Chapter 246

Thaddeus's words struck like lightning before he turned on his heel and stormed out, his posture rigid with barely contained fury.

Cedric stood frozen, his face burning with humiliation.

Born into the prestigious Dempsey legal dynasty, he had always been the golden child—admired by his parents, idolized by his siblings, and revered by Elmsworth's elite.

Even the wealthiest magnates bent over backward to secure his services.

When had he ever been treated with such contempt?

Wait.

Cedric's eyes narrowed as he watched Thaddeus disappear down the hall.

What exactly was Thaddeus's relationship with Evadne? And why would a man known for his icy composure lose control over her?

Evadne Ashbourne—the untouchable heiress, a goddess among mortals. She had the world at her feet yet barely spared a glance at ordinary men.

There was only one explanation. Thaddeus, the bastard son, was obsessed with her.

So what if he was handsome and cunning?

His mother had never been acknowledged, and his CEO title was nothing but charity from the Abernathy heir.

"Wearing a crown doesn't make you king, Thaddeus," Cedric muttered under his breath. "You think someone like you could ever deserve Evadne Ashbourne? Keep dreaming."

With a cold sneer, he strode into the mansion.

The room fell silent as Thaddeus and Cedric entered one after the other.

"Father, Cedric is an exceptional attorney," Frederic announced proudly. "Without him, Glynnis wouldn't have been acquitted so swiftly. I intend to appoint him as head of the Abernathy Group's legal department. What do you think?"

"Mr. Frederic, it's an honor." Cedric extended a hand, his smile polished.

"Cedric Dempsey," Hamilton mused, studying him. "Dave's eldest son?"

"Yes, sir." Cedric's chest swelled with pride. "You know my father?"

Thaddeus observed from the sidelines, his expression unreadable.

He despised Cedric's smarmy demeanor, but something about Hamilton's tone gave him pause.

"Of course I know him," Hamilton replied, his smile razor-thin. "Your father presided over Felix's trial. Sentenced him to four years—fair and impartial, wasn't he?"

A collective gasp filled the room.

Cedric's smile faltered.

Frederic's face darkened at the mention of Felix.

Thaddeus didn't miss the flicker of pain in his father's eyes.

"Mr. Hamilton, my father is... principled. I apologize if his judgment caused any distress."

Cedric hadn't expected the conversation to take this turn. He bowed slightly, scrambling to recover.

"Apologize?" Hamilton arched a brow. "For what? Doing his job?"

Cedric stiffened.

"Isn't integrity the cornerstone of law? Or are you implying your father was wrong to uphold it?"

"That's not what I meant—"

"You're quite the celebrity yourself," Hamilton cut in. "Only representing the wealthy and connected. Quite different from your father's values."

The thinly veiled insult hung in the air.

Thaddeus smirked. Frederic and Elspeth exchanged uneasy glances.

"Mr. Hamilton!"

Mr. Murray hurried in. "Ms. Evadne has arrived."

Thaddeus's pulse spiked, his gaze snapping to the entrance.

All eyes followed.

The sharp click of heels echoed like gunfire.

Evadne walked in alone, her regal presence commanding the room. She might as well have been a stranger stepping through those doors for the first time.

For a heartbeat, Thaddeus's vision blurred.

It felt like they were still married.

"Grandpa."

Evadne's smile was radiant as she breezed past everyone—ignoring Thaddeus completely.

As if he didn't exist.

The ache in his chest was unbearable.

Every encounter with her since the divorce was torture.

"Evadne."

Glynnis glared, her fingers curling into fists. Only Elspeth's grip kept her from lunging.

"Oh? Cedric Dempsey." Evadne paused, her voice honeyed. "What a surprise."

The room froze.

Cedric's smile turned brittle.

"Ms. Evadne. It's been a while."

"Five or six years, hasn't it? Since you last visited my father." Her gaze flicked to Frederic. "Our families go way back. Mr. Dempsey even served as K Group's legal head after retirement—though he was too modest to boast about it."

Cedric's ears burned.

She was dismantling him with every word.

Frederic's brows rose. "I wasn't aware of your connection."

"My father resigned years ago," Cedric interjected hastily. "We've had no ties to the Ashbournes since."

"Really?" Evadne's smile turned glacial. "Then you must've forgotten how my father saved your family from ruin when yours was on the brink. We never asked for repayment."

She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a whisper.

"But helping my enemies? That's how you repay kindness?"

Her laugh was cold, beautiful, and utterly merciless.

"Is this what they teach you in law school?"