Chapter 649
After a few rings, the call connected.
“Thaddeus, I’m honestly surprised and delighted you’d call me,” Chad’s voice was as warm and kind as ever, though tinged with a hint of frailty.
“Chad, how have you been holding up?”
Thaddeus, by nature, wanted to cut straight to the chase, but desperate times called for some pleasantries first.
“Oh, same old. Popping pills like candy just to keep ticking, so much so I’m practically balding.”
Chad cracked a joke, “Tell me, Thaddeus, next time we meet, do you reckon I’ll look like I’m sporting a monk’s tonsure?” “Chad, I’m actually in this country,” Thaddeus replied seriously, not in the mood for banter.
“Oh? Really? When did you get in?”
“Night before last.”
Thaddeus took a deep breath and spoke in a low tone, “Chad, I’ve got something serious to discuss. Can we meet?”
That evening, Thaddeus and Gordon drove to the address Chad had provided. All the way there, Thaddeus‘ jaw was set in a firm line.
Though they were brothers by blood and had got on well in their youth, and despite not sharing the same mother, his older brother had taken care of him a lot.
holiday greetings exchanged, Chad didn’t
Abernathy, we’re here!”
reverie
mansion, its seclusion striking an impressive contrast to the outside
some estate, easily rivals the grandeur of
awe, “Looks like Mr. Chad Abernathy’s been living it up abroad. This place must’ve cost hundreds of millions, eh?”
“Nonsense.”
up, “It’s nothing compared
his gaffe and scratched his head
with Mrs. Abernathy, treasuring even a strand of her hair. In his eyes, everything about Mrs. Abernathy
stepped out first, respectfully opening the car door for Thaddeus. As he stepped out, buttoning up his suit jacket, a delicate fragrance wafted towards him, reminiscent of the subtle
to have a calming effect, easing some of
you at a greater distance,” a cool and soothing female voice approached
saw a woman in a white gown, her figure slender and elegant, approaching them with grace.
in a smile as she extended her hand politely
sharp gaze fixed on her. This woman seemed familiar, yet after sifting through his
meet you.”
for his brother, he quickly touched her hand, as if any longer and he might spontaneously combust.
been waiting for you.
“Sure.”
tone. “I’m sorry, but Mr. Chad Abernathy’s estate is off–limits to anyone but family and invited guests.
filled with
Gordon,
smile in her eyes iced over to
by that woman, Gordon stared at her retreating figure, feeling
the winding corridor. Thaddeus‘ cool gaze remained on Alexia, his suspicions growing. As she moved, her clothes fluttered, and the orchid–like scent lingered around
ever the blunt businessman, surprisingly took
glanced back with a light smile, her eyes like tempting hooks, “Would a busy man like Mr. Abernathy be interested in a
used to be, but now that I have a
tell me the brand? I’d like to get it for her as a gift when I
turned her face away, a shadow crossing her features, “I’m afraid 141 have to disappoint you, Mr. Abernathy. It’s not a perfume, but a rare incense made from local botanicals, nearly impossible
I see, Thaddeus‘ expression flickered, and
asked her that because he suddenly remembered where he had smelled that
detected this orchid scent clinging to Avery,
a rare incense she could obtain probably
they know each other? Or was it merely a
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