Chapter 507


    Chapter 507


    The news of Byron’s arrest was exploding across the nation tonight.


    As expected, the only thing that could knock Bertha off the trending searches was another scandal


    outshining hers.”


    But the real tragedy was unfolding within the Chambers family.


    The scandal involving the Chambers siblings had pushed the prestigious Chambers family to the brink


    of disaster. Arrests were one thing, but to have the “bird” fly the “cage” on national television was a


    spectacle no one could ignore.


    Watching the live news, Jeff felt his heart skip a beat, his pallor ghostly as his body slumped backward.


    “Dad!”


    Matthew hurried forward to catch him, but Avery, closer at hand, beat him to it.


    “Dad, sit down and take deep breaths,” Avery urged, guiding Jeff to the couch, then turned to Matthew


    with an urgent gaze. “Matthew, what are you waiting for? Go call a doctor!”


    Matthew, red–faced with anger, looked like he wanted to rip Avery’s tongue out. “You little=”


    “Matthew, I know you’ve had your issues with me,


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    I’ve always avoided confrontation, never stepping on your toes. But with the family in this state and Dad


    feeling unwell, I’m concerned for his safety, not for arguing with you!” Avery’s tone was anxious, but his


    steely gaze bore down on Matthew.


    Jeff suddenly bellowed with an authority that silenced the room, “Matthew! You spineless, petty man!


    Get out! Out!”


    The atmosphere turned icy, heavy with suppressed emotion.


    Matthew clenched his jaw, rage draining the color from his face, his temples throbbing visibly. But with


    Avery in favor, a direct sh would do him no good. Swallowing his fury, he stormed out.


    “Dad, please don’t be so hard on him,” Avery said with feigned gentleness, subtly stoking Jeff’s


    emotions. “Think about it. He’s been managing thepany, looking after our siblings, it hasn’t been


    easy. With the group in crisis, he’s stretched thin. His frustration is understandable; please don’t me


    him.”


    “Byron and Bertha are in this mess because of his negligence! He spoiled them!” Jeff clutched his


    chest, anguished. “Has he ever truly handled a crisis as CEO? I trusted him to keep an eye on Byron


    and this is what he does? Useless! If Chambers Group’s stocks fall any further, we’re open to a hostile


    takeover, and then we’re truly in peril!”


    “Dad, I’ll handle thepany’s issues. You just take care of your health, no more worries.” Avery’s


    voice was soothing, calming.


    “My son, these years I’ve done you wrong. This family can’t survive without you.”


    Jeff’s eyes brimmed with tears as he clutched Avery’s hand. “From now on, I won’t let you down.”


    On the way back, Avery’s demeanor shifted, a cold smirk ying on his lips.


    “Mr. Chambers, I don’t get it,” Harvey said, puzzled.


    “With your resources in Helgen, you could easily buy up Chambers Group stocks in a heartbeat. Why


    are you stabilizing the situation instead? Wouldn’t chaos benefit you more?”


    “I don’t have a stake in Chambers Group, and no matter how many shares I collect, I can’t outpace Jeff


    and Matthew. Making big moves now could give my opponents leverage.”


    Harvey nodded in understanding. “Makes sense. You’ve just earned the old man’s trust, and with the


    father–son rift you’ve created, you need to tread carefully.”


    “Besides, I want to ascend legitimately, not bebeled a traitor or schemer.”


    Avery’s chin lifted with prideful amusement. “What Matthew cherishes most is his CEO seat. If I can


    personally unseat him and crush him beneath my heel, that will be the cruelest revenge.”,


    “Matthew is already falling out of favor with the old man. Your day wille soon enough!” Harvey


    chuckled, sharing in Avery’s triumph.”


    Avery closed his eyes, a bitter longing washing over him. “Emeric has always been reserved about me


    and Evadne. He doesn’t trust me because I don’t have a position or shares in the Chambers Group. I


    need to take over thepany soon, distance myself from the Chambers family, and show Emeric my


    dedication. Only then will Evadne and I have a chance. For her, I’d do anything. And Chambers Group


    will be my gift to her.”


    Harvey’s phone buzzed with urgency.


    He nced at the message and eagerly reported, “Mr. Chambers! Our people say Emeric is on his way


    to see Ms. Ashbourne!” That evening, as Jareth was summoned by Barry and Evadne had left with


    Thaddeus, only Mari and Lily remained at home.


    Mari sat in the drawing room Jareth had set up for her, painting away, while Lily stood by quietly,


    admiring the girl’s deft brushstrokes bringing to life the summer splendor of the vi’s backyard, and


    sighed softly at the scene.


    “Ma’am, you’re simply amazing, this painting is as real as a photograph!”


    “Oh, stop it. Lily, you’re just being kind.” Mari blushed, her cheeks blossoming into a soft shade of


    pink.


    “No exaggeration, ma’am. I never lie, not to you or Mr. Fairhaven.”


    Lily smiled warmly, her sincerity shining through, “Mr. Fairhaven is blessed to have you by his side.


    Thank you!”


    Maki shook her head vigorously, her clear eyes sparkling, “I should be thanking Jareth, he’s never


    looked down on me for being a bit slow, and he’s always been so kind to keep me close.”


    “Ma’am, don’t say that.”


    Lily quickly knelt beside her, gently taking her hand that clutched a paintbrush, “No one in this world is


    better suited for the young master than you.” Just then, the doorbell rang.


    “Oh! Could that be Jareth? I’ll go wee him!”


    Mari scampered down the stairs like a joyful little bird, reaching the foyer.


    Since no outsiders knew where they lived, she didn’t suspect a thing and flung open the door, throwing


    her arms around the man before her. “Jareth! You’re back!”


    However, a palpable silence filled the air.


    Mari’s eyes snapped open, her cute nose sniffing his chest like a little puppy.


    This wasn’t Jareth. Jareth always had a faint scent of tobo, but this man only smelled of fresh soap.


    “Ms. Abernathy, what are you sniffing?”


    The man’s voice wasced with amusement, and Mari let out a startled yelp, jumping back several


    feet from him.


    Only then did she realize that the man she’d embraced wasn’t Jareth at all!


    “You’re the guy from the news. You’re Evadne’s brother!” Mari’s mouth gaped open, her mind a


    whirlwind of confusion.


    “Hm? You remember me? The guy from the news? When did I get on TV?” Aaron leaned slightly


    forward, his hands casually behind his back, giving her a sunny, approachable smile.


    Mari pped a hand over her mouth, what had she just done!


    Ever since Jareth had been with her, he hadn’t touched another woman. How could she touch another


    man!


    Was she tainted now? Had she betrayed Jareth?


    “I’m so, so sorry.” After a long pause, Mari managed to muster an apology.


    Unclear whether she was apologizing to Aaron or Jareth.


    “Ms. Abernathy, what are you apologizing for? If anything, I should be the one apologizing. I’ve been so


    busy I haven’t showered in three days. I hope I didn’t stink you out?” Aaron, seeing her adorably


    clumsy reaction, couldn’t help but chuckle more deeply.


    “Ma’am!”


    Lily, hearing themotion, rushed over and froze at the sight of Aaron, “Mr. Ashbourne?”


    Aaron was usually so discreet that few outside his circle knew him. Lily was aware because Jareth had


    mentioned him in private.


    Otherwise, they would have had another awkward encounter like the one with Mr. Waverley.


    “Are Evadne and Thaddeus in?” Aaron nced inside, concerned about the drama he’d heard


    unfolding at home, and he hadn’t seen his sister in days.


    “Ms. Ashbourne and Mr. Abernathy are out on errands.”


    Lily hesitated, then stepped aside with respect, “Please,e in and wait.”


    Aaron made himselffortable in the living room, plopping down on the couch and cing a file


    about the Elspeth case on the table.


    The trial for the Elspeth case was approaching, and Evadne and Thaddeus needed to review the


    details, which was why Evadne had asked him to meet- there tonight.


    “Nice ce, it’s got more character than our old family home.” Aaron looked around idly.


    Thinking of his sister taking refuge here, it seemed Thaddeus hadn’t let her down after all.


    “Last time a man came by, he said the same. He even mentioned buying the house next door to be


    neighbors with us.” Lily said with a lukewarm smile.


    “Who’s that?”


    “Elvis.”


    Aaron burst intoughter upon hearing that, “Yeah, that sounds like Elvis, always the big spender. With


    what I make in a year, I could probably only afford a closet in this neighborhood.”


    Just then, he noticed Mari, sitting awkwardly in the corner, her delicate shoulders hunched, looking


    utterly pitiable.


    “Ms. Abernathy, did I scare you?” Aaron’s eyes crinkled with concern.


    Mari nodded, then quickly shook her head, her fingers nervously crumpling her dress.


    “It’s my fault, really. When I think about it, I’m the one who took advantage of the situation. I am truly


    sorry.” Aaron spoke straightforwardly, ustomed to the bluntmunication of the police force, not


    giving a second thought before he spoke.


    What?


    Lily stiffened at the mention of “taking advantage,” her gaze locking onto Aaron, her fists clenching.


    Then, the doorbell rang again.


    Suppressing her irritation, Lily walked to the foyer and nced at the monitor, her expression turning to


    shock.


    “Is my sister back?” Aaron quickly followed.


    Seeing Emeric’s face on the monitor, Aaron inhaled sharply.