His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 430

Though Marilla had been regarded as someone ‘silly’ by Glynnis from a young age, she was anything but. At the mention of ‘living together,’ her lean shoulders twitched, and the sweet taste of her freshly squeezed orange juice turned bitter on her lips.

Jareth secretly held her small, cool hand, gripping it tightly, “Mr. Abernathy, I know I haven't always been a saint in my personal life, but could you give me a chance to change, to start anew? Furthermore, I might have been a bit of a playboy, but I've never been crude. And I never brought any woman to my house before. Marilla is the first, and she will be the last.”

“Jareth, what I mean is,”

“I won't beat around the bush. Now I can't be without Marilla.”

Jareth's chest was filled with a profound love for her. He kissed Marilla’s hand passionately, his gaze filled with an affection that was utterly captivating, “If I can't see her for a day, I fear I might go mad.”

His deep, gentle voice echoed in Marilla's ear, causing her heart to flutter like a feather was tickling it.

She felt the same way. She didn't want to be without Jareth. If she couldn't see him, she couldn't eat or drink; if she couldn't hold him, she couldn't sleep.

Frederic's cheeks blushed red. He'd seen all sorts of people in his life, but he'd never met anyone as loose as this! To say these things in front of an elder, it was far too shameless!

“There is another reason why I don't want Marilla to go back to Windermere Estate,” Jareth said, suddenly serious.

Frederic was taken aback, “What reason?”

“I'm afraid Marilla might be bullied.”

“What kind of nonsense is that?” Frederic's brows furrowed, adding to his confusion, “Marilla is my precious gem. Windermere Estate is her home. Who would dare to bully her here?”

“Mr. Abernathy, you're not often at home, so it's understandable if you don't know what's happening in your own house. But you can't assume that just because Marilla lives here, she is happy.”

Jareth didn't explicitly mention that Glynnis bullied Marilla. After all, Glynnis was also Frederic's daughter. If Jareth accused her without any regard, he would be dishonoring his future father-in-law, making it impossible for him to save face. More importantly, he felt capable of protecting Marilla himself.

Even if Frederic knew everything, what could he do? He couldn’t even figure out what exactly his bestial wife had done, let alone confronting Glynnis.

Dennis stood by, his lips sealed, his gaze filled with intrigue as he watched Frederic.

Everyone in Windermere Estate knew that Glynnis had been suppressing and bullying Marilla for years. Even Elspeth, the woman who raised them, knew about it. Only Frederic, their biological father, was clueless!

“Marilla, who dares to bully you in this house?!” Frederic demanded, his gaze fixed on his timid daughter, struggling to contain his anger.

Marilla's forehead broke out in sweat. She opened her mouth but couldn't say a word.

Jareth felt her hand dampen in his. He quickly comforted her with his soft voice, “Marilla, don't be afraid. You have me and your dad here. If you have any grievances or hardships, just say it, and we will back you up.”

He sincerely hoped that Marilla could openly talk about Glynnis's despicable acts. She should speak up to get justice for herself.

Two grown men watched her intently. After a moment, Marilla finally managed to speak, “No, nobody bullies me.”

“Marilla.” Jareth felt a wave of disappointment. But when his hand touched her thin back, he realized that her clothing was drenched in sweat.

Jareth's eyes darkened, his heart aching as if it had collapsed. He was pushing her too hard. He shouldn't make her constantly think about her painful past or how to seek revenge.

The woman he loved didn't have to do anything. He could handle everything for her.

“Was it your sister who bullied you?”

Frederic's sudden question pierced Marilla's trembling heart like a sharp arrow. She lowered her head, her hands crumpling the hem of her dress, but remained silent.

“Is that true? Has Glynnis been bullying you all this time? Tell me, I'll stand up for you.”

“Mr. Abernathy, you are well aware of Marilla's situation. She's not like Glynnis, who knows how to charm you. Sometimes, because Glynnis is family, Marilla is too kind-hearted to confront her. So, she lives cautiously, silently bearing all the humiliation.”

Jareth couldn't bear it any longer and chimed in, his eyes cold, “It's been so many years. There's no point in bringing up the past. Moreover, you consider both of them as your precious daughters, don't you?”

His words did not blame Glynnis, but they were not far from doing so.

Frederic's face darkened considerably, his large hand clenched on his knee.

Jareth slowly helped Marilla to her feet. His strong arm naturally slipped around her waist, pulling her into his embrace, holding her possessively.

“All the past are behind us. I am willing to let it go for your sake, but the future is different. Now that Marilla and I are together, I will stand up for her in everything. If anyone dares to hurt her, no matter who her dad is, they will pay a bloody price.”

After Jareth and Marilla left, the atmosphere in the study became stifling. Frederic could still feel the chilling air, filling him with a sense of suffocation.

“So, Jareth also knows that Glynnis has been bullying Marilla?” Frederic looked at Dennis in bewilderment, his heart tightening, “I overheard the servants talking about this. Even they know everything and I didn't? As her father, I didn't know.”