Chapter 422


    Chapter 422


    In less than half a month’s time, Thaddeus had gone from being critically injured to regaining


    consciousness.


    Most people would not have made it past the emergency room, and even if they did barely survive, it


    was probable that they would be in aa for one and two months, or even more. ording to


    Chasel’s analysis, Thaddeus‘ inherent physical strength and his previous long time military training


    yed a significant role in his survival and recovery.


    The next morning, Evadne apanied Thaddeus for aprehensive medical check–up.


    Throughout the process, Thaddeus was as docile as a child who was led by his mother to a doctor’s


    appointment, following Evadne’s instructions without anyints.


    “Have you ever seen Evadne like this before? Full of maternal warmth, I feel like I should bow down to


    her in salute,” Elvis said, his eyes filled with envy as he watched Evadne tuck Thaddeus who was


    sitting in a wheelchair into a nket.


    “Unfortunately, once she finds a man, her brothers be as significant as forgotten dolls in the attic.”


    Elvis continued, “Evadne won’t even spare a nce for us now”


    “Well, can’t me her. Who wouldn’t feel for a man like Thaddeus? Jareth retorted, taking his chance


    to mock Elvis, “Perhaps if you mutte yourself, Evadne might shift her attention back to you”


    Tim Evadne’s brother. I grew up with Evadne! I have been there for her since childhood, made toys for


    her, tied her shoces, cleaned up after her meals, and took the me for her mischief!” Elvis


    eximed, growing more frustrated. “And Thaddeus just came along and stole her away from us. Why


    should wepete for her attention with him?”


    “Because Evadne loves him. Jareth replied nonchntly while yawning, “You better ept this fact,


    Elvis. No one can break them apart now after what they’ve gone through”


    “Elvis, you’re not a petnt kid. Stop being like one, Cassius and Chasel approached them, their


    silhouettes illuminated by the soft morning sunlight.


    “Mr. Fairhaven is right. You will have to admit Thaddeus is your future brother–inw. Unless Evadne


    decides never to marry, you won’t have another brother–inw in this lifetime‘


    They were of same gender, yet they seemed a match for each other in Elvis and Jareth’s eyes. One


    was wild and alluring, the other refined and reticent; One looked charming and steadfast, the other


    attractive and gentle.


    It was a shame that Chasel was a man. If he were a woman, they surely were a perfect match.


    “You just wait and see!” Elvis was fuming. In the future. Thaddeus must many into the Ashboume


    family.”


    “Well? Sounds absolutely great Jareth spoke on his friend’s behalf, “The Ashbourne family have nine


    kids and Chairman Emeric has three wives. Even so, he’s able to support your daily life without


    difficulty. Adding Thad wouldn’t hurt.”


    Chasel dissolved intoughter, “You seem to be more eager than your friend himself when ites to


    getting married.”


    Hearing that, Cassius gazed at this charmingpany next to him. As if they had mutual affinity,


    Chasel looked over their gazes met unexpectedly


    Cassius pretended to be unruffled, though his heart fluttered unwittingly, his dry throat exposed his


    nervousness anyway.


    “So sweet, huh? Wait until Thaddeus marries into our family, Пl order him to cook for us, wash dishes


    and do the formalities every day he wakes up. Not only that, their kids would be surnamed Ashbourne


    instead!” Elvis eximed in frustration.


    “That’s just a slight to Thad. Only let him cook? You should make him wash your feet and give you


    massage,” Jareth couldn’t help feeling thrilled, as if he had already pictured Thaddeus future life in the


    Ashbourne family.


    Meanwhile, Evadne finished Thaddeus‘ check–up, and rolled him over to the group.


    “What are you guysughing about? You’re not gossiping about us, are you?” Evadne asked


    suspiciously, gazing at Jareth and Elvis. Luckily, Arnold wasn’t there; otherwise, it’d be a boisterous


    scene.


    “Oh, how dare I mock the beloved Thaddeus? Elvis replied enviously.


    “Enough, Elvis,” Cassius warned.


    Evadne sighed helplessly, “Elvis, I can almady imagine what my future sister–inw will have to face. If


    she even looks at another man, will you be sulking all day?”


    “Sulk all day? I will make her bedriddery for three days!”


    The rest was rendered speechless.


    Watching the bickering siblings, Thaddeus couldn’t help but smile. If it happened before, he’d also get


    jealous; but now, he wouldn’t. He knew that this was their way of expressing their affection for Evadne


    and that he needed to adjust, understand, and integrate into this dynamic


    People often lost themselves in love; he thought he was on his way there.”


    e all here”


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    “You are


    The group turned around to see Darey and his wife approached them, hand in hand, looking like


    newlyweds.


    “Finally, we’re all safe and sound. It’s nice to see everyone together.” Debby looked at Thaddeus, who


    looked well under her sister’s care, and let out a relieved smile. “How are you feeling, Mr. Abernathy?”


    “Much better. I’m nning to leave the hospital tomorrow and go home with Evadne,” Thaddeus replied


    politely.


    “Tomorrow? Are you out of your mind?” Evadne interjected, giving Thaddeus‘ shoulder a gentle


    squeeze, “Even though the doctor said you’re recovering well and your blood count is improving, you’re


    not ready to be discharged yet. You need to stay for at least another


    Thaddeus tenderly ced his palm atop her hand, lightly caressing it, “Eden’s hiding out in Elmsworth,


    I need to go back, root him out. If we dy, more problems may arise. And then there’s Ward. We need


    to interrogate him and get him to give up Elspeth. There are so many important things waiting to be


    done. My health is the least of my worries.”


    Their actions weren’t overly intimate, but anyone watching would feel as though their souls were


    intertwined.


    “You can’t just push yourself like this, Thaddeus. Your health is vital! Don’t you understand how much I


    would feel womled?”


    A bitter taste of guilt rose in Thaddeus‘ throat. He tightly held her small hand, unwilling to let go.


    He knew what she wanted to say. Even if she didn’t say it, he knew.


    “Thaddeus, revenge is a dish best served cold. You should focus on getting better first” Darcy advised


    solemnly.


    Thaddeus responded with a grateful smile, “I appreciate your concem. And thank you for the blood


    transfusion. I owe you a great debt. ril return it with all I can.”


    “Let’s drop the formalities. From now on, just call me Darcy, and well call it even,” His demeanor was


    far moreid–back and jovial among family, a stark contrast to his political persona.


    Debby lightly nudged him, and before he could react, Thaddeus responded with a clear and bright,


    “Alright, Darcy.”


    Evadne blushed, her lips pressed together in embarrassment.


    Elvis rolled his eyes at Thaddeus, “Climbing up the socialdder at every chance, aren’t you?”


    “You can go back.” Cassius moved his lips, But Thaddeus, it’s crucial that the Abernathy Group doesn’t


    find out about your current situation. So, I’ve arranged for you to stay at our Ashbourne Group’s


    hospital. The environment isfortable and discrete. Evadne, don’t worry too much. It’s only a five–


    hour journey from Country T to Elmsworth. The private jet is equipped with emergency medical


    facilities. Everything will be fine”


    “On top of that, you’ve got me, a renowned doctor, with you. What’s there to fear, Evodne? Chasel


    boasted, lifting his chin.


    Jareth retorted, “Are you more renowned than Evodne?”


    “What do you mean?” Chasel frowned.


    “Evadne is Dc Eve. You didn’t know that till now?”


    Chasel was struck dumbfounded. He turned towards the rest of the group, all of whom were unfazed.


    So, everyone knew except him? All this time, he had been showing off in front of an expert?


    Feeling humiliated, Chasel tumed away, leaning against the wall with his back towards everyone.


    Jareth scratch his head in confusion, “What’s wrong with him?”


    Elvis crossed his arms, “No idea. Maybe because of my sister’s amazing skill stuns him.”


    private jet back to Elmsworth


    The next day. Evadne and Thaddeus, along with the others, boarded the Ashbourne family’s priva


    Debby and her husband couldn’t join them, as they had to return to Helgen immediately. Their political


    duties were piling up, and their secretary was swamped with calls, for they had spent too much time on


    personal affairs. For the presidential couple, time was indeed a luxury they couldn’t afford.


    They traveled light; due to her concem, Evadne asked Elvis to keep thempany just in case.


    On the ne, Chasel, unused to waking up early, was catching up on sleep. The others were


    engrossed in serious discussions.


    “Thaddeus, Cassius mentioned that you figured out who Eden is working for Who’s pulling the strings


    to take you out?” Evadne finally asked the question that had been on her mind.


    Cassius and Jareth, too, were waiting for his answer in grave expression.


    “Evadno, if I tell you, will you believe me? I worry that you might not be ready to ept the answer


    Thaddeus furrowed his brows tight, locking eyes with Evadne


    “Avery? Evadne guessed.


    Cassius and Jareth were taken aback. Thaddeus was stunned, “Evadne, how did you know?”


    “Debby and Darcy had a long talk with me while you were unconscious. They too suspect that Avery is


    colluding with Eden. After all, he had frequent interactions with Country T during his time in Helgen.”


    Evadne then shared with them what Debby and Darcy had been through over the years.


    “Damn it! I knew it was that wolf in sheep’s clothing! The more innocent he looks, the more deceitful he


    is!” Jareth gritted his teeth in fury.


    “I don’t understand. If it’s really him, I know why he want to hurt you, but why would he want to hurt


    Cassius? They’ve never had any issues,” Evadne clenched her fists in resentment, a chill running down


    her spine.


    “It seems we don’t have any issues, but that’s just what you see on the surface. He and I are never in


    peace.” Eyes icy cold, Cassius moved his lips, “In private, it’s not the first time we’ve crossed swords. It


    just didn’t lead to physical conflict.”


    Evadne was astonished. She had no idea when Cassius did all of those.


    I


    I’ve discovered early the dirty pool Avery used. Even though he did it out of winning you over, I found


    his acts vile. So at that time strongly objected you two being together and warned him more than once


    that he wasn’t allowed to get any closer to you.” Thaddeus‘ heart sank. The interactions between them


    made Thaddeus leam about Avery more than Evadne did. While Evadne took Avery as her friend, he


    didn’t. He knew Avery was the one who haggled with every penny and sought revenge for petty


    grudge, in other words, he was just narrow–minded.


    If you wronged him, he’d go after your entire family.


    “If love needs ploys to obtain, then this affection would lose its original purity and sanctity.” Cassius


    looked at Evadne with a fatherly concern, “Every time I think that you’re contacting this kind of man, I


    find it difficult to sleep. He bears no bottom line when dealing with people, and who knows one day he


    might exert these means on you. Evadne, you’re my darling sister, the apple of my eye. I can’t gamble


    with your happiness. I simply can’t afford to lose, Cassius confessed, his words heavy with emotion.


    Evadne’s eyes moistened at his heartfelt deration, “Cassius.”


    Cassius gently tousled her hair before turning to Thaddeus, “Mr. Abernathy, since you had suspicions


    about Avery back on Star Ind, why didn’t you share them with me then? We might have been able to


    act sooner, to catch him off guard.”


    Thaddeus sighed deeply, his thin lips pulled into a bitter smile, “As much as I despise Avery, I only had


    suspicions, not proof, I couldn’t use him without solid evidence.”


    Cassius felt a surge of respect for the man before him. This was why he felt that no matter what Avery


    did for Evadne, it would never match up to Thaddeus.


    Avery might have a dazzling facade, but he was rotten to the core.


    1. re. But Th


    Thaddeus, despite his ws, had a soul that was pure.


    “Besides, Avery is a dear friend to Evadne,” Thaddeus left his sentence hanging, his point made.


    Evadne felt a sharp pang in her heart, her throat dry, “So you didn’t say anything because you were


    afraid I’d be upset?”


    “Yes.”


    Thaddeus gave her a sheepish grin, “I guess that makes me a bit of a coward, doesn’t it? I had nned


    to look into Avery as soon as we left Star Ind, but I nearly didn’t make it back myself. I should have


    thought things through better.”


    His humility was striking. In front of her, this once high and mighty man was lowering himself to the


    ground, fearing that any wrong move might upset her and ruin the budding affection between them.


    “Silly. Thaddeus, you’re really silly” Evadne’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, almost unable to utter


    a word for distress.


    She recalled the countless arguments they had over Avery, so heated that they nearly came to blows.


    Looking back, it all seemed so.


    absurd.


    Thankfully, Thaddeus‘ love for her remained steadfast. Otherwise, any other man would have been


    driven away long ago.


    The ne made its smooth journey towards Emsworth. Inside the cabin, everything was calm. Jareth,


    exhausted, was already asleep.


    Evadne and Thaddeus leaned against each other, their heads resting together. He gently squeezed her


    hand, the warmth from her skin seeping into his heart.


    Suddenly, Thaddeus stiffened. He noticed something abnormal about the little finger on her left hand,


    “Evadne, what happened to your finger? Did you hurt?”


    Evadne’s breath hitched, her body trembling slightly in his arms.


    “Evadne, what’s wrong?” Thaddeus asked, his heart pounding with worry.


    Should she tell him? Should she tell him that she was the girl who fought alongside him on the


    battlefield of Zenithia, who dragged his injured body back to camp, and in the process, lost the use of


    one of her fingers?