His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 458

Avery's spirit, weary and dejected, perked up at the words, "I'm all ears."

"Check your phone, there's a surprise waiting for you."

He quickly glanced at the screen and indeed, there was a new email notification.

Elsie watched the man's rigid back with unwavering attention, her curiosity about the person on the other end of the line - who could make the proud and untamed Avery turn pale - only grew.

Avery's lips tightened as he opened the email, revealing a hospital's diagnostic report. His brows furrowed as he skimmed through the document. Suddenly, his pupils contracted with shock that clenched his heart tight, almost causing the phone to slip from his grasp.

"What's wrong? Got scared?" The man on the phone teased.

"Is this for real? No, it can't be."

Avery's eyes repeatedly scanned the diagnosis, his body trembling uncontrollably as if drained of all blood, his mind plunging into an icy abyss, "Evadne, how could she possibly have been pregnant with Thaddeus's kid? How could they have ever had a kid together?!"

"What's the big deal if she was pregnant? Does that mean you don't love her anymore?"

The man scoffed, his tone cold and dismissive, "You should count your blessings that the kid was stillborn. You won't have to play step-dad to Thaddeus's kid. That's a tough role to fill, you know."

Avery was deeply hurt, his eyes bloodshot with suppressed tears, unable to extricate himself from the pain.

"They had a kid together, a fact Thaddeus is still unaware of. Ms. Ashbourne never told him."

The man continued to laugh, "Not just Thaddeus, even Chairman Ashbourne and Evadne's brothers - who dote on her - know nothing of it. Imagine if the men of the Ashbourne family found out that Ms. Ashbourne had miscarried Thaddeus's kid and lost her chance to be a mom. Do you think they would still support a reunion between Ms. Ashbourne and Thaddeus? Not a chance."

Avery clenched his phone, his anguish spreading through every limb, his complexion pallid as if on the brink of death.

He was right. The greatest pain in Evadne's life was the loss of her kid. And this pain was the perfect weapon to permanently sever Evadne from Thaddeus!

Anything to keep them apart, he would stop at nothing!

"Thank you for your help. If I can win Evadne, I will be forever in your debt," Avery's eyes flickered with a ruthless gleam.

"You've managed the Helgen businesses well over the years, which has been a great help to me. This is just a small favor; don't mention it." The man replied casually, and then reminded, "Oh, and you mustn't spread this news yourself - it would raise suspicions and backfire."

"Understood. I've already chosen the perfect 'spokesperson'."

Avery’s slender fingers adjusted his glasses, a sinister smile playing at the corners of his eyes, "No one is more suitable than her."

A horse racing scandal plunged the Abernathy Group and the Fairhaven Group into crises of both finances and reputation!

The video of Elspeth at the races was spreading like wildfire, and despite the Abernathy Group’s PR department working overtime to control the narrative and delete the scandalous footage, it was like trying to exterminate rats in the sewer or lice in one's hair; impossible to eradicate completely.

The filth continued to spread and fester in the shadows!

[Who has Elspeth's video? Can someone send it to me?]

[Good stuff is meant to be shared!]

[I want in!]

[Count me in!]

[Well, I've seen it; it's quite the thrill, PM me for it!]

[Damn, what's the fuss about an old hag pleasuring herself? Y'all got some weird tastes, send it my way too!]

The biggest trouble for the Abernathy Group was the loss of face, while the Fairhaven Group faced more severe issues.

The poisoning of a K Group-owned racehorse at the event had spread nationwide, not just tarnishing their reputation. The underhanded tactics and the near-fatal incident involving Evadne caused the Fairhaven Group's stock to plummet the next day, evaporating hundreds of millions.

Potential domestic partners were canceling collaborations, fearing the Fairhaven Group might use the same dirty tricks on them. The K Group was the tycoon and might be able to demand an explanation from the Fairhaven Group, but if others were targeted, they'd have no choice but to swallow their grievances.

Gary was scrambling to contain the disaster, but his brash behavior at the races had also become the talk of the town. People humored him out of respect for the Fairhaven name, but his personal credibility was in shambles, and no one believed his empty promises.

With those words, Gary was utterly cornered. Seeing the scales tipping in her favor, Edith chimed in with a coy voice, "Grandpa Barry, there's still one way to turn this crisis around, don't you remember?"

"What way?"

"You said you wanted to mention the proposal to Mr. Abernathy at the horse race, remember?" Edith fluttered her eyelashes, feigning innocence.

Mrs. Fairhaven was startled, "Edith! Why bring this up now?!"

"Proposal? Oh, Edith, that's really stirring the pot." Gary couldn't help but sneer, "With your scandal from the horse race still trending online, have you forgotten? Right now, not just the Abernathy family, but which reputable household would dare to accept this union? Marrying you would be like declaring war with the Ashbourne family."

Edith, fuming, glared at her uncle. Just when she was about to retort, Barry spoke gravely, his grey brows tightly furrowed, "The proposal must be made!"

At this precarious moment, when they should be lying low, what was the old man's angle?

"If our Fairhaven Group could secure an alliance with the Abernathy Group right now, it would be a massive boon, stabilizing our stock prices and calming the dissent within the company. The Abernathy Group is equally mired in public scrutiny because of Elspeth and desperately needs a boost. An alliance would benefit them as well. The Abernathy Group has only recently partnered with J Corporation, and the relationship is still in its early stages. If we secure this union, the Fairhaven Group can ride J Corporation's coattails, and the horse race debacle will become a minor issue!" Barry's eyes lit up with the prospect.

Edith's face blushed with shyness, her heart yet racing with glee.

"Dad, I've thought about your plan too, but marriage is a two-way street. Even if we're willing to propose, the Abernathy family has to be willing to accept. And you've seen how devoted Thaddeus is to Evadne; he's set on her and her alone! Plus, Thaddeus is the one calling the shots, and Frederic will rely on him. Without Thaddeus's approval, how can Edith hope to become the CEO's wife?"

Gary's analysis was sound.

Barry's expression grew serious, "Yes, it's a difficult proposition."

"Thaddeus is someone hopelessly devoted; unless the Ashbourne girl kicks the bucket overnight, I doubt he'll ever look at another woman," Gary shook his head knowingly. About the devotion, he, as a man, had also detected it from the way how Jareth gazed at Marilla Abernathy.

While they were all fraught with worry, Edith's phone rang. She surreptitiously glanced at it, her heart skipping a beat, and hurried out of the room to take the call.

Minutes later, Edith returned to the ward, her step light and buoyant. She sat by Barry's bedside, took his hand, and her eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and mischief.

"Grandpa Barry, just relax. I have a plan that will completely break Thad and Evadne apart, leaving the Abernathy family with no choice but to accept me!"