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.
a decade apart, with only holiday greetings exchanged, Chad didn’t feel all
we’re here!”
snapped out of his reverie
an astonishing mansion, its seclusion striking an impressive contrast
grandeur of Mrs. Abernathy’s Silverlake Harbor!”
hung open in awe, “Looks like Mr. Chad Abernathy’s been living it up
“Nonsense.”
flaring up, “It’s nothing
his gaffe and scratched his head
a strand of her hair. In his eyes, everything about Mrs. Abernathy was the
he stepped out, buttoning up his suit jacket, a delicate fragrance wafted towards him, reminiscent of the subtle
seemed to have a calming effect, easing some of the tension he
apologies for not greeting you at a greater distance,” a cool and soothing female voice approached
slender and elegant,
a smile as she extended her hand politely
seemed familiar, yet after sifting through his memory, he couldn’t recall ever meeting her.
meet
for his brother, he quickly touched her hand,
Chad Abernathy has been waiting for you. Please, follow me.”
“Sure.”
but Mr. Chad Abernathy’s estate is off–limits to anyone but family and invited guests. Your secretary will have to wait
eyes filled with concern for Thaddeus.
in the car, Gordon,
in her eyes iced over to
away by that woman, Gordon stared at her retreating figure, feeling an
on Alexia, his suspicions growing. As she moved, her
smells quite nice. What brand is it?” Thaddeus, ever the
tempting hooks, “Would a busy
that I
his joy, “Could you tell me the brand? I’d like to get
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,
expression flickered, and he dropped the
her that because he suddenly remembered where he had smelled that fragrance
he had faintly detected this orchid scent clinging to Avery, the same
said it wasn’t perfume but a rare incense she could obtain
Avery get it? Did they know each
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