Chapter 335

Evadne felt no embarrassment—only indignation on Avery's behalf.

She was a woman of strong principles, never one to look down on others. That wasn't how she'd been raised.

"No big deal. If we're not allowed in, we'll come back when it's open." She shrugged. "Let's go."

Not wanting to cause trouble for Avery, she casually suggested, "If you want to ride, you can come to my family's ranch. It's just as good."

But as she turned to leave, Avery caught her hand, his grip firm but gentle. "Evadne, don't go. We need to get in there tonight."

Her fingers twitched, instinctively trying to pull away, but his hold was unyielding.

His tone left no room for argument.

This was a side of him she hadn't seen since they'd reconnected.

The two bouncers exchanged glances before one sneered, "Leave now, or don't blame us for being rough. Mr. Byron is entertaining guests inside. No riffraff allowed."

Evadne nearly rolled her eyes.

Riffraff? They must not have brushed their teeth—their words stank.

"Oh, really?"

Avery remained composed. He stepped forward. "What if I insist on going in?"

"Looking for trouble?"

One bouncer lunged at him, ready to shove him back.

But before his hand could even graze Avery's shirt, there was a blur of movement—then a sharp cry of pain as the man hit the ground, writhing.

Evadne's eyes widened.

Avery had flipped him effortlessly.

The second bouncer charged—only to meet the same fate.

"Evadne, let's go."

Avery pulled out a pristine handkerchief, wiping his hands with deliberate grace. His voice was soft, his demeanor that of a refined gentleman—as if the violence moments ago had never happened.

Evadne was speechless.

Avery's lips curved into a tender smile. He reached for her hand again, leading her away without hesitation.

"Wait—who the hell are you?" the fallen bouncer gasped.

Avery paused, chuckling lightly. "My name is Chambers."

The color drained from their faces.

Meanwhile, Thaddeus sat in his luxury car, gripping his phone, anxiety gnawing at him.

"Mr. Thaddeus, still no luck reaching Mrs. Abernathy?" Gordon asked nervously.

"No. Even when she despises me, she never ignores my calls." His palm was slick with sweat, his expression tight with worry. "Gordon, did I do something to upset her? My memory's been spotty since the injury. Help me think—did I say or do anything wrong?"

Gordon blinked at the usually unshakable CEO, now reduced to anxious uncertainty.

"Uh... you haven't seen Mrs. Abernathy in days. No chance to upset her, right?" He scratched his head. "Unless... she had a bad dream about you and woke up furious?"

Thaddeus shot him a withering look. "A dream?"

Gordon nodded sagely. "Happened to me once. My college girlfriend dreamed I cheated and gave me hell for a week. We broke up soon after."

Thaddeus's expression darkened. "You think my wife is as irrational as the women you dated?"

Gordon paled. "N-no, sir! Of course not!"

Thaddeus exhaled sharply.

How could he control what she dreamed?

But he had been a monster in the past. The scars he'd left on her heart ran deep.

"Maybe try President Ashbourne?" Gordon ventured. "Since Mrs. Abernathy returned to Skyrim, her brother must know where she is."

Thaddeus glared. "As CEO of the Abernathy Group, I can't find one person and have to call her family? What if Cassius doesn't know either? Should I phone all her brothers one by one?" He waved a hand. "Get out."

Gordon fled.

The moment the door closed, Thaddeus dialed Cassius.

"Mr. Thaddeus. How's the injury?" Cassius's voice was calm, revealing nothing.

"President Ashbourne, is Evadne with you?" Thaddeus's urgency bled through.

"She's not. Can't you reach my sister?"

"No. I've called repeatedly. No answer."

"Ah. That's normal."

Thaddeus clenched his jaw.

"I don't know where she is either. She's an adult—she doesn't report to me. There was a time she cut off the family for years because of you."

"Because of me?" Thaddeus stiffened. "Why?"

Cassius caught his slip. "Mr. Thaddeus, is this urgent? Are you feeling unwell?"

"No. I'm just... worried."

"Don't be. Evadne always knows how to take care of herself. If she's avoiding you, she has her reasons."

The words were a needle to Thaddeus's heart—sharp, subtle, the pain spreading relentlessly. He hung up, lost in thought.

But Cassius's slip intrigued him.

She'd cut off her family for years—just as he had.

So where had she been during that time? What had she done? And why had she never mentioned it?

At the ranch, Avery still held Evadne's hand.

"Ave? Ave? Mr. Avery!"

It took three calls before he snapped back to reality. "Hm?"

Her lips pursed. She gave him a pointed look, then lowered her gaze to their joined hands.

"Sorry." His fingers loosened reluctantly.

The air grew awkward.

They were both adults, single, unattached. She'd been married before. A touch shouldn't be a big deal.

Right?

Evadne took a breath and addressed it head-on. "Why didn't you just reveal who you were earlier? No need for violence."

"Would it have helped?" Avery smiled faintly. "They'd have called my brother. Same outcome."

She didn't press further. The Chambers brothers' feud wasn't her business.

"Ave, why bring me here? To ride?"

"To see a horse. You'll love it."

As he spoke, he instinctively reached for her hand again—then stopped, fingers hovering midair.

Evadne's pulse skipped.

Just then, Avery's secretary rushed over, panting.

"Mr. Chambers! Trouble!"

Avery frowned. "What?"

"Your horse—the one for Ms. Evadne—Mr. Byron took it to the ranch!"

Avery's glasses glinted coldly. His expression darkened like a gathering storm.

Meanwhile, Byron was showing off a magnificent champagne-coated stallion to his guests.

"Byron, this is a real thoroughbred! Only heard of them, never seen one!"

"Must be worth at least a million, right?"

"Lowballing it," Byron scoffed, stroking the horse's sleek coat. "This is a rare Whiteguard breed. Worth 1.5 million, minimum."

Gasps of awe followed. Phones came out for pictures.

1.5 million was pocket change for this crowd—but spending it on a horse? Only the Abernathy, Chambers, or Ashbourne families could afford such extravagance.

"Let me ride it! I want to feel its power!"

Byron eagerly mounted—just as a cold voice cut through the air.

"Who said you could touch my things?"

Startled, Byron lost his balance and tumbled off.

The trainer caught him, but the humiliation burned.

"Careful, Byron!" The crowd feigned concern, secretly amused.

Byron shoved the trainer aside and whirled—only to freeze.

Avery and Evadne stood side by side, a striking pair that commanded attention.

"Who's that woman? Gorgeous—and familiar!"

"That's Evadne Ashbourne! Daughter of Skyrim's richest man!"

"And the man beside her... damn, they look good together."

"That's Avery Chambers. Didn't know he was close to the Ashbournes. Must be powerful."

Byron's face twisted with rage at being upstaged.

Evadne ignored him, her gaze locked on the golden stallion. "So beautiful," she breathed.

Avery watched her, lips curving as her eyes sparkled, cheeks flushed like peach blossoms.

"What are you doing here, Avery?" Byron forced a smile, dusting himself off.

"Checking on my horse. Enjoy showing off with stolen goods?" Avery tilted his head, mocking. "You could've asked. But taking it? What does that make you?"

Byron flushed.

"Even if you had asked," Avery added coolly, "I'd have said no."