Chapter 511


    Chapter 511


    Jareth’s eyes snapped, his entire body tensing like a cat ready to pounce.


    “Bro Jareth” was a term of endearment from his wife. Why on earth was Aaron using it?


    How long had he been away for this scoundrel to invade his home?


    ‘Aaron, you’re still here?”


    During the standoff, Evadne and Thaddeus heard themotion and walked over.


    The quick–witted Evadne, sensing a confrontation brewing, eyed the two men suspiciously.


    “Oh, I’m having some trouble with this lock. Thankfully, Mr. Fairhaven arrived just in time to help me


    out. I’m off now.”


    Aaron turned and shed a brilliant smile at his sister–inw as if nothing had happened. “Evadne,” he


    said, “Once I’m less busy, I’ll take you out for a real treat. You shouldn’t spend all your time indoors with


    just Thaddeus–it’ll be monotonous.”


    Thaddeus stood speechless.


    Even though he understood it was in jest and Aaron was family, Thaddeus couldn’t help feeling a tinge


    of jealousy.


    After Aaron left, Jareth remained on edge, a sense of foreboding clouding his thoughts.


    He had a hunch that during his absence, Aaron had met Mari, and they’d likely had quite a bit of


    interaction!


    “Jareth, you seem troubled. Is something wrong?” Thaddeus asked with concern.


    “It’s nothing.” Jareth exhaled deeply and tried topose himself.


    “Sorry, I asked Aaron to drop by with some documents without telling you about it first.”


    Evadne, ever perceptive, immediately sensed Jareth’s concern and took the initiative to apologize, “You


    and Thaddeus are like brothers, but after all, this


    your and Mari’s home. I’m just a guest, and it was thoughtless of me to let someone else in. It won’t


    happen again.”


    is


    Taken aback, Thaddeus wrapped his arm around Evadne’s waist and eagerly exined on behalf of


    his buddy, “Don’t overthink it. Jareth isn’t petty.” Jareth’s eyes widened as he waved his hands


    dismissively, “Please don’t say that! It would be my pleasure to have you stay. Thad and I are both


    thrilled, and Mari is even happier since you came. Her mood’s improved so much, she talks more.


    Frankly, I’d love for you two to stay until Christmas! I won’t have a singleint!”


    Evadne leaned into her husband’s embrace, their eyes meeting in silent understanding, “I really do feel


    bad for imposing this long. Although I’d hate to leave Mari, it’s not very convenient for you lovebirds


    to have us around.”


    Hearing this, Mr. Fairhaven felt a little embarrassed.


    Once a renowned yboy, Jareth had been utterly transformed by Mari. To him, love and fidelity


    were now sacred. Evadne’s words made him blush like a boy experiencing his first crush.


    “Besides, my father came over tonight.”


    “Chairman Ashbourne was here?” Jareth eximed, utterly surprised.


    What on earth had he missed while he was away?


    “He brought some people over, but he didn’t force me to leave. He even stayed for the dinner


    Thaddeus prepared.”


    “No way. Thaddeus cooked?!”


    Jareth was so shocked that his jaw nearly hit the floor, but he didn’t miss the chance to tease his best


    friend, “It’s daring of Chairman Ashbourne to trust any dish set before him. There’s always the risk of


    food poisoning, after all.”


    Thaddeus’s handsome face creased with annoyance as he bit back, “Did you have your dinner in a


    dumpster? Your mouth stinks.”


    “My father’s attitude towards Thaddeus wasn’t exactly warm, but he wasn’t as hostile as before. And


    now that he knows we’re living together, there’s nothing left to hide. So, we’ll pack up in the next few


    days and move back to my vi.” Evadne’s eyes curved sweetly, eager for some alone time with her


    man.


    “Or, we could leave tonight,” Thaddeus understood her, whispering softly in her ear.


    “Aren’t you tired after a long day? I’m exhausted; let’s talk about it tomorrow.” Evadne yawned.


    Thaddeus’s hand gently caressed her waist as he whispered, “Tonight, I’ll take care of everything. You


    just rx.”


    Although Thaddeus had whispered, Jareth heard him loud and clear!


    Good grief. When did his buddy get so bold?


    Jareth swallowed hard, his own desire ignited, already nning how tovish affection on his sweet


    wife that evening.


    “Pervert!” Evadne bit her lip, elbowing him in the ribs.


    The three of them settled back into the living room.


    Mari had dozed off in front of the TV while Lily, who had been tending to her, came downstairs to


    prepare coffee.


    She looked at Jareth, hesitating to speak, knowing it wasn’t the time for reports.


    “I had to make a trip back to the family estate.”


    Jareth sipped his coffee, his voice low and filled with remorse, “Thad, Evadne, I owe you an apology.


    Despite everything, Edith was ultimately released by my grandfather”


    The mention of that name sent a chill through Thaddeus’s gaze.


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    ‘She was out of line, but it wasn’t enough to warrant a conviction. She’ll be out in a couple of weeks


    max; I figured as much.”


    Evadne’s mood was surprisingly calm, “But even if she’s released, Edith’s reputation in the country is


    as good as dead–socially dead. With her reputation tarnished, all her past dreams of fame and


    limelights are shattered. Despite the backing of the Fairhaven Group, she’s been cklisted by the


    authorities. She can no longer appear publicly, on TV, or even in live streams, let alone pursue a career


    as a pianist. The Elmsworth women, one Elspeth, and now Edith. They’ve both made quite a name for


    themselves”


    “But it’s not enough, nowhere near enough.”


    Thaddeus’s dark eyes seethed with rage, as if they could consume everything in their path. And he was


    squeezing Evadne’s hand a bit too tightly, “The harm she’s done to Evadne deserves a far worse fate.


    This punishment is too lenient! Jareth, though she is your sister, I must be blunt. Even if thew lets her


    off the hook, I won’t. I’ll never let her off easy.”


    Evadne’s heart fluttered softly as she leaned into the man’s embrace, feeling an indescribable sense of


    security.


    “s, Thad, I reckon you won’t get your chance to strike. I’ve sent her packing.”


    Jareth sighed with a tumultuous blend of frustration and relief, his brows knitting into a tight frown,


    “Granddad and my mom are still in her corner, and I had it out with them over it. The result was


    banishing her. I’ll keep a watchful eye on her, making sure she doesn’t set foot back here. Evadne, this


    is all I can do for now. I wish I could give her what she deserves.”


    ‘Jareth, you don’t need to exin, I get it,” Evadne said with a soft, reassuring smile, “You’ve done


    plenty, and I appreciate it. That’s enough; we don’t need more. You’re at a crucial point in your career. If


    you are too harsh on Edith, your troublemaker uncle might use it against you, and even Granddad


    could begin to doubt you. Don’t underestimate these grudges; they can be sharp stumbling blocks


    on your path to securing the reins of the Fairhaven Group.


    Besides, more than getting even with that wretched girl, I’d rather see you and Mari live happily ever


    after. I want her to marry into the Fairhaven family with pride. Despite all the hurdles, you’ve got the


    strength to stand up against them and protect her.”


    What she meant was for him to secure his hold on the Fairhaven Group’s power.


    Only then would his and Mari’s future be bright.


    “Evadne, Thad, rest assured, Mari’s in good hands with me.”


    Jareth looked at her with deep gratitude, genuinely happy that his brother had such an understanding


    and righteous partner by his side.


    But he wasn’t envious.


    His Mari was the most perfect woman in his heart.


    When Harvey (ushed in with news, Avery was practicing his marksmanship at the shooting range.


    Dressed in an immacte white shirt with crisply ironed ck trousers and a leather arm garter


    restraining his muscr arms, he was the epitome of cool precision. His gold–rimmed sses hid a


    steely gaze as he took aim and fired three shots in quick session at a target a hundred meters


    away.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Harvey clutched his ears, admiring his boss.


    That’s astounding! The irresistible masculine charm, the sexual tension!


    He couldn’t fathom what Evadne was thinking, overlooking a catch like Avery!


    As the target moved closer, Harvey saw that it bore Thaddeus‘ photo, and Avery had shot the man’s


    head in the picture with remarkable uracy!


    “Bravo, Mr. Chambers! Your shooting is divine, never a miss!” Harvey apuded,ying on the ttery


    thick.


    “Pity,” Avery said, setting down his gun,


    “Pity?”


    “It’s just a picture, not the real deal.”


    Without looking at Harvey, Avery took out a crisp white handkerchief from his trouser pocket and


    meticulously wiped down his gun, “What’s up?”


    “Mr. Chambers, we’ve got word from Chairman Ashbourne’s men. The chairman went to see Ms.


    Evadne and Thaddeus tonight but didn’t take Ms. Evadne away.” Harvey finished his report, his


    forehead beaded with sweat.


    Sure enough, Avery’s eyes darkened, “Didn’t take Evadne? Is she still staying at Jareth’s with


    Thaddeus?”


    “Yes.” Harvey’s voice trembled.


    Avery’s eyes were cold and fierce as he reloaded and fired several shots into the ground!


    The bullets exploded near Harvey’s feet, scaring the daylights out of him, but he dared not make a


    sound.


    Only when the magazine was empty did Avery take a deep breath, his eyes reddened.


    “Get the car ready!”


    By the time Emeric returned to Silveke Harbor, it was nearly midnight.


    He had left in poor spirits, but now, it seemed he hade to terms with the situation. Thinking of his


    daughter, seeing his daughter looking healthier and under the protection of that young man, eased his


    mind.


    Even a hint of regret seeped through his thoughts.


    If he hadn’t taken such a harsh approach with his daughter initially, Evadne wouldn’t have jumped out


    the window on that stormy night in a desperate attempt to escape.


    The more he thought about it, the more he shuddered at the thought. If anything had happened to her,


    he wouldn’t have been able to face living, much less meet his wife in the afterlife. In the end, what


    mattered more than anything was Evadne’s safety!


    As for that Abernathy boy.


    “Mr. Emeric!”


    Hearing his name, Emeric and Dn both turned around.


    They saw Avery approaching, holding a delicate white box of pastries, his eyes alight with eagerness.


    “Mr. Avery? What brings you here?” Emeric eyed him with surprise.


    Avery’s heart sank, but he maintained a graceful smile, “I’ve been here, waiting for you to bring Evadne


    back. I was worried she might not have had dinner during the trip, so I brought her some pastries from


    the esteemed Elmsworth Patisserie. She mentioned once that it was her favorite, so


    “I didn’t bring Evadne back. She’s still with Thaddeus,” Emeric said curtly, cutting him off, “I ept your


    kind gesture on her behalf. It’ste, and for someone of your standing to wait like this is unseemly. You


    should head back.”


    Seeing Chairman Ashbourne’s dismissive attitude, Avery hastily stepped forward, “Mr. Emeric! Are you


    really willing to stand by and watch Evadne make the same mistakes?


    Thaddeus once left Evadne to live like a widow, draining her of her vitality and tears, even ruining her


    health! How can you tolerate your daughter being with such a despicable man?”


    Emeric’s eyes narrowed into a sharp gaze, his lips twitching into something not quite a smile.


    “Thaddeus.has been pursuing my daughter persistently. Having pped him a hundred times, risking


    his life several times, and still he had the audacity to cling to my daughter. No doubt, that takes a


    certain shamelessness. But I’ll give credit where it’s due. From what I’ve seen, thed is aboveboard.


    He doesn’t stab people in the back or resort to dirty tricks. If we’re talking about having a moral


    compass, Thaddeus can hold his own. At the very least, he’s not a lost cause.”