Chapter 288
Evadne had just administered Thaddeus’s medication when Mr. Murray stepped in.
“How are you holding up, Thaddeus?”
“Better, thanks to Evadne.” Thaddeus said, his gaze tenderly falling on Evadne.
Evadne subtly shifted away from him.
Thaddeus was usually as emotionally unavailable as a seasoned monk, but now he was all charm and
flirtation, seizing any opportunity to send her electrifying glances.
It was as if he was an old frying pan, she a fresh egg, and he was dousing her in oil.
“Evadne, I can’t thank you enough.”
Mr. Murray was about to bow in gratitude, but Evadne swiftly stepped in front of him, gently stopping
him.
“Mr. Murray, you’re too kind. It’s my duty.”
“Evadne, you’re still so good to Mr. Thaddeus.” Mr. Murray wasn’t usually one to meddle, but now he
couldn’t help but play matchmaker.
“Don’t get the wrong idea. My loyalty to Thaddeus is because he’s important to his grandpa.”
Evadne smiled, “Everything I do is for Grandpa.”
Mr. Murray could only smile awkwardly.
Thaddeus, on the other hand, looked completely besotted, grinning with sheer delight.
He knew her sharp tongue all too well, but he also knew that her body or her lips, one of them was
always truthful to him.
“Thaddeus, if you’re feeling up to it, please head to the study. Frederic has something to discuss with
you.”
Thaddeus nodded slightly, “Alright.
Then he turned to Evadne, his voice a soft whisper, “Wait for me. I’ll be back soon.”
“Humph, who says I’m waiting for you? I’m leaving now, goodbye!”
Evadne brushed past him, her chin slightly raised in defiance.
There was an urge to reach out and grab her hand, to make her stay. But all he could do was watch her
leave the room, his lips pursed together in silent desperation. Seeing Thaddeus’s desolation, Mr.
Murray felt a mix of joy and regret.
“Do I look silly to you, Mr. Murray?” Thaddeus asked, his voice laced with self–deprecation.
Mr. Murray responded with a comforting smile, “Not at all, Thaddeus. I should congratulate you for
finally seeing your true feelings. Both of you are single now, and there’s still a chance. I hope you can
love her the way she once loved you. She’s a good girl, Thaddeus. Don’t disappoint her again.”
Then Mr. Murray’bowed deeply to Thaddeus.
Thaddeus felt a lump in his throat, his lips trembling slightly as he forced back his tears, “Mr. Murray, do
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtyou think there’s still a chance for me to win Evadne back?” Mr. Murray paused for a moment, then
responded, “The road ahead may be tough, Thaddeus, but no matter what, don’t give up on Evadne.”
Thaddeus.walked alone into Hamilton’s study.
As soon as the door closed behind him, Evadne’s delicate figure emerged from around the staircase.
She tiptoed to the study door, her eyes darting around before she pressed her ear against the door, her
dark eyes twinkling with curiosity.
Inside the study, Hamilton was sitting on the couch, pouring a glass of warm water for his grandson.
“Thank you, Grandpa.”
Thaddeus took the glass with both hands, maintaining an air of dignity despite his illness.
“Thaddeus, are you still in pain from your wounds?” Hamilton asked, concern etched on his face.
“It’s nothing serious. They are just superficial wounds.”
Thaddeus, however, was feeling a bit uncomfortable. But he managed to conceal it well, laughing it off,
“Don’t worry, Grandpa. I’m not that weak. I am a soldier, after all.”
“If you’re not that weak, why didn’t you fight back? Your father was clearly provoked by Elspeth. He had
no right to lash out at you. Why didn’t you take his whip and throw it back in Elspeth’s face?” Hamilton’s
voice was filled with frustration.
Thaddeus glanced down at his reflection in the glass, remaining silent.
After a while, Hamilton’s voice softened, “You’re my grandson, Thaddeus. You’re part of the Abernathy
family. You don’t still feel guilty towards the Abernathy family, do you?”
Thaddeus’s brows furrowed slightly, his lips tightened.
When he was five years old, Thaddeus and his dying mother were living in a filthy slum, constantly
being bullied and struggling to survive.
That night, a luxury car broke into their bleak world amidst a violent storm.
Their rundown house was leaking everywhere. The wooden door, barely functional, was easily pushed
open by the man outside.
Ayoung Thaddeus was sitting by his mother’s bed, feeding her water. His father, Frederic, was young
and handsome then, dressed in an expensive suit. He walked into the room, his luxury leather shoes
spotless despite the storm.
At that time, Thaddeus looked at the man who seemed to have descended from the heavens, and
amidst his shock, only one thought crossed his mind.
“Sir! Please save my mother!”
Frederic strode over to the bedside, and upon seeing the unconscious woman, his eyes filled with tears
as he held her in his arms.
“Cynthia. I’m sorry, I’ve come too late. I’ve come for you and our son.”
Thaddeus could never forget the day Frederic took his mother back to the Abernathy family, their love
as deep as the ocean. Despite the pressure from the family and society, he had accepted Thaddeus,
their illegitimate child.
He wondered, did Frederic truly love his mother?
If he did, he wouldn’t have switched his affections, and his mother wouldn’t have succumbed to
depression and taken her own life.
He asked himself, was his mother’s death more unfortunate due to her illness, or was it the fickleness
of the man she loved?
“You don’t owe the Abernathy family anything, my boy. It’s the Abernathy family that owes you,” said
Hamilton, his heart filled with sorrow, as he patted his grandson’s shoulder
“Your father loved your mother very much, but at that time, the Abernathy Group was facing an
economic crisis. We were forced to arrange a marriage between your father and the Austin family of
Dawnstar City, to save our business. I’m sorry, my boy.”
“Grandpa, you did nothing wrong. You did what you had to do for the greater good, Thaddeus replied,
implying that he blamed Frederic.
“I didn’t resist because of my brother. Before he left Elmsworth to recover overseas, he asked me to
stay on good terms with Mr. Frederic for his sake, Thaddeus said. “I’ve been patient to the best of my
ability. But this is the last time. I won’t tolerate it anymore.”
Hamilton sighed deeply, his face filled with sadness.
Outside the door, Evadne was eavesdropping.
She was practically pressed against the door, straining to listen to the conversation between Hamilton
and Thaddeus. Although she had good hearing, the soundproofing of the mansion’s doors was
impressive, and she had to strain to hear clearly.
“Thaddeus’s brother? What happened back then? It sounds very serious,” she pondered.
Suddenly, the door to the study opened!
Evadne, still deep in thought, didn’t realize that she had bumped into Thaddeus.
“Are you spying?” Thaddeus asked.
“Goodbye!” Evadne replied, wanting to flee. But Thaddeus quickly grabbed her waist and pulled her
into his arms.
Their bodies, warm and close, were pressed against each other. They could both hear each other’s
heartbeats, loud and clear.
Caught in the act, Evadne was both embarrassed and annoyed. She struggled to break free from his
embrace, her ears turning as red as beets. Thaddeus’s eyes darkened, his muscular hand slowly
raised, his fingers closing around her waist, capturing the softest, most slender part of her. “Answer me,
hm?”
“I-I came to say goodbye to grandfather. I didn’t come to hear your secret talks. Let go of me, I need to
go!” The young lady blushed, squirming a bit. Thaddeus stared intently at Evadne, feeling a ticklish
sensation at his heart, as if a light feather had brushed past it.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThe blush on her face and her desperate attempts to explain herself were adorable.
He couldn’t take his eyes off her. The more he looked, the more he fell in love.
“No secrets.” He chuckled lightly.
“Huh?” Evadne looked a bit surprised.
“I have no secrets from you.”
Thaddeus suddenly leaned closer, his warm breath caressing her lips, barely able to control his urge to
kiss her. “Whatever you want to know, I can tell you. As long as you’re willing to listen, I’ll tell you
everything.”
“Alright, then tell me, what happened between you and your brother?” Evadne, unable to suppress her
curiosity, asked.
Thaddeus’s eyes narrowed, his lips pursed.
“Men’s mouths are full of lies.”
Evadne mocked him with a sport, “Your promises of honesty are probably just hot air, right?”
“Once this busy period is over, I’ll tell you everything. You’re tired today. You should go home and rest.”
Taking advantage of her surprise, Thaddeus planted a light kiss on her forehead, gentle and restrained.
She was left breathless, her heart rippling with surprise.
“Goodnight Exodne.”
Outside the grand Havenbrook Villa.
The night had turned bitterly cold, and Evadne had left in a hurry. Jason, fearing she might catch a
cold, brought her a thick down jacket when he came to pick her up
He had waited for a long time, until his feet became numb from the cold, when Evadne finally emerged
from the villa.
“Miss Evadne!” Jason called out to her with a smile.
But she didn’t respond, only walking forward with a blush on her cheeks and a distant look in her eyes.
“Miss Evadne!” Jason caught her arm, worry filling his eyes. “Are you okay?”
Evadne shook her head, “Oh, I’m fine, thanks for coming to pick me up, let’s get in the car.”
They climbed into the car, the heating already turned up high and a thermos of tea that Jason had
brewed himself waiting for her.
Evadne crossed her legs, sipping her tea, her eyes sparkling as she reached up to touch her forehead
where Thaddeus had kissed her.
It was as if she could still feel the warmth of his lips.
“Jason, tomorrow, can you do some research for me?”
“Of course, what do you need?”
“Find out what the relationship is between Thaddeus and his brother, and what happened to the
Abernathy family before his mother left Elmsworth.”
She didn’t believe Thaddeus would be honest with her.
She was determined to find out the truth, no matter what it took.