Chapter 462


    Chapter 462


    Thaddeus leaned in for a respectful bow toward him, the deference of a junior done just right.


    Even though this elder had given him a hard time in the past, making him feel unwee and putting


    him in difficult positions, his love for Evadne and the deep respect he held for Chairman Ashbourne’s


    integrity kept him humble. Yet, his humility was nothing like Avery’s eager–to–please fawning.


    “Chairman Ashbourne, the night air’s got a chill to it; mind you don’t catch a cold.”


    His presence was like sunlight without re, a deep current in still waters. On reflection, it did feel quite


    pleasant, natural, as if basking in a gentle breeze.


    Emeric nodded slightly.


    The top dog was without his usual bodyguards, which sent Evadne’s heart racing with worry. She


    hurried over, “Dad, why didn’t you bring anyone with you? Coming here all alone, what if.”


    “Mr. Lyle is quite capable, and besides, it’ste and I didn’t want to disturb their rest. Also, I wanted to


    see for myself how my daughter’s getting on living here in Elmsworth, to see if the house she’s staying


    in isfortable enough.”


    Emeric nced over the vi, “Hmm, small but well–appointed. Not spacious, but cozy enough.”


    “You didn’t pick the lock to get in, did you?” Evadne’s cheeks flushed with heat, her words sharp with


    mock indignation.


    Her embarrassment stemmed from the fact that the vi had be her and Thaddeus’s love nest,


    filled with traces of their life together.


    “Do you really see me as incapable of doing things the normal way?”


    Emeric’s face darkened with a mock frown, “Didn’t you hire a housekeeper? She let me in, made me


    tea, and served some pastries. I had a few; they were quite good. I had Mr. Lyle pack up the rest to


    take with us.”


    Mr. Lyle shook the clear container in his hand.


    “How could you! Those cookies were for Thaddeus, you leave them be!”


    Evadne was stomping her foot in frustration, reaching out with her small, pale hands to snatch away


    the goods, but Thaddeus was quick to hold her back. “You’ve got three women waiting on you hand


    and foot, and Thaddeus has only me! He hasn’t even had a chance to try them; how can you swoop in


    and take advantage? Leave some!”


    “Evadne, it’s alright.” Thaddeus hugged her tighter, a bemused smile on his face.


    “Tsk, no harm in honoring your old man with these treats. Plus, if he wants more, you can make them


    for him anytimeter. But for me to get a taste, I have to trek all the way to Elmsworth. It’s not easy; I’m


    keeping them!” Emeric guarded his prize like a lion with his mane slightly ruffled.


    Later?


    The couple were taken aback, exchanging nces.


    Emeric’s demeanor toward Thaddeus was subtly different this time. In the past, it was as if he wanted


    to chase them with a stick every day. But tonight, not only was he less harsh on Thaddeus, but his


    words were also thought–provoking.


    Thaddeus’s heart raced, his palms beginning to sweat. But he dared not think too much of it; even the


    slightest thaw in their rtionship was enough to satisfy him.


    In the end, Evadne couldn’t win against Emeric, and the pastries were taken. All the effort she’d put in


    that afternoon, and her man had barely had a taste before her father swooped in and imed the lot. It


    was infuriating!


    “Hey, kiddo, you seem sprightly enough. I take it your back’s better?” Emeric inquired about his


    daughter’s injury with genuine


    concern.


    “It’s fine. I’m not that delicate,” Evadne stood tall with a defiant tilt of her chin.


    “Evadne, don’t push yourself. How could it possibly heal that quickly? You know, a sprain is worse than


    a break.”


    Thaddeus’s brow furrowed with concern as he called her out, “Last night you were in so much pain you


    couldn’t sleep, tossing and turning. Why don’t you tell your dad the truth?”


    “It’s not like that. You talk too much,” Evadne bit her lip, nudging him with her elbow in yful


    annoyance.


    Emeric watched the intery between his daughter and Thaddeus, and a sweet warmth wrapped


    around his heart, as if it had been bombarded by candy–coated shells. Even Mr. Lyle, standing behind


    him, couldn’t help but let a smile creep across his face.


    “Mr. Abernathy, Evadne’s got injury. I know she has you looking out for her, but you’re a CEO; your


    days are packed. You can’t be by her side every minute. I’m worried about leaving my girl without


    proper care, so I’m thinking of taking her back home for a few days to recover.”


    The jokes were over, and Emeric got down to point.


    “I’m not going back. Who says I don’t have anyone to look after me? Alva that Thaddeus found for me


    is really reliable, takes great- care of me every day! I’m not going back,” Evadne dered defiantly in


    front of the two men she loved the most, her pout endearing.


    Thaddeus stood silently beside her, his arm around her waist tightening ever so slightly.


    He actually thought it best for her to go home where she’d be well looked after and could spend time


    with her family. But he couldn’t bear the thought of being apart from her. Every moment he spent with


    her was precious, and hevished her with all the love he could muster.


    Even a day apart was agony for him, the yearning too much to bear.


    Seeing Evadne unyielding, Emeric turned to Thaddeus with a serious look, “Mr. Abernathy, my


    daughter may have married you, but you’re not a couple anymore. And given your backgrounds, it’s not


    proper for you to live together like this. If you truly see a future with Evadne, it should be gradual, not


    rushed. Don’t you agree?”


    Thaddeus took a deep breath, tenderness mingled with hesitation as he gently pushed his beloved


    towards her father.


    “Evadne, go home with Mr. Ashbourne for now; take good rest.”


    “You’re sending me away?” Evadne’s brows knitted together, her voice tinged with hurt, eyes brimming


    with the vulnerability of an abandoned kitten.


    “Silly girl, what nonsense. I’m not sending you away, I’m doing what’s best for you,” Thaddeus’s voice


    caught in his throat, seeing her pitiful expression made his heart ache.


    “Will youe to Skyrim to see me?” Evadne’s lips quivered as she asked.


    “Of course, I’lle see you in a few days.”


    But heaven knew, he couldn’t wait even one day. He’d want to set out for Skyrim at dawn, to at least


    stand outside the gates of Silveke Harbor if he couldn’t be with her. Just to be closer to her.


    Emeric suddenly felt an inexplicable pang of guilt stirring within, but he just couldn’t shake off the worry


    about Evadne being alone in Elmsworth.


    After all, she had just ruffled the feathers of the Abernathy family and the Fairhaven family and one of


    the Fairhaven family pooches had taken a nasty nip at her. Who knew what those folks might do next?


    The thought kept him tossing and turning at night.


    In the end, Evadne joined her father for the ride away from town. The night was deep and dew heavy


    as Thaddeus, tall and handsome, stood for a long while in the wind, watching the luxury car disappear


    into the distance.


    Only when it was out of sight did he bow his head, his fists clenched in restraint, a mist of tears brewing


    in his eyes.


    Gordon, sensing his boss’s plight, murmured a constion, “Mr. Abernathy, ease your mind. Mrs.


    Abernathy just went home; she’s not gone for good. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?”


    Thaddeus’s vision blurred, his voice hoarse, “I know. I just feel like I failed to take care of her.”


    The Rolls Royce, shrouded by night, made its way towards Skyrim.


    In the back seat, Evadne nestled into her father’s embrace, silent for a long while. Emeric held her


    shoulder, patting gently as one soothed a child, his voice low and warm, “Evadne, are you ming


    me?”


    Evadne shook her head, “I know you’re looking out for me.”


    After a pause, Emeric heard soft sobs, and felt the damp warmth on his shirt.


    “Evadne? Are you crying?”


    “Dad. I miss Thaddeus. I miss him so much.”


    It had been ages since Evadne had thrown herself into his arms and cried like this. But Emeric felt a


    pang of sorrow, his eyes moistening.


    He hadn’t felt such a stir in his heart since Debby had married off to Helgen.


    But seeing how deeply Evadne and Thaddeus were in love, he felt as if a piece of his very flesh had


    been carved away by the young man. The pain, the reluctance- only a father could understand.


    “My Evadne, I really can’t hold onto you anymore.”


    Back home, Evadne locked herself in her room, wrapping up in a quilt and chatting on the phone with


    Thaddeus.


    She prattled on non–stop, like a little chatterbox. On the other end, the man listened patiently,


    asionally agreeing with her ideas or adding his own suggestions.


    Two souls in sync, their values aligned, there was never a shortage of topics. Later, Evadne’s head


    spun, and without realizing it, she drifted off to sleep.


    The next morning, she rubbed her bleary eyes and stretchedfortably.


    “Seems like you had a good sleep.”


    ?!


    Evadne gasped, flipping over to grab her still–lit phone, “Thaddeus?! Why are you still on the line?!”


    On the other end, his voice was slightly hoarse, clearly weary, “Last night, you went quiet. I figured


    you’d fallen asleep.”


    “So, you?”


    “I didn’t want to hang up. Opportunities to hear you grinding your teeth and snoring are rare,” Thaddeus


    said with a light chuckle.


    Evadne’s cheeks flushed, she burrowed into her covers, “You’re making that up. I don’t do that! A


    beauty doesn’t grind teeth or snore!”


    “Alright, alright, my mistake,” he soothed, but couldn’t suppress a yawn.


    “You better get some sleep. You’ve been up all night; must be exhausted,” Evadne said, her heart


    aching for him.


    “By the way, Evadne, we might see each other again soon. William and his son are throwing a bash at


    his castle on the outskirts of Elmsworth this weekend, and all the four families are invited, including


    your dad. We’ll meet by then.”


    “William and his son are having a party? It must be for some big announcement,” Evadne’s eyes


    sparkled.


    “I bet it’s about finalizing a business deal.”


    “Your dad must be going through a lot these days; he won’t give up the chance to team up with J Corp.”


    “Elspeth’s mess has him spread too thin to focus on William and his son.”


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    Thaddeus’s voice suddenly deepened, “But I can’t say what Chad might be nning.”


    “Thaddeus, even though your brother is recuperating abroad, don’t take him lightly. His debut with J


    Corp means he’s bound to make aeback,” Evadne expressed her concern.


    “Evadne, are you really afraid I’ll turn into a kept man?” he teased.


    “I’m serious!”


    “I’m not afraid of himing back, nor facing him head–on. If he wants to reim what’s his in fair


    competition, I have noints.”


    The abduction from years ago still haunted Thaddeus; he felt indebted to Chad.


    “But if he ys dirty, I won’t stand by. Your Ashbourne Group are supposed to im the crown of this


    horse racing event; if William is decent enough, he should choose you without hesitation. But if Chad or


    others intends to pull a fast one, I won’t just stand by.”


    Thaddeus’s low, resonant voice caressed her ear, soothing andpelling, “With me here, you’ve got


    nothing to worry about.””


    Myra didn’t go on vacation as she said she would but stayed home, caring for Emeric and cooking for


    the family as usual.


    Her life, unaffected by Elspeth’s downfall, remained serene and unassuming. She appreciated


    Evadne’s revenge on her behalf, but with a loving husband, family, and daughter, hatred hardly


    weighed on her anymore..


    Evadne savored the tonic soup Myra had prepared for her – everyst drop. Thedies of the house


    gathered around her, seeing her in good spirits, finally felt at ease.


    “Looks like that boy’s taking pretty good care of you.”


    Aviana propped her chin in her hand, shaking her head admiringly, “Hearing you talk, I’m quite


    impressed with Thaddeus. A pampered young master turned doting househusband just for you – that’s


    no small sacrifice.”


    “Absolutely, there’s no way Emeric would stoop to that; he’s far too proud,” Suri quipped with a chuckle.


    Evadne shed a smug grin, feeling like she’d hit the jackpot.


    “Evadne, just be patient a little longer. I think Emeric is warming up to the idea of you and Mr.


    Abernathy. His pride is just too big, and he hasn’t found a graceful way to back down yet.”


    The words from Myra sent a wave of shock and delight through the other three women.


    “Really?!”


    “Emeric had his eyes set on Mr. Avery Chambers for you, always trying to set you two up. But after the


    last horse racing event, I think he’s not as opposed to Mr. Abernathy as before. And he made it pretty


    clear to Mr. Chambers that day, he’s not going to meddle in your rtionship with Mr. Abernathy


    anymore. He’s letting nature take its course.”


    Evadne was thrilled, downing another hearty bowl of soup. Finally, the clouds had parted to reveal the


    sun!


    “Mrs. Myra Ashbourne, Ms. Nydia and Mr. Jason have arrived. They’re in the living room downstairs,”


    the butler announced.


    Myra’s expression stiffened slightly, “Alright, I’ll be there shortly.”


    “Myra, you look a bit off; is something the matter?” Evadne, ever so observant, noticed her difort.


    Myra wasn’t sure how to broach the subject, but Aviana, ever the bbermouth, spilled the beans,


    “Jason and Nydia’s rtionship hase to Emeric’s ears. Emeric doesn’t approve of their match. And


    with Jason’s older brother representing Elspeth as her defense attorney, and their dad backing his


    son’s work with the Abernathy Group, Emeric is even more displeased.”