Chapter 376

Thaddeus didn’t bother glancing up at Dolores; instead, he focused on sipping his whiskey, his tone indifferent, “Never mind, I didn’t take it personally.”

“Dolores, you can’t be so brash in the future.” Bevis admonished his daughter seriously, “You’re a lady of the Ashbourne family. What sort of image does this present?” “Dad, I made a mistake. I’ll learn from my cousin in the future.”

Dolores bit her l*p lightly, a glimmer of tears in her eyes, “I think as long as I work hard, my cousin will eventually accept me, right? She won’t look down on me anymore. “Look down on you?”

Thaddeus‘ frosty gaze flicked up, his eyebrows drawing together, I’ve been married to Evadne, and I know her best. She’s never looked down on even a servant of the Abernathy family. How could she look down on her own cousin?”

Jareth nodded in agreement.

Thad, although often blunt and occasionally harsh, was clear–headed.

“I didn’t mean it like that.” Dolores stammered, her face flushing.

“I know Evadne, so I don’t believe your words. But I advise you not to speak about her like this to others, especially if your relationship is as close as your dad claims.” Thaddeus‘ gaze was cold and piercing, his words carrying a heavy weight of warning.

Dolores panicked, sending desperate glances towards Bevis.

“You can’t even replace the right words, making Mr. Abernathy misunderstand!”

Bevis attempted to mediate, “Well, Dolores, why don’t you apologize properly to Mr. Abernathy? And Mr. Abernathy, for my sake, try not to take offense. Dolores is direct, often speaking and acting without thinking. Can you forgive her for Evadne’s sake?”

His abject attitude was evident.

But Bevis had no other choice, thinking that if he didn’t act that way, Thaddeus might leave without hesitation.

Deep down, Thaddeus esteemed Emeric. After all, Bevis was his former father–in–law’s brother, so he needed to show some respect for him for Emeric’s sake.

At this time, the waiter came with a tray of champagne glasses.

Dolores grabbed two glasses of champagne; one for herself and the other for Thaddeus.

“Mr. Abernathy, allow me to toast to you. I’ll be more careful with my words in the future.”

Thaddeus happened to finish his champagne already, in want of another glass of wine. And Dolores handed one to him, so he took it and drained the glass.

Eyes curled in a smile, Dolores drank her champagne in one gulp.

“Mr. Fairhaven, we’ve got some business partners from our K group who are very interested in your Fairhaven group. Why don’t you join us for a chat? We might have more chances of cooperation.” Bevis extended an invitation to Jareth, his tone soft and inviting.

Jareth’s eyes lit up at the prospect.

He was not only a lover of beauty but also a lover of wealth. Wherever there was a business opportunity, he was sure to pounce. After all, if he wanted to compete with his uncle, he needed to expand his connections in the business world.

“Thad, I’m heading over!”

Jareth called out before departing with Bevis, leaving Thaddeus and Dolores alone. Right now, his face looked as sulky as ever.

“Mr. Abernathy, there will be a dance later. Would you mind dancing with me?” Dolores asked hesitantly, batting her eyelashes at him. However, before she could finish her sentence, Thaddeus‘ chilly gaze bore into her.

Dolores stuttered in fear and stopped speaking.

“Ms. Ashbourne, you should be aware that I am your cousin’s ex–husband.” Thaddeus‘ profile was cool and slightly intimidating. He finally was willing to take to her.

But the topic was never irrelevant to Evadne.

“Yes, I know.” Dolores managed a weak response.

“So, I think, you should be mindful of your behavior, especially when your cousin is present. You shouldn’t appear before me.”

Dolores misinterpreted his words in her nervousness, her cheeks flushing as she asked, “So does that mean when my cousin isn’t around, I can meet you.”

“I believe that under normal circumstances, there is no reason for us to meet. So don’t overthink it.” Thaddeus finished his drink, his gaze remaining cold.

Dolores was left feeling embarrassed and awkward. Her excessive passion to someone callous was never reciprocated.

She had been quite successful in love before, usually being pursued by men rather than pursuing them herself. This was the first time she had lowered herself to chase after

a man.

But it didn’t matter.

Thaddeus was worth it.

As long as she could become Thaddeus‘ woman, she could hold her head up high in front of her father and uncle, no longer needing to rely on their approval.

As Thaddeus continued to drink, anyone could see that he was in a bad mood.

Dolores sat beside him, keeping him company and watching his reactions closely.

A sneaky smirk flashed in her eyes.

When Bevis had ordered the waiter to bring over more drinks, the gears of her plan had started to turn.

Drink up, Thaddeus. The more he drank, the more he would forget about Evadne. Then, he would only have eyes for her.

After leaving the backyard, Evadne and Chasel didn’t hurry back.

But it wasn’t Thaddeus she couldn’t part with, it was the rare opportunity to check on her “old friend” Elspeth to see how she was doing.

However, she had been wandering around for quite a while without catching sight of Elspeth, which was starting to test Chasel’s patience.

“Hey, what are you looking for, exactly?”

“A person.”

“Who?”

“None of your business.” Evadne was focused on replaceing her arch–nemesis and didn’t have time to chat with him.

“Charming.” Chasel muttered, “Since Thaddeus won’t let me treat him, does that mean I can go now?”

“Nope,” Evadne answered decisively.

“Why! I’ve got stuff to do! I don’t have time to hang around here!”

“I’m visiting Grandpa Hamilton tomorrow. He’ll persuade Thaddeus. Even if Thaddeus won’t listen to me, he’ll definitely listen to him.” Evadne was determined to handle this matter and once she made up her mind, nothing could change it.

“Wow, talk about stubborn,” Chasel muttered.

Just as Chasel was about to complain again, Evadne suddenly shushed him.

From a nearby lounge, two people emerged: Elspeth’s personal assistant and maid.

Quickly, Evadne pulled Chasel behind a column to eavesdrop.

“What’s been up with Mrs. Abernathy recently? She’s been acting weird,” the maid whispered.

“Yeah, when we got here she was fine, but now she keeps saying she’s cold and asking me to get her coat. Then she says she’s too hot and yells at me for bringing her a thick one,” the assistant complained.

“Not only that, but she’s been eating a lot and her mood swings are wild!”

The maid looked around cautiously before whispering, “Once, I saw her in the kitchen in the middle of the night, eating a huge slice of cake from the fridge!“”

“No way! She never eats sweets to maintain her figure!”

“I don’t know. She was stuffing it in her face like a maniac. It scared me to death.”

Evadne and Chasel listened closely, their brows furrowing.

The maid leaned closer to the assistant, her voice getting even lower, “Do you think Mrs. Abernathy is having an affair?”

The assistant looked horrified and quickly shut her up, “If you want to live, you better keep that to yourself! I don’t care if I hear it, but you can’t tell a third person, understand?”

“Okay, okay, but is she having an affair?” The maid pestered.

“I don’t know exactly, but she’s been getting cosmetic treatments a lot recently and she’s been spending a lot of time with that young male doctor. But that doesn’t necessarily mean she’s having an affair.”

The two quickly disappeared from the doorway.

Evadne, who had heard the entire conversation, looked thoughtful.

“Huh, that sounds weird,” Chasel said in confusion, stroking his chin.

“You think so too?”

“Overeating, hot and cold flashes, mood swings, these symptoms sound like withdrawal symptoms.”

Evadne arched her l*ps upward coldly, walking over to the side to make a call.

The person on the other end picked up quickly, a young man’s voice coming through the speaker, “Ms. Ashbourne, you finally called.“;

“Victor, long time no see. How have you been?” Evadne started with the usual pleasantries.

“Thanks to you, Ms. Ashbourne, my cosmetic clinic is doing well.”

Victor was a highly skilled plastic surgeon, who had made extraordinary academic performance, and been enrolled in the Elmsworth university. However, he had to struggle with poverty and the loss of his father at a young age. His mother also fell ill, and the financial burden almost made him give up his studies.

Later, Emeric set up a scholarship in Evadne’s name, and out of all the students, she chose him as one of the beneficiaries.

Their relationship was more than just a benefactor and beneficiary. Over the years, Evadne would occasionally check on him and his studies.

Despite being the daughter of the richest man in Skyrim, Evadne never looked down on him. Every time he would build up the courage to email her, she would reply within three days.

To Victor, Evadne was not only his benefactor, but also a shining beacon of hope that saved him from hell.

As long as Evadne needed him, he would help her. He would do anything for her.

“Victor, has Elspeth been getting cosmetic injections from you recently?” Evadne asked.

“Yes, she comes in every week. At first, she was fine with one injection, but now she needs three to be satisfied.”

Victor let out a cold laugh, “As the dose increases, so do the side effects. If I’m not mistaken, she’s now overeating, experiencing random chills, and suffering from sleep disorders. The more serious side effects will come later.”

Evadne realized that this matched what she had heard earlier.

“She can’t blame anyone but herself.”

“If you need it, I can end her life with a single injection, Victor was as emotionless as a machine, taking human death as something trivial.”

Evadne didn’t reply.

“She is the one who has drug abuse, and signed the agreement. She needs take part of the responsibility, plus death of drug overdose is common in the industry of cosmetic medicine. In the end, it’ll always end up with medical negligence. Worst case is that my doctor’s license will be revoked and I’ll be in prison for two years.” Victor revealed no sign of fear.

That won’t be necessary. It’s not worth ruining your life over someone wicked as Elspeth.” Evadne sighed slightly, “Victor, you’re working for me, but don’t worry I won’t let this affect you too much.”

>

“It doesn’t matter, Ms. Ashbourne. I can handle it. The most important thing is to get revenge for your family.”

Victor seemed to put his own safety aside, “Don’t worry. I’ve kept evidence that can ruin Elspeth’s reputation at any time.”

“Now’s not the time.”

Evadne clenched her fists in secret, inhaling a deep breath, “Even if I expose all this evidence now, I’m not entirely sure I can bring her down. I need her to lose everything, lose Frederic as her anchor, and be despised and loathed by all. If I’m going to strike, I need to make sure she can never recover!”

Thaddeus was a man who had good drinking capacity, but tonight was different. After only a few drinks, his head was heavy, his breath short, and his eyelids felt like lead. At this moment, the ball had begun.

Everyone was on the dance floor, but no one noticed the situation between Thaddeus and Dolores.

Struggling to breathe, Thaddeus tugged at his Windsor knotted tie, his throat parched and dry, his cheeks flushed with a subtle hint of red.

Heat coursed through his b*dy, radiating upwards from his lower abdomen, like a feather lightly teasing his sensitive nerves.

“Mr. Abernathy, are you alright? Are you feeling unwell?”

Dolores looked at him with concern, but her l*ps couldn’t help but curve into a smirk.

She knew, the drug was taking effect.

Thaddeus leaned back weakly, closing his eyes and taking deep breaths, trying to suppress the wild heat coursing through his b*dy.

What on earth was in that, drink? Why was the kick so strong?

Or was it Evadne who had disturbed his peace of mind, causing him to be vulnerable to the alcohol?

“I’m fine, none of your business.” Thaddeus‘ attitude towards Dolores remained cold and distant.

“Your face is so red. Do you have a fever?

With that, Dolores bravely leaned into him, her soft chest pressing against his b*dy, and reached up to touch his forehead.

Suddenly, there was a sharp smack!

Ah!” Dolores‘ hand was harshly swatted away by Thaddeus, instantly turning red!

The next second, Thaddeus glared at her with bloodshot eyes, gritting his teeth and roaring at her, “Don’t touch me. Get lost!”

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