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.

his fault!” Bennett, a usually composed soldier,

never bring this up in front 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

door

have a

in, panic–stricken, “Ms. Evadne

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

Jumped out the window!”

window wide open, the curtains flapping wildly

does a person just vanish into thin air?!” Arnold covered his head

clothes and belongings tossed about, and instantly headed

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hanging down to the ground below. “Cassius. She’s lost her mind! This is the

girl! She’s quietly

pictured the worst, his heart pounding, head throbbing, “If any part of that makeshift rope had

take it. My heart isn’t working well!” Arnold pressed a hand

with worry, “Ms. Evadne Ashbourne, you have to be okay! I

know about this?”

Ashbourne; I didn’t dare add to

quiet for now. Dad’s health can’t take another blow.”

against his racing heart, “Don’t alarm anyone else. We’ll organize

a phone or money, what

my fault! I should have stayed right outside her

able to catch up with

left already! It’s been

help but let out a string of expletives, “Damn it! That rat Thaddeus picked the worst time to split! Little sis must’ve gone looking for him, and now they won’t

harsh he’d been with his

after Thaddeus, she’s headed towards Elmsworth for sure. We’ll find her if

“Call Elvis, tell him to haul his ass

Elvis, he’s always got a trick up

of lightning tore across

bone, the cold wind lashing against her slender frame, causing her

chattering.

no money, and she’d lost her flip–flops in the chaos of her escape. Her delicate feet were caked in mud and scratched by stones, a sight

not deter her will to break

sought.

to love someone properly. Why, even now, was it proving to be so difficult?

her family would soon realize she had fled, and her brothers, with their capabilities, would surely commence

the main roads or visit bustling places, opting instead for the secluded, less–traveled paths towards Elmsworth. But in this pitch–black, deserted place,

feeling dizzy and alternately hot and cold, her

in the distance. With renewed vigor, she ran towards the light, only to discover a repair

longer. Without a second thought,

were laughing and cursing over a game

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

night this was turning out to be! In the midst of thunder and rain, a beauty had come knocking?

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