His Ex Wife Is A Billionaire

Chapter 773

Frederic stormed into the room, his face as dark as a thundercloud, his presence
more intimidating than a Halloween ghoul.

“On such a sunny day, why do you have to look like you're attending a funeral?”
Hamilton chided, glancing away from his son’s gloomy expression with a tsk—tsk
of disapproval. “Seeing you puts such a damper on my day, I swear it's shaving
years off my life!”

Frederic ignored the verbal sparring with his dad and made a beeline for Marilla,
completely disregarding the Ashbournes, who were over for a visit.

“Marilla! You're coming home with me right now!”

Marilla recoiled, her face pale as milk, clutching her teddy bear like a shield.
Just as Frederic's hand was about to clamp onto her, another hand-veined and
strong—caught his wrist in an iron grip.

Marilla’s eyes widened in shock, staring at the tall figure stepping protectively in
front of her. “Aaron.”

Aaron met Frederic’s fiery gaze with a cold flicker in his eyes. “Mr. Frederic, let's
keep this civil. You're scaring Marilla.”

Frederic, panting with anger and frustration, couldn’t immediately free his wrist
from Aaron's hold and bit back his rage with a snarl, “Let go!”

With a calm gaze, Aaron released him.

Frederic quickly stepped back, rubbing his wrist, which had turned an angry
shade of purple.

“Mr. Hamilton, Mom, it's about time. I promised Marilla we'd go out and have
some fun,” Aaron said, trying to diffuse the tension as he turned to Hamilton.

“I just said Marilla has to come with me. She’s not going anywhere!” Frederic
roared back, unable to contain his fury.

Hamilton bristled. “Marilla already made plans with Aaron. And here you are,
making a scene in front of our guests! The Ashbournes have come with gifts, and
you're causing a ruckus!”

“You don't understand the situation. If you did, you wouldn't be taking this tone
with me!”

Frederic waved his hand dismissively, a clear sign of his impatience. “Bottom
line, my daughter is not to associate with the Ashbourne boy. I'll explain later
when it's convenient!”

“Hold on a second.”

Suri's voice cut through the tension like a knife, her cool gaze landing on
Frederic. “You can't leave us hanging, Mr. Frederic. If you've got something to
say, out with it. Let's hear why my son can’t associate with your daughter.”

Her authoritative presence was unmistakable—the matriarch of the Ashbourne
family, not to be trifled with. Hamilton watched, a pang of envy for Emeric. If only
his own son could have a partner as formidable and accomplished as Surl,
maybe his temper wouldn't be so difficult.

Frederic's smile was a sneer of contempt. “Suri, do you swear that you and your
son approaching Marilla have nothing to do with Evadne’s bidding?”

Suri's brows knit together.

“You pressured Mr. Bartley with election funding, to call off the engagement with
the Bartleys for your own gain Your antics at the Bartley’s event, embarrassing
them in public, wasn't that to ensure Marilla wouldn't marry into their family?”
The room fell silent, the accusation hanging heavy in the air.

Marilla couldn't bear to look at her father or Aaron. She closed her eyes, her
lashes quivering as she hugged her teddy bear even tighter.

“I've always found it strange how suddenly you've taken an interest in my
daughters affairs, Suri. Especially at the crucial moment of her engagement to
the Bartleys. Unless someone prompted you, who would believe it?”

Frederic's voice was laced with decades of business acumen, a cynical laugh
escaping him. “Marilla and Jareth breaking up was unfortunate, but it was their
fate. For Evadne to interfere like this is crossing the line! Let me be clear, even
without the Bartleys, I would never approve of Marilla getting back with Jareth.
And you, with your ulterior motives, I certainly won't allow any contact between
my daughter and your son. Who knows what you're really plotting?”

Aaron clenched his fists, the room's tension palpable, but he restrained himself
for the sake of family honor.

Hamilton was about to intervene when Suri, with a grace that belied her fierce
words, said what was on her mind.

“I'm absolutely disgusted.”

Frederic's eyes flashed. “What did you say?”

“Mr. Frederic, I must admit, you're a lucky man indeed, Suri said, taking a
measured sip of her tea. “Otherwise, with that kind of thinking, I doubt you'd have
made it this far in business.”

Frederic's face reddened with rage, but he held back. He was a man of stature,
and a public spat was beneath him.

“In the Ashbourne household, we pride ourselves on being progressive. As
parents, we don’t-meddle too much in our children’s love lives. Frankly, I wasn’t
too familiar with Marilla at first, but my son took a shine to her, and any mother
worth her salt would give her boy a leg up in romance, am I right? Besides, the
match you had set up for Marilla, what kind of folks were they? The Bartley clan
buckled under the slightest pressure and called off the engagement in the dead
of night. That tells you they're nothing but social climbers, chasing after status
and fortune. Do you really think mingling with such riff-raff wouldn't tarnish the
reputation of the Abernathy Group, the wealthiest in all of EImsworth?”

Those words struck a chord with Hamilton, and he nodded vigorously in
agreement.

“If that's the case, I only followed Evadne’s counsel in this matter. Now that I
know both families have called off the engagement, I can just as well stop
bothering you all.”

Suri spoke with calm composure, “The reason for my visit is simple—I'm quite
fond of Marilla myself. The urgency I feel to see her matches Aaron's own.”
“Mom.” Warmth flooded Aaron's chest, coloring his ears a rosy hue.

Marilla slowly opened her eyes, her luminous gaze filled with gratitude towards
Suri.

“Frederic, you've gone too far with your words. Apologize to Suri now!” Hamilton
glared at his son, clearly displeased by his antics.

Frederic pressed his lips together, his gums aching with frustration, but he
refused to open his mouth.

The very idea of apologizing to the Ashbournes felt like the ultimate disgrace!
“Let it be, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Frederic is just overly protective of his daughter,
which can muddle his thoughts. As a mother myself, I can understand.”

Suri gently set down her teacup, “However, Mr. Frederic, you're not getting any
younger. If there's nothing pressing at the company, perhaps you should follow
Emeric’s lead and spend more time taking care of your health Constantly
throwing obstacles in your children’s path to love-what’s the point?”

With every gentle word from Suri, Frederic felt as if she was twisting a knife in his
weakest spots!

Aaron stepped forward, his gaze intense and deep like the ocean, “Mr. Frederic,
you can doubt anything you like. But there’s one thing you shouldn't question. I
swear on my badge, on my honor, my feelings for Marilla are as true as gold.
Even if you dislike me, I still have to tell you, my intentions with Marilla are
serious.”

The room fell silent.

Suri had never seen her son like this, and for a moment, she felt so moved she
almost wanted to cry.

“If you're still not convinced, think of it this way—now there’s one more person in
this world willing to protect your daughter with his life. One more defender is no
loss to you.” Aaron smiled serenely, his bright eyes carrying a tremor of heartfelt
strength.

Frederic’s face softened, he had run out of objections.

“Marilla, let's go.”

This time, Aaron didn’t leave Marilla with a choice. He confidently took her hand
and strode forward.

His steps were wide, and Marilla, in her delicate grace, hustled to keep pace with
him.

Lately, every encounter with her father had left her feeling suffocated, oppressed.
Even if Aaron hadn't spoken up, she would have taken him and left without a
second thought.

The pair disappeared from the front door in the blink of an eye.

Hamilton sighed deeply, his words carrying a weighty significance, “Suri, you've
raised your son well. Compared to you, I'm shamed as a father.”

“Dad! What are you saying?” Frederic was livid, feeling like both Suri and
Hamilton were mocking him in their own ways.

After Suri had left, Frederic endured another round of rebuke from his father.

“I know you still dislike llana and harbor prejudice against her! But I'm convinced
of one thing—everything llanat does, she does for the good of this family, for the
people she cares about!”

Hamilton pointed sharply at him, “If you slander llana again, you're no longer
welcome in Havenbrook!”

Frederic opened his mouth to retort, but then he saw Thaddeus and Evadne,
hand in hand, enter the room. They must have heard everything.

Evadne, ever magnanimous, was unfazed by such scenes, but Thaddeus* cool
gaze fixed on Frederic with unspoken fury.

Biting back his anger, Frederic realized staying would only make things worse, so
he left with a huff, taking Dennis with him.

“Grandpa, what happened?”

Thaddeus quickly approached the old man, his eyes dark with concern, “What's
he grinding his teeth about now?”

“Aftrifle, it's gone now that I've scolded him away.” Hamilton played it down.
Evadne’s eyes sparkled with laughter, clearly not bothered by these squabbles.
“llana, Suri and Aaron just left. He took Marilla out.”

Mentioning Aaron, Hamilton couldn't help but praise, “Aaron is a fine young man!
I like him a lot! I'd love to call him my grandson, give Thaddeus a good brother!”
“Grandpa, there's no need for formalities, Aaron and Thaddeus already get on
well, Evadne sald brightly, understanding instantly where Frederic’s grievances
stemmed from.

“Grandpa, Mr. Ashbourne is my elder, if you were to make him your grandson,
given I'm older, he'd end up being my younger brother.”

Thaddeus smirked subtly, “That wouldn't be quite right.”

“You, my boy, have become quite the charmer since you got together with llana.”
Hamilton chuckled teasingly, then sighed again, “Watching those two young
ones, it reminds me of your grandmother, and all the memories of our youth.”
“Grandpa, are you happy about Aaron and Marilla being together?” Evadne
ventured to ask.

“Aaron is truly devoted to Marilla, I can see it plain as day.”

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: ) . “
Hamilton's gaze turned distant, “But, I
always feel like when Marilla is ih

) 5 A
Aaron, therelsisqmetpind missing
= 5 .
Het &9e. ftana, we can't put a price
on happiness, and Marilla is all grown
up now. Who she fancies, who she
f ) : "
pines for—that's her choice to make.
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latest chapter of this novel
It was the weekend, and naturally, the amusement park was swarming with
visitors.
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On the drive over, Marilla had been
fiddling with a teddy bear Keyehaipdo
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ease the awkWaigriess? Karén
Nol the car, occasionally glancing
at her with a protective eye, attuned
to her every mood shift. Visit
popsnovel.com to read the latest
chapter of this novel
It wasn't until they passed through the gates that Marilla finally spoke up,
breaking the silence,
“Aaron, thanks for this. And to your mom, too. I really appreciate it.”
Aaron hated it most when she thanked him; it made him feel awkward.
Scratching his head, he pointed towards a nearby shop.
“Want to check it out? Seems like everyone's rocking some funky headgear. Let's
grab a couple for ourselves.”
Marilla nodded slightly, and they walked into the shop side by side.
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When they emerged, Marilla sported
a brown teddy bear hair clip, its tin
—~
ears perked Uppresableand Sea),
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Aslfép Ohtain Ashbourne, he'd
donned a crocodile headband that,
from a distance, looked as if a
crocodile was biting his head. Visit
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“Uh, Aaron, you're hilarious!” Marilla giggled, covering her mouth as a rare,
unstoppable laughter took hold.
“If it makes you happy, Aaron replied, his smile slowly stiffening.
Girls passed by, sneakily taking photos with their phones. It wasn't every day
they got to see a guy who was both eye candy and comically charming.
But Aaron was suffering his own social demise, silently praying he wouldn't bump
into any colleagues.
Suddenly, his gaze sharpened, sweeping the crowd.
His instincts as a seasoned detective told him they were being watched.
Someone was lurking in the shadows, eyeing them with intent.