abcnovels
Chapter 687
Chapter 687
Chapter 687
Chapter 687
Seeing Aaron’s solemn expression, the couple grew serious too.
“Aaron, spill it.”
“You two, crusading around like modern–day Robin Hood and Maid Marian, your reputation precedes
you,” Aaron’s voice dripped with feign bitterness.
Thaddeus couldn’t help but glance at his wife beside him, lifting his large hand to cradle the nape of her
neck, tenderly kneading, “Not me, I just follow Evadne’s lead. It’s all her smart, kind–hearted.”
“Aaron’s poking fun at us, and there you go, playing the modest card and dumping the big hat on me.
You’re going to give me so much pressure one of these days!”
Evadne squinted her dazzling eyes and nudged him in the ribs with her elbow.
“I’m not mocking. I’m dead serious.”
Aaron’s face took on a grave tone, “Today’s perpetrator, the one who took Marilla, he killed two
members of a high school bully pack.”
Darkness clouded Thaddeus‘ eyes, a frost seeming to spread across his handsome features. And
Evadne’s gaze turned icy too.
It seemed like fate that both of these kindred spirits had suffered from bullying in their youth, making
them despise such vile acts even more than the average person!
“That kidnapper has a daughter who suffered two years of torment at the hands of those five, even had
compromising photos taken, forced to be their slave. If she didn’t comply, they’d threaten to blast those
photos over the school network. The girl and her father reported it to the police more than once, but it
was always dismissed for lack of evidence. Those five brutes, with two of them having deep pockets
and connections, left the father and daughter without recourse, at the mercy of their tormentors. In the
end, the girl couldn’t bear the humiliation and chose to end her life by jumping from a building.”
“Deep pockets? Connections?”
Thaddeus‘ gaze turned fierce, like a predator ready to pounce, “Give me their names. I want to see just
how rich and powerful they are!”
Evadne’s eyes reddened with rage, “How’s the girl doing now?”
“Still in a coma, but they’re fighting to save her.”
Aaron sighed heavily, clenching his fists, “I’ve seen the report, the medical examination records -the
evidence we have now is enough to prosecute those bullies. And they’re of age now, if we follow the
proper channels.”
“If it was about following the proper channels, Aaron, you wouldn’t be coming to me and Thaddeus,”
Evadne cut through his intentions sharply.
Aaron swallowed hard, his tone somber, “Murder is murder, and it calls for justice. I feel for that father,
but I don’t condone what he did. He must face the law. But his daughter is innocent. She didn’t deserve
any of this, and those who are responsible should pay dearly”
“It’s the only way a regular dad could think of to avenge his daughter,” murmured Thaddeus, his lips
barely moving.
“Aaron, your department must deal with cases like this all the time, right?”
Evadne asked curiously, “Why are you so invested in this one? Did you know the girl?”
The image of Marilla, tearful and adorable even in distress, flashed before Aaron’s eyes, warming his
heart, “First, because the consequences of this bullying are too vile for me to stomach. Second, Marilla
asked me to make sure justice is served for that girl.”
Aaron’s sudden mention of Marilla caught the couple off guard.
“Back then, in the crisis, Marilla’s ability to escape was because she convinced that man. She said she
would stand by that girl through her ordeal and help get revenge. I don’t want to let Marilla down.”
Realizing how that might sound, Aaron added in a bland tone, “Marilla is innocent, pure like a
sanctuary. I hope she can always be as trusting as she is now, with no lies or deception in her world.”
Evadne met his gaze, her eyes reflecting an unfathomable emotion.
“If it’s Marilla’s wish, then I’m even more determined to fulfill it.”
Thaddeus, without a doubt, felt a twinge of guilt, “I’ve been such a lousy brother. All these years, she
suffered at home, and I was so oblivious. It took me years to see, and I wouldn’t have known if not for
Evadne. I’m really no good.”
“Don’t sell yourself short; you’re a great brother, and I can vouch for that.”
Evadne leaned into him, planting a kiss on his neck, “Don’t forget, without you, where would Marilla find
such a devoted boyfriend? Just for that, you’ve already won.”
Thaddeus‘ heart melted, desire flooding his eyes as he caressed her waist and captured her soft lips.
Aaron, cloaked in an almost imperceptible sadness, opened the car door and left them with a parting
word, “I’ll send the documents later. Don’t cross the legal line, but apart from that, do what you must.”
Worried about their sister’s wellbeing, Mr. and Mrs. Abernathys said goodbye to Aaron and hurried to
Jareth’s estate.
They didn’t see Marilla, however; they didn’t even make it through the door, stopped by the man
himself.
Thaddeus, Evadne, no need to worry. Except being seriously scared, Marilla’s fine. Lily’s got her
asleep,” Jareth’s eyes were a bit dazed and bloodshot.
Casting aside Marilla’s well–being, his state was evidently not good; he must have be scared also.
Thaddeus wanted to insist on checking on her, but Evadne tugged at his arm, giving him a knowing
look. Taking the hint, he changed his approach, “She’s really okay?”
“She’s fine.”
Jareth managed a strained smile, trying to lighten the mood, “If she wasn’t, do you think I’d be here
talking to you so calmly? I’d have torn the place apart by now.”
That made sense.
“Let Marilla rest then. We’ll come by when she’s feeling more settled,” with that, Evadne linked arm with
Thaddeus‘ and as they turned to leave, Jareth suddenly called out, “Evadne.”
“Yes? What is it?”
Jareth’s lips, parched and pale, pressed tightly together. He hesitated, wrestling with his thoughts, but
eventually, he swallowed the news about Aaron, “Chairman Ashbourne, how has he been feeling? Any
better?”
“Much better, thank you for your concern, Mr. Fairhaven.”
Evadne’s lips curved in a delicate smile as she and Thaddeus left, arm in arm like a pair of celestial
beings bound in love.
Jareth watched their retreating figures, feeling his own heart ache as if struggling against the relentless
current of a river, caught in a whirlpool of self–doubt.
He envied them deeply, Thaddeus and Evadne’s unwavering, till–death–do–us–part kind of love. He
was deeply in love with Marilla, and he felt Marilla loved him too.
But who did she really love? Was it Jareth, or the idea of being in love with the first Jareth who had
shown her affection? What if the first man she had met had been Aaron?
Jareth’s vision blurred, darkness creeping at the edges as his hand, gripping the doorframe, tensed
and veins bulged, afraid to ponder any deeper.
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