Chad gently settled Evadne into the back seat of his car just as Jason came running over, breathless and anxious.
“Ms. Evadne! Are you alright?”
Evadne’s expression was complicated, but she forced a reassuring smile for Jason. “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”
“Ms. Evadne was almost hit by a car. She fell and hurt her leg—it’s the same spot from her previous accident.”
Chad cut in before she could keep up the brave act. “I’m concerned her old injury might flare up. I want to take her to the hospital for a check-up.”
Jason’s face fell in guilt. “I’m so sorry, Ms. Evadne. This is my fault—I should have been more careful.”
“It’s not your fault,” Evadne shook her head. “It happened so quickly. No one could have predicted it.”
She turned to Chad, her voice polite but insistent. “Thank you, Mr. Chad, for saving me. But my assistant can take me to the hospital. I don’t want to trouble you further.”
Chad opened his mouth to respond, but his face suddenly drained of color. His body swayed violently, and he grabbed onto the car door for support.
Both Evadne and Jason froze in shock.
“Sir!” Jason cried out.
At that moment, Alexia rushed over and caught Chad before he could collapse. She quickly pressed two pills into his hand.
Chad swallowed them, and after a moment, some color returned to his cheeks, but his breathing was still labored.
“Sir, you’re pushing yourself too hard!” Alexia’s hands trembled as she patted his back, her eyes brimming with tears. “I heard you threw yourself in front of that car to save Ms. Evadne! Your body can’t handle that kind of strain, you could get seriously hurt!”
Chad struggled to catch his breath, then glanced over at Evadne with a faint, reassuring smile. “It’s alright… see? I’m fine. Just need a little medicine, that’s all.”
Alexia’s voice caught in her throat. “You say you’re fine, but I know better than anyone how much it took for you to walk over here. I’ve been looking after you long enough to see right through you, sir.”
Just then, Elsie came down the hallway leading a group of lively children. A boisterous little boy, not watching where he was going, accidentally ran straight into Chad’s wheelchair.
“Watch where you’re going!” Alexia snapped, glaring fiercely. The boy froze in fear.
“I’m so sorry! I’m really, really sorry!” Elsie rushed forward, bowing slightly and pulling the boy behind her.
Chad rested his arms on the sides of his wheelchair, composed and gracious. He looked up at Elsie with a gentle smile. “It’s alright. I like energetic children.”
That voice—clear, steady, warm, and rich—was unmistakable.
Elsie’s pupils widened with shock, her whole body going rigid, fingers unconsciously tightening.
That voice… Could it be—wasn’t this the very same “Sir” that Avery always spoke of with such reverence?

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus)