Chapter 756


    Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy exchanged a stunned nce. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that Aaron


    had his heart set on Mari.


    Then, the astonished voice of Mrs. Suri Ashbourne echoed through the room, “Aaron, what on earth


    are you saying? You want to marry Ms. Abernathy? When did you start harboring such thoughts about


    that girl?


    And what about the love triangle with Mr. Fairhaven? Where do you fit into this picture? You better not


    be aiming to be the other man; not even if I had the thick skin like a hundredyer cake could I endure


    the shame! An Ashbourne heir cannot be reduced to a homewrecker, even if he is seeking another


    man’spany!”


    Behind them, Thaddeus and Evadne felt awkwardly speechless.


    After a tense silence, Aaron spoke with a bitter edge to his voice, “Originally, I stepped back because I


    saw the affection between Mari and Jareth. Jareth truly cared for her. I wanted Mari to have a


    smooth path to love; I didn’t want to cause trouble for her.”


    Didn’t want to cause trouble. Evadne’s longshes lowered in a silent sigh.


    In truth, Aaron and Mari were kindred spirits – both constantly put others before themselves,


    empathetic, and thoughtful.


    She had often wondered: Would Mari be happier with Aaron? But love wasn’t a series of what–ifs.


    “But now, Mari is about to marry someone she doesn’t love.”


    Each word Aaron spoke was charged with a burning desire that had been suppressed for far too long,


    “If that’s the case. Mom, I want to follow my heart for once. I want to pursue Mari.”


    “The news is already out; Ms. Abernathy’s engagement to the Bartley son is set. What good will your


    interference do?”


    Suri sighed in resignation, “Besides, you just said they were in love. Even if they’ve separated for some


    reason. Aaron, Mari’s heart may not have room for you. After all, Jareth is her lifelong unattainable


    dream.


    Are you confident enough to spend your life with someone who loves another? Can you guarantee you


    won’t regret it, or feel bitter and unsettled? This path is harder than you think.”


    “Mom, when you married Dad, you knew he had someone else in his heart. Have you ever regretted


    choosing him?” Aaron’s question hit a nerve.


    Thaddeus felt a sudden grip on his arm and turned to see Evadne’s usually radiant face pale slightly.


    Suri’s voice was low, “Our situations are diffèrent.”


    “But one thing is the same – I only choose what I want; nothing else matters.” Aaron chuckled bitterly,


    “My principles and boundaries are about making the one I care for happy. If I can’t do that, then those


    boundaries mean nothing.”


    “You are really…”


    “Suri, Aaron, Evadne stepped forward with Thaddeus.


    Suri’s expression stiffened, and Aaron rose in surprise, “Evadne.”


    Evadne offered a wry smile, “I heard everything. But I didn’t eavesdrop on purpose.”


    Thaddeus pressed his lips gently. Too “unintentional“, Indeed. Evadne had a knack for overhearing


    conversations; it was practically in her DNA, making her a walking human eavesdropper.


    Aaron’s breath hitched, his eyes looking utterly sincere, “Evadne, since you heard it, there’s no point


    hiding it now. I want to take a chance to make Mari your sister–inw. Would you mind?”


    Chapter 756


    Worry creased Suri’s brow, “Aaron, you’re my only son, and you’ve never been in love. Do you even


    know what love is? You spend your days at the police station, dealing with cases, seeing more dead


    women than living! You’ve only met Ms. Abernathy a few times; are you sure she’s the one for you?


    What if you meet someone more suitable, more outstanding?”


    “I remember Dad had his fair share of quirks, yet didn’t you fall for him at first sight?”


    Far away in other country, Emeric suddenly sneezed.


    Suri was left speechless. A chip off the old block indeed!


    “Or do you also worry about Mari’s illness?”


    “Aaron.” Evadne couldn’t help but interject, “Suri wouldn’t think like that; you shouldn’t ask her this.”


    Feeling he’d done something inappropriate, Aaron lowered his gaze, “Sorry, Mom.”


    “I can see you truly care for that girl.” Nose tingled with emotion, Suri let out a relieved smile,


    “Otherwise, you’d never talk back to me. You want to pursue the one you love; I won’t stop you. But


    there’s one condition – Ms. Abernathy mustpletely sever ties with Mr. Fairhaven. If there are any


    lingering attachments, I don’t want you involved.”


    She spoke with gravity, “As long as the girl is good–hearted, I don’t care about her status or past. But I


    don’t want a daughter–inw who’s been snatched from someone else.”


    Upon hearing it, Thaddeus admired Suri’s stance. No wonder she raised such exceptional children.


    Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    “The final choice, though, belongs to Mari.” Aaron’s eyes shone with resolution, “If she chooses me,


    I’ll never let her down. If she wants to be with Jareth, no matter how hard, I’m willing to help them


    ovee any obstacle.”


    Evadne’s eyes sparkled with an idea, “Aaron, are you really willing to help?”


    “When have I ever gone back on my word?” His resolve was palpable.


    “Suri’s here, so I’ll speak my mind.” Evadne paused, and then dered, “Aaron, may I use you?”


    The statement left Thaddeus and Suri baffled, exchanging nces.


    Aaron’s gaze deepened, “Evadne, what do you need me to do?”


    Evadne shed a sly grin, “I need you to pull off a love heist.”


    The word “heist” seemed to lodge itself in Aaron’s throat, leaving him with a dry, wry smile, “Evadne,


    my mom justid down thew about no snatching, and here you are, daring to dream.”


    Evadne wagged her slender finger, “No, no. When I say a love heist, I mean for you to, as Aaron


    Ashbourne, disrupt the Abernathy–Bartley wedding ns. We can’t have Alston, that toad, getting his


    hands on my Mari.”


    Thaddeus‘ gaze deepened, his warm, broad palm gently squeezing Evadne’s tender waist, softened by


    his affection.


    Although he had given her pleasure the night before to help her sleep well, he himself had been


    restless. He had thought long and hard about Jareth and Mari, even making preparations, but he


    hadn’t expected Evadne toe up with such an ingenious n.


    His seven brothers–inw seemed destined to be “wrung dry” by her.


    “So, you want me to step in as a suitor andpete with Alston for Mari?”


    Aaron, his fingers propped against his jaw, pondered, “Even though it’s still a heist, I don’t mind


    competing with that Alston. Us Ashbournes aren’t afraid of stirring the pot, and we can handle the


    consequences.”


    Thaddeus‘ brows came together slightly, “Evadne, but this marriage has Frederic’s blessing. He’s quite


    taken with the Bartley family. Even if we get Mr. Aaron Ashbourne himself topete, if Frederic


    doesn’t approve of


    Chapter 756


    Mari being with an Ashbourne, it could still be tough.”


    “Indeed. Evadne, after the whole debacle with you at the horse racing event, Frederic’s grudge against


    our family is no small matter. That old curmudgeon, can he even appreciate my darling son?” Suri


    spoke her mind freely in front of Thaddeus.


    Evadne pressed her lip to stifle augh. Suri had been corrupted by Aviana, spouting off whatever


    came to mind.


    T


    Seeing his own father insulted, dutiful son Thaddeus maintained a calm demeanor, secretly relishing


    the


    moment.


    “It doesn’t matter; it takes two to tango.” Evadne said confidently, her smile brimming with self–


    assurance, “As Yong as the Bartley family are dead set against marrying Mari, what can Frederic do?


    Force his daughter on


    them? How many faces does he have to lose?”


    Thaddeus‘ gaze on her was tender and fiery, “Evadne, you are truly clever.”


    “Evadne, do you need my help?” Suri said with a soft smile, “Since my son is set on this love heist, it’s


    only right that I, as a parent, apply some pressure. That will ensure the Bartley family give up for good.”


    “Mom.” Aaron’s voice choked up. Guilt and a bitter taste flooded his mouth as he thought about his


    earlier doubts regarding his mother.


    Evadne, feeling helpless and remorseful, said, “Suri, I’m so sorry. It’s a younger generation’s issue, and


    yet we still need you elders to sort it out for us.”


    “Nonsense, we’re family. Besides.” Sorrow washed over Suri, her eyes misting up, “Ever since Hubery


    passed, I’ve struggled to truly move on, neglecting my care and attention towards Aaron and Debby. I


    wasn’t even aware of Aaron’s rtionship, and I’m his mother. Now, I do a small favor, and you thank


    me like this; it only makes me feel more ashamed.”


    The memory of thete Hubery brought a vision of his portrait before Evadne’s eyes. Her lips parted a


    couple of times, yet in the end, she remained silent.


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