NovelEnglish
Chapter 28
Thaddeus had attended a top-tier military academy in college and had three years of military
experience. Even now, as he switched lanes and entered the business world, his brawny physique
beneath his suit was still unmistakable. So even though Arnold’s punch had left a bruise on the corner
of his lip, his tall frame remained unshaken.
“Ugh, love rival.” Jareth cursed under his breath, not daring to voice his thoughts aloud. He
remembered llana’s sarcastic remarks about him being too arrogant.
Arnold, seething with anger, swung another punch at Thaddeus, but Thaddeus nimbly dodged it.
“Thaddeus, didn’t I tell you to keep your distance from Ilana? Can’t you understand?”
Arnold was huffing and puffing, his eyes burning with rage. “If Ilana gets hurt, I’ll make you pay. The
entire Abernathy family won’t get away.”
“President Ashbourne, you might be exaggerating a bit. Ilana just dislocated her shoulder,” Jareth
hurriedly tried to mediate, fearing the situation might escalate.
“Just a dislocation?” Arnold’s mouth twisted in anger, “You two, one treats women like toys, the other
like decorations. How could you two possibly understand how I feel? Ilana is the woman I love the
most. She is the woman that I’m going to protect and cherish for the rest of my life. Keep your filthy
thoughts to yourself and stay away from her!”
Arnold’s words were filled with sincerity and heartfelt emotion. For him, even his wife had to take a
backseat to Evadne.
A flicker of shock pa**ed through Thaddeus’ eyes. This confession was so direct, pa**ionate, and
heartfelt. He had never had the courage to express his love to a woman like this in his life.
Since leaving him, Ilana had become even more attractive, radiating charm. First, there was Cas sius,
then Jareth, all showing interest in her.
Thaddeus couldn’t describe the sour feeling in his heart. It was like he was a fool who didn’t appreciate
what he had until it was gone. Now everyone wanted to possess her, and he felt unwilling.
“Thaddeus, I’ll sue you.” Arnold pointed at Thaddeus’ cold face, planning to have his friends deal with
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him when the time was right.
“Sure, but I need to correct you.” Thaddeus looked at him with an expressionless face, “Ilana and I
haven’t finished our divorce process. She is still my wife and a member of the Abernathy family.”
Jareth was speechless, thinking that Thaddeus really knew how to twist the knife.
Arnold was so furious he wanted to spit on him, but his upbringing made him hold back.
“President Ashbourne,” a soft but strong voice came, causing the three men to turn around.
Evadne stood alone, her left arm in a cast, her gaze calm, her beautiful face somewhat pale, like a
fragile yet proud daffodil.
Thaddeus squinted his eyes, his throat a little dry.
The corridor was wide and empty. Ilana stood there, alone. Her pair of bright, innocent eyes
shimmered, pure without a hint of impurity, invoking a man’s protective instincts.
Suddenly, a distant and vague sense of familiarity stirred in his mind. Ilana?
Thaddeus felt a sharp pain in his head, but the pain and fragmented memories quickly disappeared.
Arnold quickly rushed to his sister’s side, his eyes red with worry. “Are you in pain?”
“No, let’s go home.”
Evadne gave her brother a gentle smile, her smile bright and intimate, causing Thaddeus’ eyes to sting.
Arnold put his arm around Evadne’s waist and they walked together down the other end of the hallway.
She didn’t even bother to glance at her ex-husband.
Thaddeus felt a tightness in his chest. He was just about to approach when Jareth held him back.
“Don’t, Thaddeus, it will be too embarra**ing if you go now. You’ve already hurt Ms. Ilana. You know
who called Cas sius over, right? Don’t court humiliation.”
As they watched the two support each other and disappear down the corridor, Thaddeus felt like he
was suffocating, his fingers tightly clenched.
Jason also rushed over. He had been called over by Arnold, but it seemed he still didn’t know what had
happened.
“Miss! What happened?! Who hurt you?!”
“That ba stard Thaddeus.”
Arnold was seething and wanted to say more, but stopped when his sister glared at him.
“What?! I’ll go settle things with that jerk.” Jason was furious and wanted to confront Thaddeus, but
Evadne stopped him. “Forget it, you can’t beat him. He’s from the peacekeeping force, and if you go,
you’ll just be a punching bag for him. Besides, he didn’t do it on purpose. He’s
Chapter 20
heavy-handed and doesn’t know how to be gentle. This isn’t something new.”
“Miss, it sounds like you’ve known him for a while?”
Evadne hesitated, biting her lower lip. Jason still didn’t know about her relationship with Thaddeus. It
wasn’t that she was deliberately hiding it. She just didn’t feel like explaining. It was all over, and she
didn’t want to reopen old wounds.
Back at the villa, Arnold made Evadne some coffee, ranting about Thaddeus all the way.
“I’m sorry.” Evadne felt guilty and lowered her head.
“You’re apologizing to me?” Arnold was surprised, reaching out to touch his sister’s forehead. “Are you
sick? What are you talking about?”
“No. I just needed help since Cas sius is abroad. I didn’t want you to feel like I was using you,”
Evadne’s voice grew softer as she spoke. “Little fool, what are you talking about?” Arnold felt a pang in
his heart and hugged Evadne, carefully avoiding her injured arm. “Ever since you were born, us four
brothers were always there to protect you. The next time you get married, we’ll be your most valuable
wedding gifts.” After saying this, he felt it was inappropriate and added, “Even if you never get married
again, we’re still yours, protecting you for life.” Evadne’s lips twitched. Wedding gifts? Four men? Might
as well become a nun then, amen.
Evadne got injured, and this made Thaddeus unable to concentrate on his afternoon meetings. He
merely listened half-heartedly to the reports from the senior executives.
Mr. Thaddeus had a grimace on his face, looking gloomy, but no one dared to ask why, even their
breathing was careful.
Although Thaddeus was an illegitimate child, no one in the Abernathy group dared to defy him
anymore.
The other son of the Abernathy family was weak and had been recuperating abroad for years. It was
said that his illness had been recurring and he already needed a wheelchair to get around; Elspeth only
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmhad two daughters, 25 and 20 years old, neither of whom met the criteria to inherit.
So Thaddeus was naturally the sole heir to the Abernathy group, and he was highly capable, so it was
well deserved.
“Mr. Thaddeus, the hotel of the Farley group in Wye that we had our eyes on has been bought by
someone else,” a senior executive reported nervously.
“Who bought it?” Even though Thaddeus was distracted, he wouldn’t let it get in the way of business.
“The K Group, the Farley group sold the hotel to them. It will be the second K World Hotel in
Elmsworth.”
Thaddeus stiffened, his expression darkening. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
“We were in negotiations, almost had it, but then President Ashbourne of the K Group suddenly
swooped in and took our project. We didn’t see it coming,” the executive’s face went pale with fear.
“Almost had it? I think you’re just about ready to retire.”
Thaddeus’s words were icy, the atmosphere tense, “I said before, that hotel’s location is prime, only
600 meters from Universal Studios that will be completed in two years. We had to buy it as soon as
possible, even if the price doubled. Your hesitation cost us this opportunity, now the Ashbourne group
gets the advantage, how are you and your team going to take responsibility?”
The executive wiped his sweat and his legs were trembling.
“Report to the Eldoria branch next week. If you make another mistake like this, you don’t have to stay.”
After Thaddeus finished speaking, his tall figure had already reached the doorway, leaving everyone in
astonishment, feeling as if they were walking on thin ice.
Mr. Thaddeus was imposing without being angry, and he was even more fiery today than usual.
“Could it be retaliation?” On the way home, Gordon drove while anxiously glancing at the rear-view
mirror, “Ms. Acacia just attacked Ms. Ilana, then President Ashbourne sna tched our project, then the
Stirling group’s products were exposed to have issues, could this also be
President Ashbourne pulling the strings behind the scenes? Although the Stirling group getting to this
point is their own fault.”
Thaddeus glared into the rearview mirror and Gordon nearly choked in shock.
“Pull over at the tailor shop ahead.”
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