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.

Frederic's expression grew darker, his enthusiasm for the marriage dwindling rapidly.

"Grandpa, Mom, Mr. Abernathy, I understand your concerns, and I admit I've been reckless in the past. I might not seem like a reliable man," Jareth took a deep breath, love surging in his eyes for the girl beside him, "but I truly love Marilla. For her, I'd do anything. I can give her everything I have."

Give this woman everything? That was a joke!

Barry clenched his teeth, his cane thumping against the floor. But with the Abernathy guests and a crowd of onlookers, he couldn't make a scene. Not yet.

"In this life, I will marry no one but Marilla."

Jareth's voice was firm as he addressed Mrs. Fairhaven. "Mom, you think I'm hasty, but on the contrary, this is a decision I've made after deep reflection and remain steadfast in."

The room went silent, everyone taken aback.

The rumors had painted Jareth as a wild devil, an untamed stallion. But now, it seemed those tales were understated.

In all of Elmsworth, how many young heirs would dare to defy their family so openly?

This scene was witnessed by Evadne, who had just arrived, and she was moved to the brink of tears.

She had worried, but now, she could rest easy.

She thought, "Thad, once we overcome all obstacles and join hands in marriage, surely everyone will bless us, right? But why worry about that now? Even a hundred scornful voices or a thousand contemptuous stares wouldn't matter. Only death could part us."

At the precise moment, dozens of ceremonial cannons were fired, sending colorful confetti fluttering through the air.

Amid the grand ceremony and the crowd's cheers, the horse racing event kicked off in style.

William and his son, accompanied by Thaddeus, arrived fashionably late amid the clamor.

The J Group might have been a mystery to the average person, but its status was comparable to the Abernathy Group in Elmsworth or the Ashbourne Group in Skyrim. Chairman Morris had the clout to speak directly with prime ministers, his power and influence self-evident.

A partnership with the J Group could lay a solid foundation for expanding business ventures abroad—nothing but beneficial!

Frederic was taken aback by the thawing relationship between Thaddeus and William and his son.

His son, though often defiant and a headache, was undeniably skilled in business, with a knack for turning the tide when it seemed against him.

Thaddeus's gaze hadn't left Evadne since his arrival.

When he saw that Avery was seated beside her, his heart clenched in pain.

He knew this wasn't Evadne's doing. She would never willingly associate with Avery.

This was clearly the handiwork of Chairman Emeric.

With this thought, Thaddeus struggled to steady his breathing, yet it felt like his throat was being constricted.

A nameless panic gnawed at his heart.