Chapter 442


    Chapter 442


    The arrival of the Morris family added a subtle edge to the atmosphere.


    Frederic and the folks from the Fairhaven estate were quite warm towards them. Though both were


    from well–to–do families, there was no need to brown–nose, but their cordiality was markedly warmer


    compared to their attitude towards others.


    Only Thaddeus sat aloof and handsome as a statue by Frederic’s side, his gaze heavy with unspoken


    passion as he stared unwaveringly at the love of his life.


    At that moment, Emeric was Winding something to his daughter Evadne, the pair deep in serious


    conversation, the young woman listening intently, oblivious to the burning gaze that nearly bore holes


    into her.


    Suddenly, Thaddeus’s chiseled face darkened like a storm cloud passing overhead.


    Avery had just lifted his champagne flute, leaning forward andpletely blocking his line of sight.


    The next second, he slowly turned to face him, a teasing smirk on his lips as he raised his ss in a


    mock toast.


    Thaddeus felt as if his blood had turned to ice in his veins, his face casting deep shadows as he


    clenched the stem of his wine ss so tightly it might snap!


    Avery arched an eyebrow,zily sipping his drink, his expression and smile nothing but provocative!


    CRACK-


    Thaddeus’s breath caught, and he crushed the stem of the ss, which fell to the floor, drenching him


    in champagne.


    “Oops! Thad, you’ve stained your shirt!” Edith’s attention was entirely on Thaddeus. She sprang up like


    a jack–in–the–box and rushed to his side.


    Then, to everyone’s shock, she knelt down and began to dab at the wet spots on Thaddeus’s trousers


    with her handkerchief!


    The crowd was speechless.


    This was a bit too much, wasn’t it? The Fairhaven heiress demeaning herself like this?


    Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    Barry and Mrs. Fairhaven were livid, their faces turning an ashen hue. Gary, seeing his niece made a


    spectacle of, felt no shame but rather seemed amused, barely containing hisughter.


    And this chuckle was caught by Jareth, his beautiful eyes narrowing.


    But he didn’t n to intervene. In his eyes, Thaddeus should seize the opportunity to let Edith make a


    fool of herself, hopefully teaching her a lesson to never again covet a taken man!


    “Jareth.” Mari tugged at his sleeve and called out softly.


    –“Hmm? What is it?” Jareth asked gently, looking down.


    “I don’t know why, but looking at your uncle Gary, it just feels ufortable, Mari confessed, her


    candid nature unable to hide her thoughts.


    Though she spoke softly, Gary’s ears perked up, catching snippets of the conversation.


    “Then stop looking at him. Too much trash can hurt your eyes, Jareth wrapped an arm around his petite


    wife’s waist, raising his voice on purpose.


    Gary felt a surge of anger but couldn’t show his irritation without seeming petty for eavesdropping on a


    young couple’s conversation.


    “Hmm,” Mari quickly shut her eyes, her expression adorably earnest.


    Jareth’s hand affectionately ruffled her hair, then he leaned in to kiss her cheek, “In the future, we’ll


    have lots of beautiful babies. Too much trash can affect the kids‘ looks.”


    Blushing, Mari’s heart fluttered, her cheeks blooming with a rosy glow.


    Gary choked on his drink, his face turning beet red!


    Evadne watched Edith attempting to touch her man and felt a surge of anger. She leaned forward


    slightly.


    She wasn’t really going to make a scene; she wasn’t that shameless.


    She was just momentarily overwhelmed, her body reacting on its own.


    “Evadne, what are you doing?” Emeric asked sternly.


    “You’re not nning to emte Edith, are you? Making a spectacle of yourself over some man, like


    some street brawler? Are you as lowly as that girl? Don’t disappoint me, don’t disgrace the Ashbourne


    name!”


    Evadne bit her lip hard, her rosy lips turning white from the pressure!


    Avery heard everything, his lips curling darkly as he leisurely sipped his champagne.


    Just as Edith’s hand nearly touched Thaddeus, he stood abruptly, a chilling aura swirling around him.


    “Ah!” Edith stumbled and fell to the ground in a clumsy heap!


    Bodyguards scrambled to help her up. Those in the back who hadn’t noticed were now fully aware, and


    Edith’s embarrassment wasplete. “Ms. Fairhaven, please conduct yourself with dignity,” Thaddeus


    said icily, his voice hanging over her like the threat of a thunderbolt ready to strike.


    Evadne smiled secretly, a sweet satisfaction in her heart.


    There was probably no other man in the world who could give her the security Thaddeus did.


    The crowd struggled to contain theirughter, making Edith’s humiliation burn even hotter!


    Barry was exasperated but couldn’t confront Thaddeus. After all, it was his granddaughter who had


    been shamelessly throwing herself at him, in full view of everyone.


    “Tsk, tsk, tsk. The Fairhaven’s upbringing really leaves much to be desired. Had it been my daughter,


    I’d have disciplined her ten times a day,” Jeff muttered under his breath, sitting next to Emeric,


    “Evadne’s so graceful. How can those nouveau riche Fairhaven girls evenpare to ady like


    Evadne?”


    “Hmph,dy? Don’t tter her. She’s nothing but a wild monkey,” Emeric nced at his daughter, “Do


    you remember how many times we had to rece the windows because of her when she was a child?”


    Evadne pouted at Emeric, annoyed that he was bringing up such old stories just to tease her


    “Hey! Not a monkey, she’s spirited! I’ve always liked that Evadne was different from the rest. She’s my


    kind of girl! Just a few shards of ss? If it makes Evadne happy, I’d say we could bulldoze the whole


    house and build anew!” Jeff was the epitome of a doting father–inw, finding his daughter–inw


    absolutely delightful in every way.


    Thaddeus momentarily excused himself, following Gordon to change his attire.


    Meanwhile, Elspeth was curled up, unable to straighten her back, her legs tightly mped together, her


    body quivering with tremors.


    Things were looking grim. She was enduring excruciating pain, thankfully having drunk little water, or


    else it would have been a catastrophic flood!


    From the moment Evadne had entered the venue, she had been discreetly observing Elspeth.


    Indeed, everything was unfolding as Victor had predicted. Such lengthy outdoor events were proving to


    be a significant strain on this woman’s physical condition.


    Evadne’s eyes twinkled mischievously as she suddenly stood up with a champagne ss in hand and


    addressed the gathering.


    “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s a pleasure to be here with you all, celebrating this splendid asion.


    Today, not only have I had the honor of meeting esteemed elders and dear friends, but also legends of


    the corporate world, like Mr. Morris and Mr. Ford. It’s a delightful surprise and an utmost privilege.”


    With a charming smile, Evadne raised her ss to William and his son, “I’d like to toast to these two


    gentlemen, weing them to Elmsworth.” As she finished her toast, her red lips met the rim of her


    ss, and she tilted back her graceful neck to drink the bubbly champagne with elegance and poise.


    Among all the women from the great families, and perhaps in the entire nation, Evadne shone brightly


    like a pearl in the sea.


    From the moment she had appeared, Junior Morris had been utterly captivated by this beautiful and


    noble woman, unable to shift his gaze away from her striking features.


    “Pfft, showing off for what?” Glynnis sneered at Evadne, muttering with contempt, “Who do you think


    you are, ying hostess to the big shots like they even know which cabbage patch you sprouted from!”


    1


    Before she could finish her thought, William nodded approvingly, raised his ss to Evadne, and said


    in a cheerful tone, “Alea, I had no idea you were the daughter of the K Group’s chairman. You’ve truly


    surprised me. We’ve met before, there’s no need for formalities.”


    The crowd was astounded!


    Frederic’s pupils dted in shock. He had not expected Evadne to have personal connections with the


    nation’s top business moguls!


    The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt.


    When Evadne had married into the Abernathy family, she had hidden her true identity, never unting


    her capabilities, nor had she ever assisted them.or


    his son.


    Now, not only was she repeatedly causing trouble for the Abernathy Group, but she had also


    transformed, glowing with a newfound brilliance, no longer hesitant to disy her talents.


    Was she ying them for fools? Not even disying the basic courtesy of transparency!


    “Mr. Morris, I’m touched that you remember me,” Evadne said with a warm smile.


    Ford looked at his father in amazement, “You mean thisdy is the renowned jewelry designer Alea?


    When did you meet her? I had no idea!”


    “Two years ago, for your mother’s birthday, I wanted to gift her a blue diamond ne and after


    some searching, I was referred to Miss Alea. She personally crafted your mother’s birthday present,”


    William exined with a smile.


    “Oh! The ne that my mother wears to every important event? She loves it!”


    “Yes, that’s the one.”


    William nodded, then turned to Evadne, “I’m truly grateful to you, Alea.”


    “It’s an honor for the ne that your mother enjoys it,” Evadne replied with neither arrogance nor


    false modesty, her demeanor gracious and her smile pleasing to the eye.


    Emeric watched with a subtle, satisfied smile. His girl was usually as wild as an untamed filly,


    seemingly indifferent to the world around her, but when it mattered, she never missed a beat, adept in


    all situations, a person capable of great things.


    Edith and Glynnis looked on as Evadne once again garnered intense attention, their envy turning their


    eyes red, but they were powerless to do anything.


    In the presence of true genius, their machinations were nothing but dust in the wind.


    Caged canaries could neverpete with the resplendent phoenix!


    “Ms. Evadne, it’s a pleasure to meet you!”


    Ford boldly approached Evadne, his gaze fervent, his admiration and infatuation clear as day, “Our


    meeting here must mean our fates are intertwined.


    Why don’t we toast to this serendipity?”


    Evadne’s eyes narrowed slightly, a coldugh echoing in her heart.


    Avery’s expression darkened, his patience wearing thin with the young man. He was about to rise and


    intercept the unwanted advance.


    But before he could act, a figure of cool detachment stepped in front of Evadne, blocking her path.


    It was Thaddeus!


    Avery’s handsome face tightened, his eyes fixated on Thaddeus’s impassive expression, a chill


    permeating his gaze.


    “Thad.” Evadne’s heart warmed as she looked upon his tall silhouette.


    “To be gathered here isn’t just the fate of Mr. Ford and Ms. Evadne, but also signifies that we all share


    a connection,” Thaddeus said, signaling to a waiter who promptly presented him with champagne.


    He lifted the ss, barely curling his lips into a smile that failed to reach his eyes, “Ms. Evadne is ady


    and not ustomed to strong drink. Mr. Ford, if you don’t mind, allow me to share this toast with you


    on her behalf. Would that be agreeable?”