His Ex Wife is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus)

Chapter 455

Avery didn’t turn to Evadne, his face shadowed as he adjusted his glasses.

Thaddeus stood beside the petite woman, lips pressed into a thin line. He wanted to intervene, but he

was never as quick–witted as she was. Besides, if he stepped in now, wouldn’t he be doing exactly

what Avery reveled in? Becoming the kind of person Jareth described with utter disdain. “How are you

feeling, Evadne? Is your back still hurting?”

Emeric ignored his daughter’s sarcasm, his primary concern being her well–being, “You’re as stubborn

as they come. After taking a tumble, you should’ve headed straight to the hospital! Wind has your

brother and Gene looking after things. Why do you need to be hands–on? Just like your mom, when

you set your mind on something, no one can pull you back! Cassius, get in touch with Mr. Larry

immediately. Once he’s taken Evadne to the hospital, have him assemble a team of specialists to see

to her personally!”

But Cassius, sensing the mood, didn’t take the bait. He knew better than to intrude when the young

couple sought privacy. It’d only be a nuisance. “Not necessary, Thaddeus is all the company I need.”

Evadne brazenly intertwined her fingers with Thaddeus’s, locking eyes with him in a gaze that brooked

no third party, “Dad, I just want to remind you of something: true warriors don’t boast about their

victories. Who was it that gathered evidence and apprehended the culprit today; who stood up under

immense pressure for me, for Wind, for our Ashbourne family to seek justice? And who silently did all

this without mentioning a word to you, modest in their achievements? I hope you can see things clearly

and not be swayed by others‘ sweet talks. Don’t tarnish your reputation and become the

laughingstock!”

With that, Evadne lifted her lovely face, dragging Thaddeus past Emeric and Avery with a stormy

grace.

A chill of abandonment brushed Avery’s shoulder, and a sharp pang jabbed his heart as his brows

furrowed in a darkening frown, his hands clenching tightly.

As Thaddeus passed by Chairman Emeric Ashbourne, he bowed quickly, his stiff and awkward manner

slightly amusing.

“That girl, I swear I can’t control her anymore!”

Emeric watched their retreating figures, mouth agape, but didn’t stop them, only shouting after them,

“With that sharp tongue of yours, whoever ends up with you is in for a world of misery!”

Cassius and Myra couldn’t help but chuckle. Some men would love to have such ‘misery‘ but never get

the chance.

As Evadne got into Thaddeus’s car and drove away, resentment and frustration battered Avery like a

tempest, reddening his eyes.

But he quickly composed himself, his expression sorrowful as he turned to Emeric, “Mr. Ashbourne, it’s

my fault for not acting swiftly enough today. I let you and Evadne get dragged into such trouble.”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself, kid. You did well. If it weren’t for you stepping in, who knows how the

Fairhaven family might have mistreated Evadne,” Emeric’s tone toward him was still warm and friendly.

“If I could’ve done better, maybe Evadne would have looked my way. And you wouldn’t have had to go

through all this trouble for us,” Avery’s pale eyes stayed downcast in guilt.

“Avery, I’ve seen all you’ve done for Evadne.” Emeric paused thoughtfully, his gaze flickering with

significance, “But you know, matters of the heart can’t be forced.”‘

Avery’s pupils contracted sharply, his heart skipping a beat! What did that mean?

Just a while ago, Emeric had been adamant about bringing him and Evadne together. Why the sudden

change? Was it because Thaddeus had played the hero and caught the culprit at the racecourse today,

and Emeric now saw him in a new light, turning a blind eye to his daughter’s years of suffering?

Or had Emeric never truly disliked Thaddeus as much as he claimed?

After all his efforts to impress, just as he thought happiness was within reach, Emeric casually hinted

that it was all for naught.

Were he and Thaddeus back to square one?! No, that couldn’t be! He wanted Evadne; he had to marry

her!

་

“Indeed, Mr. Chambers, matters of the heart indeed can’t be coerced.” Myra gracefully came to

Emeric’s side and linked her arm through his. Her tone was gentle, devoid of malice, yet every word

seemed to claw at Avery’s throat, “Emeric means no offense. We all know you sincerely have feelings

for Evadne. But love must be reciprocated to last. As Evadne’s family, everything we do, ultimately, is

for her happiness. If Evadne ends up marrying someone she doesn’t love, then we’ve essentially

ruined her life’s happiness.”

Cassius remained silent, his lips curling in a sneer, his gaze on Avery filled with contempt.

Even though Myra looked meek, she actually was quite clever, understanding Emeric’s character. Her

words, without mentioning Thaddeus, focused solely on the emotional aspect, appealing to Emeric’s

own experience with love.

Avery stood rigid, his face pallid and his eyes cold, barely maintaining his genteel demeanor.

“Avery, Myra is right; nothing forcibly done is going to be agreeable.” Emeric sighed meaningfully,

“Don’t be dispirited, but don’t obsess either. Let things take their course.”

Despite her reluctance to go to the hospital, Evadne found herself sweet–talked and almost carried

there by Thaddeus.

After treating her skin trauma and applying medication, they returned home deep into the night.

“Why must you always go against my wishes? I told you it wasn’t necessary to go to the hospital. Ah!

Ouch.” Evadne had barely stepped out of the car when a sudden sharp pain shot through her lower

back, causing her to grimace and gasp for breath.

Thaddeus, who had been on edge the whole drive, quickly wrapped his long arms around her. “Stop

playing tough. Remember how loud you were at the physical therapy session at the hospital?”

Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, “I wasn’t that loud.”

“Weren’t you? I thought I was standing outside a delivery room, waiting for you to give birth to our

baby,” Thaddeus’s voice was low, as he planted a firm kiss on her damp cheek, his breathing ragged

with a hint of raw desire, almost as if he were punishing her.

The word “baby” triggered a sharp pang in Evadne’s heart, and she instinctively flinched. Thaddeus,

oblivious to her discomfort and assuming it was caused by her injuries, scooped her up without a

second thought and strode into the mansion.

The day’s events at the racecourse had been explosive, rocking the whole country. Alva knew about it

too. She hadn’t eaten all evening, just sat in the living room waiting for Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy to

return.

“Mrs. Abernathy! How’s your injury?!” Alva cried out, nearly in tears, upon seeing Evadne’s pale face

and the way Thaddeus was carrying her, her feet not touching the ground.

“I’m fine, Alva. I can walk just fine.” Evadne pouted slightly as she playfully punched Thaddeus‘ solid

chest, “It’s all his fault for making a mountain out of a molehill. I’m not made of glass, for heaven’s

sake.”

Thaddeus chuckled, his eyes filled with adoration, “Yes, yes, my Evadne, the warrior princess, the most

stunning and impressive woman I’ve ever laid eyes

on.”

He didn’t like describing a woman with the word “strong.” If it wasn’t absolutely necessary, who would

want to be strong?

His woman should be like a delicate flower, cared for tenderly by him. He would be the one to face the

storms and dangers.

Evadne was starving; her stomach was growling. Alva hurried to the kitchen to prepare dinner for the

couple, while Evadne, ever restless, demanded a bath.

“I need a fragrant bubble bath; I smell like horse manure!”

“No way, the doctor was clear that you can’t get your wounds wet for a week; you’ll risk infection.”

Thaddeus carried her to their room, “How about I give you a sponge bath, hm?”

“Can you really get me clean with a sponge bath?” Evadne pouted in frustration.

“Of course, when have I not?” He whispered hotly in her ear, “I promise, you’ll be spotless inside out.”

“Don’t get any other ideas; I’m exhausted tonight. I just want to sleep!”

Images of provocative poses, Thaddeus‘ naughty words, and the wavering moon outside the window

started to fill Evadne’s head. Her body warmed, her heart fluttered with a mix of emotions.

Thaddeus sighed, his gaze heavy with unspoken desire, “You think I can’t control myself? I’d have to

wait until you’re fully healed.”

In the bathroom, Evadne sat amidst the warm, misty vapors, her alabaster skin exposed to Thaddeus‘

gaze. He picked up a damp towel and began to wipe her down, kissing her passionately along her

swan–like neck.

He could restrain his physical desires, but not the torrent of love he felt for her. Even without sex, they

could still share passionate kisses.

“You’re usually so articulate in those board meetings at the Abernathy Group; what happened today

with Emeric? Cat got your tongue?” Evadne’s fingers traced circles on his Adam’s apple as she

wrapped herself in a bathrobe and snuggled against him, “Didn’t you notice Avery trying to steal your

thunder? It was you who cracked the case, you who set the trap. What right does he have to take

credit? Got no shame?”

Thaddeus, more concerned about her slipping, held her tightly. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he kissed

her tender lips, “As long as your troubles are taken care of, I don’t care who gets the credit. My

Evadne’s happiness is all that matters.”

Tears welled up in Evadne’s eyes, and she found herself at a loss for words. This was why she loved

him.

Aside from her, nothing else mattered to him. She even felt that she couldn’t match up to the height of

his dedication.

“It’s just a shame. I feel like I can’t please everyone.” The man exhaled deeply, his chest heaving with

résignation as he comforted her with gentle pats on her trembling back, “I feel like the student who

always gets the worst grades, trying hard but always too late.”

That’s not true. Thaddeus, you’re doing great. Truly great,” Evadne’s voice was muffled, choked with

emotion.

He would always be her hero, but she won’t tell him that; she didn’t want him getting too cocky.