His Ex Wife is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus)

Chapter 441

Evadne’s gaze was frosty as she watched Avery, her eyes narrowing into slits as she clenched her fists

tightly, trying to reconcile the darkness she knew lurked beneath his polished facade.

“Good boy,” Emeric said with a twinkle in his eye, his voice rich with unspoken meanings. “You’ve got a

whole lifetime ahead of you for you and Evadne to get cozy.”

The flashbulbs captured the moment, eliciting gasps of surprise from the onlookers.

As a legend in his own right, a titan of industry, Emeric was rarely this affectionate with the younger

generation. His actions spoke volumes it was as if he was treating Avery as his future son–in–law!

–

‘I can’t help but feel Chairman Emeric is playing matchmaker between Mr. Avery and Ms. Evadne,”

someone murmured under their breath.

“It sure looks that way. He’s cold as ice to Mr. Thaddeus but warm as a summer’s day to Mr. Avery, as if

he’s family. Isn’t it obvious? And who in the business world doesn’t know that Mr. Chambers and

Chairman Emeric are tight as thieves, with their families going way back? If Evadne hadn’t been so

headstrong, Emeric would’ve pampered her into engagement with the young Chambers heir years

ago!” “But it seems to me Evadne still carries a torch for Thaddeus. The way they walked the red carpet

hand in hand looked like a couple on the mend.”

“Pfft, what does it matter? In the world of high society, do any of these young heirs and heiresses

actually get a say in their marriages? Emeric indulged her once; would he really stand for it a second

time?”

“If the Ashbourne family really does merge with the Chambers Group, that’s going to–be–the–scoop of

the century, shaking up the entire business landscape of Elmsworth!”

Evadne couldn’t bear it any longer. Her expression darkened as she strode away briskly.

“Evadne!”

Avery caught up with her, his eyes brimming with concern. “What’s wrong? Still upset about the mess

with Edith?” Evadne said nothing, just kept walking.

“Evadne, if you’re still not feeling vindicated, I have plenty more tricks up my sleeve to cheer you up. I’d

do anything to make you happy.” Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks. “Do you really have evidence

against Edith? Proof that she slandered me?”

“No, it was a bluff. I knew she had something to hide, she’s afraid of the light,” Avery admitted with a

light chuckle, being candid.

“Given what I know about Edith, her mental fortitude is even stronger than Glynnis’s. As the darling of

the Fairhaven family, pampered by Barry and Jareth, would she really fear your idle threats?“.

Evadne’s piercing gaze turned towards him, suspicion in her eyes. “Or perhaps, Avery, you and Ms.

Edith share a certain rapport, and she gave you that bit of face?”

Her words were laced with irony but hit Avery where it hurt, playing right into the shadows of his heart.

He adjusted his glasses, hiding the glint of something sinister in his eyes. “Evadne, I have no dealings

with any woman, except you.” “Cut it out. I have someone I love. No matter how much you pine for me,

I have no interest in you.”

Her harsh words cut through Avery like a blade, leaving a taste of blood in his mouth.

“Evadne, my feelings for you are real.”

“Mr. Chambers, I won’t deny you the rights that any normal man should have.”

With a cold laugh, Evadne saw through his ploy. “And stop wasting your effort. No matter how hard you

try to please Emeric, I won’t choose you over Thaddeus.”

Meanwhile, Thaddeus was busy strategizing his next moves with Gordon.

By the time he received news of Evadne’s near ruin at the hands of Edith, and rushed over as fast as

he could, it was all over.

The guests had gone, the reporters had dispersed. Only he and Gordon stood there, dumbfounded.

“Mr. Thaddeus, I saw the trending news. Edith has apologized to Mrs. Abernathy, and she’s facing a

backlash online. Everyone’s sympathizing with Mrs. Abernathy.”

“But.” Gordon hesitated.

“What is it?” Thaddeus asked anxiously.

“It’s Avery who cleared Mrs. Abernathy’s troubles, and now there are photos of Chairman Emeric being

chummy with him. There are rumors that the Ashbourne family might be joining forces with the

Chambers family, and Mrs. Abernathy could end up married to Avery!”

As Gordon spoke, Thaddeus felt a searing pain, imagining the worst.

Just as he was about to seek out Evadne, he spotted the chairman and president of Aether Dynamics,

William, and his son, approaching with an entourage of staff and bodyguards.

“Mr. Thaddeus! It’s William Morris!”

Gordon gaped in astonishment. “Both father and son are here? There was no prior notice. Did they

change their plans on a whim?” While they spoke, Junior Morris had already reached Thaddeus.

“Mr. Abernathy, you promised a meeting to discuss our partnership, but you stood us up. I thought you

might have quit and we’d never see you again,” William Morris said, his tone light but edged with

sarcasm.

“Father, are you saying he’s the president of the Abernathy Group?” Ford tilted his chin up slightly, a

smirk revealing a hint of disdain, which was quite off–putting. “Oh, I had assumed the president of the

Abernathy Group would be the Abernathy family’s golden boy.”

Thaddeus’s lips formed a thin, cold line.

Clearly, his no–show at the last meeting had thoroughly offended both William and his son.

And with the J Group having just struck a nearly ten–billion–dollar deal with the Abernathy Group, there

would be many more interactions to come. Now, they were openly siding with his older brother, treating

him with prejudice and as though he was beneath them.

“It seems I have to disappoint you both,” Thaddeus said, quickly recalibrating his demeanor to one of

easy confidence. Ignoring their jibes, he extended his hand to William in a gesture that was both

gracious and assertive. “The president of the Abernathy Group is not my brother Chad, nor have I

resigned from the group. Let’s take this opportunity for a fresh introduction. I hope we can work

together for mutual benefit and success. Let’s not dwell on trivialities that could jeopardize our

partnership. After all, in the world of business, there are no permanent enemies, right?”

William and his son exchanged glances.

Thaddeus stood poised and composed, making it impossible for them to lash out.

Even though they were friends with Chad, the man in charge of the Abernathy Group was now

Thaddeus, and he had a point–business is about profit, not sentiment.

So, William and his son shook hands with Thaddeus, their attitude softening a bit. “Mr. Thaddeus, we

look forward to a fruitful collaboration then.”

With a slight parting of his lips, Thaddeus’s voice resonated warmly, “I share that sentiment.”

At the gathering, members of the four prominent families took their seats.

The debacle had the Fairhavens looking more sour–faced than ever, except for the ever–merry Gary.

The more disarray among his kin, the happier he was. In another age, he’d have been branded a

scoundrel.

“Gary, today’s mess with Edith–thank you for stepping in,” Barry said to his second son, a grateful look

on his face. “If it wasn’t for you, who knows how we’d have contained the chaos that girl caused?”

Edith hung her head, fuming with silent rage.

Glynnis, aware of the recent commotion, couldn’t help but snicker at the rare sight of the usually brash

and bold Edith looking so deflated.

For of the

Gary laughed heartily, “Dad, come on, Edith is my niece. If I don’t look out for her, who will? I can’t

exactly turn my back on family.” The mention of turning one’s back reminded Barry of Jareth.

“Grandpa, Mom, we’re here,” a cheery voice announced, drawing everyone’s attention.

Jareth and Marilla walked in hand in hand, radiating the closeness of a young married couple. Jareth

gazed adoringly at Marilla beside him, their sweet air enough to make anyone envious.

Yet the atmosphere was tense, especially from Barry and Mrs. Fairhaven, who were noticeably cold

and distant toward the young couple.

“My, my, are Jareth and Marilla an item now?” Bertha, oblivious to the undercurrents, broke the ice.

“What a handsome couple! Congratulations to you both, and to Mrs. Fairhaven and Mr. Abernathy.”

Frederic and Elspeth remained composed, but Mrs. Fairhaven’s smile couldn’t have been more

strained.

Glynnis’s jealous gaze pierced Marilla as she took in her bright yellow chiffon dress with a black bow, a

creation by the famed designer Camille. The sight burned her with envy.

Camille’s haute couture wasn’t available to just anyone, and Glynnis had been turned away more times

than she cared to remember.

Yet Marilla, of the same Abernathy lineage, had managed to don a Camille design before her. If word

got out, people would say she lacked the influence her younger sister had.

It was obvious to Glynnis that Jareth had gifted the dress to Marilla, fueling her resentment to the point

of nearly tearing at her own skirt in frustration.

“I recall Jareth and Thaddeus are good friends. Your friendship rivals that of mine with Emeric. And

now you and Ms. Marilla together, it’s the perfect match! This is indeed a cause for celebration!” Jeff

said with a grin, turning to Barry. “Mr. Barry, congratulations! When can we expect to celebrate your

grandson’s wedding?”

Barry responded with a cold curl of his lip, saying nothing.

His chilly opposition was clear for all to see–the patriarch of the Fairhaven family was far from pleased

with Marilla. Even in front of Frederic, he couldn’t muster even a pretense of warmth.

The awkwardness hung heavy in the air, a palpable discomfort.

Frederic’s expression darkened, his displeasure evident.

Elspeth had always been known for her ruthless ambition and her cold–hearted ways, but when it came

to her daughter Marilla, she was fiercely protective. The Fairhaven family might look down on them, but

she would be damned if she let that slide without a fight.

“Mr. Chambers,” Jareth said, beaming with joy as he held Marilla’s hand tightly, “our wedding day is just

around the corner, and you’ll be the first to receive an invitation. You must come.”

It felt like their wedding day was just the dawn of tomorrow.

Marilla, her lashes fluttering shyly, leaned into the man beside her, the warmth between them strong

enough to fend off the harshest slander.

“Jareth, marriage is not child’s play. It’s a significant life decision that should be carefully considered,”

Mrs. Fairhaven finally lost her patience. Yet, she couldn’t outright oppose the union as Gary had

suggested. She could only subtly express her disapproval. “How well do you really know Ms. Marilla?

Isn’t this a bit hasty?”

“Yeah, Jareth, your reputation in Elmsworth precedes you. How many exes have you had before Ms.

Marilla? Each one spoiled rotten,” Edith chimed in, her tone laced with sarcasm. “I’d think twice before

jumping the gun. Marilla was my middle school friend, and she’s not like those other girls you’ve been

with.”

Frederic’s expression grew darker, his enthusiasm for the marriage dwindling rapidly.

“Grandpa, Mom, Mr. Abernathy, I understand your concerns, and I admit I’ve been reckless in the past.

I might not seem like a reliable man,” Jareth took a deep breath, love surging in his eyes for the girl

beside him, “but I truly love Marilla. For her, I’d do anything. I can give her everything I have.”

Give this woman everything? That was a joke!

Barry clenched his teeth, his cane thumping against the floor. But with the Abernathy guests and a

crowd of onlookers, he couldn’t make a scene. Not yet.

“In this life, I will marry no one but Marilla.”

Jareth’s voice was firm as he addressed Mrs. Fairhaven. “Mom, you think I’m hasty, but on the contrary,

this is a decision I’ve made after deep reflection and remain steadfast in.”

The room went silent, everyone taken aback.

The rumors had painted Jareth as a wild devil, an untamed stallion. But now, it seemed those tales

were understated.

In all of Elmsworth, how many young heirs would dare to defy their family so openly?

This scene was witnessed by Evadne, who had just arrived, and she was moved to the brink of tears.

She had worried, but now, she could rest easy.

She thought, “Thad, once we overcome all obstacles and join hands in marriage, surely everyone will

bless us, right? But why worry about that now? Even a hundred scornful voices or a thousand

contemptuous stares wouldn’t matter. Only death could part us.”

At the precise moment, dozens of ceremonial cannons were fired, sending colorful confetti fluttering

through the air.

Amid the grand ceremony and the crowd’s cheers, the horse racing event kicked off in style.

William and his son, accompanied by Thaddeus, arrived fashionably late amid the clamor.

The J Group might have been a mystery to the average person, but its status was comparable to the

Abernathy Group in Elmsworth or the Ashbourne Group in Skyrim. Chairman Morris had the clout to

speak directly with prime ministers, his power and influence self–evident.

A partnership with the J Group could lay a solid foundation for expanding business ventures abroad–

nothing but beneficial!

Frederic was taken aback by the thawing relationship between Thaddeus and William and his son.

His son, though often defiant and a headache, was undeniably skilled in business, with a knack for

turning the tide when it seemed against him.

Thaddeus’s gaze hadn’t left Evadne since his arrival.

When he saw that Avery was seated beside her, his heart clenched in pain.

He knew this wasn’t Evadne’s doing. She would never willingly associate with Avery.

This was clearly the handiwork of Chairman Emeric.

With this thought, Thaddeus struggled to steady his breathing, yet it felt like his throat was being

constricted.

A nameless panic gnawed at his heart.