Chapter 344

The woman standing before him, laughing manically with a wicked smile, was pushing Jareth to his breaking point. Every word she spoke, every gesture she made, was a slap to his face. It was impossible for him to reconcile this cruel, twisted version with the sweet sister he had once adored.

When had she become like this? When had his beloved Edith, the girl he had cherished and shielded, turned into this uncontrollable, venomous creature?

"Answer me, Edith. Who's manipulating you?" Jareth demanded, his voice raw with fury and desperation.

"No one controls me, Jareth. No matter how many times you ask, my answer won't change," Edith retorted, rising gracefully from her seat. She smoothed the fabric of her designer dress, then flicked her long, wavy brunette hair over her shoulder with deliberate provocation.

"Jareth, I'm about to marry your best friend and become the First Lady of the Abernathy Group. You know Thaddeus. Despite your pathetic attempts to set me up with some wealthy stranger, I've always loved him. I'd never settle for anyone else. Aren't you happy for me? You used to dote on me. Was that all just an act?"

"Edith, what the hell are you saying?" Each word she spoke was like a knife twisting in his chest.

"Oh, right. You've found a replacement for me. I suppose I'm not as important as Evadne now, am I?" Edith laughed hysterically, tears streaming down her face.

"Mark my words—Thaddeus will never marry you. Don't delude yourself!" Jareth gritted his teeth. "And Evadne was never your enemy. She isn't."

"My future sister-in-law? That dimwit?" Edith sneered. "Even if I accepted her, Mother and Grandfather would never allow a Fairhaven to marry into the Abernathy family. Face reality, Jareth. No matter how much you love her, she'll always be your dirty little secret. I bet Mr. Frederic would rather die than let his precious daughter marry you."

Jareth's breath hitched, his heart clenching painfully. "My marriage is none of your concern. Stay out of it!"

"Then my marriage is none of yours either."

Edith, done wasting time on him, strode toward the door, rubbing her bruised arm.

"Edith, you're returning to Aetheria tonight. Without my permission, you are not setting foot in Elmsworth again!" Jareth's eyes burned with fury and betrayal.

"Jareth, do you really think you can still control me?" Edith leaned against the doorframe, chin lifted in defiance. "Grandfather wants me to stay with him until the wedding. Once I'm Thaddeus' wife, do you honestly believe you'll have any say over me? Think again."

"Edith."

Jareth inhaled sharply, his handsome face pale with rage. "If you walk out that door today, from this moment on—I am no longer your brother."

Edith's gaze was icy, devoid of emotion, as if he were nothing more than a stranger.

"If my own brother won't support me, then I don't need him."

Rumors spread like wildfire in Elmsworth, and the scandals of the elite were far more tantalizing than any tabloid gossip. After all, nothing thrilled the masses more than watching the mighty fall.

Meanwhile, Evadne had no time for idle chatter. She had more pressing matters to attend to.

"Evadne, you're incredible!" Aaron and his sister sat across from her in the corner of the hotel café.

Aaron slid several photos toward her. "Just as you predicted, that criminal had a hidden room filled with pictures of Elspeth. He wasn't Myra's obsessed admirer—he was fixated on her."

Evadne pressed her lips together, lowering her voice. "Aaron, did you find anything else?"

Aaron hesitated before producing a sealed evidence bag. Inside was a tarnished diamond earring, its design outdated and its quality mediocre.

Evadne's memory was sharp. She flipped through the photos until she found the match.

"This earring belongs to Elspeth. There are photos of her wearing it. It's identical."

Aaron, a seasoned detective, was impressed. "Evadne, you're wasted outside law enforcement."

She smirked. "I lack patience. I'd probably execute criminals on the spot."

Aaron had no response.

"It seems Elspeth and this man had a close relationship. She even gave him her favorite earring. Do you think there was something between them?" Evadne's eyes narrowed.

"Even if there was, it's irrelevant now. This only proves they knew each other—not that Elspeth conspired with him to attack Myra," Aaron said seriously.

"I know. But this evidence is enough to put Elspeth under scrutiny."

Evadne held the earring up to the light, her gaze icy with determination. "Aaron, your men interrogated him. He won't talk. If he's truly loyal to Elspeth, there won't be any suspicious transactions linking them. We can't pin the attempted murder on her. So now, I need to use what we do have to gather more evidence—and deliver the final blow."

Aaron's eyes widened. "Evadne, what are you planning?"

She leaned back, fingertips drumming against the table, exuding an aura of lethal elegance.

"I'm paying a visit to the Abernathy family. It's time for a little chat with Elspeth."

After parting ways with Aaron, Evadne received a call from Debby. Her sister would be returning to Helgen early the next morning. Rushing back to Silveke Harbor, Evadne found Debby and Suri in the living room, tearfully exchanging farewells.

"Mom, you're being dramatic," Debby said lightly, though her eyes were red-rimmed. "Helgen isn't far. You can visit anytime."

"You say that, but last time I barely saw you. You were too busy with your husband," Suri sniffed, clutching her daughter's hand.

Debby sighed. "I'm sorry, Mom. D’arcy had last-minute obligations, and as his wife, I had to accompany him."

"Debby!" Evadne hurried in, reluctance heavy in her voice. "Can't you stay longer? We haven't had proper time together!"

"There's always next time, Evadne." Debby stood, embracing her sister tightly. "After the election, I'll bring D’arcy back for a longer visit. We'll make up for lost time."

"Hmph. I'll hold you to that, Future First Lady of Helgen."

"Miss Evadne!" Jason appeared, his suit dusted with flour.

"Jason, have you been cooking?" Evadne raised a brow.

"Myra and Ms. Nydia are in the kitchen. I thought I'd help." He looked both embarrassed and concerned.

"What? Myra's cooking?" Suri stood abruptly. "Why didn't you stop her? She fainted this morning!"

Evadne's stomach dropped. "Myra fainted? I need to see her!"

In the kitchen, Nydia hovered anxiously as Myra chopped vegetables with unsettling speed.

"Mom, are you okay?" Nydia fretted.

"I'm fine. We can't keep everyone waiting for dinner."

A sharp gasp.

"Mom! You're bleeding!" Nydia's voice trembled.

"Myra!"

Evadne and Jason arrived just as blood dripped from Myra's finger.

"Jason, get the first aid kit from my room. This needs stitches!" Evadne ordered.

Within moments, Jason returned, and Evadne expertly stitched the wound. Nydia watched in awe—her sister was capable of anything.

"Ms. Nydia, don't worry. Miss Evadne has it handled," Jason murmured, resting a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Nydia, sensing Evadne needed privacy, discreetly wiped her tears and followed Jason out.

"Myra, rest assured. The injustice you've suffered won't go unanswered." Evadne's voice was low as she bandaged the wound.

"I appreciate your kindness, but please don't act on my behalf. I'm fine!" Myra's eyes were dazed.

"Twenty years ago, someone harmed you without consequence. If she dares try again now, she's only hastening her own downfall." Evadne's tone turned icy. "If she's courting death, I'll grant her wish sooner than she expects."

Myra snapped to attention, gripping Evadne's wrist. "Evadne, do you know who did this?"

"I do. And I think you've guessed too."

Pain flickered in Evadne's eyes. "You should tell Emeric. When his woman is hurt, how can he stand idle?"

"Evadne, I don't want revenge. I just want peace for our family." Tears rolled down Myra's cheeks like fallen stars.

Evadne exhaled sharply. They both knew Emeric's temper. If he learned Elspeth was involved, he might resort to extreme measures.

Evadne preferred a more refined approach. To deal with a viper like Elspeth, she'd play a far more cunning game.

"Myra, do you recognize this man?"

Evadne showed her a photo of the attacker.

Myra's eyes widened. "That's Dunn. He used to work at the TV station, running errands for the actors."

"So he had unrestricted access to the building back then?"

"Yes. He even filled in as an extra sometimes." Myra frowned. "Evadne, why are you asking about him?"

Evadne's brow furrowed, a chilling realization dawning.

Leaving Myra's room, Evadne's expression was grim.

"Miss Evadne." A servant approached. "A gentleman has been waiting for you outside. He's been there quite some time."

Her pulse spiked. Unbidden, an image of Thaddeus standing in the snow, waiting silently for her, flashed through her mind.

"You didn't tell anyone, did you?" Her voice was hushed.

"No. He asked me to inform you discreetly."

"Understood."

Steadying her breathing, Evadne crossed the courtyard, her heart pounding as she neared the antique door.

Despite their recent fight, she felt no lingering resentment—only an erratic, uncontrollable anticipation.

She didn't understand her own heart anymore.

The door creaked open.

"Evadne."

The voice was warm, affectionate—but it wasn't his.

Her hopeful heart plummeted.

The man before her, holding the reins of a majestic horse, his smile bright as morning sunlight, was Avery.

Not him.

Not Thaddeus.

"How did you get here?"