Chapter 489

Thaddeus stood stoically outside the gates of Silverlake Harbor, where he had been for more than a full day and night. He was stubborn as such, determined not to rest until he saw the woman he loved or got the answers he was after.

Last night, he had spied the Chambers father and son making a beeline for the harbor, clearly on the warpath about something involving Byron. Thaddeus had watched from the shadows, not out of fear, but to avoid causing a scene that might upset Jeff and bring trouble down on Chairman Ashbourne’s head.

It was one thing to deal with the aftermath for the Ashbourne family in private, but making a public spectacle of himself would be

unwise.

The evening was dark and stormy, fierce winds howling through the air, hitting him with a force that rivaled the punches he’d taken the night before.

Thaddeus’s deep–set eyes, shadowed and brooding, were framed by a chiseled jaw now rough with stubble. He looked every the rugged soldier he once was.

bit

Suddenly, his phone buzzed inside his car, pulling him momentarily from his pain. He opened the door and picked up the phone. It was Gordon.

“Gordon, what’s up?” His voice was hoarse, as if every ounce of energy had been drained from him.

“Mr. Thaddeus Abernathy! I finally got through to you!”

Gordon sounded like he was on the brink of tears, “Mr. Hamilton Abernathy has taken ill and been rushed to the hospital! You’ve got to come back!“.

A sharp pang shot through Thaddeus’s chest, and cold sweat soaked his already damp suit.

Meanwhile, in the wine cellar of Silverlake Harbor.

Evadne’s brothers were gathered, their usual banter replaced by somber silence and the dull glug of spirits being poured. Bennett, in particular, was knocking back whiskey like water, much to Arnold’s distress.

“Bennett, you can’t keep this up. It’s killing you,” Cassius took the glass from his hand.

“Seriously, man, you haven’t even tied the knot yet. Don’t drink yourself into an early grave,” Arnold added.

Bennett clenched his fist, slamming it on the table.

“You were too hard on Evadne today, too damn forceful.” Cassius patted Bennett’s shoulder with a gentle sigh, “You know how she is. She doesn’t respond well to pressure. The more you push, the more she’ll resist. You care her to bits, and you don’t want her to resent you, do you?”

“Cassius’s right. You haven’t had any row ever since you were young; this time it’s too much.”

“Then what do you suggest I do, just let her keep entangled with that jerk?” Bennett rubbed his face with both hands, his voice thick with emotion, “I’d take all the pain for her; I won’t grimace at any cut. Just can’t bear to see her suffer. That’s miscarriage! She could’ve been a mother, experienced that joy. But now,”

The thought of their unborn niece or nephew silenced them all, hearts twisted in grief.

Bennett, a usually composed soldier, was on the verge

of Evadne again.” Cassius’s voice rough with emotion. He handed Bennett a tissue, “Maybe it’s for the best. Pregnancy is tough; kids are a handful, and it’s one more worry. Let’s just let Evadne live carefree like a child. We’li protect her,

the door banged open.

a

panic–stricken, “Ms. Evadne Ashbourne’s gone!”

jumped to their feet in disbelief, “Gone? How is

out

the window wide open, the curtains flapping

vanish into thin air?!”

in the room, her clothes and

1/3

– tied to the railing was a makeshift rope of knotted dresses, hanging down to the ground below. “Cassius. She’s lost her mind! This is

She’s quietly courting

as he pictured the worst, his heart pounding, head throbbing, “If

isn’t working well!” Arnold pressed a hand

himself with worry, “Ms. Evadne Ashbourne, you have to be okay! I can’t

this?” Cassius

Nydia Ashbourne; I didn’t dare add to his

it quiet for now. Dad’s health can’t take

racing heart, “Don’t alarm anyone else. We’ll organize a search team

storm raging, and Ms. Ashbourne without a phone or money, what will

was frantic, “It’s my fault! I should have stayed

We should be able to catch up with her.” Cassius peered out into the storm, “Is Thaddeus still out there?”

been a while!”

worst

he’d been

towards Elmsworth for sure. We’ll find her if we search along

the door, barking orders at Arnold, “Call

vigorously, “Yeah, yeah! That wild card Elvis, he’s always got a trick up

across the sky, followed

lashing against her slender frame, causing her to shiver uncontrollably,

chattering.

flip–flops in the chaos of her escape. Her delicate feet were caked in mud

trek through hardships could not deter her will to break free, nor

sought.

love someone properly. Why, even now, was it

her family would soon realize she had fled, and her brothers, with their capabilities, would surely commence a sweeping search, turning the world upside down

dared not take the main roads or visit bustling places, opting instead for the secluded, less–traveled paths towards Elmsworth.

was feeling dizzy and alternately hot and cold,

of two dim lights in the distance. With renewed vigor, she ran towards the light, only to discover a

a second thought, she pushed the

men were laughing and cursing

eyes turned towards the door. One glance at Evadne and their eyes lit up, nearly popping out

In the midst of thunder and rain, a beauty had

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