Chapter 325


    At the crack of dawn, Jareth hurried to the hospital after tucking Mari into bed, meeting up with


    members from both the Ashbourne and Abernathy families.


    Hamilton, being the elderly patriarch,‘was exhausted. Thus, Frederic helped him to rest in a


    comfortable hospital room.


    “Hey Cassius, I just finished questioning that son of a bitch.”


    Cassius stepped into the hallway to take a call from Aaron, “I’m a seasoned detective with years of


    experience. I knew right off the bat that guy was hiding something. But he’s as stubborn as a bull,


    refusing to confess!”


    “What did he say?” Cassius asked, his voice deep and steady.


    “He imed that he attacked Myra because he was once a die–hard fan. When Myra retired from


    showbiz after that scandal, he harbored resentment, feeling that she had deceived his feelings.


    What a load of rubbish! Myra was a stunningly beautiful actress in her prime. He is just resentful when


    he couldn’t own her!” Aaron vented his frustrations to his elder brother.


    Cassius frowned, “Get to the point.”


    “Sorry, Cassius. I got carried away by my anger,” Aaroh apologized, then continued in a low voice, “He


    imed that seeing Myra in the limelight again reminded him of his past heartbreak, which triggered his


    impulsive attack on her. But this is utter nonsense. There’s no way I’d believe him. He was definitely


    instigated by someone!”


    “Your overnight investigation aligns with my suspicion.” Cassius responded in a calm tone.


    “Cassius, there’s no other way. The evidence I’ve gathered so far only points to this. Besides, this guy


    is cunning. His phone is ‘squeaky clean, showing no sign of anyone pulling his strings. I suspect he has


    another phone and has nned everything meticulously.”


    Cassius responded, “You need to dig deeper into this man’s background. If someone has bought him


    off, he wouldn’t have done this only once. There must be other victims.”


    “What if this is his first time?” Aaron asked.


    Cassius narrowed his eyes, replying coldly, “Then I wouldn’t believe his confession. Everything seems


    too coincidental, clearly a set–up. Whoever is plotting against Myra, I must investigate thoroughly.”


    “I understand, Cassius. I won’t let our family be wronged without reason.”


    Aaron paused, then asked hesitantly, “How’s Thaddeus doing?”


    “He’s still critical.” Cassius’s voice tightened.


    “Oh.” Aaron was at a loss for words.


    “But I believe he’ll pull through, because Evadne is performing a craniotomy on him. The surgery has


    been going on for five hours already.”


    “What?”


    Aaron almost choked, “A craniotomy? Does Evadne think a human head is as easy to open as a


    watermelon? Gosh, Cassius, Evadne’s way of getting back at her ex–husband is quite unique!”


    “We have to trust Dr. Eve’s medical skills. Opening up a human head probably isn’t much harder than


    slicing a watermelon for her.” Cassius thought of his multi–talented younger sister and a fond smile


    graced his lips.


    “Dr Eve?”


    Aaron was stunned, then eximed, “The miracle–working surgeon that’s been featured in papers and


    magazines multiple times, who’s saved lives from the jaws of death is Evadne?”


    Cassius nodded proudly, “That’s our little sister.”


    Aaron’s jaw dropped in disbelief.


    “Damn, she’s badass!”


    The next day, at 9 a.m.


    Members of the Abernathy Group gathered outside the operating room again. Frederic was lending


    support to Hamilton as they both fixated their gazes on the OR’s door.


    Elspeth had excused herself, citing difort, and had returned home with Glynnis. Hamilton


    despised her, and she didn’t care about Thaddeus’s well–being. So, she didn’t bother pretending and


    chose to go home and get some beauty sleep instead.


    “Why hasn’t Evadnee out yet? It’s been so long.”


    Emeric sat in the hallway, his gaze fixed on the operating room. His heart was filled with anxiety.


    “Craniotomies are not minor surgeries. Even a day or a night of operation wouldn’t be unheard of.”


    Cassiusforted his father with a gentle pat on his back, “Don’t worry. Evadne is stronger and more


    capable than you think. She will seed”


    “I’m not worried about that. I’m worried about my little girl. She’s been standing for so long. Can her


    small body take it? Is she tired? Has she had time to eat or drink?”


    Emeric’s worries grew with each question. If it wasn’t for his son holding him back, he would’ve burst


    into the operating room to check on his daughter


    Cassius chuckled wryly, “Dad, I thought you were worried about the one lying inside.”


    Emeric nced at Hamilton’s desperate and dejected figure, his expression turned grave, “Thatd did


    save my darling this time, so I’ll give him some credit. He’s gone from negative to zero.”


    Cassius pursed his fips. He had promised Evadne to keep their secret, so he didn’t mention that it


    wasn’t the first time Thaddeus had risked his life for her. Last time at Misty Mountain, Thaddeus had


    almost died for Evadne too.


    “Dad, if I may ask,”


    “Thad! Thad!”


    Cassius was interrupted by a crying voice.


    The previously quiet and tense atmosphere in the hallway shifted. The Abernathy father and son turned


    towards the sound.


    Edith, in her high heels, was teary–eyed as she ran towards them.


    “Edith, how did you get here?“.


    Jareth quickly stepped forward to stop her, his voice stern, “This is not the ce for you to make a


    scene. Go home now!”


    Edith raised her face to meet his gaze, her eyes filled with icy contempt.


    Jareth was taken aback.


    He found her gaze unfamiliar and terrifying. It was as if their sibling bond of over twenty years had been


    severed. He could no longer see any trace of trust or reliance in her eyes.


    In the next moment, Edith gritted her teeth, pushed Jareth away fiercely, and rushed straight over to the


    Abernathy family.


    “Mr. Hamilton! Mr. Frederic! How’s Thad doing? Has he woken up?”


    Edith cried, her round face pale and haggard. Her eyes were red and swollen, and coupled with her


    sobbing, she looked pitiful indeed.


    “Who is this? Hamilton looked at the crying woman in front of him, puzzled.


    “Dad, this is Jareth’s younger sister, Edith, the daughter of the Fairhaven family”


    Seeing Edith crying so hard for his son, Frederic was moved and spoke kindly. “When she was a kid,


    Jareth often brought her to our house. She and Thaddeus have always had a good rtionship, like


    siblings. Later, Edith went abroad to study, and we didn’t see her as often. She just returned this year.


    “Oh, Jareth’s sister.” Hamilton understood, but didn’t say anything else.


    “Ever since we were children, Thad has always been very good to me. He has always cared about me


    and looked after me. He is a very important person in my life.”


    Edith wiped her tears, her shoulders shaking as she choked on her words. “When I heard about the


    identst night, I was so heartbroken I wanted toe over immediately, but Jareth wouldn’t let


    me. I was afraid to cause any trouble. I was inconsiderate. I should havee sooner, maybe I could


    have helped in some way.”


    “Oh, you have a kind heart.”


    Frederic sighed, his gaze filled with both gratitude and admiration. “Thank you for caring about


    Thaddeus. It’s good to see that your childhood friendship hassted.”


    “Not just when we were children, Thad and I still have a close rtionship.”


    Edith blushed slightly. “I will always be there for Thad, whenever he needs me.”


    The meaning of her words was clear.


    Jareth’s handsome face darkened slightly.


    Setting aside everything else, Edith’s open admiration for Thaddeus in front of the Abernathy family


    was certainly a blow to her family’s reputation. It was rather unbing.


    “Cassius, does Jareth’s sister have feelings for Thaddeus too?” Emeric was one for gossip, and he


    nudged Cassius with his elbow while watching the scene.


    “It seems so,” Cassius replied.


    “Does Thaddeus have any feelings for this Edith? Not even a little?” Emeric squinted suspiciously.


    “Not that I know of.”


    Cassius wasn’t trying to make Thaddeus look good. He knew Thaddeus well enough after their


    numerous encounters. Thaddeus was a simple man. When he had feelings for Acacia, he only had


    eyes for her, even if his own sister was a beauty. Now that he’s moved on, his heart only belongs to


    Evadne. He wouldn’t risk his life for her otherwise.


    “I don’t know what these youngdies are thinking. What’s so good about the Abernathy boy that


    they’re all throwing themselves at him? Are they covered in honey or something?”


    Emeric snorted, mumbled discontentedly, “My sons are all single. Any one of them is more handsome


    and thoughtful than Thaddeus. The Fairhaven family is quite reputable. Why not consider one of my


    sons? Cassius, why don’t you try to win her over?”


    Cassius’s heart tightened, and his gaze flickered. “I’m not into women.”


    “What? What did you say?” Emeric’s eyebrows raised in surprise.


    “What I mean is, Ms. Edith is not my type.”


    Cassius coughed lightly, a smile ying on his lips. “Haven’t you noticed that Ms. Edith’s heart is


    already taken? Don’t try to force a match. It’ll only make things difficult.”


    “I don’t know what I’ve done wrong. My own sons are nothing like me, all they care about is their


    careers, not finding a woman!” Emeric sighed and shook his head, not pushing the matter further.


    “Thank you, Ms. Edith, for your continued concern for my grandson because of your childhood


    friendship. I appreciate your kindness, but please return home.” Hamilton’s attitude towards Edith was


    lukewarm, without a hint of a smile.


    After all, Thaddeus was still in a critical condition, and he didn’t have the energy to entertain outsiders.


    “I heard that Thad was injured while protecting Ms. Evadne.”


    Edith finally had an opportunity to gain some favor with the Abernathy family elders, and she certainly


    wasn’t going to just walk away. She said tearfully, “I just want to do something for Thad. Please let me


    stay here and pray for him. I won’t leave until Thad wakes up.”


    “There’s no need, Ms. Edith.”


    Hamilton managed a smile, still maintaining the gentleness due to an elder. “I appreciate your


    kindness, but I am a pragmatist. Instead of believing in prayers, I believe in the power of determination


    and science.”


    Edith’s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly exined with a blush, “Mr. Hamilton, I didn’t mean


    anything by it, and I don’t want to cause any trouble. I just want to do what I can! Although my abilities


    are limited, at least I have never hurt Thad! And I certainly didn’t make him lie in the cold operating


    room, suffering!”


    “Edith, stop talking!” Jareth’s expression darkened, and he walked over to stop her.


    At this moment, Hamilton coldly asked, “Ms. Edith, are you ming Ms. Evadne? Do you think that my


    grandson.is in this condition because of her?”


    She thought, “Of course! Of course, it was all that damn Evadne’s fault!”


    But how could Edith say it out loud? It was clear that Hamilton was biased towards Evadne!


    Just then, a loud noise echoed through the room.


    Everyone turned their heads in unison as the operating room doors swung open!


    Emeric and Cassius bolted upright from their chairs, and the hallway, previously filled with men in their


    business suits and polished shoes, surged. towards the door like a tidal wave.


    Two medical staff members emerged first, followed by a series of slow and heavy footsteps.


    A graceful woman emerged, her beauty unmistakable even beneath the oversized surgical scrubs and


    mask.


    She took a deep breath, slowly removing her mask.


    When Evadne’s naturally beautiful face appeared before everyone, even without a trace of makeup,


    Edith was stunned. Her mouth hung open, barely able to believe her own eyes!


    How could it be?


    Did this woman perform the surgery on Thaddeus?


    “Evadne. Oh, Evadne!”


    Both Emeric and Hamilton rushed towards her, each taking one of Evadne’s slightly trembling hands.


    Seeing her eyes red from exhaustion and her fair face marred by deep marks left by the mask, the two


    elderly men were filled with concern.


    “Evadne. How’s Thaddeus?” Hamilton’s eyes welled up with tears, but he dared not ask directly, stirring


    a sense of sympathy in those around him.


    Evadne took a deep breath, clenching her grandfather’s hand, her eyes slowly curving into a smile,


    “Grandpa, your prayers must have reached Thaddeus while he was unconscious. I’ve removed the clot


    from his brain. The surgery was sessful.”


    The crowd erupted in excited exmations!


    Jareth closed his eyes and clutched his chest in relief, his heart finally settling after a night of worry.


    Thank God! Thank God! Blessed be!” Frederic sped his hands together in prayer, repeating the


    words over and over.


    “What’s all this thanking God? The surgery was performed by na. You should be thanking her!”


    Hamilton retorted, ncing at Frederic.


    Frederic wasn’t fond of Evadne, but he didn’t want to appear ungrateful. He approached Evadne and


    muttered, “Ms. Evadne, we owe you a debt of gratitude for your help this time, thank you for saving my


    son’s life.”


    “Mr. Frederic, please, don’t say that.”


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    Evadne didn’t let the praise go to her head, she just sighed deeply, “Thaddeus was injured trying to


    save me. It was my duty and obligation to save him.”


    “na! We owe you so much!” Hamilton, overwhelmed with relief, embraced Evadne, close to tears.


    Afterforting her grandfather, Evadne looked at Edith with icy gaze, who stood there as if turned to


    stone.