His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 464

"Hey? Emeric, where's Evadne?" Jeff craned his neck, peering outside with persistent curiosity.

"She won't be joining us tonight, Jeff. Evadne is injured and needs her rest. I've told her to stay put and recover," Emeric replied with a nonchalant shrug.

"Emeric, you're being unfair, man. You promised to bring Evadne over this time. Besides, we're practically family now, not just guests!" Jeff rambled on, though confusion gnawed at him inside.

Emeric settled into his seat, "If you really care about Evadne, you should let her heal properly. No need to drag her around."

It was just before that horse race that he'd met with Emeric in private.

They had hit it off, and Emeric seemed quite taken with his son, assuring him that he would support the union between Evadne and Avery, welcoming Evadne into the Chambers family as a daughter-in-law.

He had also pondered Byron's marriage prospects, his beloved second son, second only to his eldest in his affections.

He was angling for a double celebration, hoping to propose to Emeric and Myra's daughter Nydia on behalf of Byron.

Originally, he didn't think Nydia was a match for Byron given her modest background.

But now that Byron was down to one good leg, he wasn't in a position to be choosy, and Ms. Nydia suddenly seemed much more appealing.

That was why he'd eagerly brought Byron along tonight, to meet with Nydia.

But what he couldn't fathom was why Emeric, who had virtually handpicked Avery as his son-in-law, had come without Evadne and with a noticeably cooler demeanor.

Avery, his interest thoroughly extinguished, downed a glass of bourbon in frustration.

Tonight, the unsuspecting Nydia was a vision in an elegant white lace dress that highlighted her flawless porcelain skin. Her dancer's physique was lithe and graceful as a swan, and her exposed legs were as perfect as a sculpted masterpiece.

Usually, Evadne's stunning beauty and presence overshadowed Nydia.

But now, it was clear that both sisters were beauties in their own right, reminiscent of the classic novel's contrasting heroines, like the fair and virtuous Amy and the fiery and passionate Jo.

Byron, having spent too much time in the hospital and away from female company aside from nurses, couldn't take his eyes off Nydia.

Avery, reading his less-than-pure thoughts with a glance, couldn't help but suppress a cold, mocking smile.

The feast was served, and Emeric barely touched his food, seemingly without an appetite.

Nydia sat next to Byron, who was diligently attentive, serving her food and pouring her drinks, but she only responded with polite reserve, leaving the food he offered untouched.

In Nydia's heart and eyes, there was only room for her dear Jason. Other men barely warranted a second glance.

"Emeric, now that the race's over, about the arrangement we discussed."

Before Jeff could finish, Emeric finally spoke up with a grave tone, "Jeff, I know how much you adore Evadne. You've practically raised her alongside your daughter. And I'm aware of Avery's esteem for her, and he's shown nothing but respect and diligence, qualities I admire in a young man. But feelings can't be forced. Evadne has given her heart to another, and you know very well who that is."

His words caught the Chambers men completely off guard.

Avery's eyes flashed with anger, a dangerous red mingling with the fury, his handsome features tight as if carved from ice. Even without a word, his presence was chilling.

Byron couldn't help but snicker at the sight of his brother's displeasure.

He thought, "Avery, dreaming of marrying into the Ashbourne family and becoming Emeric's favored son-in-law to leverage control over the Chambers Group against your brother? Dream on, you mutt!"

"Emeric, what are you implying? Didn't we have an agreement?"

Jeff's brows knitted together as his temper flared, and for the first time, he turned red-faced with Emeric, "We've been friends for over thirty years. How do you think I've treated you? Better than your own brothers! When you were targeted for assassination, with a sniper lurking on a rooftop, I stood in front of you without knowing where the shooter was, ready to take a bullet for you!"

Emeric listened silently, the harrowing memory of that life-or-death shootout resurfacing.

He truly was grateful to Jeff. They were young then, kindred spirits with a brotherly bond. Jeff had risked his life for him, a testament to their genuine friendship.

And it was that same event that had led to his fortuitous rescue by the daughter of S-Star Group's magnate, Aviana, leading to their marriage.

"Indeed, Jeff. I will never forget your kindness in this lifetime," Emeric's voice was hoarse with emotion.

"It seems you've forgotten everything! Otherwise, you wouldn't go back on your word and make a fool out of me!"

Jeff's anger escalated as he grabbed a crystal glass from the table and hurled it to the floor, his face crimson with rage.

Nydia and Myra were shocked.

They had never seen Jeff so furious with Emeric, who usually joked around with him. It was evident how much he prized this potential alliance, enough to risk a fallout with a brother of over three decades.

"Dad! Mind your health, don't get too worked up!"

Both Chambers sons stood up in alarm, but Byron's injured leg delayed him, and Avery reached their father first.

Avery gently soothed Jeff's heaving back, placating him with care, "Dad, please calm down. You and Mr. Emeric have been close for decades, a bond forged through trials and tribulations that even us younger folks envy. Please, don't let my marriage prospects come between you. If that happened, I'd be the villain of the century, living with guilt forever."

Emeric's proposal to align Nydia with the Chambers family mended the fracturing relationship between the two families.

But Avery, anxious and furious, excused himself and stormed onto the dark, empty balcony to pace.

He breathed heavily, red-eyed and furious, his fists pounding against the railing, swollen and red, yet unable to quell the rage in his heart.

What to do, what to do?

Jeff's true desire was to marry into a powerful alliance that would dominate Elmsworth, even if it wasn't Evadne but Nydia as a consolation.

But now, Byron was crippled.

Emeric would never marry his daughter to a disabled man, so the burden of the alliance would inevitably fall on Avery.

He couldn't possibly marry anyone but Evadne!

"Avery, all your schemes and yet you've played yourself. Isn't this what they call 'all dressed up and nowhere to go'?"

Byron hobbled over, his grin stretching ear to ear upon seeing Avery trapped by his own ploys. "You were so set on marrying Evadne, pulling out all the stops, and still, you ended up being defeated by Thaddeus. Ms. Evadne and Thaddeus have both been married before. She'd rather go back to him than be with you. How pathetic is that, huh?"

Avery's face turned a sickly shade of pale with rage, his fingers clawing at the railing.

Suddenly, when Avery recalled Byron's fawning over Nydia, an idea sparked in his mind, and he smirked. "Byron, how can you mock me? Better worry about yourself. You're crippled now, can't manage much of the family business, and Dad's losing patience with you. Your only chance to turn things around is a good marriage alliance. But even the Ashbourne's least desirable daughter, Chairman Emeric wouldn't want to marry her off to you. Of course, if I were Chairman Emeric, I wouldn't want my daughter marrying a cripple either."

"Who are you calling a cripple? Say that again!" Byron bellowed, his eyes bloodshot with fury.

"Even if I can't marry the Ashbourne heiress, securing a union with Ms. Nydia of the Ashbourne family isn't such a bad deal. Either way, I'll be Chairman Emeric's son-in-law. It's the same either way. But you, you better think hard. Once I marry into the Ashbourne family, I'll naturally earn Dad's favor. Then what place will there be for you in the Chambers Group?"

With that, Avery walked off with a proud smile, striding past Byron.

"Avery! Don't get too ahead of yourself!"

Byron slammed his cane on the ground in a fit of rage. "Whether or not this marriage happens isn't up to you to decide!"

As Avery left the balcony, a sly grin curled his lips. He knew Byron had taken the bait.

"This billion-dollar son-in-law position, I'm practically giving it away."