Chapter 399

Thaddeus didn't press further. His mind was consumed by her smoke allergy—guilt and frustration twisting inside him.

"I'll have Gordon deliver dinner. Or maybe he can cook it himself. His skills aren't as refined as Mr. Jason's, but they'll do."

His gaze dropped to Evadne's bare feet, pale and delicate against the cold tiles. With a frown, he effortlessly lifted her by the waist.

"What are you doing?" Evadne gasped, her fingers gripping his broad shoulders.

"You can't walk around barefoot. The floor is freezing."

He set her gently on the table, kneeling before her. His warm hands enveloped her feet, the heat familiar and comforting.

Evadne closed her eyes, savoring the sensation but careful not to show it.

"Alva once told me a woman's feet must never get cold. It leads to illness later in life." Thaddeus looked up, his expression stern. "Don't do this again."

"I was in a hurry!" she protested, cheeks flushing.

Thaddeus smirked. "In a hurry? Afraid I'd leave?"

Her toes curled in his palm.

"You were unconscious. Did you really think I'd walk away?"

As if he could.

He wanted to stay by her side every night, to claim a permanent place in her heart.

His hands slid up her legs as he stood, pulling her close. His lips brushed her forehead—a fleeting touch that only made him crave more.

Evadne's skin burned under his gaze, her face warm with embarrassment.

Even after everything they'd shared, his proximity still flustered her.

Just as his lips hovered over hers, the doorbell rang.

Again. And again.

Relentless.

Annoyed, Evadne pushed him away. "Who is it? Only my brothers have the passcode."

"Gordon." Thaddeus sighed, already regretting summoning his oblivious secretary. "I told him to come if there was news."

"What news?"

"About Elspeth and the murderer."

Her eyes lit up, and she scrambled to jump down—only for Thaddeus to scoop her into his arms.

"No shoes, remember?"

Evadne gaped at him. Only Emeric had carried her like this when she was a child, and she'd been much lighter then.

Hormones raged.

Ignoring her protests, Thaddeus opened the door.

"Mr. Thaddeus?"

Gordon froze, taking in the scene—Thaddeus holding Evadne like a bride, both disheveled as if freshly woken.

His mind short-circuited.

Were they finally back together? Could he finally retire in peace?

"Put me down!" Evadne hissed, mortified.

Thaddeus ignored her, addressing Gordon. "May I let him in?"

She glared but nodded.

"Ah, can I come in too?"

A familiar, irritating voice chimed in.

Jareth stood behind Gordon, grinning like a fox.

"Congratulations."

"For what?" Thaddeus scowled.

"For finally being allowed inside." Jareth winked at Evadne.

She rolled her eyes.

"Say what you came to say or leave," Thaddeus snapped.

"I do have news. Mind letting me in, lovebirds?"

Thaddeus: "Come in."

Evadne: "We are not lovebirds."

Jareth strolled past them, smug.

Thaddeus set Evadne down and knelt to slide her shoes on. She quickly put distance between them, but the damage was done.

In the living room, Thaddeus sat so close their thighs touched. When his arm snaked around her waist, she dodged—earning a chuckle.

So shy now, after last night.

He played with a strand of her hair, savoring her irritation.

Gordon cleared his throat. "Elspeth didn't meet Ward. Too risky with all the scrutiny."

"Then what?" Evadne leaned forward.

"She went to Elmsworth Bank. To transfer funds."

"How much?"

"Twenty million."

Jareth whistled. "Saving up for her funeral, huh?"

"Hush money for Ward," Thaddeus muttered.

"But here's the thing—she pulled it from a secret account in Country R. No way Frederic knows about it."

Evadne tapped her chin. "She has Abernathy Group shares. Dividends alone would cover that."

Thaddeus shook his head. "Frederic monitors her finances. That money's dirty. I suspect Moonlit Treasures was a front for bribes, but twenty million? That's beyond their reach."

"Why not expose it earlier?" Evadne challenged.

"Wouldn't have been enough to destroy her. And Frederic would've shielded her, damaging the company." His voice darkened. "Back then, I didn't know she killed my mother. I was... weak."

Jareth and Gordon exchanged shocked glances.

Evadne's chest ached. "You were young. Revenge takes time."

His gaze locked onto hers, gratitude and longing mingling.

If not for their audience, he'd have kissed her senseless.

"But you're right—current evidence isn't enough. Frederic will protect her."

Gordon slammed his fist on the table. "She needs to rot in prison!"

"Not just prison," Evadne and Thaddeus said in unison. "She dies."

Jareth smirked. "Question is—how do we make Frederic abandon her?"

Gordon shrugged. "Prove she cheated. Men like him can't stomach betrayal."

Evadne's lips curved. "Good thing she has cheated. Multiple times."

Three pairs of eyes widened.

"Besides Alex?" Thaddeus asked sharply.

"Remember Dr. Victor from the police recording?"

Thaddeus caught on instantly. "Your inside man?"

"Smart boy." Her praise made him blush. "He's a K Group scholar. Joined our revenge team willingly."

Thaddeus's jaw tightened. "A male scholar?"

Jareth cackled. "Oh, you're jealous! Is he younger? More energetic?"

Thaddeus shot him a murderous look.

Evadne grinned. "Maybe."

Thaddeus looked ready to combust.

Gordon steered the conversation back. "So you had Dr. Victor seduce Elspeth?"

"More than that." Evadne's smile turned icy. "She's addicted now. To a banned surgical anesthetic. Overdoses cause delirium... and incontinence."

The room fell silent.

Her fists clenched. Payback's a bitch, Elspeth.