His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 1178

“No, you did an excellent job.” Thaddeus narrowed his eyes, a flicker of warmth melting the icy facade he had maintained for so long. A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips. “You’re not just my lawyer; you’re Jason’s brother. From now on, don’t call me Mr. Thaddeus. Just Thaddeus is fine.”

Gordon, in the passenger seat, glanced in the rearview mirror, startled. For a brief moment, he saw the Mr. Thaddeus he used to know—a man with a hint of humanity, not the cold, unfeeling shell he had become.

“I may be Jason’s brother, but my work is separate. And as I am still formally representing you, it is more appropriate to address you as Mr. Thaddeus,” Ivan replied, politely maintaining his professional distance.

Thaddeus simply nodded. “As you wish.”

Noting his haggard appearance, Gordon said gently, “Mr. Thaddeus, I’ll take you back to Windermere Estate to rest.”

“No. To the Abernathy Group.” Thaddeus lowered his gaze, his voice low. “The senior management meeting is in an hour. Inform all department heads to be in the conference room on time.”

…

An hour later, Thaddeus arrived at the company headquarters. Ignoring the strange looks from every direction, he walked with Gordon to the executive elevator and went straight to the conference room. But when the doors opened, Thaddeus’s expression darkened.

“What’s going on? Why is no one here?” Gordon exclaimed. “I sent out the meeting notification!”

Thaddeus stared at the empty room, a storm brewing in his chest. He turned and strode purposefully toward the president’s office. His executive secretary was still at her desk outside the door.

“Mr. Thaddeus!” she scrambled to her feet, her face pale with alarm.

Thaddeus walked forward, each step as heavy as his heart. His voice was raw. “Why is it you?”

“Why can’t it be me?” Chad tilted his chin up, leisurely spinning in the chair he had coveted for so long. “This seat should have been mine years ago. You were just keeping it warm for me.”

The man before him was a stranger—his smile triumphant, his tone arrogant, his expression contemptuous. This was not the gentle, worldly brother Thaddeus knew. It was as if two entirely different personalities existed in one body, each a complete inversion of the other.

“So, it was all a setup. From the very beginning.” Thaddeus stared at this man who was both familiar and alien, the suffocating feeling intensifying. “From the day you returned to Elmsworth, you were planning to take this position from me?”

Chad smiled and wagged a finger. “No, that’s the wrong word. It’s not taking.” He leaned forward, his fingertips brushing against the sharp edge of the metal nameplate on the desk. “Thaddeus, nothing in the entire Abernathy Group was ever meant to be yours. And what isn’t yours, you must eventually return.”