His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 800

The imposing frame of Thaddeus froze in an instant, as if gripped by an invisible force that shackled his spirit.

"What did you say? Chad's back?!" Frederic's eyes sparkled with joy, his face brimming with excitement, "Where is he now?!"

"He's down in the hospital's underground parking lot. I ran into him as I was coming back from running some errands."

"Why didn't he let us know he was coming back!" Frederic chided with a beaming smile.

"I exchanged a few words with him. He was worried that if he told you in advance, you'd go all out preparing, and he didn't want to trouble you, so he kept it a secret."

"That boy, always so considerate!"

Without wasting a moment, Frederic turned to Thaddeus, "Thaddeus, go and tell your grandfather. I'll go down to meet Chad!"

As Thaddeus watched their departing figures, his fingers curled inward slightly.

By the time the Abernathy family members arrived at the parking lot, Chad was already sitting serenely in a wheelchair, a gentle smile on his face.

"Chad!" Frederic called out joyfully, hurrying to his eldest son's side.

Not far behind him, Thaddeus and Evadne supported Hamilton, who followed at a measured pace.

"Grandpa Hamilton, Dad, Thaddeus, I didn't mean to cause such a fuss."

Chad's lips curled into a smile, as calming as a breeze over a still lake, his tender gaze finally resting on Evadne's composed face, "And Ms. Ashbourne, coming specially to greet me, I'm truly overwhelmed."

"It's nothing, as Thaddeus' brother, you're like a brother to me, too. It's only right to show you the proper hospitality."

Evadne responded with a polite smile, but inwardly, she scrutinized this legendary Abernathy son.

She had always imagined this day might come but hadn't expected it to be so sudden.

Before meeting him, she had demonized him in her mind as a rival lurking in the shadows, ready to challenge Thad at any moment.

Yet now, face to face, she could find no trace of malice in him, his refined features and peaceful demeanor free of contention. Even his affable smile seemed to effortlessly close the distance between them.

A humble gentleman behaved with good manners. These words seemed to have been coined just for him.

"Chad, welcome back," Thaddeus said warmly, though a thin layer of ice seemed to form in his eyes, betraying a torrent of mixed emotions.

He didn't understand his own reaction. All his brother did was greet Evadne, yet Thaddeus' heart lurched suddenly, and felt a tension he couldn’t explain.

At that moment, Evadne, who was supporting Hamilton, suddenly felt a burning warmth on the back of her hand.

Thaddeus had discreetly grasped her hand, which was pressing it against the old man's waist, his fingers tightly intertwined, sending a tingling sensation through her.

Evadne frowned slightly, surprised, and glanced at Thaddeus. But he kept his gaze forward, his expression as stoic as someone in meditation, though the tension in his jawline betrayed his suppressed feelings.

"Chad, why didn't you tell me and your dad you were coming back? We could have been prepared; this is all so sudden," Hamilton said with the warmth of an elder.

"We're family; there's no need for preparations. It's been years, Grandpa Hamilton; you don't see me as a stranger, do you?" Chad's smile deepened.

"Mr. Frederic Abernathy, I must confess, the reason he rushed back without notice was to see Ms. Abernathy." Alexia sighed with empathy, "Ever since her accident, he hasn't had a single night of peaceful sleep. He wanted to come back earlier, but knowing how busy you all must be, he didn't want to be a bother. That's why he delayed his return to Elmsworth."

"Alexia, there's no need for such talk," Chad chided gently.

"My boy, your concern is touching." Frederic was visibly moved, "Your timing is fortunate; Marilla just woke up. She will be so happy to see you."

The group returned to the VIP ward, with the normally proud and dignified Frederic personally pushing Chad's wheelchair.

No aristocratic family was indifferent to the role of the firstborn. The adage "the firstborn was paramount" had ancient roots.

If it weren't for that kidnapping incident that ravaged Chad's once healthy body, Thaddeus, the "illegitimate son", would never have risen so quickly to a position of power and influence within the family's core.

Evadne was about to follow into the hospital room when Thaddeus suddenly grabbed her wrist, pulling her into the dimly lit emergency exit corridor without a word.

The door slammed shut, and his gaze surged with intensity. His large hand gripped her slender shoulder, pinning her against the cold wall as his fervent kiss descended, passionately and urgently claiming her lips.

Evadne's shoulders were cushioned against the wall by his hands, so despite his forceful advance, she felt no pain. Her lips entwined with his, moisture gathering at the corners of her eyes, she found herself irresistibly lost in the moment.

It was a while before they parted, a glistening thread connecting their flushed, moist lips.

"What's with you, suddenly so ravenous?" Evadne panted, her soft and pliant body still pressed under his.

"Evadne, don't smile at him." Thaddeus' intense desire and possessiveness were on the verge of erupting from within him, his eyes wet, "Even if he is my older brother."