His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 590

In fact, the flowers were a well-thought-out gesture from Camille.

She had a hunch that victory was in the bag. With Arnold on the case, it was a sure bet.

After sending the flowers anonymously, Camille slipped away quietly, making a beeline for the parking lot.

Her long lashes fluttered gently, and her heart trembled just the same.

She mused over Arnold in the courtroom, dressed in a sharp, tailored black suit, exuding charisma and passion as he delivered his arguments with gusto. His handsome features, as striking as a movie star's, seemed to carve the truth out of the criminals, revealing their sordid nature. Her cheeks flushed with a rosy warmth, and her heart raced uncontrollably.

"You could at least say 'hello' before you leave, Ms. Camille," a familiar voice called from behind, melodious and captivating.

Camille stopped dead in her tracks, took a deep breath, and slowly turned around.

Arnold stood there, still in his prosecutor's attire, his posture as straight as an oak, taking long strides toward her. "Also, perhaps you'd like to tell me what those flowers you sent meant."

Camille steadied herself and met his intense gaze. "Sunshine lilies, they symbolize victory."

"I thought they meant that you have a thing for me," Arnold said with a tilt of his head, leaning in slightly.

Camille's heart skipped a beat, her eyes twinkling. "Prosecutor Arnold, you do have a sense of humor."

"Do I?"

Arnold's breath hitched, his gaze searching hers, "Or is it yet another misunderstanding you've led me into? First a kiss, now flowers, what next? I'm rather intrigued."

"There won't be a next time," Camille said, a surge of restlessness rising within her, turning to leave.

Arnold swiftly pinned her against the wall, his muscular arms tensing, making his suit stretch tight. "Ms. Camille, what is this? Playing me? You think this is funny?"

His words were as blunt as a bachelor's, unseasoned by the games of love and romance.

Camille laughed, her eyes glistening. "What's the matter, Prosecutor Arnold? Can't take a little game?"

His competitive spirit flared. "I haven't even begun to play. How do you know I can't take it? Ms. Camille, last time you said you wouldn't mind playing a game of feelings with me. I am a man who thrives on the thrill of the chase. If you don't want to get serious, I can play this game as long as it takes."

Camille felt a bittersweet ache spread through her chest.

She knew Arnold was a good man, and that if she let him go now, she might lose her chance for good.

But with her own family's broken past and her own glossy exterior hiding a numb core, did she really deserve someone as good as him?

This wasn't just anyone. He was Evadne's own brother.

She wasn't fit for love, didn't want to hold him back, yet she truly...

"Prosecutor Arnold, with everything out in the open, it would be rude not to accept your challenge."

Camille swept away the shadows in her heart, her smile returning as she hooked her little finger with his. "Just a game, no feelings involved. Pinky promise."

Arnold's gaze softened, his long lashes casting shadows.

Her lips parted slightly, a flicker of regret passing through her. But then, he took off the gold badge he'd worn for nearly a decade and placed it in her hand.

"When you're done playing this game, give it back to me."

Camille's eyes shimmered, the badge in her palm shining like a morning star.

Evadne and Thaddeus, having won their battle, felt as refreshed as if they'd just enjoyed a hot shower. But the tension of the past days had left them both exhausted, and they longed to crawl into bed and sleep soundly.

Just as they got into the car, Thaddeus' phone rang.

Evadne caught a glimpse of the caller ID—Jareth—and a knot of anxiety tightened in her chest. "Thaddeus, pick up, it must be something with Marilla!"

Thaddeus' brow furrowed as he answered. "Jareth, what's up?"

"Thad, are you with Evadne? Can you guys come over to my place right now? Marilla's been crying nonstop over Elspeth's situation. I can't calm her down, and I'm really worried she's going to make herself sick. Please, can you come? She's closest with Evadne, maybe she can soothe her, okay?"

The couple rushed to Jareth's house without a moment's delay. From a distance, they could see Lily standing anxiously at the front door, waiting for them.

Suddenly, Marilla screamed, pushing Jareth away as if he were a stranger and dashed towards the door.

"Marilla!" Jareth's blood ran cold as he watched her flee.

Thankfully, Evadne and Thaddeus managed to intercept the distraught Marilla.

"Marilla, it's me, your brother! Calm down!" Thaddeus wrapped his arms around his sister, his heart aching for her.

Seeing her pale, trembling form, Evadne made a snap decision. "Do we have any sedatives at home? Get them, I need to give her a shot!"

Lily moved to fetch the medication, but Jareth's urgent voice stopped her. "No! We can't drug Marilla again!"

He could not bear the thought of causing her more pain. After using the sedative once, he had vowed never to subject her to that again. Marilla's vibrant spirit, reduced to nothingness in his arms, was more than he could stand.

"Don't give her the shot! I can calm her down!" Jareth pleaded, eyes red with desperation.

"If you could, she wouldn’t be in this state!" Evadne retorted, her voice as authoritative as any seasoned doctor. She had been part of the Abernathy family for three years and knew exactly how to handle such situations. "Who's the doctor here, you or me? Marilla may be your love, but she's my sister, too. Listen to me, Lily! Get the sedative!"

"Yes, Ms. Evadne!" Lily trusted Evadne's judgment and hurried to comply.

Thaddeus held Marilla tightly, and Lily restrained her arms as if they were medical staff dealing with a patient in the throes of madness. Evadne's skilled hands delivered the needle into Marilla's delicate, pale skin, injecting the drug into her bloodstream.

Jareth, who loved Marilla more than anyone, could only watch helplessly as the sedative took effect and she slumped in Thaddeus's embrace, her eyes closing, her soul seemingly drained from her body.

"Marilla."

Unable to contain himself, Jareth rushed forward, practically snatching her from Thaddeus's hold, cradling her fiercely as if his life depended on it.

"Jareth, what the hell happened?" Thaddeus demanded, his tone stern and parental.

"Did you let her watch the trial? Are you out of your mind?"

Evadne, equally incensed, joined Thaddeus in their reproval, "Even if Elspeth deserved a thousand cuts, she's still Marilla's birth mother. And you know Marilla's condition. You're only aggravating her. How do you expect her to handle a reality that even a normal person couldn't bear?"