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.

“It’s all Thaddeus’s fault, all his fault!” Bennett, a usually composed soldier, was on the verge of tears.

“Let’s 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 live carefree like a child. We’li protect her, and she’ll get through this.”

Suddenly, the door banged open.

a

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

their feet in disbelief,

out the

find the window wide open, the curtains flapping wildly

How does a person just vanish into thin air?!” Arnold covered his head with both hands, his

Bennett saw the chaos in the room, her clothes and belongings tossed

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down to the ground below. “Cassius. She’s lost her mind! This is the fifth floor!” Bennett’s voice trembled with fear, his face pale in fright.

crazy girl! She’s

head throbbing, “If

isn’t working well!” Arnold pressed

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

know about this?” Cassius

already troubled over Ms. Nydia Ashbourne; I didn’t dare add

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

clenched his fists against his racing heart, “Don’t alarm anyone else.

Ashbourne without a phone or money, what will

frantic, “It’s my fault! I should

catch up with her.” Cassius peered

already! It’s been a while!” Dylan

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

lurched ferociously. At this moment, he deeply regretted how harsh he’d been with his little sister.

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

door, barking orders at Arnold, “Call Elvis, tell him

yeah! That wild card Elvis, he’s always

of night, brilliant forks of lightning tore across the sky, followed by the

against her slender frame, causing her

chattering.

in the chaos of her escape.

deter her will to break free, nor

sought.

even now, was it proving to be

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

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

cold rain for too long, Evadne was feeling dizzy and alternately hot and cold, her strength failing her.

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

longer. Without a second

cursing over

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

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

you to us?” One of the men leered at her. To their eyes, Evadne was a vision of

for the

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