Chapter 476


    Chapter 476


    Inside the grand banquet hall, avish dancing party came to an end. The spotlight illuminated the


    center stage, drawing all eyes to William and his son


    The tension was palpable among members of the Abernathy Group and Fairhaven Group, their gaze


    fixed on William. For the Fairhaven Group, winning this project meant salvation from their immediate


    troubles, while for the Abernathy Group, it was a chance to flex their corporate muscles and perhaps to


    vent some pent–up frustration over Evadne.


    But Emeric appeared nonchnt amidst the business fervor His interest in the project paled in


    comparison to his concern for his daughter’s whereabouts. His darling Exadne had vanished surely she


    wasn’t off in some hiddener with that Abernathy boy, their closeness raising more than just


    eyebrows?


    A blush crept across Emeric’s cheeks as his mind conjured images better left behind closed doors. He


    may not be old–fashioned, and after all, Evadne had once been wed to that same Abernathyd.


    They’d even lived together in Elmsworth, under his very nose, without producing a grandchild to his


    mixed relief and constemation.


    Yet, even in the pursuit of thrills, there was a time and a ce!


    His thoughts were interrupted when he realized his usually obedient younger daughter, Nydia, was also


    missing. As he pondered in confusion, a striking couple emerged,manding the room’s attention.


    “Dad.”


    “Chairman Ashboume.”


    Emeric’s sharp eyes softened as he watched them, a smile instinctively curving his lips. There was a


    peculiar pride swelling in his chest upon seeing his daughter and Thaddeus together, their eyes for no


    one else, their affection palpable.


    Thaddeus, once the object of Emeric’s disdain, was now increasingly endearing in his eyes.


    “Where have you been?” Emeric chided affectively, masking concem with imitation. Noticing her pale


    complexion, he added in disquieted tone, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell? I can have your


    brother and Dn take you to the hospital.”


    Evadne’s face was a study in shadows as she shook her head, “I’m fine.”


    “And your brother? I called him; why isn’t he here?”


    “He got held up, but he’ll be here soon,” she replied, her voice a steady monotone.


    Emeric frowned, “And Nydia? Haven’t seen her for a while.”


    Thaddeus’s jaw was set, his eyes cold, while Evadne’s gaze was


    Icy as itnded on Jeff.


    “Ha! Oh, Emeric, you must have forgotten. Nydia and Byron were chatting away during the dance.


    Those youngsters probably found this too dull and sought a quiet corner to continue their


    conversation.”


    Jeff chimed in, his spirit buoyant, “Tve seen Nydia grew up. She’s always been the shy, quiet one


    among her siblings. To think she’d find so much to talk about with Byron. It seems they’ve found


    common ground.”


    Evadne’s coldughter sliced through the pleasantries. Jeff stiffened, but for the sake of rtions, he


    forced a smile, “Evadne, you seem upset. Has someone troubled you?”


    “Mr. Chambers, it’s clear my sister has no interest in yourme son. Are you losing your touch, or can


    you not see the obvious?” Evadne’s narrowed eyes shed dangerously.


    Jeff’s smile froze, his ire rising. This insolent girl!


    Had she been spoiled by Emeric or emboldened by the attentions of Avery and Thaddeus? Did she


    truly believe, manipting Elmsworth’s two most eligible bachelors, she could act so haughtily?


    “Evadne! What way is that to speak to Mr. Chambers? Show some respect!” Emeric scolded,


    bewildered by his daughter’s aggressive behavior toward the Chambers Group that evening.


    ak to the


    “As her godfather, I won’t stand allowing you to keep speak to the kid like that.” Acting how forbearing


    and affable as the elder, Jeff uttered with a tinge of gratitude, “Byron might not be able to even stand if


    it weren’t for Evadine’s extraordinary medical skills!”


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    At the mention of it made Evodne even more furious, “Mr. Chambers, do you know what thing I regret


    the most? Saving Byron.”


    Jeff’s pupils contracted, his teeth gritted tight, the face finally darkened.


    “Evadne! Will you stop?! Mr. Chambers has treated you as his daughter. How could you speak so


    rudely?” Emeric couldn’t tolerate it, feeling something was off with Evadne tonight. Was it the wine she


    had drunk?


    “Chairman Ashbourne, please calm down,” Thaddeus finally spoke up, his voice calm and measured.


    Stretching to hold her slender waist, gently pulling Evadne closer, he continued, “Don’t consider her


    words as mere rudeness. There’s a reason for her outburst, and all will be clear after the banquet.”


    As Evadne lifted her gaze to meet his, the storm of emotions in her eyes settled in the refuge of his


    reassuring presence.


    “Mr. Abernathy, this is a family matter and doesn’t concern you” Jeff’s attitude toward Thaddeus was


    hostile, “Besides, what do you mean by that? What has Byron done to offend you such? Watch you


    words!”


    Thaddeus remained silent, a sardonic half–smile ying on his lips as he fixed his gaze on Jeff,


    sending a shiver down the spine of the corporate titan.


    On the other side, Edith’s gaze was a tempest of green envy as she watched her heart’s desire, arm–


    in–arm with Evadne, their figures paining as perfectly as wine and cheese at a high society soirée. Her


    features contorted as if a swarm of fire ants was feasting upon the tender flesh of her heart.


    What had they been up to, disappearing for so long? Could they have been tangled in a lover’s tryst,


    igniting passion in some secludeder unseen by prying eyes?


    “Ah” The intrusive Imagery in her mind’s eye was too much, and Edith let out an inadvertent shriek!


    The surrounding guests cast disdainful nces her way, their eyes dripping with condescension.


    Frederic couldn’t help but frown. Who would have thought this scatterbrained girl was of the same


    blood as Jareth?


    In truth, Frederic had to admit, whether it be grace or lineage, Evadnie was by far a better match for his


    son. Edith, byparison, didn’t even register on the scale – she was an afterthought!


    But Evadne, with her cunning schemes and mercurial temper, not only manipted his son but also


    wreaked havoc on the Abemathy family.


    Such a clever, heartless woman was a ticking time bomb; should she marry into the family, catastrophe


    would surely follow.


    “Ladies and gentlemen of the business elite, I’m delighted you could take time from your busy


    schedules to join us for J Group’s Inaugural banquet here in Elmsworth. On behalf of my father and the


    Morris family, I extend our deepest gratitude,” Ford took to the stage with the confidence befitting a


    CEO.


    Apuse thundered through the hall.


    “As you all know, we’ve already embarked on a fruitful first round of strategic coboration with the


    Abernathy Group. The project is advancing rapidly, themunication seamless, and the results are


    promising. For our uing Equestrian Hotel venture, we continue to seek out a partnership with a


    formidable financial consortium.”


    Some eyes tumed to Frederic, while others sought out Jeff.


    Emeric, a neer to Elmsworth and not from a local powerhouse, didn’t mind being overlooked. It


    was Barry, however, who seethed with indignation.


    Was it not tant that everyone considered the Fairhaven family tock the clout of the other


    contenders? A lifetime of effort, seemingly for naught!


    After Ford delivered his opening remarks, he stepped into the shadows, ceding the spotlight to his


    father.


    William surveyed the assembly with a calm authority, his gaze lingering on faces like Frederic’s and


    Barry’s.


    Finally, he drew his eyes back and, with a voice resonant and full, announced, “I dere that for the


    uing Equestrian Hotel project, J Group will enter into a deep coboration with K Group!”


    K Group? The Ashbourne family?|


    The crowd was stunned, and after a brief silence, a fervor of apuse filled the hall!


    Emeric, bathed in the brilliant spotlight, initially paused, then his handsome features rxed into a


    smile of genteelposure as he stepped forward and shook hands with William.


    “It is an honor for K to partner with your esteemed group.”


    “Chairman Ashbourne is too modest. The honor is ours to be coborating with you.”


    Now allies, William’s demeanor towards Emeric warmed considerably, his praise generous, “At the


    horse races, you already proved your mettle, showcasing your overwhelming strength to us all.


    Furthermore, I’ve made it clear before: the victor of the race would be our preferred partner. A promise


    made is a promise kept.”


    Unknown to all but William and his son, a pivotal conversation had urred just an hour earlier. They


    had called Mr. Chad Abemathy, half a world away.


    “As your friend, if you truly value my advice, I suggest you choose to coborate with the K Group.”


    Ford was still smarting from Evadne’s rejection, and even William furrowed his brow


    –“And why might that be? Continuing our partnership with the Abernathy Group would benefit both you


    and your father, would it not?”


    Chad’s voice was clear, his mirth cryptic as he chuckled.


    –“Working with K will benefit you, and of course, it will benefit me as well. If I must say, consider it a


    sign of my admiration for Ms. Ashbourne, a reluctance to see her effortse to naught.”


    Despite her calm facade, Evadne’s eyes sparkled with joy for her father’s triumph. Suddenly, she felt


    her hand enveloped in aforting


    warmth.


    “Evadne, congrattions to you, and to Mr. Ashboume.”


    Thaddeus’s hand naturally found hers, his broad, warm palm intertwining with her slender fingers, his


    touch caressing her knuckles, “i told you, sess was yours to im.”


    A current seemed to pass through her at their entwined fingertips, her heartbeat quickening, her ears


    blushing at the intimate contact


    As Emeric basked in the glory of the lucrative project, Frederic and Barry could barely conceal their


    dismay.


    Particrly Barry, who felt yed for a fool, coughing in frustration while Edith patted his back in an


    attempt to soothe him. Jeff, a close friend of Emeric’s, would surely get benefit from the Ashbourne


    family.


    The Abernathy Group had alreadyid a foundation with J Group through previous coborations.


    But what had he gained? He was nothing more than a punchline to a drawn–out joke!


    As the Ashbourne Group shone resplendently, Frederic’s lips twitched with suppressed rage, a sense


    of humiliation at having been outmaneuvered welling up within him. He took a deep breath, forced a


    carefree smile, and strode towards Emeric and Andrew


    “Chairman Ashbourne, Mr. Morris, congrattions.


    “Thank you, Mr. Frederic Abernathy. It is indeed a time for mutual congrattions, Emeric let out a faint


    smile.


    Frederic raised an eyebrow, Indeed, for tonight, I too would like to seize this grand asion, where


    we’re all gathered, to announce a joyous piece of news.”