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.
than a decade apart, with only holiday greetings exchanged, Chad didn’t feel
Abernathy, we’re
of his reverie and slowly lifted his
astonishing mansion, its seclusion striking an impressive contrast
estate, easily rivals the grandeur of Mrs. Abernathy’s Silverlake
open in awe, “Looks like Mr. Chad Abernathy’s been living it up abroad. This place must’ve cost hundreds
“Nonsense.”
competitive streak flaring up, “It’s nothing compared to
his gaffe and scratched his
smitten with Mrs. Abernathy, treasuring even a strand of her hair. In his eyes, everything about Mrs. Abernathy
As he stepped out, buttoning up his suit jacket,
the fragrance seemed to have a calming effect, easing some
greeting you at a greater distance,” a cool and soothing female voice approached
his eyes and saw a woman in a white gown, her figure slender and elegant,
in a smile as she extended her hand politely to Thaddeus, “I’m pleased to
familiar, yet after sifting through his memory, he
to meet
touched her hand,
Chad Abernathy has been waiting for you.
“Sure.”
Mr. Chad Abernathy’s estate is off–limits
his eyes filled
the car, Gordon,
the smile in her eyes iced over to a
Gordon stared at
after the other along the winding corridor. Thaddeus‘ cool gaze remained on Alexia,
brand is it?” Thaddeus, ever the blunt businessman, surprisingly took
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
“Could you tell me the brand? I’d like to get it for her as a gift
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
Thaddeus‘ expression flickered, and
asked her that because he suddenly remembered where he had
Avery, in every encounter, he had faintly detected this orchid scent clinging to Avery, the
incense she could obtain probably due to his
Avery get it? Did they know each other? Or was it merely a
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