His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 497

The next day, in an opulent nightclub, amidst the swirling smoke and cacophony of revelry, Cedric basked in the company of beautiful women and fine liquor. Tonight, he was the epitome of contentment and freedom.

The man across from him was none other than Matthew, the heir apparent and CEO of the Chambers Group. Cedric's invitation to this exclusive gathering signified Matthew's endorsement, officially connecting him to the Chambers family.

Now he could play both sides, the Abernathy Group and the Chambers Group, to his advantage. Did he even need to worry about the Ashbourne family anymore?

"Mr. Chambers, I merely lent a hand. You're being too generous," Cedric boasted, arms wrapped around a blonde bombshell.

"A few drinks are nothing," Matthew replied, swirling his wine and raising an eyebrow with a half-smile. "Not everyone has the guts to frame their own brother for assault. It serves a dual purpose: it vents some frustration for my younger brother Byron, who has suffered enough, and it hinders Jason's budding relationship with Nydia. Your mother treasures her children above all, dead or alive. She would never want her son marrying the daughter of the Ashbourne family's mistress, would she? Clever move, using one stone to kill two birds."

If he couldn't touch Thaddeus and Evadne directly, he would strike at those close to them.

Byron can't have the woman he wants, and Jason thinks he can? Dream on!

"Well, that's only because you, Mr. Chambers, are so generous," Cedric chuckled, his eyes gleaming with cunning greed beneath his suave facade. "Considering the target is my own brother, the price you offered was more than fair. Of course, I'll cooperate fully with your grand scheme."

"You don't feel a twinge of remorse for your brother?" Matthew asked with a smirk.

"He's not my brother," Cedric spat venomously, "He's nothing but a dog raised by Evadne!"

Matthew tsk-tsked and sipped his wine elegantly.

"Mr. Chambers, you're well aware of my clout in the legal world. I can take on Byron's case, and I assure you, we'll come out on top. Moreover, should your group ever face legal issues or need assistance, I'm at your service," Cedric offered eagerly.

Matthew lazily looked up, his gaze falling on Cedric's obsequious smile. "Mr. Cedric, no wonder you have such a reputation. A true master of networking and diplomacy. I hear you've cleaned up quite a mess for the Abernathy Group and not just once. But this latest incident, Elspeth's drug charges, seems to be mishandled. She's still in lockup, and her case is going to trial soon. Due to the scandalous public outcry, it's a high-profile, open court case. Even the Abernathy Group couldn't stop it."

His smile turned disdainful, "Your unbeatable legend was shattered by Evadne and Thaddeus, and word has gotten around. You've had fewer cases coming in. Tell me, how can I trust your expertise now?"

Cedric's smile froze awkwardly, his face burning with humiliation and rage simmering within.

"Even if it's a public trial, the courtroom is my stage. I may not absolve Elspeth entirely, but I can ensure the lightest possible sentence!"

Gritting his teeth, Cedric downed his drink. "Just you watch."

"I'll look forward to your good news then," Matthew said mockingly. "If you can handle the Abernathy family's trouble and prove yourself, we'll have plenty of opportunities to collaborate."

Stumbling drunkenly toward the parking lot, Cedric felt his mood had plummeted from elation to being weighed down by a heavy stone, struggling for breath.

It dawned on him that Matthew had used him like a pawn, dispensing empty promises. The Chambers family, a nest of vipers!

"Damn it. If it weren't for Elspeth's botched case, do you think I, a top-notch lawyer, would bother with your pathetic party?"

Ripping off his tie, he spat on the ground in disgust, vowing revenge. "Just wait until Elspeth's trial. I'll win a stunning victory. Even if you beg me afterward, I won't give you the time of day!"

As he squinted to call a ride, four young brutes in flashy shirts and suit jackets emerged from the shadows, wielding clubs and encircling him with menacing grins.

"What do you want?" Cedric sobered up instantly, his eyes wide with panic.

"Can't you tell? We're here to give you a beating."

Before he could react, a club swung at his back, knocking him to the ground.

"Do you have any idea who I am?" Cedric wailed in agony, pride wounded but not wanting to show fear. "I'm a high-profile lawyer! Legal advisor to the Abernathy Group and a close associate of the Chambers Group CEO! You dare attack me. I'll make sure you can't walk the streets of Elmsworth! You'll rot in jail!"

The thugs laughed heartily. "You think you can scare us? We're regulars in the slammer; it's like going home for us. Did you really think we'd be afraid? We've heard you take any case, a real bottom-feeder lawyer. We're just delivering some street justice. Beat him!"

And with that, the beating began.

Cedric curled up into a ball, his arms wrapped around his head as he was pummeled by four thugs. They kicked and punched him, using him like a baseball, batting him around with their makeshift clubs.

"Ahh, I give up! I give up! Mercy, please!"

In just a few minutes, he was battered, with multiple fractures, a bloodied head, and on his knees begging for mercy.

Not far away, a luxury car sat silently.

Lionel leaned against the car window, filming the beating with his phone, barely containing his laughter.

He then sent the video to Aviana.

[Miss Aviana, what do you think? Should I spice it up a bit? Like, maybe give him a taste of some real crap?]

Following that, he sent an emoji of a teddy bear making a heart with its hands, a stark contrast to his reputation as the boss of the S-Star Group.

After a while, Aviana replied with just one word:

[Disgusting.]

Seconds later, she added three more words:

[I love it.]

[At your service, Miss Aviana!]

But after waiting for what seemed like an eternity, Aviana didn't respond to his messages again.

Lionel reread her brief replies over and over, pouting with a mix of adoration and frustration, "Geez, too stingy to even have a proper chat."

In the blink of an eye, five days passed quietly.

During these days, plenty had happened. Emeric went to see Evadne but ended up being kidnapped by Cassius and Elvis. No matter how harshly he interrogated them, the brothers kept a united front, refusing to reveal their sister's whereabouts.

They only told Emeric that their sister would be safer with Thaddeus than anyone else.

Emeric had lived for sixty years, only to realize one thing—

He thought having a bunch of kids would keep him company in his old age. Turns out, they were all guarding against him!

His mindset was shattered!

Over at the Chambers family—

Byron, fresh out of the slammer, first thing got himself a shiny new set of front teeth and continued living it up under the protection of the Chambers Group.

His bruised face didn't stop him from throwing a wild party in a mansion of the Chambers' estate, with a bevy of models indulging in a bacchanalia of wine and flesh.

Unfortunately, it was all show and no go. His spirit was willing, but his flesh was weak.

In frustration, Byron downed a whole sheet of potency pills, ending up with an overdose that sent him to the hospital for a stomach pump, eyes rolling back and body convulsing.

Jeff, upon hearing this, was a mix of furious, resentful, and anxious, but he had no choice but to swallow the bitter pill and secretly find a cure for his son's impotence.