Chapter 289

The ear drum repair surgery that usually required a scheduled appointment was expedited due to fear Mr. Jareth might actually buy the hospital and turn it into a club. So, bright and early the next day, Marilla was rushed into surgery.

Jareth didn’t say much the night before, and he didn’t even have breakfast. He just stood in the corridor, waiting anxiously.

If the master was restless, so was the servant. Lily, his assistant, stayed by his side, also skipping meals.

For ten years, this attractive and S**y woman lived as Jareth’s shadow, his silent personal guard.

Jareth had a reputation for being a womanizer, changing girlfriends as often as he changed his clothes, but the one constant in his life was Lily, his secretary. Whenever Jareth had to attend important events where he needed a female companion, he would always bring Lily, not any other woman.

People who didn’t know the truth would often flatter him, “Mr. Jareth, your girlfriend is so beautiful. You two are a perfect match!”

Often, Jareth couldn’t be bothered to explain, and would just laugh it off, “You have good taste!”

But Lily knew the truth.

Her relationship with Jareth was as clear as a pool of water, without a hint of impurity. She understood Jareth very well. Even though he had a reputation for being a playboy, he was always clear with his intentions with every woman he was involved with.

He only dated women but never married. And even if he did marry, he would follow the example of Emeric, but double the number of wives!

However, this time, the way Jareth treated Marilla was beyond her understanding!

“Mr. Jareth, the surgery will take a while, why don’t you sit down and rest a bit?” Lily softly suggested.

“I’m not tired.” Jareth replied, his gaze fixed on the operating room door, his heart filled with anxiety.

“It’s just a minor surgery, almost no chance of failure, you really don’t need to worry so much.”

“How can I not worry? What if her hearing decreases? What if there are other side effects? What if her hearing is worse than other elderly women’s when she gets old?

Jareth roared out his fears, and Lily felt her own ears were about to fail her.

“Damn it! That blasted Glynnis!”

Jareth, with bloodshot eyes, slammed his fist against the wall, seething with rage, “I won’t let this slide. Regardless if Marilla’s ears get better or not, I won’t let it slide! I’ll break every single one of her ribs!”

Lily felt a shiver down her spine. She hesitated for a moment before asking, “Mr. Jareth, can I ask you a question?”

“Speak.”

“Do you like Ms. Marilla?”

Jareth was taken aback: His heart pounded against his ribcage.

Like?

Did he like her?

He did like Marilla, so much so that he could no longer use the excuse “she’s Thad’s sister to cover up his feelings.

But Marilla was Elspeth’s daughter.

Even though every move she made tugged at his heartstrings, even though her naive demeanor stirred his protective instincts) her family background erected an insurmountable barrier between them..

“Lily, I do like Marilla, but it has to stop here.” Jareth leaned against the wall, his knuckles bruised and red, matching his bloodshot eyes.)

“Is it because she’s Elspeth’s daughter?” Lily asked, hitting the nail on the head..

“Yes.” Jareth’s voice was hoarse.”

“But if you truly like her, you should try to be with her.”

4

Lily was anxious. Jareth rarely fell in love, especially with such a lovely girl. She didn’t want him to miss out on her. “Being with Ms. Marilla can help her escape her miserable life. As the woman of the future head of the Fairhaven family, even Glynnis wouldn’t dare to mess with her.”

“Does she dare to mess with her now?” Jareth asked, his eyes darkening.

“But it’s not as secure as having Ms. Marilla by your side all the time. Think about it, if Ms. Marilla becomes the mistress of the Fairhaven family, it would be the best revenge against Glynnis. Even if you’re not by her side, Glynnis wouldn’t dare to harm her, because she’s your woman! She wouldn’t dare to cross the entire Fairhaven Group! I’ll take her down before you even have to say anything!”

Lily was determined to see them together.

“But have you considered the implications of my union with Marilla? It would mean an alliance between the Fairhaven and Abernathy Group. How would that change the power dynamics? I’m still battling Gary for control. And Thad’s situation in the Abernathy Group is not much better. At this critical juncture, marrying Elspeth’s daughter would create a mess. It could even jeopardize Thad!”

Lily’s heart ached, “Mr. Jareth.”

“Lily, I will never forget how my father died.”

Jareth sat down on a bench, clutching his head in pain, “I will never forget that night when my mother and I learned about my father’s plane crash. It was raining heavily, and my mother stood alone in the cold rain, crying all night. The image of my uncle snickering in the shadows at my father’s funeral is forever etched in my memory. I won’t let him take control of the Fairhaven Group. I won’t let anyone or anything stand in my way of monopolizing the Fairhaven Group!”

Lily knelt before the man, raising a trembling hand to gently soothe his heaving back, the anger palpable.

Lily, I will reclaim everything my father lost. I can’t afford to make a single mistake. I can’t lose!”

In the morning, Evadne went to the K Orld Hotel to finalize the arrangements for Myra’s birthday bash.

Once back in her office, Thaddeus called.

“Mr. Thaddeus, how can I assist you?

Evadne’s tone was as icy as always, as if the warmth they shared the previous night never happened.

“Evadne,” the man’s voice was so soft it could melt butter.

“What? I only know a President Ashbourne.” Evadne’s l*ps curled into a teasing smirk.

“Has Grandpa called you?”

“Grandpa? No, what’s wrong? Is he alright?” The mention of her grandfather made Evadne tense.

“It’s not Grandpa, it’s Marilla.”

“Manilla?”

“I didn’t return to Windermere Estate last night but stayed at my private villa. Grandpa called asking why Marilla was taken by Jareth. I only just found out there was an issue at home.”

Thaddeus‘ voice was tinged with fatigue and a hint of anger. “I’ve tried contacting Jareth, but his phone is switched off.”

“He’s done for!”

Evadne stood up abruptly, her eyes wide with shock, her hand slamming onto the desk. “I knew that boy was up to no good when he took Marilla to a hotel last time! And you defended him, insisting he wasn’t that type of person! He’s nothing but a wolf in sheep’s clothing!”

“Evadne, Jareth and I grew up together. I know him well. Yes, he likes women, but he’s not indiscriminate.”

Thaddeus tried to comfort her while defending his brother. “Marilla is my sister. He wouldn’t touch her.”

“So what if she’s your sister? Jareth has no boundaries! As long as they’re not his mother or his daughter, he’d go after anyone!

Evadne slammed her hand on the desk again. “Pray that he hasn’t laid a finger on Marilla. If he dares to touch her, I’ll break his fingers. When I make a promise, I will keep it!”

“Alright.” Thaddeus murmured in agreement.

“What?” Evadne was taken aback.

“I said, I agree with you. If anything happens, you can break his left hand, and I’ll break his right.”

Evadne was left speechless by his response.

A good friend was one whom he can sell out at any time!

Marilla’s surgery was successful, and she was moved to a regular room.

*

5

*

I

1

She lay on the bed, her thin b*dy barely making a dent in the mattress, her pale face blending in with the white sheets. It was a pitiful sight.

“How are you feeling? Is it still hurting?” Jareth sat beside her bed, his tone gentle as he gazed into her doe–like eyes.

Marilla shook her head slightly.

“Can you

hear now?”

She blinked and nodded.

“That’s great.”

Jareth sighed in relief, pulling out his phone. “I’ll call your brother and sister–in–law to pick you up.”

Before he could finish, Marilla, feeling a sudden surge of panic, grabbed his arm.

“J–Jareth, I’m hungry.”

“I knew you’d be hungry. Lily is out getting food for you. She should be back soon.

Just then, the door to the room opened, and Lily walked in, holding a steaming tray of food.

“Mr. Jareth, here’s the food. As per your instructions, it’s all light and easy to digest.”

“Let me have it.”

With Lily holding the tray, Jareth took the bowl and spoon, blew on the spoonful of porridge, and slowly brought it to Marilla’s l*ps.

“Here, sweetheart, let me feed you.”

His tender care and consideration left Lily shocked.

Indeed, it was impossible to hide one’s affection to another.

“I can feed myself.” Marilla’s face flushed with shyness.

“You’re still weak. Let me feed you.”

Jareth’s spoon touched her soft l*ps, a playful smile in his eyes. “The women of Elmsworth would form a line for the chance to feed me. And the ones I’d feed are a rare breed. So, grab this opportunity, sweetheart.”

Marilla swallowed hard, her hand clutching the bedsheet.

“Being fed by me is a big deal. You can brag about it for at least three years! Open up!”

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