Chapter 304


    Chapter 304


    Jareth’s thunderous rage left Edith deeply traumatized.


    In front of her, Jareth’s secretary and Manny were dealt with. Manny, who had been with Jareth for so


    many years, had his tongue cut off. Judging by his condition, he might notst much longer.


    All because of a girl named Mari.


    Was Jareth really going to this extent for a fool? What was she, his own sister,pared to that? She


    felt like a cruel joke!


    Leaving the vi, Edith returned to the Fairhaven mansion, her face dark with resentment.


    On the way, memories of Jareth’s past affection for her flooded her mind, and the more she thought


    about it, the more upset she became, crying all the way. Eventually, she made a decision.


    No matter what it took, she had to break up Jareth and Mari. She couldn’t allow such a foolish and


    lowly woman to be her sister–inw!


    “Edith! You’re finally back!”


    Mrs. Fairhaven, Jareth’s mother, hadn’t seen her daughter in a long time. She rushed to embrace her,


    her eyes filling with tears, “Darling, didn’t your flightnd ages ago? Why are you just now getting


    home? I’ve been worried sick!”


    “Mummy.” Edith’s eyes reddened at the sight of her mother, recalling the humiliation she had endured.


    “What happened, sweetheart? You seem upset. Has someone been bothering you?”


    Mrs. Fairhaven hurriedly asked, “Where’s Jareth? Didn’t he pick you up? Why didn’t hee back with


    you?”


    Edith hung her head, shaking it sadly.


    “Jareth! He used to pamper you so much. Now he’s been neglecting you because of that Abernathy girl


    and shipped you off to Aetheria. He didn’t even bother to pick up his own sister when she returned


    home sote! What the hell is he thinking!”


    Mrs. Fairhavenforted her daughter, stroking her cold cheeks, “Jareth hasn’t been home at all these


    days! I know he’s usually busy, but he’s never beenpletely out of touch before. He neveres


    home and doesn’t care about his own sister. I really don’t know what he’s thinking!”


    “I know why Jareth hasn’t beening home.”


    “What?” Mrs. Fairhaven was taken aback.


    Edith clenched her fists, her voice filled with sadness, “Mummy, I have to tell you something, but you


    have to promise not to lose your temper, okay?”


    “What’s happened, Edith? Don’t scare me!”


    “Jareth is dating Elspeth’s daughter.” Edith gritted her teeth.


    “Who? Elspeth? That shrew’s daughter?” Mrs. Fairhaven was indeed shocked, speechless.


    “Yes, Glynnis’s younger sister, Elspeth’s daughter!”


    Edith clung to her mother’s arm, shaking it, “Mummy! What on earth is Jareth thinking? Elspeth and her


    daughter caused such a scene, even using us of wrongdoing and nearly sending me to jail! It hasn’t


    been long since then and Jareth is already involved with Glynnis’s sister! How could he do that? He


    doesn’t care about me anymore!”


    Mrs. Fairhaven was also upset by this news. After all, in her eyes, her son was a pride and joy. She


    knew the Abernathy family was influential, and her son was close with Thaddeus,


    But she stillforted Edith, “Edith, I don’t like Elspeth’s daughter either, but you know your brother.


    He enjoys making connections, and he’s acquainted with most of the noble girls in Elmsworth, but he’s


    never brought a girl home before, never found one to his liking. It’s normal for him to be interested in


    Elspeth’s daughter given his frequent visits to the Abernathy family. But I think, soon, he’ll lose interest


    in her. It has always been like that over the years.”


    “No! It’s not like that, Mummy! This time it’s different!”


    Edith’s eyes were red with fury, her body trembling, “Jareth hasn’t beening home because he’s


    been living with Mari! He even bought her a house, like he’s hiding his mistress!”


    Mrs. Fairhaven was as stunned as if struck by lightning!


    “I hate Elspeth and her daughter. I don’t want Mari to be my future sister–inw. But Jareth is


    so obsessed with her! He even lost his temper at me because of her!” Edith intentionally left her


    sentence hanging, piquing her mother’s curiosity.


    “What else?”


    “And he hit me!” As she said this, she turned on the waterworks, tears streaming down her face.


    “He hit you? Where did he hit you?”


    “My face, my face! And it was in front of Mari and the servants! Mummy, my face hurts!” Edith buried


    her face in her mother’s bosom, crying inconsbly.


    Mrs. Fairhaven’s heart ached for her daughter, her little princess. Her prideful son, who had always


    been obedient and filial, was now at odds with his sister over a shrew’s daughter?


    What next, would he disown his own mother?


    “Mummy! You must not let Jareth and Mari be together! If Jareth really marries that woman, then our


    family’s reputation will be ruined! Jareth will be aughingstock in the Fairhaven Group!” Edith’s


    voice was hoarse with desperation.


    “What do you mean?” Mrs. Fairhaven was utterly confused.


    “Mari’s mentally challenged! She’s a girl with autism!”


    Mrs. Fairhaven’s world went ck!


    She thought, “My son, a paragon of excellence is more than a worthy match for Miss Ashbourne. How


    could I ever allow him to marry a dimwit? I will not stand for it!”


    “Mom! Even if Mari is the heiress of the Abernathy Group, aren’t you afraid that if she marries Jareth,


    your future grandson might also be a dimwit? Her condition could be hereditary, who knows?”


    Edith’s words hit Mrs. Fairhaven right in the heart.


    “Edith, thank God you told me this, now I know what we are dealing with!”


    There was a hint of coldness in Mrs. Fairhaven’s usually gentle gaze. “Rest assured, I will protect you


    all. I will not let my son marry such a disgraceful woman and throw his life away!”


    Edith, hiding in her mother’s arms, showed a dark smile upon hearing these words.


    Days passed, and the birthday feasts of the twodies from the Ashbourne and Abernathy Groups


    were just around the corner.


    These days, Elspeth had been cautious not to boast about her birthday due to Frederic’s disapproval,


    but she still sent out invitations to all the well–known faces in the Elmsworth upper ss, spreading the


    word discreetly.


    Although her reputation in Elmsworth was not as good as before, she was still the wife of the chairman


    of the Abernathy Group. With her background and status, she did not believe her party would be


    overshadowed by Myra, the mistress!


    On the Ashbourne side, they also did not publicize the n for Myra’s birthday feast, everything was


    conducted in secret.


    After all, wealthy matrons were not celebrities, they did not need to show off and attract attention.


    The night before the birthday feast, Myra was blindfolded and led into a room by the twodies and


    Evadne.


    “What’s going on, you’re all so mysterious,” Myra asked with a smile.


    “Three! Two! One!”


    As the count ended, Evadne removed her blindfold.


    Myra adjusted to the light and her eyes widened in surprise.


    Under the dazzling spotlight, a mannequin was dressed in a gorgeous ck and red evening gown.


    The skirt sparkled under the light, a breathtaking sight!


    “So, so beautiful!” Myra gasped in awe.


    “Myra, this is your dress, designed by the world–renowned designer Haron, specifically for you!” Suri


    lovingly put her arm around Myra, her eyes mesmerized, “Oh my God, I thought I had seen everything,


    but seeing a gown designed by Haron up close. I just can’t help but scream! It’s too beautiful!”


    Evadne’s Haron disguise had heard all sorts of praises, but nothing made her happier than hearing the


    compliments of her family.


    The young mistress was delighted and secretly smiled.


    “Haron! Oh my. Evadne, this is too precious!”


    Myra quickly held Evadne’s hand, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment, “Evadne, you must have


    gone through a lot of trouble and expense to get her. You really didn’t need to, it’s too much!”


    “It’s not a big deal! I’m thedy of the Ashbourne family. If I asked her to make a dress and she


    refused, would she still want to work in the fashion industry? Humph.” Evadne put her hands on her


    waist, looking very yful.


    “Wow, can you ask her to design something for me too? I want a biker jacket!”


    Aviana’s eyes sparkled with excitement, “I’ve recently taken up motorcycling, I even joined a Skyrim


    motorcycle club, we have activities every month. But I’ve alwayscked a good–looking biker jacket,


    could you ask her to design one for me? I’ll reimburse you!”


    Evadne and Suri were speechless.


    Aviana sensed the awkwardness, coughed and changed the topic, “Oh, does Haron not design such


    kind of clothes? Never mind, forget I said anything!”


    Unbelievable.


    When would this almost forty–year–old woman grow up?


    “Suri, Aviana, don’t worry, when your birthdayse around, I’ll have Haron design dresses for you


    too, I won’t leave you out!” Evadne said with a grin. Such a generousdy!


    “Huh? Isn’t Haron known for her aloofness, making her designs hard toe by? How did you manage


    hire her time and time again?”


    Suri looked suspiciously at Evadne, “Evadne, could it be that Haron is another one of your aliases?”


    Upon hearing this, Myra and Aviana both turned to look at her.


    “Uh, how could that be!”


    Evadne awkwardlyughed and waved her hands, “I’m already Alea, how could I also be Haron? I


    don’t have magical powers.”


    The threedies unanimously said, “You’re more extraordinary than that, you know?”


    Well, fair enough.


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    “One more thing.”


    Evadne ran back to the mannequin and pulled out a delicate red velvet box from underneath. She held


    it out to Myra with both hands.


    “Myra, I’ll probably be very busy tomorrow, so I thought I’d give you your present now. Happy Birthday!”


    Myra’s eyes welled up with tears as she opened the jewelry box.


    Inside was an exquisite aquamarine ring.


    Refreshing and elegant, like the ocean under the bright sun, love at first sight, lost at one nce.


    “Myra. thank you. I really like it, thank you.”


    “I didn’t use any precious gems, firstly to not steal Emeric’s thunder, and secondly, I think this


    understated aquamarine color suits you better.”


    Evadne looked satisfied and confident, “As Alea, I like to choose the main gem that fits the wearer’s


    character and temperament. The value of my design has already exceeded the value of the jewelry


    itself.”


    Afterwards, Suri and Aviana also took Myra to see their birthday gifts. The room was filled with


    chattering women, a lively scene.


    At that moment, Evadne’s phone vibrated in her pocket.


    She took a moment to check it, then left the room, heading to the end of the corridor.


    “Hello.” She answered, her long eyshes fluttering, her voice still cool.


    “Ms. Evadne, I’m feeling much better. I thought I’d give you an update.”


    Under the moonlight, Thaddeus‘ voice was particrly gentle, his deep baritoneced with an alluring


    charm. “In the future, if you want to know about me, you can call me directly. No need to contact


    Gordon behind my back.”


    Evadne’s heart fluttered, her lips slightly pursed.


    “Or, I can call you. I’d be more than happy to,” his warm voice was a stark contrast to his usual


    aloofness.


    “No need, I’m not your primary care physician. I don’t have the time to monitor your health 24/7.”


    Evadne stiffened her expression, her voice cold. “You’re fine now, that’s good. From now on, we each


    go our own way. Take care.”


    “Last time, I appreciate your care. If it weren’t for you, my fever wouldn’t have broken so fast.”


    Thaddeus chuckled lightly, his voice a soft, husky whisper in her ear. “You’re better than medicine.”


    “Thaddeus! Have you lost your damn mind?”


    Evadne recalled being forcefully kissed by him, her cheeks flushed, and she pounded her fist on the


    window in a fit of anger. “If you keep behaving like this, I’ll make you regret it. I promise!”


    “How else can I regret, Evadne?”


    Thaddeus‘ugh was both bitter and humble. “Divorcing you, I’ve regretted it all my life.”


    “Huh, serves you right. Hang up now, I’m busy.”


    “Evadne! Wait!”


    “What now?” Evadne was feeling vexed and had no intention of offering this filthy man a shred of


    kindness.


    “Tomorrow, can I attend Myra’s birthday banquet? Can I?” Thaddeus asked carefully,cking any


    confidence but full of hope.


    He hoped to see her again.


    Evadne snorted dismissively, her lips curled in distaste. “Mr. Thaddeus, Myra’s birthday banquet will be


    attended by us, the Ashbourne family. You don’t think you have the nerve to face them, do you?”


    “I know, I understand. But you know what they say, a homely wife must meet her inws.” Thaddeus‘


    tone was unusually serious.


    “Thaddeus, have you been eating humble pie?” Evadne bashed the window again, imagining it was his


    head.


    “Can I, Evadne?” He was nothing if not persistent.


    Evadne recalled that night, when he was beaten ck and blue by Frederic over this. His back was a


    mess of blood and flesh.


    She reluctantly bit her lip, “Remember to bring a gift.”


    Thaddeus was overjoyed, his voice brightening. “Of course. How can I meet your family empty–


    handed?”


    Evadne growled, her teeth gritted. “Get lost!”


    On the weekend.