His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 459

At the racetrack, Elspeth single-handedly blew the lid off the entire Abernathy Group!

As the patriarch of the Abernathy family, Hamilton issued an ultimatum to Frederic - Let Elspeth rot in jail, fend for herself. If Frederic meddled again, he would disown him as his son, for good!

But Frederic had his own plans. Right now, if he truly abandoned Elspeth, the media's blaze would undoubtedly singe him too. They'd label him heartless and ruthless, a cold-blooded capitalist who treated his wives like chess pieces.

From his business marriage to the daughter of the Austin family, to the whispered tales of Cynthia Winter's depression and her tragic leap from despair, and now Elspeth, implicated in drug use and clapped in irons, he couldn't bear the thought of the world's sneers, the insinuations that any woman who ended up with Frederic was cursed!

For the sake of his own reputation, he couldn't let Elspeth become a criminal. What Frederic hadn't anticipated, however, was Thaddeus bypassing him, the Chairman, and calling a high-level corporate meeting!

And at that meeting, he officially stripped Elspeth of her executive duties! By the time Frederic arrived, the meeting was over. The executives were just rising to leave when they saw the Chairman and bowed in silence.

"Thad, you owe me an explanation. Who gave you permission to call this meeting without my consent?!" Frederic's anger was palpable as he confronted him before everyone.

"It was just a regular corporate meeting, no different from any other."

Thaddeus leaned back, his well-defined fingers idly twirling a pen, his gaze dark and unfathomable, "As the CEO, am I not supposed to preside over daily meetings? Why so hot under the collar?"

"You shouldn't overstep your bounds, dismissing Elspeth without notifying me! A decision this big, you must inform me. It's the rule!" Frederic was livid, his face reddening with each word.

"There was no time."

Thaddeus spoke with icy clarity, "The nation is waiting for the Abernathy Group to decide on Elspeth. And you, for three whole days, have been silent. The racetrack incident is still brewing; the Abernathy Group's image can't take another hit. As CEO, I had to make a decision on behalf of the company. Unless you still, after all this, are fantasizing about saving Elspeth. Otherwise, you should have no reason to object."

Frederic glared, "Thaddeus!"

"Elspeth, a repeat offender, embezzler, and now a suspected drug user, does she still have the face, the qualifications to serve as an executive of the Abernathy Group? Does she think the Abernathy Group is her treasure trove, or a money tree?" Thaddeus sneered coldly.

"The police haven't even announced the final results of Elspeth's drug case! There's a lot that doesn't add up; it's very possible Elspeth was framed!"

At this, the executives exchanged complex glances.

"Then tell me, what kind of trap makes Elspeth, with no one forcing her, pick up a syringe and inject herself with drugs?"

"That's exactly the anomaly! It's all too perfect; Elspeth isn't that careless!"

The moment Frederic blurted out his defense, he regretted it. Did he just imply that Elspeth had never been caught before because she was cautious? Was that even a proper excuse?!

As expected, the expressions around him grew even more complex, some even disdainful.

Thaddeus lost his patience, his handsome features darkening, "I've already released an official statement and document. The entire company knows Elspeth has been fired. What's said is said, and it can't be taken back."

With that, the man stood with poise, straightened his Windsor knot, and moved to leave.

"Thaddeus, don't forget your place! Don't forget who's the Chairman here, who calls the shots!"

In a fit of rage, Frederic pointed directly at his face, "You think being CEO makes you untouchable? Don't forget, you're not my only son! I put you in that seat, and I can just as easily give it to Chad! If Chad agrees to come back to Elmsworth, do you really think I won't kick you out of the Abernathy Group on the spot?!"

Everyone held their breath, wishing they could silence even the beating of their hearts.

The father-son relationship within the Abernathy Group had always been strained, and though their quarrels were no secret, this public showdown was unprecedented.

Thaddeus, although decisive and often unapproachable, was undeniable in his achievements as CEO. Under his leadership, the Abernathy Group had seen impressive financial reports and rapid business expansion.

His contributions were there for all to see. Frederic threatening to unseat such a general over Elspeth felt eerily similar to the historic treacheries of power.

Such words, in the past, would have enraged Thaddeus beyond measure. But now, his priorities had shifted.

The Abernathy Group was no longer his everything. His Evadne, she was a thousand times more important.

"Going forward, I'm not interested in who's the CEO of the Abernathy Group, nor do I care. But as long as I'm in charge, I will deal with Elspeth, and no one can stop me."

With that, Thaddeus strode out with his head held high, leaving a trail of murmurs and Frederic, seething with rage, his complexion ashen.

Leaving the corporate building, the evening was alight with the early glow of streetlights.

Thaddeus slumped in the back of his luxury car, his Adam's apple quivering ever so slightly as he stretched out his neck, taking a moment of respite with his eyes closed.

"Mr. Abernathy, you squared off with Mr. Frederic Abernathy today. It was epic!" Gordon recalled, still visibly buzzing with excitement.

"Being 'epic' comes with a hefty price tag," Thaddeus’s lips curved into a bitter smile.

"So what? Being cool is for life! Besides, Mr. Chad Abernathy, all pale and shaky, he'd probably keel over in a stiff breeze. If he even sets foot in Elmsworth, given your work schedule, I bet he'd be running back to wherever he came from within a week!"

Gordon was all smiles, brimming with optimism, "And now that you and Mrs. Abernathy have patched things up, she's totally got your back. Once you get hitched, you'll be part of the prestigious Ashbourne family, and your father-in-law will be the chairman of K Group. Plus, you've got a bunch of brothers-in-law who make mythic heroes look like kids’ play. You've got a mighty oak to lean on; how would Mr. Frederic Abernathy dare mess with you? Your throne is rock solid!"

"You're suggesting I live off Evadne’s wealth?" Thad's eyes narrowed into slits as he asked in a chilly tone.

Gordon inhaled sharply, tripping over his words in panic, "No, no. You couldn't possibly be seen as that guy. If anything, you'd turn that into a power move!"

A twitch tugged at the corner of Thaddeus's mouth, "Gordon, one of these days I'll introduce you to Dr. Bright. He's a neurologist. I might have him take a check on you."

Gordon's face split into an apologetic grin, his heart racing. But, ever since Mr. Abernathy had been with Mrs. Abernathy, he had mellowed out so much. In the old days, he would have sent Gordon packing or cut his pay. Now, he actually seemed to care about his well-being.

After a brief silence, Thaddeus became aware of a tightness in his chest. He thought back on the years he had spent fighting side by side with Abernathy Group, the trials and tribulations they had faced to get to where they were today.

In the end, he was still just a pawn to Frederic, disposable at a moment's notice.

"Gordon, drive. Let's go home."

Thaddeus closed his eyes again, taking a deep breath, his voice soft with emotion, "I miss her. I miss her so much."

Tonight at home, Evadne was alone, humming a tune as she stirred a pot with a wooden spoon, one hand holding her sore back.

Alva had recently befriended a chatty nanny in the neighborhood, and Evadne had given her the day off to catch up with her old pal.

Injured and with a backache, not to mention her less-than-dexterous left arm, Evadne couldn't bear to lie in bed any longer. Plus, she wanted to make sure Thaddeus had a warm meal to come home to after his long day.