Chapter <b>728 </b>


    <b>“</b>Evadnel” Thaddeus‘ voice wasced with urgency.


    Jareth, a man typically known for his towering presence and dashing looks, now slumped forward as if his <b>bones </b>had been siphoned from his b*dy, on the verge of copse under Evadne’s grasp.


    “Jareth, you im you’re keeping Mari caged to protect her, but look at the mess you’ve made! You couldn’t <b>even </b>ensure her basic safety!”


    Tears swelled in Evadne’s eyes; she was brimming with rage and heartache, “You think you’re so noble, sacrificing everything for Mari. But what have you actually lost? It’s always been Mari who’s losing.”


    <b>Thaddeus</b>‘ breath caught in his throat as he watched his beloved stand in the pouring rain. Abandoning any attempt to shield himself, he stood beside her, soaked to the skin.


    One was the <b>love </b>of his life, the other, a brother in arms. He couldn’t persuade either side, remaining neutral was the only stance he could take.


    “Mari gave up her freedom, her pristine reputation, to be with you. She could’ve been our baby girl forever, the pampered daughter of the Abernathy family, untouched by the world’s grime. But she chose to follow you in her prime, to give everything for you, to grow up swiftly for you, to learn to be the docile, dutiful wife!”


    Under the weight of usation, Evadne’s tears streamed down unchecked, “She’s tried so hard to please you, to amodate you. She’s done everything she could to avoid troubling you! But after everything, why has ite to this?! What did Mari do to deserve this bullying?!”


    Jareth was faced with her piercing questions; his heart, riddled with countless fissures, ached to the point of trembling. His l*ps parted, but no coherent words formed.


    “It’s my fault, it’s all my fault”


    He repeated, his cheeks indistinguishable between rain and tears, his drenched, disheveled hair obscuring the once proud and lively gaze.


    The once vibrant and defiant pride of Elmsworth now seemed unrecognizable to Thaddeus. This man, could it really be Jareth?


    “Before, no matter what I gave her, she said she liked it, she said she loved me, she wanted to be with me


    forever.”


    “Because Mari has never known how to refuse, because everything she does is to win your favor!” Evadne shoved him hard, causing his sturdy frame to stagger.


    Won his favor. For Jareth, who had vowed to cherish Mari for a lifetime, this was the ultimate irony!


    His perceived beautiful love was built on Mari’spromises, her sorrows, her tender heart.


    “Evadne, Jareth knows he’s wrong: he truly loves Mari,” Thaddeus spoke softly, his voice low, as he draped his suit jacket over her delicate shoulders.


    “Mari’s world is simple and pure. She has no concept of deceit and maniption; she just wants to live a peaceful life<b>.</b><b>” </b>


    Evadne rubbed her swollen eyes and sniffled, her nose reddened due to coldness, “But now, you’ve dragged her into this mess. She doesn’t even have the strength to retaliate. She’s never even cursed anyone in her life. How can she withstand the darkness of the Fairhaven Group? She hasn’t even married in your family yet and they’re already scheming against her with such malice. If she truly bes your wife, she’ll just whittle away amidst <b>plots </b>and schemes. Can you live on edge for a lifetime? As long as you’re in power, those vipers in your family won’t stop attacking her! She’s bound to break down again one day!”


    No prestigious family was simple, they were all vats of corruption, Families as warm and harmonious as the Ashbourne family were rare gems.


    11:00


    I take care of it.”


    After a long silence, Jareth finally spoke with a tremor in <b>his </b>voice, “Til deal with the Fairhaven Group. <b>Evadne</b>, I love Mari; without her, life is meaningless. Don’t make me leave her; please give me one more chance, thest one, okay?”


    A clear plea<b>. </b>


    Evadne shook her head without lifting her gaze, “I can’t decide for you, I can’t influence anything. Get past Grandpa Hamilton first; then we’ll talk.”


    With that, she turned and left without looking back. Thaddeus stood with his buddy in the rain, their silhouettes like eternal sculptures against the world.


    “Let Mari stay with grandpa for a while; go deal with your family’s issues. When he cools down,e <b>back</b>,” Thaddeus sighed heavily, patting his rigid shoulder.


    Jareth’s voice was hoarse, Tonight I’ll stay here with her.”


    “What are you talking about? It’s going to be below freezing tonight; you’ll get sick standing out here all night!”


    Thaddeus‘ expression turned stern, “If Mari finds out, she’ll only feel worse!”


    Then don’t let her know”


    Jareth forced a pale smile, “Thad, this is the only way I can find some peace. Please, don’t stop me.”


    Evadne’s brow furrowed with distress as she returned to the vi, only to receive a call from Aaron.


    “Aaron.”


    “Evadne.”


    There was a slight pause on the other end, and then Aaron asked cautiously, “How’s Mari doing?”


    His voice was so warm it made Evadne want to cry all over again. In front of her family, and Thaddeus, she was always <b>more </b>vulnerable.


    <b>“</b><b>She’s </b>here at Hamilton’s, asleep,” Evadne’s voice caught in her throat.


    Aaron took a deep breath, his voice deep and husky, “What can I do for her?”


    Evadne bit her l*p softly, whispering, “When you have time, get Mari a box of pastries.”


    “Alright. I’ll get them first thing tomorrow and deliver them to Mr. Hamilton Abernathy’s!


    “Want to pay a visit to Mari?”


    Aaron’s voice carried a boyish timidity blended with the understanding of a mature man, “No need to disturb her. Let her rest. And don’t mention that I bought the pastries.”


    Evadne felt a pang of ache in her heart upon hearing this. Two equally exceptional men, each on their own tonight, keeping watch over the same woman.


    But where did Mari’s true happiness lie?


    Lilly lingered in the room,forting Mari <b>for </b>a <b>long </b>time before she reluctantly stepped out. Rubbing her misty eyes, she turned <b>and </b>saw Mr Thaddeus and Mrs. Evadne Abernathy approaching her.


    “Lily, you’ve always had impressive skills, the best b*dyguard in the Fairhaven Group.”


    Thaddeus, with his brows furrowed, finally voiced the crucial concern, “How could someone from the Fairhaven Group hurt you so badly, depriving you of the ability to alert Jareth in time, and then whisk my sister off to the Fairhaven Group without anyone noticing?”


    The audacity is just too much, too reckless!” Evadne’s eyes <b>red </b>with anger as she clutched her partner’s arm, her grip wrinkling his crisp white shirt.


    <b>2/3 </b>


    In that moment, Lily, still recalling the encounter, felt a chill down her spine.


    The man I fought with must be a professional hitman. His moves were ruthless and unpredictable; I stood not chance against him. Perhaps, Mr. Abernathy, only someone with your capabilities could stand a chance in a fight with him”


    11:00