Chapter 485

Some were drowning in misfortune, while others rode the waves of triumph.

Avery performed his act of concern with practiced ease, pacing the Ashbourne living room with feigned distress. His posture was rigid, his expression grave, the perfect picture of a worried suitor.

"Damn it," Arnold muttered under his breath, gripping the banister so hard his knuckles turned white. "First, we had to deal with that traitor Thaddeus, and now this snake Avery slithers his way to our doorstep. What kind of cosmic debt did our little sister rack up in a past life? Did she betray an entire kingdom or something?"

Beside him, Cassius watched with cold detachment, his sharp gaze locked onto Avery’s theatrics. The veins in his hand stood out as he clenched the railing, barely containing his disgust.

"At the grand dinner tonight, where he should’ve been representing the Chambers Group, he was conveniently absent. But the second Evadne faces trouble, he rushes over like some knight in shining armor." Cassius’s voice dripped with disdain. "With my years in prosecution, I’d bet my entire career that tonight’s mess has Avery’s fingerprints all over it. He probably orchestrated it with Edith, using that wretched girl as his pawn."

Arnold scoffed. "Spot on. But he’s too clever to leave evidence. He always has an exit strategy before he even makes his move."

Cassius’s lips curled into a humorless smirk. "Exactly. He wouldn’t be here tonight if he hadn’t already covered his tracks. He thinks he’s untouchable."

"Son of a bitch," Arnold growled. "Every time he shows up, it’s never for anything good."

Just then, Emeric approached Avery, flanked by Myra and Dan.

"Mr. Chambers, Mrs. Chambers," Avery greeted with a respectful bow, the very image of the perfect gentleman.

"Mr. Ashbourne," Myra interjected before Emeric could speak, her tone firm. "Our daughter isn’t feeling well and isn’t receiving visitors. Given tonight’s events, we’re not in the mood for company. Please, see yourself out."

Avery’s eyes darkened at the dismissal, his fingers twitching with suppressed frustration. Yet, he maintained his composure. "I heard about Evadne’s condition and couldn’t rest. I came to offer my help. If the local doctors are at a loss, I can arrange for specialists from Helgen to consult on her case."

"Avery." Emeric’s voice was heavy, his gaze unwavering. "We appreciate your concern. But you’re Nydia’s fiancé now. Whatever history you share with Evadne, it’s time to focus on your future with Nydia. Keep your distance."

Avery’s face paled.

Arnold couldn’t help but smirk. "After all his scheming, he still doesn’t get to have her. Outsmarted by his own game."

Avery’s jaw clenched. "Mr. Ashbourne, the only woman I’ve ever wanted to marry is Evadne! I never intended to marry anyone else!"

Myra stiffened, lips pressed tightly together.

Emeric’s brows furrowed. "What are you saying? My daughters aren’t commodities for you to pick and choose from. The alliance was agreed upon with Nydia, and it will remain so. Don’t bring up Evadne again."

Avery’s eyes burned with intensity. "You know how I feel about her. It’s undeniable. I never had a choice in this arrangement—I only conceded because I thought she was happy. But do you honestly believe Thaddeus is the right man for her now?"

Emeric’s breath hitched, the memory of his daughter’s pain flashing before his eyes.

"Before, I failed to protect her. But from now on, I won’t let anyone hurt her again." Avery’s voice cracked with emotion. "Please, let me marry Evadne. I swear, I’ll never let her suffer like this again."

"Dream on," Cassius cut in coldly as he descended the stairs with Arnold. "Fantasy is the only place you’ll ever have her."

Avery’s expression twisted with barely concealed fury.

"Dad, don’t fall for his act," Arnold snapped. "Who knows if he colluded with Edith tonight? He’s probably here to swoop in while Evadne’s vulnerable!"

Emeric and Myra exchanged uneasy glances.

Avery adjusted his glasses, feigning hurt. "Arnold, I know you dislike me, but that doesn’t give you the right to slander my character. Edith and I have no connection beyond that one incident at the races. I won’t tolerate baseless accusations."

Arnold nearly lunged forward, but Cassius held him back with a firm grip.

"Mr. Chambers," Cassius said smoothly, "you think you can marry Evadne? Not a chance. And your brother Byron, dreaming of making Nydia his bride? Forget it."

The room fell silent.

Then, the butler rushed in, breathless. "Chairman Ashbourne! Mr. Jeff Chambers is here!"

Emeric frowned. "Jeff? At this hour?"

Jeff stormed in, his face red with rage, his eldest son Matthew at his side. "Cassius! What the hell did you do to my son? How dare you treat Byron like this?!"

Cassius’s expression remained icy.

Emeric was baffled. "Cassius, what’s going on?"

Jeff’s voice shook with fury. "Your son had Byron arrested! He’s pressing rape charges against him!"

Rape charges? The word sent a shockwave through the room.

Avery’s lips thinned. So, Byron’s plan had backfired spectacularly.

Jeff pointed an accusing finger. "If you didn’t want this union, you could’ve just said so! Using underhanded tactics—is this how the Ashbournes operate?!"

Aviana stepped forward, her eyes blazing. "Who are you calling underhanded? If Byron’s in jail, it’s because he did something wrong! Maybe you should focus on getting him a good lawyer instead of blaming us!"

Jeff’s face twisted with fury.

Emeric turned to Cassius. "Explain. Now."

Before Cassius could respond, a voice cut through the tension.

"Expecting my brother to fetch that beast from jail? Dream on."

All eyes turned to the grand staircase.

Evadne descended, her presence commanding, her gaze sharp as a blade. Behind her stood Bet, silent and lethal, his protective aura unmistakable.

Avery’s jealousy flared.

Evadne’s lips curled into a chilling smile. "Mr. Jeff Chambers, when you visited Byron, did he conveniently leave out the part where I shattered his tailbone, broke his fingers, and knocked out his teeth?"

The room froze.

She tilted her head. "I even considered castrating him. But then I realized—why bother? He’ll be impotent for the rest of his life anyway."

Silence.

Then—

Chaos erupted.