His Ex Wife is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus)

Chapter 410

Having heard she was not allowed to go out, Elspeth was throwing tantrum at home, cursing anyone

within sight.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Abernathy, but this is Mr. Abernathy’s order. We have to comply”

Frederic’s secretary looked at her coldly, his tone barely hiding his censure, “I suggest you go back to

your room and save us all the trouble. After all, because of whole Abernathy Group is in chaos. Please

don’t add more trouble to Mr. Abernathy’s plate.”

“How dare you!”

you, the

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With a loud slap, Elspeth, her eyes blazing, slapped Dennis across the face, “I’m Mr. Abernathy’s wife!

You’re nothing but a lackey. How dare you speak to me like that?!”

Dennis chuckled, not angry at all, “Indeed, Mr. Abernathy has been good to me. But isn’t it true that you

are also taking advantage of Mr. Abernathy’s pqwer, disregarding the rules, and freely abusing your

subordinates?”

Elspeth was momentarily stunned, then the meaning of his words sank in. The cheek of him, calling her

a lackey too?!

Just as Elspeth was about to slap him again to teach him a lesson, Frederic walked in, expressionless.

“Frederic!” Elspeth immediately pulled back her hand, and with tears streaming down her face, fell into

her husband’s arms, “You’re finally back. I can’t go on without you by my side.”

She changed her demeanor in a second, no longer the shrew from a moment ago.

Dennis scoffed, nothing but contempt on his face.

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“I wasn’t around, but you seemed to be doing just fine, even had the energy to discipline my secretary.”

Frederic’s lips curled in a cold smirk, his gaze devoid of warmth, making her skin crawl.

“Frederic, I saw that the rumors about me at the funeral have been suppressed online. You did it, didn’t

you?”

Elspeth, with tears in her eyes, tried to snuggle into his arms, “I knew it. You would do this for me,

Frederic. You wouldn’t ignore me when I’m in trouble:”

Frederic abruptly stepped back, leaving Elspeth lunging at thin air.

She looked up in surprise, meeting his icy gaze.

“Who told you that I did it for you?” Frederic scoffed, “I did it for the Abernathy family, for the Abernathy

Group.”

“Frederic.” Elspeth was dumbstruck, unable to believe what her husband just said.

“Elspeth, I am indeed your husband, but my more important role is as the chairman of the Abernathy

Group, not a tool to clean up your messes time and again.”

Frederic looked away, not wanting to look at her any longer, “This is the last time. Next time, I will throw

you out to be criticized by everyone. Even if you become a pariah, it will have nothing to do with me or

the Abernathy Group. The mess you made should be cleaned up by yourself. Nobody is obligated to

take responsibility for your mistakes.”

After that, he turned to leave without lingering, but was grabbed by Elspeth, “Frederic! How could you

say that?! I’m your wife! I’m your loved one! How can you bear to throw me to the wolves?!”

“Husband and wife? Don’t insult those words.”

Frederic laughed bitterly, taking her fingers off his arm one by one, “Our family is not big enough to

accommodate a lawless, trouble–making person like you. I can’t take you as my wife anymore.”

“Frederic! You want to divorce me?!” Elspeth was almost hysterical.

“Do you think I don’t want to?!”

Frederic finally lost his patience, his anger exploding, “Do you think I don’t want to divorce you?! If it

wasn’t for the Abernathy Group’s current difficulties, if it wasn’t for the fact you gave me two daughters,

do you think I would keep you around?!”

Elspeth went pale, feeling as if all the blood had drained from her body.

She had always believed that she had some control over Frederic, and with the two daughters she had

given him, she thought that he would never propose a divorce, not even for the sake of the company’s

interests and his own reputation.

But, when she heard the word “divorce” from his mouth, she almost blacked out.

She had really lost him.

No!

Without her status as the wife of the Abernathy Group’s chairman, she would be nothing! Who would

care about her then?!

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It was only because she was Frederic’s wife that Thaddeus and Evadne had been unable to touch her

all this time. If she lost his protection, they would tear her to pieces!

“Starting from now, without my permission, you’re not allowed to step foot outside of Windermere

Estate. If you dare to disobey, I’ll send you abroad. You won’t be able to set foot in Elmsworth again!”

“How can you be so unreasonable, Frederic! I attended the funeral out of goodwill, to help settle the

aftermath! It was that vicious Evadne who kept hounding me like a mad dog, wanting to ruin our

Abernathy Group. That’s why things turned out like this!” Elspeth defended herself desperately.

“Do you think I’m a fool?!”

Frederic didn’t want to hear her lies anymore. His tone was cold and hard, full of hatred, “I checked.

Those reporters were all brought in by you! You knew full well that you and Evadne don’t see eye to

eye, yet you deliberately provoked her. If you’re willing to be the clown, you can’t blame anyone else for

seeing you as one. Stay out of my sight!”

“Frederic! You can’t treat me like this. Frederic!”

In the heat of their tug–of–war, a distinct thud echoed through the room. Frederic’s wooden box slipped

from his grasp, its contents scattering across the floor!

His gaze fell upon Cynthia’s belongings strewn about, the jade bracelet he’d given her now split in half.

Rage boiled in his eyes, a crimson fury that seemed ready to burst from his sockets at any moment.

Elspeth was taken aback by his fierce glare, and upon she saw the objects on the floor, her complexion

drained of color.

She recognized them; they were Cynthia’s things..

Why did he have Cynthia’s possessions? Why did he hold so dearly to the mementos of a woman, a

dead woman who had been forgotten for twenty years?

“Get lost. Now.”

Frederic knelt down, his eyes filled with sorrow as he picked up each item, holding them tightly in his

palms.

“Frederic, I didn’t mean to.”

“Get out!”

Frederic’s voice was a thunderous roar, strained to its limits.

Late into the night, the study was tranquil. The silvery moonlight streaming through the window cast a

mournful glow on Frederic’s face.

Dennis came in, bringing him his blood pressure medication.

“Mr. Abernathy, it’s late and your health hasn’t been the best. You should rest.”

“You’ve had a rough night.” Frederic’s voice was low, his gaze fixated on the photographs Cynthia had

left behind.

Dennis paused, understanding that he was referring to the incident with Elspeth, shrugged it off with a

smile, “I’ve been with you for many years. This is nothing. But I think, if Cynthia were here, she wouldn’t

want you to worry so much.”

“Yes, Cynthia was always so kind–hearted.”

His voice caught in his throat, his eyes welling up with a painful redness.

“Are you planning on filing for divorce?” Dennis asked tentatively.

Frederic looked desolate, his voice barely above a whisper, “Not yet. There’s too much going on right

now. The Abernathy group can’t afford more chaos. And, you know about my youngest daughter’s

condition. If I divorce, I’d have to send Elspeth abroad, as far away as possible. I’m afraid that Marilla

won’t be able to handle being separated from her mother, which might worsen her condition.”

Dennis nodded, understanding his predicament.

“Did you find out where Thaddeus is?” Frederic asked.

“Sorry, Mr. Abernathy, as you know, Thaddeus is a tricky man. If he doesn’t want to be found, he won’t

be.” Dennis looked helpless.

Frederic didn’t say anything, took out his phone and called Thaddeus.

He called several times, and after a long wait, Thaddeus finally picked up.

“What is it? It’s late.”

“Thaddeus.”

“If it’s about coming back for the project meeting, save your breath. I’m not coming.” Thaddeus‘ tone

was icy, no hint of familial affection in their conversation. Frederic pressed his lips together, asking in a

low voice, “Thaddeus, do you have time tomorrow to go out with me?”

“Where to?”

“To visit your mom.”

Those words left Thaddeus in a silence that made Frederic’s heart pound. Over the phone, he could

still feel the bone–chilling cold emanating from his own son. “Are you joking? Listen to yourself.“.

“I’m not joking, Thaddeus. I’m serious.”

Frederic took a deep breath; he was the leader of the Abernathy group, high and mighty, but for the first

time, he felt a profound sense of guilt and shame, “I know, I haven’t done enough over the years. Even

though your mom is no longer with us, I haven’t fulfilled my duties as a husband. I haven’t visited her

grave or kept her company. I’ve done poorly.”

“Poorly?”

Thaddeus let out a bitter laugh, his voice seething with hatred, “Just this word and you think you’ve

made up for twenty–three years of neglect and the pain you’ve caused to my mom? Mr. Abernathy, why

do you even think that you can stand before my mom’s tomb to face her? Forget it, she has me to keep

her company every year. She’s at peace. Don’t impose yourself on her and disturb her peace.”

“What are you saying? I am her husband. I was the man she loved the most!”

Frederic’s cheeks burned with shame, but his pride wouldn’t allow his son to trample all over him. He

retorted like a child, “You can’t even begin to imagine how much she loved me. Why can’t I visit her?”

“Even if my mom did love you,” Thaddeus‘ voice trembled with anger, hoarse and chilling, “the moment

she leapt from the balcony of Windermere Estate, her love stopped. Sometimes, I truly believe that her

choosing to end her life in such a drastic way was a blessing. She didn’t have to live in constant pain,

enduring your emotional abuse, watching you share your bed with other women, while she played the

part of a dutiful wife. That pain, it’s worse than death. Her love for you was the greatest source of her

suffering.”

The image of Cynthia’s death replayed in Frederic’s mind.

His body shivered, his breath hitched, nearly dropping the phone. Dennis, observing from the side, was

startled but dared not interrupt their conversation.

“I don’t know what prompted you to suddenly come up with such a request, but I want to tell you, you

have no right to stand before my mother. Not now, not ever.”

With that, Thaddeus hung up without waiting for Frederic’s response.

Frederic’s face drained of color, sweat beading on his forehead, his strength seeming to leave him.

“Mr. Abernathy? Mr. Abernathy? Are you alright?” Dennis inquired with a tone of concern.

“Fetch me a glass of warm water, please.” Frederic had never felt so drained, weary to the bone.

“Of course, right away.”

Once Dennis left, Frederic allowed himself to show his exhaustion. He slumped onto the couch, guilt

and pain swirling around him like a tempest, torturing him mercilessly.

His mind was a chaotic whirlpool, filled with disparate voices and memories.

“I don’t know when it started, but I’ve become someone who can’t live without you.”

–“Every morning she would wake up thinking about how she could end her life, but then she would

think of Thaddeus and couldn’t bear to leave her young son behind.”

– “Even if my mom loved you once, the moment she leapt from the balcony of Windermere Estate, her

love stopped.”

Suddenly, Frederic’s eyes snapped open, his heart pounding like a runaway drum.

Just then, Dennis walked in with the hot water.

“Dennis, how much do you remember about Cynthia’s incident twenty years ago?”

Dennis paused, then replied softly. “I’ve always had a good memory. That’s why you chose me as your

secretary, isn’t it? If you have any questions, feel free to ask.”

“Back then, Cynthia was diagnosed with depression. I remember I sent you to take care of her for a

long time. How bad was her condition? Was it really that severe?” Frederic’s gaze was filled with bitter

sorrow.

“The doctor diagnosed Cynthia with severe depression, but under Mr. Thaddeus Abernathy’s care and

with appropriate treatment, her condition improved significantly,” Dennis answered truthfully.

“A woman who loved me, cherished her son, and only wanted to quietly leave the Abernathy family,

why would she suddenly choose to end her life?” Frederic murmured, rubbing his furrowed brows.

Cynthia’s suicide had shocked the entire Abernathy family. Although many people with depression

unexpectedly end their lives, Cynthia had been improving at that time. Her life was more brighter than

before, and she had her son beside her every day. Why would she?

Dennis pressed his lips together, then slowly asked, “Mr. Abernathy, I’ve held onto this question for

twenty years. Today, I must ask you. Did you ever suspect, even for a moment, that Cynthia was

murdered?”

As the question hung in the air, Frederic looked up sharply at Dennis, his ears ringing.

Meanwhile, at a presidential suite in Country T’s hotel.

Thaddeus, who had just finished a phone call with Frederic, was standing by the window, his fists

clenched and eyes red with rage. He was on the verge of revealing it was Elspeth who had killed his

mother, but he held back.

It wasn’t time yet. He wanted to let Frederic realize how vicious the woman who he had cherished for

twenty years was in a more brutal, more dramatic way. Only by this could he shatter Frederic’s pride, to

have the whole world laugh at his foolishness, to relish in his pain!

Jareth sighed and offered Thaddeus a cigarette.

“Have one, take it easy.”

Thaddeus took the cigarette absent–mindedly, and then suddenly broke it in half.

“I don’t smoke. I’ve quit.”

“What the hell? What happened to make you so desperate?” Jareth’s eyes widened in surprise.

Thaddeus was known for his smoking addiction. He could live without women, but not without his

cigarettes!

“Evadne asked me to quit. So, I won’t be smoking anymore.”

Only when he mentioned his love, Evadne, did a warm smile appear on Thaddeus‘ cold, pale lips just

as the melting ice and snow.