His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 441

Evadne's gaze was frosty as she watched Avery, her eyes narrowing into slits as she clenched her fists tightly, trying to reconcile the darkness she knew lurked beneath his polished facade.

"Good boy," Emeric said with a twinkle in his eye, his voice rich with unspoken meanings. "You've got a whole lifetime ahead of you for you and Evadne to get cozy."

The flashbulbs captured the moment, eliciting gasps of surprise from the onlookers.

As a legend in his own right, a titan of industry, Emeric was rarely this affectionate with the younger generation. His actions spoke volumes – it was as if he was treating Avery as his future son-in-law!

"I can't help but feel Chairman Emeric is playing matchmaker between Mr. Avery and Ms. Evadne," someone murmured under their breath.

"It sure looks that way. He's cold as ice to Mr. Thaddeus but warm as a summer's day to Mr. Avery, as if he's family. Isn't it obvious? And who in the business world doesn't know that Mr. Chambers and Chairman Emeric are tight as thieves, with their families going way back? If Evadne hadn't been so headstrong, Emeric would've pampered her into engagement with the young Chambers heir years ago!"

"But it seems to me Evadne still carries a torch for Thaddeus. The way they walked the red carpet hand in hand looked like a couple on the mend."

"Pfft, what does it matter? In the world of high society, do any of these young heirs and heiresses actually get a say in their marriages? Emeric indulged her once; would he really stand for it a second time?"

"If the Ashbourne family really does merge with the Chambers Group, that's going to be the scoop of the century, shaking up the entire business landscape of Elmsworth!"

Evadne couldn't bear it any longer. Her expression darkened as she strode away briskly.

"Evadne!"

Avery caught up with her, his eyes brimming with concern. "What's wrong? Still upset about the mess with Edith?"

Evadne said nothing, just kept walking.

"Evadne, if you're still not feeling vindicated, I have plenty more tricks up my sleeve to cheer you up. I'd do anything to make you happy."

Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks. "Do you really have evidence against Edith? Proof that she slandered me?"

"No, it was a bluff. I knew she had something to hide, she's afraid of the light," Avery admitted with a light chuckle, being candid.

"Given what I know about Edith, her mental fortitude is even stronger than Glynnis's. As the darling of the Fairhaven family, pampered by Barry and Jareth, would she really fear your idle threats?"

Evadne's piercing gaze turned towards him, suspicion in her eyes. "Or perhaps, Avery, you and Ms. Edith share a certain rapport, and she gave you that bit of face?"

Her words were laced with irony but hit Avery where it hurt, playing right into the shadows of his heart.

He adjusted his glasses, hiding the glint of something sinister in his eyes. "Evadne, I have no dealings with any woman, except you."

"Cut it out. I have someone I love. No matter how much you pine for me, I have no interest in you."

Her harsh words cut through Avery like a blade, leaving a taste of blood in his mouth.

"Evadne, my feelings for you are real."

"Mr. Chambers, I won't deny you the rights that any normal man should have."

With a cold laugh, Evadne saw through his ploy. "And stop wasting your effort. No matter how hard you try to please Emeric, I won't choose you over Thaddeus."

Meanwhile, Thaddeus was busy strategizing his next moves with Gordon.

By the time he received news of Evadne's near ruin at the hands of Edith, and rushed over as fast as he could, it was all over.

The guests had gone, the reporters had dispersed. Only he and Gordon stood there, dumbfounded.

"Mr. Thaddeus, I saw the trending news. Edith has apologized to Mrs. Abernathy, and she's facing a backlash online. Everyone's sympathizing with Mrs. Abernathy."

"But." Gordon hesitated.

"What is it?" Thaddeus asked anxiously.

"It's Avery who cleared Mrs. Abernathy's troubles, and now there are photos of Chairman Emeric being chummy with him. There are rumors that the Ashbourne family might be joining forces with the Chambers family, and Mrs. Abernathy could end up married to Avery!"

As Gordon spoke, Thaddeus felt a searing pain, imagining the worst.

Just as he was about to seek out Evadne, he spotted the chairman and president of Aether Dynamics, William, and his son, approaching with an entourage of staff and bodyguards.

"Mr. Thaddeus! It's William Morris!"

Gordon gaped in astonishment. "Both father and son are here? There was no prior notice. Did they change their plans on a whim?"

While they spoke, Junior Morris had already reached Thaddeus.

"Mr. Abernathy, you promised a meeting to discuss our partnership, but you stood us up. I thought you might have quit and we'd never see you again," William Morris said, his tone light but edged with sarcasm.

"Father, are you saying he's the president of the Abernathy Group?" Ford tilted his chin up slightly, a smirk revealing a hint of disdain, which was quite off-putting. "Oh, I had assumed the president of the Abernathy Group would be the Abernathy family's golden boy."

Thaddeus's lips formed a thin, cold line.

Clearly, his no-show at the last meeting had thoroughly offended both William and his son.

And with the J Group having just struck a nearly ten-billion-dollar deal with the Abernathy Group, there would be many more interactions to come. Now, they were openly siding with his older brother, treating him with prejudice and as though he was beneath them.

"It seems I have to disappoint you both," Thaddeus said, quickly recalibrating his demeanor to one of easy confidence. Ignoring their jibes, he extended his hand to William in a gesture that was both gracious and assertive. "The president of the Abernathy Group is not my brother Chad, nor have I resigned from the group. Let's take this opportunity for a fresh introduction. I hope we can work together for mutual benefit and success. Let's not dwell on trivialities that could jeopardize our partnership. After all, in the world of business, there are no permanent enemies, right?"

William and his son exchanged glances.

Thaddeus stood poised and composed, making it impossible for them to lash out.

Even though they were friends with Chad, the man in charge of the Abernathy Group was now Thaddeus, and he had a point—business is about profit, not sentiment.

So, William and his son shook hands with Thaddeus, their attitude softening a bit. "Mr. Thaddeus, we look forward to a fruitful collaboration then."

With a slight parting of his lips, Thaddeus's voice resonated warmly, "I share that sentiment."

At the gathering, members of the four prominent families took their seats.

The debacle had the Fairhavens looking more sour-faced than ever, except for the ever-merry Gary.