Chapter 397

Every single event that unfolded tonight had been a whirlwind of shock and confusion.

Even for Aaron, a seasoned detective, it was a lot to process. He initially intended to send Thaddeus home to rest, but the man was stubborn and insisted on cooperating with the investigation as much as he could.

His current situation was dire.

Windermere Estate, a place that currently bore the unbearable weight of his sorrow and anger, was no longer an option for him to reside in.

But if he went to his grandfather’s place, he was afraid that he would lose control of his emotions and cause unnecessary worry for the old man.

Thaddeus stood in a daze at the police station’s entrance, a bitter smile tugged at his l*ps.

The CEO of the Abernathy Group, a man with a net worth of billions, stood there like a lost soul, a man without a home.

It was pathetic, laughable, and deeply tragic.

“You can stay at my place tonight,” Evadne suddenly offered softly, her words causing Thaddeus to stare at her in disbelief.

He even thought he might be hallucinating, a result of the overwhelming grief he was experiencing.

Even in his wildest dreams, he wouldn’t dare to imagine such an offer.

“I can handle a few nights in a hotel.”

“Don’t overthink it.” Evadne said, her long lashes fluttering slightly, “You can’t go back to Windermere Estate, and you don’t want to worry your grandpa. I won’t feel at ease knowing you’re alone in a hotel. I’m afraid you might do something rash. If something happened to you, it would make my revenge much harder and the battle much longer. I simply don’t like the feeling of fighting alone.”

Thaddeus‘ eyebrows furrowed, his eyes still red–rimmed and moist, like obsidian stones dewed with morning rain.

The feeling of fighting alone.

He understood her. He understood how it felt to give your all and receive nothing in return.

When she was young, she pursued him passionately, but he was oblivious to her existence.

Three years ago, she married him, but he never responded to her fervent love, not even once.

Turning his face away, Thaddeus fought to keep his emotions in check. He had already lost control of them once in the interrogation room. He didn’t want to appear weak in front of the woman he loved.

“Whether you agree or not, I have to keep an eye on you tonight. If you decide to stay in a hotel, I’ll stay with you. If you decide to sleep under a bridge, I’ll sleep there too,” Evadne said with a stubbornness that Thaddeus couldn’t compete with.

Thaddeus‘ pale face flushed slightly at her words, his heart pounding.

Although he didn’t want to blow his own trumpet, her words did give him a sense of companionship.

“Then I’ll have to bother you for tonight,” the man’s voice was husky.

Enough, you’ve done to me everything that was over the line. Don’t be so formal. Let’s go.” Evadne’s heart also strangely quickened. As if afraid that Thaddeus might hear it, she quickly walked ahead.

Thaddeus swallowed hard, a small smile playing on his l*ps as he obediently followed her.

After Jason’s injury, Evadne’s villa was empty. Walking in, one couldn’t help but feel a chill.

As Thaddeus stepped inside, he found himself, who had never paid much attention to anything beyond necessity, looking around curiously as store. Every corner that bore Evadne’s traces caught his eye.

This was the first time he had been inside Evadne’s home. He used to stand outside in the rain, feeling insignificant.

he were a child in a toy

Suddenly, he felt a surge of vanity. He felt like sending a picture of himself in the villa to Jareth with the caption, “Who said only you could come? Look, I’m here too!”

“Thaddeus, what are you looking at?

Evadne asked, astonished, “You know, the look in your eyes just now was as if you were up to no good.”

“I’m sorry,” Thaddeus quickly withdrew his gaze, feeling embarrassed.

“You can choose any room you like, except for the last one on the left on the second floor. There are some ingredients left by Jason in the fridge if you’re hungry. I don’t have a cook here,” Evadne said nonchalantly, heading for the stairs.

“Why can’t I go into that room?” Thaddeus asked, confused.

“Because that’s my bedroom.

Evadne stopped abruptly to look at him with an unfathomable smile, “Don’t worry. I don’t have any dark secrets or ex–lovers I can’t forget. If you want to take a look at my bedroom, you’re welcome to do so.”

Unwittingly, her tone was teasing again.

As she thought of the old photographs of the woman that he had kept in his study intactly, a pang of unavoidable pain hit her.

It was because she still cared that she couldn’t help but bring up the past, always ready to give him a hard time.

She, Evadne, was only human, not a saint.

Wasn’t she allowed to vent her frustration and show a little temper?

“Evadne.

Thaddeuseyes welled up with tears. He knew she was still hurting because of what happened in the villa.

But at the same time, a glimmer of hope sparked in his heart. If Evadne truly had no feelings for him, if their reunion was purely for revenge as she said, there was no need for her to bring this up.

Her mentioning it meant that she cared. She cared about his past, she cared about him.

“You do as you please. I’m going upstairs.”

Evadne’s voice noticeably got deeper, “I hope you adjust your mindset soon. Our battle is about to begin.”

“Evadne, I’ve already sold the villa. Everything inside, except for my mom’s photos, has been destroyed,” Thaddeus felt his chest heavy, unable to breathe. Evadne’s gaze was cool and distant, “That has nothing to do with me. Those are your personal belongings, and how you handle them is your business.” I know their existence hurt you.”

“And you wanted them to exist because you couldn’t let go,” Evadne laughed softly, appearing to have moved on.

“I completely forgot about it. I had asked Gordon to sell the villa a long time ago, but he never had the time to handle it.”

Thaddeus explained, feeling the weight of his words, but regardless of the bitter taste in his mouth, he kept on, eyes red, “That night, I was drugged and I had no recollection of what happened. Jareth couldn’t bear to let me sleep at a hotel, nor could he send me to Windermere Estate. He only remembered that villa, so he brought me there without asking.”

Thaddeus, like I’ve said before, that’s your business, not mine.”

Evadne closed her eyes and lifted her hand, signaling him to stop talking, “Enough, I’m tired.”

“How could it not matter? Don’t you resent me for that?” Thaddeus was so anxious that sweat began to bead on his forehead, his breathing heavy.

“There’s more than just that thing for me to resent you for

A sharp pain pierced Thaddeus‘ heart, causing him to clench his fists.

“But now, I feel like there’s nothing to hate anymore. It’s all in the past.”

Evadne turned around slowly, her voice casual, but even she didn’t notice her eyes welling up with tears, “Thaddeus, let’s look ahead. Even the most painful emotional entanglements are insignificant in the face of hatred, aren’t they? They only slow down our reaction times. I’m going upstairs.”

Suddenly, she felt a weight on her back, and her b*dy lurched forward.

Thaddeus had wrapped his arms around her from behind, holding her so tightly as if he wanted to meld her into his very flesh.

The man’s muscular, feverish chest pressed against her slender back, his pounding heartbeat echoing through her, making her head spin and her b*dy go limp. “Thaddeus.” Evadne’s breath caught, her voice hoarse as she called his name.

There was clear resistance in her voice, but this time, she didn’t struggle.

“How could it be insignificant? I won’t allow you to say that.”

Thaddeus tightened his embrace, his arms gripping her fragile waist, his hot breath fanning over the pale skin of her n*eck, “Twenty years ago, I lost the most important person in my life. Twenty years later, I found my one and only. I don’t want to lose you again. You’re all I have left. Evadne, without you, every day I live is like being in purgatory.”

Death wasn’t scary. He could die for her a thousand times over.

He just fear losing her.

His chin rested on her silky hair, gently rubbing against it, his voice choked with emotion.

He was always so high and mighty, like a god who never fell from the heavens.

When had he ever been so pitiful, begging her like a dog wagging its tail?

Evadne could faintly hear his suppressed sobs: His pride and strength had shattered, scattering across the floor. How could she bear to step on them again? She had seen him fight bravely on the battlefield; she knew how ruthless and fierce he could be.

But looking at him now, she couldn’t help but feel pity for him.

So, out of pity, she decided not to hold it against him tonight.

“Ah, it hurts.” Evadne shrunk into Thaddeus‘ embrace.

Hurt? Where?!Thaddeus panicked, his hands gripping her shoulders.

“Ah! Stop it! Right here, right here!” Evadne winced in pain, her petite b*dy trembling in his arms.

When they were at the police station,‘ she had used her b*dy to calm Thaddeus down, not noticing the reopened wound on her arm.

It wasn’t until they left the police station that she felt it, but she was used to bearing pain, so she decided to wait until they got home to treat it herself.

But the damn man didn’t notice at all, and kept rambling around, holding her and not letting go, using so much force! Why didn’t he just crush her to death?! Thaddeus finally released her, realizing his mistake.

He noticed a wet, warm spot on his arm, and when he looked down, he was startled.

There was a patch of blood on the sleeve of his suit – Evadne’s blood!

In fact, her wound had been bleeding for a while, but her black suit had concealed it.

“Silly girl, why didn’t you say it earlier?!” The man was frantic and worried, his deep voice rising in pitch.

“Why are you yelling at me?!” Evadne frowned, biting her l*p. Her pitiful expression made his heart ache.

Thaddeus paused, realizing he had raised his voice.

Yell? He wouldn’t dare.

In front of this woman, he was nothing but her servant.

It’s okay. Just a small injury, don’t worry, ah!”

Evadne’s vision blurred as Thaddeus suddenly picked her up, making her instinctively press against his chest.

I’ll take you to your room. Do you have a first–aid kit at home? I can help you re–bandage it.” Thaddeus stared at her intensely as he carried her upstairs.

“I don’t need it! I’m a professional surgeon. I can dress my own wound!

Evadhe’s small, pale hand clenched into a fist, hitting his chest in embarrassment and anger. She didn’t use too much force, which was like she was tickling him, “Besides, L hurt my arm, not my leg! What’s the point in you carrying me? I can walk myself!

“I know, but I want to hold you.” Thaddeus‘ eyes darkened, his thoughts sl*pping out unconsciously.

Evadne’s small fist rested on his firm chest, her breath hitching, she forgot to resist.

A blush spread across her fair–skinned, beautiful face.

Thaddeus carried Evadne into her bedroom.

To his surprise, her room was unexpectedly simple. Although it was clearly decorated with high–end furnishings and the bedding was top–notch, it was more minimalist than Marilla’s room, despite her being the daughter of the wealthiest man in Skyrim.

He remembered, back at the Abernathy family, she loved to live a vibrant life; she had many plants and often bought new dishes and cups.

And their marital bed, even though he didn’t sleep in it, the sheets and covers would change every week; the decorations on the bedside table, the fresh flowers on the coffee table were always new, showing how much effort and importance she put into their marriage.

“You’re still so young. Why is your room so simple?”

Thaddeus gently placed Evadne on the bed, “If you don’t mind, grandpa has a collection of famous paintings and antiques. You used to love them, right? I can get them from him and have Alva come over and help you redecorate.”

“No need, I don’t like my room to be too flashy. As long as it’s functional and comfortable, that’s enough.” Evadne replied calmly, not taking his offer.

“I’m sorry.”

“Thaddeus, are you a parrot or a repeater? Can’t you say anything other than those words?

“Lapologize.”

Evadne was helpless, “Alright, you don’t always have to talk.”

Thaddeus‘ l*ps trembled, his heart aching.

He found the first aid kit as Evadne directed, helped her out of her jacket, and when he saw her sweat–soaked shirt, his heart ached.

“Don’t hold back anymore,” Thaddeus‘ voice trembled with a pain that was hard to disguise.

“Okay, no more holding back. It’s because I’ve been too tolerant, too forgiving, that those people have taken advantage of the situation, hurting innocent people time and time again.”

Evadne’s charming eyes blazed with a fiery wrath, her whole being consumed by intense anger and self–reproach.

Completely unaware, the only piece of clothing left on her, a shirt, had its buttons quietly, one by one, undone by the man.

By the time Evadne realized what was happening, Thaddeus had already undone the last button.

Her delicate lace bra was almost fully exposed to his gaze, highlighting her exquisite skin that was as smooth and white as freshly fallen snow. It was as if the touch would be warm.

Thaddeus, his eyes burning like embers, was fixated on the small white bow at the center of her bra. A sudden surge of desire made his throat bob and his handsome face turn feverish.

He was undoubtedly a gentleman.

Yet, he couldn’t help but harbor impure thoughts towards this woman.

“Ah!

A sharp scream echoed through the room.

With a face as red as a cherry tomato, Evadne reflexively raised her hand and slapped Thaddeus!

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