His Ex Wife is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus)

Chapter 865

Thaddeus’ eyes flickered with a stormy chill as he was about to call the editor-in- chief of the EImsworth Daily,

but it was Frederic's call that cthrough 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 EImsworth Daily's official Twitter, did

you green-light that?" Frederic's voice was deep and stern.

"es."

"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 | 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 cknocking 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. | was once full of youthful fervor for my career. I'm involved in

charity; | too want to do something for society. But all that is predicated onprotecting the Abernathy Group,

safeguarding the family. Before I'm a philanthropist, a societal enthusiast, | 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,

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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 Emsworth, 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 simpact as Emsworth Daily," Thaddeus was unwilling to give up, his eyes burning

with a flof 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 surprisesis, 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 EImsworth 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?"

Chewing on the calamari, Evadne harbored a bold, yet terrifying thought.

Could Chad be tangled up in this whole drug fiasco? He once bragged about his connections in the

pharmaceutical world back in the country, claiming he could get his hands on drugs the average Joe couldn't

even dream of. Could there be a dark, intricate web of secrets he was part of?

But then again, Chad was not exactly strapped for cash. What was his angle in all this?

Or maybe, Evadne was overthinking it. Perhaps Chad was simply trying to curry favor with Mr. Frederic

Abernathy, laying down the groundwork for his grand return to power.

Regardless of his intentions, however, one thing was crystal clear to Evadne about his movements: Chad

might've saved Thaddeus’ life, but gratitude was one thing, and allegiance was another. Their paths would only

run in opposite direction, and would never align.

Just then, Evadne's phone buzzed. It was a call from Jason.

"President Ashbourne, everything's set. Please, check World Wonders Weekly now."

"Thanks for your hard work."

After hanging up, Evadne quickly opened the app, tilting the screen so she and Thaddeus could watch together.

The lead story on World Wonders Weekly was a bombshell expose on illegal drugs and human trials!

"Evadne, when did you set this up?!" Thaddeus" eyes sparkled with shock and

awe.

"To be honest, | figured relying solely on EImsworth Daily was too weak a move."

Evadne snuggled in his arms, her head against his broad chest, "So, | have to step in and give it a little push.

Rest assured. | always have your back, no matter what."

Despite ElImsworth Daily pulling their tweet, the hashtag refused to die down. Even after the phrase "human

trials" was banned, the public found new ways to keep the conversation at the top of the trending list.

The trending topic couldn't be quashed. Warner, one of the implicated parties, was freaking out and immediately

called Avery.

"Avery! What the hell is happening?! You toldit was just strendy recreational drug overseas. How did it

suddenly becan unauthorized, illegal substance?!"

Warner's complaint made Avery, already on edge from a spat with Alexia and unable to reach the boss, feel like

going on a rampage right then and there. But he knew better than to lose his cool.

From a nobody in the Chambers family to a feared figure in Helgen, Avery had climbed the ladder by keeping his

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head cool and playing his cards right. Downing a glass of whiskey, Avery let out a venomous sigh, laughing,

"Relax, it's just sensationalized fake news. Didn't EImsworth Daily already retract their story?" "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 usingfor your drug trials? Are you trying to screwover, 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 cknocking, 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 EImsworth, 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, crelax 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 cutloose for good."