Chapter 446

The match time was up; the air thrummed with anticipation and the roar of eager crowds as the jockeys, astride their magnificent steeds, made a glittering entrance into the arena.

Amidst a shower of roses and the thunder of applause, the jockeys stood tall and proud, warriors each and every one.

The announcer's voice boomed with excitement as he introduced each competitor and their gallant horses. All eyes were on the track, home fans cheering for their favorites. But there were a few who, in silence, awaited the arrival of a particular beauty.

“And now, ladies and gentlemen.”

The announcer's voice hitched as he scanned his notes, causing a hush to sweep over the crowd.

“Please welcome the daughter of Chairman Emeric Ashbourne, the daughter of the Ashbourne family, Ms. Evadne Ashbourne!”

The crowd erupted in astonishment. Good heavens, the Ashbourne family’s daughter competing in the flesh? Could she truly be such an equestrian force?

Jewelry designer Alea, hotel magnate, fashion designer Haron, illustrious doctor Dr. Eve and now, a jockey too. What other surprises did she harbor, unknown to the world?

Yet, some onlookers couldn't help their envious comments.

“Can't that big-shot corporation afford a professional jockey? Why send the family gem to rough it up? Talk about cheap thrills.”

“Seriously, the racetrack is so dusty and grimy. If it were me, I would never agree to step in there.”

“And horses, they're beasts after all. What if one goes berserk and she gets thrown or trampled? Seems the Ashbourne lady will stop at nothing for a bit of the limelight.”

Evadne, clad in a striking black and white riding ensemble, gracefully led her horse Wind into the arena.

The spectators were spellbound, even the naysayers fell silent for she was a vision of beauty.

Bland riding attire was often demanding of one's figure; not any woman could embody its uniqueness, yet all those concerns and defects seemed dissolved in front of her impeccable body.

Her clear eyes and bright smile, her statuesque form, all radiated a fierce, sun-like brilliance.

Seeing his woman entering the arena, Thaddeus couldn't help but rush to the forefront, gripping the railing with white-knuckled intensity, his eyes fixed on the breathtaking Evadne.

“Evadne,” he whispered her name, his voice thick with an emotion that almost brought him to tears.

Edith observed his longing gaze, scoffed, and drowned her irritation in a hefty swig of bourbon.

Stare all he wanted. Maybe later he’d miss this time for the rest of his life.

Frederic, noting his usually haughty son now smitten in the presence of the Ashbourne daughter, felt a stormy scowl crease his forehead. Not wanting to cause a scene, he redirected his frustration at Glynnis, “Where is your mom? The race is about to start. At such a crucial moment, everyone is here but her. Where has she disappeared to?”

Glynnis, feeling wronged, blurted out, “How should I know? She's your wife. You ought to know her whereabouts, shouldn't you?”

Frederic's brows furrowed tight. It was odd, indeed. Elspeth had been acting secretive lately, especially around this horse show. She used to cling to him relentlessly, and now she seemed to keep her distance, as if plotting something clandestine.

“Dennis.”

“Yes, Mr. Abernathy,” Dennis promptly approached.

“Go find my wife. And when you do, tell her to come back immediately.”

Dennis nodded and left swiftly.

Glynnis's heart skipped a beat; she worried that Elspeth might be conducting a covert rendezvous with Victor at the track, exchanging some illicit potion, which drenched herself in cold sweat for dread. Cursing her loose lips, she quickly texted her mother a warning.

[Mom! Dad’s sent someone to find you. Be careful!]

Meanwhile, Jareth, seeing Evadne make her entrance, couldn't help but play the role of the spirited cheerleader amidst the male jockeys, “Woohoo!

Go Evadne, you look smashing! Charge ahead!”

Marilla aside didn't show a hint of annoyance. Instead, her eyes, as clear as stars, sparkled with excitement and her fists clenched in anticipation.

While the Fairhaven family looked on with disapproval. What could they do about this whirlwind of a man? They pretended not to know him.

“What's with all the 'woohoo', acting like a baboon?” Thaddeus roasted in a jealous tone as he shot him a cold glance, “Just stay quiet. Only you know how to speak?”

“Come off it, I'm just being a passionate spectator. If Marilla were racing, I'd leap from here and sprint alongside her, cheering her on without a care in the world!”

Thaddeus sneered at his words, unconvinced. Aren’t you already like that?

“You're just too uptight, man.” Jareth clapped him on the back, “I know exactly what you're thinking. You're more anxious and worried for Evadne than anyone here. You should shout it out like I do! How else will she know?”

“I'm not as ostentatious as you. Besides, who says I won't show it?” A tremor passed through Thaddeus's long lashes, his voice a husky whisper, “Oh, I'll show it when we get home.”

Raising his eyebrow, Jareth smirked knowingly, “Spicy taste, I get it!”

Thaddeus had always been the stoic type, seemingly above worldly desires. Now, with love igniting his passions, he was a whole new man.

There's no such thing as being unromantic; it's just a matter of meeting the right person.

The bigwigs watched as their horses lined up on the track, poised for the race. Their eyes shone with nervous anticipation. Only William and his son remained calm, watching the proceedings with detached amusement.

Ford raised his binoculars toward Evadne, positioned at gate five. His gaze wandered greedily over her, lingering on her shapely legs hugged by tight jodhpurs. His Adam's apple bobbed as his tongue traced his upper lip.

He hadn't expected such a wild, unrestrained side to the sheltered Ms. Ashbourne. She was exactly his type. Once the race was over, he resolved to persuade his father to approach the Ashbourne family with a marriage proposal.

Myra watched William and his son intently, noting how Ford's gaze seemed fixated on Evadne. She couldn't help but feel a drum of anxiety in her chest and whispered to Cassius, "That man from the Morris family...he seems quite taken with Evadne, doesn't he?"

Cassius's expression darkened upon hearing it, "You noticed too?" He had seen it before - the old man's intentions were as clear as day!

"What do we do? I'm getting worried."

Myra's elegant brows furrowed with concern, "Williams and his son are one of the top financial powerhouses in their country. Emeric mentioned them before, saying that if we wanted to expand our business here, we'd have to deal with their family eventually. What if that Junior Morris takes a fancy to Evadne and uses a business collaboration as a bargaining chip, proposing marriage to Emeric in exchange for her hand. What then?!"

Brows furrowed, Cassius thought for a moment, his voice warm but firm, "That won't happen. Junior Morris is nearly forty, a whole ten years older than Evadne - it's not a suitable match. Besides, they're from another country and Debby is already married abroad. Dad would never agree to send Evadne so far away from her family."

"Even so, Emeric is keen on breaking up Evadne and Mr. Abernathy. He might change his mind, who knows?" Myra's heart was still uneasy.

"Even though Dad disapproves of Thaddeus, he would never trade his daughter’s happiness for personal gain," Cassius asserted, though his face betrayed his concern.

Meanwhile, Emeric was using his binoculars to admire his daughter's grace, instructing Mr. Dylan to record the event and asking the officials to take more pictures of her.

Evadne's gaze was piercing as she focused ahead. Her seemingly delicate figure was charged with an immeasurable explosive force.

The male jockeys sneered at her, thinking, "This pampered little miss - just don't cry when you lose."

At the signal, every rider leaned forward.

"Come on, Wind!" Evadne tensed, regulating her breath. Then, with a deafening gunshot, fourteen horses burst forth like arrows released from a bow.

Wind was the fastest off the mark, showing incredible power!

The crowd went wild, cheers drowning out one another!

Thaddeus watched as Evadne took off like a fire on the wind, his heart pounding and blood boiling with anticipation.

You got this, Evadne. You will succeed. Go for it!

"Go!"

Evadne’s clear voice cut through the rushing wind, and Wind surged like lightning. She could feel the air's resistance pressing against her. But this was no place for the weak - every horse was a contender.

Although Wind was in the lead and no matter how skillful Evadne harnessed it, the advantage wasn't clear due to its build compared to the other thoroughbreds. Soon enough, a rider overtook her.

“Ahahaha, well done!” Barry, ecstatic, banged his cane on the ground, “Did you see it? Our Thunder is taking the lead!”

While Gary, seeking to ingratiate himself, exclaimed, "Your choice of Thunder back then was spot on!"

Jareth sneered, “Ass-kisser.”

Avery, adjusting his glasses, taunted, "We're just warming up, Mr. Fairhaven. It’s still far too early to make conclusions. Celebrating now might be premature."

“I know you hope Ms. Ashbourne to be the winner, Mr. Chambers. After all, she’s the woman you love.”

Gary had long been disgruntled about Avery; he couldn't resist taking a jab at him whenever there was a chance, “But sometimes things can’t be forcibly done. Just like when your crush loves someone else, or when the horse you bet on is doomed to lose. If you have to ask the reason, it’s evidently because of the genetics. Thunder looks stronger, and in the face of absolute strength, everything else is just a show.”

Just a few remarks would suffice not just to ridicule Avery bloodily, but to insinuate other three families’ incompetence.

Avery’s lips tightly pressed, his eyes reddened with a tinge of merciless algidity, while Thaddeus observed indifferently; he surely hoped Evadne would win, but he had to admit Gary's point.

“This uncle of mine is nothing but a dirty dog, but he’s got a point about what he just said,” Jareth, leaning on the railing, reveled in Avery's lividness, “Check this out! It’s so funny to see that jerk’s face. The wicked has been ground down.”

“Jerk? Who?” Thaddeus’s brow furrowed.

“Of course it’s Avery. Who else can it be? He’s a angelic bitch who pretends being either innocent or pitiful. Gross! Acting like he’s pure angel, bah!

What a low creature!” Jareth spat furiously, barely holding himself back the impulse to punch Avery and shatter his disgustingly polished glasses.

Though without any reply, Thaddeus reckoned what he said described Avery perfectly.

As the race entered the second lap, the gap widened. Thunder from the Fairhaven family was leading, followed closely by Wind, with the Abernathy Group's Dragon breathing down their necks.

When a burly rider from the Fairhaven family passed Evadne, he whistled and jeered at her. Evadne, insulted, vowed to win this race or never ride again.

Determined, she urged Wind on, trailing close behind the leaders. The main pack was far behind; it was now a three-horse race.

Below, Edith watched Evadne closely, her gaze fixed on Wind’s legs. A sinister smile crept across her face.

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

Chapter 445 A Dish Best Served Cold (The Man In Rage)

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