NovelEnglish
Chapter 556
“Mrs. Abernathy’s got a thing for you?!” Gordon’s eyes bulged, like his inner gossip–
monger was ablaze with curiosity.
Thaddeus’s brows furrowed, as he poured himself another glass of the rich and aromatic
wine. But as he took a sip, the expected sweetness was replaced by a bitterness that
seemed to slash at his throat.
“It’s a shame we can’t get a do–over in life, I can’t be the man who fell for Evadne first.
That’ll be my lifelong regret.”
But there was one regret that outshone the rest –
He was the reason Evadne lost the child she wanted more than anything, and lost the
chance to be a mother.
Thad took a labored breath, as if the air he sucked into his lungs turned into icy blades,
“I’ll do everything in my power to make her happy, but I just don’t know if I can do it well
enough.”
Happiness is such an abstract thing; it only counts if the person himself or herself feels
content, after all.
“Mr. Abernathy, you truly are the most deeply devoted man I’ve ever met. You and Mrs.
Abernathy are the kindest souls,” Gordon said, while picturing Beverly’s eyes that were
always on the verge of tears, and stirred a pang of sympathy each time he saw her. “More
than her happiness, I hope you two can heal each other’s souls. And I hope you can taste
happiness too.”
After all, Thaddeus, before falling in love with Mrs. Abernathy, was a man with nothing but
wealth.
Weary in body and soul, he was barren in spirit.
It was Mrs. Abernathy who made his desert–like heart bloom with the most brilliant roses.
Thad thought of Evadne made him couldn’t help but smile, “Don’t worry about me, I’m
already very happy. Being by Evadne’s side and making her happy are my greatest joy.”
He cleared his throat, “Enough about me, let’s talk about you. Have you really fallen for
Ms. Higgins?”
“Uh, I think, I might be smitten.”
Gordon’s chest tightened, as he laughed bitterly, “Today’s Ms. Higgins‘ birthday, so I
brought her gifts and flowers.”
Thad raised an eyebrow.
His assistant Gordon had harbored a crush since college, but his goddess married and had
kids with his senior, but here he was, yet to tie the knot himself.
This was his first real attempt at wooing a girl, and what an ill–matched pursuit it was.
“She took the flowers, but not the gift nor my affections,” Gordon’s hands trembled as he
gripped his glass, his heart aching, “Mr. Abernathy, am I just lousy? When I first visited Ms.
Higgins, I looked down on where she lived; I was prejudiced, thinking that any girl working
there must be vain. How could I think like that? What do I have, and what am I to be proud
of.”
He choked up with emotion, struggling to speak, “She’s right not to accept me. I was too
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtlousy.”
Thad was taken aback!
He understood Gordon’s feelings, but never had he realized they had grown so fervent
that he would actually confess to Beverly!
In terms of the courage to love someone, he himself once paled in comparison to Gordon.
And now, here he was, presumptuously trying to influence his assistant’s heart.
Who was he to judge?
“You’re not lousy, Gordon. To me, you’ve always been an excellent assistant. I wouldn’t be
where I am without you.”
Gordon’s heart skipped, his eyes shining with gratitude, “Mr. Abernathy, no, it’s just my
job!”
“I’m saying you’re a good man. Don’t sell yourself short.”
It’s
Thad’s gaze was deep and paternal, “If you truly care for Ms. Higgins, go for it. But not
now. You have to wait until she’s of age. For now, support her quietly, but don’t disrupt her
studies. I believe a part of her refusal is due to this reason. Students should focus on their
education.”
“I understand. I just got carried away tonight. It won’t happen again,” Gordon stood up,
bowing apologetically.
“People have emotions; you’ve done nothing wrong. Just make sure when you find the
right person, it’s at the right time.”
Thad stood up, heading towards the cellar door, but suddenly he paused and turned, “The
gift you gave Ms. Higgins wasn’t some tacky luxury item, was it? Lacking creativity,
sincerity, and meaning. No wonder she didn’t accept it.”
.
Chapter 556
Gordon felt a twinge of embarrassment; what a direct hit!
On the way home, Marilla was a bit sulky, quieter than usual.
In bed, Jareth could hardly contain himself; the desire in his eyes was fiery as his muscular
hand slipped under her white nightgown…
Breaths entwined, fingers interlocked, and sweat mingled.
He was insatiable that night.
He lavished affection on her lips, waist, chest, until she was tender all over.
Finally, sitting up and pulling her close, they both soared into ecstasy, and he felt like she
was a blazing little sun, scorching him with her heat.
Marilla snuggled into Jareth’s arms, not even caring that they were still connected, with
her eyelids fighting to stay open.
“Darling, you’re so good. What reward do you want from hubby, hmm?” Jareth whispered,
his voice thick with desire.
Marilla, half–asleep, murmured, “I want that pastry.”
His eyes narrowed instantly, and his heartbeat skipped, “What?”
“That pastry, so cute, I want a bite.” She was still regretful for not getting her treat earlier,
and her stomach was growling with longing.
“Marilla.”
Jareth’s eyes were blazing as he pinned her down once more, his voice a mix of accusation
and desire. “What’s it gonna be, huh? You craving a cake, or is it the guy who gave you
that cake you’re thinking about?”
The way he said “huh” was more oppressive than before, his possessiveness sending
shivers down her spine.
“Jareth, what’s wrong with you?”
“Answer me,” he demanded in a hoarse voice, with a sense of resentment thick in his
throat.
Marilla felt there was a little rabbit thumping inside her chest, and felt her drowsiness
evaporating. “Um, I just want the pastry.
That’s all I want. Jareth.”
Hearing this, Jareth’s heart momentarily settled, but he wasn’t about to let her off that
easily. His demanding kiss nearly robbed her of every breath in her lungs.
“Baby, from now on, you can’t accept anything from other men. You can only have what I
give you. You can only look at me, and only want me.” Jareth’s voice trailed off, his eyes
revealing an inexplicable hurt.
Oh, how he loved her.
If it wasn’t for the depth of his love, he wouldn’t have turned into this jealous man, letting
his emotions sway with the wind.
It wasn’t until Marilla tearfully pleaded for mercy in the deep of the night that the moonlit
drama came to an end.
Taking advantage of his wife’s slumber, Jareth stepped out for a near–half–hour cold
shower, not bothering to dry off before wrapping himself in a robe and dialing Lily’s
number.
Soon enough, Lily, dressed neatly, arrived at the bedroom door.
“Sir, what can I do for you?”
“First thing tomorrow, I want you to buy out that pastry shop Marilla loves!” Jareth
clenched his fists, his voice venomous with
resolve.
Lily hesitated, with a conflicting expression on her face. “Sir, that shop is a family
heirloom, nearly a century old. I doubt they’ll agree to sell.”
“Then get the Fairhaven group to invest! The bottom line is, if my wife craves it, they need
to deliver it to me on demand! If they refuse, I’ll make sure that damn shop vanishes from
Elmsworth!”
With a bang, the door closed behind him.
Lily stood dumbstruck for a moment before a resigned chuckle escaped her lips.
Jealousy, it seems, can only be quenched with power.
Meanwhile, Byron faced a litany of serious charges, and was now officially prosecuted by
the authorities.
And the Chambers family’s stance was clear: just as they had forsaken Bertha, they now
completely abandoned Byron.
07:36
Chapter 556
After all, if they kept clinging to this dead weight, the ship of Chambers Group might truly
sink.
A week into his detention, Byron didn’t receive the dawn of salvation but rather the thorn
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmin his side-
Avery.
“Hey, you mangy pup.”
Clad in drab prison garb, unshaven and disheveled, Byron sniffed. “Here to mock me too,
huh? Well, you might as well bring Matthew next time, and make a group outing of it. I
sure as hell don’t have the time for you!“.
“No time, and yet you’re seeing me, aren’t you?”
Avery’s lips curled into a nonchalant smile. “If you had truly given up hope, you wouldn’t
have come out to see me. Your presence means you’re still looking for some good news.
After all, you know as well as I do that I have no reason to visit or care about how you’re
fairing. Right?”
“So, you’re here to get me out?”
“If Dad and Matthew can’t manage it, I’m powerless too.”
“Then why the hell are you here?! Got nothing better to do?!”
Avery took his time, casually asking, “How was your chat with Matthew last time he
visited?”
Byron clenched his teeth in silence.
“I suppose it wasn’t a pleasant conversation.”
Avery feigned concern for his well–being. “We both know what Matthew is like. Nobody
who crosses him ever ends up well. Now that you’ve burned bridges with him, I imagine
that you will be without his aid for any trouble you find in your long stay behind bars.”
“Like I need his help? Pah!” Byron blustered, though inwardly he was unnerved.
During his time in detention, he’d heard the rumors: sex offenders were the lowest in
prison, frequent targets of bullying.
Fearless? Hardly possible!
“Still, having someone look out for you might make your time inside a bit more bearable.”
“Avery, you never show up without a reason, so cut the crap and spit it out!” Byron
barked.
“Over the years, I’ve built some connections in the Elmsworth justice system while
working in Helgen. Just one word from me, and you could be living it up in prison, trouble–
free.” Avery’s smugness was evident as he lounged in his chair.
“Bullshit! You think I’m gonna fall for your sweet talk?!” Byron, still stung by a recent
encounter with his elder brother, trusted no
one.
Harvey, understanding Avery’s glance, placed a stock transfer agreement before Byron,
politely suggesting, “Byron, if you would please review this.”
Byron, with his anger peaking, spat out with a sneer, “What’s this, another joke? The last
one’s already scrap!”
“Sign this, and you’ll sail smoothly through your jail time. Any issues, and Mr. Chambers
will sort them out for you.” Harvey continued the pitch.
“Damn you, I don’t need your input, beat it!”
Harvey’s face turned stormy, but for the sake of his master’s plans, he swallowed his rage.
“And you can leave too! Dream on if you think you’re swindling my shares!”
As Byron stood to leave, Avery suddenly let out a chilling laugh. “Byron, what if I told you I
could help bring down Matthew? Would you support me then?”
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