Chapter 404
Avery turned away, his pale fingers flicking dismissively.
Elsie bit her lip and passed the envelope to Harvey, who handed it to Avery.
Once, she'd been the only woman besides Evadne allowed near him. She could sit in his lap, tease him, share jokes—and he'd never lose his temper.
Everyone assumed he favored her. They treated her like royalty.
Only Elsie knew the truth. She was nothing. Not even fit to lace Evadne's shoes.
To Avery, she was just a cheap stand-in. A plaything. When he was amused, he'd indulge her. When angered, he'd crush her without hesitation. One snap of his fingers, and her world would shatter.
So she kept her distance now. Even meeting his gaze filled her with dread.
Harvey presented the envelope with both hands.
Avery set down his glass, took it, and leisurely unfolded the contents.
Then—
A storm erupted.
Avery shot to his feet, his entire body radiating a chilling fury. Harvey and Elsie stumbled back, trembling.
A deafening crash followed.
Avery roared, eyes bloodshot, and kicked the coffee table over.
Expensive wine and crystal shattered across the floor.
"Damn bastard!"
He hurled the photo into the air, his rage burning like wildfire.
Harvey and Elsie caught it—and froze.
Even prepared, the image stunned them.
Thaddeus and Evadne. Locked in a passionate kiss.
"How? Why?"
Avery clutched his chest, shaking. It felt like a bomb had detonated inside him, obliterating everything.
"She hated him! She despised him in front of me! Why? Why are they together?"
"Sir, please—calm down!" Harvey tried to soothe him. "It might be a mistake. Maybe our informant misread the situation—"
"I know Evadne." Avery pressed a hand to his burning forehead, collapsing onto the couch. "If she dislikes someone, she won't even glance their way. Even if they didn't kiss—he held her. They were shopping together."
His breath came in ragged gasps. Tears spilled over, unchecked.
Harvey and Elsie stared, stunned.
In all their years with him, they'd never seen Avery cry over a woman. Never seen him so shattered.
How deeply must he love her?
Yet Evadne chose the man who'd abandoned and hurt her over giving Avery a second chance.
Harvey shot Elsie a pointed look.
But she kept her head down, not daring to move closer.
Once, as a stand-in, she could've comforted him.
Now, she knew better.
Evadne's shadow eclipsed everything. No one could replace her, not even temporarily.
Avery demanded the syringe. Only drugs could numb this pain now.
Otherwise, he might storm out and put a bullet in Thaddeus right in front of Evadne.
"Sir," Harvey said cautiously, putting the syringe away, "you should avoid this. It's untested—dangerous."
"I know. Just this once." Avery closed his eyes. "A drug lord controlled by drugs? Pathetic."
His real addiction wasn't the needle.
It was Evadne.
"Send these photos to Emeric. Anonymously." Avery's smile turned vicious. "He adores his daughter. He won't let her throw herself back into the fire."
Harvey nodded.
As he turned to leave, Avery stopped him. "What's today's date?"
"March 6th, sir."
Avery's eyes gleamed in the dark.
"March 6th."
His phone rang.
That evening, Evadne was unusually understanding. After dinner, she retired early, giving Thaddeus space.
Alone in his room, Thaddeus made call after call, coordinating with Jareth and his team for tomorrow's trip.
"Did Cassius send people too?"
"No word yet. But if we know, he knows. He won't sit idle."
Thaddeus nodded. "I need to catch Ward first."
"Does it matter who gets him? Don't be so competitive." Jareth sighed. Thaddeus had always hated losing.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have fought Evadne so viciously in the past. Now, he probably regretted it—almost lost her for good.
"Evadne has everything. I have nothing to give her." Thaddeus' voice cracked. "Right now, she wants revenge. So I'll make sure she gets it. Whatever it takes."
"Fine. But in Country T, my men will protect you."
"Don't worry about me. I was military. Watch your own back."
Thaddeus paused. "If anything happens to you, Mari would be devastated. You're everything to her."
Jareth gasped. "Thad! Does that mean you accept me as your brother-in-law?"
Thaddeus scowled. "Stop yelling. It's midnight."
"Brother-in-law!" Jareth crooned.
"Act human."
"Once we're back safely, I'm proposing. You have to help me!"
Thaddeus smirked. "The Fairhavens are elite. Frederic can't refuse. Elspeth won't have a say—she's about to lose all rights."
"Right."
"Get me a gun."
Jareth choked. Thaddeus asked as casually as ordering cutlery.
"Country T is lawless. Ward's allies could be waiting. We can't risk it."
Silence fell.
Then Frederic called.
Thaddeus' expression darkened as he answered.
"Tomorrow, Aether Dynamics' chairman is meeting us remotely. Strategic cooperation talks. You will attend."
"I can't. I have plans."
"Postpone them! This is critical!"
"No."
Frederic slammed his desk. "As president, you're irresponsible! Useless!"
"Am I?" Thaddeus chuckled coldly. "Aside from making you Elmsworth's richest man a decade early?"
Frederic seethed.
"Anything else? I'm busy."
"One day, you'll pay for this neglect!"
Thaddeus hung up, unfazed.
He cared about Abernathy Group. It was his life's work.
But Evadne came first.
The next morning, they dressed in solemn black.
At the villa's entrance, their eyes met.
Thaddeus studied Evadne—her custom suit, the white flower pinned to her lapel, her unpainted lips.
Beautiful. Poised. Heartbreakingly sad.
He'd always wanted to tell her:
The first time he saw her post-divorce, in that suit with red lips, his heart had raced.
"Good morning, Thaddeus."
"Morning, Evadne."
"Let's go."
His eyes burned. Blood pounded.
With Jason still hospitalized, Gordon drove them.
In the backseat, Thaddeus took Evadne's cold hand.
She didn't pull away.
"Jareth wanted to come. I refused."
"I understand. Mari would worry." Evadne sighed. "Erica was her friend."
Her voice broke.
"Don't cry." Thaddeus pulled her close. "Erica wouldn't want this. She'd want you strong."
Evadne leaned into him, drawing strength.
Erica's funeral was grand. Wreaths lined the entrance—Ashbourne, Abernathy, Fairhaven. Even Avery's, ostentatious and front-row.
Arnold scoffed. "That Chambers brat. Acting like it's his family's funeral."
Cassius shook his head. "Leave it. Let's not seem petty."
The Ashbourne brothers were all present. Even Jason, wheelchair-bound, pushed by Nydia.
She'd rushed to the hospital upon hearing of his injury, refusing to leave his side.
"Jason!" Cassius chided. "Evadne will be furious seeing you here."
"Erica saved her life. I had to come."
Arnold teased Nydia. "Can't control your man?"
Both blushed.
"Ashbourne women rule their men," Elvis added. "Right, Jason?"
"Absolutely."
Then—
"Miss Ashbourne has arrived!"
"Mr. Thaddeus Abernathy is here!"