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.

all his fault!” Bennett, a usually

Pregnancy is tough; kids are a handful, and it’s one more worry. Let’s just let Evadne live

the door

have a problem!”

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

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

gone! Jumped out the window!”

curtains flapping wildly

just vanish into thin air?!” Arnold covered his

in the room, her clothes and belongings tossed about, and instantly headed for the balcony.

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to the ground below. “Cassius. She’s lost

She’s quietly

throbbing, “If any part of that makeshift rope had snapped, she’d be dead on impact!”

can’t take it. My heart isn’t working well!” Arnold pressed a hand to his chest, feeling

Evadne Ashbourne, you have to be okay! I can’t live

know about this?” Cassius asked urgently.

Ashbourne; I

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

clenched his fists against his racing heart, “Don’t alarm anyone else. We’ll organize a search team right away.”

without a phone or money, what

my fault! I should have stayed

be able to catch up with her.” Cassius peered out into the storm,

been a while!” Dylan replied

rat Thaddeus picked the worst time to split! Little sis must’ve gone looking for him, and

how harsh he’d been with his little sister. Everything was unfolding just as he had

sure. We’ll find her if we search

“Call Elvis, tell him to haul his ass back here and help us find sis!”

card Elvis, he’s always got a trick

forks of lightning tore across the sky,

lashing against her

chattering.

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 of

will to break

sought.

properly. Why, even now, was it proving to

their capabilities, would surely commence a sweeping search, turning the world upside down to find

or visit bustling places, opting instead for the secluded, less–traveled paths towards

was feeling dizzy and alternately hot and

she ran towards the light, only to discover a repair shop that

stand the cold any longer. Without a second thought, she pushed

four men were laughing and cursing over a game of poker.

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

the midst of thunder and rain, a beauty had come knocking? This was a

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