His Ex-Wife: The Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus)

Chapter 1077

Chad was more than capable of maneuvering his own wheelchair, but the two little boys insisted on pushing him

right up to Evadne.

"Mr. Chad, what a surprise. | never imagined I'd run into you here."

Evadne offered him a polite smile, but anyone could see how forced it was. "On a day like this, | didn't expect

you to show up."

Chad's refined, gentle features softened as he smiled back. "Did | disappoint you?"

Evadne's heart skipped, though she played it cool. "Disappoint me? Why would you say that?"

"Logically, the person representing a charity event should be Thaddeus. I'm not the CEO of the Abernathy Group,

so | won't be attending the gala tonight-just sending my regards instead. No need to stir up unnecessary

speculation."

Chad's tone was warm and understanding, his smile inviting. "You may not have seen Thaddeus here, Ms.

Evadne, but once you attend the charity dinner tonight, you'll find him there."

Evadne pressed her lips together, her voice frosty as she met his gaze with a touch of scrutiny. "I won't be going

to the dinner. Mr. Chad, I'm afraid you've read too much into things."

At that moment, the director chimed in, "President Ashbourne, you might not know, but Mr. Frederic has always

been one of the major benefactors behind our orphanage's charity foundation. Over the years, his contributions

have been vital to our development. We wouldn't be where we are today without his support."

A subtle crease formed between Evadne's brows.

"Director Cooper, it was nothing-just a small gesture. Think nothing of it," Chad replied with a modest smile. He

turned back to Evadne. "Ms. Evadne, | promised the children I'd help them build a snowman soon. Would you

care to join us for a stroll first?"

Not wanting to seem difficult in front of others, Evadne gave a soft reply. "Alright." She glanced back at Jason,

whose face was clouded with worry, then walked alongside Chad toward the heart of the orphanage.

Elsewhere, Elsie her true features restored-arrived at the orphanage as well. She had barely stepped inside when

a teacher stopped her. "Miss, may | ask who you are?"

Elsie froze for a moment, then her face broke into a bright smile.

She'd volunteered here for three years. The teacher clearly knew her but hadn't recognized her at close range.

That meant she had finally left her dark past behind.

"I'm a new volunteer here. My nis... Sunny White," she said, inventing an alias on the spot.

To avoid unnecessary attention, Elsie went along with the false nand produced her ID, which now bore a

new photo. "Here's my badge, if you'd like to check."

"Oh, Ms. White, please cthis way."

Just then, Elsie heard footsteps behind her.

She turned, casually at first-then froze.

Bathed in golden sunlight, Thaddeus strode through the orphanage doors, tall and striking as ever. By his side,

smiling up at him, was Alexia.

Elsie's pupils contracted. Anxiety twisted in her gut, but even more, she felt a deep stab of sympathy for Evadne.

Anyone who'd watched Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy together over the years would be shaken by the sight of

Thaddeus and Alexia walking in together. Even Elsie felt the pain; for Evadne, it must be unbearable.

Furious, Elsie clenched her fists, watching as the pair walked past her without so much as a glance.

Suddenly, Thaddeus paused. His dark eyes flickered as they landed on Elsie. "Miss, have we met before?"

Alexia, picking up on his words, shot Elsie a cold, sidelong glance.

It hit Elsie then-this was the first tThaddeus had seen her with her new face.

Confronted by this enigmatic woman, Elsie decided it was better to avoid complications. She kept her voice cool

and even. "No, Mr. Thaddeus, | think you've mistakenfor someone else."

Alexia arched a brow. "If you've never met, how do you know this is Mr. Thaddeus?"

.n

"Mr. Thaddeus is the CEO of the Abernathy Group-hardly an obscure figure." Elsie lowered her gaze, her tone

detached. "Besides, the Abernathys have helped countless desperate people in EImsworth. Their reputation

precedes them. It's not strange that I'd recognize him, is it?"

Thaddeus's gaze darkened, thoughtful.

For a moment, the two women locked eyes, tension crackling in the space between them. They couldn't quite

put their finger on it, but both sensed a vague familiarity.

"Mr. Thaddeus, it's about time. Shall we go in?" Alexia withdrew her probing stare from Elsie's face.

Thaddeus's expression grew stony again, and he walked off with Alexia.

After touring the orphanage with Chad, Evadne returned to the courtyard, joining the children for a snowball fight

and helping them build a snowman. The laughter and cheer, even if just for a little while, melted the worries

from her mind.

Chad sat quietly in his wheelchair, watching Evadne-her ivory wool coat dusted with snow, cheeks flushed pink

from the cold, her delicate, features lit with happiness as she helped the children shape the snowman's head. So

innocent, so radiant. He couldn't help but smile, the light in his dark eyes shimmering with warmth.

"Wow, look at that, you guys! That gentleman over there is so handsome, and he and Ms. Evadne look perfect

together!"

"Yeah! It's such a shame, though. He's so good-looking, but his legs... If he could

stand, | bet he'd give Mr. Thaddeus a real run for his money!"

"I heard he's part of the Abernathy family too-a real firstborn!"

"He and Ms. Evadne make a great pair. Mr. Thaddeus should be worried!"

The children's whispered chatter drifted to Chad's ears. His smile deepened as he

bent to scoop a handful of fluffy snow, molding it between his palms.

At last, the snowman was finished.

Evadne straightened, her eyes shining, breath puffing in frosty clouds, a sheen of sweat on her

forehead. She turned and the moment she spotted Thaddeus and Alexia standing not far away, all the

warmth in her body vanished, replaced by a deep, numbing chill.