His Ex Wife Is A Billionaire

Chapter 456

After a quick shower, Thaddeus, not wanting Evadne to exert herself, scooped her up and carried her to the dining room for dinner.

He had been on the move all day, and his normally crisp white shirt now clung to him, emitting waves of warmth mixed with the scent of masculine exertion.

Evadne found her head spinning, not repulsed by the smell but rather pressing her nose into his chest, inhaling deeply like a kitten that couldn’t get enough.

“What’s the matter, got an appetite for me?” Thaddeus lowered his head with a low chuckle, his lips grazing her forehead.

“Even if I want, you’d have to be squeaky clean, wouldn’t you? The smell is just horrible.” Flushing, Evadne averted her gaze, “Aren’t you usually Mr. Clean? What’s with the no–shower today?”

“Didn’t get around to it. I’ll take one after we eat.”

Evadne pursed her lips, feeling a warm flutter in her heart.

The table was laden with an array of exquisite dishes, some prepared in advance by Alva, just needing a quick heat, so it was all ready in no time. “Wow, Alva, you rock!” Evadne clapped her hands in excitement, resembling a joyful schoolgirl.

“Mrs. Abernathy, don’t flatter me; your cooking skills are way beyond mine! A couple of Mr. Abernathy’s favorites here are your recipes, remember?” Alva’s smile was genuine.

“Is that so? I’d forgotten,” feeling a bit embarrassed, Evadne started to tuck into her meal heartily.

She knew Alva meant to praise her, but it inevitably stirred up memories of less happy times. Thaddeus was acutely aware of the hardships she had faced and felt a pang of sorrow as he took a napkin and tenderly wiped her lips.

Just as he was about to say something, Evadne swiftly shoved a piece of shrimp into his mouth, “Don’t apologize. Didn’t we agree to leave the past behind?”

Thaddeus paused, managing a wry smile as he chewed. Indeed, nothing tasted quite as good as when his woman made it.

Suddenly, the sound of the front door opening echoed, and three boisterous men stormed in, instantly filling the villa with a festive, holiday–like noise. “Wow, Evadne, that’s just not fair, hogging all this food for yourself. That’s a bit much, don’t you think?!” Arnold, who hadn’t eaten all day while reviewing case files, lunged forward and grabbed a pork knuckle, stuffing it into his mouth.

Aaron followed suit, chewing one dish he grabbed fiercely, as if he’d just returned from a hunt, “I’ve been interrogating suspects all day; I’m parched! Need to sink my teeth into some meat to quench this thirst!”

The Ashbourne brothers, usually so polished, were devouring the food like it was their last meal, leaving Thaddeus and Gordon dumbstruck. “Those two, they’re like mythical beasts, one a gluttonous tiger, the other a voracious wolf.”

to see the young men enjoying the meal, hurried

heads bobbed eagerly, “Yes, yes, yes!

in exasperation, resting her forehead on her hand, “Be grateful there’s food at all; you’re asking

any longer and discreetly reminded them, “Ahem., Arnold and Aaron, Mrs. Abernathy had a serious fall from her horse. As her brothers, you should at least show some

the food crazily, they said in unison, “She looks fine

Who’s being heartless here?

His strong arm supported her

a rarity

prescription meds. But she’s denying everything, claiming she thought

Evadne was stunned.

With his extensive pharmacological knowledge, Evadne had trusted him completely

dosage, it was as if he was aiming for her

nothing to do with Victor. Elspeth must be desperate, trying to drag someone down with her by implicating Victor, Evadne insisted, defending

I know Victor. He’s received support from our dad, and he’s on good terms with you.” Aaron’s brow furrowed as the brotherly banter faded from his gaze, “But as a police officer, I must act impartially and follow the law. I can’t use my position for personal reasons. Right now, Elspeth is adamant that Victor set her up. Even if her claims are false, we must follow procedure and

lashes drooped, her silence heavy

slightly; he didn’t like to see friction between the siblings. While soothing Evadne’s hand in his own, he spoke calmly, “Captain Ashbourne,

But Evadne was unsettled. She knew Aaron was right; she just felt guilty about Victor. She didn’t

was rare when the siblings

voice, he said, “I’ve got to head back to the precinct. There’s unfinished business. Arnold, why don’t

suddenly sprang up and flung herself at him, her arms wrapping tightly around his waist, “Aaron, don’t go! I didn’t

Aaron opened his arms and returned the embrace, his eyes glistening

full sibling, yet he always felt a step removed. Rare were the moments he could openly express his affection and hug his sister without

too shy to voice the depth of his care for

you were mad at me,” Aaron murmured, his voice barely above a

looked up at him, her eyes bright with tears, and shook her head vigorously, “Aaron, how could I be mad at you? I know how hard you’ve worked – getting into the police academy, joining the detective squad, and now leading it. It hasn’t been easy for you. I shouldn’t be so willful. I shouldn’t

exchange between Mrs. Abernathy and Aaron,

he looked as foul as a spoiled picnic, as if someone had dropped the entire spread

breath, trying to compose himself, but envy still flushed his cheeks a telltale

Arnold quipped as he dropped into a chair beside him, grabbing a muffin and shoving it into his mouth, still managing to talk, “If you can’t handle this little sting, how are you going to cope with our Evadne? You’ll be weeping more often than not! Then you won’t just be