Chapter 566
The explosion of the helicopter over the suburban skies was bound to hit the headlines.
Locals had captured the entire incident on video, and it stirred up a storm online.
It looked like a scandal, but the next day, the police released an official statement through
their channels, declaring that the chopper was the getaway vehicle for an internationally
wanted criminal trying to evade capture. All six onboard were confirmed dead. Public
opinion did a complete turnaround, and the citizens cheered, feeling that justice had been
served.
The forensic report on Byron had come in, confirming he died of mechanical asphyxiation.
Given the direction of the ligature marks and the struggle signs on his body, it was clear–it
was a deliberate murder.
But in a detention center with hundreds of inmates and over a hundred officers, no one
could pinpoint the culprit.
Or perhaps someone was obstructing the investigation from the shadows, hoping the case
would never see the light of day.
Online opinions about Byron’s death varied:
“Good riddance! We were worried about sentencing him to death, but it looks like justice
was served swiftly!”
“He got off too easy. He should’ve rotted in jail for years, starving and getting beat up
every day until he died!”
“Yeah, he died too quickly, without tasting enough pain. That’s a real shame!”
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“But the biggest tragedy is that the victims didn’t get to see Byron face justice. They
didn’t get to see him despised and spat upon by everyone. That’s the regret!”
Yet no one spoke in favor of Byron–unless they were out of their mind.‘
The Chambers family stayed eerily silent, as if they had never heard of Byron.
For Jeff, the patriarch of the Chambers family, to lose a son he had doted on for over two
decades and not say a word, especially as the internet hurled insults–it was clear he
wished the nation would turn its focus away from his family’s affairs.
Byron’s funeral was a hastily arranged affair attended only by family.
Who of any reputation would pay respects to a man who had committed so many
atrocities? That would be utterly shameless.
Time moved on.
The first hearing of the Elspeth case was only two days away.
Early that day, Evadne accompanied Thaddeus to visit his mother–Mrs. Winter’s resting
place.
In the solemn tranquility of the cemetery, a profound sorrow spread between them.
Evadne placed a bouquet of lilies, Mrs. Winter’s favorite, at the foot of the marble
headstone. Overwhelmed with emotion, she stood behind Thaddeus, her eyes brimming
with tears.
Thaddeus knelt, tenderly wiping the headstone with a pristine white handkerchief.
Evadne noted that this grave was the most immaculately kept in the entire cemetery–a
testament to Thaddeus‘ devotion, year in and year out, ensuring his mother rested in
peace.
“Mom, I’m here to see you again.”
Thaddeus‘ eyes glistened as he gently brushed his mother’s beautiful face in the photo.
“But this time it’s different. I’m not alone. I remember you always worried I’d be lonely.
Mom, you can rest easy now. I’m doing well. Since you left, I’ve finally found my happiness
again.”
He stood and returned to Evadne’s side, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, his lips
curving in pleasure. “See, isn’t she beautiful? I think she’s just as beautiful as you were.”
Evadne’s cheeks blushed a delicate pink, her hands nervously intertwined as if embodying
the essence of a demure lady.
It was as though Thaddeus‘ mother was standing right there before her.
“Mom, let me formally introduce you. This is Evadne, the love of my life.”
His voice trembled with the last word, choked with emotion. “All I want in this life is her.”
“Thaddeus.” Evadne whispered, tears clinging to her lashes.
“You must be happy for me too, right?”
Suddenly, a gentle breeze caressed Evadne’s cheek, scattering her tears, as if an invisible
hand was soothing her.
Chapter 566
Her heart pounded. She looked intently at the photograph of the smiling woman.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmShe thought, “Mrs. Winter, was it you? Are you silently responding to Thaddeus?
Have you been watching over your son from heaven, protecting and blessing him?”
“Mom, we’ve uncovered the truth about your death. Elspeth is now behind bars, and her
trial is soon. We hope it will be her final day. The suffering you endured, Evadne and I will
make her pay. An eye for an eye, blood for blood–we will seek justice!”
Thaddeus‘ eyes burned with a fierce resolve as he and Evadne clasped hands. “After the
verdict, we’ll return with news of victory to visit you.”
“Mrs. Winter, we will win this battle. Please, from the heavens above, watch over
Thaddeus.”
With that said, they bowed deeply to Cynthia Winter’s grave.
As they bowed, Thaddeus‘ lips curved into a faint, happy smile.
They lingered a while longer, Evadne helping to tidy the grave before they prepared to
leave.
Then, the sound of footsteps unfamiliar to the cemetery’s silence approached.
“Thad?”
The familiar voice felt like an icy dagger to Thaddeus‘ spine.
Evadne turned first, her grip tightening on Thaddeus‘ hand.
Just yards away, Frederic stood in an impeccably tailored black suit, his presence
disrupting the calm.
Behind him, Dennis and four bodyguards followed, a formidable entourage befitting the
chairman of the Abernathy Group, a stark contrast to the cemetery’s serenity.