His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 865

Thaddeus' eyes flickered with a stormy chill as he was about to call the editor-in-chief of the Elmsworth Daily, but it was Frederic's call that came through first.

Sensing trouble, he wanted to step away from Evadne to take the call, fearing she might think he was hiding something. Thus, he had no choice but to turn slightly and answer in a hushed tone, "Dad, what's up?"

"That news piece on the pharmaceutical human trials that was posted on Elmsworth Daily's official Twitter, did you green-light that?" Frederic's voice was deep and stern.

"Yes."

"I've already issued a directive to pull that story. And as for trending on social media, if we don't take it down, someone else will!"

Thaddeus' brows furrowed, a vein throbbing on his forehead, "No, it can't be taken down!"

Evadne, with her lively eyes, watched him discreetly, silent.

"This isn't about what I want; it's an order from the top. This piece, first off, smacks of fake news, released without official verification, and it's already causing a national panic. If we don't handle this, trouble will come knocking on the Abernathy Group's door!"

Compared with his direct acridity towards his son in previous days, Frederic seemed much calmer this time around, analyzing the pros and cons with Thaddeus.

"First off, this isn't unverified news, the video is real, and the human experimentation is a fact. The police have been quietly investigating the source of the banned drug. If the media doesn't speak up now, when will they?"

Thaddeus' voice was both magnetic and hoarse with emotion, "If the media chooses silence, more people will get hurt, more will be led astray! Covering up the truth is the most foolish choice!"

Evadne blinked, her chest heaving with emotion.

A silence fell on the other end of the line. After a prolonged while, Frederic finally spoke, his voice heavy and sincere.

"Thaddeus, I’m not heartless or unprincipled. I was once full of youthful fervor for my career. I'm involved in charity; I too want to do something for society. But all that is predicated on me protecting the Abernathy Group, safeguarding the family. Before I’m a philanthropist, a societal enthusiast, I must first be a businessman who seeks profit and shuns harm. Everything must prioritize the family's interests!"

Thaddeus' thin lips pressed into a thin line, a complex light flickering in his eyes.

"This story is causing social unrest, and it’ll also shake the Abernathy Group. We can't make enemies at the top; it's unwise. Especially at sensitive times like these, we need to understand the value of blending in."

"Dad, are these what you want to tell me, or did someone whisper something to you?" Thaddeus, sharp as ever, sensed something off with Frederic.

He knew the man, who wasn't of such a detached nature. Having been carried through the social whirl on flowery palanquins all his life, he wasn't one to adopt such a detached stance.

Frederic was silent for a moment, and then sighed, "After the incident, Chad called me. Thaddeus, he meant no harm; he just hopes the Abernathy Group won't fall into chaos."

"So, it was my brother, huh," Thaddeus felt a tightness in his chest, glancing at the woman beside him.

Evadne's gaze was thoughtful, her lips touching the rim of her paper cup as if to drink, yet not taking a sip for a long while. She was pondering.

"Anyway, this is settled for now, and the trend will be suppressed today. As for this issue, you should stay out of it. Even if such inhumane events are happening in Elmsworth, it has nothing to do with you, nothing to do with the Abernathy Group!"

That sounded more like something Frederic would say.

Naturally, Thaddeus wanted to argue, to stand firm, but Evadne gently held his arm, shaking her head softly at him.

After ending the call, the man gripped her hand, a bitter smile on his face, "Evadne, see, it's always like this."

Evadne looked at him with eyes full of sympathy, not blaming him or resenting his father.

Though they had to confront their adversaries, the rare warmth between father and son, especially after Marilla's incident, was something she didn't want to see disrupted.

"But don't worry, even if Elmsworth Daily doesn't publish it, I'll make sure other media outlets continue to report. It just might not have the same impact as Elmsworth Daily," Thaddeus was unwilling to give up, his eyes burning with a flame of eagerness.

The spark had been ignited, and he couldn't let it be snuffed out just yet!

"This isn't your father's fault. It's pressure from higher up."

Evadne's voice was soft and soothing, calming his emotions, "But what surprises me is, at this critical moment, your brother steps in to meddle.

I've been with the Abernathy family for three years myself. The Abernathy Group has faced countless business crises, and he's always been as steady as a rock. This time, it's merely a news piece by Elmsworth Daily causing public opinion to stir, something most people wouldn’t even associate directly with the Abernathy Group. Yet, he's the first to show up, advising your father."

Ms. Ashbourne, ever perceptive. Where others saw the surface, she saw the essence.

Sadly, the Ashbourne family was harmonious, brothers respectful and supportive, leaving her with no arena for her strategic mind but the Abernathy family's affairs.

"This is somewhat too proactive. It doesn't fit his usual detached persona," Evadne speared a piece of fried calamari with a toothpick, offering it to the man.

Thaddeus wasn't hungry and had little appetite, but accepting his wife's offering, he ate it, his eyes shimmering with the contentment and happiness of being nourished by love, "So, Evadne, what are you thinking? You believe there's something off with my brother?"

“But the internet’s still ablaze with it! People won’t stop talking, and we can’t delete fast enough!” Warner was panicking, “Avery, tell me! Are you using me for your drug trials? Are you trying to screw me over, destroy the Bright group?!”

Our company is a top-notch pharmaceutical group across the country. If the police couldn’t bear the pressure from the public opinion and start digging in, they’ll soon find something about me! By that time, there’s no one else but the Bright family to take the blame, and you, on the other hand, would be safe and sound!”

Avery narrowed his eyes, sneering silently. Warner was closer to the truth this time, but too bad, since he’d already in this game, now he could only continue than back out.

“Avery, if the cops come knocking, I’ll have no choice but to rat you out! You can’t just pin this on me!”

“Even if what you fear comes to pass, which is highly unlikely, given my connections throughout Elmsworth, this will all blow over. But let’s talk about the Bright Group. How’s your funding looking these days?”

Warner was caught off guard by Avery’s sudden shift, “W-What are you talking about?!”

Avery’s eyes were icy cold, a flamboyant aura exuding from him as if he was sure to win, “Your group has put all its eggs in one basket, focusing on Alzheimer’s research to the detriment of everything else.

But progress has been slow these years, and government is reluctant to fund it. To make things worse, your father’s investments are tanking, leaving massive debts. The Bright group is on the brink, and you turned to me, selling this drug to save your company.”

But all the gifts in life had been put on a price tag covertly; ill-gotten gains always were bad karma.

“Making money isn’t shameful. These days, it’s survival of the fittest.”

Avery’s eyes were like vortexes, making people shiver, “You’re in this with me now. There’s no turning back. Why not give it all? Let’s look at the bright side, for the sake of your father and the Bright family, you need to hold on.”

Avery’s manipulation temporarily calmed Warner down.

“This weekend, come relax at the Chambers Group’s new resort. We’ll discuss our next steps.”

Warner, his mind clouded by the ongoing scandal, rashly agreed to Avery’s invitation.

After hanging up, Harvey, standing aside, leaned in, “What’s the plan, Mr. Chambers?”

“This mess can’t touch me. If it does...”

Avery shivered as if caught in an icy gale, “I have a feeling, if we don’t navigate this correctly, he will cut me loose for good.”