Chapter 386

Emeric delivered the news to the triplets, who were visibly stunned. They all insisted on accompanying him to visit Evadne, but he refused, adamant on going alone.

After much persuasion, he finally convinced them to stay behind and sent them back to their homes in Skyrim.

Emeric stepped out of the airport, flanked by his secretary, Mr. Dn, and a bodyguard. True to his word, Avery stood waiting beside a sleek luxury car, tall and composed.

"Mr. Emeric, it's good to see you." Avery greeted him with a warm smile and a respectful bow.

After a brief hesitation, Emeric slid into Avery’s car, while his bodyguard and secretary followed in their own vehicle.

Avery had mentioned he had something important to discuss—something concerning Evadne.

Under normal circumstances, someone of Avery’s standing wouldn’t even get an audience with a man of Emeric’s influence, despite being Jeff’s son. But when it came to Evadne, Emeric couldn’t afford to ignore it.

The car glided smoothly toward the hospital.

"Mr. Emeric, I’ve been by Evadne’s side these past few days," Avery said, his voice heavy with sorrow. "Her mood has been unstable—deeply depressed. I’ve known her for years, but I’ve never seen her like this. If you saw her now, it would break your heart. I know how much you care for her."

Emeric felt as though an arrow had struck him, the pain unbearable.

It was no secret that among all his children, Evadne was his favorite. No one else came close.

Hearing that his daughter was suffering was like having his heart ripped out and fried in agony.

And Avery knew exactly how to play this.

He knew Evadne was Emeric’s greatest weakness.

"Avery, tell me," Emeric demanded, his voice tense. "What happened while I was away? What trouble has Evadne gotten into? Who reduced my daughter to this state?"

"Mr. Emeric, who else could break a strong woman like Evadne?"

Avery clenched his fist, his eyes turning icy. "Who hurt her? Who discarded her with his own hands? Who keeps tormenting her, reopening her wounds?"

"Thaddeus?" Emeric’s thick brows furrowed deeply.

"There’s no one else it could be."

"Did that bastard have anything to do with Evadne’s car accident?"

Avery adjusted his glasses, his expression grave. "All I know is that on the day of the accident, Evadne went to see Thaddeus. Whatever happened between them left her so distraught that she lost focus on the road. The car was totaled, but thankfully, she wasn’t seriously injured."

"What will it take for him to leave my daughter alone?!" Emeric slammed his fist against the car door, his rage uncontrollable.

"There’s something else, Mr. Emeric. I don’t know if I should tell you." Avery hesitated.

"Tell me! Whatever that bastard has done to my daughter, I want to know everything!" Emeric’s eyes burned with fury, his entire body trembling.

Avery’s gaze darkened, and in a low voice, he recounted how Thaddeus had taken advantage of Evadne when she was unconscious.

He was clever. From Thaddeus’s apology that day to Evadne’s reaction, and their interactions since, he had pieced together enough of the story.

Even the gaps he didn’t fully understand didn’t matter.

Whatever Thaddeus couldn’t bring himself to say, Avery would fill in the blanks.

Emeric listened in silence, not uttering a single word.

Only his heavy, hate-filled breathing echoed in the dimly lit car.

"Mr. Emeric, please don’t let this upset you too much. Your health comes first." Avery’s voice was laced with concern.

"That Abernathy boy," Emeric seethed, clutching his chest. "How much more does he intend to torment my daughter?"

His heart ached as if it were bleeding.

"Though Evadne has suffered in the past, what matters is that it’s behind her now. From this moment on, I will protect her."

Avery’s gaze locked onto Emeric’s, burning with sincerity. "I swear, all my love belongs to Evadne. I will make her the happiest woman in the world. Mr. Emeric, my love for her has nothing to do with her being your daughter, or any ties to the Chambers Group or the Ashbourne Group. I love her for who she is. Since childhood, no other woman has ever come close to her in my heart. Never."

Emeric stared at him, shocked by the raw earnestness in his eyes.

Before, he had harbored resentment toward Avery and the entire Chambers family. He had never believed in arranged marriages, and he didn’t want Evadne trapped in a loveless union.

But now, it seemed Avery truly loved her.

As a man who had loved deeply himself, Emeric recognized the genuine devotion in Avery’s gaze.

Perhaps it was time to stop indulging his daughter’s whims.

She had always claimed she was pursuing happiness, but what had it brought her? A man who couldn’t control his desires—a scoundrel.

"Avery Chambers."

Emeric rarely addressed him so warmly, but his tone was firm. "You know my daughter’s situation. She once loved Thaddeus with all her heart, gave him everything. It may take years—decades—for her to heal. No matter how sincere or passionate you are, she may never return your feelings. Evadne is my daughter. I know her best. Can you endure that? For ten, twenty years? Will you still stand by her then? Will you regret it?"

"I know Thaddeus still holds her heart. But I don’t care."

Avery’s eyes glistened with tears, his voice breaking. "I want to marry Evadne. No matter what she’s been through, it doesn’t matter to me. The only woman I love is her."

Emeric’s brows furrowed. It would be a lie to say he wasn’t moved.

"Mr. Emeric, I’m asking for your blessing. Give me a chance to be with her."

By the time they reached the hospital, Evadne was asleep.

Emeric had so much to say, but seeing her pale, fragile face, the words died on his lips. He simply sat beside her, silent. What more was there to say?

There was no going back. Any further words would only wound her again.

Early the next morning, Cassius and Arnold arrived.

"Dad, you should go home and rest. Evadne will be discharged tomorrow. We’ll take her home," Cassius said gently.

"I’m not tired." Emeric’s tone was cold, his resentment palpable.

"Dad, we were wrong to keep this from you."

Arnold sighed deeply. "But we did it for your health. You’ve raised us. Isn’t it our duty to protect you when it matters? We can handle Evadne’s situation."

"Handle it? If you could handle it, my daughter wouldn’t be lying here in pain." Emeric scoffed.

Cassius’s expression darkened, and he said nothing.

Arnold pressed his lips together, uncharacteristically speechless.

"Cassius, come with me. We need to talk." Emeric stood stiffly, his back aching from sitting too long.

"Yes, Dad."

Cassius quickly moved to support his father, and they left the ward.

In the lounge, Emeric dropped a bombshell.

"You want Evadne to be with Avery? Why?" Cassius was stunned, his pupils contracting.

"If we truly want Evadne to move on from Thaddeus, the best way is for her to start anew—with someone who truly loves her."

Emeric’s gaze was resolute. His mind was made up. "Avery is devoted to her. Our families are well-matched. I’ve known him since he was a boy. I trust his character. Let them try. Maybe he can heal her heart. She can’t go on like this. She needs a fresh start."

"Do you really know Avery? Do you trust him that much?"

Cassius’s voice grew heavier with urgency. "Avery has been involved in shady dealings under Helgen’s command—things that wouldn’t stand scrutiny. Are you comfortable letting Evadne be with him?"

"That’s overseas, not here. And if he treats her well, I don’t mind helping him clean up his act."

"Dad!" Cassius choked on his anger. "How can you change your stance so suddenly? Evadne won’t be happy with this!"

"And if I don’t, will she ever be happy?"

Emeric stood abruptly, his eyes blazing. "I’ve never interfered with her choices—not when she became a doctor, not when she pursued her dreams. I gave her freedom. And where has it gotten her? A failed marriage. A broken heart. Torment. Even now, Thaddeus takes advantage of her! Is my daughter worthless? Just because she left him, does she deserve to be alone forever?"

Cassius was speechless.

He realized Emeric knew about the unspeakable things between Evadne and Thaddeus.

But aside from the two of them, only he knew. He hadn’t told his father. So how had he found out?

Who had told him?

"The youngest son of the Chambers family may not hold power in the Chambers Group, and his relationship with Jeff may be strained. Right now, he’s not the ideal match. But if he truly loves Evadne, I’ll support him."

Emeric’s rage simmered as he thought of Thaddeus’s sins against his daughter. "Thaddeus Abernathy’s days as the golden boy of the Elmsworth family are numbered."

Cassius was frustrated.

Emeric’s tone made it clear—he intended to groom Avery as his future son-in-law.

"Did you even ask Evadne about this? Would she agree to you meddling in her love life?"

"No need to ask."

Emeric waved a dismissive hand. "In time, she’ll understand. The man she loves isn’t right for her. Only someone who truly loves her is worth a lifetime. At least this way, she won’t be hurt again."