Chapter 656


    Chapter 656


    Dn strode over and swung the front door open, only to be met with a startling surprise.


    “Mr. Abernathy?!”


    “Mr. Dn.”


    There on the doorstep, looking weary from the road yet carrying an air of urgency, stood Thaddeus, his


    breath uneven from haste, “Are Mr. Ashbourne and Evadne inside? I’ve brought the medicine!”


    At the sound of his voice, Evadne leapt to her feet and rushed to greet him, her heart swelling with


    uncontainable longing.


    “Thaddeus!”


    She hurled herself into his open arms, the dam of her pent–up emotions threatening to break as tears


    welled up in her eyes.


    Without a moment’s hesitation, Thaddeus wrapped his sturdy, trembling arms around her, his own eyes


    reddening slightly, “Sorry for making you wait, Evadne. But it wasn’t for nothing. The medicine is here.”


    He fumbled with one hand into the depths of his coat, producing a slender box of medicine. “There are


    six doses in here, even more thanst time. It shouldst Mr. Ashbourne a while, just in case.”


    Taking the medicine box from him, Evadne was choked with gratitude, her throat tightening with


    emotion.


    She didn’t need him to say it; she knew all too well the lengths he must have gone to get this medicine.


    N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    The cost in money was one thing, but the thought that Thad might have had to swallow his pride–to get


    it was unbearable.


    How could she feel at ease on using it?


    “Thaddeus, thank you,” she clutched the box as feeling a lump in her throat.


    “Don’t be silly, Evadne. There’s no need for thanks between us. I’d do anything for you.”


    With a tender smile, Thaddeus took her hand, “Let’s get this medicine to Mr. Ashbourne, shall we?”


    “Hold on a second!”


    Suri approached with urgency, her brow creased with worry, “Thaddeus, I appreciate what you’re doing.


    Evadne, I think we shouldn’t give this to your father just yet.”


    “Why not?” The couple asked in unison.


    “Haven’t you noticed? Your father’s been increasingly drowsy and his spirit’s been low – not like before


    at all.”


    Suri’s expression was grave, “We all know the risks of cerebral infarction, but as for how this state of


    illness develops in the end, I think we’re all aware. This medicine seems to mask the symptoms rather


    than treating them. And we can’t predict what side effects might follow. So I suggest we stop using it,


    and wait for a while to make further decision!”


    Thaddeus and Evadne exchanged a stunned look.


    “No, we can’t stop the medicine!”


    Emeric had overheard Suri and protested vehemently, his forehead beaded with sweat as he struggled


    to rise from his bed. He barely managed two shaky steps before Dn swiftly caught him.


    Something was off – Emeric knew his own body better than anyone and he could tell that the medicine


    had initially made him feel stronger than ever. But once it wore off, he felt drained, as if all his energy


    had been leached away, and he almost couldn’t hold the tableware.


    Yet, he was desperate. He needed this medicine, even if it was a double–edged sword.


    “Evadne, something’s not right with Mr. Ashbourne.”


    Thaddeus‘ lips pressed tightly together as he whispered gravely into Evadne’s ear, “I think Suri has a


    point. Maybe we should hold off on the medicine.”


    “If you won’t give me the medicine, fine. I’ll just drag this broken body of mine to the board meeting and


    make a spectacle of myself!” Emeric snapped, his irritation akin to a child’s tantrum.


    “Emeric, you will not go! Stay put!” Evadne was frantic, blocking her father’s path.


    “How dare you! I am your father – I won’t have you meddling in my affairs! The Ashbourne family isn’t


    yours tomand!”


    Father and daughter stood locked in fierce opposition.


    Suri stood frozen in shock. For Thaddeus, who had never faced such a situation since being with


    Evadne, it was a moment of confusion over whom tofort first, how to mediate.


    “Emeric.” Evadne’s breath hitched, her knuckles grew white from strain as she clenched her fists tight.


    “Evadne, if you truly are a dutiful daughter, don’t upset me anymore. Don’t make me shout at you like


    this,” Emeric’s breathbored and his vision of his beloved daughter blurred as sweat soaked through


    his robe.


    “Just once, follow my wishes. Is that too much to ask?”


    At 1:30 PM, apanied by Dn, Evadne, and Thaddeus, Emeric made his way to the towering K


    Group headquarters. Chairman Ashbourne, d in a crisp suit that seemed to armor him, appeared


    revitalized, showing no signs of the man who, merely an hour before, could barely get out of bed. The


    medicine’s effect was that potent.


    The young couple, concerned, followed Emeric all the way to the boardroom door, protective as


    parents on the first day of school. “Ah, Emeric!”


    As fate would have it, they ran into Bevis, who seemed impervious to shame. Emeric’s sharp gaze


    softened into a calm,posed smile, “Bevis.”


    “Emeric, how have you been recuperating?” Bevis approached with concern, eyeing his elder brother.


    In truth, he was probing.


    “I’m fully recovered now; thanks for your concern,” Emeric replied coolly.


    “Well, let’s not talk formalities. At our age, we have to be careful of everything – especially MI, cerebral


    infarction and such.” Then, Bevis caught sight of Thaddeus standing behind him, his presence as


    intimidating as a judge from the underworld.


    Initially rmed, Bevis quickly reminded himself that they were at the building of the K Group, not that


    of the Abernathy Group. This was his turf, with his brother backing him up – what did he have to fear


    from this upstart?


    Grinning at Thaddeus, Bevis teased, “Mr. Abernathy, joining us for the meeting? Has the Abernathy


    Group invested in our K Group as well?”


    Thaddeus‘ eyes darkened. But with Chairman Ashbourne present, and as his junior, he had to maintain


    decorum.


    “Haha, just kidding.”


    Bevis waved his hand dismissively, chuckling, “But hey, we’d still be mighty pleased to have Mr.


    Abernathy on board with us. Word on the street is that you, as the illegitimate scion climbing the ranks


    of the Abernathy family, are looking to marry into our Ashbourne family to gild your own name, using


    our influence to snag a fatter slice of the corporate pie. Now, that’s a story with legs. If you invest, it not


    only scores points with my brother but also helps shatter those pesky rumors, right?”


    “Heh, Uncle Bevis, I thought you were just fashion–blind. Turns out you’regging in the gossip


    department too.” Evadne was internally ripping Bevis to shreds, yet her face was all smiles, cool as a


    cucumber, “Even if you haven’t connected to Wi–Fi for getting news yet, you can’t be skipping watching


    TV, can you? Thaddeus is no bastard; he’s the rightful heir to the Abernathy family. Since Elspeth bit


    the dust, his status has been crystal–clear, with every media outlet scrambling to cover the story. If you


    go around peddling that stale gossip, folks will start thinking you’re just a jilted lover of Elspeth, holding


    a grudge against our Thaddeus.”


    Thaddeus gazed at her, his heart warming as if set ame. Emeric frowned and coughed softly but did


    not intervene. Bevis‘ smile started to falter, his teeth gritted in frustration.


    Evadne’s eyes, demurely cast down, suddenly flicked upward, her lips curling into a scornful smile,


    “Oh, and Uncle Bevis, I just can’t help but suggest that next time you attend a fancy shindig, you should


    let Dolores give you some fashion tips. Red and green, even dogs dislike.”


    Emeric coughed more pointedly, a clear warning. Dressed in a deep red suit with a hunter green tie,


    Bevis frozepletely. After the brief interlude, the Ashbourne brothers headed into the conference


    room for their meeting.


    Evadne and Thaddeus waited in Emeric’s office. She lounged across the sofa, her head resting on


    Thaddeus‘ thigh, looking up at his chiseled features andughing merrily.


    “Haha, thinking of Bevis‘ face, all twisted like he swallowed a fly, it just tickles me pink.”


    Evadneughed for a moment but then her expression darkened in anger, “But I’m still steamed! That


    blowhard Bevis, thinking he can humiliate you in front of Emeric and get away with it. Does he think


    he’s the cat’s pajamas? Before he opens his trap, he should take a good look who’s husband is he


    insulting? My man? Not on my watch!”


    Thaddeus‘ eyes shone with a starry brilliance as he squeezed her hand, “And whose husband am I?”


    Evadne, suddenly catching on, blushed to the tips of her ears, her gaze falling. Seeing her shy silence,


    he sighed softly, about to change the subject.


    “Mine.”


    Evadne slowly met his gaze, locking eyes with his handsome, deep–set eyes, “You, you’re mine.”


    Thaddeus‘ heart raced, and he leaned in, almost nose to nose, breathing in her scent.


    “And you’re mine.”


    As passion surged within him, he reached for her chin, about to steal a kiss, but she pressed a fingertip


    to his lips, ncing at the camera in the corner.


    “Stop, we’re on camera. Dn checks the footage daily. How embarrassing would it be for him to catch


    us?”


    Thaddeus thought better of it. Though it was natural for lovers to show affection, one difference


    between humans and animals was that people choose their moments and ces.


    “Thaddeus, this medicine is a real find. I even had Cassius and Chasel sniff around for it with no luck.


    How did you get it?” Evadne asked after a moment of hesitation.


    Thaddeus‘shes fluttered but he was honest with his woman, “I went abroad, pulled every string,


    knocked on every door, to no avail. Finally, I had no choice but to seek help from Chad.”


    Evadne was astounded, “You went to Mr. Chad Abernathy? He got you the medicine?”


    “Yes. He’s been living abroad for years, tirelessly seeking medical advice and building awork in the


    field. Plus, he’s got close ties with the Morris family. I figured he might have a way.”


    Thaddeus‘ eyes showed relief and gratitude, “Thankfully, it worked out. Took a few extra days, but we


    got the medicine.”


    Evadne sat up abruptly, her gaze turning suspicious as she scrutinized him.


    “Evadne, what’s wrong? Did I say something amiss?” Thaddeus was all too wary of his wife’s


    displeasure, ready to reflect on any misstep at her slightest frown.


    “It’s not you.”


    Evadne’s brow furrowed in thought, “I just can’t shake this feeling, something seems off.”