His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 802

“The moment I laid eyes on that hairpin, my heart leapt with joy, certain it would be perfect for Ms. Ashbourne."

Chad's smile was genuine , "Thaddeus, a small token of affection. I hope you won't find it too trivial."

With a sharp snap, Thaddeus closed the ornate box firmly, pushing it back to the center of the table. His eyes were like fathomless pools, "Such a gift is too precious. On behalf of Evadne, I thank you for your kind thoughts, Chad."

Chad's expression remained unfazed, his smile still easy as he met Thaddeus' gaze.

"What is this about, Thaddeus?"

At the scene, Frederic's displeasure was immediate, his reprimand sharp, "Your brother has gone to great lengths to return home and has thoughtfully prepared generous gifts for the whole family, even considering your girlfriend.

Are your standards so high that you can't even appreciate your brother's offering? Even if you're not satisfied, let's be honest, how has he treated you over the years? Even if you dislike the gift, it's no reason to refuse it. It's utterly disheartening!"

"Dad, please, don't be upset."

With a gentle cough, Chad spoke soothingly, "It's no big deal. We're fortunate to be together as a family; let's not sour the mood over such a trifle."

"Thaddeus, accept your brother's gesture," Hamilton cast a meaningful look at his younger grandson.

He was on Thaddeus' side, unable to see what lay within the box from where he stood. All he wanted was to smooth things over, especially since Thaddeus and his father were just beginning to mend their strained relationship.

Thaddeus' well-defined hands clenched into fists under the table, his stormy eyes churning with complex emotions, "Chad, had it been anything else, I would have gladly accepted. But a hairpin - it's not something I can take."

Chad's eyebrows rose imperceptibly.

"In ancient times, a man gifting a hairpin to a woman was a symbol of betrothal, a promise of lifelong commitment." Thaddeus said, his voice a low, cold thrum, "Evadne is your sister-in-law. Such a gift from you, I find inappropriate."

At those words, realization dawned on Hamilton. No wonder Thaddeus had looked so troubled. Had it been him, he'd have flown into a rage!

Frederic's frown deepened, "Thaddeus, aren't you being overly sensitive? Your brother, a worldly man, what does he know of women's jewelry? You're being too critical."

"It was my oversight." Chad's smile was tinged with chagrin, "Having lived abroad for so long, I've almost forgotten these customs. Don't take it to heart, Thaddeus."

Thaddeus' eyes darkened, "I won't."

Feeling stifled, Thaddeus excused himself to get some fresh air in the backyard. Though he said it didn't bother him, how could it not?

Chad's gifts were almost always expensive antiques, a testament to his classic and artistic lifestyle overseas.

With such an affinity for the old ways, how could he not know the meaning behind gifting a hairpin to a lady?

Thaddeus tugged at his Windsor knot, desperate for a breath of air, yet feeling suffocated. Was he truly thoughtless? Or was he subtly testing Thaddeus' boundaries?

Just then, the sound of conversation from the garden intruded upon his thoughts. Thaddeus followed the noise and found the house staff gathered around the gazebo by the pond, all fixated on something.

"Mr. Thaddeus Abernathy," two servants bowed hastily as he approached.

"What's going on here?" Thaddeus inquired coolly.

"It's Alexia, who came with Mr. Chad Abernathy. She's tending to the leg wound of one of the deer we keep in the yard!"

One of the servants looked on in awe, "The poor creature hurt its leg somehow, writhing in pain on the ground. The butler was about to call a vet, but Alexia - she's amazing! She bandaged up the deer's wound herself!"

Thaddeus' indifferent gaze landed on Alexia. Her beautiful face was calm as she knelt, her pristine white trousers dusted with dirt, yet she didn’t care less, her attention solely on bandaging the deer's leg.

Her motions were skilled, clearly professional. The scene caused a flicker in Thaddeus' deep-set eyes.

"There, all better." Alexia's voice was gentle as she patted the deer's rump, "Go on, play."

The deer stood, tested its injured leg, and bounded off gazebo with a bleat, brushing past Thaddeus.

After wrapping up the family dinner, Thaddeus escorted Hamilton back to Havenbrook, while Chad took Alexia to settle in at Windermere Estate.

He'd been gone for over a decade, but his room at Windermere Estate was untouched, diligently cleaned every week.

"Sir, it seems Mr. Frederic Abernathy still holds you in high regard. You can rest easy," Alexia handed Chad a glass of water and his medication.

The man's long, pale fingers fumbled through a colorful array of pills, his face half-shrouded in shadow, "But grandpa Hamilton still harbors his reservations about me."

"Just an old man knocking on death's door. Even if he wanted to, he hasn't got the strength. Besides, you're his eldest grandson - how could he raise a hand against you?" Alexia's eyes flashed with disdain.

"This incident with Elspeth's daughters has made Frederic reconsider his stance toward my brother and me."

Chad picked a pill and popped it into his mouth, "If I hadn't returned now to remind Frederic of my existence, the situation could have spiraled out of my control."

Alexia knelt on one knee before him, gazing up in admiration, "You're a wise man, sir."

Chad lazily curved his lips into a smile, patting her cheek as what he would do to his pet.

"By the way, Avery heard about your return and specially reached out. He's eager to meet with you."

"Fool." Chad leaned back, a dangerous glint flickering in his eyes, "Right now, countless eyes could be watching us in the shadows. He can't afford any rash moves. Tonight, you tested my brother; what was his reaction?"

Alexia faltered for a moment, and then shook her head sullenly, "Thaddeus' a one-track mind. I know him all too well. Once he falls for someone, he's got blinders on - there's no room for anyone else."

"It doesn't matter. That's what makes it interesting."

Chad reopened the ornate box on the table, taking out the hairpin and turning it over in the moonlight.

Suddenly, his brow furrowed, and he snapped the jade hairpin in two, "One day, I'll make it so you can't refuse me."