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.
greetings exchanged, Chad didn’t feel all that close to him anymore. Respect was the predominant sentiment.
Abernathy, we’re
of his reverie and
an astonishing mansion, its seclusion striking an
estate, easily rivals the grandeur of Mrs. Abernathy’s Silverlake
Abernathy’s been living it up abroad. This place must’ve cost hundreds of millions, eh?”
“Nonsense.”
competitive streak flaring up, “It’s nothing compared
his gaffe and scratched
with Mrs. Abernathy, treasuring even a strand of
first, respectfully opening the car door for Thaddeus. As he stepped out, buttoning up his suit jacket, a delicate fragrance wafted towards
the fragrance seemed to have a calming effect, easing some of the tension he felt.
at a greater distance,” a cool and soothing female voice approached
in a white gown, her figure slender and elegant, approaching
hand politely
on her. This woman seemed familiar, yet
meet
her hand, as if
Abernathy has been waiting for you.
“Sure.”
moved to follow, Alexia abruptly stated in a cold tone. “I’m sorry, but Mr. Chad Abernathy’s estate is off–limits to anyone but family and invited guests.
in the car, Gordon, Thaddeus said
turned away, the smile in her eyes
away by that woman, Gordon stared at her retreating figure, feeling
winding corridor. Thaddeus‘ cool gaze remained on Alexia, his suspicions growing. As she moved, her clothes fluttered,
quite nice. What brand is it?” Thaddeus, ever the blunt businessman, surprisingly
her eyes like tempting hooks, “Would a busy man like Mr. Abernathy be
I have a significant other, it’s
Thaddeus‘ lips curled up, unable to hide his joy, “Could you tell me the brand? I’d like to
141 have to disappoint you, Mr. Abernathy. It’s not a perfume, but a rare incense made from local
I see, Thaddeus‘ expression flickered, and he dropped the subject.
asked her that because he suddenly remembered where he had smelled that
he had faintly detected this orchid scent clinging to Avery, the same
incense she could obtain
it? Did they know each other? Or
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