abcnovels
Chapter 619
Chapter 619
Chapter 619
Chapter 619
Two blissfully enamored couples shared their dinner amidst the hearty laughter and joyous banter at
Hamilton’s house, a scene of perfect harmony.
After the meal, the housekeeper tidied the table.
In front of the most important witnesses, Jareth instructed Lily to retrieve a hefty stack of documents
from a briefcase, spreading them reverently before Hamilton until the round table was covered in red,
resembling a festive tablecloth.
Yet, this was only the tip of the iceberg!
The sheer volume of the domestic property deeds alone was enough to draw an astonished whistle
from Evadne, who was no stranger to grandeur.
“Don’t be envious.”
Thaddeus, his eyes narrowing with affection under the table, intertwined his fingers with hers, his voice
a soft whisper, “Whatever he has, I have too. And mine is no less than his.”
“Hmph, what you and he have combined wouldn’t even match a tenth of Emeric’s fortune. What do I
have to be envious of?”
Though Evadne’s words were indifferent, the sweet ripple of joy in her eyes betrayed her inner delight,
“It’s just the first time I’ve seen someone lay it all out like this-it’s like setting up a market stall.”
Thaddeus gazed at his lady’s stunning features, frowning with a bittersweet smile.
He immediately wished he could kick himself.
Trying to impress in front of the heiress of the Fairhaven fortune, he felt as if his brain had just been
scooped up from his heels.
“Jareth, what is all this?” Hamilton blinked, feigning ignorance.
Jareth, holding Marilla’s hand, his eyes brimming with joy, said, “Grandpa, this is the wedding gift I’ve
prepared for Marilla, but this is just the domestic part. I also have assets in the country and Aetheria,
but I haven’t managed to organize them yet. I’ll do my best to sort them out and present them to you.”
Marilla’s cheeks blushed redder than the property deeds on the table, her delicate hand moistened by
the man’s sweaty grasp, her happiness shining through her eyes.
Hamilton wasn’t a heartless tycoon trading his granddaughter; he had already prepared a generous gift
for her and didn’t lack his contribution.
Yet seeing Jareth’s meticulous preparation, he couldn’t help but beam with joy, “Your heartfelt
consideration for Marilla means more than anything else.”
“Grandpa, is heart alone ever enough?”
Jareth and Marilla exchanged looks, his gaze piercing deeply into her soul, “Haven’t your heard the
saying? The measure of a man’s love for a woman is how much he’s willing to spend on her.”
Evadne and Thaddeus said, “So tacky!”
But Hamilton nodded in agreement, as if he had found a kindred spirit!
Because, in the past, when Hamilton’s wife was alive, Hamilton had showered her with money in the
same way.
“I wish to give Marilla everything I can possess. I want to give her a grand century wedding, to have the
whole world witness our happy moment.” Jareth was eager, wishing he could marry Marilla right then
and there.
“No, there’s no need to go to such expense! Something simple would be fine, as long as our family and
friends can come,” Marilla urged, afraid that Jareth would overspend, feeling both anxious and
embarrassed.
Jareth reassured her with a smile, “Marilla, you don’t understand, the people from the Fairhaven Group
are all about prestige. If I don’t make it grand and glorious, they’ll gossip about you behind your back
and look down on you.”
Thaddeus sipped his tea, “You seem to have a pretty accurate grasp of your family’s dynamics.”
Jareth, arrogantly raising an eyebrow, “Of course, when it comes to self-awareness, I’ve always been a
step ahead of you.”
Thaddeus choked on his tea, nearly losing grip on his cup.
Was this kid so sure of his marriage to Marilla that he didn’t need to play nice anymore?
Both Hamilton and Evadne burst into laughter.
“Grandpa, soon the appointment as CEO of the Fairhaven Group will be finalized. After the board
meeting, Marilla and I will have our engagement ceremony.”
Jareth, proud as ever, let a hint of insecurity flicker in his eyes, “Before, at the Fairhaven Group, I was
always on the fringe, I’m just Mr. Fairhaven in name but actually a figurehead, with the group’s
business in my grandfather’s and my uncle’s hands. It was Marilla who gave me the motivation and
reignited my ambition to take power. So, I want to officially become the CEO of the Fairhaven Group, to
have a status that matches Marilla’s, and then propose to her properly. Anyway, it’s all within reach
now.”
Hamilton tried to hide his emotions, but his eyes reddened with feeling.
He saw a reflection of his younger self.
And he was overjoyed that his granddaughter could marry the man of her dreams.
On the way back, Jareth couldn’t be happier, especially after sharing a few drinks with Thaddeus. He
was singing joyously, begging his soon-to-be-wife for kisses nonstop.
Lily, driving, glanced at the rearview mirror with a usual expression, but inside, she was beaming.
“Umm, Jareth, wait a second,” Marilla protested, feeling ticklish as he caressed her.
Jareth, unable to resist the temptation of the hickeys blooming on his wife’s neck, held her even tighter.
“What’s wrong? Don’t want your husband to dote on you? Hm?”
“No. It’s not that, you’ve got saliva on my face,” Marilla complained, feeling the wetness on her cheek.
Lily couldn’t hold back and let out a snort of laughter.
Jareth, his breath heavy with desire, whispered in her ear with a trace of reproach, “Marilla, today in
front of your father, when he disagreed with us being together, why did you let go of my hand?”
Marilla’s heart fluttered, ashamedly lowering her head, “Jareth, I was afraid that dad would be angry
with you. I didn’t want to put you in a difficult position.”
“My love.”
Jareth felt an urge to cry, his eyes welling up as he kissed her lips, “Remember, no matter what, no
matter the circumstances, never let go of my hand. Please love me forever. Please, don’t leave me.”
Having accomplished a major milestone, Evadne and Thaddeus returned home contentedly.
As they entered the house, they found Cassius and Jason seated in the living room.
“Miss Evadne!” Jason immediately stood up.
Evadne was in a tizzy, quickly turning her face away to dab at the smeared lipstick on her lips, a
remnant of Thaddeus’ affectionate kiss.
Thaddeus greeted with warm eyes, “Cassius, Jason.”
Cassius, holding a teacup with poised elegance, glanced at the handsome man and remarked with an
insinuating tone, “Mr. Thaddeus, seems like dinner was particularly delightful tonight, so much so that
you forgot to clean up.”
Thaddeus paused, raising his hand to his mouth to find it stained with the shade of Evadne’s lipstick.
Her cheeks flushed a cherry red, Evadne tiptoed in a futile attempt to wipe the evidence from his lips.
Thaddeus caught her delicate wrist in time, his eyes teasing as he smiled contentedly, “Indeed, it was
both savory and sweet, absolutely delicious.”
Cassius took a tactful sip of his tea.
Evadne feverishly tried to clean Thaddeus’ mouth.
Oh, the embarrassment could draw a full-on Renaissance scene of discomfort!
“Mrs. Abernathy! Mr. Abernathy! You’re back?” It was Alva, bringing tea and a platter of fruit, who finally
saved her from the awkward moment.
“Cassius, why come over so late?” Evadne managed to ask as she approached him.
Cassius’s face turned grave, he took a deep breath, “Dad’s ill, had a stroke. It’s serious this time.”
“What?” The couple exclaimed in unison.
“Don’t panic, Miss Evadne. Chairman Emeric is past the critical phase, otherwise,
President Ashbourne and I would have been at your doorstep much earlier rather than waiting here,”
Jason quickly reassured her.
“Now, Chairman Emeric is at our Ashbourne Group’s flagship hospital in Skyrim. The family and Dr.
Bright are all with him. Dr. Bright is a neurology specialist; with him there, your dad will surely improve.”
“All the way into a critical phase. How can I not panic?”
Evadne felt a cold sweat down her back, her scalp tingling, “Why didn’t you call me right away? With
dad in that condition, how could I not be there as his daughter?”
Thaddeus took her trembling hand into his, his heart squeezed tight upon seeing the tears welling in
her eyes. Despite her usual mockery of Chairman Emeric, he knew how much she cared in moments
like these.
Cassius sighed at the sight of his sister’s tearful eyes, “It was dad who didn’t want us to tell you.”
“Dad.” Evadne felt a sting in her heart.
“When dad fell ill, he made Mr. Lyle promise not to inform us, especially you.”
Cassius tried to keep his tone neutral, “He knows you’re busy and tired. He didn’t want you to be
unsettled with one thing after another.”
A father’s love is like a mountain-steadfast, silent, and immense. To keep his children from worrying,
he’d endure the sharpest pain without a word.
Overcome with urgency, Evadne’s voice broke, ‘Alva, could you please pack some things for me? I
need to leave for Skyrim immediately.”
“Yes, Mrs. Abernathy,” Alva hurried to comply.
“Alva, just pack a couple of outfits for me, too. I’m going with Evadne,” Thaddeus announced, his brows
knit together as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
Meeting his concerned gaze, Evadne said with tears in her eyes, “I’m sorry, we probably can’t go on
that vacation.”
“It doesn’t matter. Your father’s health is more important. We have all the time in the world,” Thaddeus
said, his warm hands cradling her face.
“There’s something else,” Cassius added after a moment, his eyes darkening, “Avery’s back.”
The air grew tense at the mention of that name, synonymous with bad news.
“His private jet landed at Elmsworth Airport this afternoon.”
Thaddeus’ expression turned cold, “Cassius, where did Avery come back from?”
“From overseas.”
Evadne was surprised, her fingers touching her chin, “Snakey Avery didn’t return to Helgen or go to
familiar Country T. What was he doing overseas? Is it suitable for taking care of his mother? I’ve never
heard of him having any business there.”
Mentioning care reminded Thaddeus of his own brother, and a sudden suspicion grew within him.
Something felt off.
Cassius explained, “Overseas has advanced medical facilities and equipment, and I heard there’s a
center specializing in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s treatment. Avery probably went there specifically for
his mother’s condition.”
Evadne snorted, “I hope so. Let’s just hope he’s not up to his old tricks.”
Jason drove the luxurious car toward Skyrim. Evadne’s slender hands were clasped tightly together,
her mind restless.
“Don’t worry, Dr. Bright is a trusted physician; your father will recover,” Thaddeus assured her gently
patting her back, his eyes full of sympathy.
Cassius nodded in agreement.
“Cassius, what exactly happened that led to dad’s sudden illness?”
“If he wasn’t under heavy stress or overly emotional, it wouldn’t have been so severe,” Evadne asked
with a sudden seriousness.
Cassius pressed his lips together.
Before he could formulate a response, Jason, unable to contain his anger, burst out, “All because of
that damn Mr. Ashbourne!”
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