Chapter 199

Thaddeus stood frozen, absorbing Evadne's cutting words like a physical blow to his chest. He couldn't retaliate.

Because she was absolutely right. He had done all those things.

"Evadne, I have no connection with Edith. She's never been my sister!" Thaddeus' ears burned crimson, his voice turning gravelly with emotion.

He wasn't one to justify himself, but this time was different.

"Why tell me this? What does it matter to me?"

Evadne's patience had snapped. Her eyes brimmed with revulsion. "Whatever's between you two is none of my concern. I don't want your explanations. Move. I've got a runway show to attend."

"You claim not to care? Then why bring it up? At the police station and now!"

Thaddeus despised this misunderstanding. His eyes reddened, shoulders trembling. "If my companions bother you, that means you still care! You're not as indifferent as you pretend!"

"I'm not caring. I'm disgusted. Disgusted by you, Thaddeus."

Evadne pried his fingers from her arm with steely determination. "Had I known about your entourage of women, I'd never have fallen for you. Now I'm grateful I left when I did. But it still sickens me that I once loved a man who's faithless and spineless!"

Thaddeus' breathing grew ragged, the pain of being misjudged choking him.

So this was how injustice felt—like having your heart ripped from your chest.

The anguish in Thaddeus' eyes gave Evadne pause.

But she didn't linger. She turned on her heel and walked away without looking back.

"Let the past stay buried," she told herself. "No matter how painful, how passionate, how profound—there's no going back now."

Her phone buzzed—Jason calling.

"Jason, what's wrong?" She fought to steady her voice.

"Ms. Evadne! Check Twitter immediately!" Jason's frantic pitch bordered on hysterical.

A cold dread slithered down her spine.

She pulled up Twitter's trending topics.

Her face drained of color.

"Damn it all!"

Ada Ang's wedding designs had been leaked.

Every meticulously planned detail, every confidential photo—now plastered across the internet for all to see.

Complete exposure.

Thaddeus, still reeling from their confrontation, caught Evadne's curse. First startled, then amused.

She'd become so much more vibrant since leaving him—alive with fire and spirit, infinitely more captivating than the cautious shadow who'd once trailed after him.

He moved toward her.

But she was already sprinting down the corridor in her stilettos, leaving him behind.

Thaddeus' instincts flared. Watching her retreat, he dialed Gordon.

"Mr. Thaddeus."

"Is there an issue at The Regal Palace?"

"Yes, sir! I was just about to report—Ada's wedding setup photos were leaked on Twitter! It's gone viral—top trending topic!"

Thaddeus' brow furrowed. "Who's responsible?"

"An independent media outlet with massive reach. They bypassed all protocols!"

"The audacity! No ethics whatsoever." His gaze darkened.

"Sir, will this affect Mrs. Abernathy?"

"Undoubtedly. Why else would she—normally unshakable—bolt like a startled hare?"

Thaddeus stared down the empty hallway, his pulse racing for her. "I'd wager Ada's contract with Evadne included a non-disclosure clause. Early exposure constitutes breach."

"Breach of contract? That serious?"

"With the designs leaked, The Regal Palace is legally at fault. Even without financial penalties, Ada will certainly choose another venue. And it won't be The Regal Palace." His tone turned grim.

All Evadne's efforts—wasted.

The prestigious Regal Palace—completely out of the running.

"Unbelievable. Mrs. Abernathy's meticulous. How could this happen?"

Thaddeus' jaw tightened, fists clenching.

Normally, he'd relish a competitor's misfortune.

But not today.

"Gordon, investigate that media outlet immediately. Find the leak's source."

The scandal erupted like wildfire.

Show attendees buzzed about it, oblivious to the ramifications. Some even complimented Ada about her "stunning" wedding setup to her face.

Ada's expression darkened by the minute.

She didn't stay for the finale. Didn't greet Alvin. Simply stormed out, avoiding all eyes.

Edith and Glynnis observed everything from their front-row seats.

"Caroline works fast," Edith murmured, her angelic face belying the venom in her gaze.

Ada's abrupt exit confirmed her scheme's success.

"So what if Evadne's the heiress to Skyrim's wealthiest man?" Edith thought smugly. "With ten thousand Alea jewels, you've still been outplayed."

"Caroline's impressively efficient," Glynnis admitted. "Got those shots in record time. Is she really a journalist? More like a spy."

"Don't contact Caroline yet. Leave no trails." Edith's eyes gleamed with triumph. "There, Glynnis—I've cleared your path. Whether you can win Ada over now is up to you."

"Relax. With The Regal Palace's breach, Ada has no choice but to choose us—the Vanderbilt Group." Glynnis puffed up proudly. "Who else in Elmsworth can compete with our resources? Honestly, who?"