novelxo His Ex wife is a billionaire Chapter 636
Chapter 636
The Chambers Group was in disarray, and Thaddeus was equally swamped.
Emeric, the patriarch of the Abernathy family, had just stabilized after a health scare. Having tended to his father–in–law’s needs, Thaddeus was now fervently working on establishing a charitable foundation in his late mother’s name.
Though his mother had passed away years ago, he was determined to honor her memory in a grand fashion, as a gesture of filial plety
“Mr. Thaddeus, preparations for the charity gala are almost complete. We need your final review on the venue and quest list along with some other detalls,” Gordon sald as he handed over a meticulously prepared dossier.
Thaddeus skimmed through the documents and asked Indifferently, “Any word from Frederic lately?”
“There’s something suspect,” Gordon leaned in, lowering his voice. “I checked Frederic’s travel itinerary. He was supposed to be overseas for a business conference for a week. He should’ve returned to Elmsworth afterward, but instead, he made a detour to another country to see Mr. Chad”
“Chad?” Thaddeus lifted an eyebrow, his tone icy.
Thaddeus refocused on the documents, seemingly uninterested in the implications. “Frederic hasn’t visited Chad much over the years. An occasional trip shouldn’t matter”
“But he chose to go now, just after you won that lawsuit against Elspeth and after Mr. Hamilton delegated a significant share of his power to you. That’s a red flag, Mr. Thaddeus!”
Gordon, the right–hand man akin to a chief steward, was nearly frantic. “Frederic must fear your growing influence, worrying that he can no longer control you. So, he’s seeking to side with and bolster Mr. Chad against you!”
“And what do you suggest? Should I buy a cruise missile and blow Frederic’s private jet out of the sky?”
Gordon hesitated, “Well, it’s not entirely out of the question.”
Thaddeus shot him a sharp look, and Gordon quickly deflated.
“Do you think I haven’t considered all this, Gordon?”
Thaddeus closed the file and took a deep breath, “If Chad over recovers fully and my dad supports him, I’ll have no complaints. I owe him a debt, and as the rightful heir to the Abernathy Group, his involvement in the family business is to be expected. But rest assured, I won’t give up what I’ve earned without a fight.”
A knock on the door interrupted them.
“Come in,” Thaddeus called out, and his secretary entered with two elegantly packed white lunch boxes.
with
“Mr. Thaddeus, Mrs. Abernathy sent over some lunch with strict instructions to eat on time, or else.”
Thaddeus stood eagerly, “Or else what?”
“Or else tonight she won’t let you through the door, and there will be no late–night snacks, the secretary said, cheeks flushed with the implicit marital innuendo.
“Understood.” Thaddeus eyed the lunch boxes, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he loosened his tie.
Gordon couldn’t help but find Thaddeus‘ gaze embarrassingly sappy.
To Thaddeus, those boxes might as well have been personified as Mrs. Abernathy herself.
Once the secretary laid out the meal and leaves, Thaddeus dug in voraciously, the dishes all favorites of his.
“So delicious. How can it be this good?” he mumbled with content between bites.
Gordon watched in astonishment as the usually refined Mr. Thaddeus devoured his food with such abandon.
“See how much Mrs. Abernathy cares for you? She knows you’d skip meals when you’re busy and has it all arranged for you,” Gordon offered the compliment.
“If only she had delivered it herself,” Thaddeus mused, swallowing a gulp of water after his ravenous meal.
The thought of Evadne personally delivering his lunch led him to imagine other appetizing scenarios.
As he indulged in these thoughts, his l*ps curled into a satisfied smile.
“In the past, Mrs. Abernathy personally brought you meals and desserts, Gordon commented, a hint of teasing in his voice. Thaddeus felt a pang of regret, as if there was a lump in his throat.
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1604E
Chapter 636
Suddenly, Gordon’s phone rang.
He checked the screen; a call from Country T. He answered promptly.
After listening intently, Gordon turned serious and he looked up at Thaddeus.
“Mr. Thaddeus! There’s been a tragedy at the hospital in Country T! Three of the residents injured during the Chambers Group demolition have passed away last night!”
“Passed away?” Thaddeus‘ brow furrowed in suspicion. “I thought they were out of danger?”
“Three people dying suddenly… This is now a serious safety incident. And those responsible might end up behind bars in Country
T
Before Gordon could say more, Thaddeus‘ phone rang. It was Evadne, calling just in time.
Thaddeus sat at his desk, his brooding eyes darkening as the news broke: the Chambers Group’s demolition project had resulted in a fatality.
“So you’ve heard?” Thaddeus muttered, the timing all too suspicious for his liking.
“Too convenient to be a coincidence,” Evadne replied, her voice dropping with the temperature.
“A man, once out of danger, mysteriously dies in the hospital. Clearly, someone’s been meddling behind the scenes. And there’s only one person with the means to stir the pot in Country T and muddy the waters for the Chambers Group, hoping to knock Matthew out of the picture and reap the benefits themselves: Avery”
In his heart, Thaddeus shared her thoughts.
After considering all angles, he realized that Matthew was the most unfortunate player in this game. And Avery? He was orchestrating events so that Jeff would have no choice but to prop him up as the successor to the Chambers Group.
“Would Avery really go to such lengths, even if it means grave losses for the Chambers Group?” Thaddeus mused, his brow furrowed in thought.
“Don’t forget how Byron and Bertha met their ends. Or how Avery, proclaiming his love for me, treated my brother and Debby. That should tell you everything you need to know about that snake. He’ll stop at nothing for his own gain,” Evadne said, her breath hitching as she spoke.
Thaddeus‘ gaze warmed with intensity, his every word steeped in emotion. “Don’t worry, Evadne. I’ll be your shield against whatever comes our way, be it angel or demon. They won’t touch a hair on your head.”
Gordon, overhearing, was swooning.
He’d marry Mr. Thaddeus in a heartbeat, even if it meant being a humble manservant!
“Well, that won’t be necessary,” Evadne’s voice softened, tinged with a shy pride. “I’m not with you to use you as a human shield. Though you’ve played that role before, you’re not immortal. You’re flesh and blood. Don’t risk your life for me. That would break my heart.”
Thaddeus‘ heart raced, his smile blooming. He felt that even death would be worthwhile for her.
“Evadne, I finished all the food you brought me.”
He turned away, his throat dry, his breathing uneven, “Tonight, could I ask for seconds?”
Meanwhile, the Chambers Group was in utter disarray.
Country T’s government had thundered into action, arresting all local officials involved in the demolition and demanding a king’s ransom in compensation from the Chambers Group.
Knowing the Chambers family’s status as one of the four major clans, the officials demanded a staggering three hundred million in damages. The lives lost were insignificant to them compared to the damage to historical buildings. Every brick and tile became a bargaining chip for the government, demanding sky–high prices.
The resort development had already sunk two hundred million into the ground, and now with the additional three hundred million potentially down the drain, it didn’t matter whether the Chambers Group could afford it. Their reputation would become a national joke.
All thanks to Matthew, who seemed to be possessed by sheer folly.
At the emergency board meeting that afternoon, Jeff, in a royal fury, suspended Matthew from his position as president.
Suspension was a mercy. By rights, Matthew should have been behind bars.
After the directors left, a fierce argument erupted between Jeff and Matthew in the boardroom. In a fit of rage, Jeff hurled an ashtray at Matthew’s head, leaving him bloodied.
15.04
Chapter 636
Bleeding and pathetic, Matthew clutched his forehead with his tie as he stumbled out of the room–only to run into Avery.
“Matthew, you look quite injured. Shall I call an ambulance for you?” Avery asked, a radiant smile on his face.
His glee only highlighted Matthew’s misery.
“Avery! You bastard!” Matthew lunged at him, his bloody hand gripping Avery’s pristine collar. “Do you think by taking me down, dad will let you take over? Keep dreaming!”
“We’ll see who’s dreaming soon enough,” Avery said coolly, pushing up his glasses, a dark glint in his eyes. “Remember what I told you fifteen years ago when my mother and I left the Chambers family? I said I’d come back. And when I did, I’d reclaim everything I lost, piece by piece, from all of you.”
Avery’s smile turned chilling, sending shivers down Matthew’s spine. “Don’t worry, the game has only just begun.”