Chapter 689
Chapter 689
“Yes, Mr. Fairhaven,” with a knowing nod, Lily set off to change the bed linens.
Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
While the vi employed a housekeeper, the bedroom was a sanctuary that Jareth trusted only Lily to
tend to and arrange.
The heavy, luxurious velvet drapes were still drawn, infusing the dim room with the lingering warmth of
Catching sight of the disheveled bed, Lily couldn’t help but beam with joy. Clearly, the young couple
had not held back in their nighttime endeavors.
Once Jareth left, she’d have to give Mari’s waist, which had weathered the storm of their affection, a
good massage.
Lily swiftly reced the sheets and duvet with crisp, clean ones and gathered Jareth’s scattered
clothes into theundry basket.
Ever since Jareth had expressed his intent to marry Mari to his family, and formally approached the
Abernathy family, Lily hadn’t seen a single condom. It was clear as day that Jareth was eager for
Mari to bear his child.
With their rtionship as sweet as honey, it seemed only a matter of time before Jareth’s wish came
true.
Lily, her face bright with happiness, had just stepped out of the bedroom when Jareth’s deep voice
called out, “Lily, for the next few days, stay with Mari at home; let her rest and heal. The sses at
Elmsworth Academy of Fine Arts can wait.”
“Mr. Fairhaven, but…”
As Lily hesitated, the bathroom door suddenly burst open, “No! I need to go to school! I don’t want to
stay home; I have to go to school!”
Jareth and Lily both froze in surprise.
Mari, her body radiating heat, stood there soaking wet, d only in a bath towel, her bare feet on the
cool floor.
Jareth’s heart skipped a beat as he quickly shed his freshly changed suit to wrap her damp body, his
garment worth of tens of thousands now reduced to a makeshift bathrobe.
Mari’s slender figure was even more delicate against the man’s loose clothing.
“My silly girl, running out like this, what if you catch a cold?”
Eyes tinged with red, Jareth held her tight, her toes barely touching the ground as he nearly lifted her
off her feet, “Have you forgotten what you promised me? To be good every day.”
Lily watched, worried for Mari but even more so for Jareth’s well–being.
Since being named heir, Jareth was no longer the carefree prince who could dote on his radiant wife.
He had to attend social events to expand the Fairhaven Group’swork and frequently travel abroad
for inspections, plus Mari started going to school, leaving little time for the couple to enjoy each
other’spany – sometimes only a night or two per week.
And then there was the incident from the night before.
It seemed like Jareth’s nerves were stretched extremely taut, on the verge of snapping or releasing a
formidable energy.
“Why? Why can’t I go to school?” Mari’s gaze met his, her eyes brimming with urgency.
Jareth exined gently, “It’s not that you can’t go, just for now.”
There’s an arts performance for the school’s anniversary in a few days. I’ve never been part of such an
event, and I don’t want to miss it!”
Mari struggled within his arms, “I finally feel normal, they don’t look at me like I’m a monster! Jareth,
going to school makes me so happy. I want to learn drawing. Please, don’t take this away from me.
Don’t take away my joy, please?”
The word “take away” hit Jareth hard, like twin daggers plunged into his sides. He had always been her
greatest lover, the architect of her future happiness. But he never imagined that his care for her would
be perceived as deprivation.
“Mrs Fairhaven, you misunderstood it.”
Lily quickly fetched a towel, drying Mani’s damp hair, “Mr. Fairhaven didn’t mean that. He’s just
concerned about the recent violent incident at the school. It’s probably chaotic there. If you avoid these
next few days and go back after things have settled. it wont be toote
Marilia shook her head, stubborn as a bull. “No need, I’m not afraid if I don’t go, everyone will know I
was the hostage that day Then, if I return to schoolter, everyone will look at me differently, and it will
be even worse
Lily had no retort, silently admiring Marilia’s meticulous thinking. Usually the youngdy was
straightforward. But now, to continue her studies, her mind was exceptionally clear.
In the end, Jareth could only relent with a heavy heart.
Face ashen, he stepped out of the vi, still wearing his damp suit. Lily tried to offer a change of
clothes, but he refused. He couldn’t bear to part with the suit that still carried her scent and warmth.
“Take good care of Mari.”
“Yes, Mr. Fairhaven.”
“And another thing.” Jareth paused, his eyes icy, “Keep a close eye on her, and keep those unseemly
rogues far wife.”
“Yes,” Lily stiffened at themand, Aaron’s handsome face shing in her mind. away from my
Ever since Elva had received the dress from Camille, she had been restless. Night after night, she
suffered insomnia, haunted by Camille’s cutting words.
“There’s only once and countless times in domestic abuse!”
“Do you want to be beaten to death?!”
“Not fighting back is truly a dead end!”
Recently, Matthew had cunningly outmaneuvered Cassius, regaining Mr. Jeff Chambers’s trust and his
position in the Group.
Elva hoped his mood would improve and that he would spare her his cruelty. But the reprieve was
short–lived. Not long ago, he staggered homete at night, battered and bruised, and immediately
dragged her from the bed to the floor, unleashing a barrage of kicks and punches without a word.
That night, her cries echoed through the entire building.
The Chambers Group’s g was drawing nearer. Today, with nothing better to do and on a whim,
Matthew recalled sending Elva to Camille for the dress.
Truth be told, it was just another malicious way to trouble her.
Everyone in high society knew how difficult it was to please the tailor. Nine times out of ten, they’d
leave with nothing but disappointment, especially someone as inarticte and clumsy as Elva.
When she couldn’t get her hands on that dress, he’d have the perfect excuse to blow a gasket. But
Matthew’s rage fizzled out unexpectedly. Elva had somehow managed to secure the attire.
It seemed that this woman, hardly someone to parade around, wasn’tpletely useless after all.
“I had to move heaven and earth to w my way back into the Chambers Group, and this uing
family g is my triumphant publiceback. As the wife of the Chambers‘ eldest son, you need to
shine, Elva. If you embarrass me in the slightest, well, you know what I’m capable of.”
As he vented his primal desires on Elva, Matthew hissed these venomous reminders in her ear. With
tears brimming in her eyes, Elva endured the humiliation, meekly nodding in agreement.
Afterward, Matthew pulled up his pants and straightened his tie, transforming back into the picture of
genteel nobility, and strode out of the dressing room.
“Matthew,” Elva called out weakly.
He paused, turning a cold gaze upon her, “What now?”
“My father’s health is deteriorating rapidly.”
Elva wobbled to her feet, mustering the courage to speak, “The doctors say if we can’t find a suitable
kidney donor soon, he won’t make it.”
“So?”
“You promised me before, you’d help find a donor for my father.”
“We’ll talk after the g”
“But he may notst that long!”
Elva was on the verge of tears, pleading. “Please, for all the things my family has done for the
Chambers Group, for the years we’ve been married, please save my father!”
I said we’ll discuss it after the g. Are you getting deaf? Can’t you understand in humannguage?
Matthew red at her menacingly.
Elva recoiled in fright.
“Besides, do you have any idea how much a kidney transnt costs? When your old man was the
attorney general, he was of some use to me. I would’ve saved him then,-consider it an investment. But
now? He’s just a dying old man. Why would I waste my resources on someone who won’tst much
longer? I’m not a charity.”
With a scoff, Matthew withdrew his disdainful gaze, “If your father can still wait for the kidney, then
continue waiting. If not, that’s his own fate.”
After the man left, Elva copsed to the floor, weeping inconsbly.
By evening, Elva had slipped into something inconspicuous and headed to the hospital to visit her
father.
She was covered from head to toe, desperate to hide any mark from David’s eyes.
Her father was so weak that speaking was a struggle, but he still tried to convince his daughter not to
worry about him, knowing all too well the hardships Elva faced in her opulent but unhappy marriage.
Without the Chambers Group’s support, the West family would have been ruined. Her brother had a job
only thanks to their favor, and her father dared not ask for more.
Elva nodded along, but as soon as she had the chance to step out for hot water, she sat in the hallway,
sobbing uncontrobly.
The doctor had given her father a month at most. A transnt was thest hope, but the risks were still
high.
Despite her father’s pleas to let go, she couldn’t. Keeping him alive wasn’t ust because he was her
father – it was the sole reason she had to keep living herself.
If he were gone, her life within the Chambers family would be meaningless.
Just then, the decisive sound of a man’s shoes, apanied by the crisp, elegant click of high heels,
approached her.
“Mrs. Chambers.”
Such a clear, melodious voice. Elva slowly lifted her tear–swollen eyes, her pupils trembling with shock.
Standing before her, like a blessing in human form, were Evadne and Thaddeus!
She sat, Evadne stood, but there was no hint of condescension or haughtiness; thetter gave out just
a warm smile, dignified and approachable.
Next to her, Thaddeus was as dashing as ever, impossible to look at directly, his stature proud and
No one in the Chambers family, not even the current “favorite” Avery, could measure up to this man.
Even if they matched in looks, they fell short in presence.
This was what they meant by – dressing in robes doesn’t make you a prince. Aura of true authority
would be exuded by someone like Thaddeus.
And by his side, only Evadne was his match, together the perfect pair for a lifetime.
“Mr. Abernathy, Ms. Ashbourne, why are you here?” Elva was utterly taken aback.
Evadne didn’t rush to state her purpose but instead sat down beside her, like an old friend.
“Attorney General West has been here for some time, hasn’t he?”
Elva heard this title, her head hung low, “My father’s been retired for a while now. It’s been ages since
I’ve heard that title.”
Evadne’s gentle smile never waned, “Despite his retirement, Elmsworth’s legalmunity still reveres
his deeds. My brother is a prosecutor, and Attorney General West was his mentor back inw school.
My brother admired him greatly.”
Ms Ashbourne, my father isn’t as grand as you say.”
Elva twisted the fabric of her clothes, eyes welling up again, “Also, you wouldn’t be here without
reason. I have to guess it’s concerning the Chambers Group, likely involving my husband. I apologize,
but we’re on different sides. I’m with the Chambers Group, and I can’t betray them. You don’t need to
say anything more. Please leave.”
Thaddeus brows knitted together, hesitating, and then looked to Evadne. It seemed even the
formidable Mr. Abernathy sought the wife’s approval before speaking.
Evadne gave a subtle nod, and only then did Thaddeus hand over the prepared documents to Elva
What is this?
“No need to decide now Just take a look at this,” (vadne said calmly, her smile unwavering