On the road back to Havenbrook, Gordon took the wheel, while Mr. Murray rode shotgun.


    The grandson and his grandfather sat in silence in the backseat, a stark contrast to their usual endless chatter. It was only as they neared their destination that Hamilton broke the quiet with a sigh, his weathered, dry hand resting on his grandson''s shoulder.


    "Thaddeus, I know Chad was out of line tonight, and that it upset you."


    "Grandpa Hamilton, I''m fine," Thaddeus replied with a faint smile, his profile elegant yet as cold as frost in the dim light.


    "Don''t take it to heart, Thaddeus," Hamilton tried to console him.


    "He''s my brother. He saved my life when we were younger, and I owe him a lot. This time, I won''t mind."


    The unsaid part hung in the air; there wouldn''t be a next time for such tolerance. He was Evadne''s husband, not some pushover!


    It was not the theft but the thief''s persistence that was worrisome. He couldn''t allow any man, under any pretense, to covet Evadne.


    "Chad won''t be around for long, I suppose; he''ll likely head back to M Country in a few days. From now on, try to keep na out of his sight.


    na is such an exceptional girl; she shines too brightly, too tempting for any man. Men, no matter how proud they seem, are restless creatures by nature.


    Especially the men in the Abernathy family - once they set their sights on someone, they toss all sense of decency out the window. Just like your clueless dad," Hamilton shook his head non-stop.


    Somewhere, Frederic was probably sneezing up a storm.


    "Love isn''t about chains and control; it''s about understanding and being there." Thaddeus said firmly, his voice deep, his longshes concealing a certain emotion, "Evadne just needs to be herself, free and easy. I can protect her, and I''m confident that no one can tear us apart."


    "Oh, you naive boy. The world is far moreplex than just having good feelings for each other. Look at Mari and Jareth, were they love birds? Still they have suffered terribly. Jareth nearly lost his life for the chance to be with Mari!"


    "Grandpa Hamilton, you seem to be full of reflections tonight. What''s really on your mind?" Thaddeus'' brows furrowed in confusion.


    Hamilton took a deep breath, his voice low, "Anyway, just keep your distance from Chad. And if he everes back to Elmsworth, no matter what he does, don''t confront him directly. Avoid head-on conflicts."


    Thaddeus'' expression turned grave; he uttered calmly, "Grandpa Hamilton, you know I''ve never been one to shy away or be easily intimidated. It''s true Chad saved me, but that doesn''t mean I live in his shadow, conceding at every turn without a backbone. If he crosses a line I can''t ept in the future, even if dad backs him up, I won''t stay silent."


    "Those who can endure what others cannot are destined for greatness!" Hamilton''s cheeks flushed with evident urgency.


    "And if Chad wants my position as CEO?" Thaddeus'' gaze was heavy, posing a soul-searching question.


    The car grew tenser. Sensing the standoff between the two, Mr. Murray and Gordon sat up straight, not daring to breathe too loudly.


    Hamilton''s fingers clenched, his remarks serious, "Then avoid a head-on collision with him. As long as I''m here, he won''t get the position. You''ve always been my choice!"


    "Grandpa Hamilton," Thaddeus was stunned, a surge of emotion rising within him. "Roll with the punches. If your brother covets the position, let me handle it; you just stay out of the fray. I don''t want to put my favorite grandson through the fire." Hamilton grasped his hand firmly, a warm current flowing into his veins, "Heed my advice. The wise man hides his capabilities and bides his time for the right moment to strike."


    After Thaddeus dropped off his grandfather, his car headed towards Evadne''s vi.


    He gazed out the window, his mood brooding as he pondered his grandfather''s earnest advice, feeling increasingly stifled. For some reason, he felt that his grandfather was overly fearful of Chad.


    Hamilton''s earnest instructions, his readiness to sacrifice everything to protect him, made Chad seem less like a man and more like a bloodthirsty beast lurking in the shadows.


    "Um, Mr. Abernathy, that was a close call tonight," Gordon tried to lighten the mood, seeing his boss''s foul mood.


    "What do you mean?"


    "You were almostpromised!"


    "Compromised how?" Thaddeus'' brow twitched.


    "Tonight at the garden, Alexia nearly threw herself at you. Lucky for you, I was quick to intervene and prevented your good reputation from being tarnished!" Gordon lifted his chin, a smug, self-congrattory expression on his face.


    Prevented his reputation from being tarnished? At the sight of his smug look, Thaddeus simply felt like smack him.


    "Even if you hadn''t been there, I wouldn''t have engaged with any woman other than Evadne."


    Thaddeus closed his eyes, his features cool, "Do I seem that unreliable?"


    "Well, you can be as virtuous as you like, but no chaste whoremaster can fend off a shameless harlot."


    The man''s face darkened.


    "No matter how you keep distance with other women, you couldn''t control them throwing themselves at you."


    Gordon was oblivious to the murderous aura enveloping him, as he continued, "Windermere Estate is not like you and Mrs. Abernathy''s private house where there are not many people gossiping around. If you had been seen with Alexia tonight and it got out, especially to Mrs. Abernathy''s ears, she might not let you into the bed tonight."


    Thaddeus'' anger was palpable as he kicked the back of Gordon''s seat, "Go on, who''s the whoremaster?"


    Gordon choked, his ears drooping.


    "Unless you rify, you can say goodbye to this month''s bonus."


    Gordon bent the knee for the almighty dor in a heartbeat, "Mr. Abernathy, I''m sorry! I was talking out of my hat; really messed up the metaphor there. Won''t happen again, I swear!"


    Thaddeus'' thin lips curled ever so slightly, but his eyes were like the unfathomable waters of a deep river.


    "In the next few days, do some digging on Alexia. Focus on her work history, check if she''s really been with Doctors Without Borders in Zenithia."


    Late at night, Evadne''s thoughts lingered on Thaddeus, sleep far from her embrace. She sat on the living room couch, her secret stash of high-priced jewelsid out before her. In themplight, she fondled each piece, meticulously wiping them with a soft cloth.


    Among these treasures were her own designs, coveted by many but owned by few, and gems she''d won at auctions, from imperial jade bracelets to top-quality cut rubies - each a marvel to behold.


    With a contented smile, Evadne ced her treasures back into their boxes. These were all for Mari, saved up for her wedding day when she would present them as bridal gifts.


    The image of Mari waking up, hands entwined with Jareth, their loving gazes locked, brought a rush of emotion to Evadne''s eyes, and a sour tingle to her nose.


    Atst, all should be settled. No one would torment them anymore.


    As she finished tidying up, the door to the room was nudged open gently. "Thaddeus!" Seeing his tall figure, the sadness in Evadne''s eyes vanished, reced by a sparkling light.


    "Evadne, why are you still up sote?"


    Thaddeus was surprised, having tiptoed in to avoid waking her, only to find her wide awake, "You''ve got to be up early for the Fairhaven family''s funeral tomorrow. You little sleepyhead, will you manage?"


    "I can''t sleep when you''re not here."


    Evadne rose to greet him, ying the dutiful wife as she helped him out of his suit jacket and loosened his tie. She nuzzled his chest and sniffed, "Hmm? No drinks


    tonight?"


    "Chad''s got health issues; doesn''t touch a drop. It was all tea tonight."


    Thaddeus wrapped an arm around her waist and started undoing his shirt buttons with the other, his voice a mix of tenderness and remorse, "Had a long chat with grandpa. Sorry I''mte; made you wait for so long."


    "What''s up? You seem down tonight, like a sad little pup."


    Evadne''s fingers traced his handsome eyelids, her gaze softening, "Your brother giving you a hard time?"


    Suddenly her mood flipped; pouting with anger, she imed, "If he dares to bother you, I''ll tip his wheelchair! Nobody messes with my man without facing the consequences!"


    Thaddeus was unable to keep hisposure any longer; his eyes, reddened with emotion, locked onto hers. In one swift move, he scooped her up and carried her to the bedroom.


    Evadne was underneath the tall man on the bed without feeling any ufortable, her silk robe slipping away, inch by inch, as they embraced in passion.


    Thaddeus'' breath grew heavy, his gaze intense with desire, as he ignited a fire within her. Her neck was dotted with marks of affection; knowing her sensitive spots all too well, he left her utterly addicted to his tender care.


    The rising moon and escting pleasure allowed Thaddeus to shove his troubles aside for a time. After multiple times of the passionate entanglement, Evadne finally got exhausted, lying spent on the bed.


    "What''s gotten into you tonight? You were wild," she murmured sleepily.


    Their bodies were still intimately connected; his hand found hers, fingers intecing. He kissed her shoulder, leaving the heat of his yearning behind, "Evadne, I''ll keep you safe. I''ll protect you; no one willy a finger on you."


    The next morning dawned.


    Alva knew Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy were going to attend a funeral today, so he rose early to prepare a hearty breakfast.


    Wanting to let his wife linger in bed, Thaddeus brought the tray to their room, feeding her bite by bite. Overly indulgent, to say the least.


    "Alright, alright, you feed me any slower, and I''ll do it myself."


    Evadne took the cup and gulped down the milk, finishing it off. A trace of white lingered on her lips, prompting Thaddeus, his voice husky, to ask, "Tastes good?"


    "Not bad at all, hmm."


    Before she could finish, he captured her lips, cleaning away the white with his tongue.


    "How does itpare tost night?" Thaddeus'' eyes darkened, a low chuckle in his voice.


    "You''re bad! Naughty brute!" Evadne, recalling the previous night''s excitement,


    flushed and flustered, pounded on his chest, her cheeks a radiant hue of embarrassment.


    But Thaddeus couldn''t bear to tease her further, regretting making her perform for him the night before.


    His own pleasure didn''t matter; in matters of their sex life, he only wanted her to


    feel joy and satisfaction.


    "Oh, almost forgot to tell you something."


    Thaddeus wiped her lips with a napkin, his tone casual, "The diagnosis is in.


    Glynnis haspletely lost her mind. She went into shock from blood loss yesterday and was rushed to the hospital."