Chapter 176

Edith, young and beautiful with thin skin, turned beet-red in embarra**ment.

“Thaddeus, you don’t like Edith serving you with her own cutlery? She hadn’t used it yet. It was for your first bite.” Jareth frowned, stepping in to defend

his sister.

“Sorry, Thad. I didn’t think it through”

Edith quickly switched to a new set of cutlery and picked up another piece of beef brisket, but he stopped her again.

7 can do it myself.”

Edith pouted, “Hmph, I haven’t been home for years. Thad. Are you avoiding getting close to me? We used to share ice cream when we were kids!” “That was then. But you’re grown up now.” Thaddeus lowered his head, cutting a small piece of steak and chewing on it leisurely.

Edith’s heart clenched, her face fell, and she ate the brisket in a huff.

Looking at the exquisite dishes, Thaddeus was reminded of the times Evadne used to cook for him.

He knew these dishes took a lot of time and effort, and she had spent the entire afternoon in the kitchen, her face greasy from the cooking fumes, holding back a light cough.

But he never praised her.

Her cooking was on par with state banquet chefs. Even if he didn’t want to admit it, every time he ate her food, he would crave for another bowl.

He remembered how Evadne would eagerly await his praise, only to be disappointed. The sight of her sad eyes always made his heart ache.

But every time she was disappointed, Evadne would bounce back quickly, telling him.

Next time. Would there be a next time?

With that thought, Thaddeus found the food tasteless and hard to swallow.

*th a smile, “I’ll do better next time!”

“Thad, I heard from Glynnis that you’re busy with Ada’s wedding and competing with K Orld Hotel for the hosting rights, is that true?”

Before long, Edith spoke again.

Thinking this would interest Thaddeus, Edith propped her face in her hand, batting her eyelashes innocently. “I heard that Ada is coming to Elmsworth in a few days. Are you planning a welcome party, Thad? This is a great publicity opportunity, Ada is an international superstar!”

Thaddeus’s eyes suddenly grew cold, but his face remained calm.

The thing he hated most was discussing business at family gatherings, and he hated outsiders prying into his company.

“Hmm.

“Can I help with anything?” Edith’s eyes sparkled.

“No need.”

“I can play the piano for Ada and the other guests! It’s my forte!”

Edith was eager to show off in front of Thaddeus.

“No need.” Thaddeus frowned, dismissing her outright, “You’re a Fairhaven. It’s not appropriate. We’ll invite professional musicians.”

Edith’s face turned red in embarra**ment, “Are you saying I’m not professional enough?”

Thaddeus suddenly lost his appetite. He had agreed to attend this dinner so as not to disappoint Mrs. Fairhaven and Jareth, but now he was feeling

irritated.

“Thaddeus, Edith is a top-notch pianist, she’s more than capable of playing at your welcome party, let her go.” Jareth defended his sister while eating his

dinner.

“Yeah, Thaddeus, Edith sees you as her own brother, let her help you this time.” Mrs. Fairhaven, who adored her daughter and didn’t want to see her disappointed, also persuaded

“Thad, I’ll play well, I won’t embarra** you.” Edith pleaded with puppy dog eyes.

Thaddeus frowned but nodded.

After dinner, Thaddeus excused himself.

Just as he stepped out of the Fairhaven’s gate, Gordon received an important piece of news and rushed to tell him.

“Mr. Thaddeus, there’s a problem. Your plan clashes with K Hotel’s!”

Thaddeus’s heart tightened and he asked coldly, “Evadne is also hosting a welcome party for Ada on the same day?”

“You’re sharp, Mr. Thaddeus!” Gordon asked nervously, “With Mrs. Abernathy’s domineering personality and her undeniable arguments, she might lure Ada away. Should we…?”

“What?”

Gordon forced an embarra**ed smile, “Should we just let Mrs. Abernathy have this one? It’s just a welcome party, and it’s not that decent for a man to compete with a woman, especially an ex-wife.”

“No! Thaddeus declared sternly, “Now that the plan with Alea fell through, we have to proceed with Ada. If Evadne is thinking the same, it means she’s in the same boat as us. At this point, even a small progress can tilt the scales. I can’t back down. We must get Ada to our party, no matter what.”

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11:28

Then Thaddeus got into his luxury car with a stern face.

Gordon stood there, his expression slowly turning sad

G od, why was Mr. Thaddeus so stubborn?

How could he win back Ms. Evadne’s heart with this attitude!

Sitting in the car, Thaddeus leaned back and took a deep breath.

Should he let Evadne have this one, as Gordon suggested?

But ever since their divorce, he never won against her

She was always one step ahead, towering over him and suppressing him with her overwhelming presence.

He realized that Evadne was no longer the gentle, kind woman she used to be. She was intelligent, noble, outstanding, and sharp. She seemed increasingly out of his reach.

So, he longed to beat her at least once, hoping that might narrow the gap between them.

Late at night, Jareth was out for a shindig at the Sapphire Nights Club.

Back home, it was just Edith and Mrs. Fairhaven. Edith slipped into her mum’s room, clambered onto her bed, and started getting all cuddly in her mother’s arms.

Remembering the scene at the dinner table, Mrs. Fairhaven couldn’t help but ask, “Edith, why were you so chummy with Thaddeus tonight? You had him all wound up.”

Mrs. Fairhaven sighed in a slightly reproachful tone, “You’re not a little girl anymore, and Thaddeus isn’t the one who used to play around with you. He’s now the CEO of the Abernathy Group, his status is a big deal, and his every move is under scrutiny. It’s not appropriate for you to be so clingy with him.” “Mum.” Edith suddenly sat up, looking at Mrs. Fairhaven seriously, “I wasn’t being clingy, and I’ve never seen Thaddeus as a brother.”

“What did you say?” Mrs. Fairhaven looked puzzled..

“Do you know why I turned down the Royal Symphony Orchestra in Aetheria, gave up such a great opportunity and returned to Elmsworth? It was for Thad. I want to be his wife!”

“What?”

Mrs. Fairhaven sat bolt upright, eyes wide with shock, “Have you lost your mind? He’s your brother!”

“We’re not blood-related!” Edith answered, her eyes shining at the thought of Thaddeus, “I’ve waited so long. Thad finally broke it off with Acacia. Now, no one can stop me.”

Seeing her daughter lost in her happy fantasy, Mrs. Fairhaven’s feelings were complex.

“Mum, what’s wrong? What’s with that face? Don’t you want me to be with Thad?” Edith asked, frowning and shaking her mother’s hand.

“No, it’s just,” Mrs. Fairhaven hesitated, then said worriedly, “Thaddeus is indeed an excellent man, but he’s not a good spouse. Apart from his past with Acacia, according to your brother, he was married once before. Edith, you’re too innocent and kind-hearted, and the Abernathy family situation is complicated. I’m afraid if you marry Thaddeus, you might be treated unfairly, or even bullied.”

Edith laughed inwardly.

Innocent? That big oaf Glynnis from the Abernathy family was the innocent one!

If she got married into that family, she’d have those Abernathy women eating out of her hand. Her mother was really underestimating her! “Mum! I’m a Fairhaven! We’re no less than the Abernathys. And you and my brother spoil me so much, if anyone from the Abernathy family dares to bully me, my brother will make them pay!”

“But love requires both parties to feel the same way. Even if you want to marry him, it depends on whether Thaddeus wants to marry you!” Mrs. Fairhaven was feeling helpless with her willful daughter.

Edith smiled confidently, “As long as I can prove to Thad that I’m no longer the child from years ago, that I have value to him, and that I can stand by his side, he’ll see me!”

“But.”

“Oh, enough with the ‘buts’, mum. I’m telling you, it’s Thad or nobody for me!”

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