Chapter 19

"That name—Evadne... I've heard it somewhere before." Thaddeus pressed his fingers against his temples, murmuring under his breath.

"I did some more digging on this Ms. Evadne."

For a fleeting moment, Thaddeus felt a surge of relief. Maybe his usually incompetent secretary had finally decided to do his job properly. His eyes sharpened with interest. "Tell me what you found."

"The result? Absolutely nothing." Gordon threw his hands up in defeat.

"Gordon, I think you're ready to collect your final paycheck tomorrow." Thaddeus's expression darkened instantly.

"Mr. Thaddeus, don't fire me yet! It's not that I didn't try—Ms. Evadne's information is locked down tighter than a classified government file. I swear I exhausted every resource!" Gordon's face paled, sweat beading on his forehead. "Isn't it bizarre? She's the sole heiress of Chairman Emeric Ashbourne, filthy rich, yet there's nothing about her online. No social media, no interviews—nothing. Is she a ghost or something?"

"Do we at least have a photo of her? Show me."

"Oh, yes! And let me tell you, it took blood, sweat, and tears to find this." Gordon pulled out his phone and handed it over.

Thaddeus took one glance and his face flushed with fury. "Gordon, are you trying to get yourself fired?!"

On the screen was a grainy, decades-old photo of a little girl, no older than five, cradled in Emeric's arms. How was he supposed to recognize anything from this? "Mr. Thaddeus, please don't kill me! This is literally the only photo of Ms. Evadne in existence. It's from twenty years ago—taken at Mrs. Ashbourne's funeral." Gordon gulped, feeling like he was balancing on the edge of a knife. Maybe he should start carrying a first-aid kit.

Twenty years ago. Evadne would be in her mid-twenties now. Around the same age as Isabella.

Thaddeus stared at the photo, his frown deepening. Why did the little girl in the picture remind him of Isabella? Ridiculous. He was divorced, yet his mind kept circling back to his ex-wife. What the hell was wrong with him?

Just then, a servant's voice interrupted from the doorway. "Mr. Thaddeus, the chairman requests your presence. He has matters to discuss."

In the grand living room, Elspeth was draped over Frederic's lap, weeping dramatically. A woman well past forty, yet she still played the fragile damsel, sobbing like a tragic heroine in a soap opera.

"Frederic... my poor sister. She married into the Sterling family, devoted her life to being a perfect wife and mother, and now this happens... When she called me, she was hysterical. She said she couldn't face me anymore, that she'd brought shame to the Abernathy name..."

"How could this be shameful? We're practically family now. There's no need to draw lines between us." Frederic's large hand stroked Elspeth's shoulder, his voice dripping with tenderness. "Wait until Thaddeus arrives. We'll find a solution together."

Over the years, Elspeth had masterfully manipulated her way into the Abernathy family, replacing Thaddeus's mother with her innocent facade. And Frederic? He was utterly smitten.

"Father, you wanted to see me?" Thaddeus strode in, his gaze icy.

"Thaddeus, you must help Acacia's family now!"

Elspeth dabbed at her tears delicately, her voice trembling. "Mr. Sterling and Acacia are both unwell. After this scandal, Acacia hasn't eaten or slept. If you truly care for her, you'll fix this immediately!"

"Thaddeus, have you uncovered the truth behind this?" Frederic asked, still comforting his wife while frowning.

"I have. The leak came from K Group's new general manager—a woman named Evadne."

Thaddeus lowered his lashes, unwilling to watch the sickening display of affection before him. In all his years, Frederic had never shown such warmth to him or his mother. He doubted the man even remembered his mother's face anymore.

"The Ashbournes of Skyrim?!" Elspeth gasped, covering her mouth. "They're the wealthiest family in Skyrim! How could my sister's family have possibly offended them?"

"The Ashbournes and Abernathys have been rivals for generations. Our ancestors had deep-seated grudges. The Ashbourne matriarch even swore that no Ashbourne would ever marry into the Abernathy line. Anyone who dared would be disowned, their name erased from history."

Thaddeus hadn't cared before—he was marrying Acacia, not an Ashbourne. But now, hearing this, an inexplicable chill slithered into his chest.

"Oh my God! The Ashbournes must be targeting the Sterlings to undermine our family! They heard about the marriage alliance and decided to strike first. How devious!" Elspeth twisted her handkerchief in fury.

"Thaddeus, you must meet with Ms. Evadne tomorrow and convince her to back off. This isn't just about the Sterlings—it's about the Abernathy reputation!" Frederic's tone brooked no argument.

"Frederic, don't be so harsh. Thaddeus has always been responsible. He'll handle it." Elspeth patted her husband's arm soothingly.

"I'm helping the Sterlings for Acacia's sake—not for you, Elspeth Frost Abernathy." Thaddeus's voice was glacial as he turned on his heel and walked out.

Elspeth's face whitened with rage. She was the Abernathy matriarch, yet this brat still addressed her by her full name. The disrespect!

"Hold it right there! How dare you speak to Elspeth like that? She's my wife—your mother! Have you forgotten your manners?" Frederic shot to his feet, livid.

Thaddeus paused but didn't turn back. "A man can have many wives, but only one mother. You know that. Don't force your delusions on me."

That evening, Cassius visited Evadne at Elmsworth. Over dinner, the conversation inevitably turned to Keith and the Sterlings.

"Dad knows about your decision. He didn't object—just said if the evidence is solid, justice should be served." Cassius deftly sliced Evadne's steak for her.

"Emeric is a disaster when it comes to women, but at least he's got principles in business." Evadne speared a piece of medium-rare steak.

"That's why all three of his wives still adore him. Aside from his wandering eye, he treats them well."

"Sure, the new flames get showered with affection, basking in his attention. Meanwhile, the old ones are left in the dust." Evadne's grip tightened on her fork, her eyes glinting with bitterness.

Cassius watched his sister's reddening eyes and gently ruffled her hair. "I know you don't hate his wives anymore. You just can't stand how unfairly Mom was treated. But have you considered... maybe she forgave him?"

"How could she? She just endured it. What woman in this world would willingly accept her husband's infidelity and be happy about it—"

Evadne's words died abruptly. Wasn't she the same? Knowing Thaddeus loved another, she had still given him everything—only to be discarded without a second thought.

Emeric might be a womanizer, but at least he never pretended to be anything else. Thaddeus? He never truly saw her in those three years, judging her with petty disdain. She'd been blind, loving that heartless man for thirteen years.

"Thaddeus has been quiet lately. He hasn't called." Cassius sipped his wine casually.

"Hmph. Too busy playing knight in shining armor for his precious Acacia and her family." Evadne swirled her wine, her eyes glinting like frost. "Isabella was too weak. This time, it's Evadne's turn."