Chapter 414

After Frederic signed the contract, a weight was lifted off his heart and he sighed with relief.

The success of this substantial project had revitalized the company's morale, and some of the lost prestige had been regained.

Back in his office, Frederic couldn't wait to reconnect with Chad.

"Dad, congratulations, you've nailed yet another significant project partnership."

At this moment, Chad was already in the car on his way back. Brows slightly curved, his soft brown eyes exuded a warm gentleness, and a faint smile graced his lips.

In terms of looks, Chad wasn't as handsome as Thaddeus, nor as sharp as Jareth, and certainly not as delicate as Avery.

His relaxed and elegant features held a unique charm that was approachable and inviting; it made one want to know him, to be near him.

Despite his chronic illness that confined him to a wheelchair, Chad never wallowed in self-pity. His smile remained bright, and his gaze clear; it was as if that traumatic kidnapping incident had never happened.

"Chad, this partnership was all due to your efforts. I should be thanking you," Frederic's voice was filled with admiration and excitement.

"Dad, it’s nothing. There's no need for such formalities between us."

Chad said, a faint smile on his lips, "Everything I do is for the Abernathy family, for the Abernathy Group. It's what I should do as One of the Abernathys."

Hearing this, Frederic was even more touched. He asked with concern, "How are you feeling, son? Is your health better than it was a few years ago?"

"I'm fine, Dad. You don't have to worry about me."

"I'll check my schedule in the next few days and fly over for a reunion!"

"Dad, there's no rush to come over."

"Why?"

Chad chuckled lightly, "Perhaps, we might meet in Elmsworth sooner than you think."

"You are coming back?" Frederic was stunned, hardly daring to believe his own ears.

"Yes, home is where the heart is. No matter how long I live abroad, it's not my home. I'm looking forward to reuniting with my family. And I don't know how Thaddeus's been these years; I really can't wait to see him."

Although Star Island was not particularly large in Country T, it took up quite a large area. It was covered with dense forests, complex terrain, and the arrival of nightfall made this mysterious island even more eerie, hiding unpredictable dangers.

After much deliberation, Thaddeus and Cassius decided to leave Jareth outside the jungle as backup.

"What the heck! Why?! I'm itching for a fight too! Why am I stuck doing logistics?!"

Jareth was stomping his feet in frustration, kicking up dust, "I don't care! I want to go too! I might not move nimbly as well as you guys, but I'm a sharpshooter! I can hit a bullseye without a miss!"

Jareth, who Cassius used to think was quite straightforward and funny, but when it came to critical moments, he seemed like such a fool.

"Do you still want to marry Marilla?" Thaddeus looked at him throwing a tantrum expressionlessly.

"Yes! I even dream about it!"

"Then stay here and behave."

"Son of a biscuit! Thaddeus, after twenty years of friendship, you're threatening me!"

However, Jareth could only glare at him, gritting his teeth, "Fine! You win! But remember to signal me; you must signal me, or we're through!"

His Achilles' heel was firmly grasped by Thaddeus.

"Alright, you guys be careful too."

After saying this, Thaddeus and Cassius exchanged a glance and ran deeper into the forest.

"Thaddeus, you must return safely with your brother-in-law," Jareth silently prayed for them in his heart.

The Velvet Haven in Elmsworth.

Inside a top-tier luxurious private room, Avery was having a jovial conversation and toasting with a military official from Country T.

He had worked together on many projects with this man called Eden since he started his business in Helgen, and their interests were closely aligned.

Eden had earned a fortune from their collaborations, and in turn, he provided Avery with many conveniences in Helgen and Country T.

Now, Avery was a tycoon in Helgen, while Eden had been promoted to the rank of Colonel in the Royal Army.

However, their relationship remained largely unknown to outsiders over the years.

Elsie Archer accompanied them throughout, pouring drinks and playing the role of a glamorous charming bait.

As she leaned over, the generous cleavage on her chest was tantalizingly visible.

Eden was so aroused that his mouth went dry and his pulse quickened. He stared intently at her half-exposed breast, so much so that he didn't even notice the wine spilling from his glass.

At this moment, the door was knocked and Harvey rushed to Avery's side, whispering, "Mr. Chambers, Thaddeus and Jareth have arrived in Country T. They are now leading a team into Star Island. It seems they plan to capture Ward tonight."

"Oh, just the two of them?" Avery elegantly sipped his red wine.

"And Ms. Ashbourne's older brother, Cassius."

Harvey looked a bit discomforted, "Mr. Chambers, should we still proceed as planned? If President Ashbourne gets hurt, it won't be good. After all, he is Ms. Ashbourne's brother."

"So what?"

A sinister glint flashed in Avery's eyes, and gnawing his teeth, he sneered, "I've seen it clearly. The Ashbourne brothers are of no use to me; they're just stumbling blocks on my path to getting Evadne. In that case, let's take this opportunity to get rid of them once and for all."

Hearing this, Harvey broke out in a cold sweat.

Elsie, who was pouring the wine, also trembled slightly, and her lips tightened.

Suddenly, the image of Elvis, with his flamboyant handsome face, flashed through her mind.

"Why all these men fussing over Evadne? Mine adoration should be more than enough for her."

"Hahaha! That’s the Mr. Chambers I know! Bold and dominant! I like it!" Eden laughed heartily, clapping his hands in amusement.

"Appreciate the praise," Avery slightly raised his chin.

"When's the wedding of you and Ms. Ashbourne? I will make sure to bring a generous gift!"

"Soon, but whether we’ll have this wedding or not depends on whether you, Colonel Eden, would lend me a helping hand."

Avery lifted his lips in a cruel smirk, "I need you to kill two people for me."

"Who?" Eden asked lazily.

"Thaddeus, and Cassius," Avery spit out these two names between clenched teeth.

Eden was shocked, his plump face trembling, "Mr. Chambers, is this some kind of joke? I may be from the country, but I know who those two are.

They're not to be messed with! Especially Cassius, his father Emeric Ashbourne is the richest man in Skyrim, and they have connections with the royal family. If I mess with him and it gets traced back to me, I'll be in big trouble!"

"I've got that all covered."

Avery leaned slightly forward, his eyes flashing with a hint of menace, "The people they're trying to capture is one of the key personnel under your arms dealer."

"What?" Eden was surprised.

"They aren’t local, yet daring to cause trouble on your turf and create chaos. I believe the royal family wouldn't stand by and watch; they would definitely punish them. Instead of waiting for orders from above, why not take the initiative to get rid of these violent intruders, cleanse the royal side, and earn some brownie points?"

Eden's eyes were whirling, clearly tempted.

"And besides, they may wield immense power there, but in Country T, they're like fish out of water. If you take them out in the chaos and dispose of their bodies in the sea, I doubt no one would find out."

Avery squinted, "You're the best at this kind of job."

"Hahaha! Mr. Chambers, you're very meticulous, considering all aspects! But if I help you, how will you thank me?"

"Money, land, name your price."

"I have a desire right now," as he spoke, Eden greedily scanned Elsie's alluring body.

The next moment, Avery grabbed her arm and shook it violently.

Caught off guard, Elsie let out a cry and fell onto Eden, immediately being held tightly by the strong man, enduring his nauseating advances.

Avery slowly stood up, leaving the room without a backward glance.

"Tonight, she's yours."

That night, Eden enjoyed fine wine and the woman, left the Velvet Haven with the task Avery set for him, fulfilled and content.

Elsie lay on the bed, bruised and battered, like a discarded, broken yet beautiful toy.

Her beloved red dress lay torn to shreds on the floor, along with those ugly, frightening tools, silently mocking how pitiful and humiliated she was tonight.

Then, the door opened.

Familiar footsteps approached; Avery stood by the bed, looking coldly at her naked body.

"I didn't expect he had such a fetish, just like my older brother."

Through her disheveled hair falling on her pale face, Elsie looked at the man she had loved for half her life, tears welling in her eyes.

"You did a good job tonight. Whatever you want, tell Harvey," Avery's gaze was chillingly indifferent.

His eyes only burned passionately for Evadne; all other women were just tools for him to use.

"I want my red dress," Elsie's lips trembled as she spoke.

Avery's expression was indifferent, "Fine, I'll get Harvey to buy it for you."

"This dress was my birthday gift from you two years ago."

Elsie choked on her words, clutching the sheets tightly, her tears silently rolling down her beautiful cheeks.

"Is that so."

Avery's eyes darkened, he nonchalantly lifted the corner of his lips, "Do you know why I gave you a red dress? Because Evadne loves red. So, I love seeing you in red."

Elsie felt a bone-chilling cold spread throughout her body, her heart ached as if it had been brutally cut open, her bloody heart torn out by him, ruthlessly trampled and shattered.

Knowing the answer would involve Evadne, knowing asking would only bring humiliation, but she couldn't help but want to ask, over and over again, as if she could somehow receive a different answer.

"Rest well. And you know what you have to do next, don't you? You volunteered."

Avery turned to leave. Just then, Elsie suddenly rolled off the bed, desperately grabbing his cold hand.

"Ave, did you ever have any feelings for me? Ave?"

He looked at her, his eyes dark and void of light.

Elsie was crying, "Not even a little bit? After all these years or even a tiny bit?"

"Don't you find your question ridiculous?"

Avery forcefully shook off her hand, laughing derisively, "If I knew you were such a banal woman, I wouldn't have saved you back then."

The door slammed shut and the man left, leaving Elsie naked on the floor, crying her heart out, feeling even more pathetic than her torn dress.

The cold rain on the island lashed against Thaddeus, his steps heavy but determined.

Cassius was walking side by side with him, even though he didn't show it, he couldn't help but sigh that Thaddeus moved too fast!

True to his military background, his years of privilege hadn't made him slack off or weakened his physique and will. Whenever needed, he was ready to face battle.

Cassius had to admit, apart from himself, Thaddeus might be the only man in the world who could provide absolute security for his sister.

"What a pity," He sighed.

"What?" Despite his rapid movement, Thaddeus managed to hear clearly.

Cassius was about to speak when suddenly, a violent shake rocked their view! Just as Thaddeus knocked him to the ground, a hail of bullets whizzed past where he had just been, leaving a horrific trail of bullet holes in the dirt!

Cassius, despite having faced many a critical situation, could not help but break out in a cold sweat! A second's difference, and he would have been turned into a sieve. It was Thaddeus who had saved his life!

"You okay?"

"I'm fine." Cassius took a deep breath, "Thanks."

"We're being ambushed. From now on, we can't afford to let our guard down. Otherwise, Evadne might lose two close ones in one night!" Thaddeus’s eyes were sharp and vigilant as they scanned the surroundings.

Thanks to the flashlight held by one of his men; visibility was limited but Thaddeus’s keen eyesight and hearing made the danger lurking in the dark quite apparent!

"Mr. Abernathy! President Ashbourne! We've been ambushed! You guys need to," The warning from their charging subordinate was abruptly cut off.

A bullet landed squarely in his chest, causing him to collapse to the ground with a thud!

A hailstorm of bullets ensued, scattering everyone like leaves in the wind. The men were too busy saving their own skins to protect Thaddeus and Cassius!

They took cover behind a large boulder and swiftly retaliated. Both were sharpshooters, taking down four assailants in quick succession, but the situation was still dire!

"What's going on? Did Ward's people find us?!"

Cassius’s brows knitted together as he reloaded his gun whilst keeping an eye on the surroundings, "Our whereabouts are top secret, impossible for anyone to know!"

"But the news of our movement tonight has been leaked," as he spoke, another bullet whizzed past, barely grazing Thaddeus’s ear!

Cassius’s heart constricted while Thaddeus remained calm, his eyes icy as he suddenly turned to fire two shots, taking down another assailant!

His performance was testament to his experience on the battlefield; his mental fortitude and quick response were remarkable.

No wonder his little sister was head over heels for him.

"Who could it be?" Cassius hastily asked.

"I wouldn't rule out the possibility that aside from Elspeth, there are people in the country who have secret dealings with Ward and want to give him a hand behind the scenes. At the same time, they want to get us out of the picture," as he spoke, Thaddeus couldn't help but think of a name he had always tried to forget - Avery.

His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus)

Chapter 413 A Dish Best Served Cold (The Man In Rage)

Chapter 2371 Predatory Nature Awake for Love: My Coma Bridegroom Chapter 664