His Ex wife is a billionaire Chapter 462

Chapter 462

Thaddeus leaned in for a respectful bow toward him, the deference of a junior done just right.

Even though this elder had given him a hard time in the past, making him feel unwelcome and putting him in difficult positions, his love for Evadne and the deep respect he held for Chairman Ashbourne’s integrity kept him humble. Yet, his humility was nothing like Avery’s eager–to–please fawning.

“Chairman Ashbourne, the night air’s got a chill to it; mind you don’t catch a cold.”

His presence was like sunlight without glare, a deep current in still waters. On reflection, it did feel quite pleasant, natural, as if basking in a gentle breeze.

Emeric nodded slightly.

The top dog was without his usual b*dyguards, which sent Evadne’s heart racing with worry. She hurried over, “Dad, why didn’t you bring anyone with you? Coming here all alone, what if.”

“Mr. Lyle is quite capable, and besides, it’s late and I didn’t want to disturb their rest. Also, I wanted to see for myself how my daughter’s getting on living here in Elmsworth, to see if the house she’s staying in is comfortable enough.”

Emeric glanced over the villa, “Hmm, small but well–appointed. Not spacious, but cozy enough.”

“You didn’t pick the lock to get in, did you?” Evadne’s cheeks flushed with heat, her words sharp with mock indignation.

Her embarrassment stemmed from the fact that the villa had become her and Thaddeus’s love nest, filled with traces of their life together.

“Do you really see me as incapable of doing things the normal way?”

Emeric’s face darkened with a mock frown, “Didn’t you hire a housekeeper? She let me in, made me tea, and served some pastries. I had a few; they were quite good. I had Mr. Lyle pack up the rest to take with us.”

Mr. Lyle shook the clear container in his hand.

“How could you! Those cookies were for Thaddeus, you leave them be!”

Evadne was stomping her foot in frustration, reaching out with her small, pale hands to snatch away the goods, but Thaddeus was quick to hold her back. “You’ve got three women waiting on you hand and foot, and Thaddeus has only me! He hasn’t even had a chance to try them; how can you swoop in and take advantage? Leave some!”

“Evadne, it’s alright.” Thaddeus hugged her tighter, a bemused smile on his face.

“Tsk, no harm in honoring your old man with these treats. Plus, if he wants more, you can make them for him anytime later. But for me to get a taste, I have to trek all the way to Elmsworth. It’s not easy; I’m keeping them!” Emeric guarded his prize like a lion with his mane slightly ruffled.

Later?

The couple were taken aback, exchanging glances.

Emeric’s demeanor toward Thaddeus was subtly different this time. In the past, it was as if he wanted to chase them with a stick every day. But tonight, not only was he less harsh on Thaddeus, but his words were also thought–provoking.

Thaddeus’s heart raced, his palms beginning to sweat. But he dared not think too much of it; even the slightest thaw in their relationship was enough to satisfy him.

In the end, Evadne couldn’t win against Emeric, and the pastries were taken. All the effort she’d put in that afternoon, and her man had barely had a taste before her father swooped in and claimed the lot. It was infuriating!

“Hey, kiddo, you seem sprightly enough. I take it your back’s better?” Emeric inquired about his daughter’s injury with genuine

concern.

“It’s fine. I’m not that delicate,” Evadne stood tall with a defiant tilt of her chin.

“Evadne, don’t push yourself. How could it possibly heal that quickly? You know, a sprain is worse than a break.”

Thaddeus’s brow furrowed with concern as he called her out, “Last night you were in so much pain you couldn’t sleep, tossing and turning. Why don’t you tell your dad the truth?”

“It’s not like that. You talk too much,” Evadne bit her l*p, nudging him with her elbow in playful annoyance.

Emeric watched the interplay between his daughter and Thaddeus, and a sweet warmth wrapped around his heart, as if it had been bombarded by candy–coated shells. Even Mr. Lyle, standing behind him, couldn’t help but let a smile creep across his face.

“Mr. Abernathy, Evadne’s got injury. I know she has you looking out for her, but you’re a CEO; your days are packed. You can’t be by her side every minute. I’m worried about leaving my girl without proper care, so I’m thinking of taking her back home for a few days to recover.”

The jokes were over, and Emeric got down to point.

“I’m not going back. Who says I don’t have anyone to look after me? Alva that Thaddeus found for me is really reliable, takes great- care of me every day! I’m not going back,” Evadne declared defiantly in front of the two men she loved the most, her pout endearing.

Thaddeus stood silently beside her, his arm around her waist tightening ever so slightly.

He actually thought it best for her to go home where she’d be well looked after and could spend time with her family. But he couldn’t bear the thought of being apart from her. Every moment he spent with her was precious, and he lavished her with all the love he could muster.

Even a day apart was agony for him, the yearning too much to bear.

Seeing Evadne unyielding, Emeric turned to Thaddeus with a serious look, “Mr. Abernathy, my daughter may have married you, but you’re not a couple anymore. And given your backgrounds, it’s not proper for you to live together like this. If you truly see a future with Evadne, it should be gradual, not rushed. Don’t you agree?”

Thaddeus took a deep breath, tenderness mingled with hesitation as he gently pushed his beloved towards her father.

“Evadne, go home with Mr. Ashbourne for now; take good rest.”

“You’re sending me away?” Evadne’s brows knitted together, her voice tinged with hurt, eyes brimming with the vulnerability of an abandoned kitten.

“Silly girl, what nonsense. I’m not sending you away, I’m doing what’s best for you,” Thaddeus’s voice caught in his throat, seeing her pitiful expression made his heart ache.

“Will you come to Skyrim to see me?” Evadne’s l*ps quivered as she asked.

“Of course, I’ll come see you in a few days.”

But heaven knew, he couldn’t wait even one day. He’d want to set out for Skyrim at dawn, to at least stand outside the gates of Silverlake Harbor if he couldn’t be with her. Just to be closer to her.

Emeric suddenly felt an inexplicable pang of guilt stirring within, but he just couldn’t shake off the worry about Evadne being alone in Elmsworth.

After all, she had just ruffled the feathers of the Abernathy family and the Fairhaven family and one of the Fairhaven family pooches had taken a nasty nip at her. Who knew what those folks might do next? The thought kept him tossing and turning at night.

In the end, Evadne joined her father for the ride away from town. The night was deep and dew heavy as Thaddeus, tall and handsome, stood for a long while in the wind, watching the luxury car disappear into the distance.

Only when it was out of sight did he bow his head, his fists clenched in restraint, a mist of tears brewing in his eyes.

Gordon, sensing his boss’s plight, murmured a consolation, “Mr. Abernathy, ease your mind. Mrs. Abernathy just went home; she’s not gone for good. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?”

Thaddeus’s vision blurred, his voice hoarse, “I know. I just feel like I failed to take care of her.”

The Rolls Royce, shrouded by night, made its way towards Skyrim.

In the back seat, Evadne nestled into her father’s embrace, silent for a long while. Emeric held her shoulder, patting gently as one soothed a child, his voice low and warm, “Evadne, are you blaming me?”

Evadne shook her head, “I know you’re looking out for me.”

After a pause, Emeric heard soft sobs, and felt the damp warmth on his shirt.

“Evadne? Are you crying?”

“Dad. I miss Thaddeus. I miss him so much.”

It had been ages since Evadne had thrown herself into his arms and cried like this. But Emeric felt a pang of sorrow, his eyes moistening.

He hadn’t felt such a stir in his heart since Debby had married off to Helgen.

But seeing how deeply Evadne and Thaddeus were in love, he felt as if a piece of his very flesh had been carved away by the young man. The pain, the reluctance- only a father could understand.

“My Evadne, I really can’t hold onto you anymore.”

Back home, Evadne locked herself in her room, wrapping up in a quilt and chatting on the phone with Thaddeus.

She prattled on non–stop, like a little chatterbox. On the other end, the man listened patiently, occasionally agreeing with her ideas or adding his own suggestions.

Two souls in sync, their values aligned, there was never a shortage of topics. Later, Evadne’s head spun, and without realizing it, she drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, she rubbed her bleary eyes and stretched comfortably.

“Seems like you had a good sleep.”

?!

Evadne gasped, fl*pping over to grab her still–lit phone, “Thaddeus?! Why are you still on the line?!”

On the other end, his voice was slightly hoarse, clearly weary, “Last night, you went quiet. I figured you’d fallen asleep.”

“So, you?”

“I didn’t want to hang up. Opportunities to hear you grinding your teeth and snoring are rare,” Thaddeus said with a light chuckle.

Evadne’s cheeks flushed, she burrowed into her covers, “You’re making that up. I don’t do that! A beauty doesn’t grind teeth or snore!”

“Alright, alright, my mistake,” he soothed, but couldn’t suppress a yawn.

“You better get some sleep. You’ve been up all night; must be exhausted,” Evadne said, her heart aching for him.

“By the way, Evadne, we might see each other again soon. William and his son are throwing a bash at his castle on the outskirts of Elmsworth this weekend, and all the four families are invited, including your dad. We’ll meet by then.”

“William and his son are having a party? It must be for some big announcement,” Evadne’s eyes sparkled.

“I bet it’s about finalizing a business deal.”

“Your dad must be going through a lot these days; he won’t give up the chance to team up with J Corp.”

“Elspeth’s mess has him spread too thin to focus on William and his son.”

Thaddeus’s voice suddenly deepened, “But I can’t say what Chad might be planning.”

“Thaddeus, even though your brother is recuperating abroad, don’t take him lightly. His debut with J Corp means he’s bound to make a comeback,” Evadne expressed her concern.

“Evadne, are you really afraid I’ll turn into a kept man?” he teased.

“I’m serious!”

“I’m not afraid of him coming back, nor facing him head–on. If he wants to reclaim what’s his in fair competition, I have no complaints.”

The abduction from years ago still haunted Thaddeus; he felt indebted to Chad.

“But if he plays d*rty, I won’t stand by. Your Ashbourne Group are supposed to claim the crown of this horse racing event; if William is decent enough, he should choose you without hesitation. But if Chad or others intends to pull a fast one, I won’t just stand by.”

Thaddeus’s low, resonant voice caressed her ear, soothing and compelling, “With me here, you’ve got nothing to worry about.””

Myra didn’t go on vacation as she said she would but stayed home, caring for Emeric and cooking for the family as usual.

Her life, unaffected by Elspeth’s downfall, remained serene and unassuming. She appreciated Evadne’s revenge on her behalf, but with a loving husband, family, and daughter, hatred hardly weighed on her anymore..

Evadne savored the tonic soup Myra had prepared for her – every last drop. The ladies of the house gathered around her, seeing her in good spirits, finally felt at ease.

“Looks like that boy’s taking pretty good care of you.”

Aviana propped her chin in her hand, shaking her head admiringly, “Hearing you talk, I’m quite impressed with Thaddeus. A pampered young master turned doting househusband just for you – that’s no small sacrifice.”

“Absolutely, there’s no way Emeric would stoop to that; he’s far too proud,” Suri quipped with a chuckle.

Evadne flashed a smug grin, feeling like she’d hit the jackpot.

“Evadne, just be patient a little longer. I think Emeric is warming up to the idea of you and Mr. Abernathy. His pride is just too big, and he hasn’t found a graceful way to back down yet.”

The words from Myra sent a wave of shock and delight through the other three women.

“Really?!”

“Emeric had his eyes set on Mr. Avery Chambers for you, always trying to set you two up. But after the last horse racing event, I think he’s not as opposed to Mr. Abernathy as before. And he made it pretty clear to Mr. Chambers that day, he’s not going to meddle in your relationship with Mr. Abernathy anymore. He’s letting nature take its course.”

Evadne was thrilled, downing another hearty bowl of soup. Finally, the clouds had parted to reveal the sun!

“Mrs. Myra Ashbourne, Ms. Nydia and Mr. Jason have arrived. They’re in the living room downstairs,” the butler announced.

Myra’s expression stiffened slightly, “Alright, I’ll be there shortly.”

“Myra, you look a bit off; is something the matter?” Evadne, ever so observant, noticed her discomfort.

Myra wasn’t sure how to broach the subject, but Aviana, ever the blabbermouth, spilled the beans, “Jason and Nydia’s relationship has come to Emeric’s ears. Emeric doesn’t approve of their match. And with Jason’s older brother representing Elspeth as her defense attorney, and their dad backing his son’s work with the Abernathy Group, Emeric is even more displeased.”