Chapter 323

Hamilton's eyes widened in shock at Evadne's words, his face paling as he stared at her in disbelief.

"Chaos erupted out of nowhere. A thug lunged at us. I was shielding Myra and couldn't react in time. The attacker was skilled—even our bodyguards couldn't stop him."

Evadne's voice trembled as she recalled how Thaddeus had thrown himself in front of her, taking the brutal blow meant for her head. Tears welled in her eyes, her throat tight. "At the last second, Thaddeus pushed me out of the way. If he hadn't, I'd be the one on that operating table right now. Grandpa, this is my fault. I was too slow. Punish me. Scold me. I owe him everything."

Emeric's heart ached at the sight of his proud daughter humbling herself for the sake of the Abernathy heir. "Evadne."

"My foolish girl, why must you be so reckless?"

Tears glistened in Hamilton's eyes as he pulled Evadne into his arms. "Whether it's you or Thaddeus lying there, my heart would shatter. But if it were you? I wouldn't survive it."

"Grandpa." Emotion clogged Evadne's throat, her fingers clutching his sleeves.

"Listen to me, child. Thaddeus chose to take that hit for you. Don't you dare blame yourself."

Hamilton stroked her hair, his weathered face softening. "That bastard broke your heart for three years. If this is his karma, then so be it! Let him suffer—maybe it'll knock some sense into that thick skull of his!"

Evadne knew her grandfather was putting on a brave front.

Hamilton had watched Thaddeus grow up. How could he not be devastated?

"Mr. Frederic!"

Mr. Murray rushed over, his expression grim. "Mr. Frederic and his wife have arrived."

Hamilton's face darkened. "I thought we agreed not to inform them yet?"

"I followed your orders, sir, but news like this spreads fast."

Before Mr. Murray could finish, a commotion erupted down the hall.

"Thaddeus! Where is my son?" Frederic's voice boomed as he stormed toward them.

He rarely showed concern for his second son, but now, hearing that Thaddeus had been struck in the head with an iron rod, he was frantic, his usually composed demeanor shattered.

Elspeth, seeing Frederic's sudden protectiveness over his illegitimate child, seethed internally. Still, she forced a look of distress and joined in the shouting. "Thaddeus! Where is he?"

Even Glynnis cringed at the theatrics, rolling her eyes behind her stepmother's back.

"Enough! Are you trying to summon the dead?"

Supported by Evadne and Mr. Murray, Hamilton rose to his feet, his glare sharpening at the sight of Frederic and Elspeth. His blood pressure spiked, irritation flaring.

"Father! How is Thaddeus?" Frederic demanded.

Hamilton exhaled sharply. "He's still in surgery. Your shouting won't help. Sit down and wait like the rest of us."

"Chairman Emeric!" Frederic whirled on Emeric, his voice venomous. "I heard my son is in this state because he was protecting your daughter. Explain this!"

If not for his reputation, Frederic would have already grabbed Emeric by the collar.

Cassius stepped between them, his tone firm but calm. "Mr. Frederic, let's discuss this rationally."

"Rationally? If it were your brother lying there, would you be rational?" Frederic snarled, his fury directed squarely at the Ashbournes.

Ever since Thaddeus divorced Evadne, his family had been plagued with misfortune. And now, because of her, his son's life hung in the balance.

How could he stay calm?

Elspeth smirked inwardly, relishing the chaos.

She had only meant to ruin Myra. But Thaddeus had thrown himself into the line of fire for Evadne.

If he wanted to die, she wouldn't stop him.

"Mr. Frederic, I understand your anger. But right now, Thaddeus is fighting for his life. Your outbursts won't change that."

Emeric kept his voice steady, though frustration simmered beneath the surface. "Ashbourne Group Hospital, in partnership with Bright Medical, is the top facility in the country. Your son is receiving the best care possible. He will pull through."

Hamilton scoffed. Best? Abernathy Medical was just as advanced.

Emeric always had to boast.

Just then, the operating room doors swung open.

Two of the nation's leading neurosurgeons stepped out, their expressions grave.

Evadne's heart clenched.

She wanted to rush forward, but fear rooted her in place.

"Doctors! How is my grandson?"

Frederic helped Hamilton forward, the older man's legs trembling. Evadne's chest ached at the sight.

"Mr. Thaddeus's condition is critical. He's not out of danger yet." The doctor's tone was heavy.

The words hit like a sledgehammer. Hamilton swayed, his face draining of color.

Frederic paled. "How... how is this possible?"

"If this were a first-time injury, treatment would be straightforward. But our scans revealed an old trauma—a blood clot in his brain that was never fully resolved."

"An old injury?"

Hamilton looked stricken. "My grandson has lived a life of privilege. Who would dare hurt him?"

A memory slammed into Evadne—her time as Thaddeus's wife, treating his chronic headaches with acupuncture. He'd always brushed off her questions, refusing to speak of it.

Had this happened during his years in Zenithia? Was this the source of his pain?

"The clot has shifted, pressing against his brain. Without immediate removal, he risks brain death."

The Abernathy family reeled.

Frederic's knees buckled while Hamilton clung to his son, looking seconds from collapse.

"My poor Thaddeus! He's so young!" Elspeth wailed, crocodile tears streaming as she rounded on Evadne. "Evadne, all he did was divorce you! He never mistreated you in those three years. Why can't you let him go? He skipped my birthday to celebrate Myra's with your family. He was fine when he left, and now he's on death's door! Are you trying to kill him?"

"Elspeth, watch your tongue!"

Cassius, usually unflappable, stepped forward, his voice icy. "In their marriage, Thaddeus was the one who wronged my sister. The Abernathys know exactly how she suffered. We're all concerned for Thaddeus, but don't you dare twist this to vilify Evadne. One more word, and I won't be responsible for my actions."

Emeric stood silently behind Evadne, his presence a shield.

Elspeth shivered but pressed on, knowing Frederic's rage was on her side. "Am I wrong? Since Thaddeus got involved with your sister, has anything good happened? She's a curse!"

"You're the one who's cursed! My grandson is the fool chasing after Evadne. Shut your mouth!" Hamilton wheezed, still defending his beloved granddaughter.

Elspeth's face twisted, colors flickering like a broken neon sign.

"Doctor, what's the next step? How do we save my son?" Frederic ignored the drama, his focus solely on Thaddeus.

His eldest son was already a ghost of a man. He couldn't lose his heir.

The doctor wiped his brow. "Mr. Thaddeus needs an emergency craniotomy."

Silence.

"Do it. Whatever it takes to save him," Hamilton ordered.

"The problem is, we don't have a surgeon qualified for this procedure on-site."

Frederic whirled on Emeric. "Chairman Emeric! You boasted about your hospital's capabilities! What now?"

Emeric's jaw tightened.

"We do have someone."

Evadne stepped forward, her voice steady. "I'll perform the surgery."

Shock rippled through the room—even Emeric and Cassius stared.

They knew Evadne had medical training from her time with Doctors Without Borders.

But this wasn't a field dressing. This was brain surgery.

"What did you say?" Frederic gaped.

"Evadne, you can do this?" Hamilton's eyes lit with hope.

"Yes, Grandpa."

She squeezed his hand, forcing a smile. "Trust me. I'll bring him back to you."

"That's a bold claim. What if you fail?" Glynnis sneered.

Evadne's gaze turned arctic. "If I fail, you can have my head as compensation."

The room fell silent.

Cassius winced. Gruesome.

Jareth only learned of Thaddeus's condition upon arriving at the hospital.

"Mari, there's been an incident with your brother. I'll take you home first. Rest, and don't wait up for me."

He carefully helped Mari into the coat Lily brought, bundling her against the chill. His touch was tender, his voice soothing. To spare her worry, he downplayed Thaddeus's condition.

"What happened to Thaddeus?"

Mari was perceptive. Despite Jareth's calm, she sensed the gravity. "Jareth, don't hide this from me. Tell me!"

"Go home and sleep. When you wake, I'll explain."

He pulled her close, his lips brushing hers in a soft kiss.

Lily discreetly looked away.

"Let's go."

Jareth's eyes crinkled with warmth as he took Mari's hand, leading her out.

Their world had narrowed to just each other, the air between them sweet with unspoken affection.

"Jareth!"

A sharp voice cut through the moment.

Jareth stiffened, his head snapping up in shock.

"Mother? What are you doing here?"

A few paces away, emerging from a sleek black car, stood Mrs. Jareth—and Edith.