Chapter 338
Chapter 338
Everyone was stunned,
Mr. Thaddeus sure had a sharp tongue!
These business tycoons, despite their poker faces, couldn’t help but cast a gaze of disdain towards Bevis.
Indeed, if one wanted to talk business, then talk business. But to suddenly extend an invitation, insisting on including his unfamiliar daughter, his intentions were as clear as day!
However, Bevis probably didn’t expect Thaddeus to be so brutally straightforward. The moment his cunning thoughts surfaced, Thaddeus immediately snuffed them out.
Bevis, usually a man of concealed emotions, was struggling to maintain his smile, his expression gradually stiffening.
“Mr. Thaddeus, you are right, My apologies for my abruptness. I should have sent a proper invitation. I was just so excited to see Mr. Frederic tonight.”
“If you’re excited to see my father, then invite him. He’s the Chairman of the Abernathy Group. You can talk to him directly.”
T
Thaddeus shot Bevis a cold glance, then shifted his glaze, his tone even frostier. “I just wonder, does Chairman Emeric know that you are discussing business with the Abernathy Group?”
Bevis was taken aback, but quickly laughed it off. “My brother entrusted me with this project and gave me full authority. Of course, I would consider partnering with a powerful group first. If my brother knew we could cooperate with the Abernathy Group, he would be thrilled and offer his full support.”
Thaddeus smirked coldly, his eyes flashing with sharpness. “If Chairman Emeric knew you privately approached the ex–husband of Miss Ashbourne, would he still be thrilled and supportive?”
Everyone gasped.
Frederic frowned deeply and reprimanded, “Thaddeus, why are you bringing this up here?”
Bevis was taken aback, mouth half open, mind racing..
Ex–husband?
Mr. Thaddeus of the Abernathy Group was Evadne’s ex–husband?
When did they get married and when did they get divorced? The Ashbourne family sure kept their secrets well!
“Some things, if left unsaid, could lead to unnecessary trouble.”
Thaddeus said coldly, “Apart from Chairman Emeric and Miss Ashbourne, I won’t discuss cooperation with anyone else from the K Group, and I certainly won’t meet any woman privately behind Evadne’s back, not even your daughter. I don’t want to upset Evadne over something unnecessary.”
Everyone gasped. This was practically a public declaration of love!
Frederic coughed lightly, shooting his son a stern glance. “Alright, Thaddeus, there’s no need to be so blunt.”
“I had no idea that you and Evadne had such a relationship. My apologies for my abruptness.”
Bevis tried to laugh it off, “I didn’t expect you to still care so deeply for Evadne after your divorce. Such a man of honor!”
“The marriage has ended, but the feelings have not.”
Thaddeus’s thoughts drifted to Evadne, her charming smile, her beautiful eyes. His gaze softened. “I love Evadne. Even if we’re divorced now, I will win her back in the future.”
Bevis was shocked, face pale from embarrassment..
The party continued, and Bevis stepped into the hallway to answer a call from his daughter, Dolores.
“Hey, Dad, have you arrived at the party?”
“I arrived a while ago. Where are you? Why haven’t you shown up yet?” Bevis, having just been humiliated by Thaddeus, wasn’t in the best of moods.
“Oh, such an important event tonight. I need to get all dolled up before I make my appearance.”
Dolores’s voice perked up. “Dad, has Mr. Thaddeus arrived?”
“He has.”
“Did you talk to him about the new project? You must tell him that I came up with the proposal.”
Dolores laughed arrogantly. “A rich and powerful man like Mr. Thaddeus has seen many beautiful women. He won’t be interested in them. But someone fike me, highly educated, well–rounded, a blend of beauty and intelligence, with an impressive family background, will certainly catch his attention. Once he notices me, he’ll be attracted to my talents, and eventually, he’ll fall for me.”
Her excited tone was as if she had already won Thaddeus over, and was one step closer to entering the Abernathy family’s circle of wealth and prestige.
“Hmph,‘l advise you not to be too overjoyed.” Beyis lowered his voice, his eyes darkening.
“Dad, what do you mean?”
“Thaddeus‘ been divorced once.”
“What? Divorced once? He was married? When?” Dolores was shocked.
“You’re asking me? I have no idea. But that’s not important. Do you know who his ex–wife is?”
Of course, Dolores wouldn’t know. She had spent the year studying and researching in Oldrun, focusing on her own personal growth and recovery. She
hadn’t kept up with the happenings back home.
“It’s your cousin, Evadne!” Bevis spat out the name through gritted teeth.
There was silence on the other end, only the sound of shallow breathing.
After a beat, Dolores broke out into a raucous laughter. “Oh, Dad, you’re pulling my leg, right? Evadne’s father loves her like the apple of his eye. He’d happily send a gift basket to every dog in Skyrim for Evadne’s wedding. How on earth did she get married without a big fuss? And to the CEO of Abernathy Group? Wouldn’t that be a grand wedding? How could that possible?”
“I don’t know the details, but Thaddeus is now a divorced man.”
“So what if he’s been married? Even if he’s been divorced eight times, he’d still be the golden boy. The divorce wasn’t his fault, it must’ve been Evadne’s. She just couldn’t keep her husband’s heart.”
Dolores said with contempt, “I think it’s better that they divorced. Evadne is now a discarded woman. She definitely won’t be a stumbling block for me anymore. I’ll have more material to mock her when I see her”
“Just now, Thaddeus admitted in front of everyone that he still has feelings for Evadne. He’s still in love with her! It sounds very much like he wants to remarry her! If you want to be with Thaddeus, I don’t think it’s going to be easy!”
“Men are always concerned about their pride. When you and Mom divorced, and you were keeping two mistresses, you still acted like Mom was the love of your life in front of your brother.
A man like Thaddeus, who is high and mighty, naturally needs to maintain a good image. After all, divorce is not a good thing.” Dolores was nonchalant. Bevis was enraged, “You ungrateful girl! Haven’t I provided for you in every possible way? You spent three to four hundred grand on starlets and plastic surgeries in Oldrun last year, and who filled that hole? Me! If you don’t appreciate me, fine, but don’t say things like that. Do you believe I’ll cancel your cards?”
“Oh, Dad. I was just joking with you. Even though you and Mom are divorced, my heart is definitely on your side.”
Dolores laughed arrogantly and confidently, “Dad, you want me to repay you, right? Just watch, as soon as I have the opportunity to get close to Thaddeus, in no time, your daughter will be the future Mrs, Abernathy.”
Meanwhile, the party moved on to the next stage.
The much–anticipated speech by the bigwig of Elmsworth’s business world.
Originally, the speech was to be given by Frederic, but Thaddeus’s presence led him to give his son the opportunity. After all, he was recently injured and needed to make public appearances to dispel rumors harmful to the Abernathy Group and himself.
“You came to the event tonight without dressing up, that’s fine, but why didn’t you even bother to style your hair?”
Frederic sat in the audience, glancing at him with some disdain, “Which CEO has a crew cut? Do you still think you’re in the military? You’re not paying attention to your image. And you had surgery before, there are still scars on your scalp. Why don’t you wear a wig to cover it up?”
“I’m not hiding the fact that I was injured. Everyone in Elmsworth knows about it. Covering it up would just create suspicion. Besides, what’s wrong with a crew cut? Even if I shaved my head, it wouldn’t affect my good looks.” Thaddeus’s gaze was lowered, his tone was cool and distant, but full of confidence.
Frederic pursed his lips.
F
Although he disapproved of his son in many ways, he had to admit that Thaddeus had inherited his parents‘ good looks. He was flawlessly handsome.
“I’ll have someone make a realistic wig for you tomorrow and send it over.” Frederic insisted.
It wasn’t really about the wig itself, he just didn’t like Thaddeus defying him. He always wanted to control him whenever he had the chance.
“You can do as you please, but I won’t wear it. Evadne said she likes my current hairstyle. As long as she likes it, I won’t change it.” Thaddeus mentioned Evadne, his voice softening, full of affection.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr. Thaddeus!”
The audience erupted in applause.
Thaddeus rose gracefully, ignoring Frederic’s displeased look, and walked towards the stage.
Standing in front of the microphone, Thaddeus was composed and handsome, dignified and extraordinary. He showed no signs of his recent brain surgery, looking energetic and vibrant.
As he was about to speak, his phone vibrated in his hand.
Normally, he wouldn’t have paid any attention to it. But tonight, his sweetheart was missing, and he had been holding his phone all night, fearing that he would miss any call or message from her.
So, when his phone vibrated, his heart also vibrated.
Subsequently, Thaddeus subtly switched on his phone screen.
In an instant, his pupils contracted sharply as he scanned the incoming photos. His heart pounded wildly, as if it were about to leap out of his chest!
The next moment, he turned around and sprinted off the stage, ignoring the bewildered audience.
Everyone was puzzled, “What’s going on?”
Frederic leaned forward in shock, “What the hell is he up to?”
Gordon, who was standing at the back door, also panicked and started to chase after Thaddeus.
Outside the banquet hall.
Thaddeus was frowning deeply, his handsome face pale, and his pace quickened.
At this moment, a woman with a beautiful face, long flowing hair, and wearing a white Chanel suit, looking like a blooming rose, was walking towards him.
It was Bevis’s daughter, Dolores.
Seeing Thaddeus walking towards her without even glancing at her, Dolores was overjoyed, her heart blossoming with happiness!
She fluttered her eyelashes, raising her hand to greet him, “Mr. Thaddeus.”
“Move aside.”
“Ah!”
However, Thaddeus brushed past her like a gust of wind, his shoulder bumping into hers. The impact hurt her shoulder and made her stagger!