Chapter 553


    Chapter 553


    Jack’s victory in the Byron case was a triumph indeed.


    Though both Evadne and Thaddeus came from wealthy dynasties and possessed extraordinary


    talents, life was no fairy tale. With the deep–rooted Chambers Corporation throwing obstacles in their


    path, it took considerable effort and time to topple the domineering Bertha and cunning Byron.


    But the oue was worth celebrating, and all that hard work had paid off.


    They were in high spirits tonight, giving their housekeeper Alva the evening off to whip up a celebratory


    dinner themselves. “Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy, you’re too kind, giving me days off left and right and


    paying me so generously. I’m feeling a bit guilty like I’m making money in my sleep.”


    .


    Alva chuckled from the kitchen doorway, admiring Thaddeus‘ impressive knife skills as he prepped


    vegetables beside Evadne, “Gosh, Mr. Abernathy, you’re so good at cooking. Yo used to be all thumbs


    around the house, and now look at you, slicing and dicing like a pro.”


    “All thanks to Evadne’s fine training.” Thaddeus replied, his attention divided between the vegetables


    and Evadne. His eyes sparkled with adoration.


    “Hey, Thad, how many times do I have to tell you to focus when you’re chopping?” Evadne teased, her


    focus never wavering from the sizzling pan, “You want to give your fingers a taste of the chopping


    board?”


    Thaddeus pressed his lips together, pulling his gaze away from Evadne’s stern yet striking profile to


    concentrate on his cutting board.


    Alva held back a giggle.


    Thaddeus was truly tamed only by Evadne.


    “Alva, we were thinking of keeping you for dinner, but since you’ve got ns with your girlfriends, we


    wouldn’t want to keep you from a fun night out,” Evadne said, turning to smile brightly at Alva, “Have a


    st.”


    “Will do, Mrs. Abernathy!”


    With a bounce in her step, Alva left for her evening ns.


    “Have you seen Gordon today?” Evadne mused as she ted the dishes, a puzzled expression


    crossing her face, “Wasn’t he supposed to join us for dinner to celebrate?”


    “He’s been out not just today but almost every evening this past week,” Thaddeus said, helping her


    with the dishes. A smile tugged at his lips, “Ever since Ms. Higgins cleared your name at the precinct,


    Gordon hasn’t stopped talking about it. I appreciate her help, of course, but if I have to listen to him one


    more time, I think I’ll go mad.”


    “I see,” Evadne chuckled, deciding not to delve further.


    “I’ll call him toe back.”


    Just as Thaddeus reached for his phone, Evadne stopped him, “No need. I know where he’s been


    sneaking off to. Let him be.”


    Thaddeus asked, “Where’s he been going?”


    Evadne fed him, her smile knowing, “Silly, you really don’t understand him at all. Gordon has found


    himself a springtime romance.” Under the moonlit willow tree, Gordon stood alone outside the Higgins


    family building, his left hand holding a bouquet of flowers, his right a tastefully wrapped gift. He gazed


    up at the small, bright window, his heart heavy with hesitation and the delicate lcs in his grasp.


    Inside, Beverly and her mother had just finished a cozy homemade dinner,plete with a cute


    birthday cake. It was Beverly’s birthday and, with Byron finally brought to justice, she couldn’t have


    asked for a better gift.


    As they prepared to cut the cake, there was a knock at the door. Beverly opened it to find their


    neighbor, Beatrice.


    “Grandma Beatrice! You’re out of the hospital. How are you feeling?” Beverly greeted her warmly.


    “Sweetheart, I’ve got something worrisome to tell you,” Beatrice said, her expression a mix of concern


    and seriousness, “I saw a man in a suit loitering around downstairs, and it gave me an uneasy feeling.”


    “A man in a suit?” Beverly’s delicate features tensed with surprise.


    “Yes, that rascal who came with that young couple to see youst time. It’s him. Always up to no good,


    that one,” Grandma Beatrice dered.


    At her words, Beverly’s heart lurched, and she darted out the door without a second thought.


    Gordon, defeated by his own timidity, was about to leave when a sweet, soft voice called out, “Mr.


    Gordon!”


    He turned to see Beverly, her hair tied up with a pencil and dressed in a bunny–themed apron, rushing


    toward him. “Ms. Higgins, good evening.”


    His heart skipped a beat, the gloom lifting from his face as he awkwardly handed her the flowers and


    gift.


    “Happy Birthday!”


    Beverly’s neart fluttered, but she only epted the flowers, recognizing the gift as too extravagant for


    her to keep.


    “Thank you for the flowers, Mr. Gordon. But I can’t ept the gift,” she said gently, “I know you’re doing


    this because I helped, well, because of Ms. Evadne. What I did was nothing, especiallypared to


    how kind she and Mr. Abernathy have been to me.”


    Ovee with emotion, Beverly’s voice wavered, and tears began to well up in her eyes.


    Gordon couldn’t hold back his fiery emotions any longer, his eyes brimming with tears as he pulled her


    into his embrace. His once empty heart was suddenly filled to the brim with her presence.


    Their hearts, resonating with a powerful intensity, thumped against each other, nearly shattering the


    lcs nestled between them.


    “Mr. Gordon.” Beverly called out to him with flushed cheeks, melting his heart into a tender mess.


    “Everything I’ve done has nothing to do with Mr. Abernathy or Mrs. Abernathy.”


    Gordon’s warm breath brushed her ear, his impulse like none he’d ever felt before, making him hold her


    tighter with a resolve not to let go, “Everything I’ve done was for you. Ms. Higgins, I missed you, so I


    came to see you.”


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    The table was set with fine food and wine, and all the guests had arrived.


    Their love nest buzzed with activity, as vibrant as a New Year celebration.


    Evadne wrapped her arm around Mari, chatting with Jason, the sweet couple in the living room.


    She had also invited Cassius and Dr. Bright, but when she called, Cassius said he was busy and


    wouldn’t make it.


    However, just as the call ended, she distinctly heard Chasel’s seductive whisper, “Cassius, my back


    aches, give it a rub, will you?”


    “Lie down.”


    Evadne was shocked, her mind conjuring images that needed to be censored. So Cassius really was


    too busy toe.


    Or was he just avoiding being the third wheel?


    Jareth felt too awkward to join in, leaving him to mingle with Thaddeus.


    Upon entering the dining room and seeing Thaddeus with rolled–up sleeves and an apron tied around


    his waist, Jareth couldn’t help but burst intoughter, “Thaddeus, have you turned into the domestic


    god? Evolved, have you? Not only in bed but now in the kitchen too.”


    “Jealous, are you jealous?” Thaddeus replied coolly, wiping his hands on the apron with practiced


    ease.


    “Not at all. Why would I? I’ve got a Michelin–star chef at home. Why would I bother with this?” Jareth


    replied with disdain.


    In truth, Jareth was very fond of Mari. “If the sky falls, your diamond–hard mouth will hold it up,”


    Thaddeus retorted, unbothered by the mockery.


    “Hey, spice up your night with Evadne, do something exciting,” Jareth nudged him, his eyes narrowing


    mischievously, “Just wear the apron, nothing else. See how she reacts.


    With your muscr body, man, I guarantee she’d want you right then and there.”


    Thaddeus’s cheeks flushed, his voice husky with embarrassment, he growled, “Get lost!”


    Back in the living room, it was all warmth andughter.


    “Nydia, this is for you.”


    Mari’s cheeks were rosy as she handed over a bouquet of fragrant lilies to Nydia, her expression full


    of admiration, “You and Evadne, both of you are my idols. One day, I want to be brave like you.”


    “Stop it.” They eximed in unison.


    Nydia, fearing Mari might get the wrong idea, quickly rified, “Mari, I’m so happy you look up to


    me. But what I’ve been through. I hope you never have to face it.


    If possible, I wish Evadne, Thaddeus, and Jareth could protect you forever. No need to be brave, no


    need for risks, and that’s what we all want to see.”


    “Okay.”


    Mari scratched her head, adorably confused, endearing her even more to Nydia.


    Even though they were close in age, Mari still gave off the vibe of an innocent young girl, making


    Nydia want to kiss her.


    Nydia cupped Mari’s face and nted a firm kiss on her soft lips. Mari’s face turned crimson.


    Her lips had only been touched by Jareth before.


    She hadn’t expected a kiss from the beautiful Nydia to feel so wonderful.


    Their kiss brought joy to them, but it left Jareth and Jason with a sour taste in their eyes.


    True love was even if Mari kissed a girl, he would feel jealous.


    “Alright, everyone’s here. Let’s sit down and eat, see how Thaddeus’s cooking turns out,”


    Evadne said, linking her arm with Thaddeus and resting her head sweetly on his shoulder.


    Nydia pped, “Thaddeus can cook? That’s impressive. Evadne’s got it made.”


    Mari pped along. “Thaddeus’s amazing.”


    Jason and Jareth were speechless.


    Thaddeus was setting the bar too high. It seemed like learning to cook was bing a necessity.


    “Evadne! Starting dinner without us? The family bond’s getting thin.”


    With that, two striking figures entered the living room. It was Arnold and themendable Aaron.


    Aaron’s eyes instantly found Mari, sitting demurely like a porcin doll on the sofa, and he couldn’t


    help but smile.


    Jareth’s heart tightened defensively as he wrapped his arms around Mari.


    “It seems like you’re ready to forget all your brothers,” Arnoldined.


    “She forgot us today, and will the others be far behind?” Aaron sighed dramatically.


    Evadne blinked, then whispered to Thaddeus, “Arnold, the walking stomach, is here. Do we have


    enough food?”


    He paused, thenughed softly, embracing her closer.


    “We’ve got plenty.”