Chapter 510

The kitchen had been a battlefield for the past hour, but finally, a few presentable dishes made it to the dining table.

Thaddeus could handle basic stir-fries, but anything more elaborate was clearly beyond his skill set.

This modest success was only possible under Evadne's strict supervision. Left to his own devices, dinner might not have been served until midnight.

Sweat dripped from Thaddeus's brow, his white shirt clinging to his back as if he'd just wrestled with the stove.

Seeing him like this, Evadne felt a surge of affection. She grabbed a napkin and dabbed his forehead, pouting. "Emeric is such a nuisance! With an army of chefs at home and Myra, the culinary genius, why does he insist on making our lives difficult?"

Thaddeus chuckled, unfazed. "Evadne, you said yourself you wanted him to stay for dinner and try my cooking. It's been a while since you saw him."

Guilt flickered across her face, her cheeks flushing. "I was being sarcastic! Can't he take a hint?"

"Don't worry about it," Thaddeus murmured, wrapping an arm around her waist. "I've always wanted to do something for Emeric, even if it's just a simple meal."

"Trying to win him over?" Evadne pressed closer, their noses almost touching. "Give it up, sweetheart. He's impossible. You could serve him a feast, and he'd still give you the cold shoulder. Besides, you don’t need his approval. We’re together—that’s all that matters."

A deliberate cough interrupted them.

Evadne rolled her eyes. Emeric was a master at killing the mood.

"Well, well," Emeric drawled, seating himself with exaggerated grace. "I thought you were making me breakfast, Mr. Thaddeus."

Thaddeus remained silent.

Evadne narrowed her eyes. "No one forced you to stay for dinner. Just so you know, this is the first time Thaddeus has cooked for anyone besides me. Be grateful and don’t complain."

This time, it was Emeric who stayed quiet.

Thaddeus smiled. Father and daughter were more alike than they’d admit—same stubbornness, same sharp tongues.

Emeric ate with rigid posture, his back straight as a board. Thaddeus watched nervously, feeling like an ugly duckling awaiting judgment.

"Did you drown this in soy sauce?"

"Did you personally execute the salt merchant?"

"These vegetables are mush. A culinary tragedy."

Emeric didn’t hold back, critiquing between bites.

Thaddeus had expected criticism, but not a full-on roast. He could only offer a strained smile. Still, having Emeric at their table was more than he’d ever dared hope for.

Evadne snapped. "Enough, Emeric! If you don’t like it, leave! Thaddeus worked hard on this meal. If you can’t appreciate it, at least don’t insult him. And if it’s so terrible, why are you eating so much? Trying to punish yourself?"

"I flew here nonstop to see you and haven’t even had water!" Emeric shot back, shoveling food into his mouth. "I’m starving! Do you think I enjoy this? It’s barely edible!"

Evadne, initially furious, burst out laughing at his dramatics.

Emeric, seeing her smile, couldn’t suppress one of his own.

The tension dissolved, replaced by something resembling a normal family dinner.

Father and daughter silently agreed to avoid topics that might ruin the mood.

"Hey! You guys having a feast without me?" Aaron barged in, stomach growling, and plopped down at the table. "Evadne, not cool. I eat a lot, but I can’t out-eat Thaddeus. Worried I’ll clean you out?"

Emeric and Evadne turned to him in unison. "We forgot about you."

After dinner, Emeric prepared to leave.

Evadne stood on the steps, watching as he and Dn headed to the car. Thaddeus, ever respectful, escorted them.

Before getting in, Emeric turned, piercing Thaddeus with a glare. "Don’t get cocky. I stayed tonight for Evadne, not you. I haven’t forgiven you, and I never will."

Thaddeus stood tall, voice rough with emotion. "I know I’m far from perfect. I don’t expect forgiveness. All I ask is the chance to make Evadne happy. For her, I’d risk everything."

Emeric’s eyes narrowed. "Save the act, Thaddeus. I have a heart of stone for everyone but family. Even if you died for her, I’d still despise you. When this ends, you’ll regret it."

"The only regret I have," Thaddeus said, voice trembling, "is not realizing sooner how much Evadne means to me. Even if it ends badly, I’ll protect her until my last breath."

Emeric stared at him for a long moment before getting into the car.

Only when the Ashbourne vehicles had vanished did Thaddeus return to Evadne’s side.

"What did he say?" she asked, looping her arm through his.

"He said you should sleep early, eat on time, and stop overworking yourself," Thaddeus murmured, kissing her cheek. "And no ice cream during your period."

Evadne squinted at him. "The first part sounds like him. The last bit is all you, isn’t it?"

"Guilty," he admitted with a wry smile. "But will you listen, just this once?"

"Fine, fine. But really, what did he say? I bet it wasn’t nice!"

Thaddeus chuckled. "Does it matter? You’re still here with me. That’s enough."

On the drive back, Dn stayed silent. The atmosphere was tense, but not because of Thaddeus.

After a while, Emeric muttered, "The kid’s cooking wasn’t half bad."

Dn blinked. "Thanks to the young lady’s guidance."

"He’s patient," Emeric grumbled. "I couldn’t stand a woman nagging me like that. Annoying as hell."

"Madam used to do the same," Dn said without thinking, then froze.

Emeric’s expression darkened, his throat tightening. "Dn. I miss Silvana."

Dn didn’t know how to respond.

"When Evadne said I never knew what her mother wanted… it broke me." Emeric closed his eyes, shadows flickering across his face. "In this world, who else understands her?"

"The young miss is still young," Dn said gently. "One day, she’ll understand."

After Emeric left, Lily took Mari upstairs while Evadne and Aaron discussed business.

"I swear I’m not the snitch!" Aaron raised three fingers.

"I know," Evadne said firmly. "Even Bet wouldn’t use Emeric against us."

"If he had an issue, he’d have come sooner. Someone’s trying to sabotage you two!"

"Probably Snakey Avery," Evadne said without hesitation. "His spies are everywhere. One must’ve seen us and reported back."

Aaron shook his head. "Despicable."

"Doesn’t matter." Evadne turned to Thaddeus, her gaze soft. "Their schemes won’t touch us."

Thaddeus kissed her, oblivious to anyone else.

Aaron groaned. "Get a room! This is worse than a heavy meal!"

Back to business, Thaddeus opened the file Aaron had brought.

"The Elspeth trial is coming up. Here’s everything we’ve compiled. This is our only shot—we can’t let her or the Abernathy group breathe."

Thaddeus nodded, resolve hardening.

"Thank you," Evadne said, squeezing his hand. "But this is as far as you and my brother go. It’s already risky bringing this to us. We’ll handle the rest."

Aaron nodded. "Good luck."

"We don’t need luck," Thaddeus said quietly. "We have each other."

As Aaron headed for the door, it swung open—revealing Jareth, dust-covered from travel.

Jareth’s eyes widened. "What are you doing here?"

Aaron smirked. "Excuse me."

Jareth’s temper flared. "Well, well. The TV star."

"And you are?" Aaron tilted his head. "The overprotective Bro Jareth?"