His Ex Wife is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus)

Chapter 802 "The moment I laid eyes on that hairpin, my heart leapt with joy, certain it would be perfect for Ms. Ashbourne." Chad's smile was genuine, "Thaddeus, a small token of affection. I hope you won't find it too trivial." With a sharp snap, Thaddeus closed the ornate box firmly, pushing it back to the center of the table. His eyes were like fathomless pools, "Such a gift is too precious. On behalf of Evadne, I thank you for your kind thoughts, Chad." Chad's expression remained unfazed, his smile still easy as he met Thaddeus' gaze.

"What is this about, Thaddeus?" At the scene, Frederic's displeasure was immediate, his reprimand sharp, "Your brother has gone to great lengths to return hand has thoughtfully prepared generous gifts for the whole family, even considering your girlfriend.

Are your standards so high that you can't even appreciate your brother's offering? Even if you're not satisfied, let's be honest, how has he treated you over the years? Even if you dislike the gift, it's no reason to refuse it. It's utterly disheartening!" "Dad, please, don't be upset." With a gentle cough, Chad spoke soothingly, "It's no big deal. We're fortunate to be together as a family; let's not sour the mood over such a trifle." "Thaddeus, accept your brother's gesture," Hamilton cast a meaningful look at his younger grandson.

He was on Thaddeus' side, unable to see what lay within the box from where he stood. All he wanted was to smooth things over, especially since Thaddeus and his father were just beginning to mend their strained relationship.

Thaddeus' well-defined hands clenched into fists under the table, his stormy eyes churning with complex emotions, "Chad, had it been anything else, I would have gladly accepted. But a hairpin - it's not something I can take." Chad's eyebrows rose imperceptibly.

"In ancient times, a man gifting a hairpin to a woman was a symbol of betrothal, a promise of lifelong commitment." Thaddeus said, his voice a low, cold thrum, "Evadne is your sister-in-law. Such a gift from you, I find inappropriate." At those words, realization dawned on Hamilton. No wonder Thaddeus had looked so troubled. Had it been him, he'd have flown into a rage! Frederic's frown deepened, "Thaddeus, aren't you being overly sensitive? Your brother, a worldly man, what does he know of women's jewelry? You're being too critical." "It was my oversight." Chad's smile was tinged with chagrin, "Having lived abroad for so long, I've almost forgotten these customs. Don't take it to heart, Thaddeus." Thaddeus' eyes darkened, "I won't." Feeling stifled, Thaddeus excused himself to get sfresh air in the backyard. Though he said it didn't bother him, how could it not? Chad's gifts were almost always expensive antiques, a testament to his classic and artistic lifestyle overseas. With such an affinity for the old ways, how could he not know the meaning behind gifting a hairpin to a lady? Thaddeus tugged at his Windsor knot, desperate for a breath of air, yet feeling suffocated. Was he truly thoughtless? Or was he subtly testing Thaddeus' boundaries? Just then, the sound of conversation from the garden intruded upon his thoughts. Thaddeus followed the noise and found the house staff gathered around the gazebo by the pond, all fixated on something.

"Mr. Thaddeus Abernathy," two servants bowed hastily as he approached.

"What's going on here?" Thaddeus inquired coolly.

"It's Alexia, who cwith Mr. Chad Abernathy. She's tending to the leg wound of one of the deer we keep in the yard!" One of the servants looked on in awe, "The poor creature hurt its leg somehow, writhing in pain on the ground. The butler was about to call a vet, but Alexia - she's amazing! She bandaged up the deer's wound herself!" Thaddeus' indifferent gaze landed on Alexia. Her beautiful face was calm as she knelt, her pristine white trousers dusted with dirt, yet she didn't care less, her attention solely on bandaging the deer's leg.

Her motions were skilled, clearly professional. The scene caused a flicker in Thaddeus' deep-set eyes.

"There, all better." Alexia's voice was gentle as she patted the deer's rump, "Go on, play." The deer stood, tested its injured leg, and bounded off gazebo with a bleat, brushing past Thaddeus.

"Mr. Abernathy," Alexia rose, her smile blooming as she approached.

"Ms. Alexia." "The deer got hurt. I hope I haven't breached the Abernathy family protocol by attending to your animal without asking," Alexia's eyes curved with empathy. Her voice was soft, the upward lilt at the end as if laced with a hook.

Thaddeus' expression remained cool, his demeanor towards her still distant, "Not at all. Your aid to the animal is commendable. I should be thanking you." "I used to dress wounds for soldiers and civilians alike when I worked with Doctors Without Borders in Zenithia. I never imagined that skill would be useful for a small creature," Alexia sighed softly, shaking her head.

Thaddeus' eyes, turbulent, churned with emotion. Suddenly, memories long buried were dredged up, enveloping him like haze.

Years ago, on the battlefields of Zenithia, infiltrating a terror cell, he struck at full split, his arm sliced, his leg shot; he was on a razor's edge. In the nick of time, Paloma staunchly dressed his wounds, risking her life to drag him back to base, saving his leg.

"Ugh, what's happening? I feel so dizzy," Alexia suddenly frowned, her slender form swaying.

In the next instant, she collapsed towards him, unexpected and swift. Thaddeus' thoughts snapped back just as his brow furrowed, too late to react.

"Careful, Ms. Alexia!" Fortunately, Gordon darted out like a badger, steadying Alexia with impressive reflexes. Thaddeus immediately stepped back, maintaining a safe distance from the woman.

"Thank you," Alexia tightened her grip on her fingers, a glint of coldness flashing in her eyes.

"You've been through the wringer, looking after my brother and all. You should head back and get srest." Thaddeus' face was a mask of cool detachment as he turned and strode away.

"Ms. Alexia, wantto walk you to your room?" Gordon offered with a persistent good-guy act.

"No need. I'm not made of glass," Alexia snapped, pushing him away in a wave of irritation.

Gordon scratched his head, puzzled. Just moments before, she seemed all delicate and needy, but that shove had a fair bit of oomph behind it.

After wrapping up the family dinner, Thaddeus escorted Hamilton back to Havenbrook, while Chad took Alexia to settle in at Windermere Estate.

He'd been gone for over a decade, but his room at Windermere Estate was untouched, diligently cleaned every week.

"Sir, it seems Mr. Frederic Abernathy still holds you in high regard. You can rest easy," Alexia handed Chad a glass of water and his medication.

The man's long, pale fingers fumbled through a colorful array of pills, his face half- shrouded in shadow, "But grandpa Hamilton still harbors his reservations about me."

"Just an old man knocking on death's door. Even if he wanted to, he hasn't got the strength Besides, you're his eldest grandson - how could he raise a hand against you?" Alexia's eyes flashed with disdain. "This incident with Elspeth's daughters has made Frederic reconsider his stance toward my brother and me."

Chad picked a pill and popped it into his mouth, "If I hadn't returned now to remind Frederic of my existence, the situation could have spiraled out of my control." Alexia knelt on one knee before him, gazing up in admiration, "You're a wise man, sir." Chad lazily curved his lips into a smile, patting her cheek as what he would do to his pet.

"By the way, Avery heard about your return and specially reached out. He's eager to meet with you."

"Fool." Chad leaned back, a dangerous glint flickering in his eyes, "Right now, countless eyes could be watching us in the shadows. He can't afford any rash moves. Tonight, you tested my brother; what was his reaction?" Alexia faltered for a moment, and then shook her head sullenly, "Thaddeus' a one- track mind. I know him all too well. Once he falls for someone, he's got blinders on - there's no room for anyone else." "It doesn't matter. That's what makes it interesting." Chad reopened the ornate box on the table, taking out the hairpin and turning it over in the moonlight. Suddenly, his brow furrowed, and he snapped the jade hairpin in two, "One day, I'll make it so you can't refuse me." mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliI0fiflO&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofifl0&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1