Chapter 293
Whoosh!
A gust of wind nipped at Thaddeus‘ nose. It was ominous, ruthless, and swift!
If he weren’t quick on his feet and if he weren’t so agile, he might not have dodged the sudden attack!
With just one move, Thaddeus saw it.
Beneath Avery’s genteel exterior was a beast as fierce as a split personality, wild and untamed!
Thaddeus could never let Evadne go with him.
Never!
Everything happened too quickly. Evadne was still obliviously walking ahead, completely unaware of
the fiery turmoil behind her!
Avery swung at him again, Thaddeus nimbly dodged, instantly raising his long leg and sweeping it
through the air, narrowly missing Avery’s chest!
Avery staggered back two steps, straining to keep his footing. His slender hands, which seemed
incapable of harm under his sleek silver cufflinks, were clenched so tightly they were practically
shaking.
Thaddeus, who had been attacked, stood there immovable as ever, like he was rooted to the ground,
not budging an inch.
Avery slowly adjusted his glasses, a blood–red hue filled his eyes!
For the past decade or so, in the small town of Helgen, Avery had been training to become stronger to
be able to protect his mother and recruit strong assistants. He had sought out masters, learning martial
arts and skills every day, almost masochistically.
Close combat, shooting, firearms, daggers… he had dabbled in all of them. His intelligence made up
for his physical weakness, and his willingness to work hard made up for his innate shortcomings.
He had been confident in his abilities.
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However, after his encounter with Thaddeus, he realized he had underestimated his opponent.
Evadne’s ex–husband was not just any strong man.
Thaddeus was so strong that even if he gathered all his strength, he might not be able to defeat him!
Avery rubbed his cheekbones coldly.
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Suddenly, he slowly curled up the corners of his lips, forming a wicked and evil smile that sent a chill
down Thaddeus‘ spine and made him feel extremely uncomfortable.
Those eyes that were so affectionate in front of Evadne were now hiding a blood–stained knife, filled
with mania and wildness, continuously challenging Thaddeus‘ patience.
– Suddenly, Avery’s eyes darkened, and his body lurched forward!
Thaddeus‘ eyes contracted, and before he could control his muscle memory (or perhaps it was the
urge to punch this man), he landed a right hook squarely on Avery’s left cheek!
Just then, Evadne turned around and saw everything that was happening.
At the same time, Thaddeus was stunned to see Avery, who had been punched to the point of having
blood on his lips, wasn’t angry, and he was also raising a sinister smile.
Damn!
He had fallen for it!
Avery never intended to fight him. He was just provoking him, enticing him to attack!
“Ave!”
Evadne’s eyes widened, and she quickly ran over to support the tottering Avery.
In her haste, she blurted out his childhood nickname.
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Avery’s eyes widened in surprise, ignoring the burning pain on his face, he held onto Evadne’s wrist
and asked incredulously, “Evadne, what did you just call me?”
Evadne finally reacted.
She pondered for two seconds, considering it was just a nickname, no big deal. She used to call him
that when they were kids.
So, she softly called out “Ave” again.
Instantly, Avery’s eyes welled up with tears, and his cheek muscles twitched subtly.
No one knew how long he had been waiting for her to call him “Ave.”
He had waited for fifteen years.
It was fifteen years of longing and heartache. Could Thaddeus understand? Could this heartless man
understand?
Suddenly,
Thaddeus‘ face was pale as if he had turned into a clay puppet.
He felt something shattering inside him, his body barely holding up.
It was his heart, once again smashed into pieces by Evadne.
Were they already this close? Were their childhood bonds still unbroken?
And what about him? From beginning to end, what was he to her?
“Thaddeus, have you lost your mind? Mr. Avery merely wanted to take me home for a visit, to pay
respects to Mrs. Chambers. What has he done wrong? Why did you attack him?” Evadne supported
Avery, her eyes filled with fury.
She looked at Thaddeus, her emotions complex.
There was anger, helplessness, and most of all, disappointment in her eyes.
In the past thirteen years, Thaddeus had always been on a pedestal in her heart, her god.
But now, she felt more and more that the glory of the god was fading, getting farther and farther away
from what she remembered.
“Evadne, I’m okay. Don’t be so angry.”
Avery’s eyes no longer held a trace of murderous intent. In its place was a gentle warmth. He
comforted her, “I can understand why Mr. Thaddeus attacked me. Everything he did was because of
you.”
“For me? Is that why he seriously hurt someone?”
Evadne laughed coldly, unable to hold back her anger anymore, “He’s just using justice as an excuse
to do wrong. He better not say it’s for me. I can’t afford to be embarrassed!”
“Evadne!”
Thaddeus‘ voice was steeped in bitterness. He felt his heart being tightly squeezed and was about to
burst, “I don’t want to explain my actions. I don’t want to justify anything. I just want to ask you one
question. What do I mean to you?”
Evadne’s breath hitched, a sharp pain gripped her heart.
The surroundings were dim, but she clearly saw the shattered light in his eyes, accompanied by deep
pain.
Avery stared at Thaddeus‘ pale face, his piercing gaze like two sharp needles, piercing his skull!
“If you stop bothering me and stop disturbing my life, we could possibly be business partners in the
future. If you refuse to see reason, we can only be enemies.” Then Evadne didn’t look at Thaddeus
again. She slowly left with Avery.
Thaddeus stood there, stunned, feeling abandoned by the world.
He didn’t know how long he stood there, the cold wind blowing through his body. It was so cold it felt
like his blood had dried up. The tears in his eyes were blown away by the wind, then gathered again.
No longer could the stream replace the ocean.
Nor could love letters reach the distant hills.
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The mansion where Avery resided was the second largest in the entire Beverly Hills neighborhood.
The largest, of course, belonged to Evadne.
The entire neighborhood was owned by the Chambers family, so Avery could change houses as he
wished.
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Upon entering the courtyard, Evadne noticed the severity of Avery’s injuries. Concerned, she asked
hesitantly, “Is your wound painful?” Avery’s lips curled into a warm and radiant smile. However, it
became stiff as it pulled at his facial injuries. “It’s alright. It doesn’t hurt much.”
“That brute. He hit you too hard!” Evadne fumed, wishing she could bite Thaddeus.
“Mr. Thaddeus is a military man, a graduate of a military school. It’s normal for him to be fierce.”
Evadne’s expression shifted, “How do you know about his military background? Have you been
investigating him?”
Avery responded calmly, “Mr. Thaddeus and I are destined to be lifelong competitors, in business and
in love. If I want to win/l must know my enemy as well as myself.”
Evadne understood the underlying message in his words and pursed her lips.
Avery was infatuated in Evadne, but she was oblivious.
Not only was she oblivious, but she also had to feign ignorance.
“When my mother asks about it, Evadne, you’ll have to cover for me,” Avery turned his face towards
her, his expression anxious.
“How should I cover for you? Tell her you tripped and fell face–first while walking home at night?”
Evadne was perplexed..
Avery laughed bitterly, his eyes filled with a fondness that he only showed to her.
“Ah! I’ve got it!”
Evadne had a sudden idea and pulled out a compact from her purse, handing it to him, “Use this to
cover up.”
“What is this?”
“Do you know how to use it?”
Avery looked at her with clear eyes and shook his head.
“Then I’ll help you.”
Evadne opened the compact, dabbed some powder onto a puff, and gently patted it onto the swollen
area of Avery’s face.
Avery couldn’t help but wince.
“Did it hurt?” Evadne asked worriedly.
Avery squinted his eyes and intentionally moved a bit closer to her. She was so delicate, her skin as
soft as a baby’s, her petite and adorable features clearly visible. He loved her, more than he could ever
express.
Their breaths intermingled, their noses nearly touching.
Evadne could even smell the mint scent from his mouth mixed with the lingering scent of violets on his
clothes, making her slightly dizzy. “It hurt a bit just now, but now, it doesn’t hurt anymore,” Avery said,
his gaze fixed on hers, his lips slowly curving into a smile.
Evadne quickly stepped back, almost dropping the compact in her hand.
Although she had called him by his childhood nickname in the heat of the moment, it didn’t mean their
relationship had become any closer.
“Let’s go, Evadne. If we don’t hurry, I won’t have time to prepare dinner for you,” Avery didn’t tease her
anymore. He knew that haste makes waste and he needed to
take it slow.
As they disappeared into the mansion, Thaddeus stood alone on the opposite side of the street, staring
at the brightly lit house that had nothing to do with him, his eyes red.