Chapter 74

The K Orld Hotel buzzed with activity, but inside her office, Evadne was in her own world.

She gripped the controller tightly, her character wielding a chainsaw as she chased down survivors in the game. The adrenaline rush was exactly what she needed.

On her desk sat a greasy box of fried chicken and an ice-cold beer—her ultimate gaming fuel.

No five-star French cuisine or royal banquet could compare to this simple pleasure. As she took another bite, a bitter memory surfaced.

For three years after marrying Thaddeus, she had endured the agony of her smoke allergy, wearing a mask in the kitchen just to cook him gourmet meals.

She had foolishly believed that if she could master the art of cooking, he might look at her differently.

So she secretly enrolled in Elmsworth’s most prestigious culinary school, the only woman in a room full of rowdy men.

By the time she graduated, her skills had surpassed even her instructor’s. He had praised her as his greatest student, a shining testament to his career.

But none of it mattered.

Thaddeus barely ate at home, and when he did, he never once complimented her food.

The realization had stung—no matter how well she fed him, she could never satisfy his heart.

Evadne bit into another piece of chicken, imagining it was Thaddeus’ neck.

At least now, she was free.

If magic existed, she’d sell love in a heartbeat—trade it for her father’s health and her family’s safety.

A knock interrupted her thoughts. Jason stepped in.

"Miss, I delivered everything and relayed your message."

She smirked. "Let me guess—he refused to settle privately?"

"Exactly. He said unless you hand over Elvis, there’s no deal."

"Delusional," she scoffed, finishing another round of her game. "There’s no footage of the incident. Even if he drags this to court, he’s got nothing."

The Ashbournes weren’t fools. They protected their own.

"But Miss…" Jason hesitated. "Thaddeus might be onto something. When I saw him, he had his military school yearbook out. He’s digging."

Evadne’s fingers stilled.

"Relax," she said after a beat. "Elvis’ records are locked down by National Security. No one can tie him to the K Group. Let Thaddeus waste his time."

Her mother had given birth to quadruplets—two took their father’s name, two took hers.

Cassis and Arnold were identical. Bet and Elvis? Polar opposites.

A genetic fluke that worked in their favor.

"Oh, and I asked Thaddeus about the press conference," Jason added.

Her eyes sharpened. "And?"

"He said it’s Abernathy business, not his. Looked like I owed him a fortune."

Evadne’s grip tightened on her beer.

She knew Thaddeus—ruthless in love, but brutally honest otherwise. If he hadn’t orchestrated the leak, he’d have denied it outright.

"So it was him," she muttered.

Jason frowned. "But why? Damaging Abernathy’s reputation hurts him too."

A memory flashed—Thaddeus’ possessive kiss, his hands gripping her like she was his.

Her cheeks warmed. She tossed the chicken bone into the trash with unnecessary force.

"Who knows? Maybe he’s finally lost it. Three years together, and I never noticed."

That evening, Cassis’ Rolls-Royce pulled up to the hotel, drawing admiring glances.

Unnoticed in the shadows, a black Maybach idled.

Inside, Thaddeus’ gaze locked onto the scene, his jaw clenched.

Evadne emerged, breathtaking in a sky-blue silk dress, her hair cascading down her back.

She had always been stunning—sharp suits, red lips, a force to be reckoned with.

But today, she looked softer. Effortlessly elegant.

And it burned him.

For three years, she had dressed plainly—white dresses, sneakers—as if he couldn’t afford to spoil her.

Everything Cassis gave her, he could have too.

So why had she hidden her beauty from him?

As she slid into Cassis’ car, Thaddeus growled, "Follow them."

The Rolls-Royce glided toward Skyrim.

Evadne proudly handed Cassis her latest financial reports and expansion plans.

"See? Two months, and I’ve outperformed everyone’s expectations. Not bad for your little sister, huh?"

Cassis ruffled her hair affectionately. "You’re not just smart—you’re a natural. What takes others a year, you conquer in weeks."

She grinned. "I’m not just conquering Skyrim. Elmsworth is next. The Abernathy monopoly ends with me."

"Confident," he mused. "But going head-to-head with Thaddeus… you ready for that?"

"Bring it on," she said, eyes blazing. "I lost in love. I won’t lose in business."

"Then you have my full support."

"Oh? What’s that entail?" She rubbed her hands together eagerly.

He smirked. "Prayers. Divine intervention."

Behind them, the Maybach trailed silently.

"Sir, they’re heading to Skyrim," Gordon noted.

Thaddeus’ fingers dug into his seat. "So she’s introducing him to her family already?"

"Looks like it. If you don’t act fast, she’ll be Mrs. Ashbourne."

"She wouldn’t dare," Thaddeus hissed. "We’re still married. She thinks I’ll just disappear?"

It hadn’t even been a week since Cassis beat him to a pulp.

No call. No concern.

Just straight to her new lover’s side.

Was she that desperate to humiliate him?

"But sir… after your grandfather’s birthday, the divorce is final. You won’t have a say."

Thaddeus’ chest tightened.

For the first time in years, panic clawed at him.