Chapter 129

“Thaddeus, are you exploiting my weak spot?” Frederic’s face turned pale with fury as he stood up.

“Between us, father and son, it should be a fair trade. After all, wasn’t that the principle you taught me since I was a kid?” Thaddeus sat back, cool as a cucumber, “You’re just never satisfied, are you? You’ve already got more than enough. I even let you take over the CEO position that should’ve been your brother’s, and now you’re after the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. Why don’t you just ask me for the Chairman’s position while you’re at it? Or maybe you’re planning a coup!” Frederic spat out, fuming. With a cold smile that was as chilling as a winter’s day, Thaddeus replied, “Have you ever considered whether you’ve taken more from me than I have from you? You’ve put a price tag on everything I’ve ever received since I was a kid. We both know why I’m CEO. Why pretend to be the victim here? It’s just the two of us, Who are you trying to fool? Isn’t it exhausting?”

Thaddeus’ words left Frederic speechless.

“A Vice Chairman position in exchange for the Abernathy Group’s survival of a severe business crisis. It’s your choice.” Thaddeus rose, heading for the door.

Suddenly, he paused. “Of course, if you’re not afraid of being embarra**ed, you can continue to push for Elspeth against all odds.”

Back in his office, Thaddeus closed the door and clenched his fists.

He sighed deeply, feeling a sense of relief that he hadn’t felt in a long time. He straightened his tie.

It was so satisfying and thrilling to see Frederic run ragged over Elspeth, unable to resolve his anger at Thaddeus’ demands.

But he had to admit that he wouldn’t have gotten this far without Evadne’s help.

Originally, Thaddeus only wanted to block Elspeth’s rise internally. He didn’t anticipate it would become such a storm to affect the Abernathy Group’s share price. He couldn’t afford to take that risk.

But Evadne, always full of surprises, had managed to turn the situation around. Not only did she suppress Elspeth, but she also gave Thaddeus the opportunity to make demands of Frederic, cutting off Elspeth’s hopes of challenging him within the group.

As she said, “You should thank me for this”.

Yet, thinking of Evadne’s hurtful words and cold demeanor, Thaddeus felt his eyes darkened.

Why should he thank her?

She was only after the Abernathy Group’s project. Now that she had achieved her goal, they were even.

His phone vibrated.

Thaddeus frowned at the caller ID, picking up, “What now?”

“Thad, can you come out with me tonight.”

Jareth’s voice was raspy and weak like a jilted lover. “I’ve bought three limited-edition sports cars. I had four actresses keep me company, and drank million-dollar champagne until dawn, but I still can’t shake off this feeling of pain. Is this what heartbreak feels like? It hurts so much!”

“You’re probably sick. You might have angina. Go to the hospital. Don’t bother me.”

Just as Thaddeus was about to hang up, Jareth pleaded, “Can’t you come out for drinks with me to celebrate your stepmother getting arrested?”

Thaddeus’ l*ps tightened, “When and where?”

At six o’clock sharp, a Rolls Royce pulled up at the back door of the Elmsworth Film Academy.

Despite the low profile, it still attracted quite a crowd.

“I heard the coffee in the café at Elmsworth Film Academy is good. I’ll go get you and Nydia a cup.” Jason proposed, smiling.

“Good. Go and fetch Nydia as well.”

Evadne was engrossed in the strategy in her hand. “I tried calling her just now, but she didn’t pick up. Try calling her again when you go in. She doesn’t know we’re waiting for her at the back door.”

“Alright.” Jason stepped out of the car and entered the campus.

His tall figure and smart suit immediately attracted the attention of many girls.

Jason headed straight to the café and ordered two coffees. The waitress couldn’t take her eyes off him.

Then, two fashionably dressed female students walked in.

“Did you hear that? The lead actress for the Acting Department’s graduation play is Nydia!”

Hearing Nydia’s name, Jason felt his pupils contracting slightly, and he listened in.

“She must have used some underhanded methods to get the role!”

“Exactly! I just saw her in the backyard with the hottest guy in our school. What a disgrace. Ah!”

Suddenly, the two girls screamed, startling even the waitress!

Without a word, Jason splashed the coffees all over them!

“Are you crazy?! Why did you splash us?!” The girls’ makeup was ruined, and their fake lashes were half off.

“According to the law, spreading false rumors that harm someone’s reputation can lead to detention.” Jason said coldly, “You should be glad I don’t hit women, or you wouldn’t be leaving here safely.”

One of the girls seemed scared, but the other was ready to argue. “Are you Nydia’s boyfriend? You’re brave enough to lash out at us. Why not go see for yourself? We’re not making up rumors!”

In the woods behind the school building.

Nydia was cornered by Bernard Bishop, the school’s hunk,

“Bernard, I’ve told you a million times. I’m just not into you and I won’t accept your advances.” Nydia coldly stared at the man decked out in expensive branded clothes before

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Chapter 129

her. “I have to go.”

“Nydia, do you think I’m not determined enough in my pursuit of you?”

Bernard quirked a brow, seemingly unfazed by her rejection. He pulled out a prepared red gift box from his jacket, opening it in front of her. Inside, it was a diamond-studded Cartier women’s watch.

“This is a gift I selected just for you. Take it. If you become my girlfriend, sports cars, Hermès bags, whatever you want, I can give it to you!”

Then he licked his l*ps with a wicked grin. “I can satisfy you not only materially, but in other ways too.”

Although Nydia was naive, she could hear the lewd undertone in his words. She was so angry that she trembled and knocked the box out of his hands.

The expensive watch, which she didn’t even glance at, fell into the dirt.

Bernard had been spoiled since he was a child and never failed in his pursuit of women. He had never been humiliated like this.

The veins in his n*eck bulged as he abruptly grabbed her wrist. “Nydia! How dare you ruin my gift to you? Who do you think you are, some noble lady? Stop putting on airs in front of me!”

“Let go, let go of me. Bernard!” Nydia was panicking, struggling to break free.

“Heh. This is your little act of playing innocent, isn’t it, Nydia? I’ve seen plenty of women like you. You are from a humble background, hoping to change your fate with your looks.”

Bemard’s other hand began to wander towards her waist. “You don’t want to end up a nob*dy after graduation, right? Just be my girl and you can have any resources you want. Isn’t that what you want? Playing the lady doesn’t suit you.”

Then he forcefully pinned Nydia’s slender b*dy against a tree trunk, trying to k*ss her l*ps!

“No. Don’t!” Nydia closed her eyes in horror, tears of humiliation streaming down her cheeks.

“AHHI A harsh scream pierced through the air.

Nydia slowly opened her tear-stained eyes.

Through her blurry vision, she saw a familiar figure effortlessly tossing Bernard onto the ground with a judo throw.

That wasn’t the end!

Jason grabbed Bernard by the collar and started landing punch after punch on him.

“Stop it!”

Nydia was scared out of her wits, fearing it might escalate to a fatality. She rushed forward and used all her strength to hold back Jason, who was seething with rage.

“You dare to hit me? Do you know who I am?!” Bernard spat out a mouthful of blood, still acting co cky despite his battered state. “My father is Daniel Bishop, the chairman of the Bishop Group! You better tell me your name. I’ll make you regret this!”

“My name is Jason.” Jason’s voice was deep and trembled with anger. He took off his suit jacket and draped it around Nydia, who was shivering uncontrollably.

Nydia was like a frightened bird, her eyes filled with tears. Jason’s heart ached unbearably. He instinctively pulled her into his arms.

Nydia was surrounded by the warm scent of the man she liked, her heart racing as she leaned against his chest.

Jason’s hug made Nydia feel as if all the unpleasant memories had vanished.

“You listen here, as shole. Nydia isn’t someone you can mess around with. If you dare to touch her again, don’t think that Daniel can protect you!”

Bernard ran off as fast as he could.

Nydia went to the restroom to compose herself. When she came out, Jason was leaning against the wall, his eyes filled with worry as he waited for her.

*Jason.”

Jason snapped back to reality, revealing a gentle smile. “Ms. Nydia.”

His attitude had returned to its usual polite and appropriate demeanor.

Nydia lowered her long lashes, feeling a pang of sadness in her heart. She walked up to him, returning his oversized suit, “Thank you. Here’s your suit.”

“Ms. Nydia, what happened today is serious. I’ll tell Evadne everything as it is, and let her decide.” Jason’s face was stern, his teeth clenched together.

“No! Jason, please, don’t tell her!” Nydia’s eyes were filled with fear as she tightly grasped his arm. “If she steps in for me, things will only get worse and out of control! It will not only cause trouble for her but my parents will worry about me!”

“But that ba stard was going to molest you! Are you going to let him off?”

Jason said angrily, tears welling up in his eyes.

“You’ve already taught him a lesson. He probably won’t bully me anymore.”

Although Nydia was scared, she was more afraid of worrying her family. “I’m going to graduate soon. We won’t see each other anymore. What can he do? Besides, I have the Ashbourne Group backing me.”

Just as Jason was about to say something, Nydia lowered her lashes, feeling a pang of sadness, “Jason, I have my reasons for doing this. Please don’t ask.”

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