His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 609

Back at the house, Thaddeus had just walked through the door when his phone buzzed with Gordon's name flashing on the screen. Without a moment's delay, he made his way to the study to handle the pressing matter.

"Mr. Abernathy, the foundation's all set to go. You can announce it whenever you're ready."

Thaddeus' voice was deep and tinged with weariness, "Yeah. Thanks for the hard work."

"And, aren't you planning that getaway with Mrs. Abernathy? I've got the villa all prepped for you, right at the foot of the Alps. Gorgeous view. You and Mrs. Abernathy can head over there anytime," Gordon's cheeriness was palpable.

The downfall of that snake Elspeth had rejuvenated him completely; he'd been walking on air, probably laughing himself awake from his dreams.

But Thaddeus was silent for a long stretch, his mind elsewhere, replaying the evening's conversation with Chad and the way he looked at Evadne. A tightness grew in his chest, his eyes as deep as the ocean's trench.

"Mr. Abernathy? Mr. Abernathy? You dozed off?"

Thaddeus snapped back to reality, "Sorry, what were you saying?"

"I was saying, everything's ready for your vacation. You can go with Mrs. Abernathy anytime."

Gordon's voice carried a note of concern, "Mr. Abernathy, what's wrong? You sound off. You feel unwell?"

"Tonight, I talked to Chad. He met with Mrs. Abernathy too," Thad massaged the bridge of his nose, feeling all tangled up inside.

"What the-?!"

Gordon couldn't hold back his exclamation, throwing decorum to the wind, "I mean, c'mon! What were you thinking?"

Thaddeus was irritable and couldn't be bothered to mince words, "We were on a video call; Evadne and Grandpa were there. Chad wanted to meet, and I didn't give it much thought. Couldn't really say no."

"So, whatever Mr. Chad Abernathy says, you jump? Mr. Abernathy, you're a sharp guy, but this? It's like you turn into a yes-man around him!"

Gordon was practically smoking with frustration, "That childhood incident was an accident! An accident! Sure, Mr. Chad Abernathy got the short end of the stick, but you were a victim too! You nearly didn't make it back alive. You can appreciate him, but you don't owe him your life! You don't have to bend over backward for him!"

Thaddeus' brows furrowed, his heart squeezing tight.

"Between you and Chad, those kidnappers were probably after Mr. Chad Abernathy from the start, and you just got caught in the crossfire."

Gordon's anger grew as he spoke, "Think about it, you were just a kid, just returning back to the Abernathy family for few years, barely known to the outside world. But Mr. Chad Abernathy? He was taken out by Mr. Frederic Abernathy frequently for social engagement; he’s the legitimate heir, born with a silver spoon in his mouth! If I were a kidnapper, Mr. Chad Abernathy would be my prime target! He'd be worth way more than you! You were just a bonus!"

A shadow crossed Thaddeus' handsome face, but the truth was hard to deny.

Back then, he was the "illegitimate child", his worth not even close to Chad's. But he had to admit, if not for his brother's reckless courage, he wouldn't have escaped those devils' clutches.

"Mrs. Abernathy's a knockout, who wouldn't be dazzled? You should've kept her under wraps, and you let Mr. Chad Abernathy meet her? And just because he asked? It’s really reckless."

Could Chad be harboring feelings for Evadne?

Thaddeus sucked in a sharp breath, shaking his head, murmuring with a heavy heart, "No way."

"He's not a monk or someone impotent; how could he not? What if he's taken a liking to Mrs. Abernathy? Would you just let him?!"

"Never."

A fierce fire lit in Thaddeus' gaze, his fists clenched, veins standing out, "Evadne is my life. I'd die before I let her go."

"You better guard her. With your life."

Gordon sighed heavily, "If Mr. Chad Abernathy ever gets off that wheelchair, starts walking again, not like a disabled person relying on wheels. Mr. Abernathy, your situation will be extremely dangerous! The whole power dynamic within the Abernathy Group could shift!"

There was a brief silence before Thaddeus replied with a heavy voice, "Thanks for the heads-up, Gordon. But next time, if you're this loose with your words, think about what that might mean for your year-end bonus."

Damn! A direct hit! Gordon was utterly KO'd by Thaddeus' final blow.

In the bedroom.

Evadne had taken a fragrant bubble bath and was now sitting in front of her vanity mirror in a pink nightgown, combing her long hair.

Her hands kept moving the comb, but her thoughts were elsewhere.

She kept replaying her conversation with Chad, and for some reason, she felt a chill in her chest, the cold creeping over her.

That man, so poised and friendly, his eyes brimming with sincerity. Yet she couldn't shake the feeling that he was encroaching on her territory, subtly, relentlessly, setting off alarms in her head.

It was a kind of pressure that was starkly different from the aura Thaddeus, with his equally prestigious status, brought to her.

Lost in thought, Evadne suddenly felt a warmth at the nape of her neck, and her shoulder dipped under a weight.

"Ah."

Before she could even gasp, Thaddeus' arms were wrapped around her from behind, his lips brushing a kiss against her smooth cheek, his voice rough with desire, "Evadne, what's on your mind?"

Evadne found a comfortable position on his chest, continuing, "From the moment he facilitated William and his son stepping forward to discuss the partnership with the Abernathy Group, to his sudden outreach to Grandpa, haven't you noticed? All the signs were there. He's been laying the groundwork for his return all along. So, he's definitely coming back. How could I possibly avoid meeting him? On the contrary, I need to formally, properly meet this enigmatic gentleman. He's truly piqued my curiosity."

"Has Chad really gotten better?" Thaddeus' lashes fluttered down.

"You've been fighting tooth and nail within the Abernathy Group for years. How can you be so naive now?"

Evadne flicked his forehead in a teasing manner, "It doesn't matter whether he's well or not. As long as he's alive and wants to challenge you for control, even if he can only move his eyeballs, he'll come back. What worries me more now is how deep his waters run. We have no idea. But he seems to have a pretty good understanding of your situation here, including mine. Tonight he even claimed to be a fan of mine, which means he knew about my identity as Alea long ago. I can't help but pay attention to that."

Thaddeus was taken aback by her depth of thought.

He kissed her forehead, a wave of bashful affection washing over him, "Evadne, you don't need to worry about these things. I'll handle everything and protect you, and Grandpa."

"If your brother comes back and uses the debt of gratitude to make you step down as president of the Abernathy Group, would you?" Evadne asked earnestly, her eyes as bright as morning stars.

Without hesitation, Thaddeus replied, "No."

She smiled, "Well, look at you, suddenly all determined."

"The Abernathy Group of the past was just my battlefield, my workplace. But now, it's the wedding gift I plan to give you."

His words were a tender whisper as he fondly pinched her fair neck, "Without my empire, how could I win your favor?"

In the dim light, Evadne's eyes glowed with emotion as she embraced him deeply.

Meanwhile, Jareth was swamped with work.

As the heir-apparent of the Fairhaven Group, he was knee-deep in affairs that demanded his attention, documents piled high for his approval. Any free time he scraped together was spent accompanying Marilla, including two visits to the Elmsworth Academy of Fine Arts to discuss her enrollment as a guest student. His own time was virtually nonexistent.

Yet, he found joy in the responsibility love imposed. Turned out this sense of responsibility emanating from love would render him such deep degree of happiness.

At the villa, Lily, as usual, had prepared a feast, and Marilla sat patiently at the table, eagerly awaiting Jareth's arrival for dinner. The sound of footsteps drew their attention to the staircase.

Jareth descended, immaculately dressed in a suit, fastening his cufflinks as he approached.

"Mr. Fairhaven, you're going out?" Lily was surprised; she wasn't aware of any plans for the evening. And such formality suggested an important event.

Jareth nodded, "Yes, I have to step out. I'll probably be back late."