His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 425

That heart-stopping kidnapping case was an unspeakable past for the Abernathy family.

Back then, the Abernathy boys were kidnapped by a notorious gang and held in an abandoned warehouse, teeming with cockroaches and rats, deep inside a forest. The kidnappers demanded a hefty ransom from the Abernathy patriarch.

Thaddeus couldn't remember how many days he was kept there. The place was filthy, damp, and reeked. He couldn't see the sun rise and set.

As a child, he was beaten and scolded daily. They feared the boys would escape, so they only fed them a meal every three days. They were living in hell.

Later, his older brother, Chad, who was four years his senior, managed to distract the kidnappers during a moment of lax guard. This provided Thaddeus with a slim chance to escape!

In the woods, he stumbled and ran frantically without looking back. After what seemed like an eternity, he collapsed from exhaustion and rolled down a hillside.

Luckily, a kind-hearted hunter, who was out hunting deer, found him. Upon regaining consciousness, Thaddeus immediately contacted the authorities, providing them with clues to track down the kidnappers and finally returning to the Abernathy family.

However, Chad wasn't so fortunate.

The ruthless kidnappers, angered by their escape plan's failure, beat him severely and locked him in a cramped shipping container, without food or water for five full days. Chad had to rely on drinking his own urine to survive.

Three days later, after receiving the ransom, the kidnappers stripped Chad and left him tied up at the front gate of Windermere Estate, then left brazenly in broad daylight!

Due to the physical abuse and prolonged confinement in a sealed space, Chad's internal organs were severely damaged. The daily medical and hospitalization costs alone amounted to over fifty thousand dollars!

For years, Chad's life was hanging by a thread, barely kept alive by the Abernathy fortune.

The incident left an indelible psychological trauma on the Abernathy family.

Such was the reason why Thaddeus always felt he owed a great debt to his older brother.

It's also why Frederic, who was always strict and harsh, showed extreme favoritism towards Chad and harbored resentment towards Thaddeus.

"But now you're the heir, he shouldn't interfere!"

Gordon was still filled with indignation. "You didn't step in that time, and the top shareholders already have opinions about you. He took advantage of the situation and made decisions on your behalf, even achieved a partnership. Now there are many voices in the company supporting him, and even Frederic has been in frequent contact with him lately. Mr. Thaddeus, I know you value loyalty and righteousness, but we Abernathys are not the Ashbournes. Blood ties can't withstand the test of power! You know better than anyone how you've made it through these years! Even if Mr. Chad saved you back then, even if he was good to you, you two are half-brothers, and he's the eldest son. After all these years, can you guarantee that he has no ulterior motives? That he has no plans for the Abernathy Group?"

Gordon was so worried that he was practically spitting.

Thaddeus's breath hitched in his chest, his eyes darkening.

"And another thing, aren't you suspicious?"

Gordon continued, his mind sharp, "He always talks about being detached from worldly affairs, but he knew every detail about our cooperation with the J Group. What does this tell us? It tells us that he hasn't been idle these years, he's been keeping an eye on you and the Abernathy Group! Not only that, during that meeting, he was sitting right next to the chairman of the J Group on the video conference! It was clearly premeditated, he'd been working behind the scenes!"

Listening to Gordon, Thaddeus remained silent, his eyes deepening.

"Mr. Thaddeus, you have to be on guard. It's easier to guard against a stranger than a thief in the family. You have to watch out, or you won't know what hit you!"

"Gordon. If, I mean, if." Thaddeus's voice trembled slightly, "If one day, Chad's recovering, he returns to Elmsworth from abroad, and he wants to take over the family business and reclaim the CEO position. Tell me, what should I do? Should I just give up everything I have now?"

"Why should he get it if he wants it? On what grounds?"

Thaddeus's words hit a nerve with Gordon, who clenched his fists in anger, "Without you, the Abernathy Group wouldn't be where it is today! You've given your blood, sweat, and tears for the company, you've nearly worn yourself out, you've even risked your life inspecting the construction sites! You haven't even tasted the fruits of your labor yet, and he wants to come back and take what's yours? Why? So what if Mr. Frederic is backing him up? You have Mr. Hamilton's favor, we're not at a disadvantage! No matter how capable a son is, he still has to listen to his father!"

"What son and father, are you trying to twist your tongue?"

The sweet and charming voice of Evadne came before she entered the room.

Thaddeus frowned and signaled Gordon to be quiet, then put on a warm smile.

Evadne walked in, carrying a tray with two cups of tea, "What are you guys chatting about so animatedly? Mr. Gordon, you seem quite agitated."

"Nothing much, he gets worked up even seeing two dogs fighting on the street. He's young and hot-blooded."

Thaddeus immediately got up to meet her and took the tray from Evadne, his voice low and husky, "Why are you being so formal? Are you treating me as a guest, hmm?"

"I'm just worried you'll get thirsty from all the talking," Evadne smiled wryly.

"A kiss would quench my thirst more than any drink."

Thaddeus leaned in, his eyes full of love, and kissed Evadne, oblivious to anyone else in the room.

Gordon blushed and quickly looked away.