbing tone.
<b>“Yes</b>, <b>I </b>saw <b>it</b><b>, </b>it was utterly outrageous!”
“He can <b>treat </b>me that way, but he was also sofr er
o you, it truly breaks my heart.”
<b>Edith </b>caressed his face, <b>“</b><b>It’s </b>all because of Mari. She’s the one who has driven a wedge between my brother and me, making me an <b>outcast </b>in the Fairhaven family. Alston, please help me<b>, </b>will you? I really need you.”
“<b>Edith</b>, how can I help you?<b>” </b>Alston’s breath grew heavier. “Just tell me, for you, I’m willing to do anything!”
Edith’s voice was syrupy sweet as she teased, “Really, anything?<b>” </b>
<b>“</b><b>Yes</b><b>, </b>anything!<b>” </b>
A wicked <b>glint </b>passed through Edith’s eyes as she tiptoed closer and whispered something into his ear.
Alston stood <b>there</b><b>, </b>stunned<b>, </b>his eyes wide with shock.
Meanwhile<b>, </b><b>the </b><b>atmosphere </b>downstairs grew tense.
<b>Avery didn’t </b>offer much <b>in </b><b>the way of </b>exnation. He just <b>adjusted </b>his gold–rimmed sses; watching Mari<b>, </b>his l*ps curled ever so <b>slightly </b><b>upward</b>.
Mari’s <b>heart </b>raced. This man <b>before her</b><b>, </b><b>pallid </b>and sinister<b>, </b><b>with </b>his ominous presence, said nothing yet made her feel <b>an </b>inexplicable chill<b>! </b>
“Avery.”
The stern<b>, </b>deep voice <b>of Jeff </b>broke <b>the </b>silence. <b>Avery </b>turned slowly <b>to </b><b>face </b>him.
<b>‘</b><b>Dad</b><b>” </b>
<b>It </b>was in this moment <b>that </b><b>Mrs. </b>Chambers noticed <b>Jeff </b>approaching<b>. </b>She trembled violently as if struck <b>by </b><b>lightning</b>, panic–stricken<b>, </b>she sought refuge in Avery’s embrace!
Her Alzheimer’s was advanced<b>, </b>often she couldn’t <b>even </b>recognize her own son.
Yet, at the sight of Jeff, all her painful memories came flooding back<b>, </b>overwhelming her mind<b>! </b>
“Mom, don’t be scared, I’m here, you don’t have <b>to </b>be afraid<b>,” </b>Avery embraced his mother<b>, </b><b>patiently </bforting her.
“Mr. Avery,e on over, it’s time for the family photo<b>,” </b>Matthew urged coldly.
“All right. Avery then turned to his mother with a tender tone, <b>“</b><b>Mom</b>, let’s take the family photo together.”
Jeffe expression turned extremely cold.
“Hah, Mr Avery <b>you </b>must be joking. Matthew sneered with a disdainful gaze. “Thisdy <b>is </b><b>no </b>longer part <b>of </b>the Chambers Group What right<b>, </b>what face does <b>she </b>have to stand beside Dad for a photo?”