Chapter 163
The leather chair creaked as Thaddeus leaned back, his sharp features shadowed by exhaustion. Another high-stakes meeting had drained him, leaving behind only the weight of unspoken tensions.
Across Elmsworth, whispers about Acacia had undoubtedly spread through the Abernathy Group’s labyrinth of power. But within those glass-walled offices, no one dared voice a word—not unless they had a death wish.
As Vice-Chairman of the Board, Thaddeus commanded fear. Respect. Yet tonight, his mood was anything but victorious.
“Elspeth actually pulled it off,” Gordon mused, satisfaction curling his lips. “Who knew she had the resources to bail out the Stirling Group? Let her bleed money for once.”
Thaddeus’s fingers drummed against the armrest. “Earl managed her finances before his imprisonment. If she can still throw millions around, she’s got backup channels.” His voice was ice. “Moonlit Treasures isn’t just a boutique.”
Gordon blinked. “You’re saying that little shop is laundering money?”
A folded paper airplane sailed through the air, hitting Gordon square in the chest. “Think bigger. Moonlit Treasures is a front. Behind it? A web of Elmsworth’s underground elite. Connections. Favors. Power trades hands there—not just handbags.”
Gordon paled. “We underestimated her.”
“Never underestimate the enemy.” Thaddeus’s smile was razor-thin. “But dismantling her empire takes time. She’s entrenched. Protected. And Frederic’s shadow looms large.”
“She’ll fall eventually.”
Thaddeus exhaled, shifting gears. “Ada’s project?”
“Our wedding proposal’s ready for her team.” Gordon hesitated. “Sir, why not gift the hosting rights to K World Hotel? It’d make Mrs. Abernathy happy.”
Thaddeus’s gaze turned glacial. “I owe Evadne a favor. Not the Ashbourne Group.”
Gordon swallowed. Business was war, and Thaddeus never surrendered an advantage.
The phone buzzed. Jareth’s name flashed on the screen.
“What?” Thaddeus snapped.
“Christina’s concert tonight! Front-row seats—let’s go!” Jareth’s enthusiasm was met with silence. “Oh, come on. Don’t tell me Acacia’s betrayal has you moping.”
“Hang up.”
“Wait! Edith’s performing. She’s back from abroad.”
Thaddeus paused. Edith—Jareth’s sister, the girl he’d watched grow up. “Fine. Pick me up.”
Elmsworth National Concert Hall glittered under the night sky.
Jareth fussed with a camera in their private box, determined to capture Edith’s debut. “This’ll be priceless!”
Thaddeus scoffed. “The professionals are recording it.”
“Not the same!” Jareth adjusted the lens—then froze. “Wait. Is that Evadne?”
Thaddeus was on his feet in an instant.
Across the hall, Evadne laughed beside a pale, elegant man—Avery Chambers. Their intimacy was a blade twisting in Thaddeus’s gut.
Avery knelt, draping his jacket over her bare legs. “Cold?”
Evadne’s smile was radiant. “You’re too kind.”
“Your dress is stunning. Like a siren’s lure.” His admiration was shameless, his touch lingering.
Thaddeus’s knuckles whitened on the railing. The pain in his chest was unbearable.
“Who is that guy?” Jareth muttered.
“Avery Chambers. Jeff’s youngest son.”
Jareth whistled. “The Chambers heir? Competition’s heating up.” He smirked at Thaddeus. “So? Retreat or fight?”
“Shut. Up.”
The lights dimmed. The concert began.
But Thaddeus saw nothing but Evadne—and the man who might’ve already stolen her heart.