His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 769

Aaron's brow furrowed tighter, his gaze growing icier by the second,

"So you're telling me to back off?"

Jareth's throat felt parched, and just as his lips parted to speak, Aaron cut in, "Ever since I found out you two were head over heels for each other, I've kept myself on the sidelines. Hell, I even avoided Marilla to keep you from getting the wrong idea, despite how much I cared for her. Jareth, the ball's always been in your court, whether it was your issues or your family's. Now that you've split up, why can't I have my shot?"

A piercing retort landed squarely in Jareth's chest, leaving him stunned and speechless.

"You two are over. There's nothing wrong with me pursuing Marilla now. If you still love her, then go ahead, spill your guts to her. We can have an honest competition. You can try to reignite whatever you had, and I won't interfere. But here you are, asking me to step aside and hand you the opportunity. Mr. Fairhaven, don't you think that's a bit overbearing?"

Aaron's voice was edged with an unwelcoming chill, each word deliberate, "Your feelings for Marilla are genuine, but aren't mine just as real? You'd die for her, and you think I wouldn't? What's the point in saying all this to a rival, other than to pat yourself on the back?"

Guilt, self-reproach, and resentment, a multitude of emotions tore through Jareth's weary soul.

That time, on the art school's rooftop, if it hadn't been for Aaron's shrewd negotiation skills and swift reflexes saving Marilla from the clutches of a thug, Jareth might have lost his love forever.

"Can I see Marilla?"

Jareth's eyes were red-rimmed, his plea desperate and humble, "I swear, I won't interfere with you two, I won't fight or compete anymore. Just let me see her, okay?"

"If there's nothing else, I have work to get back to."

Aaron didn't look at him again, expressionlessly opening the car door.

Jareth sat there, his spirit drained, as Aaron paused with half his body out of the car, dropping a heavy decision with a casual remark,

"Yesterday, I made plans with Marilla to take her to the amusement park this weekend, have some fun, watch the fireworks."

Then, he got out of the car with agile movements.

It took Jareth a long while to regain his composure, until Aaron's commanding figure vanished through the precinct doors. His pale lips muttered a faint,

"Thank you."

Fast forward to Friday.

Gary was discharged from the hospital, and because Barry insisted on him going abroad for "recuperation", he couldn't stay in any longer even if he wanted to.

As he walked into his home, he was greeted by chaos. The servants rushed to him, claiming that Mrs. Fairhaven had come in the morning with a crew, taking all valuables and smashing anything they couldn't carry. The damage was estimated in the millions.

After Gary's divorce, this place was like being robbed.

Everyone expected Gary, known for his love of money, to erupt in rage.

Instead, he merely acknowledged them with a detached "I know," and left them hanging as he ascended the stairs.

However, this abnormal calm was even more chilling.

Gary had just entered the barren room when April's call came through,

"Mr. Fairhaven, you're out of the hospital, about to emigrate and live out your years in comfort. Isn't it time to hurry up with the divorce proceedings?"

April's voice dripped with sarcasm, her words prodding at his pride, "Dragging your feet serves no purpose. The longer you wait, the looser my lips get. If I let slip some unsavory details, won't that just worsen your predicament?"

Gary pulled a fruit knife from the coffee table and emotionlessly began carving letters into the expensive mahogany, "April, I used to be your husband anyway. I've never skimped on taking care of you since you married into the Fairhaven family. I didn't want it to come to this, and I still have feelings for you. Can we renegotiate the divorce settlement? You're practically cleaning me out. At the end of the day, I'm still the Fairhaven family's second son. You gotta leave me some dignity."

"Dignity? You're a cripple now, with no shares, no power, barely clinging to life. What use do you have for such a luxury as dignity?"

April's voice was full of scorn and resentment, "All these years, I've been Mrs. Fairhaven in name only, while you never gave me a second glance, gallivanting around with your wild parties as if I were nothing but a decoration! That I could tolerate, but you hid your infertility from me, pinning the blame on me for not having kids, making me the butt of jokes among the Elmsworth elite, the hen that can't lay eggs! Gary, do you think I would have married you if not for your Fairhaven family name? Stripped of the Fairhaven Group's halo, you're less than a beggar on the street. I've waited long for this day! Tomorrow morning is your final deadline. If you don't sign, I'll go straight to Barry myself. Don't push me to say something you won't like to hear!"

The call ended.

The room was as silent as a grave.