His Ex Wife is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus)

Chapter 497

The next day, in an opulent nightclub, amidst the swirling smoke and cacophony of revelry, Cedric

basked in the company of beautiful women and fine liquor. Tonight, he was the epitome of contentment

and freedom.

The man across from him was none other than Matthew, the heir apparent and CEO of the Chambers

Group. Cedric’s invitation to this exclusive gathering signified Matthew’s endorsement, officially

connecting him to the Chambers family.

Now he could play both sides, the Abernathy Group and the Chambers Group, to his advantage. Did

he even need to worry about the Ashbourne family anymore?

“Mr. Chambers, I merely lent a hand. You’re being too generous,” Cedric boasted, arms wrapped

around a blonde bombshell.

“A few drinks are nothing,” Matthew replied, swirling his wine and raising an eyebrow with a half–smile.

“Not everyone has the guts to frame their own brother for assault. It serves a dual purpose: it vents

some frustration for my younger brother Byron, who has suffered enough, and it hinders Jason’s

budding relationship with Nydia. Your mother treasures her children above all, dead or alive. She would

never want her son marrying the daughter of the Ashbourne family’s mistress, would she? Clever

move, using one stone to kill two birds.”

If he couldn’t touch Thaddeus and Evadne directly, he would strike at those close to them.

Byron can’t have the woman he wants, and Jason thinks he can? Dream on!

“Well, that’s only because you, Mr. Chambers, are so generous,” Cedric chuckled, his eyes gleaming

with cunning greed beneath his suave facade. “Considering the target is my own brother, the price you

offered was more than fair. Of course, I’ll cooperate fully with your grand scheme.”

“You don’t feel a twinge of remorse for your brother?” Matthew asked with a smirk.

“He’s not my brother,” Cedric spat venomously, “He’s nothing but a dog raised by Evadne!”

Matthew tsk–tsked and sipped his wine elegantly.

“Mr. Chambers, you’re well aware of my clout in the legal world. I can take on Byron’s case, and I

assure you, we’ll come out on top. Moreover, should your group ever face legal issues or need

assistance, I’m at your service,” Cedric offered eagerly.

Matthew lazily looked up, his gaze falling on Cedric’s obsequious smile. “Mr. Cedric, no wonder you

have such a reputation. A true master of networking and diplomacy. I hear you’ve cleaned up quite a

mess for the Abernathy Group and not just once. But this latest incident, Elspeth’s drug charges,

seems to be mishandled. She’s still in lockup, and her case is going to trial soon. Due to the

scandalous public outcry, it’s a high–profile, open court case. Even the Abernathy Group couldn’t stop

it.”

His smile turned disdainful, “Your unbeatable legend was shattered by Evadne and Thaddeus, and

word has gotten around. You’ve had fewer cases coming in. Tell me, how can I trust your expertise

now?”

Cedric’s smile froze awkwardly, his face burning with humiliation and rage simmering within.

“Even if it’s a public trial, the courtroom is my stage. I may not absolve Elspeth entirely, but I can

ensure the lightest possible sentence!”

Gritting his teeth, Cedric downed his drink. “Just you watch.”

“I’ll look forward to your good news then,” Matthew said–mockingly. “If you can handle the Abernathy

family’s trouble and prove yourself, we’ll have plenty of opportunities to collaborate.”

Stumbling drunkenly toward the parking lot, Cedric felt his mood had plummeted from elation to being

weighed down by a heavy stone, struggling for breath.

It dawned on him that Matthew had used him like a pawn, dispensing empty promises. The Chambers

family, a

nest of vipers!

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“Damn it. If it weren’t for Elspeth’s botched case, do you think I, a top–notch lawyer, would bother with

your pathetic party?”

Ripping off his tie, he spat on the ground in disgust, vowing revenge. “Just wait until Elspeth’s trial. I’ll

win a stunning victory. Even if you beg me afterward, I won’t give you the time of day!”

As he squinted to call a ride, four young brutes in flashy shirts and suit jackets emerged from the

shadows, wielding clubs and encircling him with menacing grins.

“What do you want?” Cedric sobered up instantly, his eyes wide with panic.

“Can’t you tell? We’re here to give you a beating.”

Before he could react, a club swung at his back, knocking him to the ground.

“Do you have any idea who I am?” Cedric wailed in agony, pride wounded but not wanting to show fear.

“I’m a high–profile lawyer! Legal advisor to the Abernathy Group and a close associate of the

Chambers Group CEO! You dare attack me. I’ll make sure you can’t walk the streets of Elmsworth!

You’ll rot in jail!”

The thugs laughed heartily. “You think you can scare us? We’re regulars in the slammer; it’s like going

home for us. Did you really think we’d be afraid? We’ve heard you take any case, a real bottom–feeder

lawyer. We’re just delivering some street justice. Beat him!”

And with that, the beating began.

Cedric curled up into a ball, his arms wrapped around his head as he was pummeled by four thugs.

They kicked and punched him, using him like a baseball, batting him around with their makeshift clubs.

“Ahh, I give up! I give up! Mercy, please!”

In just a few minutes, he was battered, with multiple fractures, a bloodied head, and on his knees

begging for

mercy.

Not far away, a luxury car sat silently.

Lionel leaned against the car window, filming the beating with his phone, barely containing his laughter.

He then sent the video to Aviana.

[Miss Aviana, what do you think? Should I spice it up a bit? Like, maybe give him a taste of some real

crap?]

Following that, he sent an emoji of a teddy bear making a heart with its hands, a stark contrast to his

reputation as the boss of the S–Star Group.

After a while, Aviana replied with just one word:

[Disgusting.]

Seconds later, she added three more words:

[I love it.]

[At your service, Miss Aviana!]

But after waiting for what seemed like an eternity, Aviana didn’t respond to his messages again.

Lionel reread her brief replies over and over, pouting with a mix of adoration and frustration, “Geez, too

stingy

to even have a proper chat.”

In the blink of an eye, five days passed quietly.

During these days, plenty had happened. Emeric went to see Evadne but ended up being kidnapped

by Cassius and Elvis. No matter how harshly he interrogated them, the brothers kept a united front,

refusing to reveal their sister’s whereabouts.

They only told Emeric that their sister would be safer with Thaddeus than anyone else.

Emeric had lived for sixty years, only to realize one thing-

He thought having a bunch of kids would keep him company in his old age. Turns out, they were all

guarding against him!

His mindset was shattered!

Over at the Chambers family-

Byron, fresh out of the slammer, first thing got himself a shiny new set of front teeth and continued

living it up under the protection of the Chambers Group.

His bruised face didn’t stop him from throwing a wild party in a mansion of the Chambers‘ estate, with a

bevy of models indulging in a bacchanalia of wine and flesh.

Unfortunately, it was all show and no go. His spirit was willing, but his flesh was weak.

In frustration, Byron downed a whole sheet of potency pills, ending up with an overdose that sent him

to the hospital for a stomach pump, eyes rolling back and body convulsing.

Jeff, upon hearing this, was a mix of furious, resentful, and anxious, but he had no choice but to

swallow the bitter pill and secretly find a cure for his son’s impotence.

With the Ashbourne family dropping charges, he felt lucky. He wanted revenge but knew he had to lay

low and bide his time.

Cedric had it worse, though.

After the beating, Lionel followed through on his threat, and his underlings filled Cedric’s mouth with

steaming

excrement.

For days after, Cedric couldn’t stomach a bite, everything tasted of filth, and he couldn’t stop retching,

nearly vomiting out his bile, even developing a fever from the distress!

This humiliation was worse than death for him.

Cedric couldn’t fathom who would stoop so low as to force him to eat shit!

Then, one night, as he lay feverish and near death, it dawned on him.

In his haze, he remembered seeing a pin on one of the thug’s lapels–a red bird?

The Elmsworth’s prime gang–S–Star Group?

Cedric screamed out loud, clutching his head, teeth chattering, and body breaking out in a cold sweat!

Today, delegations and top leaders from five major cities gathered in Elmsworth to meet with the mayor

and various dignitaries.

In a nutshell, this was a big deal.

As the wife of a councilman, Bertha started prepping her gown a week in advance, opting for

something elaborate and opulent. She was just a councilman’s wife, but she acted as if she were

dressing for coronation day.

Ever since she married Edgar, she had meticulously planned every step for him, managing connections

across all sectors, crafting his public image, garnering votes. Her hair thinned from stress, and she

poured her family’s wealth into propelling him to his current stature.

Now, with most relationships in place, and the upcoming elections being the final hurdle, her husband

was on. the brink of becoming Elmsworth’s new mayor!

And her dream of becoming the First Lady was one step closer!

As Bertha helped Edgar with his tie, she bombarded him with advice on what to say and how to present

himself at the meeting. Edgar listened with growing impatience.

“Enough already, I’ve heard all this a thousand times!”

Edgar brushed her hands aside, frowning as he took over tie duty, muttering, “You used to be so

decisive, now you’re nagging like an old maid.”

“You ungrateful man, now that your career’s taking off, you start looking down on your faithful wife?”

Bertha jabbed his forehead with her sharp fingernail, “Without me, where would you be? Let me tell

you, Edgar, without me, you’re nothing!”

Edgar shot her an aggrieved look and headed to the bathroom.

No sooner had he left than his phone buzzed on the bedside table.

Bertha, already privy to her husband’s passcode, unlocked his phone without hesitation.

When she discovered the steamy exchanges between her husband and not one, but several

mistresses, she boiled over like an active volcano, her eyes blazing with fury!

She stormed into the bathroom, hurling the phone at Edgar’s face, “Edgar! How dare you cheat on

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me?”

Edgar, taken aback, responded, “You went through my phone? How could you?”

“I’m your wife, how could I not?”

Bertha’s composed facade shattered as she grabbed his collar and shook him hysterically, “I’ve been

nothing but good to you, and this is how you repay me? You heartless cur!”

As she moved to slap Edgar, he caught her wrist and shoved her back forcefully.

“Ah!”

Bertha stumbled and crashed into the door, gasping in pain, her eyes wide with shock.

“You dare to strike me. I’m the cherished daughter of the Chambers family! How dare you lay a hand

on me? Believe me, if I tell my father and brother about this, you’ll regret it!”

“Go ahead, tell anyone! I’m sick to death of you, you nagging woman!”

Edgar pointed an accusing finger at her stunned face, “The election is around the corner, and if you

want to mess things up, go ahead and ruin years of hard work!“.

“Let me tell you, we’re in this together, for better or worse. If I go down, your hopes and dreams go with

me!”

Bertha’s face turned ashen, her eyes wide with shock.

She had never imagined that all her efforts to groom this man would become a noose around her neck!

“For years you’ve lorded your family’s wealth over me, belittled me, and I’ve borne it all. You wanted a

doting, loving husband in public, and I’ve played the part! From now on, mind your own business. Just

play the part of a congressman’s wife, and we’ll all live happily ever after. Otherwise we’re done!”

In other words, he was not afraid of her anymore!

Edgar straightened the collar she had crumpled, too disgusted to spare her another glance, and

stormed out the door.

Bertha sat on the floor, numb and bewildered, with tears streaking down her face.

After a long while, she got up, wiped her tears fiercely, and forced a smile in the mirror, so stiff it was

eerie.

“That’s right, that’s right! What are a few nobodies to me? I’m going to be the mayor’s wife! I must be

gracious! I must keep the bigger picture in mind! Once the dust settles, I’ll deal with them one by one!

They’ll see!”

At five o’clock sharp.

The reception for the inspection team took place at the Hall.

Mr. and Mrs. Bartley, Mr. Gardner and his wife Bertha, along with other Elmsworth dignitaries and

business elites, made their grand entrance, surrounded by media and staff.

Jeff, the chairman of the Chambers Group, and President Matthew, were invited as business

representatives.

Thus, the Chambers family was present, with the exception of Byron, who was still recovering, and the

ever–enigmatic Avery.

While they basked in the limelight, no one noticed a black luxury van silently parked across from the

hall.

Behind the tinted windows, Thaddeus’s arm hooked Evadne’s waist and lifted her onto his lap, his lips

descending on hers, his tongue exploring her sweet mouth, while her eyes glimmered in the throes of

passion.

“Mmm, enough already,” Evadne pushed him away, breathless, her lips swollen like ripe cherries.

“We’re here to work!”

“And we are working,” Thaddeus replied with a smirk, his handsome smile laced with seductive

mischief.

“I wasn’t talking about that kind of work–we have serious business to attend to!” Evadne’s cheeks were

flushed as she playfully punched his chest.

“Once bitten, forever smitten, huh, Evadne?”

His hand stroked her hair, eyes filled with longing, unable to resist nipping her flushed earlobe, “My

desire for you is unending, insatiable.”