His Ex Wife is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus)

Chapter 683

The name echoed, tugging at the frayed edges of Aaron’s tightly wound heartstrings.

“Aaron, help me

Marilla’s pale face was streaked with tears, each one falling from her long lashes and landing on

Aaron’s chest.

He wanted to comfort her, but any reassurance could provoke the hostage–taker, making her situation

even more perilous.

Aaron met Marilla’s gaze before shifting his attention to the man’s bloodshot, terrifying eyes.

“Don, take a breath, buddy. The girl’s innocent. She doesn’t know your story, never met those five kids

– she’s just an outsider here. How ‘bout this: I’ll be your hostage. Let her go, and you take me instead.”

Marilla’s teary eyes followed Aaron as he cautiously approached the captor, waves of guilt washing

over her.

How could she have been so foolish? If only she’d waited patiently in the classroom for Lily to return. If

only she hadn’t been so clumsy, maybe she could’ve outrun this.

But it was too late for what–ifs.

As Aaron edged closer, Don roared, “Don’t come any closer! I’ll slit her throat and jump, we’ll both be

done for! Don’t think I can’t see right through you! You want to trade places and then fight me? You’re a

cop; you think I can take you? I’ve already taken two lives what’s one more at this point?!”

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Aaron’s face was stern, his heartbeat hammering against his ribs, “I get it; I really do. I don’t have a

daughter, but if someone hurt my sister like this, I wouldn’t stand for it either. I’d want justice for my

family.”

Don’s pupils shrank, the knife against Marilla’s neck trembling, its cold blade biting into her skin.

“I know your daughter was a student here, that those five guys hurt her, right? School bullying, isn’t that

what they call it?”

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Marilla’s eyes widened in shock as painful memories exploded in her mind, ringing in her ears, a

relentless barrage of taunts.

– “You idiot! Retard! Moron! You think you belong in school? Can you even understand what I’m

saying?!”

“She shouldn’t be at a normal school; she belongs in an asylum!”

– “Stay away from her – she’s crazy! Who knows, maybe it’s contagious? Hahaha!”

The cruel laughter haunted Marilla like malevolent spirits. In agony she shut her eyes tightly, her face

ashen, her legs trembling, barely able to hold herself up.

Aaron sensed her distress, his heart aching as he spoke again, his voice hoarse, “I truly want to help

you! You’ve made a mistake, but don’t compound it with another. Your daughter’s still fighting for her

life in the hospital. You should be there for her, not pursuing revenge that will only lead you to ruin.

Imagine her waking up to find out her father turned into a murderer for her sake. She’ll carry not only

the pain of being bullied but also the burden of your crime. How can she bear it, so young and already

so wounded? She’s tried to end her pain once; do you want to push her to do it again?!!

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Behind Aaron, his fellow officers looked on with admiration. Captain Ashbourne, though young,

possessed the negotiation skills of a seasoned detective. His words were simple and powerfu!, striking

at the heart.

Above all, he was sincere – a lethal weapon in any negotiation.

Not only did he aim to save the hostage, but he also empathized with the perpetrator, treating them as

a victim, which often broke through their psychological defenses.

As expected Aaron’s heartfelt appeal seemed to reach Don.

“Don’t feed me that bull! You cops talk a good game but can’t do squat!”

But then, thinking of his daughter, battered and unconscious, rage clouded his judgment again, “I and

my daughter, we’ve gone to the school authorities, to the cops, to deal with those five beasts more than

once! Just because they come from influential families, they just walk out of the station without a

scratch! How can I trust any of you?!”

Upon hearing that, Aaron felt a surge of righteous anger. The Elmsworth Academy of Fine Arts was

outside their jurisdiction; only now, with a criminal case, had they been called to the scene.

in his district, such corruption – protecting the elite’s offspring and the collusion of officials and

merchants – would never stand

“Sir, I understand your pain”

Marilla slowly opened her swollen eyes, her frail voice shedding its prior terror for a touch of

heartbreaking resolve, I’ve been

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Chapter 683

through what your daughter has.”

Don was taken aback, “What did you say?!”

“Please trust me. I’ll help your daughter walk out of the shadow, and find justice,” Marilla struggled

against the suffocating fear, which made her barely speak fluently.

“What can a frail girl like you do?!”

“I am Marilla Abernathy from the Abernathy family. Don’t believe me? Check your phone right now.”

Marilla’s beautiful face glistened with sweat, “My brother is the CEO of the Abernathy Group, Thaddeus

Abernathy. My sister–in–law is an Ashbourne heiress, Evadne. Tell me, aren’t they enough to get

justice for your daughter?”

Aaron couldn’t help but respect this seemingly delicate girl! Any other girl would have been paralyzed

with fear, but Marilla managed to stay rational in the face of doom, crafting an argument for her escape.

“Ms. Ashbourne is your sister–in–law?”

Don didn’t suspect the girl of lying after all, who didn’t have a smartphone these days, especially an

Abernathy heiress? It was easy to verify.

And this time, it seemed Marilla had truly swayed him.

As heiress to the Ashbourne fortune, Ms. Ashbourne was known not just for her wealth, but for her

daring spirit and sense of justice. Her legends circulated far and wide, as she fought for the underdogs

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like Erica and Beverly Higgins, standing up to powerful families such as the Abernathy family and the

Chambers family to seek justice for those who couldn’t.

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If Ms. Ashbourne could really lend a helping hand to his poor daughter. But she was the daughter of the

city’s wealthiest magnate. Even with a heart of gold, there were countless injustices throughout the

world. How could she possibly address them all? And why should she feel obligated to intervene?

“Ms. Ashbourne can truly help my daughter?”

“She can; I’m pretty sure.”

Marilla’s emotions swelled within her. Although her face regained composure, tears rolled down her

porcelain cheeks like pearls slipping off a string, “I too was once bullied.”

Aaron’s eyes widened in disbelief at her confession.

“In the past, I chose to endure and escape, and to this day, those who tormented me have yet to be

punished. Let’s just say I’m seeking a bit of justice for myself too and I hope to help your daughter in

the process. So, please don’t make another mistake. If you die here, you’ll never see the day of your

revenge.”

Marilla’s sincere plea finally broke through Don’s last defenses. He gradually released the grip on the

girl’s arms, and the blade slowly receded from her tender neck.

“Aaron!”

Marilla, saved at last, ran towards Aaron with tears streaming down her face.

“Marilla, don’t be afraid!” Aaron opened his arms wide to embrace her.

But at that very moment, a sniper on the opposite rooftop adjusted the scope due to the shifting

sunlight, and a blinding glare suddenly struck the man’s face!

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Feeling deceived, Don erupted in fury! With a roar, he raised his machete to strike the defenseless

Marilla again!

“You treacherous fuckers! Ganging up on me, you’re all going to pay!”

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