His Ex wife is a billionaire Chapter 329

Chapter 329

“Son! What a surprise to hear from you!”

Frederic’s face lit up instantly, his warm tone contrasting sharply with his usually aloof and dignified demeanor:

Thaddeus fluttered his long lashes.

In his memory, his father had never spoken to him with such paternal affection, nor had he ever referred to him affectionately as “son“.

Only in the presence of his elder brother did he genuinely act like a doting father. So, in Frederic’s heart, was Elspeth the only woman he loved, and his elder brother the only son he cherished?

The irony was palpable, yet Thaddeus could say nothing.

“Dad, how have you been feeling?” Chad’s deep voice came over the line.

Chad’s voice was distinctive, resonating from his chest, clear even from a distance.

“I’m doing well, son. And you? How’s your health? Everything going smoothly? Any relapses?” Frederic had flown to the States last year to visit his eldest son but had been too tied up this year to make another trip.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

Chad paused, then asked with concern, “I heard Thaddeus got hurt and is in the hospital. How is he? Is it serious?”

Thaddeus frowned slightly.

He didn’t resent his brother’s concern. It was just unexpected that his brother, who hadn’t returned to Elmsworth for over a decade and lived abroad, was aware of his current situation.

Frederic explained, “Thaddeus just had major surgery. He was unconscious for a few days, but he’s awake now.”

Chad asked, “Are you at the hospital to see Thaddeus?”

“Yes, your grandfather and I are in his room.”

“Could you pass the phone to Thaddeus? I’d like to speak with him.”

Frederic complied and walked over to hand the phone to Thaddeus. “Your brother wants to speak with you.”

Thaddeus hesitated before accepting the phone, holding it up to his ear. “Chad.”

“Thaddeus, I heard about your injury and I’m quite concerned. I wish I could fly back to see you.” Chad’s voice was filled with concern.

“Chad, I’m fine. You shouldn’t have to endure a long flight for my sake.”

Thaddeus managed a small smile, trying to reassure him. “I’m doing fine now. There’s nothing to worry about.”

“Your surgery was performed by Miss Evadne, wasn’t it?”

Thaddeus was taken aback. “Yes.”

“I know, Miss Evadne is my sister–in–law. You two divorced this year, but I didn’t expect her to put aside past disagreements to operate on you. Miss Evadne is truly forgiving and generous.”

Even though you two can’t be husband and wife anymore, given her noble character and kindness, you should still maintain a cordial relationship with her.” Chad’s voice held a hint of regret.

Thaddeus’s l*ps tightened.

His brother, though living abroad, seemed to know everything about his life.

“Chad, it was my fault that Evadne and I ended up where we are. I didn’t appreciate what I had. I brought this on myself, and I owe her so much.” Thaddeus clenched his fist, his eyes filled with determination, “But I’ve made up my mind to win Evadne back, no matter what it takes. My wife, in the past, was Evadne. In the future, it will only be Evadne.”

Frederic was taken aback!

It seemed like his son was resolute in spending his life entangled with the Ashbourne girl.

Though he couldn’t deny that Evadne was far superior to many women in the world, she was, after all, just a woman. Was it worth it to let one woman turn his life into such a mess?

Well said! Well said indeed!” Hamilton, on the other hand, was extremely excited, slapping Thaddeus on the back so vigorously that he almost made him sick.

There was a moment of silence on the phone, followed by a chuckle and words of encouragement. “Good, it’s great that you have this mindset. I wish you and Miss Evadne a successful reunion.”

Thank you, Chad.” Thaddeus responded quietly.

For some reason, the phrase “successful reunion” made him uncomfortable.

Hamilton took the phone from Thaddeus, his voice bright and friendly. “Chad! How’s life overseas? I hear the beaches there are stunning. When are you going to invite me over for a vacation and get some sun?“,

“Grandpa, no matter how great it is overseas, it’s not as good as home.”

Chad replied with a gentle laugh, “Grandpa, you’re getting on in years, and the journey is long. I wouldn’t want you to tire yourself out. Perhaps, before long, when my health improves a bit, we’ll be able to meet in Elmsworth.”

Thaddeus gave no outward sign of his feelings, but his heart tightened inexplicably.

“Ha! Good! If you can come back, that would be wonderful. We’d all be together again!”

Hamilton sighed with concern, “But don’t push yourself. I know about your health condition.

Even if you can’t come back, I won’t hold it against you. I can always come and visit you. It’s just a matter of a few hours, especially with a private jet. It won’t be tiring.”

The grandfather and grandson chatted a little longer before hanging up.

“Dad, did Chad just say he’s planning to come back? Is that true?” Frederic’s eyes brightened as he asked anxiously.

Hamilton’s eyes flickered, but before he could respond, Mr. Murray knocked and entered the room.

“Mr. Frederic, Miss Evadne. Mr. Jareth and Marilla are here.”

“Who? Marilla is here too?”

Frederic was taken aback, and before he could say anything else, Evadne and Jareth had already entered the room.

And Jareth’s hand was firmly holding Marilla’s!

Brazenly, openly, as if they were making a public announcement.

Marilla hid timidly behind the man, her pale face blushing bashfully.–

Evadne had watched them walk in together, feeling a bit annoyed but unable to say anything.

They were clearly smitten with each other, and she couldn’t play the role of a villain spoiling their romance.

“Jareth, what is this?”

Frederic watched the two young and beautiful figures, their fingers tightly interlocked. It was so tight and the shock in his heart was no joke. “Uncle Frederic.” Jareth’s smile was full of charm.

The crowd was stunned.

Evadne almost choked on her coffee, staring at Jareth.

In the past, the Fairhaven family would call Frederic as Mr. Frederic. “Uncle Frederic” came as a surprise. It was far too intimate from the usual. Frederic’s entire b*dy tensed, “Jareth, what do you mean by this?”

Jareth took a deep breath, lifted the hand that was entwined with Marilla’s, and voiced out the speech he had been rehearsing all night.

“Uncle Frederic! Marilla and I are in love. We are mutually attracted. I’m deeply in love with your daughter. My feelings for her are as deep as the Grand Canyon.”

Evadne and Thaddeus both facepalmed. Who taught him such cheesy lines?

‘Jareth, please stop. It’s embarrassing.” Marilla couldn’t stand it anymore. She squeezed his hand, her face flushed like a ripe tomato.

“So, I’m asking for your blessing to marry Marilla! I know I wasn’t the best person in the past, but I promise to be a good man, a good husband, for Marilla! I will treat her well, even better than Thaddeus treats Ms. Evadne. I swear on my life! I will give her happiness that all women in the world would envy! I love Marilla, please let me marry her!” Jareth was so nervous. He squeezed Marilla’s hand so hard it turned red, his voice even trembled towards the end.

Evadne coldly glanced at Jareth, who was using Thaddeus as a reference, lacking ambition.

Thaddeus glared at him and thought, “Better than me treating Evadne? You can try

Jareth spoke so much in one breath, his expression was stiff, his speech was rapid, but his gaze was absolutely sincere.

It was clear that he had been holding this in for a long time.

Hamilton sighed and thought, “Poor kid, so desperate.”

“Jareth, I don’t doubt your intentions.”

Frederic, who had weathered the storm of business for more than thirty years, was almost overwhelmed by this sudden confession.

“Thaddeus!”

Marilla walked to the bedside with small steps, blinking her clear eyes, “Jareth said your head was injured. How are you? Does it still hurt?”

Thaddeus gently stroked his sister’s face, softly saying, “It doesn’t hurt anymore. Your sister–in–law saved me. She took great care of me.”

Jareth saw his woman’s face being touched. Even though Thaddeus was her brother, he felt a pang of jealousy.

“That’s good.”

Marilla suddenly grabbed Evadne’s hand, shaking it gently, and asked eagerly, “Evadne, can you please stay by Thaddeus‘ side? Can you take care of him until he is discharged from the hospital? With you by his side, he will be very happy, and he will recover faster.”

Evadne’s heart trembled. She bit her l*p.

Thaddeus looked at her expectantly, his eyes were watery, like a lonely stray dog.

Both siblings, both so pitiful.

“Your brother was injured because of me, so it’s my responsibility.”

Evadne gave a faint smile, as gentle as a drizzle, “i will take care of him until he recovers.”

“Wow, that’s great!” Marilla clapped her hands happily.

Thaddeus’s hanging heart finally Tanded.

“Evadne, thank you.” He said softly, his voice choked with emotion.

Evadne seemed indifferent, but her heart was moved.

The Abernathy Group had an important meeting, so Frederic had to leave first.

Since Evadne’s identity as Dr. Eve was revealed, she naturally became Thaddeus’s primary doctor. Now, the responsibility of Thaddeus’s follow–up treatment fell on her.

After asking Thaddeus some questions, she sent him to the wheelchair for a check–up with Jareth and Mr. Larry.

Only Evadne, Hamilton, and Mr. Murray were left in the ward.

“Ilana, you’ve been looking downcast. Is there something on your mind?” Hamilton took advantage of the absence of others to ask with concern.

Evadne was taken aback, trying to dodge the question, “No, nothing, Grandpa.”

“Ilana, you can fool others, but do you think you can fool me?”

Hamilton was worried, “Did something go wrong with Thaddeus’s injury?”

“Grandpa.”

“Don’t keep things from me. You know how I am. Just give it to me straight. I can handle whatever comes my way. But if you’re not honest with me, I can’t eat, I can’t sleep. It’ll really get to me!”

Evadne, feeling torn, hesitated before turning to Mr. Murray, “Could you step out for a moment?”

Understanding her request, Mr. Murray left the room, closing the door behind him.

“So, you’re saying that Thaddeus has been suffering from post–traumatic stress disorder?” Hamilton asked, his heart tightening.

“Yes, it’s all my fault. It’s all my fault, grandpa.”

Evadne hung her head in guilt, her fingers writhing anxiously, “I just wasn’t good enough, otherwise things wouldn’t have turned out this way.”

“Hana, don’t blame yourself. If it wasn’t for you, Thaddeus and I might have been long gone.”

Hamilton placed his dry, rough hand on hers, looking at her with a grave expression, “But there’s one thing you have to promise me. You must keep Thaddeus’s condition a secret, buried deep within your heart. The less people who know about this, the better.”

“Right now, only Mr. Larry and I are aware of Thaddeus’s condition. Grandpa, you can trust Mr. Larry. He’s a good friend of mine. He won’t tell anyone.”

Evadne frowned, speaking softly, “But grandpa, when Thaddeus’s disorder acts up, aside from giving him sedatives, there’s no solution. And I can’t predict when or where it might happen.

Eventually, the truth will come out.”

“We’ll keep it hidden for as long as we can. At least until everything is settled and until Thaddeus rightfully becomes the heir, inheriting the majority of the Abernathy Group’s shares and assets.”

Hamilton’s eyes burned with determination, his fist clenched, “The future of the Abernathy Group can only be in the hands of Thaddeus, no one else. If his illness gets into the wrong hands, it’s not just his inheritance that’s at stake, his position as CEO could be jeopardized!”

Evadne was puzzled. After a moment’s thought, she cautiously asked, “Grandpa, traditionally, the eldest son should inherit the family business. So, the Abernathy Group’s heir should be Thaddeus’s older brother. But I heard Mr. Chad has been unwell and is recovering abroad. I thought you chose Thaddeus as the heir because of Chad’s poor health. But from what you’ve just said, it seems that’s not the case. Why must Thaddeus be the heir?”

Hamilton’s pupils contracted, his Adam’s apple bobbed, remaining silent.