Chapter 424


    Chapter 424


    Jareth bid everyone farewell, and made a beeline for home, urgency in every stride.


    He’d been holding it in these days, the machismo in him refusing to let his emotions show. He spent his


    alone time wrapped in nket, scrolling through intimate pictures of him and Mari, almost bringing


    himself to tears.


    Being away from his darling wife was taking a toll on him. He wasn’t eating well, he wasn’t sleeping


    well. He was at his wit’s e Seeing Thaddeus and Evadine flirt earlier had stoked the fire in him, making


    his longing unbearable.


    Night fell, and the stars littered the sky.


    Elmsworth was warming up pretty fast in Jareth’s absence. The flowers and nts in the yard were


    showing signs of spring.


    end


    Five days had passed without any news from the young master. Lily was worried sick, unable to eat or


    sleep, her mind elsewhere. Every day, she did two things.


    She tended to Mari, and waited for Jareth to return.


    Tonight, Lily was dressed immactely, standing by the door as always.


    She felt that the young master would return triumphant any time now. Maybe today. If not today, then


    surely tomorrow.


    Suddenly, a white sports car, like a bolt of lightning, raced towards her from the distance.


    The car screeched to a halt before her. Seeing Jareth emerge unscathed, striding towards her Lily was


    ovee with emotion, her hands trembling as she clenched them.


    “Mr. Fairhaven, you’ve finally returned.”


    “Why are you standing at the door sote?”


    Jareth nced at Lily, his eyes widened in surprise, “Have you been standing here every night waiting


    for me?”


    “No, I just couldn’t sleep tonight. I was standing outside to clear my mind. By coincidence, you


    returned.”


    Lily forced a smile, keeping the truth to herself.


    Her feelings for Jareth ran deep, but she never let them show.


    “Where is Mari? Is she asleep?” Jareth asked anxiously


    “Yes, she has slept, just recently.”


    Jareth’s shoulders slumped, disappointment in his eyes, “Oh God. I rushed all the way here, nearly set


    my car on fire, and I still couldn’t make it in time“”


    He knew his darling wife loved sleep. She was a real sleeping beauty.


    In the past, if he hadn’t kept her upte into the night with his affection, she w


    would have slept early. And they would have had to wait until morning to, well, do things.


    nted by longing.”


    Lily forced a smile, “it’s okay, M. Fairhaven. At least you won’t have to stare at Ms. Marilia’s photos


    anymore, tormented


    Ah, she was right.


    But he was burning up with desire, his wife was fast asleep, who could he tum to? Was he supposed to


    take a cold shower and take care of it himself?


    Life is. Hard.


    Just as Jareth was about to step inside, in the dim light from the doorway, he noticed a scab on Lily’s


    left check. It looked like she had been cut by something sharp.


    Upon closer inspection, her left cheek was noticeably swollenpared to the right,


    “Wait, what happened to your face?” Jareth frowned, his brows furrowed.


    “It’s nothing. Mr. Fairhaven Lily lowered her gaze, avoiding his


    “Nothing? It’s clear you’ve been pped. Do you think I’m blind?”


    His anger red up, his eyes turning red, his voice icy. “Who did this? Who had the audacity to touch


    my people when I’m not here? I’ll


    skin them!”


    Lily knew she couldn’t hide it anymore. She hung her head low and said, “This aftemoon, Miss Edith


    suddenly came over She wanted to see Ms. Man”


    “What did Edith want?” Jareth’s heart skipped a beat.


    “Miss Edith said she and Ms. Mari were ssmates in middle school, and they were on good terms


    back then. She’s had time to reflect on the unpleasant events of the past and realizes she shouldn’t


    have been so selfish. So she came over today, to make peace with Ms. Mari.”


    “Do you believe her?” Jareth shot back coldly


    Lily simply said, “I didn’t let her in.“”


    “So, she pped you because you wouldn’t let her see Mari?”


    Lily remained silent.


    “Ha, all that talk was pure bull then.”


    Jareth took a deep breath, holding back his rage. “So Edith came to see Mari with ulterior motives.


    She’s putting on a show, ying both sides. Does she think she’s a saint?”


    Lily was helpless.


    “Lily, you’re caught in, the middle of our sibling rivalry. And you have to take care of Ms. Mari too. I’m


    sorry.”


    Jareth sighed, feeling guilty. “You can take a leave from tomorrow. I’ll take care of Mari. You love


    traveling, don’t you? Take my credit card, go out and have some fun.”


    “You’re too kind, I’m just doing my job.”


    Lily’s face remained calm, but warmth spread through her heart, filling her chest


    Jareth tiptoed into the bedroom.


    1.. He slowly moved towards


    He didn’t dare turn on the light, didn’t dare wear shoes for fear of making any noise that might wake


    Man. He his darling wife curled up on the bed, like a thief in the night.


    The shadows cast by the moonlight on the wall gave him a sense of familiarity, like the big bad wolf


    about to pounce on the little rabbit. Jareth stood by the bed, hisrge frame casting a shadow over


    Mari’s petite figure. He gazed at her for a long time, then bent down to nt a light kiss on her soft


    lips.


    He thought, “I’m back, darling, Have a good sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up.”


    Just as Jareth was about to leave, a pair of frail arms wrapped tightly around his waist!


    “Mari.” His heart skipped a boat.


    Tears welled up in Mari’s eyes as she clung to him, her voice choked with emotion, “Jareth, you’re


    finally back. Why were you gone so long? I thought you weren’ting back. I thought you didn’t want


    me anymore.”


    As she spoke, tears rolled down her cheeks, falling onto Jareth’s back, piercing his heart.


    So, she hadn’t been asleep at all.


    She wasn’t sure if her beloved had really returned, or if it was all just a dream.


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    Jareth turned around, holding his crying wife tightly. His strong hand cradled the back of her head, his


    fingers running through her soft hair. He wished he could merge her into his very being.


    “Silly girl. I would rather be forsaken by the world, be everyone’s enemy, but I’ll never leave you. You’re


    my everything.”


    “But you were gone for so long. You’ve never left me for so long.” Mani sobbed, her tiny hands


    crumpling Jareth’s crisp ck shirt.


    “Catching a crook isn’t easy, they’re slippery, so it took a few extra days,” Jareth exined in a tone


    typically used to soothe a child.


    “Did you catch him?”


    “I did, my love. Caught him with my own two hands!” Jareth boasted proudly to his wife.


    “Wow, Jareth! You’re amazing!” Mari’s eyes sparkled in admiration.


    “Well, I have to be, don’t I? To protect you,” Jareth replied, grinning shamelessly.


    “Now that the bad guy’s caught, can we get justice for Erica?” She asked cautiously, her eyes welling


    up.


    Jareth took a deep breath and nodded, “Yes, your dear friend, that kindhearted girl, can finally rest in


    peace.”


    Mari sped her hands together, silently praying for Erica. For the first time in days, a small smile


    graced her lips.


    If Mari wasn’t going to sleep, there was no way Jareth would let her off easily


    Without bothering to shower, he undressed while kissing her sweet lips, pushing her down onto the


    large bed.


    Mari’s cutece nightgown was discarded on the floor, her little legs quivering under the man’s touch,


    Under the dim moonlight, the room was filled with heavy breaths and soft moans


    After making love, they were too tired to even shower Covered in sweat, they fell asleep in each other’s


    arms.


    “Darling, I’m sorry I always keep you waiting. Jareth apologized, feeling as though he owed her so


    much. As someone with autism, Man needed hispany, but he was often too busy to be there for


    her.


    Mani shook her head, nuzzling her head against his chest. “It doesn’t matter, Jareth. I have


    everything I need with you.”


    Jareth tilted her chin up, looking deeply into her eyes. “I want to give you everything, Mari. Not just


    myself, but the entire Fairhaven group as a gift.”


    Mari fell asleep before she could fullyprehend his words.


    Jareth held her close, vowing to give her the best. He was determined to take over the Fairhaven


    group, not just for revenge against his father’s enemies, but to provide for his family.


    Meanwhile, Thaddeus had just moved into Evadne’s vi. They had spent hours on the ne, tangled


    up in each other, and were exhausted by the time they got home.


    Evadne fell asleep almost instantly, not even bothering to change out of her clothes.


    Thaddeus carefully helped her into her pajamas, trying not to wake her. He couldn’t helpughing when


    she mumbled in her sleep about something delicious.


    “Little glutton. I’ll feed you when you wake up,” Thaddeus promised, nting a kiss on her forehead


    before leaving the room.


    The next day, Alva was overjoyed to learn that Thaddeus and Mrs. Abernathy had returned.


    “You’ve kept the house in excellent condition, Alva. Thank you” Thaddeus thanked Alva, his arm


    wrapped around Evadne’s waist.


    Just then, the doorbell rang. Gordon entered, carrying tworge food containers from the famous


    restaurant. Despite the three–hour wait for a table, he had managed to secure their favorite dishes.


    The sight of the food made Evadne’s mouth water. They all sat down for a warm, convivial dinner,


    enjoying the delicious food and each other’spany.


    At this moment, there was no distinction between master and servant. They were a close–knit family.


    Indeed, Alva and Gordon had be kin to Thaddeus over the years.


    After dinner, Evadne and Alva cleaned up the kitchen while Gordon called Thaddeus into the small


    living room to discuss some matters.


    “Mr. Thaddeus, while you were some developments with the Abernathy Group, Gordon lowered his


    voice.


    “Did something go wrong with the coboration with Aether Dynamics?”


    For some time, Thaddeus had been unconscious and had been recovering since he woke up.


    Evadne kept a close eye on him, not wanting to strain him any further. So, she confiscated his phone


    while he was in the hospital, which meant he was not able to get in touch with Gordon immediately.


    Naturally, he was not aware of what was happening with the Abernathy Group.


    “No issues, on the contrary, it’s been progressing very smoothly.”


    “Smooth progress, isn’t that a good thing?”


    Thaddeus frowned, “but judging by your expression, it seems rather serious. Did the coboration hit a


    snag?”


    “The one pushing the coboration is not Mr. Frederic, but his elder son.”


    “My brother?” Thaddeus‘ eyes nanowed, a knot forming in his heart.


    “Yes. You weren’t there for that meeting. Mr. Chad stepped in to negotiate the coboration with the


    chairman,”


    Gordon’s expression soured as he recalled the event, his words tinged with criticism for Chad, “He’s


    always been living abroad, never showing any interest in the Abernathy Group/ But now, he suddenly


    steps in at this critical juncture. It’s too much of a coincidence! think this move by the elder son is


    inappropriate. It’s like he’s taking advantage of a crisis, taking over someone else’s role!”


    “Gordon, don’t say that”


    Thaddeus‘ expression tumed serious, “My brother is my savior. He risked his life to save me from those


    kidnappers, even catching a severe illness in the process. If it werent for that incident, I wouldn’t be the


    heir,”