Chapter 696
Chapter 696
The hospital corridor was quiet, with the lights in the operating room aglow for ten long hours and still
on.
Thaddeus, with his striking figure, sat motionless on a bench, his expression calm. Yet, the intensity in
his eyes and the tension in his clenched fists on his knees betrayed his inner nervousness.
More nervous than him were the siblings from the West family. Elva and Allen.
Allen had no idea of the hardships his sister had endured at the Chambers Group, nor could they
believe that their it was Ma Ashbourne, not the Chambers Group they had always relied on, who
ultimately Intervened to save their father.
After another half–hour, the operating room lights went out..
The West siblings grasped each other’s hands tightly, while Thaddeus also rose to his feet.
The door swung open, and there was Evadne, draped in green surgical garb, walking out of the
operating room with the weariness of the marathon surgery.
Her face was hidden behind a large mask, revealing only her clear, gentle eyes.
Suddenly, Thaddeus‘ heart raced!
He didn’t notice it typically; but with Evadne wearing a mask, she looked so much like Paloma, who had
fought alongside him on the battlefield and saved him amidst bullets and gunfire!
But how could that be possible?
Evadne was the darling of the Ashbourne family; how could she have been on the front lines in
Zenithia? And to encounter him by such a coincidence?
Moreover, she had never been to Zenithia according to her history, they were in love, and he had told
her everything, honestly. Why would she never mention such a profound experience?
But if there were one in ten thousand chances.
Could Evadne possibly be Paloma, whom he had been searching for so painstakingly?
Thaddeus‘ hands trembled as he clenched his fists, the air breathed turning into invisible blades stirring
inside his organs.
He dared not make such a supposition, feeling a strong bitterness stuck in his throat.
Even a slight thought threatened to tear his soul apart and shatter it completely.
“Ms. Evadne, my father?”
Elva’s voice broke the silence, full of anxiety, her pale lips quivering with fear of bad news.
Evadne removed her mask, revealing a face damp with sweat but radiant with relief as she exhaled,
“The surgery was a success. Your father’s new kidney is functioning well. Rest assured.”
At her words, Thaddeus‘ heart settled. He immediately stepped forward and tenderly supported his
lover’s slender waist.
Evadne, utterly exhausted, leaning weakly into his embrace. Her head, still capped in surgical garb,
gently nuzzling against his warm chest.
“Evadne, your back must be sore. Let me give you a massage when we get home tonight, he
murmured, his breath hot against her ear.
While the words were ordinary, his seductive, husky voice made Evadne blush, her cheeks turning a
shy shade of red.
“That’s great. Truly wonderful!”
Allen, overtaken by emotion, embraced Elva tightly and then turned to Evadne with gratitude, “Dad has
been saved, Elval Ms. Evadne, thank you! You’ve been a savior to the West family!”
“As a doctor, it’s my duty, Evadne smiled gently locking eyes with Elva, whose eyes were reddened
from crying. “Moreover, Ms. West’s love for her father reminded me so much of my own father. Both
emotionally and morally, it was only right to help”
As her words ended, there was a thumping sound-
Elve actually fell to her knees in front of Evadne!
Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy were astounded and quickly helped her up. “Ms. West, please get up! Don’t do
this!”
Seeing his sister like this, Allen, the protective brother, was teary–eyed with distress and helped her up
as well.
“Ms. Evadne, thank you.” Elva sobbed, struggling for words. “Your kindness to my father… I will repay
with my life.”
Evadne shook her head gently. “You don’t owe me anything. All I wish is for you to break free from
Matthew and the Chambers Group. That’s the outcome I wish to see the most.”
David was transferred to a ward for post–operative observation.
In the resting room next door, the West siblings sat with Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy,
Elva, with her eyelids lowered, trembled as she slowly rolled up her sleeves.
The tapestry of scars that left Allen thunderstruck. The robust man broke down in tears, clutching his
sister.
“It’s okay, brother. It’s all in the past now,” Elva said with a relieved smile, comforting him.
Now that her father’s surgery was successful, she had no concerns left and was completely relieved.
She was ready to step out of the darkness and toward the light.
Elva took out a Kraft paper bag and placed it on the table. These are some of the documents I’ve
collected on Matthew’s embezzlement, bribery, and using the Chambers Group’s Starlight Foundation
for money laundering.”
Allen’s face was a mix of anger and determination, I can testify. I’ve worked in the legal department at
Chambers Group, and Matthew has made me exploit loopholes many times to embezzling corporate
funds for his own gain.
“He dared to domestically abuse my sister. Even if I end up in prison, disgraced, I will stand up and
denounce his crimes! To seek justice for my sister!”
“Allen. Elva choked up, torn by the situation.
But she knew that the battle between the West and the Chambers families were related by marriage,
and this fierce battle would unavoidably lead to mutual destruction.
Thaddeus and Evadne examined the evidence with serious focus, their coordination so in sync it was
as if they were one.
“Actually there’s more. Matthew even attempted murder to silence someone.”
Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy were aghast, “Murder? Who?”
“Previously, Byron had been accused of raping underage girls, one of whom, a girl named Beverly, was
ready to come forward to Identify him. At the time, Matthew, in his bid to protect Byron, Matthew bribed
his men, attempting to have Ms. Higgins killed while Byron was detained. He wasn’t truly trying to help
his brother but to curry favor with Jeff. By using Byron, Matthew had a scapegoat ready in case things
head south, ensuring he could walk away unscathed.”
Although Evadne and Thaddeus had speculated about this possibility at the time of the incident,
hearing Elva’s account firsthand still shocked them. Their expressions fluctuated wildly.
Tears in her eyes, Elva shook her head with guilt and helplessness. “At that time, I was right there,
listening to Matthew plot the murder of an innocent girl in the bloom of youth, yet I was utterly
powerless to stop him. If I even questioned him a bit too much, he would beat me with his fists and kick
me.”
“Ms. West, you have nothing to reproach yourself for,” Evadne said as she firmly grasped Elva’s hand,
with no trace of blaming her. “You’re a victim just like Beverly. Living in the darkness, you did everything
you could to protect yourself and your family. You’ve done so well. Honestly, I doubt I could’ve endured
half of what you’ve been through.”
“It’s a pity. I didn’t record it at that time.” Elva lamented with regret.
“Even if you had, it might not have helped much,” Thaddeus replied, setting aside the documents in his
hands, his eyes clouded as he analyzed calmly. “First, illicit recordings cannot be used as court
evidence; second, since Ms. Higgins is safe and unharmed, Matthew might even counter–sue you for
defamation and slander. Another issue is the evidence itself – it’s not solid enough against the heir of
the Chambers Group, one of the Big Four Even if Jeff is favoring Avery now, he won’t give up on
Matthew that easily. No matter what happens, he will protect him. Based on what we have, It could
secure a conviction for him, but it’s very likely to be merely a formality, with top–tier lawyers defending
him in court, at most two years, and he will surely be released”
Elva’s brows knitted in frustration. “So, what do we do? Is the law so powerless against these
tycoons?”
“What Thaddeus means is we need something explosive,” Evadne Interjected, her eyes locking with
Thaddeus‘ in a knowing gaze. “To take down Matthew, we need a direct hit that leaves no room to
retallate. We need it to be so compelling that heaven and earth, law and people, reject him utterly.”
There was an understanding in Thaddeus‘ eyes, their intense emotional connection making his blood
boil. Instinctively, he pulled her closer, his hand on her shoulder both damp and warm.
He knew she understood him like no other.
Elva pondered deeply, then looked up resolutely Matthew has a disgusting hobby- he secretly records.
Not only did he force those girls into transactional relationships using scholarship funds, but he also
violated them. And he didn’t stop there; he also: recorded it and stored them on an encrypted
computer, occasionally taking it out for his pleasure. Even during our intimate moments, he’d play those
videos”
The mere thought was enough to ignite fury in bystanders, yet Elva recounted these horrors with eerie
calmness.
“Darin Matthew, that beast! Allen’s heart shattered at the thought of the West family’s princess suffering
after married into the Chambers household
Evadne tightened her grip on Elva’s hand. “Ms, West, in there any way you could copy those videos?”
Tve tried, but the computer in in Matthew’s study, and the files are hidden and encrypted. He rarely lets
anyone in there, and even if I got in, I couldn’t access his computer,” Elva replied, disheartened.
As long as you can get on his computer, I can remotely crack the password and access his files!”
Evadne said confidently.
“My Evadne’s a hacking genius. Matthew’s tricks are child’s play to her, Thaddeus immediately bragged
about his wife, his eyes filled with deep love and admiration
His words completely floored the West siblings.
This was like a real–life version of the Smith couplet
Eyes shining with determination, Elva affirmed, “Since that’s the case, I’ll do everything to help you
Evadne nodded, concerning flooding her eyes. “But promise me, don’t push yourself. Above all, you
must ensure your safety.”
On the drive home from the hospital, Gordon was driving while Thaddeus wrapped his arms around
Evadne in the back seat.
They were snuggled closely together, and Evadne, having accomplished a significant feat, suppressed
for many days, was in high spirits. She entwined her arms around his neck and hummed cheerful a
tune.
At first, Thaddeus simply watched her with a smile.
Gradually, her playful antics were too much for him. Unable to resist any longer, he leaned down to
capture her soft, blushing lips in a kiss with unrestrained passion.
Gordon quickly raised the privacy panel, playing the role of a dedicated secretary.
Thaddeus tightened his hold around the petite woman, his body slowly pressing down, kissing her Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
tenderly, deeply then lightly, his breaths growing heavy and erratic.
After some time, fearing the flames within him might blaze out of control, Thaddeus ceased his kisses.
Instead, he pressed her yielding form closely against his chest, where the smoldering embers of desire
still flickered.
Evadne, I have a question for you. Will you answer it?”
“Mmm” Evadne murmured, her chin resting on his shoulder.
Thaddeus voiced with a dry throat, hesitantly opening his mouth, “Have you never been to Zenithla?
Before we got married, had we really never met?”
As the heartbeats counted down, time slipped by
There was no response from the person in his arms.
Only when the even rhythmic breathing echoed in his ear did he realized, bemused-
Evadne had long since fallen asleep from exhaustion.