Chapter 553

Jack’s victory in the Byron case was a triumph indeed.

Though both Evadne and Thaddeus came from wealthy dynasties and possessed extraordinary talents, life was no fairy tale. With the deep–rooted Chambers Corporation throwing obstacles in their path, it took considerable effort and time to topple the domineering Bertha and cunning Byron.

But the outcome was worth celebrating, and all that hard work had paid off.

They were in high spirits tonight, giving their housekeeper Alva the evening off to whip up a celebratory dinner themselves. “Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy, you’re too kind, giving me days off left and right and paying me so generously. I’m feeling a bit guilty like I’m making money in my sleep.”

.

Alva chuckled from the kitchen doorway, admiring Thaddeus‘ impressive knife skills as he prepped vegetables beside Evadne, “Gosh, Mr. Abernathy, you’re so good at cooking. You used to be all thumbs around the house, and now look at you, slicing and dicing like a pro.”

“All thanks to Evadne’s fine training.” Thaddeus replied, his attention divided between the vegetables and Evadne. His eyes sparkled with adoration.

“Hey, Thad, how many times do I have to tell you to focus when you’re chopping?” Evadne teased, her focus never wavering from the sizzling pan, “You want to give your fingers a taste of the chopping board?”

Thaddeus pressed his lips together, pulling his gaze away from Evadne’s stern yet striking profile to concentrate on his cutting board.

Alva held back a giggle.

Thaddeus was truly tamed only by Evadne.

“Alva, we were thinking of keeping you for dinner, but since you’ve got plans with your girlfriends, we wouldn’t want to keep you from a fun night out,” Evadne said, turning to smile brightly at Alva, “Have a blast.”

“Will do, Mrs. Abernathy!”

With a bounce in her step, Alva left for her evening plans.

“Have you seen Gordon today?” Evadne mused as she plated the dishes, a puzzled expression crossing her face, “Wasn’t he supposed to join us for dinner to celebrate?”

“He’s been out not just today but almost every evening this past week,” Thaddeus said, helping her with the dishes. A smile tugged at his lips, “Ever since Ms. Higgins cleared your name at the precinct, Gordon hasn’t stopped talking about it. I appreciate her help, of course, but if I have to listen to him one more time, I think I’ll go mad.”

“I see,” Evadne chuckled, deciding not to delve further.

“I’ll call him to come back.”

Just as Thaddeus reached for his phone, Evadne stopped him, “No need. I know where he’s been sneaking off to. Let him be.”

Thaddeus asked, “Where’s he been going?”

Evadne fed him, her smile knowing, “Silly, you really don’t understand him at all. Gordon has found himself a springtime romance.” Under the moonlit willow tree, Gordon stood alone outside the Higgins family building, his left hand holding a bouquet of flowers, his right a tastefully wrapped gift. He gazed up at the small, bright window, his heart heavy with hesitation and the delicate lilacs in his grasp.

Inside, Beverly and her mother had just finished a cozy homemade dinner, complete with a cute birthday cake. It was Beverly’s birthday and, with Byron finally brought to justice, she couldn’t have asked for a better gift.

As they prepared to cut the cake, there was a knock at the door. Beverly opened it to find their neighbor, Beatrice.

hospital. How are you feeling?”

a mix of concern and seriousness, “I saw a man

suit?” Beverly’s delicate features

with that young couple to see you last time. It’s him. Always up to no

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and she darted out

by his own timidity, was about to leave when a sweet, soft voice called out,

her hair tied up with a pencil and dressed in a bunny–themed apron, rushing toward him.

his face as he awkwardly handed

“Happy Birthday!”

recognizing the gift as too

helped, well, because of Ms. Evadne. What I did was nothing, especially compared to how kind she and Mr.

Beverly’s voice wavered, and tears began to well up in

emotions any longer, his eyes brimming with tears as he pulled her into his embrace. His once empty heart was suddenly filled to the brim

resonating with a powerful intensity, thumped against each other, nearly shattering the lilacs

to him with flushed cheeks, melting

done has nothing to do with Mr. Abernathy or Mrs.

warm breath brushed her ear, his impulse like none he’d ever felt before, making him hold her tighter with a resolve not to let go,

with fine food and wine, and

as vibrant as a New

wrapped her arm around Marilla, chatting with Jason, the sweet couple in the living

when she called, Cassius said

she distinctly heard Chasel’s seductive whisper, “Cassius, my back aches, give it a rub, will you?”

“Lie down.”

her mind conjuring images that needed to be censored.

too busy

Or

just avoiding being the third

join in, leaving him

tied around his waist, Jareth couldn’t help but burst into laughter, “Thaddeus, have you turned into the domestic god? Evolved, have you? Not only in

Thaddeus replied coolly, wiping his hands on the apron

a Michelin–star chef at home. Why would I bother with

very

will hold it up,” Thaddeus retorted, unbothered by the mockery.

apron, nothing else. See how she reacts. With your muscular body, man, I guarantee she’d

with embarrassment, he growled,

living room, it was all

is

of fragrant lilies to Nydia, her expression full of admiration, “You and Evadne, both of you are my idols. One day, I want to be brave like you.”

exclaimed in

get the wrong idea, quickly clarified, “Marilla, I’m so happy

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