His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 624

Jareth gritted his teeth so hard he could feel the ache in his molars.

Losing his father was the deepest wound in his life. The mere mention of his father's name could slice through his heart, and now, his grandfather was using his father's death as ammunition to hit him where it hurt most!

All to protect that bitch, Edith!

It was an insult to his father!

"Do you have any idea, Jareth, how your mother reacted when she heard Edith was rushed to the ER? Fainted on the spot, she did. Good thing the staff caught her, or she might've cracked her head open on the floor. Then you'd be down one dear ol' ma! I know you're chummy with Thaddeus and Evadne, but don't you forget, you're a Fairhaven! You're about to take the reins of the Fairhaven empire, my successor. At a time like this, you oughta be focusing on company business, not meddling in other affairs!"

Barry's steely gaze bore into him. "I've heard you've already taken your girlfriend to meet the Abernathys, had a chat with Hamilton and his son."

Jareth's heart skipped a beat.

"You're holding off on arranging a sit-down with Mr. Frederic until after your appointment is official, aren't you? Want to have some clout before you formally propose to the Abernathys."

Seeing Jareth's color change, Barry knew he had hit the mark and slowly sat back down. "Frederic's a tough nut to crack, a real piece of work in Elmsworth's business circles. You expect him to fully accept you as his son-in-law without showing some genuine intent? Right, Jareth?"

Chasel had administered the drug to Chairman Emeric that Avery provided.

The next morning, after an agonizing wait filled with prayers and hope, Emeric gradually came to, opening his eyes.

"Dad!"

Evadne couldn't contain her emotions any longer and lunged forward to hug her father tightly!

"Good grief, girl, you're suffocating me! Thaddeus, what've you been feeding her?"

Emeric patted his daughter's back while he complained, but his heart swelled with warmth and joy, "I've just come back from the brink and here you are, trying to send me back again."

"Don't talk that way, Dad!" Evadne held on even tighter, her eyes brimming with tears. "None of that talk about the brink. You were just sleeping, that’s all."

Emeric sighed weakly, a faint smile on his lips. "Evadne, I know my own body, how it's holding up. I'm getting old, truly old. Used to think I could hold up the sky, but here I am, laid low before my time."

Tears pricked Evadne's eyes, and her voice caught in her throat.

"Evadne, I've caused you all some trouble, scared you, didn't I?" Emeric's gentle touch soothed her hair as his moist eyes took in his children.

"Dad, you're recovering fast. You're gonna be fine," Cassius said as he approached the bed, mustering a smile.

Everyone nodded, trying to keep the mood light.

"Don't sugarcoat it for me."

Emeric chuckled, "Look at your mothers, eyes all puffy like baboons' behinds. Can't even pretend, can you? It's all written on your faces."

Outside the hospital room.

Thaddeus, being an outsider, stood quietly by the door, exchanging awkward glances with Elvis. They were both silent. "Elvis, why don't you go in?" Thaddeus eventually broke the silence.

"Why should I?" Elvis crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow in response.

"Your family's all by Chairman Emeric’s side."

Elvis tilted his head, his handsome eyes narrowing. "Do I need to join that commotion? Just to get an extra egg or what?"

Thaddeus looked at his defiant expression and his lips curved slightly. No matter how tough Elvis played it, the reddened corners of his eyes gave away his concern for Chairman Emeric.

"Elvis!"

A frantic call cut through the air, Bennett had rushed back from Azeroth City overnight, not even bothering to change out of his uniform!

"Bennett!" Elvis' eyes lit up, and he hurried forward.

"How is Dad?" Bennett's eyes were bloodshot from worry. Usually so decisive, he now appeared cautious and concerned.

Elvis' face softened, a rare sight as he patted Bennett's shoulder, "Relax, Emeric's awake."

"Good, good. I'll go see Dad."

Bennett's tense heart eased as he started to walk in but stopped upon seeing Thaddeus' tall, proud figure. His expression darkened.

"What's he doing here?"

Thaddeus' throat felt tight, his long lashes trembling slightly.

Elvis scratched his head, showing his teeth in a half-grin, "Well, if he's not here, who is? Just following his wife's lead."

"Following his wife's lead?"

Bennett's tone was icy, "You've let him win you over that easily?"

"Bennett."

"No matter how he tries to make up for it now, it's too late. What he's done to my sister isn't just harm in my eyes, it's an unforgivable sin!"

Bennett's eyes blazed, his gaze sharp as a blade pointed at Thaddeus' vitals, "I will never forget the pain my sister went through because of him, how her child... because of this worthless man, never took a breath."

The group made it to the hospital room door.

Elvis didn't recognize any of the shareholders except for Bevis.

But Thaddeus, the CEO of the Abernathy Group, was a figure known far and wide.

When Bevis saw the imposing Mr. Abernathy standing there like a chiseled statue, his heart skipped a beat.

But then he thought of Thaddeus' connection to Evadne, then he spread a smile and extended his right hand.

"Ha! Mr. Abernathy, it's been too long. I knew you'd show up when the Ashbourne family needed you most. After all, we're practically family now!"

His words, a thinly-veiled attempt to cozy up to Thaddeus in front of the shareholders, were meant to boost his own status.

Elvis rolled his eyes dramatically and spat in disdain.

Bevis was left speechless.

Thaddeus' eyes narrowed, a chill in his gaze, "Excuse me, who are you?"

The crowd was stunned.

Bevis froze, his face a mix of embarrassment and stiffness.

A few words, minimal force, maximum insult.

"Common courtesy says you ought to introduce yourself before expecting a handshake."

Thaddeus tilted his head, his eyes cold as ice, "Also, you keep saying 'our Ashbourne family.' Well, Ms. Ashbourne is my beloved, and I'm well-acquainted with every member of the Ashbourne family. Yet, I don't recall ever seeing you. Elvis, do you know this man?"

Elvis blinked, "Nope, never seen him."

Bevis nearly choked on his frustration!

But he knew better than to mess with Emeric's sons, so he forced a laugh, "Elvis, you're as sharp-witted as ever."

Then, thick-skinned as ever, he turned back to Thaddeus with a grin, "Mr. Abernathy, you really forget your old acquaintances, don't you? We've crossed paths more than once. But indeed, I was presumptuous. I should have introduced myself."

"This is Mr. Bevis Ashbourne, the younger brother of Chairman Emeric and the current Executive Director of the K Group," piped up a sycophant eager to ease his boss's discomfort.

"Oh, you're the Director Ashbourne with no eye for investment."

Thaddeus' lips curled slightly, a condescending chill in his tone, "How's that going for you? Managed to recover the five million you lost?"