His Ex Wife is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus)

The evening meal went on unaffected by the earlier drama, with the hosts‘ cooking skills

leaving everyone in high spirits.

Afterward, Nydia took Marilla upstairs to play board games, giving the men the privacy

needed for serious discussions.

“Thaddeus, I don’t know how you can still eat,” Arnold said after draining his glass of ice

water and slamming it down on the table, “If I were you, I wouldn’t be able to swallow a

single bite. Elspeth’s case officially goes to trial next Friday.”

The mention of Elspeth, long out of sight, cast a shadow over everyone’s faces.

“I know, I’ve been counting the days,” Thaddeus replied, his voice tight with suppressed

agony. “Not a day goes by that I don’t remember how my mother died. And not a day goes

by that I forget the need for vengeance for her and all the innocent lives Elspeth has

destroyed.”

Evadne’s heart pounded, her eyes brimming with tears. Under the table, she reached out

her warm hand to clasp his trembling

one.

Like grasping a lone ray of light in the dark, Thaddeus intertwined his fingers with hers,

gazing deeply into her luminous eyes.

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07-17

“I recently heard through the grapevine about Elepeth’s life in the detention center. She’s

settled in nicely using her status as a tycoon’s wife to get special treatment, and even has

her lackeys. Apparently, she’s living in luxury, with gourmet meals, skincare products, and

cigarettes at her disposal.”

Aaron sneered, “It seems Frederic hasn’t completely given up on Elspeth. He’s still

protecting her dignity. He probably plans to get her out.”

“Oh, let her have her special meals and her makeup,” Evadne interjected sharply, “Just

take away her diapers.”

“Frederic is not my father,” Thaddeus said, his eyes bloodshot with bitterness, “The

moment my mother ceased to breathe, he ceased to be my father.”

“Thaddeus.” Evadne gasped, her breath caught in her chest.

“All these years, I stayed with the Abernathy group because it was my mother’s last wish.

She wanted me to never be bullied again, to earn Frederic’s respect, to stand out, and to

make my grandfather proud. Since then, I’ve been obsessed with surpassing Chad,

proving myself, and fighting for power within the Abernathy group. But it had nothing to

do with them. I just wanted to fulfill my mother’s last wish, to become strong, to make her

proud once more.”

Thaddeus closed his eyes, overwhelmed by grief, as if an invisible force was pounding his

aching heart, “But in the end, I became a clown, living under the same roof as the killer

Elspeth for years, slaving away for that cold–hearted man Frederic. If it wasn’t for

Evadne’s unwavering support, if it wasn’t for Erica’s sacrifice to bring us critical

information, my mother would never rest in peace.”

Thaddeus felt as though he didn’t have the right to stand in front of his mother’s grave as

long as Elspeth drew breath. “Thaddeus, what are you getting at? You’re not seriously

considering ditching the Abernathy Group to be a trophy husband for the Ashbourne

family, are you?”

Arnold’s brow furrowed as he gave him a once–over, “Evadne hasn’t seen a day of

happiness since she married you. Are you really going to make her start from scratch with

you?”

Aaron chimed in with a scowl, “Exactly. Do you think we’d let you marry Evadne easily?

We might be okay with living on bread and water, but she’s not about to skimp on a single

luxury.””

Evadne was speechless.

Her brothers were the kings of hassle. No DNA test was needed, and they

pure Emeric through.

Jareth clapped a heavy hand on Thad’s shoulder, his frustration palpable, “Thaddeus,

nobody knows better than me how hard you fought to get to the top. If you’re really ticked

off, you should be wrestling control of the entire Abernathy Group from Frederic instead of

looking like you’re about to give up. Man, take a leaf out of Avery’s book. Learn from his

cold–blooded, cutthroat ways. Stop looking back and just take the whole damn thing by

storm.”

“You guys don’t know what it’s like to come from a broken home, so easy on the

judgment.”

Evadne’s piercing gaze swept over Jareth’s face, “And you, you think that’s the way to

talk? Avery’s favorite pastime is screwing over his own kin. Why don’t we have Thaddeus

here practice on you first?”

Jareth immediately clammed up, a flicker of fear in his eyes.

“Thaddeus, they don’t understand you, but I do.”

Evadne sighed, her warm palm resting gently on his hand, “If I were in your shoes, I’d do

everything in my power to fulfill my mother’s last wishes too. But I also get what your

mother really wanted for you to be able to protect yourself, to be strong. The path you’ve

chosen isn’t wrong, and even though you hate Frederic, remember that Hamilton adored

you and gave you a second chance at life. For his sake, your perseverance and hard work

are far from meaningless.”

“Evadne, thank you.” Thaddeus’s voice trembled slightly as he struggled to hold back his

emotions.

“I just understand you.” Evadne smiled sweetly at him.

“Now, with Ward flipping to a cooperating witness, fingering Elspeth for hiring a hitman on

top of drug possession and trafficking, her sentence won’t be light.”

Arnold’s expression darkened, “But I know it’s still not enough. We want capital

punishment for Elspeth. After all, it’s not just one

life she’s taken.”

“That’s tough.”

Aaron grimaced and shook his head, his face reflecting the gravity of the situation,

“Instigating murder without direct evidence is tough. Plus, Erica’s recordings before her

death were made secretly, and they won’t stand up in court. And another thing, the case

involving Thaddeus’s mother has been cold for over twenty years. Even if that maid

testified, it would hardly be conclusive. Furthermore, Elspeth’s defense attorney is still

Cedric. No telling what kind of underhanded tactics that snake will use against

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07:47

us.”

Jason paled suddenly, taking a deep breath “This time, I’ll be appearing in court as Erica’s

attorney of record,”

Arnold and Aaron looked shocked, “Jason, you’re going to court?”

But Evadne and Thaddeus were unfazed, even casting trusting glances his way.

They had been privy to Jason’s plans days ago and had given their full support.

Jason had been the family secretary for the Ashbourne family for years, and many had

forgotten his potential, perhaps even Cedric.

Jason was a top graduate of Elmsworth Law School. If he set his mind to it, Cedric wouldn’t

have a leg to stand in Elmsworth’s legal circles.

“This trial will also be my showdown with Cedric.”

Jason’s gaze was fiery and resolute, “I know what Cedric can’t stand the most, the feeling

of utter defeat. Especially losing to me, that would be worse for him than death itself.”

Evadne nodded, her brow furrowed in agreement.

With a single phone call, countless top–tier lawyers would flock to represent the Abernathy

Group and fight their battle.

But when it came to striking Cedric where it hurt, Jason was the sharpest blade.

“Jason, we’re grateful,” Arnold said with a heartfelt sigh.

“Thaddeus and I share an unusual similarity. He hated her father a long time ago and I

stopped seeing Cedric as my brother a long time ago.”

Jason poured himself a drink, raising his glass to Thaddeus, “Mr. Abernathy, given our

similar fates, shall we toast to that?”

Thaddeus felt a warm surge in his chest, stood up, and raised his glass, “Jason, thanks for

always looking out for Evadne, and for your willingness to help. To our shared desires

coming true.”

“They will come true.” Jason’s eyes brimmed with emotion as he nodded emphatically.

Evadne stood up, smiling as she lifted her glass and wrapped an arm around Thaddeus’s

waist. “Come on, everybody, together!”

Six glasses raised high, filled with the glow of hope for victory.

“To the fight!” they cheered in unison.