Chapter 445


    Chapter 445


    “What’s wrong?” Emeric asked, his voice a deep rumble.


    “Our jockey got injured by some crazed horse from the Lockwoods while he was out walking ours!”


    The Ashbournes exchanged shocked nces.


    “What?”


    Emeric’s eyes widened with concern. “How is he? Not in any life–threatening danger, I hope?”


    Although Emeric was known as a ruthless tycoon in the boardroom, he was known for his benevolence


    towards his staff. His first


    thought wasn’t about the race, but about the jockey’s safety.


    Mr. Dn, the estate manager, wiped his brow. “No, thank goodness. He’s got multiple bruises and a


    broken arm. We’ve sent him to the hospital, but there’s no way he canpete now.”


    Emeric exhaled in relief. “As long as he’s okay, that’s what matters.”


    “Which horse caused the injury? We must hold them ountable,” Myra gently reminded.


    “Don’t


    worry, Myra dear. The Ashbournes won’t be pushed around. I’ve already handled it. They will be held


    fully responsible.”


    But now, the Ashbournes were in a tight spot….


    Without a jockey, were they to bow out of thepetition, just handing over this grand opportunity on a


    silver tter?


    Emeric clenched his jaw, his face etched with frustration.


    “Chairman Emeric, it’s a true shame your horse won’tpete in such a prestigious event.”


    Frederic’s mouth spoke of regret, but his lips curled into a smug smile. “Nheless, there’s always


    next year. No need to dwell on it too much.”


    Emeric’s expression darkened.


    He thought, “So, your son bullies my daughter, and you think you can gloat over my misfortune? Over


    my dead body!”


    The Chambers and the Fairhavens breathed a sigh of relief, with one less contender to worry about.


    “Regret? Mr. Frederic, you speak too soon.”


    Evadne stepped forward with a confident grace, her tone conveying an undeniable sense of pride. “The


    Ashbournes don’t leave room for regrets, nor do we ept defeat.”


    Frederic’s smugness faltered.


    Evadne’s decisive words shattered the tension and redefined the atmosphere.


    Thaddeus watched his spirited love with a gentle smile, eagerly anticipating the surprise she was about


    to unveil.


    “Tsk, that little minx is making a scene again!” Glynnis muttered under her breath.


    “Hmph, she’s just trying to make a statement because she can’t stand to see her family lose out,” Edith


    twirled a lock of her hair with disdain. “What can she possibly do? The race is starting soon. Unless she


    ns to ride herself–ha!”


    But before Edith’sughter subsided, Evadne spoke with calm resolve, “Dad, let me ride for the


    Ashbournes.”


    The room erupted in a chorus of shocked exmations.


    What did she mean?


    Was Evadne going to race? Could she even handle it?


    Thaddeus’s heart skipped a beat as he stared at Evadne’s captivating silhouette, his breathing erratic


    with anticipation.


    Edith’s eyes bulged in disbelief.


    Glynnis scoffed sarcastically, “Oh, you must be psychic, saying exactly what happens next.”


    “Let her try to y the hero. We’ll see how she fares,” Edith hissed, her eyes maliciously fixed on


    Evadne’s confident demeanor.


    “Evadne, are you sure you can do this?” Emeric asked, concerncing his voice.


    “Dad, do you really have to ask?” Eyadne winked yfully, her eyes twinkling with mischief.


    Emeric, Myra, and Cassius exchanged knowing looks. They were aware that Evadne could ride, but


    racing was a different beast entirely. “Ms. Evadne, racing isn’t child’s y, and this event is crucial for


    business alliances and the family’s honor,” Barry said dismissively.


    It was clear they expected her to embarrass herself.


    “And look at the field, Ms. Evadne, do you see any other women? Is it really proper for you to


    compete?” Edith, emboldened by her grandfather’s words, joined in deriding Evadne.


    “Ms. Edith, are you suggesting that horse riding isn’t a sport for women, or do you inherently believe


    that women are inferior to men?” Evadne’s gaze was icy as she replied, her lips curving into a mocking


    smile. “If I recall correctly, your grandmother was a celebrated rider in her youth, even winning


    international des. Are you saying her actions were improper, or do you also look down on your


    own family?”


    Edith’s face turned beet red with mortification, at a loss for words.


    Barry merely shook his head at his granddaughter’s impetuousness.


    “Um, Jareth.”


    Mari clutched Jareth’s hand nervously. “Evadne has offended Edith. Isn’t she afraid?”


    “Afraid? Why should she be? When the formidable Thaddeus bends over backward for her, what is


    there to fear? Quite the novelty,” Jareth chuckled, warming her hand in his.


    “No. I didn’t mean that.”


    The Ashbournes, it seemed, were about to witness yet another defining moment, one that might just


    turn the tables in their favor. Mari kept her gaze fixed on the ground, her cherry lips parting ever so


    slightly as she murmured in a Wind, “I’m worried. I’m worried that Edith will pick on sis.”


    “Mari, what did you say?” Jareth asked, not quite catching her words.


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    “Nothing! It’s nothing.” she stammered, shaking her head fervently as if it were a tambourine.


    Memories, fragmented and nightmarish, flooded her mind like a relentless tide. She took a deep breath,


    closed her eyes, and forced herself not to dwell on them, even as a sheen of cold sweat began to form


    on her smooth brow.


    “You don’t take on a job without the right tools,” Evadne said, shing Barry a confident smile that could


    rival the sun and moon. “Mr. Barry, thank you for your concern, but I never enter a battle I’m not sure of


    winning. Thispetition is mine for the taking!”


    Barry was taken aback, his opinion of the young woman shifting in an instant.


    Her fearless demeanor reminded him of his wife in her youth.


    If only Edith weren’t his own granddaughter, he’d have to admit that this girl was indeed a force to be


    reckoned with, a true warrior in her own right.


    If his grandson were to court Ms. Evadne.


    That, he considered, might be worth pondering.


    “Dad, Myra, Cassius, I’m running out of time. I’ll go get changed,” Evadne announced cheerfully,


    waving to them before heading out with Mr. Dn by her side.


    “Evadne! Be careful!” Myra called out, her eyes brimming with worry.


    Evadne nced back and shed–an “ok” sign.


    “Let the girl have a shot at it,” Emericmented, masking his concern with a casual air.


    Thaddeus’s burning gaze followed Evadne until she vanished from sight.


    “Surprised, aren’t you? Didn’t expect Evadne to be an equestrian?” he asked, his brows knitting


    together.


    Avery approached with a smirk, standing beside him like a scene from a fine painting.


    Yet, for all their outward grace, these two were mortal enemies, each secretly wishing the other would


    simply vanish.


    “Evadne is a gift from God,” Thaddeus said, his voice deep and resonant. “And gifts, as you know, are


    full of surprises.”


    “Spare me the grandeur,” Avery retorted with a cold, contemptuous smile. “It’s clear you don’t


    understand her at all. Why mask your insecurity andpetitiveness with such noble words?”


    Thaddeus’s breath hitched, his fingers slowly curling into fists.


    “Did you ever let Evadne see the real you, Avery?” heughed, his eyes like dark, fathomless


    whirlpools. “Did she ever see the ruthless Mr. Avery who conspired with Eden and sent men to Star


    Ind, plotting her brother’s demise?”


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    “Don’t provoke me, Thaddeus,” Avery warned, his smile belying the infernal chill radiating from him. “I


    can make you wish for tears that


    won’te.”


    Thaddeus’s lips curved into a smile that was both stunning and suffocating, a challenge to the looming


    threat.


    “I’m quite eager to see the oue of provoking you, the rabid dog,” he said provocatively.


    Edith downed three sses of champagne in quick session, yet the fiery anger within her refused to


    be quenched.


    She sat alone in the lounge corridor, taking advantage of the solitude to pull out a cigarette case. Her


    expert handling of the slim cigarette betrayed her seasoned habit.


    “Brooding with a smoke and a drink. Look at what the Ashbourne family’s darling princess has been


    reduced to by our sweet Evadne,” Glynnis mocked, sauntering in with her voluminous skirt trailing


    behind.


    “Bullied? As if she could bully me. I just refuse to stoop to her level!” Edith retorted, taking a deep drag,


    her eyes bloodshot with rage.


    Glynnis had heard enough of her bravado and chose not to burst her bubble. Instead, she sat down, lit


    a cigarette, and joined Edith in puffing away.


    “No matter how much that wench shows off, Thad is mine. And the title of Mrs. Abernathy, CEO of the


    Abernathy Group, will belong to me!” Edith seethed, each word dripping with desire.


    Glynnis rolled her eyes inwardly, thinking Edith was the one truly making a spectacle of herself.


    After a moment of silence, Glynnis sighed and fanned the mes of Edith’s discontent. “Even if you do


    marry Thad, I bet those days won’t be easy. He’s clearly smitten with that wench, and you’re likely to be


    ditched before long.”


    Ditched?


    Edith’s mind conjured up all sorts of embarrassing scenarios, each more mortifying than thest.


    “We need to nip this in the bud before it sprouts again!“.


    “Oh, you speak so lightly of it. The Fairhaven family’s dirty tricks might work on others, but Evadne


    comes from a far more powerful background. You think you can handle her? If you could, why is she


    still around? What, are you celebrating the holidays?”


    Glynnis crushed her cigarette butt in the ashtray. “I’ve heard that Evadne’s riding skills are top–notch.


    She was the local youth equestrian champion at ten and even had international interviews. It’s just that


    we didn’t know about it here. Once again, that wench will steal the spotlight. It seems we’re doomed to


    remain in her shadow.”


    Edith’s expression darkened as wants to be in the limelight? I’ll


    plotted something sinister. “Who says there’s no chance? Today presents a good opportunity. She A


    sure she can’t return in one piece!”


    “What’s your n?” Glynnis asked eagerly.


    “This horse race is not only about the face of the four families, but also about the important business


    cooperation. Therefore, not only do I have to make Evadne suffer, I also want the K Group to lose this


    big project. No matter what, I can’t let William and his son choose them!“The Fairhavens had their own


    stables, and Edith knew a thing or two about horses. Her eyes sparkled with a ruthless glint as she


    muttered, “If we want Evadne to take a tumble, her steed must take the fall first.”


    Glynnis, despite her distaste for Edith, had to admit that the woman had a heart mired in foul y and


    hands stained in deceit. Her schemes were as bold as they were sinister.


    Half an hourter, as the derby approached the final call,petitors were in a flurry ofst–minute


    preparations.


    Evadne led out her sleek, jet–ck mare, Wind, whose coat gleamed in the sunlight. With a gentle


    touch, she caressed the horse’s mane. The young mare, usually so sprightly, seemed out of sorts


    today, breathing heavily and hanging her head low as ifcking the usual fiery spirit.


    “What’s wrong with Wind? Is she unwell?” Evadne asked, concern etched in her voice.


    The horse trainer, who had been caring for Wind alongside the injured jockey, sighed deeply. “Miss,


    Wind is the most tender–hearted filly in our stable. She’s feeling sorry for our jockey. It’s only natural


    her fighting spirit isn’t at its peak.”


    “A heart of gold, more reliable than many a man these days,” Evadne mused, touched by the mare’s


    empathy.


    She leaned closer, whispering into Wind’s ear with such tender affection that even the most stoic of


    men would feel a twinge of envy. “Wind, my dear,” she cooed.


    The mare neighed softly, as if in understanding.


    Evadne continued, “I know you’re not yourself today, and it’s hard to ask you to race. But your friend


    prepared for months for this derby, and it would break his heart to miss it. You’re a kind and caring soul,


    Wind. You wouldn’t want to let your friend down, would you?”


    After a few more murmured words, a remarkable change came over Wind. The mare seemed to rally,


    her demeanor visibly brightening.


    With a graceful leap, Evadne mounted her mare, her eyes gleaming with pride and her pose exuding


    an untouchable elegance.


    The horse trainer let out a sigh of admiration. She was the very image of a warrior queen, armored and


    swift as the wind, her presencemanding.


    Evadne tightened the reins, and Wind lifted her front hooves.


    “Forward! To battle we ride!”