His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 465

The dinner party had dispersed in an atmosphere tinged with tension and unsaid words.

Nydia had spent the entire evening on edge upon learning of her impending marriage to the scion of the Chambers family. Her usually bright face was pale, as if all warmth had left her from head to toe.

On the way home, she shared a car ride with her mother, deprived of the chance to even speak with Emeric.

"Mom, why?" Nydia's voice quivered with tears, "You know I love Jason. You know I would only marry him. So why are we arranging a marriage with the Chambers family?"

Myra's heart ached with a silent bitterness, yet she responded in a calm tone, "Your father and I believe this match is more suitable for you. Jason's a great guy, no doubt, but his family, we simply don't approve. From what I understand, Mr. and Mrs. Dempsey aren't fond of us. If you were to marry him without their blessing, your life would be a constant struggle. Look at your sister, such a strong girl, yet she suffered so much in her marriage to the Abernathys, and in the end, they divorced.

Furthermore, Cedric has taken a stand against our Ashbourne family, even going so far as to become Elspeth's defense attorney, despite the favors we've done for him in the past. I know a professional lawyer shouldn't pick sides, but Elspeth's hurt your sister time and again.

Remembering the humiliation and slander she had faced from Elspeth during her acting days still pained Myra's heart, "Cedric's actions and Mr. and Mrs. Dempsey's indulgence are unacceptable to your father and me. Our family's reputation isn't what it used to be, and I don't want to tie us to them."

"But, but Jason is different!" Nydia's chest felt constricted, her voice choked with pain, "Ever since he graduated, he's been supporting my brother and sister. How can Dad not see his loyalty? If this is how you dismiss all that Jason has done, it's so unfair to him. It will break his heart!"

The simple and honest girl was more outraged for her beloved Jason than for her own future, "And Evadne told me that her divorce from Mr. Thaddeus wasn't due to pressure from the Abernathys, but because he didn't love her and let her down. But Jason's never let me down!"

Myra's eyelashes fluttered as she pressed her lips together.

"Jason has always been good to me, really good."

As Nydia recalled the happy moments with Jason, tears streamed down her cheeks, "Mom, I don't think I'll ever find a man who treats me as well as he does. I don't want to lose him. I've loved him for so many years, ever since I was a little girl, and now, when I can finally be with him. Please talk to Dad. Don't let us be torn apart, okay?"

"Nydia, you're the daughter of the Ashbourne family. Don't you think you should do something for the Ashbourne family? Or do you intend to be a sheltered child all your life, without any sense of duty?"

Myra had always been gentle and soft-spoken, even when Nydia had secretly applied to a film academy to pursue acting, she had persuaded Emeric not to send her abroad, not to hinder her dreams.

Her stern words now stunned Nydia, "Mom."

"Nydia, every child of the Ashbourne family must contribute unconditionally. Even your sister, who spent years traveling the world freely like a bird, has returned to help your father manage our struggling hotel and will eventually take over the K Group as a whole. The burden she will bear is unimaginable."

Nydia hung her head in shame, her slender hands twisted together, turning white with tension.

Evadne was not only her sister but also her idol.

She had never envied or aspired to outshine her brilliant sister, knowing full well she could never match her talent.

But was this the reason she must sacrifice her own love?

"Mom... I..."

"And there's the matter of the Dempsey family's social standing. Jason's family is truly beneath ours," Myra said, turning her gaze away with a shake of her head, "Your sister is powerful enough, and her future husband will be the CEO of the Abernathy Group. What good would your marriage to Jason do for her, for the Ashbourne family? Nydia, you always say you want to do something for this family. Well, now is the time for you to make a sacrifice."

When Nydia returned to Silverlake Harbor, her eyes were swollen with tears. She lingered in the car for a good while, not wanting anyone to see her like this.

Emeric's car had arrived first, and he strode into the house with Dylan following closely behind.

"Chairman Emeric."

He paused, finally noticing Jason, who had been waiting uncertainly before him.

"Jason, still here at this late hour?" The magnate inquired with a faint smile.

"Chairman Emeric." Jason hesitated, his voice hoarse with emotion.

"I know, you're waiting for Nydia, aren't you?"

Jason felt the sting of being seen through, awkward yet blameless, and after a moment of silence, he spoke with guilt-laden sincerity. "Chairman Emeric, I'm truly sorry about the trouble with my older brother. But please believe me, no matter how the Dempseys decide, I will always stand by you and Miss Nydia. My loyalty is unwavering."

Emeric's lips curled into a faint smile as he said, "This is a family matter of yours. There's no need to explain it to me. I bet you've got a lot to say to Nydia, huh? Go on and talk to her, I won't intrude."

Those words sent an inexplicable chill down Jason's spine.

By the time he came to his senses, Emeric had already walked away.

After waiting for what seemed an eternity, Nydia emerged, her face as pale as porcelain, her gaze distant as she walked through the gates.

"Nydia!"

Jason surged forward, arms flung wide, pulling his beloved girl into an embrace so tight it could never be close enough.

"Jason, can you loosen up a bit? I can barely breathe," Nydia teased lightly, feigning ease.

Tears brimmed in his eyes, yet he refused to heed her words. Instead, his trembling arms tightened further, his lips burning a fiery red mark on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, my family has put you in such a difficult position."

Taking a deep breath, Nydia was about to cry. "Don't be silly, you're overthinking it."

The two kindred spirits hugged for a long while before they could bear to part.

"Jason, I've got a lot of planning to do for the future. It's going to keep me really busy."

Nydia's voice was low and soft, her eyes flickering with unspoken thoughts. "And I've been away at Elmsworth University for the past four years, rarely home in Skyrim. Now that I have more time, I want to stay with my parents, spend some time with them. You've just recovered from a serious injury, and I heard my sister wants you to take a trial run in the legal department. You'll probably be busy too, right?"