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.
with only holiday greetings exchanged, Chad didn’t feel all that close to him anymore.
Abernathy, we’re here!”
of his reverie and slowly lifted
astonishing mansion, its seclusion striking an impressive contrast to the
easily rivals the grandeur of Mrs.
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
realized his gaffe and scratched his head awkwardly.
with Mrs. Abernathy, treasuring even a strand of her hair. In his eyes, everything about Mrs. Abernathy was the
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 scent of
seemed to have a calming effect,
a greater
figure slender and elegant, approaching them with grace.
extended her hand politely to Thaddeus, “I’m
seemed familiar, yet after sifting
to meet
of respect for his brother, he quickly touched her hand, as if any longer and he might spontaneously
been waiting
“Sure.”
Chad Abernathy’s estate is off–limits to anyone but family and invited guests.
eyes filled with concern for
in the car, Gordon, Thaddeus said quietly
her eyes
woman, Gordon stared at her retreating
Alexia, his suspicions growing. As she moved,
is it?” Thaddeus, ever the
glanced back with a light smile, her eyes like tempting hooks, “Would a busy man like Mr. Abernathy be interested
I have a significant
hide his joy, “Could you tell me the brand? I’d like to get it for her as a gift
features, “I’m afraid 141 have to disappoint you, Mr. Abernathy. It’s
see, Thaddeus‘ expression flickered, and he dropped
that because he suddenly remembered where he
in every encounter, he had faintly detected this orchid scent clinging
incense she could obtain
get it? Did they know each other? Or was it merely a coincidence?
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
The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!