Chapter 405
Chapter 405
Today, the only people present were members of the Ashbourne family.
Thaddeus, with a cool andposed demeanor, walked side by side with Evadne,pletely unfazed
by being the only outsider there.
On the contrary, this was the moment when he should be even moreposed.
He needed to be Evadne’s rock, her steadfast support. He wanted to create an environment
where she couldpletely let her guard down, feelpletely safe around him.
Gordon trailed behind Thaddeus, breaking out in a cold sweat at the sight of all the brothers–inw.
When it was his turn to get married, he would make sure to avoid a family with so many older brothers.
It was just too intimidating.
“Evadne!”
Everyone hurriedly approached, gathering around Evadne.
Seeing Thaddeus, the Ashbourne family’s expressions weren’t as unpleasant as before.
In the past, they might have given him the cold shoulder.
“Thank you for everything in these past few days.”
Evadne then turned to Nydia, who was pushing Jason in his wheelchair, and thanked her for taking
care of Jason, “Thank you, Nydia. You’ve really helped me a lot.” “We’re family, Evadne. You don’t have
to thank me.” Nydia replied, her heart warmed by Evadne’s words.
“Jason, get well and treat my sister well.”
Evadne moved forward, taking Jason’s hand in her left and Nydia’s in her right, firmly linking thern
together, “I hope that from now on, the person you’ll protect with all your might is Nydia.”
Tears welled up in Jason’s eyes as he looked past Evadne to the man standing tall and strong behind
her.
Yes, it was time for him to step back.
His girl already had someone to protect her, someone far stronger and more reliable than him.
Thaddeus silently watched Evadne’s slim but strong figure, his heart softening. He longed to hold her
close and announce to the world – she had him and that was enough. A few minutester, the
ceremony officially began.
Just then, Elvis, who had been outside for some fresh air, quickly approached Evadne with a grim
expression.
“Evadne, we have a problem. I don’t know who leaked the news, but a bunch of reporters just showed
up!”
“What?” Evadne’s eyes widened in surprise, “Elvis, you’re usually so careful. Everyone here is part of
our family, so no one would’ve leaked the news!“.
“ording to our people, the bodyguards outside are from the Abernathy group.”
As he spoke, Elvis nced meaningfully at Thaddeus.
“It wasn’t me,” Thaddeus stated firmly.
“I know.” Evadne raised her hand in amanding gesture. “If I had any doubts about you, I wouldn’t
have invited you here.”
Thaddeus was visibly moved by her words.
“The only people who would benefit from this are Elspeth and Glynnis. They know best how Erica died.
They’re simply waiting and longing for this day. They’re always looking for a chance to make a scene in
front of the media and improve their public image. If they dare to make trouble at an Ashbourne family’s
event, they’re just asking for trouble!”
Hermanding presence swept away all objections. Even Thaddeus and Elvis felt a chill run down
their spines.
“Ms. Evadne.”
Behind her, Erica’s grandmother spoke up in a trembling voice, “Is something wrong?”
Evadne turned around to see her worried expression. Evadne’s heart ached and she quickly rushed
over tofort her.
“Don’t worry, Grandma. We’re here to support you. No matter what happens, you have nothing to fear.”
Outside the funeral hall.
A group of reporters were gathered outside, their cameras pointed at the funeral. This event was a
potential headline maker! The members of the Abernathy and Ashbourne groups all present at Erica’s
funeral!
Could this mean that Erica’s death was somehow connected to the Abernathy and Ashbourne groups?
If this news got out, it would be a nationwide scandal!
The wealthy showing no mercy, causing the death of an innocent young girl!
Who was the real culprit behind the tragedy? It was a mystery!
And all of this was just as Evadne had predicted.
These reporters had been lured here by Elspeth and Glynnis.
At the moment, the Abernathy group’s convoy of limbs was lined up outside. Their bodyguards formed
a human wall, pushing the reporters back. After all, the wife and daughter of the Abernathy group
deserved respect.
Inside one of the limos, Elspeth was reapplying her makeup, trying to make her pampered face look
pale and distressed.
“Mom, do we really need to be at this funeral?”
Glynnis nced nervously at the dark window. Knowing that Evadne and her powerful brothers were
inside, she was starting to get cold feet, “We’ve never won in our battles with Evadne. In fact, we’ve
been thoroughly beaten. And with Erica just dead, shouldn’t we be avoiding suspicion?”
“Avoid suspicion? At this point, is there any need?”
Elspeth snapped herpact shut, her pale face paired with a grim expression and cold eyes, making
her look like a vengeful ghost. “If Evadne had any evidence, she would’ve confronted us by now. The
fact that she hasn’t made a move means she doesn’t have any evidence against us!”
Glynnis nodded thoughtfully.
Yeah, with Evadne’s killer instinct and tough personality, if she had any evidence, she would’ve blown
the roof off the Abernathy group long ago. Why would she wait until
now?
“Also, the media already knows that Erica was a maid in the Abernathy household. As thedy of the
Abernathy family, if I don’t show up, wouldn’t that make me look cold and uncaring? The media would
paint me as a ruthless tycoon, caring only about wealth and not about people, right?”
Elspeth was calcting her every move. “So, I must show up at this funeral. It’s a perfect opportunity to
gain some poprity and establish a good reputation. Have you prepared the money I asked you to
give to Erica’s family?”
“Yes, it’s all ready. But mom, is it really necessary to give so much?” Glynnis was a bit reluctant.
Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!
“My dear daughter, you need to spend money to make money. I wouldn’t blink an eye to give this
amount of money to Erica’s family.”
After all, nothing was more important than keeping that secret under wraps.
As soon as the two got out of the car, they switched on their warm and kind personas. They were
seasoned actresses, tears welling up in their eyes as soon as they faced the media cameras.
“Elspeth! We’ve heard that the victim was your personal maid, is that true?” a reporter thrust a
microphone in Elspeth’s face.
Elspeth wiped her tears with a handkerchief and answered, “Yes, Erica was my maid. She was a kind
and honest person. She worked hard during her years in the Abernathy family and we all liked her.”
“Although Erica was taking care of my sister, I always treated her like she was my own sister. The
Abernathy family never mistreated her in any way: Glynnis cried dramatically.
At this point, she didn’t forget to throw some shade at Mari!
The reporters nodded, clearly impressed. “Ms. Glynnis, despite being a part of a wealthy family, you
are truly kind–hearted!”
“As Erica’s employer, it is my duty and responsibility to attend her funeral,” Elspeth cried out to the
camera.
The reporter asked, “How do you n to handle Ms. Erica’s affairs?”
“Thought,Erica died identally, we, at the Abernathy group, failed to pay careful attention to each of
our employees. We also bear some responsibility. So, we have prepared somepensation to
express our condolences. Although we can’t bring her back to life, we will do our best to console and
take care of her family. May she rest in peace.”
The reporters sighed, as their positive impression of Elspeth, which had taken a nosedive, recovered
somewhat.
Elspeth and Glynnis walked towards the memorial hall, nked by their bodyguards.
The reporters followed them, shoving their cameras forward in every direction.
Suddenly, Elspeth and Glynnis froze. Their eyes widened with fear!
Before them stood the Ashbourne family, their presence as intimidating as a storm brewing.
Evadne and Thaddeus stood side by side, their expressions mirrored each other. Fury zed in their
crimson eyes, both burning with the desire to obliterate these two malicious women!
Elspeth managed to keep calm, whereas Glynnis, terrified by Evadne’s piercing gaze, was gasping for
breath, as if someone was strangling her.
“Ms. Evadne, the deceased should be respected.”
Elspeth, with her tear–stained face, looked sorrowfully at Evadne, “No matter our past grievances, I am
here today only to bid Erica a final farewell.”
Before she finished speaking, Evadne stepped forward, ring at Elspeth.
The Ashbourne family and their bodyguards also moved forward, making Elspeth and Glynnis step
back in fear.
Even the reporters took a few steps back!
The Ashbourne family’s influence was not something to be taken lightly!
The Ashbourne family’s sons stood behind their sister, forming a formidable shield, providing her with a
sense of security.
Elvis, because of his special job, couldn’t show his face in front of the media. He stayed hidden, his
gaze fixated on everything.
But, if anyone dared to touch Evadne, he had a thousand ways to make them drop dead on the spot,
without them even knowing how they died!
“Everyone can pay their respects to Erica, except for the two of you.” Evadne’s voice was filled with
hatred.
“Why? Why can’t we enter?” Glynnis, once again, asked a foolish question.
“Because you don’t deserve to.”
Everyone in the room was taken aback.
“Evadne! You are being too arrogant! Don’t push your luck!” Glynnis turned pale with anger.
She raised her hand to point at Evadne, but Elspeth quickly pulled her back. “Ms. Evadne, we are here
with good intentions to bid Erica a final farewell. Let’s not bring personal matters into this. It wouldn’t be
good for either of our families and it would disturb the peace of the deceased.”
Elspeth’s words were filled with meaning, trying to paint Evadne as the unreasonable one.
Evadne’s eyes narrowed, seeing right through Elspeth’s hypocrisy, “The ones disturbing the peace of
the deceased are you two. Just by standing here, you are dirtying her vision and insulting her! Elspeth,
Glynnis, you know damn well what you’ve done to Erica. Are you not afraid of karma catching up with
you? Do you really think you can escape retribution, that you can avold meeting a bitter end?”
The room was engulfed in a wave of shock. Gasps and murmurs filled the hall as everyone turned to
look at Evadne.
What did she mean by that? Were Elspeth and her daughter rted to Erica’s death?
Thaddeus, taken aback, stared at Evadne whose face was ashen with rage. He quietly wrapped his
arm around her waist.
He could feel her trembling, so he tightened his grip, hoping to reassure her, to give her a sense of
security and encouragement.
J
He wasn’t holding back out of social status.
He didn’t intervene, because he knew that some scores had to be settled by Evadne herself. Only then
could she vent her anger and break free from her resentment.
Elspeth and Glynnis were full of panic, their expressions gradually twisted!
The media, which they considered their allies, began to feel like a thorn in their side. Had they shot
themselves in the foot?
“Evadne, what are you insinuating? Are you saying we killed Erica?” Elspeth asked, her eyes
bloodshot.
“Did I say you killed her? I didn’t say anything”
Evadne shrugged, her face a picture of mockery. “All I did was mention karma, and you two are already
getting defensive. Did you actually have something to do with Erica’s death?”
The reporters shared confused nces, then began frantically taking photos of Elspeth and Glynnis.
Elspeth red at Evadne, her eyes burning with hatred. If she could, she would tear Evadne apart limb
from limb.
Evadne retorted, her voice shaking with anger. “You treat your staff like dirt, yet you put on this act of
being good people. It’s about time you received your just desserts.” Thaddeus was taken by surprise.
He admired Evadne’s courage and intelligence in handling the situation.
Although they all knew that Erica’s death was caused by Elspeth and Glynnis, they had no proof. If
Evadne were to use Elspeth publicly, Elspeth could simply use Evadne of defamation. This
would put Evadne at a disadvantage.
So, Evadne chose her words carefully. She stimted Elspeth, gave the media plenty of room for
spection, and seized the opportunity to expose Elspeth and Glynnis for who they really were.
Elspeth hated Evadne, and hated herself even more for not taking precautions against her!
“Evadne, you’re making false usations!” Glynnis blurted out, feeling her carefully curated image
crumbling. “You can’t just twist the truth to fit your narrative. You’re defaming us. I can sue you for this.”
Her voice trailed off, her confidence waning under Thaddeus‘ icy stare.
“I’m just stating the facts. If you’re wondering how I know all this, it’s because I lived with the Abernathy
family for three years, Evadne said, her expression cold and stern. The revtion sent shockwaves
through the room.
What did she mean she lived there for three years?
How could the Ashbourne family’s daughter have lived with the Abernathy family for three years?
Not only the media but also Elspeth, Glynnis, Thaddeus, and the other brothers were all taken aback.
“Evadne.” Thaddeus began, but Evadne cut him off.
“I know all about your misdeeds over the years. No one knows better than I do. Because I was
Thaddeus‘ ex–wife. I was a part of the Abernathy family as well.”