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.
didn’t feel all that close to him anymore. Respect
Abernathy, we’re
snapped out of his reverie
him stood an astonishing mansion, its seclusion striking
the grandeur of
Mr. Chad Abernathy’s been living it up abroad. This place must’ve cost hundreds of
“Nonsense.”
flaring up, “It’s nothing compared to Evadne’s
realized his gaffe and scratched his
smitten with Mrs. Abernathy, treasuring even a strand of her hair. In his eyes, everything about Mrs. Abernathy was
door for Thaddeus. As he stepped out, buttoning up his suit jacket, a delicate fragrance wafted towards him, reminiscent of the subtle scent of
seemed to have a calming effect, easing some of the tension
a greater distance,” a cool and
eyes and saw a woman in a white gown, her figure slender and elegant, approaching them with grace. “I’m Alexia, Mr. Chad Abernathy’s
extended her hand politely to
composure, his sharp gaze fixed on her. This woman seemed familiar, yet
to meet
touched her hand, as
waiting for you. Please, follow
“Sure.”
Mr. Chad Abernathy’s estate is off–limits to anyone but family and
looked deflated, his eyes filled with concern for Thaddeus.
the car, Gordon, Thaddeus said
the smile in her eyes iced
Gordon stared at her retreating figure,
two walked one after the other along the winding corridor. Thaddeus‘ cool gaze remained on Alexia, his
your perfume smells quite nice. What brand is it?” Thaddeus, ever the blunt businessman, surprisingly
like tempting hooks, “Would a busy man like Mr. Abernathy be
I have a
you tell me the
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,
I see, Thaddeus‘ expression flickered, and he dropped
suddenly remembered where he had smelled that
in every encounter, he had faintly detected this orchid scent clinging
a rare incense she could obtain probably due
how did Avery get it? Did they know each other? Or was it merely a
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