Chapter 480

Barry's memory flashed back to the years Jareth had spent overseeing Fairhaven Group's security forces. When he'd handed that department to Jareth, it had been nothing more than a gesture—a way to keep him occupied in a non-critical sector.

Now, that very delegation of authority had become a weapon turned against him.

"I've already coordinated with President Ashbourne," Jareth said coolly, his voice cutting through the tension. "This place is locked down tight."

Jareth's eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flickering in their depths. "Grandpa Barry, I mean you no harm. If Edith confesses and repents for what she's done, you can walk out of here with your dignity intact."

"Jareth! How dare you!" Barry's veins bulged in fury, his face flushing crimson.

"Who's the one who truly dares here?"

Thaddeus stepped forward, his bloodshot eyes burning with the intensity of a lion roused from slumber. The air around him turned frigid, thick with barely restrained violence.

"Who's the one twisting right and wrong, shielding evil?" His voice was a low, lethal growl. "Who's the one who thought they could get away with hurting my woman—over and over again? It was you. And your granddaughter, who's worse than any beast!"

The sheer force of his presence left the room in stunned silence. No one dared so much as breathe too loudly.

Evadne, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, gazed at him with aching tenderness. Even now, after everything, her heart still fluttered when he called her his.

Thaddeus clenched his fists, his muscles taut beneath his suit. The taste of blood lingered in his throat, his fury so consuming it threatened to burn the world down.

"Anyone who protects Edith is my enemy," he vowed, his voice raw. "And I will spend the rest of my life making sure they suffer. Don't believe me? Try me."

Barry had been a street fighter in his youth, no stranger to intimidation. But standing before this younger man, he felt his bravado crumble.

"Grandpa Barry, take me with you!" Edith clutched at his arm, her voice shrill with panic.

Was he seriously backing down? Over a few threats? Pathetic.

"Edith."

Evadne pushed through the pain, steadying herself before stepping away from her brother. She moved closer to Edith, her presence alone enough to make the other woman shrink back like a cornered animal.

"I have one question for you."

Evadne's eyes, dark and unreadable, locked onto hers. "This medical report claiming I'm infertile—where did you get it?"

The room tensed, every gaze sharpening on Edith's swollen, tear-streaked face.

Chasel strode forward, his expression icy. "As a doctor, I know these reports are confidential. No ethical physician would disclose them. So tell me, Ms. Fairhaven—did you bribe someone?"

Cassius nodded in silent agreement, his jaw tight.

Edith's panic spiked at the mention of evidence and witnesses. "It wasn't a doctor! It had nothing to do with any doctor!"

"Then where did it come from?" Jareth demanded.

Edith's fists clenched, her eyes darting wildly as she struggled to form a response.

Jareth scoffed, tearing off his tie in disgust. "Guards. Take her to the police. If she won't talk, they'll make her."

As the guards seized her, Edith shrieked, thrashing in their grip. "Grandpa Barry! Save me!"

But Barry stood frozen. What could he do? His granddaughter had dragged their family's name through the mud. Intervening now would only bury them deeper.

The scandal had shattered the evening. The Ashbournes left without another word, Emeric bundling Evadne into the car before Thaddeus could speak.

Cassius lingered in the parking lot, his fingers trembling as he pulled out the crumpled medical report. The words blurred as tears welled in his eyes.

Footsteps approached.

Thaddeus stood before him, his gaze hollow, the fire in his eyes extinguished.