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Chapter 656
Chapter 656
Chapter 656
Chapter 656
Dylan strode over and swung the front door open, only to be met with a startling surprise.
“Mr. Abernathy?!”
“Mr. Dylan.”
There on the doorstep, looking weary from the road yet carrying an air of urgency, stood Thaddeus, his
breath uneven from haste, “Are Mr. Ashbourne and Evadne inside? I’ve brought the medicine!”
At the sound of his voice, Evadne leapt to her feet and rushed to greet him, her heart swelling with
uncontainable longing.
“Thaddeus!”
She hurled herself into his open arms, the dam of her pent–up emotions threatening to break as tears
welled up in her eyes.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Thaddeus wrapped his sturdy, trembling arms around her, his own eyes
reddening slightly, “Sorry for making you wait, Evadne. But it wasn’t for nothing. The medicine is here.”
He fumbled with one hand into the depths of his coat, producing a slender box of medicine. “There are
six doses in here, even more than last time. It should last Mr. Ashbourne a while, just in case.”
Taking the medicine box from him, Evadne was choked with gratitude, her throat tightening with
emotion.
She didn’t need him to say it; she knew all too well the lengths he must have gone to get this medicine.
The cost in money was one thing, but the thought that Thad might have had to swallow his pride–to get
it was unbearable.
How could she feel at ease on using it?
“Thaddeus, thank you,” she clutched the box as feeling a lump in her throat.
“Don’t be silly, Evadne. There’s no need for thanks between us. I’d do anything for you.”
With a tender smile, Thaddeus took her hand, “Let’s get this medicine to Mr. Ashbourne, shall we?”
“Hold on a second!”
Suri approached with urgency, her brow creased with worry, “Thaddeus, I appreciate what you’re doing.
Evadne, I think we shouldn’t give this to your father just yet.”
“Why not?” The couple asked in unison.
“Haven’t you noticed? Your father’s been increasingly drowsy and his spirit’s been low – not like before
at all.”
Suri’s expression was grave, “We all know the risks of cerebral infarction, but as for how this state of
illness develops in the end, I think we’re all aware. This medicine seems to mask the symptoms rather
than treating them. And we can’t predict what side effects might follow. So I suggest we stop using it,
and wait for a while to make further decision!”
Thaddeus and Evadne exchanged a stunned look.
“No, we can’t stop the medicine!”
Emeric had overheard Suri and protested vehemently, his forehead beaded with sweat as he struggled
to rise from his bed. He barely managed two shaky steps before Dylan swiftly caught him.
Something was off – Emeric knew his own body better than anyone and he could tell that the medicine
had initially made him feel stronger than ever. But once it wore off, he felt drained, as if all his energy
had been leached away, and he almost couldn’t hold the tableware.
Yet, he was desperate. He needed this medicine, even if it was a double–edged sword.
“Evadne, something’s not right with Mr. Ashbourne.”
Thaddeus‘ lips pressed tightly together as he whispered gravely into Evadne’s ear, “I think Suri has a
point. Maybe we should hold off on the medicine.”
“If you won’t give me the medicine, fine. I’ll just drag this broken body of mine to the board meeting and
make a spectacle of myself!” Emeric snapped, his irritation akin to a child’s tantrum.
“Emeric, you will not go! Stay put!” Evadne was frantic, blocking her father’s path.
“How dare you! I am your father – I won’t have you meddling in my affairs! The Ashbourne family isn’t
yours to command!”
Father and daughter stood locked in fierce opposition.
Suri stood frozen in shock. For Thaddeus, who had never faced such a situation since being with
Evadne, it was a moment of confusion over whom to comfort first, how to mediate.
“Emeric.” Evadne’s breath hitched, her knuckles grew white from strain as she clenched her fists tight.
“Evadne, if you truly are a dutiful daughter, don’t upset me anymore. Don’t make me shout at you like
this,” Emeric’s breath labored and his vision of his beloved daughter blurred as sweat soaked through
his robe.
“Just once, follow my wishes. Is that too much to ask?”
At 1:30 PM, accompanied by Dylan, Evadne, and Thaddeus, Emeric made his way to the towering K
Group headquarters. Chairman Ashbourne, clad in a crisp suit that seemed to armor him, appeared
revitalized, showing no signs of the man who, merely an hour before, could barely get out of bed. The
medicine’s effect was that potent.
The young couple, concerned, followed Emeric all the way to the boardroom door, protective as
parents on the first day of school. “Ah, Emeric!”
As fate would have it, they ran into Bevis, who seemed impervious to shame. Emeric’s sharp gaze
softened into a calm, composed smile, “Bevis.”
“Emeric, how have you been recuperating?” Bevis approached with concern, eyeing his elder brother.
In truth, he was probing.
“I’m fully recovered now; thanks for your concern,” Emeric replied coolly.
“Well, let’s not talk formalities. At our age, we have to be careful of everything – especially MI, cerebral
infarction and such.” Then, Bevis caught sight of Thaddeus standing behind him, his presence as
intimidating as a judge from the underworld.
Initially alarmed, Bevis quickly reminded himself that they were at the building of the K Group, not that
of the Abernathy Group. This was his turf, with his brother backing him up – what did he have to fear
from this upstart?
Grinning at Thaddeus, Bevis teased, “Mr. Abernathy, joining us for the meeting? Has the Abernathy
Group invested in our K Group as well?”
Thaddeus‘ eyes darkened. But with Chairman Ashbourne present, and as his junior, he had to maintain
decorum.
“Haha, just kidding.”
Bevis waved his hand dismissively, chuckling, “But hey, we’d still be mighty pleased to have Mr.
Abernathy on board with us. Word on the street is that you, as the illegitimate scion climbing the ranks
of the Abernathy family, are looking to marry into our Ashbourne family to gild your own name, using
our influence to snag a fatter slice of the corporate pie. Now, that’s a story with legs. If you invest, it not
only scores points with my brother but also helps shatter those pesky rumors, right?”
“Heh, Uncle Bevis, I thought you were just fashion–blind. Turns out you’re lagging in the gossip
department too.” Evadne was internally ripping Bevis to shreds, yet her face was all smiles, cool as a
cucumber, “Even if you haven’t connected to Wi–Fi for getting news yet, you can’t be skipping watching
TV, can you? Thaddeus is no bastard; he’s the rightful heir to the Abernathy family. Since Elspeth bit
the dust, his status has been crystal–clear, with every media outlet scrambling to cover the story. If you
go around peddling that stale gossip, folks will start thinking you’re just a jilted lover of Elspeth, holding
a grudge against our Thaddeus.”
Thaddeus gazed at her, his heart warming as if set aflame. Emeric frowned and coughed softly but did
not intervene. Bevis‘ smile started to falter, his teeth gritted in frustration.
Evadne’s eyes, demurely cast down, suddenly flicked upward, her lips curling into a scornful smile,
“Oh, and Uncle Bevis, I just can’t help but suggest that next time you attend a fancy shindig, you should
let Dolores give you some fashion tips. Red and green, even dogs dislike.”
Emeric coughed more pointedly, a clear warning. Dressed in a deep red suit with a hunter green tie,
Bevis froze completely. After the brief interlude, the Ashbourne brothers headed into the conference
room for their meeting.
Evadne and Thaddeus waited in Emeric’s office. She lounged across the sofa, her head resting on
Thaddeus‘ thigh, looking up at his chiseled features and laughing merrily.
“Haha, thinking of Bevis‘ face, all twisted like he swallowed a fly, it just tickles me pink.”
Evadne laughed for a moment but then her expression darkened in anger, “But I’m still steamed! That
blowhard Bevis, thinking he can humiliate you in front of Emeric and get away with it. Does he think
he’s the cat’s pajamas? Before he opens his trap, he should take a good look who’s husband is he
insulting? My man? Not on my watch!”
Thaddeus‘ eyes shone with a starry brilliance as he squeezed her hand, “And whose husband am I?”
Evadne, suddenly catching on, blushed to the tips of her ears, her gaze falling. Seeing her shy silence,
he sighed softly, about to change the subject.
“Mine.”
Evadne slowly met his gaze, locking eyes with his handsome, deep–set eyes, “You, you’re mine.”
Thaddeus‘ heart raced, and he leaned in, almost nose to nose, breathing in her scent.
“And you’re mine.”
As passion surged within him, he reached for her chin, about to steal a kiss, but she pressed a fingertip
to his lips, glancing at the camera in the corner.
“Stop, we’re on camera. Dylan checks the footage daily. How embarrassing would it be for him to catch
us?”
Thaddeus thought better of it. Though it was natural for lovers to show affection, one difference
between humans and animals was that people choose their moments and places.
“Thaddeus, this medicine is a real find. I even had Cassius and Chasel sniff around for it with no luck.
How did you get it?” Evadne asked after a moment of hesitation.
Thaddeus‘ lashes fluttered but he was honest with his woman, “I went abroad, pulled every string,
knocked on every door, to no avail. Finally, I had no choice but to seek help from Chad.”
Evadne was astounded, “You went to Mr. Chad Abernathy? He got you the medicine?”
“Yes. He’s been living abroad for years, tirelessly seeking medical advice and building a network in the
field. Plus, he’s got close ties with the Morris family. I figured he might have a way.”
Thaddeus‘ eyes showed relief and gratitude, “Thankfully, it worked out. Took a few extra days, but we
got the medicine.”
Evadne sat up abruptly, her gaze turning suspicious as she scrutinized him.
“Evadne, what’s wrong? Did I say something amiss?” Thaddeus was all too wary of his wife’s
displeasure, ready to reflect on any misstep at her slightest frown.
“It’s not you.”
Evadne’s brow furrowed in thought, “I just can’t shake this feeling, something seems off.”
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