Chapter 60

"Did you hear that?" Glynnis burst into laughter, clutching her stomach. "This girl actually expects me to apologize to some waiter. Are you serious? Did you even think before you spoke?"

Her two friends joined in, their laughter echoing through the room.

I remained silent.

"I'm spending my money here. The service is terrible, and when I complain, you get offended? And now you have the nerve to demand an apology?" She scoffed. "Who do you think you are? Do you own this place?"

Jason narrowed his eyes. If only they knew—every K Hotel in the country belonged to Ms. Sinclair. They wouldn’t dare utter another word.

"Aren’t you worried about tarnishing the Abernathy name?" Evadne’s voice was icy. "Or embarrassing the family?"

Glynnis rolled her eyes. "Please. I’m not the CEO. Why should I care?"

She crossed her arms. "Besides, that’s Thaddeus’ job. Father put him in charge—he should be handling these things. What else is he good for?"

The staff around them gasped.

Evadne smirked. This family was a mess—all smiles on the surface, but knives behind their backs.

Glynnis despised Thaddeus. To her, he was just a tool, an illegitimate son they tolerated.

Evadne had seen through them the moment she married into the family. If not for her love for Thaddeus, she would’ve walked away long ago.

"Miss Abernathy," Evadne said coolly, "even if you don’t care about the family’s reputation, you should care about your own."

Glynnis scoffed. "Don’t threaten me! Just because you have the Ashbournes backing you doesn’t mean I’m scared. The Abernathys aren’t pushovers!" She snapped her fingers. "Security! Get this nobody out of here!"

Two guards moved toward Evadne.

She didn’t flinch.

Jason sprang into action, kicking one guard back with ease. His black belt in Taekwondo made quick work of them.

Glynnis paled. The female staff, however, blushed—he was undeniably handsome.

"If you refuse to apologize," Evadne said, pulling out her phone, "I’ll have to take matters into my own hands."

Glynnis hesitated but stepped forward, pride forcing her to face Evadne.

The moment she saw the screen, her face drained of color.

Explicit photos—her with two male models, compromising positions, everything.

Her hands trembled. She’d made sure those were deleted!

"Apologize publicly," Evadne said, "and I’ll delete them. Refuse, and you know what happens."

Glynnis’ lips quivered. Elspeth had groomed her to marry into wealth—if these got out, her reputation would be ruined.

In a desperate move, she lunged for the phone.

Evadne dodged effortlessly. Glynnis stumbled onto the sofa, then swung her hand—

SMACK!

The sharp sound silenced the room.

Glynnis hit the floor, a red handprint blazing across her cheek.

Jason smirked. No one touched his boss and walked away.

The two friends backed away, terrified.

"You—you hit me?!" Glynnis shrieked.

"Should I wait for you to bite me?" Evadne dusted her hands off.

Glynnis’ face burned with rage.

Then—the doors swung open.

A cold presence filled the room.

Thaddeus stood there, tall and imposing, his gaze locking onto Evadne’s.

For a second, surprise flickered between them. Then Evadne looked away, indifferent.

His chest tightened.

"Thaddeus!" Glynnis wailed, scrambling to him. "She hit me! You have to do something!"

"I did." Evadne smirked. "The mark’s still fresh."

Thaddeus’ voice was frosty. "What are you doing here?"

"You tell me."

Once, her eyes had sparkled for him. Now, they were empty.

The ache in his chest deepened.

Glynnis sobbed dramatically. "She’s blackmailing me! She wants me to apologize to some staff—or she’ll leak photos!"

Thaddeus’ jaw clenched. "Evadne. You’ve already humiliated us online. Isn’t that enough?"

Jason bristled, but Evadne held him back.

Thaddeus’ anger flared at the protective gesture.

"I’m not greedy," she said coldly. "I’m just demanding what’s right."

"Right?" He scoffed. "Or helping Cassius?"

"Then we’re done here." She turned to leave.

"Wait!" Glynnis panicked. "Thaddeus, she has photos! You can’t let her go!"

Thaddeus moved swiftly, snatching Evadne’s phone.

Glynnis grinned. Just like Elspeth said—he’d always side with her.

"Give it back!" Evadne lunged, but her heel caught. She crashed into him.

His arms wrapped around her waist instinctively.

Her face burned, but her fingers traced the hard planes of his chest through his shirt.

Damn. Perfect.

Thaddeus ignored her, unlocking her phone.

He remembered.

The screen lit up.