Chapter 163
Chapter 163
Thaddeus had just finished a high–level meeting, leaning back in his leather chair, his eyes revealing a sense of exhaustion.
The whole thing with Acacia had probably spread around the group, but in a place as big as the Abernathy group, no one dared to openly discuss him within that skyscraper.
Unless, of course, someone wanted to stir up trouble and wanted to get in trouble in the process.
At that moment he was the vice–chairman of the Board of Directors, a force to be reckoned with.
But why was his mood so heavy, without a hint of mirth?
“Never thought that Elspeth would have a solution to the Stirling group’s financial problems. Seems like she’s got a good handle on money matters. Let her pay through the nose this time,” Gordon felt a sense of satisfaction whenever Elspeth had a tough time.
“Earl used to manage Elspeth’s finances. Now that Earl is in prison, and she can still shell out millions, which means she’s got other financial resources backing her up,” Thaddeus said, his eyes half–closed, the light in them cold as ice.
“Could it be her business, Moonlit Treasures?” Gordon asked in surprise, “Mr. Thaddeus, you’re telling me that a run–of–the–mill business like Moonlit Treasures can actually spin that much dough? How can a place which sells bags and clothes rake in so much?”
“How many years have you been with me, and you still can’t think outside the box?” Thaddeus frowned, picked up a paper airplane he had folded earlier, and threw it accurately at Gordon’s chest, “Behind Moonlit Treasures is a ma**ive network of underground connections in Elmsworth that Elspeth
took years to build. What she’s selling on the surface is luxury goods, but in reality, she’s selling connections and power, and even more under–the–table deals, too many to count.”
Gordon shivered as he said with concern in his eyes, “That cunning woman, we’ve really underestimated her!”
I’ve never underestimated her. Never underestimate an enemy.”
Thaddeus rubbed his high nose bridge, his cold smile sending chills, “But dealing with Elspeth won’t be easy. Her influence in Elmsworth is deeply rooted, and she’s got Frederic protecting her. It’s not the right time to take her on now, not enough evidence, not the right moment, but the time will surely come.”
Gordon nodded in agreement, “Yes, she’ll pay for it eventually!”
“How’s Ada’s project going?” Thaddeus changed the topic, his voice still cold.
“Our team’s wedding planning proposal has been revised and is ready to be presented to Ada’s team at any time.”
Gordon paused, then cautiously probed, “Um, Mr. Thaddeus, didn’t you say you wanted to make it up to Mrs. Abernathy? This is a great opportunity! You could just give the wedding hosting rights to K Orld Hotel; I think Mrs. Abernathy would be happy.”
“Why should I give it to K Orld Hotel?” Thaddeus stared at him, his face expressionless, “I owe Evadne a favor, not the K Group. Why would I give this opportunity to the Ashbourne group?”
Gordon looked embarra**ed.
What kind of logic was that!
“She once said that she would compete with me to the fullest in business. If I don’t give it my all now, wouldn’t that be underestimating her?”
Thaddeus lowered his eyelids again, his voice cold, “I will prepare as I should. In business, I can’t lower my standards or compromise my principles for anyone or anything. I’m not Avery.”
Gordon blinked in confusion.
Why did his words sound so sarcastic suddenly?
At that moment, his phone vibrated on the desk. It was a call from Jareth.
“What’s up?” Thaddeus asked, his face expressionless.
Thaddeus, I got tickets to a concert by the famous pianist Christina. Let’s go together!” Jareth said excitedly at the other end of the phone.
“You’re going to a concert? Can a musical layman like you even understand a piano performance?” Thaddeus teased mercilessly.
“Humph, if I can understand what you say, how can I not understand a concert?”
Jareth had gotten used to his teasing over the years and had even learned to be self–deprecating, “Come on, I’ll pick you up at the Abernathy group in a while.” Tm not going.”
“Why? Are you mourning? Is a single Acacia enough to hit you this hard? Is it because you’ve been cuckolded for too many years that you can’t adapt now?” Jareth didn’t let the opportunity to tease him slide away.
Thaddeus frowned in disgust as he said, “Don’t lump me together with Acacia, don’t make me sick. I’m hanging up.”
“Wait, wait!” Jareth was really at a loss with this stubborn man, so he had to tell the truth, “Actually, Edith is back from studying abroad. She’s one of Christina’s favorite students and will be performing at Christina’s concert tonight. I wanted to surprise you, but I didn’t expect you to turn me down like this.”
Edith was Jareth’s sister, a young girl Thaddeus had watched grow up.
Jareth was especially fond of his only sister, his affection for her was no less than that of Ca**ius and the others for Evadne.
So, Thaddeus thought for a moment and compromised as he finally accepted his proposal, “Come pick me up.”
As night fell, they arrived at the Elmsworth National Concert Hall.
Jareth had bought the best seats in the second–floor box in advance, ready to witness his sister’s performance.
Not only that, but he had also set up a camera there in advance, and at that point he was excitedly fiddling with the camera, planning to record his sister’s entire performance.
Thaddeus was off to the side, long legs casually crossed, eyeing the more professional than paparazzi Mr. Jareth with dissatisfaction.
12.02
“The organizers will be recording the whole show and even burn it into a collector’s disc to give to the performers. With your skills, you might as well save yourself
the embarra**ment.”
“You heartless one wouldn’t understand my feelings! I’m capturing moments filled with affection, it can’t compare to the official recording.”
Just as Jareth was adjusting the angle of the camera.
Suddenly, his eyes widened, and he blurted out, “Whoa, Evadne is here too? Am I seeing right? Who’s the man next to her? Why’s he so pale, is he sick?”
Thaddeus felt a jolt in his chest and immediately stood up and rushed to the edge of the railing.
Across in the box seats, Evadne and Avery had both settled down. Not only were they exchanging knowing glances, but they were also sharing laughs! Material © NôvelDrama.Org.
On the other side. Evadne was completely oblivious to Thaddeus across from her.
The second floor was empty, and the air conditioning was on full blast. Evadne wore a thin dark green French dress, and her arms were already starting to get goosebumps.
Avery’s gaze fell on her exposed skin and his eyes narrowed. He took off his suit jacket and knelt down in front of her.
“Mr. Avery, what are you doing?” Evadne asked in surprise.
The next second, without a word, he draped the jacket over her slender legs.
“As long as your legs aren’t cold, you won’t feel cold.”
Avery looked up at her surprised face and curled his lips into a small smile as he praised her dress up sense, “I originally wanted you to put it on, but your dress today is so beautiful. It reminded me of the enchanting sirens in Greek mythology. I don’t want to cover up your beauty.”
Evadne looked at him in surprise, thinking to herself. “He’s so straightforward, expressing himself in such a blunt and bold way. I bet this is how my sister got swept off her feet by my brother–in–law!
Across from her, Thaddeus saw everything, his eyes already filled with tears.
Avery, kneeling in front of Evadne, their seemingly intimate interaction, was a brutal a**ault on his tightly wounded nerves!
He clung to the railing, his knuckles white, the veins on the back of his hands strained, filled with a strength he could hardly contain.
He thought to himself, “Evadne, are you a couple? Do you like him?”
Thaddeus suddenly felt a pain in his chest, and he didn’t even dare to breathe deeply, afraid it would intensify the pain.
“Who’s that man?”
Although Jareth had been rejected by Evadne, he was still annoyed to see another man getting close to her, so he wanted to know the identity of that man, “The guy with gla**es, who is he?”
“He’s the youngest son of Mr. Jeff from the Chambers Group, Avery,” Thaddeus stared at Evadne, his voice cold.
“The Chambers family?” Jareth was taken aback, “Why don’t I remember him?”
“He’s been in Helgen for over a decade, just came back to Elmsworth.”
“Hmm, the Chambers family is a well–known one, so the competition around Evadne is getting tougher!”
With that, Jareth glanced at Thaddeus, his eyes full of interest.
“Buddy, if you’re interested in her too, you’ll have to make a choice. Retreat or challenge.”
Thaddeus took a deep breath and angrily said, “Shut up!”