Chapter 700


    Chapter 700


    Matthew casually lifted his wine ss, azy glint dancing in his eyes. “What’s the news? Tell me about


    it.”


    “Barry’s getting on in years, wants to step back and has already designated Jareth as his sessor.


    He will be taking over as the President of the Fairhaven Group and Vice–Chairman of the Board. The


    news has spread throughout the Fairhaven Group. After next week’s board meeting, Jareth’s officially


    take office.”


    “Is that supposed to be news? Everyone in our circle knows that.” Avery scoffed.


    “At this critical time, the Fairhaven Group’s internal strife is fierce. After the death of the Fairhaven


    family’s eldest son, Gary, as Barry Fairhaven’s only son left, didn’t inherit the leadership. Watching the


    younger generation step over his head, stirring things, I bet his current hostility is even more intense


    than that of a ghost!”


    “What’s the use then? It’s just impotent rage. If Gary truly had capability, he would have secured his


    inheritance right when Jareth’s father passed. How could he wait until now to be overtaken by his


    junior?”


    Avery’s gaze sharpened suddenly, turning suspiciously to Harvey. “You didn’te all this way just to


    tell me about this nonsense, did you? What else have you found out?”


    “I heard that Gary and Jareth’s sister, Edith, have grown quite close. They’ve formed an alliance in the


    shadows, nning to take down Jareth together.”


    Harvey’s expression was dark and brooding. “Why don’t you as well intervene at this time, lend them a


    hand, and give thatd Jareth a taste of difficulty! If it seeds, you can take credit. If it fails, Gary and


    Edith will shoulder the me, and you’ll be as untouchable as ever.”


    Avery was astute and naturally understood his meaning.


    Truth be told, whether the Fairhaven Group fares well or not didn’t concern him much.


    Among the four major families, the Fairhaven Group was only in fourth ce. His realpetitors in


    Elmsworth were the Abernathy Group; the Fairhavens didn’t even register.


    But he was stillpelled to act against Jareth, simply because Jareth was Thaddeus‘ one and only,


    best friend!


    Only by striking Jareth could Thaddeus truly feel the sting.


    And only Thaddeus‘ pain could bring him joy.


    “Harvey, you’re getting more and more attuned to my thinking.”


    Avery adjusted his gold–rimmed sses and picked up his phone, dialing Edith’s number.


    Emeric’s condition was stabilizing by the day, but the Ashbourne family couldn’t set their mind at ease.


    They took turns by his side watching over him every day, tending to him with great care that they


    managed to feed the handsome old man until he gained an extra ten pounds.


    Despite his increasing girth, Emeric could say, without exaggeration.


    These past weeks had been his happiest in nearly two decades since his wife’s passing.


    He didn’t want his children to hover around him out of obligation; he just wanted to see them often.


    Especially Evadne.


    It was as if he was making up for the years of lost father–daughter time, Emeric, despite his age,


    started being somewhat petnt, insisting on seeing Evadne daily, being quite difficult to deal with.


    Tonight, Evadne and her husband Thaddeus were dining with Emeric in his bedroom. She picked up a


    rib and held it to his mouth.


    Here, Emeric, open wide.”


    Emeric smiled beamingly, just as he was about to open his mouth, Evadne added, “Try some


    Thaddeus‘ cooking.”


    Instantly, Emeric’s mouth closed, losing his appetite instantly.


    This left Thaddeus fidgeted and uneasy, his lips pressed tightly together, the picture of spousal


    aggrievement.


    “Oh,e on!” Evadne frowned prettily, prying open Emeric’s mouth with her left hand and stuffing the


    rib in like force–feeding a goose “This is Thaddeus‘ heartfelt effort. He spent over an hour on it, you


    must appreciate it!”


    “You little girl, always siding with him! Are you trying to choke me?” Emeric chewed the meat in his


    mouth with a sullen face


    The taste was quite good. The young man’s culinary skills had improved considerably


    Thaddeus never tried to tter or deal cursorily with his daughter; his sincerity was evident in every


    way.


    Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.


    A perfectly matched couple entered–it was Cassius and Chasel.


    “Dad.”


    “Chairman Emeric, how are you feeling today?” Chasel asked warmly, standing shoulder to shoulder


    with his beloved.


    Emeric nced at his son and then yfully at Chasel’s clean–cut face. “Why so formal all of a


    sudden? Not calling me ‘dad‘ anymore?”


    Evadne and Thaddeus both looked shocked!


    Chasel’s face, who originally had fair skin, blushed down to the base of his neck at this jest, and his


    lowered, longshes betrayed a sense of bewilderment.


    Seeing Chasel’s embarrassment, Cassius couldn’t help but feel a warmth in his heart. He directly took


    his partner’s nervously sweating hand and firmly held it, saying. “Dad, Chasel is shy. Please don’t tease


    him like that.”


    Evadne’s eyes crinkled with a smile, watching the young couple with joy.


    Ah, there was nothing like love to transform a person.


    The once stoic Cassius was now protectively standing by his spouse.


    Emeric looked at them with an inscrutable expression, his gaze gradually resting on their intertwined


    hands, his brow furrowing slightly.


    “Cassius, what happened to your fingernails? Why are they so dark?”


    Cassius paused for a moment, then looked down tenderly and chuckled. “Chasel has a taste for nuts. I


    went outst night to get some chestnuts tonight and have been peeling them for him. Must be from the


    chestnut shells.”


    Chasel’s heart pounded rapidly, his face blushing in an adorable manner.


    He had been nervous; after all, Cassius held a status of high regard, and his hands, which once


    pleased by that?


    Unexpectedly, Emeric mildly said, “Ah, that’s good then. I thought you caught onychomycosis. I was


    worrying if you got that and infected Chasel, how could he look after patients in the future?”


    Chase just blinked, wordless.


    Evadne and Thaddeus exchanged a look of silent amusement.


    Cassius Ashbourne squeezed Chase’s hand, letting out augh, “Dad, can’t you just wish me well for


    once?”


    But it was clear to any discerning eye-


    Emeric had truly epted Chase into the family.


    After warm and light–hearted conversations, Emeric was coaxed by Evadne to finish his meal.


    “Dad, we need to start getting ready. We’ll be leaving in a few days.”


    Cassius and Chasel exchanged a look, “I’ve contacted the best sanatorium over there and arranged


    everything. Chase has also secured consultations with two of the most authoritative neurology experts


    in the country. They’ll be ready to see you as soon as you arrive.”


    “My children, you all are so thoughtful, Emeric’s eyes filled with thanks, but even more so with


    reluctance to leave.


    Evadne frowned gently. “Emeric, why do you look so mncholy? Could it be that you can’t let go of all


    this? But money’s not worth a thing without your health.”


    “It’s not about this, it’s that I can’t let go of you kids, especially you, you naughty girl.”


    Emeric sighed, a twinge of emotion in his voice as he tapped Evadne’s forehead affectionately. “Once I


    leave, I don’t know how long the treatment will rake. I’ve just gotten used to the familiarity and warmth


    you bring, much like a security nket, now you’re asking me to take it off. How could I bear to do


    that?”


    A bitter sweetness surged in Evadne’s heart, and her eyes moistened


    Thaddeus saw it and quietly moved behind her, his broad palm gently soothing her slender back.


    He knew she couldn’t bear to part with her father either. She always acted tough, never liking to speak


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    sentimental or cheesy things, but he understood just how much she loved her father,


    “Dad, I’ve already briefed Evadne on everything she needs to know about the K Group. By the end of


    the month at thetest, she’ll be ready to take the reins,” Cassius said, his gaze heavy with earnest


    expectation as he looked at his little sister.


    Emeric nodded solemnly and then took his daughter’s hand in his, “Girl, can you handle it?”


    “If I can’t, then no one can,” Evadne huffed proudly, full of confidence.


    “I won’t be there to watch over you, so don’t act recklessly or wildly, heedless of consequences. Also,


    don’t try to shoulder everything on your own in a show of stubborn strength. Communicate with us. Or


    ask your man for advice, let him shield you from bullets.”


    “Emeric, Thaddeus is my lover, not a human shield. What’s this about taking bullets for me!” Evadne


    protested, her lips puckering.


    Thaddeus remained unflustered, his eyes filled with gentle warmth, “Please rest assured. Even in a


    storm of bullets, I’d be in front of Evadne. I’ll ensure her safety”


    Evadne’s eyes turned red, and warmth filled her chest as she leaned into his embrace, like a drifting


    boat finding its permanent haven.


    “Mr. Thaddeus.”


    Emeric addressed him so formally, and Thaddeus tensed up and quickly replied, “Yes?”


    “My daughter is still young, rash, and thoughtless. Please, take good care of her in the future, don’t let


    others bully her,” Emeric’s voice became muffled, as if he was choking up.


    Thaddeus felt a surge of emotions, and he gripped her delicate hand tightly, nodding firmly.


    Leaving Emeric’s room, the couple made their way to their own room.


    But before they’d gone far, Evadne buried herself in Thaddeus‘ chest, her shoulders shaking with quiet


    sobs.


    Thaddeus‘ white shirt became damp with her tears, and he held her close, continuously whispering


    words offort.


    The young miss now was prone to tears every day or two, but he didn’t find it annoying at all.


    On the contrary, he wished to cherish each droplet of tears she shed, to spoil her without limits.


    “Are you worrying about your uncle already?” Thaddeus kissed behind her ear, his voice a deep,


    gravelly caress.


    “How could I not be worried. I don’t know how long it will take, or if it can even be cured,” Evadne said,


    the tip of her nose red as she rubbed it against his neck, her warm breath making his eyes tingle.


    “It will be cured.”


    In the dimly lit hallway, they clung to each other, their kiss deep and passionate.


    Evadne trembled in his arms, her eyes misty with desire, a soft moan escaping her lips.


    God. His kisses had be more exquisitely skilled by the day; he knew exactly how to tease her,


    how to awaken her desires.


    Their lips and tongues entwined, the heady sensation momentarily dispelling the gloom in her heart.


    “Let’s go to the bedroom,” Evadne whispered, her arms around his neck, her eyes glistening, her voice


    breathy.


    “Okay”


    Thaddeus‘ eyes darkened with desire as he lifted her in his arms, kissing her as they moved forward.


    But they hadn’t taken two steps before running into Suri and Aviana, who had rushed towards them.


    “Oh my, oh my! Goodness me! We didn’t mean to interrupt, really!” Suri eximed and quickly covered


    her eyes.


    Aviana followed suit, “Oh dear! I didn’t see anything, I’m blind!”


    Evadne quickly jumped down from the man, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.


    “Suri, Aviana, I’m sorry, it was my fault.” Thaddeus wrapped an arm around his love, his voice low and


    husky, “It was me; I couldn’t help myself”


    Evadne wanted to silence him? The more he spoke, the worse it got!


    “Suri, Aviana, what brings you here in such a hurry?”


    “Evadne, trouble ise knocking!” Aviana clenched her teeth.