Chapter 127

The Abernathy Group had been drowning in scandal ever since Earl's arrest. And now, they'd taken Elspeth away. It all happened in the blink of an eye—no time for the Abernathy executives to react.

"Why am I being arrested? What proof do you have?" Elspeth trembled violently, her carefully crafted aristocratic demeanor shattering.

Glynnis stood frozen, her face ghostly pale, watching in horror as her mother was dragged away.

"Frederic! Save me! You have to help me!" Elspeth sobbed, tears streaking down her face.

Frederic's face burned with frustration. He wanted to intervene but couldn't risk public humiliation. Instead, he turned his fury on Evadne. "Ms. Evadne, what the hell is this?"

"Mr. Frederic, it was the prosecutor's office that took your wife. Why are you yelling at me?" Evadne smirked, utterly unbothered.

"You knew this was coming. You made those cryptic comments earlier. Did you orchestrate all of this?"

"The Ashbournes have connections everywhere. Did you really think we wouldn't know what the media already does?" Evadne's gaze turned icy with disdain.

Frederic exploded. "Ms. Evadne, just because your marriage to Thaddeus failed doesn't mean you can take it out on us!"

Mr. and Mrs. Bartley gasped.

The Ashbournes and Abernathys had been married? When? This was explosive news!

"You're so bitter over a divorce that you're sabotaging the Abernathy Group? How petty can you be?"

The words were so venomous that even Jason flinched, ready to defend Evadne.

But then, Thaddeus stepped forward.

He shielded Evadne, his expression cold and unreadable.

"Mr. Frederic, you're making accusations without proof."

"Thaddeus, you're defending her?" Frederic was livid. "She's not just causing trouble—she's actively destroying the Abernathy Group! Why protect someone like that?"

Thaddeus met Evadne's gaze, his dark eyes unreadable. She scoffed and looked away, disgusted.

Both he and his father were fools, easily manipulated by women.

"I believe she didn't do this." Thaddeus spoke slowly, deliberately.

Evadne blinked in surprise.

He turned away. "Even if we're divorced, I won't stand by while she's falsely accused."

Then, unexpectedly, he smirked. "And even if we weren't divorced, my wife doesn't need your judgment."

Evadne's lips parted slightly, her ears burning.

What the hell did that mean?

Frederic was so furious his vision blurred, his blood pressure spiking.

If not for the crowd, he would've lunged at the insolent bastard.

Evadne, satisfied with the chaos, had no interest in continuing this farce.

Her plan was working. Just one more step.

"You must have a busy day ahead. I won't keep you. Goodbye."

With that, she and Jason turned toward the ferry.

"Ms. Evadne! Wait!" Mr. Bartley hurried after her, wiping sweat from his brow. "Let's discuss the Westguard project in detail!"

"Of course." Evadne smiled, her confidence unshaken. "I'll arrange a meeting soon. Wait for my message."

"Absolutely! Anytime!" Mr. Bartley beamed.

"Ms. Evadne, if you don't mind, I'd love to introduce you to my son!" Mrs. Bartley chimed in eagerly.

Who wouldn't want to meet the daughter of Skyrim's wealthiest man?

Thaddeus' expression darkened.

Evadne didn't need to parade herself around. She was too stunning, too magnetic—too dangerous.

"Mrs. Bartley, I appreciate the offer." Evadne smiled politely. "But given my recent divorce, I'm not looking for anything romantic. Let's not waste your son's time."

"Divorce means nothing! You're leagues above those empty-headed girls!"

Glynnis flushed with rage, her nails digging into her palms as she glared at Evadne.

Evadne was like the sun—blinding, untouchable. Everything else faded in comparison.

As the ferry departed, Evadne left behind a shattered Abernathy family.

"Mr. Frederic, let's pause the Westguard collaboration for now. Perhaps another project in the future."

Mr. and Mrs. Bartley quickly excused themselves.

If this deal fell through, heads would roll—starting with his.

Frederic, desperate, realized his son had vanished.

Evadne changed out of her golf attire, slipping back into her sleek, ice-queen ensemble. She adjusted her hair and strode out in her heels.

16:50

She turned the corner—and collided with Thaddeus.

Her breath hitched. Lifting her chin, she met his glacial stare without flinching.

"Mr. Thaddeus, since when did you develop a habit of lurking outside women's changing rooms?"

"Evadne." His voice was low, dangerous. "You won't get the Westguard project."

"Oh?" She arched a brow. "What can you possibly do? The Abernathy Group is drowning in scandal. Investigations mean no contracts. Even if you tried to salvage it, it's too late."

"You claim our divorce didn't matter. So why keep provoking me?"

Thaddeus suddenly pinned her against the wall, his body caging hers. "Is this how you get your kicks? Does hurting me make you feel better?"

"Do you really believe that?" Her laugh was sharp, sending an unwelcome jolt through his chest. "Then why defend me earlier? Hypocrisy doesn't suit you."

His jaw clenched.

No matter what he did, she always found the words to cut deepest.

"Evadne, don't push me." His voice dropped to a whisper. "I won't go easy on you just because we were married."

Her eyes sparkled with challenge. "Good. Play your pieces right, Mr. Thaddeus. Otherwise, this game will be boring."

She leaned in, her breath warm against his ear. "Here's a secret—I was the one who handed Earl's evidence to the prosecutors. And I leaked it to the press. You should thank me. Your stepmother's boardroom dreams? Crushed."

His blood ran cold.

"Next time, I won't hold back."

With that, she shoved him away and walked off, a queen in retreat.

Thaddeus stood there, his chest burning.